Multiline Optical Character Reader
Encyclopedia
A Multiline Optical Character Reader, or MLOCR, is a type of mail sorting machine that uses Optical Character Recognition
(OCR) technology to determine how to route mail through the postal system.
MLOCRs work by capturing images of the front of letter-sized mailpieces, and extracting the entire address from each piece. It looks up the postal code
within each address in a master database, prints a barcode
representing this information on the mailpiece, and performs an initial sort. All of this occurs in a fraction of a second as the mailpiece passes through the machine. After this point, mail is further sorted by barcode sorters that read this barcode to determine its destination throughout its journey all the way down to the walk sequence of the mail carrier.
If the MLOCR is not able to decode the address (usually due to being handwritten,) it puts the mailpiece on "hold" by putting a unique fluorescent barcode on the back of the mailpiece, and these un-coded letters are set aside while the Remote Bar Coding System
(formerly called Remote Video Encoding) scrutinizes these. An image of the mailpiece is sent to a Remote Encoding Center where human Data Conversion Operators process the images. These operators convert the information on the mailpiece into abbreviated codes and enter the data into the computer. This data is sent back to the MLOCR site where it is matched with the unique barcodes on the back of the un-coded mailpieces, and these pieces finally are given barcodes like the rest of the mail. All this effort is put into deciphering these mailpieces so that they never need to be examined again.
The United States Postal Service
is the largest user of these machines); however, large volume mailers and mail consolidators also have their own MLOCR systems to barcode outgoing mail, in order to receive significant postage discounts.
An option called FASTforward http://www.usps.com/ncsc/addressservices/moveupdate/fastforward.htm can be added to an MLOCR that allows it to automatically forward mail to a new address. This additional computer hardware/software combination looks up decoded addresses in the National Change of Address
database to see if the recipient has recently moved. If so, a POSTNET
barcode representing the new address is sprayed on the mailpiece thus routing it to new address although the old address is still visible—a testament to the fact that mail is sorted entirely by machines in the United States today.
Canada Post
and Australia Post
also use Multiline Optical Character Reader systems in their mail sorting process'.
Optical character recognition
Optical character recognition, usually abbreviated to OCR, is the mechanical or electronic translation of scanned images of handwritten, typewritten or printed text into machine-encoded text. It is widely used to convert books and documents into electronic files, to computerize a record-keeping...
(OCR) technology to determine how to route mail through the postal system.
MLOCRs work by capturing images of the front of letter-sized mailpieces, and extracting the entire address from each piece. It looks up the postal code
Postal code
A postal code is a series of letters and/or digits appended to a postal address for the purpose of sorting mail. Once postal codes were introduced, other applications became possible.In February 2005, 117 of the 190 member countries of the Universal Postal Union had postal code systems...
within each address in a master database, prints a barcode
Barcode
A barcode is an optical machine-readable representation of data, which shows data about the object to which it attaches. Originally barcodes represented data by varying the widths and spacings of parallel lines, and may be referred to as linear or 1 dimensional . Later they evolved into rectangles,...
representing this information on the mailpiece, and performs an initial sort. All of this occurs in a fraction of a second as the mailpiece passes through the machine. After this point, mail is further sorted by barcode sorters that read this barcode to determine its destination throughout its journey all the way down to the walk sequence of the mail carrier.
If the MLOCR is not able to decode the address (usually due to being handwritten,) it puts the mailpiece on "hold" by putting a unique fluorescent barcode on the back of the mailpiece, and these un-coded letters are set aside while the Remote Bar Coding System
Remote Bar Coding System
Remote Bar Coding System , also called Remote Video Encoding is a method used by the United States Postal Service to encode the address of letter-sized mailpieces that are not decipherable by a Multiline Optical Character Reader...
(formerly called Remote Video Encoding) scrutinizes these. An image of the mailpiece is sent to a Remote Encoding Center where human Data Conversion Operators process the images. These operators convert the information on the mailpiece into abbreviated codes and enter the data into the computer. This data is sent back to the MLOCR site where it is matched with the unique barcodes on the back of the un-coded mailpieces, and these pieces finally are given barcodes like the rest of the mail. All this effort is put into deciphering these mailpieces so that they never need to be examined again.
The United States Postal Service
United States Postal Service
The United States Postal Service is an independent agency of the United States government responsible for providing postal service in the United States...
is the largest user of these machines); however, large volume mailers and mail consolidators also have their own MLOCR systems to barcode outgoing mail, in order to receive significant postage discounts.
An option called FASTforward http://www.usps.com/ncsc/addressservices/moveupdate/fastforward.htm can be added to an MLOCR that allows it to automatically forward mail to a new address. This additional computer hardware/software combination looks up decoded addresses in the National Change of Address
National Change Of Address
National Change of Address is a registry of people who move or otherwise change their address in the United States. It is maintained by the United States Postal Service and access to it is sold to firms that engage in direct mail; use of NCOA is required in order to obtain bulk mail rates, as it...
database to see if the recipient has recently moved. If so, a POSTNET
POSTNET
POSTNET is a barcode symbology that was used by the United States Postal Service to assist in directing mail. The ZIP Code or ZIP+4 code is encoded in half- and full-height bars...
barcode representing the new address is sprayed on the mailpiece thus routing it to new address although the old address is still visible—a testament to the fact that mail is sorted entirely by machines in the United States today.
Canada Post
Canada Post
Canada Post Corporation, known more simply as Canada Post , is the Canadian crown corporation which functions as the country's primary postal operator...
and Australia Post
Australia Post
Australia Post is the trading name of the Australian Government-owned Australian Postal Corporation .-History:...
also use Multiline Optical Character Reader systems in their mail sorting process'.