Mail Piece Assembly Scanning Address and Reply Item Codes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for preparing mail pieces with reply items require complex processes for printing and matching addresses and unique tracking codes, and often need external standards compliance, complicating the tracking and processing of mail.
Innovation Solution
A method that scans address data from address carriers and associates it with unique identification codes on reply items, allowing for simple and reliable identification of addressees, eliminating the need for coordinated printing and database access during preparation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If printing and matching addresses with unique tracking codes is performed during mail piece preparation, then tracking capability is improved, but process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-printing unique identification codes on reply envelopes before they are combined with documents. This allows the tracking code to be established in advance, eliminating the need for complex real-time printing and matching operations during mail piece assembly. The code is printed on the envelope prior to insertion, so no coordination with address printing is required at that stage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the tracking function from the address printing process by using separate pre-printed unique identification codes on reply envelopes. This separation allows tracking to be handled independently through scanning the pre-existing code, rather than requiring integrated printing and matching of addresses and tracking codes during assembly.
2Adaptability or versatility
If external standards compliance is required for mail tracking codes, then interoperability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a unique identification code system that can serve multiple purposes: it functions as a tracking identifier, an envelope locator, and a sorting key. This multi-functional code eliminates the need for separate systems for different mail handling functions, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining versatility across different postal operations.
3Measurement precision
If document and envelope codes must match, then tracking accuracy is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-printing the unique identification code on the reply envelope before document insertion. This ensures the code is already present and matched to the correct envelope, eliminating the need for time-consuming verification and matching operations during the assembly process. The code is in place beforehand, so accuracy is maintained without adding processing time.
Data Source
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AI summary
For preparing mail pieces including reply items to be returned by addressees of the mail pieces, address carriers (20) are fed one by one from a first feeding station (2). An address (21) is scanned from each fed address carrier (20). Address data sets each representing a scanned address (21) are stored. A unique identification code (23) is scanned from each fed reply item (22) and stored as a reply code data set representing the scanned identification codes (23). Mail pieces of which at least a plurality each comprises at least one of the fed address carriers (20) and at least one of the fed reply items (22) are prepared. For each assembled mail piece comprising at least one of the address carriers (20) and at least one of the reply items (22), an association between the reply code data set and the address data set of that mail piece is stored.