Method and apparatus for preparing mail pieces

摘要

For preparing a series of mail pieces using a mail preparation apparatus, a scanner (63) scans at least a portion of a first postal item (20, 25) and generates signals in accordance with scanned patterns. A control system (31) processes the signals from the scanner into image data representing an image and compares the image data with reference data, which represent features of optical marks of a particular type that are associated to predetermined instructions for processing postal items (20, 25). If at least a predetermined extent of agreement between the image data and the reference data is found, a job setting including scanning of optical marks from further postal items (20, 25) and controlling the preparation of the mail pieces in accordance with instructions represented by the optical marks is selected. Otherwise, a job setting not including scanning of optical marks from further postal items (20, 25) is selected.

主权项

1. A method for preparing a series of mail pieces using an apparatus for assembling mail pieces, the apparatus comprising a feeding station, a scanner for scanning postal items and a control system, the method comprising:
providing a stock of postal items to be mailed in a feeding station of the apparatus; the scanner scanning at least a portion of a first one of the postal items of said stock of postal items and generating signals in accordance with scanned patterns on the postal item; the control system processing the signals from the scanner into image data representing an image of the scanned portion and comparing the image data with one or more sets of reference data, which represent features of optical marks, the optical marks being associated to predetermined instructions for processing postal items; and the control system, in response to at least a predetermined extent of agreement between the image data and the set of reference data or at least one of the sets of reference data, selecting a job setting including scanning of optical marks from further postal items of said stock of postal items and controlling the preparation of the mail pieces including said further postal items in accordance with instructions represented by the optical marks, whereas, in response to absence of at least a predetermined extent of agreement between the image data and the set of reference data or at least one of the sets of reference data, selecting a job setting not including scanning of optical marks from said further postal items and controlling the preparation of the mail pieces including said further postal items without scanning the further postal items for optical marks.