Advanced Package Processing System APPS MTAC August 2004

1
Advanced Package Processing System APPS MTAC
August 2004
2
Agenda

• System Description
• Deployment Status
• Bundle Processing
• Machine Recognition Characteristics
• Sample Image Review (not in handouts)
• Federal Register Notice
• Future Initiatives

3
APPS Mail Characteristics
4
APPS Deployment Status

• 74 Machines, 70 sites
• First Article Test completed May 04
• Deployment from Aug 04 to Oct 05

5
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

6
Image Capture
Gray Scale Image 5,807Kb
OCR decodes Binary Image
Binary Image 201Kb
7
Clear Strapping Examples
Strap flush with surface
Strap spaced away from surface
8
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

9
OCR Decoding Challenge
APPS OCR Result
Mis-segmented Characters, not Identified as
SORT read as SORF Due to touching
10
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

11
APPS Recommended Address Font

• Recommendations same as Flats OCR Optimization
• Use 10-12 point font size
• Recommended Fonts
• Arial Lucida FAX
• Arial Black Lucida Sans
• Copperplate OCR-A
• Courier OCR-B MT
• Courier New SF Sans Serif
• Helvetica Tahoma
• Avoid narrow type script fonts

12
APPS Point of Contact

• For questions regarding APPS processing contact
• Scott Bombaugh
• Manager, Material Handling Technology
• USPS Engineering
• [phone]