	US 12,214,382 B1
	Mail handling automation and monitoring systems
Troy R. Power, Lincoln, NE (US); Robb Hagen, Lincoln, NE (US); Francis J. Buglewicz, Bellevue, NE (US); and Dan Goodkind, Bellevue, NE (US)
Assigned to Capstone Technologies, LLC, Lincoln, NE (US)
Filed by Capstone Technologies, LLC, Lincoln, NE (US)
Filed on Oct. 17, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/967,336.
Application 17/967,336 is a continuation of application No. 16/747,170, filed on Jan. 20, 2020, granted, now 11,471,915.
Application 16/747,170 is a continuation of application No. 16/004,957, filed on Jun. 11, 2018, granted, now 10,537,919, issued on Jan. 21, 2020.
Application 16/004,957 is a continuation of application No. 15/427,258, filed on Feb. 8, 2017, granted, now 9,993,845, issued on Jun. 12, 2018.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/292,660, filed on Feb. 8, 2016.
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B07C 3/00 (2006.01); B07C 3/14 (2006.01); B25J 19/02 (2006.01); B65B 5/06 (2006.01); B65C 1/00 (2006.01); B65G 57/24 (2006.01); G06Q 30/0207 (2023.01)

CPC B07C 3/008 (2013.01) [B07C 3/00 (2013.01); B07C 3/14 (2013.01); B25J 19/021 (2013.01); B65B 5/067 (2013.01); B65B 5/068 (2013.01); B65C 1/00 (2013.01); B65G 57/24 (2013.01); G06Q 30/0207 (2013.01); B07C 2301/0025 (2013.01); B07C 2301/0075 (2013.01); B07C 2501/0063 (2013.01)]

17 Claims

1. A mail handling system, comprising:

a traying device configured to transfer mail items into a tray; and

a mail tray tagging device configured to apply a tag to the tray, the mail tray tagging device including:

a robotic arm with an end-of-arm tool disposed at a movable end of the robotic arm, the end-of-arm tool including a scanner configured to scan a mail item identifier for at least one mail item of the mail items in the tray, and

a printer configured to apply the tag to the tray, the tag including a tray identifier based upon the mail item identifier scanned by the scanner.

6. A method, comprising:

transferring mail items into a tray; and

tagging the tray with a tray identifier by employing a mail tray tagging device that includes a robotic arm, a printer, and an end-of-arm tool disposed at a movable end of the robotic arm, the end-of-arm tool including a scanner, where the scanner scans a mail item identifier for at least one mail item of the mail items in the tray, and the printer applies the tag to the tray, the tag including a tray identifier based upon the mail item identifier scanned by the scanner.

14. A mail monitoring system, comprising:

one or more computing systems configured to store a mail item identifier, a tray identifier, and a pallet identifier, and further configured to send information regarding the mail item identifier, the tray identifier, and the pallet identifier to a server for purposes of ensuring the mail items match digital files submitted to a mail service carrier for postage discounts of same mail;

one or more scanners configured to scan one or more of: the mail item identifier, the tray identifier, and the pallet identifier at one or more operational locations, at least one scanner of the one or more scanners included with an end-of-arm tool disposed at a movable end of a robotic arm of a mail tray tagging device and configured to scan the mail item identifier for at least one mail item of mail items in a tray; and

a printer configured to apply a tag to the tray, the tag including the tray identifier based upon the mail item identifier scanned by the scanner,

wherein the one or more computing systems are configured to store information received from the one or more scanners regarding the one or more of: the mail item identifier, the tray identifier, and the pallet identifier, and further configured to send the information received from the one or more scanners to the server for purposes of ensuring the mail items match digital files submitted to the mail service carrier for postage discounts of same mail.