111111
`
`1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111
`US008688265B2
`
`c12) United States Patent
`Kiani et al.
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 8,688,265 B2
`Apr.l, 2014
`
`(54) PROCESSING OF UNDELIVERABLE AS
`ADDRESSED MAIL
`
`(71) Applicant: Trinity Technical Group, Inc.,
`Arlington, TX (US)
`
`(72)
`
`Inventors: Shahrom Kiani, Arlington, TX (US);
`Carlos Macia, Plano, TX (US); Ben F
`Bruce, Arlington, TX (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Trinity Technical Group, Inc.,
`Arlington, TX (US)
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 80 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 13/777,494
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Feb.26,2013
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2013/0178976 Al
`
`Jul. 11, 2013
`
`(58) Field of Classification Search
`None
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,422,821 A
`5,703,783 A *
`6,508,365 B1
`6,826,548 B2
`6,888,084 B1 *
`
`6/1995 Allen eta!.
`12/1997 Allen eta!. ................... 700/213
`112003 Cacace-Bailey eta!.
`1112004 Hungerpiller et al.
`5/2005 Bayer ........................... 209/584
`(Continued)
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`U.S.Appl. No. 13/305,420, filed Nov. 28, 20ll, Kiani, Shahrometal.
`
`(Continued)
`
`Primary Examiner- Gene Crawford
`Assistant Examiner- Yolanda Jones
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm- DeLizio Gilliam, PLLC
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`(63) Continuation of application No. 13/647,370, filed on
`Oct. 8, 2012, now Pat. No. 8,412,372, which is a
`continuation of application No. 13/305,420, filed on
`Nov. 28, 2011, now Pat. No. 8,311,667, which is a
`continuation of application No. 12/108,681, filed on
`Apr. 24, 2008, now Pat. No. 8,086,346.
`
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/925,874, filed on Apr.
`24,2007.
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`G06F 7100
`G06F 17100
`G06K9/00
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`USPC ........... 700/224; 700/244; 700/226; 700/215;
`700/223; 700/219; 209/584
`
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`
`A computerized method includes sorting mail that comprises
`a multiple pass mail sort operation, wherein the multiple pass
`mail sort operation for a mail piece that is undeliverable as
`addressed comprises performing a first pass of the multiple
`pass mail sort operation, wherein performing the first pass
`comprises capturing data to identifY a feature of the mail
`piece. The multiple pass mail sort operation also includes
`generating a first fingerprint for the mail piece between per(cid:173)
`forming the first pass and performing a second pass of the
`multiple pass mail sort operation. The multiple pass mail sort
`operation also includes performing the second pass of the
`multiple pass mail sort operation. Performing the second pass
`includes determining a final disposition of the mail piece that
`is undeliverable as addressed.
`
`21 Claims, 6 Drawing Sheets
`
`Page 1
`
`RMI EXHIBIT 2035
`CBM2014-00116
`
`

`

`US 8,688,265 B2
`Page 2
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`7,124,948 B2
`10/2006
`1112010
`7,834,289 B2
`8,224,479 B2 * 7/2012
`7/2002
`2002/0087861 A1
`2003/0191651 A1
`10/2003
`2005/0199717 A1
`9/2005
`2006/0080266 A1 * 4/2006
`2010/0023490 A1 *
`112010
`201110054667 A1 * 3/2011
`3/2012
`2012/0072014 A1
`2013/0030564 A1
`112013
`
`Longacre, Jr. eta!.
`Orbke et al.
`Caillon ......................... 700/223
`Segev et al.
`Hungerpiller et al.
`Park eta!.
`................... 705/402
`Kiani et al.
`Wilke ............................... 707/3
`Caillon ......................... 700/215
`Kiani et al.
`Kiani et al.
`
`U.S. Appl. No. 13/647,370, filed Oct. 8, 2011, Kiani, Shahrom et al.
`U.S. Appl. No. 13/706,982, filed Dec. 6, 2012, Kiani, Shahrom et al.
`"Trinity Technical Group Inc. v. Siemens Industry Inc. filed in the
`U.S. District Court", Northern District ofTX, Dallas Division Case
`3:12-cv-04602 (Patent Nos. 8,806,346 and 8,311,667) Nov. 14,
`2012, 1 page.
`"U.S.Appl. No.12/108,681 Office Action", Dec. 23,2010, 10pages.
`"U.S. Appl. No. 12/181,884 Final Office Action", Jul. 6, 2011 , 12
`pages .
`"U.S. Appl. No. 12/181,884 Office Action", Feb. 1, 2011, 12 pages.
`"U.S.Appl.No.12/181,8840fficeAction",Mar.19,2012, 12pages .
`* cited by examiner
`
`Page 2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr.1, 2014
`
`Sheet 1 of 6
`
`US 8,688,265 B2
`
`100~
`
`106
`
`118
`
`IDENTIACATION
`OfCANmDATE
`MAll PIECES (UAA}
`-FIRST PASS
`
`108
`t
`
`MAIL PIECES
`
`RRSTPASS
`
`r-uAAMAIL I
`t
`! PIECES-
`I FIRST PASS ·
`- .. J
`l
`
`2-
`
`116
`
`MAll SORTER
`
`FIG. 1
`
`Page 3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr.l, 2014
`
`Sheet 2 of 6
`
`US 8,688,265 B2
`
`RECEIVE MAll PIECES FOR
`SORllNG
`
`PERFORM A FlRST PASS OF A
`MULTIPlE PASS MAll SORT
`OPERATION
`
`YES
`
`PERFORM UAA
`PROCESSING
`
`PERFORM A SECOND PASS OF A
`MULTlPLE PASS MAIL SORT
`OPERATION
`
`. 2:10
`
`YES
`
`PERFORM FINAl UAA
`OISPOSITlON AS PART OF 1--------~
`THE SECOND PASS
`
`FIG. 2
`
`Page 4
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr.l, 2014
`
`Sheet 3 of 6
`
`US 8,688,265 B2
`
`BEGIN
`
`DETERMINE DELIVERY
`POINT BAR CODE OF A
`MAIL PIECE
`
`302
`
`CAPTURE IMAGE OF
`308 -~. MAIL PIECE FOR UAA
`PROCESSING
`
`SORT THE MAIL PIECE
`
`FIG. 3
`
`Page 5
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr.l, 2014
`
`Sheet 4 of 6
`
`US 8,688,265 B2
`
`BEGIN
`
`GENERATE A FINGERPRH'..!T OF THE
`CANDIDATE UAA MA~L PIECE THAT IS
`DERIVED FROM FEATURES OF THE
`CANDIDATE UAA MAIL P~ECE
`
`402
`
`STORE THE FINGERPRINT FOR
`UAA IDENTIFICATION DURING
`SECOND PASS OF WE
`MULTIPLE PASS MAIL SORT
`OPERATION
`
`DETERMiNE RECIPIENrS NAME
`(IF NOT AVAILABLE), CLASS AND
`ENDORSEMENTFORTHE
`CANDIDATE UAA MAll PIECE
`
`404
`
`406
`
`STORE RECIPIENT'S NAME, CLASS
`AND ENDORSEMENT FOR THE
`CANDIDATE UAA MAll PIECE FOR UAA
`PROCESSIN'G DURING THE SECOND
`PASS OF THE MUL llPLE PASS MAIL
`SORT OPERATION
`
`408
`
`FIG. 4
`
`Page 6
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr.l, 2014
`
`Sheet 5 of 6
`
`US 8,688,265 B2
`
`DETERMINE DELIVERY
`POINT BAR CODE OF A
`MAIL PIECE
`
`SORT rnE MAIL
`PIECE
`
`500
`
`DETERMINE
`UNIQUENESS OF THE
`MAIL P!ECE BASED ON
`FINGERPRINT
`
`512
`
`PERFORM FINAL
`DISPOSITION OF THE
`UAA MAIL PIECE
`
`FIG. 5
`
`Page 7
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr.l, 2014
`
`Sheet 6 of 6
`
`US 8,688,265 B2
`
`6 00
`
`~
`
`7
`
`~·L..-
`
`GRAPHICS
`CONTROLLER
`
`I
`
`!...-
`
`DISPlAY
`DEVICE
`
`PROCESSOR{S)
`
`r-J" 622
`
`""
`
`~
`
`aS
`
`"'L
`608
`
`IDE/AT A DRIVE(S)
`
`PORT(S) ~
`
`..,_...
`811
`
`"'1.,..-
`612.
`"1...-
`614
`
`JNPUT!OUTPUT
`CONTROLLER.
`HUB(ICH)
`
`MICROPHONE
`
`~
`KEYBOARD ~
`BUTTONS ~
`
`"1.,...-
`
`NETVVORK
`INTERFACE
`
`' ' '
`
`FIG. 6
`
`Page 8
`
`

`

`US 8,688,265 B2
`
`1
`PROCESSING OF UNDELIVERABLE AS
`ADDRESSED MAIL
`
`RELATED APPLICATION(S)
`
`This patent application is a continuation of U.S. patent
`application Ser. No. 13/647,370, entitled PROCESSING OF
`UNDELIVERABLE AS ADDRESSED MAIL, filed Oct. 8,
`2012, now allowed and which is incorporated herein by ref(cid:173)
`erence, which in turn claims the benefit of a continuation of
`U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/305,420, entitled PRO(cid:173)
`CESSING OF UNDELIVERABLE AS ADDRESSED
`MAIL, filed Nov. 28, 2011, now issued as U.S. Pat. No.
`8,311,667 and which is incorporated herein by reference, 15
`which in tum claims the benefit of a continuation of U.S.
`patent application Ser. No. 12/108,681, entitled PROCESS(cid:173)
`ING OF UNDELIVERABLEASADDRESSED MAIL, filed
`Apr. 24, 2008, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,086,346 and
`which is incorporated herein by reference, which in turn 20
`claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.
`60/925,87 4, filed on Apr. 24, 2007, which is incorporated also
`herein by reference.
`
`2
`FIG. 3 is a diagram of a method for performing a first pass
`of multiple pass mail sort operation that includes processing
`UAA mail pieces, according to some example embodiments.
`FIG. 4 is a diagram of a method for processing ofUAAmail
`pieces that is executed between the first pass and the second
`pass of a multiple pass mail sort operation, according to some
`example embodiments.
`FIG. 5 is a diagram of a method for performing a second
`pass of multiple pass mail sort operation that includes pro-
`10 cessing UAA mail pieces, according to some example
`embodiments.
`FIG. 6 illustrates a computer that may be used for com pari(cid:173)
`son output of electronic documents, according to some
`example embodiments.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT(S)
`
`25
`
`35
`
`Methods, apparatus and systems for processing undeliver(cid:173)
`able as addressed mail are described. In the following
`description, numerous specific details are set forth. However,
`it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be
`practiced without these specific details. In other instances,
`structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in
`order not to obscure the understanding of this description.
`Some example embodiments provide for a more efficient
`final disposition of UAA mail in a multiple pass mail sort
`operation. Some mail pieces are pre-bar coded by the sender
`to enable the sender to qualifY for a discount for delivery of
`such mail. In some example embodiments, such mail com-
`30 prises a bar code that comprises 11 digits that identifies the
`delivery point for a mail item. This bar code may include an
`identification of the following regarding the recipient of the
`mail item: (1) zip code, (2) street, and (3) location on the street
`(e.g., specific house on a residential street).
`A mail sorter (e.g., a delivery point bar code sorter, a flat
`sequencing mail sorter, a parcel mail sorter, etc.) may be used
`to sort such mail. In certain modes of operations, the mail
`pieces are passed multiple times through the mail sorter to
`sort such mail. The multiple passes ensure that the mail pieces
`40 are in delivery sequence for mail carriers. In some example
`embodiments, a multiple pass sort operation includes sorting
`the mail in a first pass by delivery sequence of each mail
`carrier. In particular, the mail for the first delivery sequence of
`carriers are sorted by pocket #n, the second delivery sequence
`45 for all mail carriers to pocket #n+1, etc. A second pass of the
`multiple pass sort operation includes running the mail pieces
`from each first pass pocket in order and final sorting of such
`mail pieces to various sort pockets by the mail carrier. In
`particular, the mail pieces for mail carrier #c are placed in
`50 pocket #n, mail pieces for mail carrier #c+ 1 are placed in
`pocket #n+1, etc. A more detailed description of these mul(cid:173)
`tiple passes is set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 5,363,971; Inventors:
`Horace W. Weeks, James J. Strohmeyer and Jeffrey R. Nice;
`Assignee: United States Postal Service; Issued on Nov. 15,
`55 1994, which is hereby incorporated by reference. Accord(cid:173)
`ingly, after the second pass, the mail pieces for each mail
`carrier are sorted in order of their delivery sequence.
`In some example embodiments, identification and final
`disposition ofUAA mail pieces may be performed as part of
`60 this multiple pass mail sort operation. In some example
`embodiments, final disposition of the UAA mail pieces is
`integrated into the second pass of the multiple pass mail sort
`operation. Final disposition of a UAA mail piece may com(cid:173)
`prise forwarding, returning to sender, disposing, etc. Such
`65 embodiments are in contrast to conventional techniques for
`processing of UAA mail pieces. In particular, conventional
`techniques only identify the UAA pieces within the multiple
`
`COPYRIGHT
`
`A portion of the disclosure of this document contains mate(cid:173)
`rial that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright
`owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by any(cid:173)
`one of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it
`appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or
`records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatso(cid:173)
`ever. The following notice applies to the software, data, and/
`or screenshots which may be described below and in the
`drawings that form a part of this document: Copyright 2013,
`Trinity Technical Group, Incorporated. All Rights Reserved.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`The approaches described in this section could be pursued,
`but are not necessarily approaches that have been previously
`conceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated
`herein, the approaches described in this section are not prior
`art to the claims in this application and are not admitted to be
`prior art by inclusion in this section.
`The delivery of mail includes identification and processing
`of mail that is undeliverable as addressed (UAA). The pro(cid:173)
`cessing ofUAA may include returning to the sender, forward(cid:173)
`ing to a different address, discarding, etc.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The present embodiments may be better understood, and
`numerous objects, features, and advantages made apparent to
`those skilled in the art by referencing the accompanying
`drawings.
`The embodiments are provided by way of example and not
`limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in
`which like references indicate similar elements and in which:
`FIG. 1 is a system diagram for a multiple pass mail sort
`operation that includes processing undeliverable as addressed
`(UAA) mail pieces, according to some example embodi(cid:173)
`ments.
`FIG. 2 is a diagram of a method for performing a multiple
`pass mail sort operation that includes processing UAA mail
`pieces, according to some example embodiments.
`
`Page 9
`
`

`

`US 8,688,265 B2
`
`3
`pass mail sort operation. However, these techniques are not
`able to perform final disposition. Rather, using conventional
`techniques, final disposition ofUAA mail pieces is performed
`in a separate process that may require human intervention for
`review, physical movement to a different device, etc. Such
`conventional techniques are, thus, time consuming and
`costly.
`In some example embodiments, data to identifY a candidate
`UAA mail piece is captured during the first pass of the mail
`sort operation. The data may be various features of a mail
`piece (e.g., size, return address, etc.). A fingerprint is gener(cid:173)
`ated based on the captured data. A more detailed description
`of the generation of a fingerprint is set forth in U.S. Patent
`Application No. 2006/0080266A1, Inventors: Shahrom
`Kiani, Cheryl C. Miller, Eddie Kin Hang Lui, Sekhavat
`Sharghi and Michael J. Cykana; Publication Date: Apr. 13,
`2006, which is hereby incorporated by reference. This finger(cid:173)
`print may enable the unique identification of the UAA mail
`piece relative to the other mail pieces being attempted to be
`delivered to a same location (i.e., the same delivery point). In
`some example embodiments, the generation of the fingerprint
`may be performed between the first pass and the second pass.
`Alternatively or in addition, the generation of the fingerprint
`may be performed as part of the first pass or the second pass,
`depending on the processing power of the mail sorter. During
`the second pass, the fingerprint may be used in identification
`and final disposition of the UAA mail pieces.
`FIG. 1 is a system diagram for a multiple pass mail sort
`operation that includes processing undeliverable as addressed
`(UAA) mail pieces, according to some example embodi(cid:173)
`ments. FIG. 1 illustrates a system 100 that includes a mail
`sorter 102. The mail sorter 102 may be a delivery point bar
`code sorter, a flat sequencing mail sorter, or any other type of
`device that sorts mail pieces. In some example embodiments,
`the mail sorter 102 may sort the mail pieces wherein the mail
`pieces are processed multiple times there through. In particu(cid:173)
`lar, the mail pieces are passed multiple times through the mail
`sorter 102 to sort the mail. In some example embodiments, the
`mail pieces are sorted by the mail sorter 102 so that deliver(cid:173)
`able addressed as mailed pieces are sorted by mail carriers
`and the delivery sequence for the given mail carriers. More(cid:173)
`over, as further described below, as part of the second pass of
`the multiple pass sort operation (through the mail sorter), final
`disposition is made of the UAA mail pieces.
`Mail sorter 102 comprises a sort module 104 and a UAA
`module 106. The sort module 104 and the UAA module 106
`may be software, hardware, firmware or a combination
`thereof. While the UAA module 106 is shown as being part of
`the mail sorter 102, embodiments are not so limited. In some
`example embodiments, the UAA module 106 may be separate
`from the mail sorter 102. Alternatively or in addition, the
`functionality of the UAA module 106 may be incorporated
`into the sort module 104.
`The sort module 104 receives and sorts the mail pieces. In
`some example embodiments, the sort module 104 sorts the
`mail pieces based on a bar code comprising an 11-digit deliv(cid:173)
`ery point that may include an identification of the following
`regarding the recipient of the mail item: (1) zip code, (2)
`street, and (3) location on the street (e.g., specific house on a
`residential street). The bar code may be pre-printed by the
`mailer. In some example embodiments, a given set of mail
`pieces are passed through the sort module 104 at least two
`times to sort the mail pieces accordingly to particular mail
`carriers and a delivery sequence for a given mail carrier.
`As shown, the mail pieces 108 are passed to the sort module
`106 during a first pass 110 of the multiple pass mail sort
`operation. The sort module 104 may identifY mail pieces as
`
`4
`candidate UAA mail pieces by comparing the 11-digit deliv(cid:173)
`ery point to a table, list, etc. of addresses of recipients of mail
`whose address has changed (hereinafter referred to as a
`change of address table). In particular, based on the 11-digit
`delivery point, the sort module 104 may be able to identifY
`that one or more persons have changed addresses for this
`particular location. Multiple persons/entities may be having
`mail delivered to this particular location. Accordingly, one
`person for a given location may have changed addresses,
`10 while other persons for this location have not changed
`addresses. Therefore, until the recipient is identified, the mail
`piece is only a candidate UAA mail piece.
`If the sort module 104 identifies the mail piece as a candi-
`15 date UAA mail piece, the sort module 104 may pass the mail
`piece to the UAA module 106 for further processing (UAA
`mail pieces-first pass 112). In some example embodiments,
`the UAA module 106 may capture data that includes identi(cid:173)
`fYing features of the candidate UAA mail piece. In some
`20 example embodiments, the UAA module 106 may use optical
`character recognition or other image processing technique to
`capture such data. The features captured may include the size
`of the mail piece, the return address, etc. In order to confirm
`UAA and perform final disposition, the UAA module 106
`25 may also capture data to identify the name of the recipient, the
`class (e. g., first class) and any endorsements on the mail piece
`(as further described below). Optical character recognition
`processing may also be used to capture such data. The UAA
`module 106 may output this data (identification of mail pieces
`30 (UAA)-firstpass 1116). This captured data maybe stored in
`any type of machine-readable media (internal and/or external
`to the mail sorter 102 (not shown)) for subsequent access
`during the second pass.
`The sort module 104 outputs the mail pieces (both non-
`35 UAA and UAA)-114. In some example embodiments, after
`the first pass, the mail pieces are sorted according to the mail
`carrier that is to deliver such mail pieces. As further described
`below, in some example embodiments, the UAA module 106
`performs other processing for the candidate UAA mail
`40 pieces. Such processing may be executed between the first
`pass and the second pass of the multiple pass mail sort opera(cid:173)
`tion. In some example embodiments, as part of such process(cid:173)
`ing, the UAA module 106 generates a fingerprint that identi(cid:173)
`fies the candidate UAA mail pieces relative to other candidate
`45 UAA mail pieces for a particular recipient. In some example
`embodiments, the fingerprint is derived from at least one of
`the delivery point, the size, return address and endorsements
`of a mail piece. The following are example fingerprints to
`help illustrate. In particular, in these examples, the fingerprint
`50 for a mail piece comprises the 11-digit delivery point, the
`size, the name, the return address and the endorsement. As
`further described below, the sort module 104 may determine
`uniqueness of a mail piece by reviewing certain parts of the
`fingerprint in a given order. In some example embodiments, if
`55 the first part of the fingerprint being reviewed is unique, the
`remaining parts are not reviewed. Thus, the sort module 104
`reviews the parts of the fingerprint in a given order until
`uniqueness is found for a given mail piece. Here are example
`fingerprints offour mail pieces (A-D):
`
`60
`
`65
`
`Mail
`Piece
`
`11-Digit
`
`Size
`
`Name
`
`Return Endorse-
`Address ments
`
`A
`B
`
`76006-1234-12
`76006-1234-12
`
`15000
`15000
`
`Joe Simms
`Joe Simms
`
`94505
`74506
`
`None
`None
`
`Page 10
`
`

`

`US 8,688,265 B2
`
`5
`-continued
`
`11-Digit
`
`Size
`
`Name
`
`Return
`Address
`
`Endorse-
`ments
`
`Mail
`Piece
`c
`
`6
`the sort module 104 may sort the mail pieces accordingly to
`the mail carrier that is to deliver the mail pieces. The sort
`module 104 may perform this sort using the delivery point bar
`code. FIG. 3 provides a more detailed description of the first
`pass operation (see description below). The method continues
`at block 206.
`At block 206, the sort module 104 determines whether any
`of the mail pieces are candidate UAA mail pieces. In some
`example embodiments, the sort module 104 may identify the
`10 candidate UAA mail pieces using the delivery point bar code.
`In particular, the sort module 104 may compare the delivery
`point bar code to a table, list, etc. of addresses of recipients of
`mail whose address has changed. As described above, if the
`delivery point bar code for a mail piece is within this list of
`15 addresses, the sort module 104 identifies the mail piece as a
`candidate UAA mail piece. As described below, further con(cid:173)
`firmation and final disposition of a candidate UAA mail piece
`is performed in subsequent operations. If there are no candi(cid:173)
`date UAA mail pieces, the method 200 continues at block 210
`20 (which is described in more detail below). Otherwise, the
`method 200 continues at block 208.
`At block 208, the UAA module 106 performs UAA pro(cid:173)
`cessing on the candidate UAA mail pieces. In some example
`embodiments, this UAA processing is performed between the
`25 first pass and the second pass of the multiple pass mail sort
`operation. FIG. 4 provides a more detailed description of the
`UAA processing (see description below). The method con(cid:173)
`tinues at block 210.
`At block 210, the sort module 104 performs a second pass
`of the multiple pass mail sort operation. As part of the second
`pass, the sort module 104 may sort the mail pieces in order of
`delivery sequence for the different mail carriers. The sort
`module 104 may perform this sort using the delivery point bar
`code. FIG. 5 provides a more detailed description of the first
`pass operation (see description below). The method continues
`at block 212.
`At block 212, the sort module 104 determines whether any
`of the mail pieces are confirmed to be UAA mail pieces. In
`some example embodiments, the sort module 104 may iden(cid:173)
`tify the UAA mail pieces using the delivery point bar code,
`different features of the mail piece that are included in the
`fingerprint, etc. A more detailed description of this identifi(cid:173)
`cation is set forth below in the description of FIG. 5. In some
`example embodiments, this determination of UAA mail
`45 pieces is performed as part of the second pass. If there are no
`UAA mail pieces to process, the method 200 is complete.
`Otherwise, the method 200 continues at block 214.
`At block 214, the sort module 104 performs a final UAA
`disposition of the UAAmail pieces as part of the second pass.
`Because the UAA mail pieces are confirmed, final disposition
`may occur. In some example embodiments, final disposition
`may include return the mail piece to the sender, forwarding to
`a new address or disposing. Final disposition may depend on
`the class of mail, the length of time since the address has
`changed, mailer applied endorsements, etc. For example, if
`the mail piece is first class mail and the length of time is less
`than 18 months, the mail piece is labeled for forwarding to the
`new address. If the mail piece is standard A class mail and the
`length of time is greater 30 days and there are no endorse-
`60 ments, the mail piece is discarded. Accordingly, as described,
`the final disposition ofUAA mail pieces may be performed as
`part of the second pass of a multiple pass mail sort operation.
`The operations of the method 200 are complete.
`A more detailed description of the first pass operations is
`65 now set forth. In particular, FIG. 3 is a diagram of a method
`for performing a first pass of multiple pass mail sort operation
`that includes processing UAA mail pieces, according to some
`
`76006-1234-12
`
`D
`
`76456-1345-11
`
`15000 Nancy
`Jones
`John Doe
`
`16000
`
`67902
`
`None
`
`None
`
`None
`
`Mail piece D may be determined to be unique by its
`11-digit delivery point. In-particular, only the 11-digit deliv(cid:173)
`ery point would need to be checked. Mail piece A may be
`determined to be unique by its return address. The 11-digit
`delivery point, the size, the name and the return address would
`need to be checked. Mail piece B may be determined to be
`unique by its return address. The 11-digit delivery point, the
`size, the name and the return address would need to be
`checked. Mail piece C may be determined to be unique by its
`name. The 11-digit delivery point, the size and the name
`would need to be checked.
`As shown, the mail pieces (both UAA and non-UAA) from
`the first pass are input into the sort module 104 again-second
`pass 120. The sort module 104 again identifies the candidate
`UAA mail pieces using the 11-digit delivery point data (as
`described above for the first pass). If the sort module 104
`identifies the mail piece as a candidate UAA mail piece, the
`sort module 104 may pass the mail piece to the UAA module
`106 for further processing (UAA mail pieces-second pass
`122). As part of the second pass, for a candidate UAA mail
`piece, the UAA module 106 determines whether the UAA 30
`mail piece is confirmed to be an actual UAA mail piece. The
`UAA module 106 outputs an identification of the UAA mail
`pieces for final disposition-second pass 124.
`If confirmed, the sort module 104 also performs a final
`disposition of the UAA mail piece-128. In some example 35
`embodiments, the confirmation of the UAA mail piece is
`determined based on the identification of the recipient. As
`described above, the name of the recipient was identified by
`the UAA module 106 either during the first pass or during the
`processing between the first pass and the second pass. The 40
`sort module 106 also outputs the mail pieces (both non-UAA
`and UAA)-second pass 126. In some example embodi(cid:173)
`ments, after the second pass, the mail pieces are sorted
`according in delivery sequence for the different mail carriers
`that are to deliver such mail pieces.
`Operations, according to example embodiments, are now
`described. In certain embodiments, the operations are per(cid:173)
`formed by instructions residing on machine-readable media
`(e.g., software), while in other embodiments, the methods are
`performed by hardware or other logic (e.g., digital logic). 50
`FIG. 2 is a diagram of a method for performing a multiple pass
`mail sort operation that includes processing UAA mail
`pieces, according to some example embodiments. A method
`200 is described with reference to FIG. 1. In some example
`embodiments, the method 200 is performed by at least one of 55
`the sort module 104 and the UAA module 106. The method
`200 commences at block 202.
`At block 202, the sort module 104 receives the mail pieces
`for sorting. The mail pieces may comprise both UAA and
`non-UAA mail pieces. In some example embodiments, the
`mail pieces are pre-bar coded by the sender of the mail pieces.
`The bar code may comprise an 11-digit delivery point that
`may include an identification of the following regarding the
`recipient of the mail item: (1) zip code, (2) street, and (3)
`location on the street. The method 200 continues at block 204.
`At block 204, the sort module 104 performs a first pass of
`a multiple pass mail sort operation. As part of the first pass,
`
`Page 11
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`

`

`US 8,688,265 B2
`
`5
`
`7
`example embodiments. A method 300 is described with ref(cid:173)
`erence to FIG. 1. In some example embodiments, the method
`300 is performed by the sort module 104. For sake of clarity,
`the method 300 is described with reference to the processing
`of one mail piece, such processing is applicable to the mul-
`tiple mail pieces received. The method 300 commences at
`block 302.
`At block 302, the sort module 104 determines the delivery
`point bar code of a mail piece. As described above, the bar
`code may be an 11-digit bar code that may be placed on the
`mail piece by the sender. The method continues at block 304.
`At block 304, the sort module 104 determines whether the
`mail piece is a candidate UAA mail piece. In some example
`embodiments, the sort module 104 may identify the candidate
`UAA mail pieces using the delivery point bar code. As 15
`described above, the sort module 104 may compare the deliv(cid:173)
`ery point bar code to a table, list, etc. of addresses of recipients
`of mail whose address has changed. If the mail piece is not a
`candidate UAA mail piece, the method continues at block 310
`(which is described in more detail below). Otherwise, the 20
`method 300 continues at block 308.
`At block 308, the sort module 104 captures an image of the
`mail piece for UAA processing. As described below, the
`captured image may be input into OCR/image processing to
`determine different features of the mail piece. Thus, the 25
`image is captured for subsequent processing. The identifica(cid:173)
`tion of the features enable the UAA module 106 to confirm
`that a candidate UAA mail piece is a UAA mail piece. Also,
`the sort module 104 may use the identification of the features
`to determine final disposition of a confirmed UAA mail piece 30
`during second pass operations (as described below). The
`method continues at block 310.
`At block 310, the sort module 104 sorts the mail piece. The
`sort module 104 may perform this sort using the 11-digit
`delivery point bar code. The output from this first pass is the 35
`mail pieces being sorted according to mail carriers that are to
`deliver the mail pieces. The operations of the method 300 are
`complete.
`A more detailed description of the UAA processing that
`may occur between the first pass and the second pass is now 40
`set forth. In particular, FIG. 4 is a diagram of a method for
`processing ofUAA mail pieces that is executed between the
`first pass and the second pass of a multiple pass mail sort
`operation, according to some example embodiments. A
`method 400 is described with reference to FIG. 1. In some 45
`example embodiments, the method 400 is performed by the
`UAA module 106. For sake of clarity, the method 400 is
`described with reference to the processing of one candidate
`UAA mail piece, such processing is applicable to the multiple
`candidate UAA mail pieces received. The method 400 com(cid:173)
`mences at block 402.
`At block 402, the UAA module 106 generates a fingerprint
`of the candidate UAA mail piece that is derived from features
`of the candidate UAA mail piece. Some of the features used
`for generating the fingerprint include the return address, size 55
`of the mail piece, etc. As described above, an image of the
`mail piece is captured. The UAA module 106 may use a
`number of different techniques (e.g., OCR) to determine fea(cid:173)
`tures of the mail piece based on the captured image. The UAA
`module 106 may input the values for the features for this
`particular mail piece (e.g., size, data from the return address
`(such as the city, state, zip code, etc.)) into some type of
`fingerprint generation algorithm. The output from this finger(cid:173)
`print generation algorithm may be some alphanumeric value
`that is representative of the mail piece. In some example
`embodiments, the fingerprint may be unique relative to fin(cid:173)
`gerprints for other candidate UAA mail pieces for a given
`
`8
`delivery point bar code. Accordingly, if