a method and apparatus for automatically acquiring and verifying , relative to pre - established rules , information affixed to relatively flat articles transported along a transport path comprises a weighing device for measuring weight of articles being processed , an image acquisition device for acquiring a representation of indicia appearing on an article , a thickness detecting device for measuring the thickness of articles being processed , a processing device for recognition of the indicia appearing on an article , and a processing device for verifying acquired data against the pre - established rules . a number of reports are generated after processing to provide the results of the processing .