System and method for processing distribution items in a distribution network

A system for inducting a mailpiece into a mailpiece distribution network comprising:

• a user interface configured to receive an image of a mailpiece having a unique identifier thereon, the unique identifier having been physically generated and placed on a mailpiece;
• a processor in communication with the user interface and configured to process the image to generate read unique identifier information;
• a memory, in communication with the processor, configured to store unique identifier information;
• wherein the processor is configured to determine whether the read unique identifier information corresponds to the stored unique identifier information;
• wherein the processor is further configured to determine, in response to determining correspondence between the read unique identifier information and the stored unique identifier information, whether the received unique identifier has been previously used in the distribution network, or whether it is a duplicate of a unique identifier already associated with a mailpiece in the distribution network;
• wherein the processor is further configured to, in response to determining that the received unique identifier has not been previously used in the distribution network and is not a duplicate of an identifier already associated with another mailpiece in the distribution network, receive mailpiece information for the mailpiece on which the physically generated unique identifier is located;
• mailpiece processing equipment comprising an imaging component and a processor configured to receive and scan the mailpiece having the physically generated unique identifier is located, wherein the imaging component is configured to image the physical mailpiece having the unique identifier thereon and the mailpiece processing equipment processor is configured to determine whether the imaged unique identifier corresponds to the read unique identifier information;
• wherein the mailpiece processing equipment is configured to move the received mailpiece into one of a plurality of locations based on the determination that the imaged unique identifier corresponds to the read unique identifier information.

A method of inducting a mailpiece into a mailpiece distribution network and identifying and processing postage comprising:

• receiving, via a user operated interface device, an image of a unique identifier, the unique identifier having been designed and applied to a mailpiece by the user;
• processing the image to generate unique identifier information;
• storing the unique identifier information in a memory;
• associating the stored unique identifier information with a payment account of the user;
• receiving the mailpiece in a distribution network, the mailpiece having the unique identifier thereon;
• processing the mailpiece on mail processing equipment comprising a scanning device to generate an image of the unique identifier;
• processing the image of the unique identifier 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;
• debiting the payment account of the user based on the determination;
• generating distribution information in response to correspondence between the read unique identifier and the stored unique identifier;
• and
• causing the mailpiece processing equipment to move the mailpiece into one of a plurality of locations in response to the distribution information.