Cloud-Based Real-Time Address Correction for Mail Sorters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mail sorting systems rely on outdated local databases for address corrections, leading to increased delivery times and costs due to the need for frequent updates and manual redistribution of mail pieces.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing cloud technology to connect multiple mail sorter machines to a remote computer, enabling real-time address corrections through a vision system, optical character recognition, fuzzy logic, and encryption for efficient data transmission and processing, which includes a local database for initial checks and a remote database for updates via the cloud.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If local databases are used for address corrections, then address correction capability is maintained, but delivery time increases and costs increase due to frequent updates and manual redistribution
Solution Approach 1:
A cloud-based intermediary database system is introduced between the mail sorters and the central address database. The cloud database receives update notifications from the Postal Service and automatically distributes updated data to multiple sorters, eliminating the need for manual physical redistribution of database media while maintaining real-time address correction capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical system of physically distributing database media to each sorter is replaced with an electronic network-based system. Sorters connect to the cloud database via network communication, allowing automatic retrieval of updated address information without manual intervention, thereby reducing both time and operational complexity.
2Reliability
If local databases are repeatedly updated through physical distribution, then address accuracy is maintained, but handling costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cloud-based database system enables automatic self-updating of address data across all connected sorters. When the central database receives an address change notification, it automatically propagates the update to all cloud-connected sorters without requiring manual intervention, thereby maintaining address accuracy while eliminating the labor costs associated with physical database redistribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The cloud database serves multiple sorters simultaneously with a single centralized data source. This universal system allows one database instance to support numerous sorters across different locations, providing real-time address correction capabilities to all connected devices without requiring separate physical database updates for each sorter.
3Productivity
If real-time cloud-based address correction is implemented, then delivery time is reduced, but network connectivity requirements increase system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-loading and caching address correction data in the cloud database before it is needed by the sorters. The cloud system proactively pushes updates to connected sorters, so that when address correction is needed during mail processing, the data is already available locally, enabling fast access without complex real-time network transactions for each address lookup.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method by which mail sorting equipment can correct postal addresses utilizing cloud technology. The real-time address correction system for correcting addresses of mail articles in real-time, comprises sorters, vision systems, controllers, processors, printers, local and remote computers, databases, bins, and a cloud system to tie together the local and remote computers in addition to the sorters and controllers. Corrected postal addresses are stored remotely and locally to the sorter and provided to the sorter as needed by a cloud based system. The system and method accommodates delays in providing the corrected postal addresses to the sorter.