An end to bar codes

Letters are usually coded using a fluorescent bar code printed on the right bottom corner of each envelope. Over time, this bar code has contained more and more information, sometimes calling for 2 bar codes. As a result, letters often have many bar codes, sometimes even on both sides of the envelope for cross-border mail.

The concept behind V-Id™ (virtual identifier) is that a letter’s image is unique and contains all the information needed to distinguish it from others, without any additional markings.

Due to its characteristics, any mailpiece is unique. To create the virtual identifier, SOLYSTIC’s V-Id™ generator captures the topological and typographic characteristics of the envelope’s image in real-time. This information is merged and encoded to create the envelope’s unique identifier. It is labelled Virtual Identifier or V-Id™, and is then memorised in the V-Id™ server. Each time the letter goes through the machine, the envelope’s image is recaptured and a V-Id™ is generated and compared to those stored in the server. If it already exists, the information necessary for sorting is supplied by the V-Id™ server in the same way it would be if the envelope had been marked. This means that it is possible to retrieve the relevant envelope among a great many objects and then sort it correctly.

V-Id™ can be used locally or between different sites.

A simple virtual solution
Avoid use of codes and doesn’t alter envelopes’ appearance
Reduces costs
Avoid use of ink, solvents and the need to apply labels
Avoid marking envelopes for foreign destinations
Contribute to the sustaining development

One of the most delicate parts of the address recognition chain is image acquisition. SOLYSTIC has designed a high-resolution acquisition system called COPERNIC™, which captures the images of letters, flat objects or parcels in multiple grey levels (MGL) and even in colour. Depending on what is required, the image is then used either to create a V-Id™ or for processing by an optical reading or video coding system.

By eliminating the need to print bar codes, this system avoids using ink, solvents and the labels required for plastic wrapped items (30% of flat objects). Machines are therefore less costly, more compact and easier to maintain. As an example, a sorting centre handling 10 million letters and 250,000 flat objects a day can save as much as 150K Euros a year.

By eliminating ink, solvents and labels, V-Id™ technology contributes to the sustainable development. And marketing managers are delighted by the absence of bar codes on envelopes...