Apparatus and methods for reading an identification code from a mailpiece

Abstract

Apparatus and methods consistent with the present invention provide for reading an identification code from a mailpiece. In one embodiment, there are a reader unit and a reader head assembly connected by an optical cable, which provide for the identification of a mailpiece in an identification code sorting system.

1 . An identification code reader for reading an identification code from a mailpiece, comprising: 
 a reader unit, which further comprises: 
 a reader logic unit;  
 a light filter unit; and  
 a signal converter for converting an output of the light filter unit to an electrical signal;  
   a reader head assembly, which further comprises: 
 an infrared light source;  
 a lens focusing output of a light source on the mailpiece; and  
 an infrared receiver receiving light through the lens reflected by the mailpiece; and  
   an optical cable connecting the reader head assembly to the reader unit.    
   
   
       2 . The identification code reader of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a mounting unit for mounting the identification code reader on a mail sorter.    
   
   
       3 . The identification code reader of  claim 1 , wherein the signal converter converts an analog signal from the light filter unit into a digital signal.  
   
   
       4 . The identification code reader of  claim 1 , wherein the reader unit further comprises a synchronous serial port.  
   
   
       5 . The identification code reader of  claim 4 , wherein the synchronous serial port uses transistor transistor logic.  
   
   
       6 . The identification code reader of  claim 4 , wherein the synchronous serial port uses differential logic.  
   
   
       7 . The identification code reader of  claim 1 , wherein the reader head assembly further comprises an input device receiving operator-entered function selections.  
   
   
       8 . The identification code reader of  claim 1 , wherein the reader unit further comprises a set of push buttons used by an operator to select functions.  
   
   
       9 . The identification code reader of  claim 1 , wherein the reader head assembly further comprises one or more light emitting diodes.  
   
   
       10 . The identification code reader of  claim 1 , further comprising a power supply.  
   
   
       11 . The identification code reader of  claim 1 , wherein the reader unit further comprises the light source.  
   
   
       12 . The identification code reader of  claim 1 , wherein the reader head assembly further comprises the light source.  
   
   
       13 . The identification code reader of  claim 1 , wherein the optical cable is a fiber optic bundle.  
   
   
       14 . The identification code reader of  claim 1 , wherein the reader unit further comprises one or more light emitting diodes.  
   
   
       15 - 84 . (canceled)  
   
   
       85 . A mail processing system for processing a mailpiece, comprising: 
 a mail processing device;    a two-part identification code reader connected to the mail processing device; and    sorter application software for communicating between the mail processing device and an identification code server.    
   
   
       86 . The system of  claim 85 , wherein the mail processing device is a Mail Processing Bar Code Sorter.  
   
   
       87 . The system of  claim 85 , wherein the mail processing device is a Delivery Bar Code Sorter.  
   
   
       88 . The system of  claim 85 , wherein the mail processing device is a Carrier Sequence Bar Code Sorter.  
   
   
       89 . The system of  claim 85 , wherein the mail processing device is an Output Subsystem/Bar Code Sorter.  
   
   
       90 . The system of  claim 85 , wherein the identification code reader is a RBCS ID Tag Reader.  
   
   
       91 . The system of  claim 85 , wherein the identification code reader is a Universal ID Tag Reader.  
   
   
       92 . The system of  claim 85 , wherein the identification code server is a PICS server.  
   
   
       93 . The system of  claim 85 , wherein the identification code server is a SICS server.  
   
   
       94 . A method for processing a mailpiece by a mail processing device, comprising the steps of: 
 reading an identification code from the mailpiece, using a two-part identification code reader;    transmitting the identification code to an identification code server, via sorter application software; and    processing mailpiece information between the mail processing device and the identification code server, via the sorter application software.    
   
   
       95 . The method of  claim 94 , wherein the mail processing device is a Mail Processing Bar Code Sorter.  
   
   
       96 . The method of  claim 94 , wherein the mail processing device is a Delivery Bar Code Sorter.  
   
   
       97 . The method of  claim 94 , wherein the mail processing device is a Carrier Sequence Bar Code Sorter.  
   
   
       98 . The method of  claim 94 , wherein the mail processing device is an Output Subsystem/Bar Code Sorter.  
   
   
       99 . The system of  claim 94 , wherein the identification code reader is a RBCS ID Tag Reader.  
   
   
       100 . The method of  claim 94 , wherein the identification code reader is a Universal ID Tag Reader.  
   
   
       101 . The method of  claim 94 , wherein the identification code server is a PICS server.  
   
   
       102 . The method of  claim 94 , wherein the identification code server is a SICS server.  
   
   
       103 . A system for processing a mailpiece by a mail processing device, comprising: 
 a reading component configured to read an identification code from the mailpiece, using a two-part identification code reader;    a transmitting component configured to transmit the identification code to an identification code server, via sorter application software; and    a processing component configured to process mailpiece information between the mail processing device and the identification code server, via the sorter application software.    
   
   
       104 . The system of  claim 103 , wherein the mail processing device is a Mail Processing Bar Code Sorter.  
   
   
       105 . The system of  claim 103 , wherein the mail processing device is a Delivery Bar Code Sorter.  
   
   
       106 . The system of  claim 103 , wherein the mail processing device is a Carrier Sequence Bar Code Sorter.  
   
   
       107 . The system of  claim 103 , wherein the mail processing device is an Output Subsystem/Bar Code Sorter.  
   
   
       108 . The system of  claim 103 , wherein the identification code reader is a RBCS ID Tag Reader.  
   
   
       109 . The system of  claim 103 , wherein the identification code reader is a Universal ID Tag Reader.  
   
   
       110 . The system of  claim 103 , wherein the identification code server is a PICS server.  
   
   
       111 . The system of  claim 103 , wherein the identification code server is a SICS server.  
   
   
       112 . A system for processing a mailpiece by a mail processing device, comprising: 
 means for reading an identification code from the mailpiece, using a two-part identification code reader;    means for transmitting the identification code to an identification code server, via sorter application software; and    means for processing mailpiece information between the mail processing device and the identification code server, via the sorter application software.    
   
   
       113 . A computer usable medium having computer readable code embodied therein for processing a mailpiece by a mail processing device, the computer readable code comprising: 
 a reading module configured to read an identification code from the mailpiece, using a two-part identification code reader;    a transmitting module configured to transmit the identification code to an identification code server, via sorter application software; and    a processing module configured to process mailpiece information between the mail processing device and the identification code server, via the sorter application