# US 10,504,299 B2 · System and method for processing distribution items in a distribution network

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- Number: US 10,504,299 B2
- Document ID: US10504299B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/228,564
- Filed: 2018-12-20
- Published: 2019-04-25
- Granted: 2019-12-10
- Earliest claimed: 2014-01-15
- Assignees: United States Postal Service
- Applicants: United States Postal Service
- Inventors: Daniel Mark Bentley; Nii-Kwashie Aryeetey
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10504299B2

## CPC

- G07B 17/00661: {Sensing or measuring mailpieces (weighing G01G19/00)}
- B07C 3/14: using light-responsive detecting means {(for information carriers G06K7/14)}
- B07C 3/18: Devices or arrangements for indicating destination, e.g. by code marks {(applying data to information carriers G06K1/12)}
- G06Q 10/08: Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
- G06Q 20/042: {characterized in that the payment protocol involves at least one cheque}
- G07B: TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
- B07C: POSTAL SORTING; SORTING INDIVIDUAL ARTICLES, OR BULK MATERIAL FIT TO BE SORTED PIECE-MEAL, e.g. BY PICKING (specially adapted for a specific purpose covered by another class, see the relevant place, e.g. A43D33/06, B23Q7/12)
- G06Q: INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR

## Abstract

Systems and methods for processing distribution items having unique identifiers affixed thereon. The unique identifiers can include computer readable codes and written alphanumeric strings generated by a user. A system receives the unique identifier and requests payment information from a user, and stores an association between the unique identifier and the payment information, and processes the item according to the payment information.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of processing an item comprising:
receiving, via a user operated interface device, an image of a unique identifier, the unique identifier having been physically generated;
processing the image of the received unique identifier to generate unique identifier information;
storing the unique identifier information in a memory;
after receiving the image of the unique identifier, receiving an item in a distribution network, the item having the unique identifier thereon;
processing the item on item processing equipment comprising a scanning device to generate an image of the unique identifier from the received item;
processing the image of the unique identifier from the received item to generate read unique identifier information;
querying, by a processor, the memory for the stored unique identifier information;
determining, by a processor, whether the read unique identifier information corresponds to the stored unique identifier information; and
causing the item processing equipment to move the item into one of a plurality of locations in response to the determination.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the received unique identifier comprises an alphanumeric string of characters.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2, wherein processing the image of the received unique identifier comprises performing optical character recognition on the image of the received unique identifier to identify the alphanumeric string of characters.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the received unique identifier is a computer readable code.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the received unique identifier includes encoded item information relating to the item, and wherein processing the image of the received unique identifier comprises decoding the encoded item information.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein processing the image of the received unique identifier comprises performing optical character recognition on the received unique identifier.

### Claim 7

A system for processing items in a distribution network comprising:
a user interface configured to receive an image of a unique identifier, the unique identifier having been physically generated;
a processor in communication with the user interface and configured to process the image of the received unique identifier to generate unique identifier information;
a memory, in communication with the processor, configured to store the unique identifier information;
an item distribution network configured to receive an item having the unique identifier thereon after the user interface has received the image of the unique identifier; and
the item distribution network including processing equipment comprising a scanning device configured to scan the item and to generate an image of the unique identifier from the received item;
wherein the processor is further configured to process the image of the unique identifier from the received item to generate read unique identifier information;
wherein the processor is further configured to query the memory for the stored unique identifier information;
wherein the processor is further configured to determine whether the read unique identifier information corresponds to the stored unique identifier information; and
wherein the processor is further configured to cause item processing equipment to move the item into one of a plurality of locations in response to the determination.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The system of claim 7, wherein the received unique identifier comprises an alphanumeric string of characters.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The system of claim 8, wherein the processor is configured to perform optical character recognition on the image of the received unique identifier to identify the alphanumeric string of characters.

### Claim 10 (depends on 7)

The system of claim 7, wherein the received unique identifier is a computer readable code.

### Claim 11 (depends on 7)

The system of claim 7, wherein the received unique identifier includes encoded item information relating to the item, and the processor is configured to decode the item information encoded in the received unique identifier.

### Claim 12

A system for processing an item comprising:
means for receiving an image of a unique identifier, the unique identifier having been physically generated;
means for processing the identified portion of the image to generate unique identifier information;
means for storing the unique identifier information in a memory;
means for receiving an item in a distribution network after the image of the unique identifier has been received, the item having the unique identifier thereon;
means for processing the item on item processing equipment comprising a scanning device to generate an image of the unique identifier from the received item;
means for processing the image of the unique identifier from the received item to generate read unique identifier information;
means for querying the memory for the stored unique identifier information;
means for determining whether the read unique identifier information corresponds to the stored unique identifier information; and
means for causing the item processing equipment to move the item into one of a plurality of locations in response to the determination.