Patent ID: 6370446
Filing Date: 2002-04-09
Classification: B07C

Abstract:
Apparatus for providing assistance in manual sorting of articles of mail performed by an operator having available disposition storage elements corresponding to determined destinations, the articles of mail each including at least one document, and the apparatus comprising:recognition means for reading one of an article of mail and a document extracted from the article, and identifying thereon at least one data item suitable for giving information about the destination of the article; comparator means for comparing said identified data item with a plurality of previously stored predetermined data items; allocation means for allocating a unique identity code to the recognized data item corresponding to a determined storage element allocated to a particular destination; and contactless transmission means for transmitting said identity codes to all of the storage elements; each of said storage elements being provided with indicator means responding selectively to said identity code, said indicator means being retrofittably attachable by fixing means to said storage elements, respectively, to allow said apparatus to be used on existing storage elements.