Secure scanning mail verifier
AssigneePitney Bowes Inc.
InventorsThomas J. Foth, Kenneth G. Miller, Jennifer A. Hinsman
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for capturing mail piece attributes as well as the number of mail pieces contained in the mailing. This is done by securely capturing an image of the mail piece and its thickness. These mail piece attributes can be used to verify barcode quality, readability, and correctness; presort discounts; address correctness; mail piece size; weight based upon mail piece thickness, indicia attributes, etc. Optionally, light reflectivity sensors can verify the glossiness and contrast of the mail pieces. Images and thickness of mail pieces can be sampled and verified against USPS mailing standards and USPS required documentation.
Claims21
A method for performing secure, in-line verification of mail, said method comprises the steps of:
- a. imaging the face of a mail piece;
- b. determining the thickness of the mail piece;
- c. using the information in steps a. and b. to obtain attributes of the mail piece.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.