Patent ID: 8153911
Filing Date: 2012-04-10
Classification: G01G,G06Q

Abstract:
1. An automated system for processing a moving stream of mail pieces, comprising: input means for receiving an incoming stream of mail pieces from an automated mail piece transport system, the transport system moving the stream of mail pieces at a predetermined transport speed; output means for returning the stream of mail pieces into the automated transport system to resume moving at the transport speed; and an in-line scale arranged intermediate the input means and the output means for weighing each mail piece in the stream seriatim and configured to weigh each mail piece while it is moving; the in-line scale arranged to temporarily accelerate the mail piece and to capture closed loop servo motor torque sample data associated with accelerating the mail piece; and the in-line scale including a processor configured to determine a weight of the mail piece based on the captured closed loop servo motor torque sample data; wherein the weight of each mail piece is determined from corresponding motor torque sample data that is captured in real time, so as to avoid interrupting flow of the stream of mail pieces through the transport system; the processor further configured to store the determined weight of each mail piece in a memory in association with an identifier of the mail piece.