System for processing addresses at a very fast rate

Abstract

A mail processing system including a franking machine for franking mail items, which franking machine is connected to a first server that is itself connected to a second server in communication with a sorting machine, the franking machine including scanner means for scanning the destination addresses borne on the mail items as said mail items are inserted, storage means for storing the digital images of the addresses scanned in this way, in association with respective unique identification numbers, and communications means for periodically transferring the digital images as indexed in this way to the first server, the first or second server further including means for extracting determined data from the digital images, which data, associated with said unique identification numbers, is suitable for enabling said sorting machine to be controlled automatically on receiving said franked mail items.

1 . A mail processing system including a franking machine for franking mail items, which franking machine is disposed in a sender's mail room and is connected remotely to a first server that is itself connected to a second server, said second server being in communication with a sorting machine for sorting franked mail items received at an office for receiving said mail items, wherein said franking machine includes scanner means for scanning the destination addresses borne on the mail items as said mail items are inserted into said franking machine, storage means for storing the digital images of the addresses scanned in this way, in association with respective unique identification numbers, and communications means for periodically transferring the digital images as indexed in this way to said first server, and wherein means are provided for extracting determined data from said digital images, which data, associated with said unique identification numbers, is suitable for enabling said sorting machine to be controlled automatically on receiving said franked mail items. 
   
   
       2 . A mail processing system according to  claim 1 , wherein said first server is a server of the dealer of said franking machine. 
   
   
       3 . A mail processing system according to  claim 2 , wherein said second server is a server of the postal authorities or of a private carrier who handles mail delivery. 
   
   
       4 . A mail processing system according to  claim 3 , wherein said means for extracting determined data from said digital images are disposed in one or the other of said first and second servers. 
   
   
       5 . A mail processing system according to  claim 1 , wherein said determined data comprises at least a destination post code. 
   
   
       6 . A mail processing system according to  claim 5 , wherein said first server further includes means for verifying said destination post code on the basis of a database of valid addresses. 
   
   
       7 . A mail processing system according to  claim 1 , wherein said unique identification number is printed on the mail item at the same time as the postal imprint is printed thereon. 
   
   
       8 . A mail processing system according to  claim 1 , wherein said unique identification number is read from the mail item together with the address of the destination. 
   
   
       9 . A mail processing system according to  claim 7 , wherein said unique identification number as printed or read is a bar code or an alphanumeric code. 
   
   
       10 . A mail processing system according to  claim 1 , wherein said unique identification number is extracted from a RFID transponder stuck to the mail item. 
   
   
       11 . A mail processing system according to  claim 1 , wherein said unique identification number is extracted from a three-dimensional “fingerprint” of the paper forming the mail item. 
   
   
       12 . In a mail processing system including a franking machine for franking mail items, which franking machine is disposed in a sender's mail room and is connected remotely to a first server that is itself connected to a second server, said second server being in communication with a sorting machine for sorting franked mail items received at an office for receiving said mail items, said franking machine including scanner means for scanning the destination addresses borne on the mail items as said mail items are inserted into said franking machine, storage means for storing the digital images of the addresses scanned in this way, in association with respective unique identification numbers, and communications means for periodically transferring the digital images as indexed in this way to said first server, and said system including means for extracting determined data from said digital images, a method of automatically controlling said sorting machine, said method comprising the following steps: reading said unique identification numbers on receiving said franked mail items, retrieving said determined data associated with said unique identification numbers as read, and automatically controlling said sorting machine as a function of said determined data as retrieved. 
   
   
       13 . A method according to  claim 12 , wherein said determined data comprises at least a destination post code.