Patent Abstract:
A computerized method for retrofitting a legacy manual mail recognition processing system (MRPS) with an automated MRPS without substantial changes to the configuration of the legacy manual MRPS includes detecting a request by a keyer desk software component to display a mail piece scan image on a computer display connected to the keyer desk computer. The image can at least temporarily be prevented from being displayed on the computer display and the image can be read from memory. Automated recognition processing can be performed on the image to resolve the image and create an automated recognition processing results data. If said automated recognition processing was successful the automated recognition processing results data can be sent to the keyer desk software component and the image can be permanently prevented from being displayed on the computer display. Otherwise, the image can be displayed to the human user for manual processing.

Full Description:
Embodiments relate generally to mail processing and, more particularly, to remote encoding center automation systems and methods providing automated mail piece image recognition processing to existing manual remote encoding centers. 
     Postal services, such as the United States Postal Service (USPS), may send large volumes of images of mail pieces that cannot be reliably resolved with their primary automation equipment to Remote Encoding Centers (RECs). The Remote Encoding Centers (RECs) may employ many human workers who view the mail piece images and manually resolve the image by determining the correct addressing information associated with the mail piece. Current automated mail recognition systems and methods may have higher success rates than the automation equipment currently deployed in the field by a postal service. Updating automation equipment currently deployed across a postal service&#39;s delivery area (for example the entire United States for the USPS) may not be technically feasible due to technical limitations of the legacy components still in use and may not be economically feasible due to deployment costs, contractual obligations, and/or the proprietary nature of some automation equipment. A need may exist to retrofit the existing Remote Encoding Centers (RECs) to provide improved automated mail recognition processing of all mail piece images received by the Remote Encoding Centers (RECs) and manually processing of only those images that cannot be resolved by the improved automated mail recognition processing. 
     One embodiment includes a computer system configured to supply automated mail recognition processing to a legacy manual mail recognition processing system. The computer system can include a processor and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory can store software instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations. The operations can include detecting a request by a keyer desk software component to display a mail piece scan image on a computer display that can be connected to the computer system so that the mail piece scan image can be processed by a human user. The mail piece scan image can comprise a digital image of at least a portion of a mail piece. The mail piece scan image can temporarily be prevented from being displayed on the computer display. The operations can also include copying the mail piece scan image from memory to create a duplicate mail piece scan image and automated recognition processing can be performed on the duplicate mail piece scan image to resolve an address contained within the duplicate mail piece scan image. The automated recognition processing can create an automated recognition processing result data. The operations can also include sending the automated recognition processing result data to the keyer desk software component if the automated recognition processing successfully resolves the address contained within the duplicate mail piece scan image. The human user can be permitted to manually process the mail piece scan image only if the automated recognition processing was not able to successfully resolve the address contained within the duplicate mail piece scan image. Sending the automated recognition processing result data to the keyer desk software component can include sending keystroke events to the keyer desk software component emulating the keypresses required of the human user when manually resolving an address contained in the mail piece image. Performing automated recognition processing on the duplicate mail piece scan image to resolve the duplicate mail piece scan image can include transmitting the duplicate mail piece scan image to an automated mail recognition processing system, receiving an automated mail recognition processing system response from the automated mail recognition processing system, and creating the automated recognition processing result data based on the automated mail recognition processing system response. 
     Another embodiment can include a computerized method for retrofitting a legacy manual mail recognition processing system using an automated mail recognition processing system. The method can include detecting, at a keyer desk computer, a request by a keyer desk software component to display a mail piece scan image on a computer display connected to the keyer desk computer. After receiving the request to display the image on the computer display, the mail piece scan image can at least temporarily be prevented from being displayed on the computer display and the mail piece scan image can be read from memory. Automated recognition processing can be performed on the mail piece scan image to resolve the mail piece scan image. The automated recognition processing can generate automated recognition processing result data. At the keyer desk computer, the automated recognition processing result data can be sent to the keyer desk software component if the automated recognition processing successfully resolves the mail piece scan image. The method can also include permanently preventing, at the keyer desk computer, the mail piece scan image from being displayed on the computer display if the automated recognition processing successfully resolves the mail piece scan image. The method can also include allowing, at the keyer desk computer, the mail piece scan image to be processed if the automated recognition processing was not able to successfully resolve the mail piece scan image. 
     Another embodiment can include a nontransitory computer readable medium having stored thereon software instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform a series of operations. The operations can include detecting a request by a keyer desk software component to display a mail piece scan image on a computer display connected to the computer for address resolution by a human user. The mail piece scan image can at least temporarily be prevented from being displayed on the computer display. The mail piece scan image can be copied from memory to create a duplicate mail piece scan image and automated recognition processing can be performed on the duplicate mail piece scan image to resolve an address in the duplicate mail piece scan image. The automated recognition processing can generate automated recognition processing result. If the automated recognition processing successfully resolves the address in the duplicate mail piece scan image corresponding to the mail piece scan image, a message containing the automated recognition processing result can be sent to the keyer desk software component and the mail piece scan image can be permanently prevented from being displayed on the computer display. The human user can be permitted to manually process the mail piece scan image only if the automated recognition processing was not able to successfully resolve the address in the duplicate mail piece scan image. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of an automated remote encoding system. 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of an MPE request intercepting automated remote encoding system. 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of an MPE request intercepting automated remote encoding system. 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a keyer request intercepting automated remote encoding system. 
         FIG. 5  is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a keyer request intercepting automated remote encoding system. 
         FIG. 6  is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of an automated remote encoding system embedded within a keyer control center system. 
         FIG. 7  is a block diagram showing an exemplary embodiment of an automated remote encoding system embedded within a keyer desk system. 
         FIG. 8  is a flowchart showing an exemplary method for retrofitting a legacy manual remote encoding center with automated mail recognition processing. 
         FIG. 9  is a flowchart showing an exemplary method for injecting automated mail recognition processing into an existing manual REC system. 
         FIG. 10  is a flowchart showing an exemplary method for embedding automated mail recognition processing into an existing manual REC system. 
         FIG. 11  is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of an automated remote encoding system. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of an automated remote encoding system. System  100  can include a REC (remote encoding center) automation system  102 . The REC automation system  102  can transmit data to and/or receive data from a plurality of MPE (mail processing equipment)  104 ,  106 , and  108 . The REC automation system  102  can also transmit data to and/or receive data from a manual REC (remote encoding center) (or manual remote encoding center),  110 . 
     In operation, the plurality of MPE  104 ,  106 , and  108  perform mail recognition processing of mail piece scan images and select unrecognizable images for manual processing by the manual REC  110 . The REC automation system  102  can capture and/or intercept those mail piece scan images selected for manual processing before they reach the manual REC  110  and perform automated mail recognition processing of the mail piece scan images according to the processes shown in  FIGS. 8 ,  9 , and  10 . The REC automation system  102  can be software and/or hardware (e.g., a computer programmed for REC automation). Each of the mail processing equipment  104 ,  106 , and  108  can physically reside in one or more mail processing sites located across the country. The manual REC  110  can include a keyer control center and a plurality of keyer desks as shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  3 ,  4 ,  5 ,  6 , and  7 . 
     It will be appreciated that the REC automation system  102  can perform the automated mail recognition processing by utilizing barcode reading, optical character recognition, database queries, and/or any other mail automation techniques. Also, the REC automation system  102  can delegate the mail recognition processing to a centralized mail recognition processing system by transmitting the mail piece scan image to the centralized mail recognition processing system and receiving a processing result from the centralized mail recognition processing system. 
     It will also be appreciated that the REC automation system  102  can transmit data to and/or receive data from the manual REC  110  and/or the plurality of MPE  104 ,  106 , and  108  and/or a centralized mail recognition processing system via one or more networks, such as but not limited to a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), the Internet, an intranet, or any other wired or wireless network now known or later developed, or any combination thereof. 
     It will be appreciated that the REC automation system  102  can transmit data to the plurality of MPE  104 ,  106 , and  108  in a manner that emulates the manual REC  110  such that the plurality of MPE  104 ,  106 , and  108  can receive the data as though it had been transmitted by the manual REC  110 . For example, the REC automation system  102  can transmit data to the plurality of MPE  104 ,  106 , and  108  according to the existing manual REC interface protocol. 
       FIG. 2  is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of an MPE request intercepting automated remote encoding system. System  200  can include an MPE (mail processing equipment)  202 , an REC (remote encoding center) automation system  204 , a keyer control center  206 , and/or a keyer desk  208 . 
     In operation, the MPE  202  may be unable to resolve a mail piece scan image and can request manual processing of that image at a manual REC. A manual REC can include a keyer control center  206  that can receive requests for manual processing of mail piece scan images and distribute the images for manual processing to keyer desks, an example of which is given by keyer desk  208 . The REC automation system  204  can intercept and/or capture each mail piece scan image transmitted by the MPE  202  before the image is received by the manual REC at the keyer control center  206 . 
     The REC automation system  204  can perform automated mail recognition processing on the intercepted and/or captured mail piece scan image according to the processes shown in  FIGS. 8 ,  9 , and  10 . If the REC automation system  204  is able to successfully process the mail piece scan image, computer recognized address portions can be transmitted to the MPE  202 . If the REC automation system  204  is unable to process the mail piece scan image, the image can be transmitted by the REC automation system  204  to the keyer control center  206  so that manual processing can be performed. 
     The keyer control center  206  can transmit the mail piece scan image to the keyer desk  208 . At keyer desk  208 , a mail piece scan image can be displayed to a human keyer for visual inspection and the keyer can manually enter or key in the addressing information contained in the image. The keyer control center  206  can receive the manually keyed in addressing information from the keyer desk  208  and can transmit this addressing information to the MPE  202 . 
     It will be appreciated that the mail piece scan images transmitted by the MPE  202  can be intercepted and/or captured by the REC automation system  204  such that the configurations of the MPE  202  and/or the keyer control center  206  need not be substantially altered. For example, the configuration of the network connecting the MPE  202  and the keyer control center  206  can be altered such that all messages sent by the MPE  202  to the keyer control center  206  are redirected to and/or routed through the REC automation system  204 . For example, a network switch can be configured to redirect manual mail processing requests to the REC automation system  204 . In another example, the REC automation system  204  can act as a network switch and/or router and can intercept and/or capture any manual mail processing requests being transmitted to the manual REC. 
     It will be appreciated that the addressing information resolved by processing the mail piece scan image can include the full destination address, the destination ZIP, the destination ZIP+4, the destination eleven digit ZIP (ZIP+4 and two digit delivery point), the full return address, or any other addressing information contained within the mail piece scan image. 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of an MPE request intercepting automated remote encoding system. System  300  can include an MPE (mail processing equipment)  302 , an REC (remote encoding center) automation system  304 , a keyer control center  306 , and/or a keyer desk  308 . 
     In operation, the MPE  302  may be unable to resolve a mail piece scan image and can request manual processing of that image at a manual REC. A manual REC can include a keyer control center  306  that can receive requests for manual processing of mail piece scan images and distribute the images for manual processing to keyer desks, an example of which is given by keyer desk  308 . The REC automation system  304  can intercept and/or capture each mail piece scan image transmitted by the MPE  302  before the image is received by the manual REC at the keyer control center  306 . 
     The REC automation system  304  can perform automated mail recognition processing on the intercepted and/or captured mail piece scan image according to the processes shown in  FIGS. 8 ,  9 , and  10 . If the REC automation system  304  is able to successfully process the mail piece scan image, computer recognized address portions can be transmitted to the MPE  302 . If the REC automation system  304  is unable to process the mail piece scan image, the image can be transmitted by the REC automation system  304  to the keyer control center  306  so that manual processing can be performed. 
     The keyer control center  306  can transmit the mail piece scan image to the keyer desk  308 . At keyer desk  308 , a mail piece scan image can be displayed to a human keyer for visual inspection and the keyer can manually enter or key in the addressing information contained in the image. The keyer control center  306  can receive the manually keyed in addressing information from the keyer desk  308  and can transmit this addressing information to the MPE  302 . The REC automation system  304  can also intercept and/or capture the manually entered addressing information transmitted by the keyer control center  306  to the MPE  302 . 
     The REC automation system  304  can log and/or store the intercepted and/or captured the manually entered addressing information such that the addressing information can be associated with the mail piece scan image in order to improve the automated mail recognition processing employed by the REC automation system. The REC automation system can transmit the manually entered addressing information to the MPE  302 . 
     It will be appreciated that the mail piece scan images transmitted by the MPE  302  can be intercepted and/or captured by the REC automation system  304  such that the configurations of the MPE  302  and/or the keyer control center  306  need not be substantially altered. For example, the configuration of the network connecting the MPE  302  and the keyer control center  306  can be altered such that all messages sent by the MPE  302  to the keyer control center  306  are redirected to and/or routed through the REC automation system  304 . For example, a network switch can be configured to redirect manual mail processing requests to the REC automation system  304 . In another example, the REC automation system  304  can act as a network switch and/or router and can intercept and/or capture any manual mail processing requests being transmitted to the manual REC. 
     It will be appreciated that the addressing information resolved by processing the mail piece scan image can include the full destination address, the destination ZIP, the destination ZIP+4, the destination eleven digit ZIP (ZIP+4 and two digit delivery point), the full return address, or any other addressing information contained within the mail piece scan image. 
       FIG. 4  is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a keyer request intercepting automated remote encoding system. System  400  can include an MPE (mail processing equipment)  402 , a REC (remote encoding center) automation system  404 , a keyer control center  406 , and/or a keyer desk  408 . 
     In operation, the MPE  402  may be unable to resolve a mail piece scan image and can request manual processing of that image at a manual REC. A manual REC can include a keyer control center  406  that can receive requests for manual processing of mail piece scan images and distribute the images for manual processing to keyer desks, an example of which is given by keyer desk  408 . The MPE  402  can transmit a mail piece scan image to the keyer control center  406  for manual processing and the keyer control center  406  can transmit the mail piece scan to the keyer desk  408 . The REC automation system  404  can intercept and/or capture each mail piece scan image transmitted by the keyer control center  406  before the image is received by the keyer desk  408 . 
     The REC automation system  404  can perform automated mail recognition processing on the intercepted and/or captured mail piece scan image according to the processes shown in  FIGS. 8 ,  9 , and  10 . If the REC automation system  404  is able to successfully process the mail piece scan image, computer recognized address portions can be transmitted to the keyer control center  404 . If the REC automation system  204  is unable to process the mail piece scan image, the image can be transmitted by the REC automation system  404  to the keyer desk  208  so that manual processing can be performed. 
     At keyer desk  408 , a mail piece scan image can be displayed to a human keyer for visual inspection and the keyer can manually enter or key in the addressing information contained in the image. The keyer control center  406  can receive the manually keyed in addressing information from the keyer desk  408  and can transmit this addressing information to the MPE  402 . 
     It will be appreciated that the mail piece scan images transmitted by the keyer control center  406  can be intercepted and/or captured by the REC automation system  404  such that the configurations of the keyer control center  406  and/or the keyer desk  408  need not be substantially altered. For example, the configuration of the network connecting the keyer desk  408  and the keyer control center  406  can be altered such that all messages sent by the keyer control center  406  to the keyer desk  408  are redirected to and/or routed through the REC automation system  404 . For example, a network switch can be configured to redirect manual mail processing requests to the REC automation system  404 . In another example, the REC automation system  404  can act as a network switch and/or router and can intercept and/or capture any manual mail processing requests being transmitted to the manual REC. 
     It will be appreciated that the addressing information resolved by processing the mail piece scan image can include the full destination address, the destination ZIP, the destination ZIP+4, the destination eleven digit ZIP (ZIP+4 and two digit delivery point), the full return address, or any other addressing information contained within the mail piece scan image. 
       FIG. 5  is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a keyer request intercepting automated remote encoding system. System  500  can include an MPE (mail processing equipment)  502 , a REC (remote encoding center) automation system  504 , a keyer control center  506 , and/or a keyer desk  508 . 
     In operation, the MPE  502  may be unable to resolve a mail piece scan image and can request manual processing of that image at a manual REC. A manual REC can include a keyer control center  506  that can receive requests for manual processing of mail piece scan images and distribute the images for manual processing to keyer desks, an example of which is given by keyer desk  508 . The MPE  502  can transmit a mail piece scan image to the keyer control center  406  for manual processing and the keyer control center  506  can transmit the mail piece scan to the keyer desk  508 . The REC automation system  504  can intercept and/or capture each mail piece scan image transmitted by the keyer control center  506  before the image is received by the keyer desk  508 . 
     The REC automation system  404  can perform automated mail recognition processing on the intercepted and/or captured mail piece scan image according to the processes shown in  FIGS. 8 ,  9 , and  10 . If the REC automation system  504  is able to successfully process the mail piece scan image, computer recognized address portions can be transmitted to the keyer control center  504 . If the REC automation system  504  is unable to process the mail piece scan image, the image can be transmitted by the REC automation system  404  to the keyer desk  508  so that manual processing can be performed. 
     At keyer desk  508 , a mail piece scan image can be displayed to a human keyer for visual inspection and the keyer can manually enter or key in the addressing information contained in the image. The keyer control center  506  can receive the manually keyed in addressing information from the keyer desk  508  and can transmit this addressing information to the MPE  502 . The REC automation system  504  can also intercept and/or capture the manually entered addressing information transmitted by the keyer desk  508  to the keyer control center  506 . 
     The REC automation system  504  can log and/or store the intercepted and/or captured the manually entered addressing information such that the addressing information can be associated with the mail piece scan image in order to improve the automated mail recognition processing employed by the REC automation system. The REC automation system can transmit the manually entered addressing information to the keyer control center  506 . 
     It will be appreciated that the mail piece scan images transmitted by the keyer control center  506  can be intercepted and/or captured by the REC automation system  504  such that the configurations of the keyer control center  506  and/or the keyer desk  508  need not be substantially altered. For example, the configuration of the network connecting the keyer desk  508  and the keyer control center  506  can be altered such that all messages sent by the keyer control center  506  to the keyer desk  508  are redirected to and/or routed through the REC automation system  504 . For example, a network switch can be configured to redirect manual mail processing requests to the REC automation system  504 . In another example, the REC automation system  504  can act as a network switch and/or router and can intercept and/or capture any manual mail processing requests being transmitted to the manual REC. 
     It will be appreciated that the addressing information resolved by processing the mail piece scan image can include the full destination address, the destination ZIP, the destination ZIP+4, the destination eleven digit ZIP (ZIP+4 and two digit delivery point), the full return address, or any other addressing information contained within the mail piece scan image. 
       FIG. 6  is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of an automated remote encoding system embedded within a keyer control center system. System  600  can include an MPE (mail processing equipment)  602 , a keyer control center  606 , and/or a keyer desk  608 . The keyer control center  606  can include a REC (remote encoding center) automation system  604 . 
     In operation, the MPE  602  may be unable to resolve a mail piece scan image and can request manual processing of that image at a manual REC. A manual REC can include a keyer control center  606  that can receive requests for manual processing of mail piece scan images and distribute the images for manual processing to keyer desks, an example of which is given by keyer desk  608 . The REC automation system  604  can intercept and/or capture each mail piece scan image transmitted by the MPE  602  at the keyer control center  306 . 
     The REC automation system  604  can prevent the keyer control center  606  from distributing the mail piece scan image to a keyer desk and can perform automated mail recognition processing on the intercepted and/or captured mail piece scan image according to the processes shown in  FIGS. 8 ,  9 , and  10 . If the REC automation system  604  is able to successfully process the mail piece scan image, computer recognized address portions can be transmitted to the MPE  602 . If the REC automation system  604  is unable to process the mail piece scan image, the keyer control center  606  can resume processing of the mail piece scan image and distribute the image to a keyer desk so that manual processing can be performed. 
     The keyer control center  606  can transmit the mail piece scan image to the keyer desk  608 . At keyer desk  608 , a mail piece scan image can be displayed to a human keyer for visual inspection and the keyer can manually enter or key in the addressing information contained in the image. The keyer control center  606  can receive the manually keyed in addressing information from the keyer desk  608  and can transmit this addressing information to the MPE  602 . The REC automation system  604  can also intercept and/or capture the manually entered addressing information transmitted by the keyer control center  606  to the MPE  602 . 
     The REC automation system  604  can log and/or store the intercepted and/or captured the manually entered addressing information such that the addressing information can be associated with the mail piece scan image in order to improve the automated mail recognition processing employed by the REC automation system. The REC automation system can transmit the manually entered addressing information to the MPE  602 . 
     It will be appreciated that the mail piece scan images transmitted by the MPE  602  can be intercepted and/or captured by the REC automation system  604  such that the configurations of the MPE  602  and/or the keyer control center  606  need not be substantially altered. For example, network components can be configured such that messages sent by the MPE  602  to the keyer control center  606  are routed to a different network port on the keyer control center  606  that can be used by the REC automation system  604 . 
     It will be appreciated that the addressing information resolved by processing the mail piece scan image can include the full destination address, the destination ZIP, the destination ZIP+4, the destination eleven digit ZIP (ZIP+4 and two digit delivery point), the full return address, or any other addressing information contained within the mail piece scan image. 
       FIG. 7  is a block diagram showing an exemplary embodiment of an automated remote encoding system embedded within a keyer desk system. System  700  can include an MPE (mail processing equipment)  702 , a keyer control center  706 , and/or a keyer desk  708 . The keyer desk  708  can include a REC (remote encoding center) automation system  704 . 
     In operation, the MPE  702  may be unable to resolve a mail piece scan image and can request manual processing of that image at a manual REC. A manual REC can include a keyer control center  706  that can receive requests for manual processing of mail piece scan images and distribute the images for manual processing to keyer desks, an example of which is given by keyer desk  708 . The MPE  702  can transmit a mail piece scan image to the keyer control center  706  for manual processing and the keyer control center  706  can transmit the mail piece scan to the keyer desk  708 . The REC automation system  704  can prevent the keyer desk  708  from displaying the mail piece scan image to the human keyer (user). 
     The REC automation system  704  can perform automated mail recognition processing on the mail piece scan image according to the processes shown in  FIGS. 8 ,  9 , and  10 . If the REC automation system  404  is able to successfully process the mail piece scan image, computer recognized address portions can be sent to the keyer desk software component via keystroke events that emulate the keystrokes that the human keyer (user) is required to enter. If the REC automation system  204  is unable to process the mail piece scan image, the keyer desk  708  can be allowed to display the mail piece scan image to the human keyer (user) for visual inspection and the keyer can manually enter or key in the addressing information contained in the image. The keyer control center  706  can receive the manually keyed in addressing information from the keyer desk  708  and can transmit this addressing information to the MPE  702 . 
     It will be appreciated that the addressing information resolved by processing the mail piece scan image can include the full destination address, the destination ZIP, the destination ZIP+4, the destination eleven digit ZIP (ZIP+4 and two digit delivery point), the full return address, or any other addressing information contained within the mail piece scan image. 
       FIG. 8  is a flowchart showing an exemplary method for retrofitting a legacy manual remote encoding center with automated mail recognition processing. Processing begins at  802  and continues to  804 . 
     At  804 , an originating MPE fails to resolve a mail piece scan image and requests manual mail recognition processing a manual REC. MPE resolve addressing information contained within mail piece scan images using software similar to optical character recognition, barcode reading, database queries, or other similar techniques. A mail piece scan image can include a digital image of a portion of a mail piece containing addressing information. The originating MPE may be unable to resolve some mail piece scan images and for these unresolved images the originating MPE can request manual mail recognition processing by a human keyer at a manual REC. As shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  3 ,  4 , and  5 , a manual REC can include a keyer control center (e.g.  206 ,  306 ,  406 , and  506 ) that can receive requests for manual processing of mail piece scan images and distribute the images for manual processing to keyer desks (e.g.  208 ,  308 ,  408 , and  508 ). Processing continues to  806 . 
     At  806 , the MPE request for manual mail recognition processing is intercepted and/or captured at the REC automation system. The request for manual mail recognition processing is intercepted and/or captured before the request is received by the keyer control center (e.g.  206  and  306 ), as shown  FIGS. 2 and 3 , or before the request is received by the keyer desk (e.g.  408  and  508 ), as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . Interception and/or capture can be achieved with minimal and/or insubstantial changes to the configuration of the MPE, the keyer control center or keyer desks. For example, networking components can be configured to redirect all requests for manual mail recognition processing being transmitted between the MPE and the keyer control center to the REC automation system. In another example, networking components can be configured to redirect all requests for manual mail recognition processing being transmitted between the keyer control center and the keyer desks to the REC automation system. Processing continues to  808 . 
     At  808 , automated mail recognition processing is performed on the mail piece scan image. If automated mail recognition processing is successful, a plurality of computer recognized addressing portions is created corresponding to the addressing information written and/or printed on the mail piece associated with the mail piece scan image. If the automated mail recognition processing is successful a mail piece scan image processing result can be generated containing the computer recognized address portions. Processing continues to  810 . 
     At  810 , a decision is made based on the result at  808 . Processing continues to  812  if processing at  808  was successful (the REC automation system was able to successfully resolve the mail piece scan image) and to  814  if processing at  808  was not successful (the REC automation system was unable to resolve the mail piece scan image). 
     At  812 , the mail piece scan image processing result is transmitted to the originating MPE. Processing continues to  816 , where processing ends. 
     At  814 , the MPE request for manual mail recognition processing is forwarded to a component in the manual REC so that manual processing by a human keyer can be performed. The request can be forwarded to the keyer control center (e.g.  206  and  306 ), as shown  FIGS. 2 and 3 , or to the keyer desk (e.g.  408  and  508 ), as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . Processing continues to  816 , where processing ends. 
     It will be appreciated that operations  804 - 814  may be repeated in whole or in part (an example of which is indicated by line  818 ) to process multiple mail piece scan images. 
     It will be appreciated that the addressing information resolved by processing the mail piece scan image can include the full destination address, the destination ZIP, the destination ZIP+4, the destination eleven digit ZIP (ZIP+4 and two digit delivery point), the full return address, and/or any other addressing information contained within the mail piece scan image. 
       FIG. 9  is a flowchart showing an exemplary method for injecting automated mail recognition processing into an existing manual REC system. Processing begins at  902  and continues to  904 . 
     At  904 , an originating MPE fails to resolve a mail piece scan image and requests manual mail recognition processing a manual REC. MPE resolve addressing information contained within mail piece scan images using software similar to optical character recognition, barcode reading, database queries, or other similar techniques. A mail piece scan image can include a digital image of a portion of a mail piece containing addressing information. The originating MPE may be unable to resolve some mail piece scan images and for these unresolved images the originating MPE can request manual mail recognition processing by a human keyer at a manual REC. As shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  3 ,  4 , and  5 , a manual REC can include a keyer control center (e.g.  206 ,  306 ,  406 , and  506 ) that can receive requests for manual processing of mail piece scan images and distribute the images for manual processing to keyer desks (e.g.  208 ,  308 ,  408 , and  508 ). Processing continues to  906 . 
     At  906 , the MPE request for manual mail recognition processing is intercepted and/or captured at the REC automation system. The request for manual mail recognition processing is intercepted and/or captured before the request is received by the keyer control center (e.g.  206  and  306 ), as shown  FIGS. 2 and 3 , or before the request is received by the keyer desk (e.g.  408  and  508 ), as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . Interception and/or capture can be achieved with minimal and/or insubstantial changes to the configuration of the MPE, the keyer control center or keyer desks. For example, networking components can be configured to redirect all requests for manual mail recognition processing being transmitted between the MPE and the keyer control center to the REC automation system. In another example, networking components can be configured to redirect all requests for manual mail recognition processing being transmitted between the keyer control center and the keyer desks to the REC automation system. Processing continues to  908 . 
     At  908 , automated mail recognition processing is performed on the mail piece scan image. If automated mail recognition processing is successful, a plurality of computer recognized addressing portions is created corresponding to the addressing information written and/or printed on the mail piece associated with the mail piece scan image. If the automated mail recognition processing is successful a mail piece scan image processing result can be generated containing the computer recognized address portions. Processing continues to  910 . 
     At  910 , a decision is made based on the result at  908 . Processing continues to  912  if processing at  908  was successful (the REC automation system was able to successfully resolve the mail piece scan image) and to  914  if processing at  908  was not successful (the REC automation system was unable to resolve the mail piece scan image). 
     At  914 , the MPE request for manual mail recognition processing is forwarded to a component in the manual REC so that manual processing by a human keyer can be performed. The request can be forwarded to the keyer control center (e.g.  206  and  306 ), as shown  FIGS. 2 and 3 , or to the keyer desk (e.g.  408  and  508 ), as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . Processing continues to  916 , where processing ends. 
     At  916 , the processing result generated by the component in the manual REC to which the MPE request was forwarded at  914  is intercepted and/or captured at the REC automation system. Processing continues to  912 . 
     At  912 , the processing result is transmitted from the REC automation system to the originating MPE. Processing continues to  918 , where processing ends. 
     It will be appreciated that operations  904 - 916  may be repeated in whole or in part (an example of which is indicated by line  920 ) to process multiple mail piece scan images. 
     It will be appreciated that the addressing information resolved by processing the mail piece scan image can include the full destination address, the destination ZIP, the destination ZIP+4, the destination eleven digit ZIP (ZIP+4 and two digit delivery point), the full return address, and/or any other addressing information contained within the mail piece scan image. 
       FIG. 10  is a flowchart showing an exemplary method for embedding automated mail recognition processing into an existing manual REC system. Processing begins at  1002  and continues to  1004 . 
     At  1004 , a mail piece scan image is sent to a keyer desk for manual processing including visual inspection and manual keyboard entry by a human keyer. A keyer desk software component causes the mail piece scan image to be displayed on a computer display component and waits to receive processing results to be keyed in by the human keyer (user). Processing continues to  1006 . 
     At  1006 , the REC automation system component can detect a request by the keyer desk software component to display the mail piece scan image and the REC automation system component can prevent the mail piece scan image from being displayed. Processing continues to  1008 . 
     At  1008 , the mail piece scan image can be read from memory by the REC automation system component. A copy of the mail piece scan image can be created. Processing continues to  1010 . 
     At  1010 , automated recognition processing is performed on the mail piece scan image by the REC automation system component. Processing continues to  1012 . 
     At  1012 , a decision is made based on the result at  1010 . Processing continues to  1014  if processing at  1010  was successful (the REC automation system component was able to successfully resolve the mail piece scan image) and to  1016  if processing at  1010  was not successful (the REC automation system component was unable to resolve the mail piece scan image). 
     At  1014 , the automated recognition processing result is sent to the keyer desk software component. Processing continues to  1018 , where processing ends. 
     At  1016 , the keyer desk software component is allowed to display the mail piece scan image on the computer display for manual processing by the human keyer (user). Processing continues to  1018 , where processing ends. 
     It will be appreciated that operations  1004 - 1016  may be repeated in whole or in part (an example of which is indicated by line  1020 ) to process multiple mail piece scan images. 
     It will be appreciated that sending the automated recognition processing result to the keyer desk software component can include sending keystroke events to the keyer desk software component in a manner that emulates the keypresses required of the human keyer (user) when manually resolving the mail piece image. 
     It will also be appreciated that the REC automation system component can delegate mail recognition processing of the mail piece scan image by transmitting the mail piece scan image to an automated mail recognition processing system and receiving an automated mail recognition processing system response from the automated mail recognition processing system. 
       FIG. 11  is a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of an automated remote encoding system. System  1100  can include a computer  1102  that can include a processor  1104  and a memory  1106 . The computer  1102  can receive mail piece scan images from and/or transmit mail piece scan image processing results to one or more MPE (or mail processing equipment)  1108 . The computer  1102  can transmit mail piece scan images to and/or receive mail piece scan image manual processing results from a manual REC  1108 . 
     In operation, the processor  1104  will execute instructions stored on the memory  1106  that cause the computer  1102  to receive mail piece scan images from and/or transmit mail piece scan image processing results to and/or one or more mail processing equipment  1108  and transmit mail piece scan images to and/or receive mail piece scan image manual processing results from the manual REC  1110  according to the processes shown in  FIGS. 8 ,  9  and  10 . 
     It will be appreciated that the mail processing equipment  1108  may be attached to the system using any connection type such as, but not limited to, a network, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), an intranet, the Internet, or any other wired or wireless connection now known or later developed. 
     It will also be appreciated that the manual REC  1110  may be attached to the system using any connection type such as, but not limited to, a network, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), an intranet, the Internet, or any other wired or wireless connection now known or later developed. 
     It will also be appreciated that one or more components of the manual REC  1110  may be a software component included as part of the instructions stored on the memory  1106  executed by the processor  1104 . For example, the REC automation system can run as a software component on the same system as the keyer control center  606  and/or the keyer desk  708 , as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , respectively. 
     It will be appreciated that the modules, processes, systems, and sections described above can be implemented in hardware, hardware programmed by software, software instructions stored on a nontransitory computer readable medium or a combination of the above. A remote encoding center automation system, for example, can include using a processor configured to execute a sequence of programmed instructions stored on a nontransitory computer readable medium. For example, the processor can include, but not be limited to, a personal computer or workstation or other such computing system that includes a processor, microprocessor, microcontroller device, or is comprised of control logic including integrated circuits such as, for example, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC). The instructions can be compiled from source code instructions provided in accordance with a programming language such as Java, C++, C#.net or the like. The instructions can also comprise code and data objects provided in accordance with, for example, the Visual Basic™language, or another structured or object-oriented programming language. The sequence of programmed instructions and data associated therewith can be stored in a nontransitory computer-readable medium such as a computer memory or transponder device which may be any suitable memory apparatus, such as, but not limited to ROM, PROM, EEPROM, RAM, flash memory, disk drive and the like. 
     Furthermore, the modules, processes systems, and sections can be implemented as a single processor or as a distributed processor. Further, it should be appreciated that the steps mentioned above may be performed on a single or distributed processor (single and/or multi-core, or cloud computing system). Also, the processes, system components, modules, and sub-modules described in the various figures of and for embodiments above may be distributed across multiple computers or systems or may be co-located in a single processor or system. Exemplary structural embodiment alternatives suitable for implementing the modules, sections, systems, means, or processes described herein are provided below. 
     The modules, processors or systems described above can be implemented as a programmed general purpose computer, an electronic device programmed with microcode, a hard-wired analog logic circuit, software stored on a computer-readable medium or signal, an optical computing device, a networked system of electronic and/or optical devices, a special purpose computing device, an integrated circuit device, a semiconductor chip, and a software module or object stored on a computer-readable medium or signal, for example. 
     Embodiments of the method and system (or their sub-components or modules), may be implemented on a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a programmed microprocessor or microcontroller and peripheral integrated circuit element, an ASIC or other integrated circuit, a digital signal processor, a hardwired electronic or logic circuit such as a discrete element circuit, a programmed logic circuit such as a PLD, PLA, FPGA, PAL, or the like. In general, any processor capable of implementing the functions or steps described herein can be used to implement embodiments of the method, system, or a computer program product (software program stored on a nontransitory computer readable medium). 
     Furthermore, embodiments of the disclosed method, system, and computer program product may be readily implemented, fully or partially, in software using, for example, object or object-oriented software development environments that provide portable source code that can be used on a variety of computer platforms. Alternatively, embodiments of the disclosed method, system, and computer program product can be implemented partially or fully in hardware using, for example, standard logic circuits or a VLSI design. Other hardware or software can be used to implement embodiments depending on the speed and/or efficiency requirements of the systems, the particular function, and/or particular software or hardware system, microprocessor, or microcomputer being utilized. Embodiments of the method, system, and computer program product can be implemented in hardware and/or software using any known or later developed systems or structures, devices and/or software by those of ordinary skill in the applicable art from the function description provided herein and with a general basic knowledge of the computer programming and postal address recognition arts. 
     Moreover, embodiments of the disclosed method, system, and computer program product can be implemented in software executed on a programmed general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, a microprocessor, or the like. 
     It is, therefore, apparent that there is provided, in accordance with the various embodiments disclosed herein, computer systems, methods and software for remote encoding center automation. 
     While the invention has been described in conjunction with a number of embodiments, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations would be or are apparent to those of ordinary skill in the applicable arts. Accordingly, Applicants intend to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, equivalents and variations that are within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6