Low visual impact labeling method and system

Abstract

A method of forming symbols, characters, and other images from a light polarizing material including machine readable indicia enabling automated identification of articles is disclosed. A light polarizing material is applied over a reflective layer in a machine readable pattern. The material may be an image imprinted on a label with a light polarizing material on a substrate such as a transparent oriented film. In one aspect, a mail processing system includes a computer including a database of destination codes corresponding to a plurality of mail pieces for delivery to at least some of the destination codes. A media applicator utilizes the database for generating and applying a light polarizing material to a label or article to form a machine readable indicia, including the destination code for each of the plurality of mail pieces. A mail sorting system utilizing the label includes a camera with polarized lenses for filtering light reflected from indicia formed from a light polarizing material on the label. A detector associated with each of the lenses for detecting reflected light and generating a signal in response thereto. Signals from the detector are compared by a computer that produces an electronic image or pattern corresponding to the machine readable indicia and generates a sorting signal based upon the indicia which is transmitted to a mail sorter where the mail pieces are sorted.

1 . A labeling system comprising: 
 a plurality of labels including a machine readable indicia representing a unique code, each of the labels further comprising a reflective layer and a substrate, and wherein the machine readable indicia comprises a light polarizing material;    a labeler for applying the labels to each of a plurality of articles whereby articles are uniquely identified with one of the codes; and    a computer including a database representing the plurality of articles, and wherein the unique code for each of the labeled articles is stored.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a media applicator for applying a light polarizing material in a machine readable format to the substrate.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the media applicator is a printer and the light polarizing material is a dichroic ink.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the machine readable indicia is a bar code.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 4  wherein the bar code is a post net code.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the label is oriented polymer film.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 6  wherein the film is transparent.  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 3  wherein the dichroic ink is transparent to visible light and forms a polarizing filter for non-visible light in one of the UV and IR wavelengths.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 8  wherein the reflective layer is formed from a material that is transparent to light in the visible spectrum and reflects light in one of the non-visible UV and IR spectrums.  
   
   
       10 . A labeling system for applying a machine readable code to a plurality of mail pieces comprising: 
 means for storing data corresponding to a plurality of mail pieces, the data comprising destination information for each of the mail pieces;    means for imprinting a code corresponding to the destination information for the plurality of mail pieces on a plurality of labels, the code comprising a light polarizing material; and    means for applying the labels to the mail pieces.    
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 10  further comprising means for applying a light reflective layer to the labels.  
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 10  further comprising means for feeding the mail pieces in a singulated stream to the means for applying the labels to the mail pieces.  
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 12  further comprising means for determining the position of each of the mail pieces relative to adjacent mail pieces.  
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 14  further comprising means for stacking the mail pieces.  
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the code comprises a bar code.  
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 16  wherein the bar code comprises a post net code.  
   
   
       17 . A system for applying a machine readable destination information to a plurality of mail pieces comprising: 
 means for storing data corresponding to each of a plurality of mail pieces;    means for applying a reflective layer to each of the mail pieces in a selected location on the mail piece; and    means for printing a code corresponding to the data stored for each of the plurality of mail pieces on the reflective layer after the layer has been applied to the mail piece, the code comprising a light polarizing material.    
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 17  wherein the code comprises destination information for each of the mail pieces.  
   
   
       19 . The system of  claim 17  wherein the light polarizing material comprises a dichroic ink.  
   
   
       20 . The system of  claim 17  further comprising means for feeding a singulated stream of mail pieces to the means for applying a reflective layer.