TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to the automated and semi-automated processing of postal
mailpieces and, in particular, to the identification, interception and forwarding
of incorrectly addressed mailpieces from the mail stream by first identifying a mailpiece
as a candidate for forwarding by comparing the name of the addressee and the destination
address read from a mailpiece to a list of names and former addresses of persons who
have requested mail forwarding and then forwarding the mailpiece to a forwarding address
designated by the addressee.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] According to current United States Postal Service (USPS) procedures, the local post
office (destination delivery unit) is responsible for identifying those mailpieces
that are incorrectly addressed and require forwarding. The mail carrier typically
recognizes the address on the mailpiece as no longer valid (incorrect) during the
"casing" operation at the post office or during an attempted delivery of the mailpiece
to the designated destination address. Most often the identification of incorrectly
addressed mailpieces will only occur if the addressee completes and submits a Change
of Address Order Form that requests mailpiece forwarding. A mailpiece identified as
in need of forwarding is manually segregated by the carrier from correctly addressed
mailpieces and removed from the mail stream to a USPS Computerized Forwarding System
(CFS) for address correction.
[0003] The CFS currently utilized by the USPS is a semi-automated, computerized machine
that transports the incorrectly addressed mailpieces past a human operator at a very
slow rate. The operator reads each mailpiece and enters into a processing computer
an extract of the name of the addressee and invalid destination address on the mailpiece.
The computer searches a National Change of Address (NCOA) database maintained by the
USPS according to the input invalid destination address and displays for the operator
a menu of one or more possible choices of names for persons at that address who have
filed a mail forwarding request. If there is a match between the name and address
on the mailpiece and a name and address in the menu, the operator will select the
match to signal the computer and the mailpiece will be tagged for forwarding and manually
or mechanically labeled with a forwarding address. A POSTNET (bar/half-bar) destination
bar code for the forwarding address is also printed and the mailpiece is returned
to the mail stream for normal processing and delivery to the addressee.
[0004] A simple example of the flow of an incorrectly addressed mailpiece from an addressor
in Dallas to an incorrect address in Boston and then to the correct forwarding address
in Los Angeles will illustrate the inherent economic and time concern drawbacks associated
with the current USPS mail forwarding system. In Dallas, the mailpiece is deposited
in the mail stream by the addressor and processed by the USPS automated postal equipment
at a General Mail Facility (GMF) where a destination (POSTNET) bar code corresponding
to the destination address in Boston is printed on the mailpiece. The mailpiece is
then collected with other similarly coded mailpieces and delivered to Boston where
the address on the mailpiece will be checked for the first time for validity. If the
mailpiece is found to be incorrectly addressed, the mailpiece is removed from the
mail stream and sent to the nearest CFS site to be labeled with the forwarding address
designated by the addressee in Los Angeles. A destination (POSTNET) bar code for the
forwarding address is then printed and the mailpiece is returned to the mail stream
to be transported across the country to Los Angeles for delivery to the forwarding
address.
[0005] The current mail forwarding system makes inefficient use of limited USPS resources
by unnecessarily transporting incorrectly addressed mailpieces to the local post office
for the incorrect address before identification, address correction and forwarding
occur. Accordingly, there is a need for an apparatus that will identify incorrectly
addressed mailpieces prior to the time they are delivered to the local post office
for the mailpiece destination address. Furthermore, there is a need for an apparatus
that will obtain the forwarding address for the addressee from the incorrect address
and then properly label the mailpiece for forwarding.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention which is claimed in claim 1 provides a method that will identify,
intercept and forward incorrectly addressed mailpieces. The method operates in either
an automated or semi-automated fashion to identify incorrectly addressed mailpieces
by reading (either mechanically or manually) the name of the addressee and the destination
address on the mailpiece. The read name and address are then compared to a list of
names and former addresses of persons who have filed forwarding address information
with their local post office. If the read name and address match a name and former
address on the list, then the mailpiece is identified as having an incorrect address
and is intercepted from the mail stream for further processing. A forwarding address
for the addressee is then retrieved along with a corresponding destination (POSTNET)
bar code and applied to the mailpiece in place of the incorrect address.
[0007] The forwarding mail identification (FMI) and automated mail forwarding (AMF) systems
of the present invention may be efficiently incorporated into current USPS automated
mail processing equipment. For machine readable mailpieces, an image of the address
side of a mailpiece is captured, digitized and processed by an optical character recognition
system to decode the name of the addressee and the destination address. The destination
address is processed in the USPS ZIP+4 database to obtain a delivery point ZIP code.
The ZIP code and/or destination address comprise delivery point information for the
mailpiece. To identify the need to forward the mailpiece, the delivery point information
and addressee name are processed in an addressee-former address extract of the USPS
National Change of Address (NCOA) database for comparison to persons at the delivery
point who have requested forwarding of mail. If there is a match between names and
addresses, the mailpiece is intercepted from the mail stream with the forwarding address
for the addressee retrieved from the NCOA database and applied to the mailpiece in
place of the incorrect destination address. A destination (POSTNET) bar code corresponding
to the delivery point ZIP code for the forwarding address is also printed on the mailpiece
to assist in the automated sorting and delivery of the mailpiece to the addressee.
[0008] For non-machine readable mailpieces, an image of the address side of a mailpiece
is captured, digitized and stored at an address in memory, linked therein to a unique
mailpiece identification number. This digitized image is then displayed for a human
operator who enters sufficient destination address information to obtain a delivery
point ZIP code from the USPS ZIP+4 database. To identify the need to forward the mailpiece,
the delivery point information is processed in an addressee-former address extract
of the USPS National Change of Address (NCOA) database. If the operator identifies
that the addressee name and address on the mailpiece matches an addressee name and
former address at the delivery point, the mailpiece is intercepted from the mail stream.
The forwarding address for the addressee is then retrieved by the operator from the
NCOA database and applied to the mailpiece in place of the incorrect destination address.
A destination (POSTNET) bar code corresponding to the delivery point ZIP code for
the forwarding address is also printed on the mailpiece to assist in the automated
sorting and delivery of the mailpiece to the addressee.
[0009] With integration of the FMI and AMF systems of the present invention into the existing
automated USPS mail processing equipment, complete system replacement to effectuate
the FMI and AMF systems of the present invention is unnecessary. Furthermore, placement
of the identification and forwarding equipment within the USPS automated mail processing
equipment allows for substantial savings of time and money by enabling the identification,
interception and forwarding of incorrectly addressed mailpieces to occur at the time
of mailpiece deposit rather than at the time of mailpiece delivery. The FMI and AMF
equipment of the present may further be utilized in non-postal applications, for example,
in a merchandise warehouse, to identify incorrectly labeled items prior to shipment
or delivery to the customer. Other potential applications will be obvious to those
skilled in the art.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] A more complete understanding of the forwarding mail identification (FMI) and automated
mail forwarding (AMF) systems of the present invention may be had by reference to
the following Detailed Description in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein:
FIGURE 1 shows the current USPS practice of handling incorrectly addressed mailpieces;
FIGURE 2 illustrates the method of processing incoming mailpieces at a USPS General
Mail Facility (GMF);
FIGURE 3 is an illustration of a typical mailpiece;
FIGURE 4 is a schematic view of the automated forwarding mail identification system
(FMI) of the present invention for machine readable mailpieces;
FIGURE 5 is a schematic view of a separate stand-alone automated mailpiece mark-up
unit;
FIGURE 6 is a schematic view of the automated mail forwarding system (AMF) of the
present invention for machine readable mailpieces;
FIGURE 7 is a schematic view of the semi-automated forwarding mail identification
system (FMI) of the present invention for non-machine readable mailpieces;
FIGURE 8 is a schematic view of the semi-automated mail forwarding system (AMF) of
the present invention for non-machine readable mailpieces;
FIGURE 9 is a schematic view of a first embodiment of the processing circuit with
coupled ZIP+4 and NCOA databases;
FIGURE 10 is a schematic view of a second embodiment of the processing circuit with
separately accessed ZIP+4 and NCOA databases; and
FIGURE 11 is a schematic view of a scanner for mechanically identifying forwarding
endorsements and requirements placed on mailpieces.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] Reference is now made to the Drawings, wherein identical reference numerals refer
to like or similar parts and, in particular, to FIGURE 1 of the Drawings wherein there
is shown the current United States Postal Service (USPS) practice for processing,
identifying, intercepting and forwarding of incorrectly addressed mailpieces. The
cities referenced herein are used for illustrative purposes only. The process starts,
for example, in Dallas when an addressor places an incorrect (no longer valid) destination
address, for a location (delivery point) 10 in Boston, on a mailpiece 12. The addressor
then deposits the mailpiece 12 in the mail stream at a mailbox 14 or at the local
post office 16. Once at the post office 16, the deposited mailpiece 12 is delivered
to the General Mail Facility (GMF) 18 for the Dallas area. The Dallas GMF 18 processes
the mailpiece 12 through the conventional, well known USPS automated mail processing
equipment to determine the delivery point ZIP code for the destination address on
the mailpiece 12 at the delivery point 10. A corresponding destination (POSTNET) bar
code for that delivery point ZIP code is then printed on the mailpiece. The Dallas
GMF 18 equipment sorts the mailpiece 12 according to the affixed destination (POSTNET)
code and delivers the mailpiece, as generally indicated at 20, to the GMF 22 for the
Boston area.
[0012] Once in Boston, the mailpiece 12 is processed according to its destination (POSTNET)
bar code through the sorting equipment at the Boston GMF 22 and delivered to the local
post office (delivery point unit) 24 for the incorrect address at the delivery point
10. At the local post office 24, the mail carrier cases the mailpiece 12 according
to the destination address for the delivery point 10 to facilitate delivery along
each designated postal route 26. Eventually, the mail carrier will recognize that
the address for the delivery point 10 on the mailpiece 12 is no longer valid (typically
by means of a filed change of address form). The incorrectly addressed mailpiece 12
is then manually intercepted by the carrier from the postal stream and sent to a Computerized
Forwarding System (CFS) 28 for the Boston area.
[0013] At the Boston area CFS 28, the incorrectly addressed mailpiece 12 is handled by a
semi-automated process wherein an extract of the name of the addressee and incorrect
address for the delivery point 10 is entered by an operator into a computer and processed
in the USPS National Change of Address (NCOA) database (generated from all filed change
of address forms). The computer will retrieve from the NCOA data base one or more
possible choices of addressee name and former address that favorably compare with
the operator input name and address at the delivery point 10 for the mailpiece. The
operator will then select from the menu of choices provided by the computer, according
to known USPS specified forwarding rules, the closest or exact match of names and
addresses and obtain a forwarding address for the mailpiece 12 at a delivery point
30 in Los Angeles. The mailpiece 12 is then manually or mechanically labeled with
the forwarding address in Los Angeles. A destination (POSTNET) bar code corresponding
to the delivery point ZIP code for the forwarding address is also printed on the mailpiece
to facilitate transportation, as generally indicated at 32, across the country to
the GMF 34 for the Los Angeles area, and delivery through the local post office (delivery
point unit) 36 and along the designated postal route 38 to the forwarding address
at the delivery point 30.
[0014] As illustrated by the example of FIGURE 1, the current USPS forwarding mail identification
system makes inefficient use of limited USPS time and money by delaying the identification,
interception and rerouting (forwarding) of an incorrectly addressed mailpiece until
after the mailpiece has reached the local post office for the incorrect destination
address. It would be preferable if the identification of an incorrectly addressed
mailpiece occurred at the local post office or GMF for the area where the mailpiece
is first deposited into the mail stream by the addressor. For the scenario of FIGURE
1, for example, if the identification of the incorrectly addressed mailpiece 12 occurred
at the Dallas GMF 18, rather than at the local post office 24 in Boston, the local
Dallas CFS 40 could be utilized to determine the forwarding address at location 30
and the mailpiece could be transported, as generally indicated at 42, directly to
Los Angeles. This would eliminate the added time and cost expended in transporting
the mailpiece 12 to and from Boston for delivery to an incorrect destination address.
Furthermore, if the new forwarding address at location 30 could be determined at the
Dallas GMF 18 (rather than at a CFS), the additional expense of CFS processing would
be eliminated.
[0015] Referring now to FIGURE 2, there is shown the processing method for incoming mailpieces
at a USPS General Mail Facility (GMF). Each mailpiece 44 (FIGURE 3) in the mail stream
46 is initially processed by a Facer Canceler (FC) 48 that orients the mailpieces
according to the address side 50, applies a cancellation mark 52 over the stamp 54,
and roughly segregates the mailpieces into three major categories: those having a
machine readable destination address 56 (path 58); those having a non-machine readable
destination address (path 60); and, those having a destination (POSTNET) bar code
62 (path 64). It will, of course, be understood that mailpieces 44 that have previously
been properly oriented, cancelled and segregated, such as mail delivered from another
GMF where these processes have already occurred, need not be processed by the FC 48.
[0016] Machine readable mailpieces are processed by an automated optical scanning system
commonly referred to as a Multiline Optical Character Reader (MLOCR) 66. Non-machine
readable mailpieces are received either directly from the FC 48 (path 60) or indirectly
from the MLOCR 66 (path 68) and processed by a semi-automated optical imaging apparatus
commonly referred to as a Remote Bar Coding System (RBCS) 70. The primary functions
of both the MLOCR 66 and RBCS 70 are to read and identify the destination address
56 for the delivery point, determine the unique delivery point ZIP code (delivery
point information) for the destination address and print the destination (POSTNET)
bar code 62 corresponding to that ZIP code on the mailpiece 44. Destination (POSTNET)
bar coded mailpieces, from the FC 48 (path 64), MLOCR 66 (path 72) and RBCS 70 (path
74), are then processed and sorted according to the destination (POSTNET) bar code
62 by a bar code sorter (BCS) 76.
[0017] As the FC 48, MLOCR 66, RBCS 70 and BCS 76 are common pieces of USPS automated mail
processing equipment whose function, operation and design are well known in the art,
detailed functional, operational and design description beyond that needed for an
understanding of the present invention is deemed unnecessary. The present invention
comprises enhancements in the USPS automated mail processing equipment described above
that will add the capability of identifying mailpieces that require forwarding due
to an incorrect destination address (known as forwarding mail identification - FMI).
Furthermore, the enhancements of the present invention will also obtain and apply
the correct forwarding address to an incorrectly addressed mailpiece (known as automated
mail forwarding - AMF).
[0018] Referring now to FIGURE 4, there is shown a schematic illustration of the automated
forwarding mail identification system (FMI) 78 of the present invention for machine
readable mailpieces. A singulated stream of machine readable mailpieces are fed down
a mechanical transport 80 in the direction indicated by arrow 82. A window detector
84 scans each mailpiece to determine the presence of a reflective window 86 (FIGURE
3) that identifies the location of the destination address 56 on the mailpiece. Each
mailpiece is then scanned by a high resolution video image lifter 88 that digitizes
an image of the address side of each mailpiece. While the digitized image is processed
by a processing circuit 90 for identification of whether the mailpiece is in need
of forwarding, the mailpiece is momentarily held in a mechanical delay 92. If the
mailpiece is not identified by the processing circuit 90 as in need of forwarding,
a printer 94 applies a destination (POSTNET) bar code on the mailpiece corresponding
to the delivery point ZIP code for the destination address, and the mailpiece is directed
by a sorter 96 into a designated mail pocket 98 according to the bar code. If the
mailpiece is identified by the processing circuit 90 as in need of forwarding, the
mailpiece is not coded and is directed by the sorter 96 into a designated forwarding
mail pocket 100 and collected for forwarding processing in a manner to be described.
[0019] The forwarding mail identification decision is made by the processing circuit 90
while the mailpiece is held in the delay 92. The digitized image of the mailpiece
is processed by the circuit 90 in conjunction with window 86 (FIGURE 3) information,
if any, obtained by the detector 84 to determine the location of the destination address
on the mailpiece and the lines of alphanumeric characters therein. Each individual
character in the lines of characters (character information) is processed for recognition
of the address information to thereby decode and identify the destination address
on the mailpiece. The destination address revealed by the decoded character information
is processed by the circuit 90 in the USPS ZIP+4 database 104 to determine the delivery
point ZIP code for the mailpiece. It will, of course, be understood that any other
database including delivery points and corresponding delivery point ZIP codes (for
example, the USA database) may be substituted for the ZIP+4 database. The delivery
point information (comprised of the delivery point ZIP code and/or destination address)
is then processed in an extract of the USPS National Change of Address (NCOA) database
106 (containing the name and former address of each addressee at each delivery point
who has filed a change of address form with the USPS) to determine if a forwarding
request has been logged against that delivery point. It will, of course, be understood
that any other database including a list of addressee names, and former addresses
(and forwarding addresses) may be substituted for the NCOA database. The circuit 90
then checks the delivery point information against the list of former addresses for
that delivery point. If the addresses match, the character information for the digitized
image of the mailpiece is accessed by the circuit 90 to decode the name of the addressee
for comparison to the name of the person in the NCOA database 106 requesting forwarding
of the mail. If the names match, the circuit 90 identifies the mailpiece as in need
of forwarding, saves the character information for the digitized image at an address
in the memory 102 for later access and directs the sorter 96 to send the mailpiece
into the designated forwarding mail pocket 100 for collection and reprocessing in
a manner to be described.
[0020] Often, mailpieces arrive at the FMI system 78 pre-bar coded with an identification
number. A bar code reader 108 at the entrance to the system 78 scans each mailpiece
at entry to detect and transmit the mailpiece identification number to the processing
circuit 90 for storage in the memory 102. When the mailpiece is scanned and the image
digitized by the image lifter 88, the character information for the digitized image
is stored at an address in the memory 102 linked to the mailpiece identification number.
If the mailpiece is identified by the system 78 as in need of forwarding (sorted into
the designated forwarding mail pocket 100), the linked identification number and character
information for the digitized image are retained in memory 102 to be subsequently
accessed in a manner to be described to facilitate determination of a forwarding address
and mark-up of the mailpiece. If the system 78 does not identify the mailpiece as
in need of forwarding, the image and character information are erased from memory
and the printer 94 will apply the destination (POSTNET) bar code corresponding to
the delivery point ZIP code for the destination address.
[0021] Alternatively, if the mailpiece is not pre-coded with an identification number, the
processing circuit 90 will generate a mailpiece identification number for storage
in the memory 102 when the mailpiece enters the system 78. When the mailpiece is scanned
and the image digitized by the image lifter 88, the digitized image is stored at an
address in the memory 102 linked to the identification number. If the mailpiece is
identified by the system 78 as in need of forwarding, the printer 94 will print an
invalid destination (POSTNET) bar code corresponding to the mailpiece identification
number on the mailpiece. The linked identification number and character information
will be retained in memory 102 to be subsequently accessed in a manner to be described
to facilitate determination of a forwarding address and mark-up of the mailpiece.
If the system 78 does not identify the mailpiece as in need of forwarding, the character
information is erased from memory and the printer 94 will apply the destination (POSTNET)
bar code corresponding to the delivery point ZIP code for the destination address.
[0022] Reference is now made to FIGURE 5 wherein there is shown a stand-alone automated
mailpiece mark-up unit 110 for processing incorrectly addressed mailpieces previously
marked with a mailpiece identification number and identified as in need of forwarding.
The singulated stream of incorrectly addressed mailpieces from pocket 100 are fed
down a mechanical transport 80 in the direction indicated by arrow 82. A bar code
reader 108 at the entrance to the system 110 detects and transmits the mailpiece identification
number to the processing circuit 90 where the stored mailpiece character information,
linked to the mailpiece identification number, is accessed from memory 102. While
the character information is processed by the circuit 90 to determine a forwarding
address, the mailpiece is momentarily held in a mechanical delay 92. If a forwarding
address is obtained from the processing circuit 90, a labeler 112 affixes a USPS forwarding
label to the mailpiece and prints the forwarding address thereon. A printer 94 also
applies a destination (POSTNET) bar code on the mailpiece corresponding to the delivery
point ZIP code for the forwarding address.
[0023] The processing circuit 90 obtains the forwarding address, while the mailpiece is
held in the delay 92, by accessing the stored character information from the memory
102 and decoding the addressee name and destination address for the mailpiece. An
extract of the USPS National Change of Address (NCOA) database 106 (containing the
address name, former address and forwarding address of each addressee at each delivery
point who has filed a change of address form with the USPS) is then searched according
to the decoded delivery point information to determine a forwarding address for the
mailpiece that will be transmitted to the labeler 112 along with the corresponding
forwarding delivery point ZIP code.
[0024] Referring now to FIGURE 6, there is shown a combined FMI-AMF system 114 of the present
invention for machine readable mailpieces that identifies mailpieces in need of forwarding
and immediately obtains and applies a forwarding address. A singulated stream of machine
readable mailpieces are fed down a mechanical transport 80 in the direction indicated
by arrow 82. A window detector 84 scans each mailpiece to determine the presence of
a reflective window 86 (FIGURE 3) that identifies the location of the destination
address 56 on the mailpiece. Each mailpiece is then scanned by a high resolution video
image lifter 88 that digitizes an image of the address side of each mailpiece. While
the digitized image is processed by a processing circuit 90 for identification of
whether the mailpiece is in need of forwarding and determination of the forwarding
address, the mailpiece is momentarily held in a mechanical delay 92. If the mailpiece
is not identified by the processing circuit 90 as in need of forwarding, a printer
94 applies a destination (POSTNET) bar code on the mailpiece corresponding to the
delivery point ZIP code for the destination address. If a forwarding address is obtained
from the processing circuit 90, a labeler 112 affixes a USPS forwarding label on the
mailpiece in place of the incorrect destination address and the forwarding address
is printed thereon. A printer 94 also applies a destination (POSTNET) bar code on
the mailpiece corresponding to the delivery point ZIP code for the forwarding address.
Each mailpiece is then directed by a sorter 96 into a designated mail pocket 98 according
to the destination bar code.
[0025] The identification and forwarding decisions for each mailpiece are made by the processing
circuit 90 while the mailpiece is held in the delay 92. The digitized image of the
mailpiece is processed by the circuit 90 in conjunction with window 86 (FIGURE 3)
information, if any, obtained by the detector 84 to determine the location of the
destination address on the mailpiece and the lines of alphanumeric characters therein.
Each individual character in the lines of characters (character information) is processed
for recognition of address information to thereby decode and identify the destination
address on the mailpiece. The destination address revealed by the decoded character
information is processed by the circuit 90 in the USPS ZIP+4 database 104 to determine
the delivery point ZIP code for the mailpiece. The delivery point information (comprised
of the delivery point ZIP code and/or destination address) is then processed in an
extract of the USPS National Change of Address (NCOA) database 106 (containing the
name, former address and forwarding address of each addressee at each delivery point
who has filed a change of address form with the USPS) to determine if a forwarding
request has been logged against that delivery point. The circuit 90 then checks the
decoded destination address against the list of former addresses for that delivery
point. If the addresses match, the character information for the digitized image of
the mailpiece is accessed by the circuit 90 to decode the name of the addressee for
comparison to the name of the person requesting forwarding of the mail. If the names
match, the circuit 90 identifies the mailpiece as in need of forwarding, accesses
the forwarding address for the mailpiece from the NCOA database 106 and transmits
the forwarding address to the labeler 112 along with the delivery point ZIP code for
the forwarding address.
[0026] In the event the processing circuit 90 is unable to decode the destination address
for the mailpiece (if, for example, the mailpiece is non-machine readable or the processing
circuit 90 cannot identify the delivery point ZIP code for the address), then the
digitized image obtained by the image lifter 88 is stored at an address in the memory
102 linked to a mailpiece identification number that has been previously printed on
the mailpiece. Non-machine readable mailpieces are directed by the sorter 96 into
a designated mail pocket 116 and transferred, along with the linked identification
numbers and digitized images from memory 102, for subsequent processing.
[0027] Referring now to FIGURE 7, there is shown a schematic illustration of the semi-automated
forwarding mail identification system (FMI) 118 of the present invention for non-machine
readable mailpieces. A singulated stream of non-machine readable mailpieces are fed
down a first mechanical transport 80a in the direction indicated by arrow 82. Each
mailpiece is then scanned by a high resolution video image lifter 88 that digitizes
an image of the address side of each mailpiece. As each mailpiece enters the system
118, a processing circuit 90 generates a mailpiece identification number that is applied
to the mailpiece by an ID bar code printer 120. The image of the mailpiece that is
scanned and digitized by the image lifter 88 is stored in the memory 102 at an address
linked to the mailpiece identification number. The transport 80a outputs the imaged
and ID coded mailpieces, as generally indicated with arrow 122, for temporary storage
in a bin 123 while the mailpieces are processed in the manner to be described to identify
each mailpiece in need of forwarding.
[0028] Because the addresses on these mailpieces cannot be read by a machine, the stored
digitized images are processed by one or more human operators who view the digitized
images of each mailpiece utilizing a video display terminal (VDT) 124. Each operator
accesses a digitized image from the memory 102 using the processing circuit 90. The
image is viewed and the operator enters, via a keyboard 126, an extract of the destination
address into the processing circuit 90. The destination address is processed by the
circuit 90 in the USPS ZIP+4 database 104 to determine the delivery point ZIP code
for the mailpiece. The delivery point information (comprised of the delivery point
ZIP code and/or destination address) is then processed in an extract of the USPS National
Change of Address (NCOA) database 106 (containing the name and former address of each
addressee at each delivery point who has filed a change of address form with the USPS)
to determine if a forwarding request has been logged against that delivery point.
If yes, the operator is prompted by the processing circuit 90 through the VDT 124
with at least one name of a person filing a forwarding request on that delivery point.
If the name and address obtained from the NCOA database 106 and the name and address
of the imaged mailpiece displayed on the VDT 124 match, the mailpiece is identified
as in need of forwarding and an operator enters a forwarding mail notation that is
linked with the mailpiece identification number and stored in the memory 102.
[0029] After the digitized images of the mailpieces have been manually processed by the
operators, the singulated stream of mailpieces is retrieved from the bin 123, as generally
indicated with arrow 128, in any desired order and fed down a second mechanical transport
80b in the direction indicated by arrow 82. A bar code scanner 108 at the entrance
to the second transport 82b detects and transmits to the processing circuit 90 the
mailpiece identification number previously applied to each mailpiece. While the identification
number is processed by the processing circuit 90 to identify whether the mailpiece
is in need of forwarding, the mailpiece is momentarily held in a mechanical delay
92. Using the mailpiece identification number, the processing circuit 90 accesses
memory 102 to determine if the operator has entered a forwarding mail notation for
the mailpiece. If the mailpiece is not to be forwarded, a printer 94 applies a destination
(POSTNET) bar code corresponding to the delivery point ZIP code obtained from the
ZIP+4 database 104 for the destination address and the mailpiece is directed by a
sorter 96 into a designated mail pocket 98. If the mailpiece is noted for forwarding,
the circuit 90 saves the forwarding notation and the forwarding information for the
mailpiece in memory 102 at an address linked to the mailpiece identification number
for later access and directs the sorter 96 to send the mailpiece into a designated
forwarding mail pocket 100 for collection and further processing to obtain the forwarding
address and mark-up the mailpiece.
[0030] Referring now to FIGURE 8, there is shown a combined FMI-AMF system 130 of the present
invention for non-machine readable mailpieces that identifies mailpieces in need of
forwarding and immediately applies a forwarding address. A singulated stream of non-machine
readable mailpieces are fed down a first mechanical transport 80a in the direction
indicated by arrow 82. Each mailpiece is then scanned by a high resolution video image
lifter 88 that digitizes an image of the address side of each mailpiece. As each mailpiece
enters the system 130, a processing circuit 90 generates a mailpiece identification
number that is applied to the mailpiece by an ID bar code printer 120. The image of
the mailpiece that is scanned and digitized by the image lifter 88 is linked to the
mailpiece identification number and stored in the memory 102. The transport 80a outputs
the imaged and ID coded mailpieces, as generally indicated with arrow 122, for temporary
storage in a bin 123 while the mailpieces are processed in the manner to be described
to identify those mailpieces in need of forwarding and determine the forwarding address.
[0031] Because the addresses on these mailpieces cannot be read by a machine, the stored
digitized images are processed by one or more human operators who view the digitized
images of each mailpiece utilizing a video display terminal (VDT) 124. Each operator
accesses a digitized image from the memory 102 using the processing circuit 90. The
image is viewed and the operator enters, via a keyboard 126, an extract of the destination
address into the processing circuit 90. The destination address is processed by the
circuit 90 in the USPS ZIP+4 database 104 to determine the delivery point ZIP code
for the mailpiece. The delivery point information (comprised of the delivery point
ZIP code and/or destination address) is then processed in an extract of the USPS National
Change of Address (NCOA) database 106 (containing the name, former address and forwarding
address of each addressee at each delivery point who has filed a change of address
form with the USPS) to determine if a forwarding request has been logged against that
delivery point. If yes, an operator is prompted by the processing circuit 90 through
the VDT 124 with at least one name of a person filing a forwarding request on that
delivery point. If the name and address obtained from the NCOA database 106 and the
name and address of the imaged mailpiece displayed on the VDT 124 match, the mailpiece
is identified as in need of forwarding and the operator enters a forwarding mail notation
that is stored in the memory 102 at an address linked with the identification number
for the mailpiece. The processing circuit 90 then accesses the NCOA database 106 and
retrieves a forwarding address for the mailpiece that is linked to the mailpiece identification
number and stored in memory 102.
[0032] After the digitized images of the mailpieces have been manually processed by the
operators, the singulated stream of mailpieces is retrieved from the bin 123, as generally
indicated with arrow 128, in any desired order and fed down a second mechanical transport
80b in the direction indicated by arrow 82. A bar code scanner 108 at the entrance
to the second transport 82b detects and transmits to the processing circuit 90 the
mailpiece identification number previously applied to each mailpiece. While the identification
number is processed by the processing circuit 90 to identify whether the mailpiece
is in need of forwarding, the mailpiece is momentarily held in a mechanical delay
92. Using the mailpiece identification number, the processing circuit 90 accesses
memory 102 to determine if the operator has entered a forwarding mail notation. If
the mailpiece is not to be forwarded, a printer 94 applies a destination (POSTNET)
bar code on the mailpiece corresponding to the delivery point ZIP code obtained from
the ZIP database 104 for the destination address. If the mailpiece is noted for forwarding,
the circuit 90 retrieves the stored forwarding address linked to the mailpiece identification
number in memory 102 and a labeler 112 affixes a USPS forwarding label on the mailpiece
in place of the incorrect destination address and the forwarding address is printed
thereon. A printer 94 also applies a destination (POSTNET) bar code on the mailpiece
corresponding to the delivery point ZIP code, for the forwarding address. Each mailpiece
is then directed by a sorter 96 into a designated mail pocket 98 according to the
destination bar code.
[0033] Referring now to FIGURE 9, there is shown a schematic view of a first embodiment
of the processing circuit 90 wherein the ZIP+4 and NCOA databases, 104 and 106, respectively,
are coupled in a single memory area 132. The processing unit 90 comprises an optical
character recognition unit 134, a system computer 136 and a co-processor 138. It will,
of course, be understood that a co-processor 138 need not be included if the system
computer operates at a sufficiently fast rate to perform all required tasks. The optical
character recognition unit 134 receives the digitized image of each mailpiece from
the image lifter 88 (FIGURES 4 and 6) and processes the image to locate each line
of the destination address and each character within each line (character information).
The optical character recognition unit further processes each character for recognition
and outputs the destination address in a data format that is understood by the system
computer 136.
[0034] For non-machine readable mail in the FMI and/or AMF system embodiments of FIGURES
7 and 8, the character information for the destination address is input by the operator
to the system computer 136 from a keyboard 126 as a result of the entry by an operator
viewing the digitized image of the mailpiece. In such case, the images are transferred
into memory 102 via a LAN or other communication means from a separate memory 102
associated with the lifting of the images from the mail stream. Alternatively, the
images are input directly from an image lifter via the system computer 136.
[0035] The system computer 136 transmits the character information to the co-processor 138
where the information is decoded to identify the destination address for the mailpiece.
The co-processor 138, according to the destination address, accesses the ZIP+4 portion
of the coupled database 132 to obtain the corresponding delivery point ZIP code. In
the coupled database 132, if a mail forwarding request has been logged against a destination
address, the delivery point information (comprised of the delivery point ZIP code
and/or destination address) will be flagged notifying the co-processor to decode the
character information to identify the name of the destination addressee. The co-processor
138 will then compare the decoded addressee name and destination address with the
name and former address of the person who has requested mail forwarding at that delivery
point. If the names and addresses match, the co-processor 138 signals the system computer
136 that the mailpiece has been identified as in need of forwarding. The mailpiece
will then be intercepted from the mail stream by the sorter 96. If either the delivery
point information has not been flagged, the names and addresses do not match or specified
USPS forwarding criteria has not been met, then the co-processor 138 will send the
system computer 136 the delivery point ZIP code for the decoded destination address
for printing on the mailpiece by the printer 94 or the mailpiece will be sent for
further processing according to USPS forwarding rules. The coupled database 132 may
be expanded to further include the forwarding address for each forwarding request
in which case the co-processor 138 will access the coupled database 132 and send back
to the system computer 136 the forwarding address and the delivery point ZIP code
for the forwarding address.
[0036] Referring now to FIGURE 10, there is shown a schematic view of a second embodiment
of the processing circuit 90 wherein the ZIP+4 and NCOA databases, 104 and 106, respectively,
are separately accessed. The processing unit 90 comprises an optical character recognition
unit 134, a system computer 136 and separate co-processors 138a and 138b linked to
the ZIP+4 and NCOA databases, 104 and 106, respectively. It will, of course, be understood
that the use of a separate co-processor 138 will not be necessary in the event the
system computer 136 operates at a sufficiently fast rate to perform all required tasks.
The optical character recognition unit 134 receives the digitized image of each mailpiece
from the image lifter 88 (FIGURES 4 and 6) and processes the image to locate each
line of the destination address and each character within each line (character information).
The optical character recognition unit further processes each character for recognition
and outputs the destination address in a data format that is understood by the system
computer 136.
[0037] For non-machine readable mail in the FMI and/or AMF system embodiments of FIGURES
7 and 8, the destination address is input by the operator to the system computer 136
from a keyboard 126 as a result of the entry by an operator viewing the digitized
image of the mailpiece. In such case, the images are transferred into memory 102 via
a LAN or other communication means from a separate memory 102 associated with the
lifting of the images from the mail stream. Alternatively, the images are input directly
from an image lifter via the system computer 136.
[0038] The system computer 136 transmits the character information to the first co-processor
138a where the character information is decoded to identify the destination address
for the mailpiece. The first co-processor 138a, according to the decoded destination
address, accesses the ZIP+4 database 104 to obtain and return to the system computer
136 the corresponding delivery point ZIP code. The system computer 136 transmits the
delivery point information to the second co-processor 138b. The second co-processor
138b, according to the delivery point information, accesses the NCOA database 106
to determine whether a mail forwarding request has been logged against that delivery
point. If yes, the second co-processor 138b will use the character information to
identify the name of the destination addressee for comparison with the name and address
of the person who has requested mail forwarding at that delivery point. If the names
and addresses match, the second co-processor 138b signals the system computer 136
that the mailpiece has been identified as in need of forwarding. The mailpiece will
then be intercepted from the mail stream by the sorter 96. If no mail forwarding request
has been logged against the delivery point, the names and addresses do not match or
the USPS forwarding criteria has not been met, the second co-processor 138b will signal
the system computer to print the destination (POSTNET) code corresponding to the delivery
point ZIP code on the mailpiece or send the mailpiece for further processing according
to USPS forwarding rules. The NCOA database 106 may be expanded to further include
the forwarding address for each addressee requesting mail forwarding in which case
the second co-processor 138b will access the NCOA database 106 and send back the forwarding
address and the delivery point ZIP code corresponding to the forwarding address.
[0039] With either of the processing circuit 90 and database arrangements illustrated in
FIGURES 9 and 10, the system computer 136 further functions to control the operation
of each system (FIGURES 4-8) and the processing of each mailpiece. For example, the
system computer 136, via the system input, will receive information from the bar code
reader 108 to obtain the identification number for each mailpiece and control the
operation of the transport 80 and sorter 96, via the system output, to move the mailpieces
through the system and into the proper mail pocket. Furthermore, in response to the
signals of the co-processor(s) 138, the system computer 136, via the system output,
will cause the bar code printer 94 and ID code printer 120 to print identification
code or POSTNET codes as required on the mailpieces and direct the printing of the
forwarding address by the labeler 112. The system computer 136 also controls the storage
of linked digitized mailpiece images, mailpiece data, mailpiece identification numbers
and mailpiece forwarding information in the memory 102.
[0040] As is well known, often times an addressor of a mailpiece does not wish for an incorrectly
addressed mailpiece to be forwarded to the correct destination. Thus, an endorsement
such as "DO NOT FORWARD" is placed on the mailpiece. Other times, the addressor wants
the mailpiece be forwarded to the addressee. Thus, an endorsement such as "ADDRESS
CORRECTION REQUESTED" is placed on the mailpiece. Furthermore, under USPS mail processing
rules, certain types and classes of mailpieces are not to be forwarded unless meeting
certain known USPS criteria. If mailpieces are to be efficiently handled for forwarding,
the automated equipment must be able to distinguish between those mailpieces that
are to be forwarded and those that are not to be forwarded.
[0041] For non-machine readable mailpieces processed by the FMI and AMF systems of FIGURES
7 and 8, machine recognition of forwarding requests and requirements is not necessary
because each mailpiece is viewed by human operator who may identify the mailpiece
type and forwarding endorsements displayed on the VDT 124 and process, via the keyboard
126, each mailpiece as required or requested. In the FMI and/or AMF systems of FIGURES
4 and 6 for machine readable mailpieces, however, there must exist a means for categorizing
the mailpieces according to the forwarding requirements and requests and a means for
scanning the mailpieces during processing to identify mailpiece forwarding requirements
and requests. Reference is now made to FIGURE 3, wherein there is shown a typical
mailpiece 44, and FIGURE 11, wherein there is shown a scanner 140 mounted to the transport
80 for incorporation into any of the FMI and AMF systems illustrated in FIGURES 4-8
to scan each mailpiece in the mail stream for machine readable forwarding request
and requirement markings. It will, of course, be understood that the operations performed
by the scanner 140 may be performed by the image lifter 88 or bar code scanner 108.
[0042] The existing type of facing identification marks (FIM) 142 on the mailpiece may be
used to code the forwarding requests of the addressor or requirements of the USPS.
Another option is to place a bar code (of any known type) 144 on the mailpiece, perhaps
near the return address, that designates the forwarding request or requirements for
the mailpiece. Another option is to optically read mail class identification, forwarding
endorsements and return address information. In any case, the scanner 140 will detect
and decode the forwarding requests or requirements from the information printed on
the mailpiece and transmit the forwarding information to the processing circuit 90
to control the handling of the mailpiece for sorting into a designated mail pocket.
If the mailpiece is coded "DO NOT FORWARD", for example, the circuit 90 will direct
the mailpiece to be sorted into a special designated pocket.
[0043] For an addressor who requests to be informed of a new (forwarding) address for an
addressee (according to the information detected by the scanner 140), the image lifter
88 used by the system described in FIGURES 4-8 will capture and digitize an image
of the mailpiece for storage in memory for each identified instance of mailpiece forwarding.
If an addressor has requested to be informed of the forwarding of incorrectly addressed
mailpieces, the digitized images of each forwarded mailpiece will be accessed from
memory 102 and off-line printed. The forwarded mailpiece printouts for each addressor
are then collected and sent by the USPS to the addressor to provide notification of
both the forwarding of the mailpiece and the new forwarding address for the addressee.
[0044] The FMI and/or AMF systems of FIGURES 4-8 also provide a means for automatically
updating the USPS NCOA database. The information on the USPS Change of Address Order
Form (Form 3575), for example, may be scanned by the image lifter 88 and either decoded
by specialized forms reading circuits within the processing circuit 90 or viewed and
input by an operator through the VDT 124 and keyboard 126. The data from the change
of address form may then be processed by the circuit 90 to access and update the NCOA
database 106 if the data has not already been entered into the database.
[0045] The FMI and/or AMF systems of the present invention may further be integrated with
existing USPS automated mail processing equipment with minimal effort. For example,
the image lifter 88 and ID code printer 120 of FIGURES 7 and 8 are already present
in the current USPS Multiline Optical Character Reader 66 (FIGURE 2). USPS Multiline
Optical Character Readers 66 decode digitized video images of mailpieces and search
the ZIP+4 database to obtain the delivery point ZIP code and print the corresponding
destination (POSTNET) bar code in a manner identical to that of the FMI and/or AMF
systems of the present invention. Furthermore, the VDT 124 and keyboard 126 for processing
digitized images of mailpieces are presently in the USPS Remote Bar Code System 70.
Additional component integration opportunities are currently available or may be designed
into future system upgrades for the USPS automated equipment.
[0046] Although several preferred embodiments of the FMI and/or AMF systems of the present
invention have been described in the foregoing Detailed Description and illustrated
in the accompanying Drawings, it will be understood that the invention is not limited
to the embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, substitutions
and modifications without departing from the spirit of the invention.