Automated UAA Mail Verification Using OCR Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The current mail sorting systems, such as the PARS system used by the USPS, require significant human intervention for processing undeliverable as addressed (UAA) mail, leading to inefficiencies and high costs, particularly in verifying and disposing of waste mail, where human error rates are high and manual handling is necessary.
Innovation Solution
An automated mail sorting system that captures images of UAA mail pieces using OCR technology to verify whether they are waste mail, performing multiple tests to determine correct routing, including matching mail class, names, and Address Change Service information, allowing for one-pass processing and reduction of manual handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automated mail sorting systems are used to process UAA mail, then productivity increases, but reliability decreases due to high human error rates in manual verification
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical verification processes with an automated optical character recognition (OCR) system. The OCR technology captures images of mail pieces and automatically extracts and verifies address information, eliminating the need for human operators to manually inspect and verify each piece of mail. This substitution maintains high productivity while significantly improving verification accuracy and reliability.
2Measurement precision
If manual handling is used for waste mail verification, then measurement precision is maintained, but loss of time increases due to sequential processing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary OCR scanning and verification of all UAA mail pieces during the initial pass through the sorting system. This preliminary action identifies waste mail candidates before final sorting decisions are made, allowing for optimized routing without requiring time-consuming manual verification later. The advance identification maintains precision while reducing overall processing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The OCR-based verification system operates continuously as mail pieces move through the automated sorting line, eliminating the stop-start nature of manual verification. Multiple mail pieces are processed in sequence without interruption, maintaining continuous useful action that reduces total processing time while preserving identification accuracy through automated optical recognition.
3Reliability
If multiple verification tests are performed on each mail piece, then reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The OCR system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it captures mail piece images, extracts address information, verifies routing eligibility, identifies waste mail, and generates sorting instructions. This multi-functionality allows the system to perform multiple verification tests without proportionally increasing device complexity, as a single integrated OCR platform handles all verification tasks that would otherwise require separate dedicated systems.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system significantly reduces the need for human intervention by accurately identifying and routing UAA mail pieces as waste, minimizing manual processing and associated errors, thereby optimizing the sorting process and lowering costs.
Implementation Method 1
capturing a first image of a first UAA mail piece with a camera connected to an automated mail transport
Implementation Method 2
performing at least optical character recognition on the first image data using the waste verification system to produce a first character recognition data set
Data Source
AI summary
A method for automatically sorting undeliverable as addressed (UAA) mail can include capturing a first image of a first UAA mail piece with a camera to create first image data, passing the first image data to a waste verification system and performing optical character recognition to produce a first character recognition data set. The method includes testing the first character recognition data set to determine whether the first UAA mail piece is a verified waste mail piece. If the first UAA mail piece is a verified waste mail piece, the method includes routing the first UAA mail piece into a first bin. If the first UAA mail piece is not a verified waste mail piece, routing the mail piece to a second bin.