Advanced Package Processing System [APPS]

MTAC – August 2004

Agenda

System Description

Deployment Status

Bundle Processing

– Machine Recognition Characteristics

– Sample Image Review (not in handouts)

– Federal Register Notice

Future Initiatives

APPS Mail Characteristics

APPS Deployment Status

74 Machines, 70 sites

First Article Test completed May ‘04

Deployment from Aug ‘04 to Oct ‘05

Bundle Processing on APPS

APPS uses optical character recognition (OCR) technology to read both OEL and address block information to sort the mail

Current read rates for OEL bundles is around 80%

Read failures occur due to:

– The address block is obscured by opaque strapping material

– The address block is obscured by opaque shrink wrap

– The OCR fails to correctly decode the OEL

Image Capture

Gray Scale Image – 5,807Kb

Binary Image – 201Kb

OCR decodes Binary Image

Clear Strapping Examples

Strap flush with surface Strap spaced away from surface

Federal Register Notice

Recommends placing the address label in one of the four corners of the mailpiece

Where the label WILL be covered - Proposed DMM Changes

Clear strapping (less than 70% haze)

Clear shrinkwrap (less than 70% haze)

An optional bundle label:

Includes the OEL, the words “OPTIONAL BUNDLE LABEL”, and the City, State, and ZIP Code

OCR Decoding Challenge

APPS OCR Result

Mis-segmented Characters, not Identified as “*”

“SORT” read as “SORF” Due to touching “*”

Future OEL improvements

These are NOT in the proposed DMM changes

Add a bar code to the package and / or OEL label

Use of OCR-friendly fonts for OEL data

Add redundant single-character indication of OEL type

Eliminate dashes ( - ) in OEL, which can appear to touch when printed poorly

Separate fill characters with spaces, to eliminate near-touching

APPS Recommended Address Font

Recommendations same as Flats OCR Optimization

Use 10-12 point font size

Recommended Fonts:Arial Lucida FAXArial Black Lucida SansCopperplate OCR-ACourier OCR-B MTCourier New SF Sans SerifHelvetica Tahoma

Avoid narrow type & script fonts

APPS Point of Contact

For questions regarding APPS processing contact:

Scott Bombaugh

Manager, Material Handling Technology

USPS Engineering

(703)280-7849