Method and apparatus for video coding by validation matrix

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system and method for resolving non-address attributes on a mail piece. The present system uses a mail sorter for sorting and facilitating the obtaining of a scan of the mail piece. The image is then scanned by automatic means to determine whether the non-address attributes can be automatically resolved. In the event of an unsuccessful scan, the image is forwarded to a processor which makes a functional resolution of the non-address attribute, locates example attributes and ranks them, and creates a matrix with the example attribute in the cognitive zone. The matrix is displayed to a coder who then quickly identifies whether or not the attribute and example attribute match. In the event of a non-match, a matrix with a next highest rank example attribute is created and forwarded to the encoder until no more example attributes remain, wherein the entire image is forwarded to the encoder.

1 . A system for coding a non-address attribute of a mail piece image, comprising:
 means for generating the image;   means for resolving the non-address attributes;   means for generating a matrix comprising unresolved non-address attributes and example non-address attributes positioned in a cognitive zone, wherein the example non-address attributes are possible matches for the unresolved non-address attributes; and   means for displaying the matrix to an operator.   
   
   
       2 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the means for generating an image comprises an optical character recognition mail sorter, and the mail piece image comprises an address face of the mail piece. 
   
   
       3 . The system according to  claim 2 , wherein the mail sorter comprises:
 a feed mechanism arranged to remove mail pieces from magazines;   a scanner arranged to generate the image of the mail pieces;   a delay loop arranged to temporarily accommodate mail pieces while their non-address attributes are being resolved;   a bar code printer arranged to print a bar code on the mail piece; and   sorting bins arranged to facilitate sorting of the mail pieces.   
   
   
       4 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the means for resolving non-address attributes comprises at least one processor programmed to resolve the non-address attributes with a high degree of confidence. 
   
   
       5 . The system according to  claim 4 , wherein the means for resolving non-address attributes further comprises at least one processor programmed to resolve the non-address attributes with a functional degree of confidence such that the functional degree is less than the high degree. 
   
   
       6 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the means for resolving non-address attributes comprises at least one processor programmed to resolve the non-address attributes with a functional degree of confidence. 
   
   
       7 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the means for resolving comprises optical character recognition means or pattern matching means. 
   
   
       8 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the means for generating a matrix comprises at least one processor. 
   
   
       9 . The system according to  claim 8 , wherein the at least one processor for generating a matrix is the at least one processor for resolving non-address images. 
   
   
       10 . The system according to  claim 8 , wherein the at least one processor includes means for resolving the non-address attribute with a functional degree of confidence, means for querying a database for possible matching example attributes to the non-address attribute and means for ranking results of the querying by degree of match confidence. 
   
   
       11 . The system according to  claim 10 , wherein the at least one process further comprises means for generating successive matrices comprising example attributes in the cognitive zone, the successive example attributes having lower degrees of match confidence. 
   
   
       12 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the cognitive zone is centrally located within the matrix. 
   
   
       13 . The system according to  claim 10 , wherein the cognitive zone comprises one of a column, row, or single matrix entry. 
   
   
       14 . The system according to  claim 1 , further comprising means for communicating the matrix and the system further comprises at least one video coding station in communication with the at least one processor so as to receive the communicated matrix. 
   
   
       15 . The system according to  claim 14 , wherein the video coding station comprises:
 the means for displaying the matrix to an operator; and   means for receiving communication from the operator, the communication indicating a relationship between the resolved non-address attributes and the example attributes.   
   
   
       16 . The system according to  claim 15 , wherein the relationship is one of a match and a non-match. 
   
   
       17 . The system according to  claim 15 , wherein the communication comprises a single indicator indicating a relationship of all of the resolved non-address attributes and the example attributes. 
   
   
       18 . The system according to  claim 5 , wherein the at least one processor comprises a pattern match processor and a logical processing unit, and the system comprises:
 at least one database arranged in communication with the at least one processor and comprising means for storing and facilitating selective retrieval of a plurality of example non-address attributes; and   a bar code printer arranged in communication with the at least one processor for effecting a print upon a mail piece.   
   
   
       19 . The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the non-address attributes comprises at least one of: stamps, and pictorial representations. 
   
   
       20 . A method for resolving a non-address attribute on a mail piece, comprising the steps of:
 generating a functional resolution of the non-address attribute;   generating a matrix comprising the functionally resolved non-address attribute and an example non-address attribute in a cognitive zone, wherein the example non-address attribute is a possible match for the unresolved non-address attribute; and   displaying the matrix.   
   
   
       21 . The method according to  claim 20 , further comprising the steps of:
 searching a database for the example non-address attribute;   ranking results of the searching by degree of matching confidence; forwarding the matrix to at least one video coding station for performing the step of displaying the matrix and for operator coding; and   generating a new matrix comprising another example attribute in the cognitive zone,   the another example attribute having a lower degree of matching confidence than the example attribute.   
   
   
       22 . The method according to  claim 20 , further comprising the steps of:
 generating an image of the address face; and   determining whether the non-address attribute is resolvable with automatic means; and   if the non-address attributes is not resolvable with automatic means, generating the functional resolution of the non-address attribute.   
   
   
       23 . The method according to  claim 20 , further comprising the steps of:
 communicating the operator coding to a bar code printer; and   printing a bar code on the address face based upon the received operator coding.   
   
   
       24 . The method according to  claim 23 , further comprising the step of sorting the mail piece based upon the bar code. 
   
   
       25 . The method according to  claim 20 , further comprising the steps of:
 updating information relating to a tag bar code; and   sorting the mail piece based upon the updated information   
   
   
       26 . The method according to  claim 20 , wherein operator coding further comprises the step of comparing the non-address attribute in the cognitive zone with the example non-address attribute. 
   
   
       27 . The method according to  claim 26 , wherein the cognitive zone is centrally located within the matrix. 
   
   
       28 . The method according to  claim 27 , wherein the cognitive zone comprises one of a column, row, or single matrix entry. 
   
   
       29 . The method according to  claim 20  wherein the non-address attribute comprises at least one of: stamps, and pictorial representations.