Reading encrypted postal indicia

Abstract

The next generation of postal processing equipment will incorporate some method of verifying the postal revenue block (postal indicia) as a means of reducing postal fraud. The introduction of new digital printing technologies necessitates the encryption of revenue block information. This paper presents an approach for the verification process which includes algorithms for reading an encrypted postal indicia. In particular, postal indicia reading is tested for robustness against a variety of printing and media characteristics, and potential defects.