Patent ID: 7614502

Claim:
A machine-readable address label capable of being affixed to an article of mail, said label capable of being scanned by an optical reader of a mail sorting machine, said label comprising: a matrix having a first plurality of columns and a second plurality of rows, said matrix having a left side and a right side when viewed in an upright orientation; the intersection of each of said columns with each of said rows forming a box, whereby a matrix of “m” columns and “n” rows comprises “m” times “n” boxes, each box containing an alphanumeric character that is capable of being scratched or blackened out; a lead-in marker of a first predetermined pattern of lines of alternating contrasts adjacent to a first side of said matrix; and a lead-out marker of a second predetermined pattern of lines of alternating contrasts adjacent to a second side of said matrix, whereby said lead-in and lead-out markers are adapted to be scanned by an optical reader of a mail sorting machine so as to determine a skew angle of said label whereby the mail sorting machine can use this information to determine the location and orientation of said label affixed to an article of mail whereby said mail sorting machine can determine which boxes on said label have been scratched or blackened out.