Method for providing instructions to a mail sorting apparatus

Abstract

The method of the present invention relates generally to a method for sorting mailpieces using a mail sorting apparatus. In one embodiment of the present invention, instructions are provided to the mail sorting apparatus in a machine readable format such as barcode. The instructions are printed on a form that can be fed into the mail sorting apparatus in the same manner that a mailpiece is fed into the mail sorting apparatus. The form is run through the feed path of the mail sorting apparatus. The barcode is read using a scanner. A signal on the form indicates that the mailpiece is a form, and that information contained in the barcode is an instruction. The instruction may be, for example, an instruction to 1) halt may be implemented through use or reprogramming of application software may be presented by using the form. The method provides for sorting of mailpieces with less stopping of the sorting apparatus to provide new instructions.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.