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CEN

CEN/TS 14567:2004

(Main)

Postal services - Automated processing of mail items - Address block locator

Postal services - Automated processing of mail items - Address block locator

This Technical Specification 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.
The Technical Specification 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 which 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. Such data may include addressee or postal item identifiers, routing data, non-delivery instructions, a return address and references or other data which are relevant for either the mailer or the addressee. It may also include address checking data which may be used to verify correct interpretation of the printed address by the OCR system. In this family, three types of ABL are defined: one based on a pattern of alphanumeric characters; one on a linear bar code and one based on two-dimensional symbologies. These locators can be applied to the delivery address block and to forwarding or return address blocks. They will normally be printed within the same process as the address itself.
The Technical Specification is intended to be used by:
-   mailers, during the production of mail;
(....)

Postalische Dienstleistungen - Automatische Verarbeitung von Sendungen - Erkennung des Adressblocks

Diese Technische Spezifikation definiert einen Satz physischer Markierungen, die Adressblocklokalisierer (ABL) genannt werden. ABL sind Markierungen, die in der Nähe der Adresse auf Postsendungen aufgedruckt werden und die die automatische Erkennung der Adressposition und die Bearbeitung von Adressen mit Verteilungs- und Videocodiergeräten erleichtern sollen.
Die Technische Spezifikation beschreibt zwei ABL-Gruppen, die auf allen Arten von Postsendungen, ein-schließlich Briefen, Großbriefen und Paketen, aufgedruckt werden können.
Zu der ersten Gruppe gehören ABL, die wie Piktogramme aussehen und keine weiteren Informationen enthalten. Sie dienen lediglich als Markierung für den Adressblock. Ein solches Piktogramm ist in diesem Dokument zur Verwendung mit einem Zustelladressblock definiert. Es kann gleichzeitig mit der Adresse gedruckt werden oder vorab auf einem Umschlag, einer Einlage oder einem Etikett, wobei die Adresse später auf dem gleichen physischen Adressenträger aufgedruckt wird.
Die zweite Gruppe umfasst Adressblocklokalisierer, die eine codierte Spezifikation der Art und Position des Adressblocks enthalten und die auch zur Codierung anderer Angaben, die nicht direkt mit der Adressblockerkennung zu tun haben, verwendet werden können. Derartige Angaben könnten Empfänger- und Sendungskennungen sein, Leitdaten, Anweisungen für den Fall der Nichtzustellbarkeit, eine Rücksendeadresse und Verweise oder andere Daten, die für den Versender oder den Empfänger relevant sind. Es könnten auch Adressprüfdaten auf dem ABL enthalten sein, die dazu dienen könnten sicherzustellen, dass die gedruckte Adresse von dem OCR-System richtig interpretiert wird. In dieser Gruppe gibt es drei unterschiedliche ABL-Arten: die erste Art besteht aus einem Muster alphanumerischer Zeichen; die zweite aus einem linearen Strichcode und die dritte aus zweidimensionalen Symbologien. Diese Lokalisierer können sowohl auf dem Zustelladressblock als auch auf dem Nachsende- oder dem Rücksendea

Services postaux - Traitement automatique des envois postaux - Localisateur d'adresse postale

La présente Spécification technique définit un ensemble de marques physiques appelées localisateurs de bloc d'adresse. Les localisateurs de bloc d'adresse sont des marques imprimées à proximité des adresses sur les envois postaux et destinées à faciliter la reconnaissance automatique de l'emplacement et du traitement des adresses sur les équipements de tri du courrier et de vidéo-codage.
La présente Spécification technique décrit deux familles de localisateurs de bloc d'adresse qui peuvent être imprimés sur tous types d'envois postaux, y compris lettres, surfaces planes et colis.
Dans la première famille, les localisateurs de bloc d'adresse se présentent sous la forme de pictogrammes qui ne sont que des points de repère pour les blocs d'adresse et ne comportent pas d'autre information. L'un de ces pictogrammes est décrit ci-après pour être utilisé en association avec le bloc d'adresse de distribution. Il peut être imprimé en même temps que l'adresse ou pré-imprimé sur une enveloppe, un insert ou une étiquette, l'adresse étant imprimée sur le même support physique lors d'une étape ultérieure.
La seconde famille couvre des localisateurs de bloc d'adresse qui contiennent une spécification codée du type et de l'emplacement du bloc d'adresse et qui peuvent également être utilisés pour le codage d'autres données qui ne sont pas directement liées à l'emplacement du bloc d'adresse. Ces données peuvent inclure des identificateurs de destinataire ou d'envoi postal, des données d'itinéraire, des instructions en cas de non expédition, une adresse de retour et des références ou d'autres données pertinentes pour l'expéditeur ou le destinataire. Elles peuvent également inclure des données de vérification d'adresse qui peuvent être utilisées pour vérifier l'interprétation correcte de l'adresse imprimée par le système OCR. Dans cette famille, trois types de localisateurs de bloc d'adresse sont définis : le premier est fondé sur un modèle de caractères alphanumériques, le second s

Poštne storitve – Avtomatsko usmerjanje poštnih pošiljk - Lokator naslovnega polja

General Information

Status
Published
Publication Date
20-Jan-2004
ICS
03.240 - Postal services
Technical Committee
CEN/TC 331 - Postal services
Drafting Committee
CEN/TC 331/WG 3 - Automatic identification of items - Addresses
Current Stage
9093 - Decision to confirm - Review Enquiry
Start Date
09-Jun-2023
Completion Date
14-Apr-2025
Directive
2002/39/EC - Directive 2002/39/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 10 June 2002 amending Directive 97/67/EC with regard to the further opening to competition of Community postal services
97/67/EC - Directive 97/67/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 December 1997 on common rules for the development of the internal market of Community postal services and the improvement of quality of service
Mandate
M/240 - Mandate to CEN for standardisation in the field of postal services and equipment
Ref Project
SIST-TS CEN/TS 14567:2005 - Postal services - Automated processing of mail items - Address block locator

Overview

CEN/TS 14567:2004 - "Postal services - Automated processing of mail items - Address block locator" defines a set of Address Block Locators (ABLs): physical marks printed near the address on letters, flats and parcels to help automatic systems detect and process address blocks. The Technical Specification describes two families of ABLs (simple pictogram landmarks and encoded locators) and explains where and how they may be applied to delivery, forwarding and return address blocks. The document is intended primarily for mailers and postal operators involved in automated mail production and sorting.

Key topics and technical requirements

  • Two families of ABLs
    • Pictogram family: simple landmark symbols (one pictogram is defined) that identify the location of the delivery address block; may be pre-printed or printed simultaneously with the address.
    • Encoded family: ABLs that include encoded specifications of address block type/location and optionally additional data.
  • Encoded ABL types (three types defined)
    • Alphanumeric pattern - readable character pattern used to encode address block information.
    • Linear bar code - machine-readable linear barcode variant for address/block data.
    • Two-dimensional symbologies - 2D codes for higher data density and additional payloads.
  • Optional encoded data: addressee or item identifiers, routing information, non-delivery instructions, return address, references, and address checking data to support OCR verification.
  • Applicability: compatible with letters, flats and parcels; locators may be printed at address printing or pre-printed on envelopes, inserts or labels.
  • Integration with automated equipment: intended to facilitate OCR/video-coding systems and mail sorting equipment by providing reliable address landmarks and encoded verification data.

Practical applications and users

  • Mailers: design and production workflows that improve OCR hit rates and reduce manual coding.
  • Postal operators: enhance throughput on sorting lines, reduce misreads and improve routing accuracy.
  • Equipment manufacturers: implement ABL recognition in OCR, camera, and sorter firmware and software.
  • Software developers: support encoding/decoding of ABL formats and validation of address-check data.
  • Service bureaus and print houses: incorporate ABLs into envelopes, labels, and personalised mail streams.

Related standards

  • Complementary standards include those covering postal barcodes, OCR specification for mail processing, and national or international postal automation guidelines (e.g., CEN/UPU recommendations). Check local postal authority and CEN documentation for applicable barcode and OCR interoperability standards.

Keywords: Address Block Locator, ABL, postal services, automated processing, mail sorting, OCR, bar code, 2D symbologies, delivery address block, CEN Technical Specification.

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Frequently Asked Questions

CEN/TS 14567:2004 is a technical specification published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN). Its full title is "Postal services - Automated processing of mail items - Address block locator". This standard covers: This Technical Specification 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. The Technical Specification 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 which 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. Such data may include addressee or postal item identifiers, routing data, non-delivery instructions, a return address and references or other data which are relevant for either the mailer or the addressee. It may also include address checking data which may be used to verify correct interpretation of the printed address by the OCR system. In this family, three types of ABL are defined: one based on a pattern of alphanumeric characters; one on a linear bar code and one based on two-dimensional symbologies. These locators can be applied to the delivery address block and to forwarding or return address blocks. They will normally be printed within the same process as the address itself. The Technical Specification is intended to be used by: - mailers, during the production of mail; (....)

This Technical Specification 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. The Technical Specification 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 which 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. Such data may include addressee or postal item identifiers, routing data, non-delivery instructions, a return address and references or other data which are relevant for either the mailer or the addressee. It may also include address checking data which may be used to verify correct interpretation of the printed address by the OCR system. In this family, three types of ABL are defined: one based on a pattern of alphanumeric characters; one on a linear bar code and one based on two-dimensional symbologies. These locators can be applied to the delivery address block and to forwarding or return address blocks. They will normally be printed within the same process as the address itself. The Technical Specification is intended to be used by: - mailers, during the production of mail; (....)

CEN/TS 14567:2004 is classified under the following ICS (International Classification for Standards) categories: 03.240 - Postal services. The ICS classification helps identify the subject area and facilitates finding related standards.

CEN/TS 14567:2004 is associated with the following European legislation: EU Directives/Regulations: 2002/39/EC, 97/67/EC; Standardization Mandates: M/240. When a standard is cited in the Official Journal of the European Union, products manufactured in conformity with it benefit from a presumption of conformity with the essential requirements of the corresponding EU directive or regulation.

You can purchase CEN/TS 14567:2004 directly from iTeh Standards. The document is available in PDF format and is delivered instantly after payment. Add the standard to your cart and complete the secure checkout process. iTeh Standards is an authorized distributor of CEN standards.

Standards Content (Sample)


SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-januar-2005
Poštne storitve – Avtomatsko usmerjanje poštnih pošiljk - Lokator naslovnega
polja
Postal services - Automated processing of mail items - Address block locator
Postalische Dienstleistungen - Automatische Verarbeitung von Sendungen - Erkennung
des Adressblocks
Services postaux - Traitement automatique des envois postaux - Localisateur d'adresse
postale
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: CEN/TS 14567:2004
ICS:
03.240 Poštne storitve Postal services
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

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