Development of a prototype advanced postal code-mark reader processor system

The purpose of the code-mark reader system in automatic mail sorting equipment is to identify the routing code pattern printed onto the mail item. The purpose of the work reported was to develop an image sensoring system capable of reading bar format codes. Key features in the system design were as follows: (1) appropriate set of image processing, signal processing and error control coding techniques developed for successful extraction of the code; and (2) application of high speed DSP processors and associated hardware for meeting the strict processing timing requirements