Mail Preparation Apparatus Optical Mark Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Operators still need to manually input settings for processing postal items based on marks or patterns, which is inconvenient and requires additional data entry.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with a scanner and control system that scans postal items, processes image data, and compares it with reference data to automatically select job settings for processing, either including or excluding optical mark scanning based on agreement with predetermined instructions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If automated self-setting of the apparatus is implemented to determine which feeder stations are active, then the convenience for the operator is increased, but the operator still needs to manually specify and input data defining how markings are to be processed
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically detecting optical marks on postal items and generating processing instructions without operator intervention. The control system scans postal items, identifies optical marks, and autonomously determines processing parameters, eliminating the need for operators to manually input marking processing data.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary scanning and analysis of optical marks on postal items before the main processing operation. By pre-detecting and interpreting marks during the feeding phase, the system prepares processing instructions in advance, so that when processing begins, all necessary parameters are already determined and ready for execution.
2Measurement precision
If the scanner scans all postal items for optical marks and the control system processes all signals into image data for comparison with reference data, then complete accuracy in determining job settings is achieved, but the processing time and computational load increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial action by scanning only sufficient portions of postal items to detect optical marks, rather than scanning entire documents. The control system processes signals selectively to identify mark patterns and compare with reference data only when necessary, achieving adequate precision without excessive processing of all possible data.
Solution Approach 2:
The processing is segmented into distinct phases: scanning for optical marks, comparing scanned patterns with reference data, and then executing processing only for items with detected marks. This segmentation allows the system to maintain high accuracy for marked items while quickly processing unmarked items without full analysis.
Data Source
AI summary
For preparing a series of mail pieces using a mail preparation apparatus, a scanner (63) scans at least a portion of a first postal item (20, 25) and generates signals in accordance with scanned patterns. A control system (31) processes the signals from the scanner into image data representing an image and compares the image data with reference data, which represent features of optical marks of a particular type that are associated to predetermined instructions for processing postal items (20, 25). If at least a predetermined extent of agreement between the image data and the reference data is found, a job setting including scanning of optical marks from further postal items (20, 25) and controlling the preparation of the mail pieces in accordance with instructions represented by the optical marks is selected. Otherwise, a job setting not including scanning of optical marks from further postal items (20, 25) is selected.