A METHOD AND AN APPARATUS FOR PROCESSING RECEIVED POSTAL ITEMS

摘要

From received postal items (4) patterns are recorded and recorded information representing the recorded patterns is generated. The received postal item (4) is processed in accordance with processing instructions represented by the information recorded from the postal item. The information representing the recorded patterns is also stored in a log of received mail. Since the patterns which are recorded for determining how a received postal item (4) is to be processed are also stored in a log of received mail, the need of separately recording patterns and associated handling and transport operations for that purpose is obviated. Since the recording of the pattern is carried out before the step of processing, any log or archive prepared on the basis of the initial recording step will include any documents which are lost or damaged during the subsequent processing.