Classifying – separating – and assorting solids – Sorting special items – and certain methods and apparatus for... – Signalling – indicating – or display means
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-30
2001-08-21
Walsh, Donald P. (Department: 3653)
Classifying, separating, and assorting solids
Sorting special items, and certain methods and apparatus for...
Signalling, indicating, or display means
C209S509000, C209S546000, C209S552000, C209S559000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06276535
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention disclosed herein relates generally to a method for sorting mailpieces using a mail sorting apparatus and, more particularly, to a method for providing instructions to a mail sorting apparatus
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The processing and handling of mailpieces consumes an enormous amount of human and financial resources, particularly if the processing of the mailpieces is done manually. The processing and handling of mailpieces not only takes place at the Postal Service, but also occurs at each and every business or other site where communication via the mail delivery system is utilized. That is, various pieces of mail generated by a plurality of departments and individuals within a company need to be addressed, collected, sorted, and franked as part of the outgoing mail process. Additionally, incoming mail needs to be collected and sorted efficiently to ensure that it gets to the addressee in a minimal amount of time. Since much of the documentation and information being conveyed through the mail system is critical in nature relative to the success of a business, it is imperative that the processing and handling of both the incoming and outgoing mailpieces be done efficiently and reliably so as not to negatively impact the functioning of the business.
Mailpiece sorting can be performed manually or with automated equipment designed specifically to perform the sorting task. Manual sorting is labor intensive and time consuming and, historically, has been done using pigeon hole type sorting stations. Typical modern mailpiece sorting apparatus incorporate a feeding mechanism for feeding mailpieces, a separating mechanism for separating the mailpieces from each other, a reading device for reading the information on the mailpieces, a mailpiece transport mechanism for transporting the mailpieces to compartments or bins, bins for receiving the mailpieces, and software for making choices regarding placement of mailpieces into the compartments and a control device.
The operation of automated sorting equipment typically entails an operator placing an armload of mail that has been edge aligned onto the feeding mechanism. The mailpieces are fed into the separating mechanism, read and sorted into bins. Typically, when one or more bins become full, the sorting apparatus stops and the bins are manually emptied into a mail tray by an operator. The mail sorting apparatus may also be stopped when there is a change in sort plan that requires a software change. For example, when a new group of mailpieces needs to be sorted, a new sort plan designating the bins into which the mailpieces will be sorted needs to be determined. This is done by manually making software changes such as, for example, choosing a sort scheme. This typically requires the sorting apparatus to be stopped, the bins swept and new mailpieces to be loaded. The foregoing increases the amount of time that is required to sort the mail.
Thus, one of the problems of the prior art is that some sorting equipment shut down frequently for sort scheme changes or other instructions. Another problem of the prior art is that the sorting equipment sorting time is not maximized. Another problem of the prior art is that changing sorting schemes is time consuming and requires manual reprogramming.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a method of sorting mailpieces which reduces the amount of time the sorting process is stopped to change sort schemes or request other sorting instructions. This, in turn, affords quicker mailpiece processing. The present invention is directed to, in a general aspect, a method of providing instructions to a mailpiece sorting apparatus In one embodiment, the invention allows an operator to efficiently begin one sorting job, end the sorting job, begin another sorting job, end the other sorting job before completion and return to the original sorting job. Thus, the operator may easily change jobs with little down time as priorities change.
In one embodiment of the present invention, instructions are provided to the mail sorting apparatus in a machine readable format such as barcode. The instructions are printed on a form that can be fed into the mail sorting apparatus in the same manner that a mailpiece is fed into the mail sorting apparatus. The form is run through the feed path of the mail sorting apparatus. The barcode is read using a scanner or the like. A signal on the form indicates that the mailpiece is a form, and that information contained in the barcode is an instruction. The instruction may be, for example, an instruction to 1) halt and reload a sort scheme; 2) change to a new sort scheme; 3) disable inline printing; 4) bill the sort to a particular customer or cost center; or 5) update the addressee database. Other instructions may also be presented to the mail sorting apparatus. Instructions that may be implemented through use or reprogramming of application software may be presented by using the form. The method provides for sorting of mailpieces with less stopping of the mailpiece sorting apparatus to provide new instructions.
Thus, an advantage of the method of the present invention is that it requires less stopping of the sorting apparatus for providing instructions. Another advantage of the method of the present invention is that it provides a method of updating instructions that reduces program costs. Other advantages of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part be apparent from the specification. The aforementioned advantages are illustrative of the advantages of the various embodiments of the present invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5043908 (1991-08-01), Manduley et al.
patent: 5146403 (1992-09-01), Goodman
patent: 5200007 (1993-04-01), Svyatsky
patent: 5227970 (1993-07-01), Harris
patent: 5291002 (1994-03-01), Agnew et al.
patent: 5422821 (1995-06-01), Allen et al.
patent: 5452203 (1995-09-01), Moore
patent: 5518122 (1996-05-01), Tilles et al.
Bodie Kevin W.
Winkelman John H.
Beauchaine Mark J
Melton Michael E.
Pitney Bowes Inc.
Vitale Alberta A.
Walsh Donald P.
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