Patent ID: 7729799

Claim:
A method of identifying a mailpiece having an illegible first identification code using a second identification code and sorter application software, comprising the steps of: failing to identify the mailpiece based on a first identification code printed on a front of the mailpiece; receiving a first prompt from an operator of a mail processing device; initiating a connection between the mail processing device and an identification code server, via the sorter application software, in response to the first prompt; processing mailpiece information between the mail processing device and the identification code server based, at least in part, on the second identification code printed on a back of the mailpiece and via the sorter application software, wherein the second identification code is an ID tap comprising bars and spaces indicating origin number, class of mail, day of the month, time of day, and mailpiece sequence number; receiving a second prompt from the operator of the mail processing device; and terminating the connection between the mail processing device and the identification code server, in response to the second prompt.