Postcode Reader

Detects and decodes postal barcodes using advanced image analysis.

Remarks

The Postcode Reader class provides Grooper’s specialized engine for detecting and decoding postal barcodes, such as Intelligent Mail and Postnet, which are commonly used on mail pieces for sorting, tracking, and automation. It is optimized for high accuracy and robust performance, especially on low-quality or degraded images, and supports the most widely used postal symbologies.

Postcode Reader is typically configured as part of a Barcode Detection command. Users select the postal symbologies to target and fine-tune detection for their document types. This reader is ideal for applications involving mailroom automation, postal sorting, or any workflow that relies on extracting information from postal barcodes on envelopes, forms, or labels.

How It Works

The Postcode Reader analyzes the input image by:

1. Region Analysis:

   • The page is scanned for regions likely to contain postal barcodes, using advanced image processing algorithms tailored for the unique structure of postal symbologies.
   • Each region is evaluated for barcode presence using the configured symbologies and decoding logic.

2. Decoding and Validation:

   • For each region, the reader applies decoding logic for the selected postal symbologies.
   • Barcodes are validated for structural correctness and, where applicable, checksum or tickmark validation.
   • Only barcodes matching the selected symbologies and passing validation are returned.

3. Error Handling:

   • If a region cannot be decoded or does not match the expected symbology, it is logged as a candidate region for further review or tuning.
   • Exceptions during decoding are logged for diagnostics.

Usage and Configuration

• Symbology Selection:
  Use the 'Barcode Symbologies' property to specify which postal barcode types to detect (e.g., IntelligentMail, Postnet). Limiting to expected types improves speed and reduces false positives.

• Performance and Accuracy:
  The Postcode Reader is optimized for high-speed, high-accuracy detection of supported postal symbologies. For best results, ensure that images are properly binarized and that the expected barcode types are enabled.

• Integration:
  Add the Postcode Reader to your Barcode Detection configuration when processing mail pieces, envelopes, or forms containing postal barcodes.

Diagnostics

When diagnostic mode is enabled, Postcode Reader generates artifacts to assist with configuration and troubleshooting:

• Log messages for each candidate region, including region bounds and decoding results.
• Diagnostic images highlighting detected barcode regions.
• Output of candidate regions that did not yield a valid barcode (for tuning region settings).
• Exception logs for any errors encountered during decoding.

These diagnostics help users verify configuration, understand detection failures, and optimize settings for their specific document types.

Example Scenarios

• Mailroom Automation:
  Enable IntelligentMail to extract tracking information from incoming envelopes.

• Legacy Document Processing:
  Enable Postnet for historical mail pieces, noting that POSTNET is no longer used for automation price eligibility.

• Mixed Postal Workflows:
  Enable both symbologies to support a transition period or mixed mail sources.

Review diagnostic output to fine-tune settings and ensure reliable barcode extraction across your document set.

Properties

Used By

Barcode Detection