The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 07, 1985
Filed:
Aug. 27, 1984
United States of America Postal Service, Washington, DC (US);
Abstract
A system for analyzing destination addresses on pieces of mail transported serially past an optical scan area to determine whether the address is machine imprinted or handwritten. Based on the determination, an output is generated to control sorting the mail into either one grouping with printed or typed addresses (readable by machine) or another grouping with handwritten addresses (unreadable by machine). High intensity lamps are focused on each side of the scan area angled at a predetermined angle to the path of transport of the mail to illuminate the address. Arrays of photocells are positioned in vertical alignments, one array on each side of the transport path. The array on the side of the piece of mail bearing the address is activated by a piece of mail reaching the scan area to cyclically generate signals based on the characteristics of the addresses scanned. The signals are processed to reach the decision as to whether the addresses are imprinted or handwritten.