System and method for embedding machine coded destination information into a postal mark

A system for embedding a postal code and a tracking code in a stamp cancellation mark to be used in a mall handling system, comprising:

• input means for inputting a destination zip code for a piece of mail;
• controller means for converting the destination zip code to zip code glyphs and for embedding the zip code glyphs into a predetermined portion of a bitmap representing the stamp cancellation mark;
• print means for printing the stamp cancellation mark bitmap with embedded zip code glyphs onto the piece of mail;
• an optical reader to read the embedded zip code glyphs;
• said controller means decoding the read zip code glyphs;
• a sorter, in response to said controller means, for sorting the piece of mail according to the decoded destination information;
• means for assigning a tracking number to the piece of mail;
• and
• said controller means converting the tracking number to track glyphs and embedding the track glyphs into a predetermined portion of the stamp cancellation mark bitmap;
• said print means printing the stamp cancellation mark bitmap with the embedded track glyphs and zip code glyphs onto the piece of mail;
• a plurality of scanners to read the track glyphs at different points along the mail handling system;
• said controller means decoding the track glyphs;
• said controller means tracking and documenting a progress of the piece of mail through the mail handling system.

A system for embedding a postal code and a tracking code in a stamp cancellation mark to be used in a mail handling system, comprising:

• a scanner to input a destination zip code for a piece of mall;
• a control unit, operatively connected to said scanner, to convert the destination zip code to zip code glyphs and to embed the zip code glyphs into a predetermined portion of a bitmap representing the stamp cancellation mark;
• a printer, operatively connected to said control unit, to print the stamp cancellation mark bitmap with embedded zip code glyphs onto the piece of mail;
• a scanner to read the embedded zip code glyphs;
• a controller to decode the read zip code glyphs;
• a sorter, in response to said controller, to sort the piece of mail according to the decoded destination information;
• means for assigning a tracking number to the piece of mail;
• and
• said control unit converting the tracking number to track glyphs and embedding the track glyphs into a predetermined portion of the stamp cancellation mark bitmap;
• said printer printing the stamp cancellation mark bitmap with the embedded track glyphs and zip code glyphs onto the piece of mail;
• a plurality of scanners to read the track glyphs at different points along the mail handling system;
• said controller decoding the track glyphs;
• said controller tracking and documenting a progress of the piece of mail through the mail handling system.