What is DD CEN/TS 14567 - Address block locator about?
DD CEN/TS 14567 is a technical specification that defines a set of physical marks called Address Block Locators (ABLs). ABLs are marks, printed in the vicinity of addresses on postal items, that are intended to facilitate automatic recognition of address location and processing of the addresses on mail sorting and video-coding equipment.
DD CEN/TS 14567 describes two families of ABLs which may be printed on all types of postal items, including letters, flats, and parcels. In the first family, address block locators take the form of pictograms that bear no other information than being a landmark for the address block. One such pictogram is defined herein for use in association with the delivery address block. It may be printed at the same time as the address or pre-printed on an envelope, an insert, or a label, with the address being printed, on the same physical support, at a later stage. The second family covers address block locators which contain an encoded specification of the address block type and location and which can also be used for encoding other data, not directly related to address block location.
Who is DD CEN/TS 14567 - Address block locator for?
DD CEN/TS 14567 on Address block locator is useful for:
- Production mailers
- Video-coding manufacturers
- Video-coding designers
- System suppliers
- The postal services and operators
- The automation industry
Why should you use DD CEN/TS 14567 - Address block locator?
The reliability, speed, and cost of mail processing and delivery are the most important aspects of the quality of service which is requested by postal service users. Postal operators’ performance in these respects is highly dependent upon the level of automation achieved in the mail sorting process. The automatic reading of addresses is one of the techniques which help to speed up and reduce the costs of mail sorting.
DD CEN/TS 14567 provides users with the reliability and ease of address block location which directly affects the performance and cost of address reading systems. However, address block location may be difficult, especially when addresses are not placed in a prespecified location and/or when they are printed on, or surrounded by, noisy backgrounds. Noise may be made of text, pictures, logos, drawings, textures, and all sorts of patterns that can be mistaken for the relevant address block. This difficulty is particularly obvious for plastic-wrapped items for which the address is printed on a label that is affixed on a background. Using DD CEN/TS 14567 guidelines enhances cost-effectiveness and high-quality service that ensures security and makes the process of automation smoother.
