A method is disclosed which is performed by at least one first apparatus. In the method, information indicative of at least one characteristic of a franking is obtained. It is determined whether or not the franking is a counterfeit franking and/or a reused franking based on the obtained information or based on the obtained information and based on reference information indicative of at least one characteristic of a franking. The at least one characteristic includes at least one of a physical characteristic of the franking, a visual characteristic of an image provided on the franking, and/or a characteristic based on at least one material of the franking.

A method for processing a batch of mailpieces on an inserting station comprising at least a document feeder and a document scanner to read barcodes printed on pages of documents belonging to said batch of mailpieces, the method including the steps of selecting a job type having job parameters for the batch of mailpieces, extracting a first page belonging to a mailpiece from the document feeder, scanning the first page with the document scanner, searching a first barcode printed on the first page, reading the first barcode on the first page, extracting from the first barcode an information including at least one of a mailpiece identifier, a page count or position coordinates, processing the information to retrieve a position of a second barcode printed on a second page to be extracted from the document feeder, extracting the second page from the document feeder, scanning the second page with the document scanner, searching a second barcode on the second page at the retrieved position, and reading the second barcode on the second page.

The invention relates to a method for marking a consignment unit in a logistics process. The invention furthermore relates to a system for marking a consignment unit in a logistics process. The method according to the invention for marking a consignment unit in a logistics process contains the steps of initially creating a first image of the surface of a consignment unit in order to then link this image to an identification number and store the image and the identification number on a data processing unit.

Aspects of the technology described herein provide a pre-printed postage. As an initial step, the pre-printed postage is printed on a media, such as an envelope or sticker. Each instance of pre-printed postage comprises a unique identifier encoded in a machine-readable format. Postage is paid for through a payment process. In order to pay for an individual instance of pre-printed postage, the unique identifier encoded in the pre-printed postage needs to be provided to the payment application. At the end of the payment process, a central database is updated to associate the unique identifier with a postal value calculated during payment. When the Postal Service receives an item with pre-printed postage it validates the pre-printed postage and then indicates usage of the pre-printed postage by updating the central database.

A system for parcel transport and tracking that operates responsive to data bearing records includes a plurality of geographically spaced repositories. The exemplary repositories include a plurality of enclosed compartment spaces. Access to each of the enclosed compartment spaces is controlled by a respective door which is in operative connection with the respective lock. Central system circuitry in operative connection with the repositories is operative to control access to the compartment spaces and to cause compartments to be selectively accessible so that selected parcels may be placed therein or removed therefrom.

Systems and methods which utilize gravity feed for mail item movement in postage metering operations are shown. Embodiments provide for gravity drop feeding mail items into a portion of a postage metering system for metering operations, such as to activate or apply postage indicia thereto. Embodiments provide for gravity drop exit of mail items from a portion of a postage metering system after metering operations, such as activation or application of postage indicia thereto. Postage metering operations as performed by embodiments of the invention may comprise scanning and activation of preprinted tokens. Postage metering operations according to alternative embodiments of the invention may printing postage indicia. Embodiments provide processing in addition to or in the alternative to the aforementioned postage indicia activation or printing and mail item marking operations, such as weighing, sorting, etc.

A distribution item is disclosed. The distribution item includes a first item comprising a container having an outer surface defining an enclosed space. A computer-readable code is disposed on the outer surface. The computer-readable code is associated with a first level entity. The first item also includes destination information associated with a second level entity disposed on the outer surface. The distribution item also includes one or more second items removably positioned within the enclosed space of the first item. Each of the one or more second items includes the computer-readable code associated with the first level entity.

A system and method for estimating dimensions of an approximately cuboidal object from a 3D image of the object acquired by an image sensor of the vision system processor is provided. An identification module, associated with the vision system processor, automatically identifies a 3D region in the 3D image that contains the cuboidal object. A selection module, associated with the vision system processor, automatically selects 3D image data from the 3D image that corresponds to approximate faces or boundaries of the cuboidal object. An analysis module statistically analyzes, and generates statistics for, the selected 3D image data that correspond to approximate cuboidal object faces or boundaries. A refinement module chooses statistics that correspond to improved cuboidal dimensions from among cuboidal object length, width and height. The improved cuboidal dimensions are provided as dimensions for the object. A user interface displays a plurality of interface screens for setup and runtime operation.

A multi-level distribution and tracking method is described. Processing equipment processes multi-level distribution items, the multi-level distribution items being associated with first, second, and third level entities. The multi-level distribution items include a computer readable code thereon. The processing equipment captures an image of the multi-level distribution item, reads a computer readable code associated with the first level entity, sender information for the second level entity, and destination address information for the third level entity. The distribution system delivers the item to the destination address for the third level entity. The processing equipment generates scan information based on the processing of the multi-level distribution item, and can send the tracking information to the first level entity.

Systems and methods which provide postage indicia using mobile communication handsets are shown. According to embodiments, users are enabled to introduce mail pieces into a mail delivery stream which are accepted as having activated, value comprising postage indicia associated therewith without the use of traditional metering systems, processor-based postage generation and printing systems, or even printers. Instead, a token comprising substantially unique identification information identifying a mail piece is activated as an activated token having postage value associated therewith using mobile communication handsets, such as a smart phone, network enabled personal digital assistant, etc. according to embodiments of the invention.