Bar Code Recognition Offset Readers Mail Sorting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bar code recognition systems in mail sorting equipment often fail to accurately read imprinted postal codes, leading to costly manual processing and disruptions in the sorting process, especially when multiple pass sequencing is required, and the use of multiple readers or error correction methods does not consistently ensure correct sorting.
Innovation Solution
Combining partial information from multiple code readers, potentially with optical character recognition (OCR) and data from mail data files, to reconstruct valid codes, and strategically positioning code readers to maximize data recovery by offsetting failure points and aliasing errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple bar code readers are used to improve reading accuracy, then the probability of successful code recovery increases, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines partial information from multiple bar code readers to reconstruct complete postal codes. When one reader fails to read a code, another reader's partial data is merged to recover the complete code, thereby improving reliability without requiring every reader to independently succeed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the bar code reading function across multiple readers positioned at different locations. Each reader captures a portion of the code, and the system reconstructs the complete code by combining these segments, reducing the complexity burden on any single reader.
2Reliability
If mail pieces are outsorted to reject bin for manual processing, then sorting accuracy is maintained, but productivity and throughput decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary bar code reading attempts with multiple readers before resorting to manual processing. By预先 attempting to read codes with alternative readers, the system recovers more mail pieces automatically, maintaining sorting accuracy while improving productivity by reducing manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system monitors reading failures and automatically triggers alternative reading attempts. When a code is not read successfully, the system feedbacks to try other readers, thereby maintaining high sorting accuracy while minimizing manual processing requirements.
3Measurement precision
If bar code reading fails and manual processing is required, then sorting precision is preserved, but loss of time and increased processing cost occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the bar code reading system to serve itself by automatically attempting multiple reading attempts with different readers before escalating to manual processing. This self-service approach recovers time that would otherwise be spent on manual intervention while maintaining reading precision through multiple verification opportunities.
4Speed
If code readers are positioned to maximize individual reading capability, then reading speed is improved, but coverage of failure points is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions multiple bar code readers at different locations along the mail piece transport path, where each reader is optimized for its specific position. This local optimization ensures that regardless of where a mail piece passes, at least one reader is in an optimal position to read the code, thereby maintaining speed while improving adaptability to different failure scenarios.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for reading various codes, such as codes imprinted on an item, includes a first and a second code reader that each scan the code on the item to read the code. The data obtained by the first and the second code reader is merged to reconstruct the code on said item. The position of the code readers may be adjusted such that the maximum reading efficiency of said code by each code reader occurs at different points of the scanned code. The method and system may be employed with different types of codes including various forms of bar codes.