GB2251824A

GB2251824A - Pre-printed post code

Info

Publication number: GB2251824A
Application number: GB9027955A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William Henry Tinkler
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1990-12-22
Filing date: 1990-12-22
Publication date: 1992-07-22
Also published as: GB9027955D0

Abstract

Marking of pre-printed alphanumeric post code 'proformas' provided in several ways enables sender to indicate on letters, packages or parcels the addressee's post code which can be machine read using infra red scanning detectors or optical character readers.

Description

A system to facilitate the automatic sorting of Post Office mail This invention relates to a system enabling the majority of Post Office mail to be sorted automatically.

Though the automatic sorting of mail carrying typed or printed addresses has been successfully carried out for many years, progress in the development of optical character reading which can cope with the enormous variations in hand writing is extremely slow. There is no immediate prospect that the required rapid capability in dealing with hand writing will be achieved. The system proposed below avoids this problem, simply calling for the use of equipment which is already tried, tested and in regular use.

In the system described below senders of mail are provided in a variety of ways with pre-printed post code 'proformas' upon which to indicate an addressee's post code. Machine reading of the code using current technology then follows.

1. Addressee post code indicated on alphanumeric 'proforma' EXANPLE of proforma #ABCDEFGHJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ# #1234567890 1234567890# #ABCDEFGHJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ# #ABCDEFGHJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ# #1234567890 1234567890# #ABCDEFGHJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ# Note: A wide range of types faces can be used; start, next line, next column and stop bar codes required for reader control.

.1 Proforma may be .1 t pre-printed on envelopes and address labels .1 by manufacturer (envisaged that this will become the norm) EXA2IPLES Gummed address label with pre-printed post code proforma for use with envelopes, packages and parcels: #ABCDEFGHJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ# #1234567890 1234567890# #ABCDEFGHJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ# #ABCDEFGHJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ# #1234567890 1234567890# #ABCDEFGHJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ# Small envelope with pre-printed post code proforma Note: Applies to envelopes of any size, shape or colour, with or without a transparent address window.

#ABCDEFGHJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ# #1234567890 1234567890# #ABCDEFGHJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ# #ABCDEFGHJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ# #1234567890 1234567890# #ABCDEFGHJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ# 1. 1. 1. 2 by sender using modified metering (franking) machine, one pass of esch envelope required if acceptable to frank before completing post code, otherwise two passes through machine needed; may require additional machine to print 'proforma' in a pre-franking run; for an example see para 2. 2. 3 below, example 2; 1. 1. 1. 3 by sender using rubber stamp and ink pad; 1. 1. 2 stuck on envelope, package or parcel by sender using pre-printed adhesive label provided by Post Office when stamps are sold.

2. Methods of indicating post code on 'pro-forma' .l For infra red detection: sender uses a soft pencil (HB or softer) to cancel letters and numbers of the addressee's post code.

EXAMPLE #ABCDEFGHJKLM#OPQRSTUVWXYZ# #1234#67890 1234567890# #ABCD#FGHJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ# #ABCDEFGHJKLM#OPQRSTUVWXYZ# #1234#67890 1234567890# #ABCDEFGHJKLMNOPQ#STUVWXYZ# Code reads: NE5 5NR .1 pro-forma ALWAYS printed to standard dimensions .2 letters and numbers of post code identified by distance detecting head travels before contacting heat conducting surface of graphite; .3 corrections made by use of india rubber to remove graphite.

2. 2 Optical character readers (OCRs. ) .1 Pro-formas printed using standard character faces; .2 sender makes ring around appropriate letters and numbers to indicate post code using pen or pencil, OCR programmed to read encircled type faces; EXAMPLE #ABCDEFGHJKL##OPQRSTUVWXYZ# #123##67890 1234567890# #ABC###GHJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ# #ABCDEFGHJKL###PQRSTUVWXYZ# #123###7890 1234567890# #ABCDEFGHJKLMNOP###TUVWXYZ# 2.2.3 or, using a larger type face for proforma - space found by omitting redundant parts of address - sender types or makes by hand slashes across appropriate faces, OCR programmed to read 'slashed' type faces ,particularly appropriate for large scale users of metered franking machines as in this example:: EXAMPLE

#ABCDEFGHJKLM#OPQRSTUVWXYZ# #1234#67890# #1234567890# #ABCD#FGHJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ# #ABCDEFGHJKLM#OPQRSTUVWXYZ# #1234#67890# #1234567890# #ABCDEFGHJKLMNOPQ#STUVWXYZ# 2.2.4 or, sender obliterates type faces of appropriate post code and OCR programmed to register letter /number preceding an obscured one and to signal the letter or numeral succeeding the one obscured; EXAMPLE #ABCDEFGHJKLM#OPQRSTUVWXYZ# #1234#67890 1234567890# #ABCD#FGHJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ# #ABCDEFGHJKLM#OPQRSTUVWXYZ# #1234#67890 1234567890# #ABCDEFGHJKLMNOPQ#STUVWXYZ# 2.3 Using method described in 2.2.2, cancellation of mistakes would require complete obliteration by overmarking of wrong letter or number - optical reader to respond only to an encircled, legible letter or number; same cancellation procedure can be followed with method described in 2.2.3; using method described in 2.2.4,correction of errors would require entirely new post code proforma stuck down over first.

3. 0 Embellishments .1 Black or red border around edge of post code proforma, particularly for large scale version will enhance visibility for user and for postal delivery; EXAMPLES

IABCDEFGHJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZI 112345678901 112345678901 MABCDEFGHJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZss 1ABCDEFGHJ KLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZl 112345678901 112345678901 lABCDEFGHKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZl RABCDEFGHJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZB 112345678901 112345678901 MABCDEFGHJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZB IABCDEFGHJKLMNOPBRSTUVWXYZI 112345678901 112345678901 lABCDEFGHJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZl 3.2 Possible to attach normal gummed post stamp to end of post code proforma or above or below if that is necessary to avoid obscuring marks produced at time of franking. The traditional placing of the postage stamp could be changed from top right to bottom right, or keeping the postage stamp top right, the post code proforma could be placed top centre.

3.2 EXAMPLES #ABCDEFGHJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ# #1234567890 1234567890# #ABCDEFGHJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ# #ABCDEFGHJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ# #1234567890 1234567890# #ABCDEFGHJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ#

#ABCDEFGHJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ# #1234567890 1234567890# #ABCDEFGHJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ# #ABCDEFGHJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ# #1234567890 1234567890# #ABCDEFGHJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ#

4. Methodology of using post code proformas adaptable to other national (foreign) post code systems, e.g. by using entirely numeric post code.

Claims

1. By use of pre-printed alphanumeric post code 'proformas' automatic sorting of Post Office mail becomes generally applicable. Senders indicate the post code of addressees on the 'proforma', the method adopted depending upon the choice of detection machinery, either infra red scanner or optical character reader.

2. The post code 'proformas' as claimed in Claim 1 may be pre-printed .1 on envelopes of all shapes, sizes and colours, with or without address 'windows'; .2 on gummed/adhesive address labels; .3 on gummed strips issued together with postage stamps; .4 by use of hand (rubber) stamps and ink pads; .5 by use of a modified or an extra printing block attached to metered franking machines.

3. This system as claimed in Claim 1 can be used for letters, packages and parcels.

4. This system as claimed in Claim 1 is adaptable for use by postal services in countries other than the United Kingdom, e.g. the post code might be expressed entirely in numeric form.