EP2190595B1 - Method and device for transporting a plurality of articles - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a method and a device for transporting a plurality of objects, in particular postal items.

A mail item typically passes through a sorting system at least twice and is then transported to the respectively predetermined destination address. On the first pass, the destination address of the mailpiece is read. On the second pass, the read target address is determined again.

Traditionally, during the first pass, an encoding of the destination address is printed on the mailpiece. This encoding is read on the second pass. To avoid the printing of mail, is in DE 4000603 C2 proposed to measure a feature vector of the mail item during the first pass and store it together with the read target address. During the second pass, the mail item is measured again, as a result of which a further feature vector is generated. This further feature vector is compared with the stored feature vectors to find the stored feature vector of the same item. The destination address, which is stored together with the found feature vector, is used as the destination address to which the item of mail is to be transported.

This search requires many feature vectors to be compared, which is time consuming. As the number of transported mail items increases, the risk increases that the wrong feature vector is found among the stored feature vectors. Therefore, limitations of the search space have already been suggested.

A method comprising the features of the preamble of claim 1 and a device having the features of the preamble of claim 9 are made EP 1222037 B1 known. The items are also there mail that go through sorting machines. Such a sorting machine discharges mail items into sorting outlets, which act as temporary storage. To reuse read results, a method known as "fingerprinting" is used, e.g. In DE 4000603 C2 is presented.

For each mail item, a data record is generated and stored in a central database. This record includes the read delivery address. In order to limit the search space when searching for this data record, it is stored which mail item is transported in which container. This approach requires that it is known exactly which mail item is being transported in which bin. Sometimes this can not be determined with sufficient certainty in reality.

The invention has for its object to provide a method having the features of the preamble of claim 1 and an apparatus having the features of the preamble of claim 9, in which a search space restriction is performed and it is still not necessary to determine exactly which objects actually be in a means of transport and transported together by a transport process to a buffer.

The object is achieved by a method having the features of claim 1 and a device having the features of claim 9. Advantageous embodiments are specified in the subclaims.

In the method according to the invention several objects are transported. Each of these items is provided with at least one predetermined measurable transport attribute. Furthermore, at least one measurable feature is given. For each given transport attribute, it is measured what value this attribute assumes for that item. For each given feature, the value that the feature takes on that item is measured. A value that a given feature is measured. It is possible that the values of several features are measured and thereby a feature vector is generated.

• jeweils eine Codierung jedes Transport-Attribut-Wert und
• den jeweils gemessenen Merkmalswert des Gegenstands.

For each item, a record is created and stored. This record includes

• each one encoding each transport attribute value and
• the respectively measured feature value of the item.

Several transport operations are performed. In each transport process, at least one of the objects is in each case transported into a buffer and transported by means of a transport from the buffer to a respective continuation point. In this case, each of the objects is transported by one of the transport operations to a continuation point. It is possible that several objects are transported together in a means of transport to the same continuation point and different objects are transported to different continuation points.

After an item has been transported to its respective continuation point, it is again measured what value the at least one feature assumes for that item. The data record is determined which has been stored for this object. For this search, the feature value measured when re-measuring is used.

• Ein Anfangs-Signal wird erzeugt.
• Jeder Gegenstand, der vor Erzeugung des Anfangs-Signals in den Zwischenspeicher befördert wurde, wird aus dem Zwischenspeicher entnommen.
• Die in diesem Transportvorgang transportierten Gegenstände werden aus dem Zwischenspeicher in das für diesen Transportvorgang verwendete Transportmittel verbracht.
• Ein Ende-Signal wird erzeugt, nachdem das Verbringen der

For at least one transport process here is a search space restriction is made. Also in this transport process, at least one item is transported from a buffer to a continuation point. A sequence of the following steps is performed for this transport operation:

• An initial signal is generated.
• Any item that has been moved to the buffer before the initial signal is generated is removed from the buffer.
• The transported in this transport process items are spent from the cache in the transport used for this transport process.
• An end signal is generated after the transfer of the

• Abgespeichert wird, welche Gegenstände zwischen der Erzeugung des Anfangs-Signals und der Erzeugung des Ende-Signals in den Zwischenspeicher befördert wurden.
• Der Transportvorgang wird durchgeführt. Die im transportierten Gegenstände Transportmittel werden aus dem Transportmittel entnommen.
• Für jeden Gegenstand, der in diesem Transportvorgang transportiert wurde, wird bei der Ermittlung des für diesen Gegenstand abgespeicherten Datensatzes eine Suchraum-Einschränkung durchgeführt.

Items in the transport is completed.

• It is stored, which items were transported between the generation of the start signal and the generation of the end signal in the buffer.
• The transport process is carried out. The objects transported in the transport means are removed from the means of transport.
• For each item that has been transported in this transport process, a search space restriction is performed when determining the data set stored for this item.

The search space constraint consists in that the stored data set is searched only under certain data sets, namely only among those data records which were generated for those objects which transport between the generation of the start signal and the generation of the end signal in the buffer were.

The article's item record determined for an item comprises the measured value of the transport attribute. Further transport of the item is triggered. This onward transport depends on the transport attribute value measured for the item and stored in the determined data set.

The method according to the invention ensures that all objects which are transported in the at least one transport operation by means of the transport from the buffer to the continuation point, between the generation of the initial signal and the generation of the end signal in this Caches were transported. It is possible that additional items were transported between these two times in the cache, but not transported in this transport process.

The invention eliminates the need to establish an exact association between the data sets for the items that are carried together in a means of transport and the means of transport. Deviations from a target process during loading can result in the assignment not being in accordance with reality and an incorrect data record being assigned to an object during further transport. Therefore, an exact assignment can sometimes not be guaranteed.

Rather, the inventive method provides information about a superset of those items that are actually transported in the transport. Every actual transported item is contained in this superset, other items may be included in the superset.

The transport attribute is for example an identification of a destination address to which the object is to be transported and with which the object is provided. In this case, a further transport to the destination address contained in the determined data record is triggered. The transport attribute may also be a dimension or the weight of the item. The transport attribute may also be the result of an evaluation of a transportation charge with which the item is provided.

The procedure lasts z. B. for transporting mail or luggage of travelers use. As a cache z. B. sorting or transport, with which pieces of luggage are transported. The procedure can also be used for the transport of production objects between different production facilities of a production plant z. B. for cars.

In one embodiment, the article is provided with information to which each predetermined target point this object is to be transported. In particular, the article is a mail item or a freight consignment. In another embodiment, the item is a luggage of a traveler and is provided with information about the owner. This piece of baggage is to be transported to a destination that depends on the identity of the traveler.

Fig. 1

die Situation an der ersten Sortieranlage in dem Moment, in dem das zweite Signal Q1 erzeugt wird;

Fig. 2

die Situation an der ersten Sortieranlage, nachdem Postsendungen aus dem Ausgabefach in den ersten Behälter verbracht wurden;

Fig. 3

die Situation an der zweiten Sortieranlage, nachdem der erste Behälter aus Fig. 1 zur Zuführeinrichtung der zweiten Sortieranlage transportiert und dort entladen wurde;

Fig. 4

die Situation an der ersten Sortieranlage in dem Moment, in dem das dritte Signal Q2 erzeugt wird;

Fig. 5

die Situation an der ersten Sortieranlage, nachdem Postsendungen aus dem Ausgabefach in den zweiten Behälter verbracht wurden;

Fig. 6

die Situation an der zweiten Sortieranlage, nachdem der zweiten Behälter aus Fig. 4 zur Zuführeinrichtung der zweiten Sortieranlage transportiert und dort entladen wurde.

In the following, the invention will be shown with reference to an embodiment. Show here

Fig. 1

the situation at the first sorting plant at the moment when the second signal Q1 is generated;

Fig. 2

the situation at the first sorting facility after mail has been transferred from the output bin to the first bin;

Fig. 3

the situation at the second sorting plant after the first container off Fig. 1 was transported to the feeder of the second sorting system and unloaded there;

Fig. 4

the situation at the first sorting plant at the moment when the third signal Q2 is generated;

Fig. 5

the situation at the first sorting facility after mail has been transferred from the output bin to the second bin;

Fig. 6

the situation at the second sorting plant, after the second container off Fig. 4 was transported to the feeder of the second sorting and unloaded there.

In the exemplary embodiment, the items to be transported are mail items. Each mail item is provided with an identification of the delivery address at which this mail item is to be transported. The delivery address acts as the destination of the mailing. The marking has generally been applied to the mail item before the beginning of transporting. But it is also possible that it is attached only during transport.

Each mail item goes through a sorting system at least twice. It is possible for a mail item to pass through the same sorting system several times or to pass through a sorting system three times. The sorting plant used in the first pass is referred to as the first sorting plant, and the sorting plant used in the second pass is called the second sorting plant.

At the first pass, at least the delivery address is determined. It is possible that further features are measured, for. B. the weight of the mail or with which franking the mail item is provided.

Preferably, a reading device of the first sorting system first automatically automatically determines the delivery address by means of "Optical Character Recognition" (OCR). If this fails, a person reads the delivery address and gives at least part of the read delivery address, eg. As the postcode, a. The first sorting address discharges the mailpiece into one of a plurality of output bins, depending on the recognized delivery address. In this case, the mail items pass through the first sorting system in a stream of successive objects. These discharge individual items of mail from the stream by the sorting system directing them into one of the output compartments.

From each output tray, mail items are periodically removed and placed in a container. It is possible that in this case an output tray is completely emptied. Possible is also that this one or more mail items remain in the output tray, z. B. because not all mail in the output tray fit into the container. But if mail remains in an output tray, so these are the last discharged mail.

The container into which mail is being delivered from the output tray is provided with a label. In the exemplary embodiment, this label determines to which location the container with the mail items is to be transported. This location is referred to below as "intermediate point", because it is an intermediate point on the way of the mail items in the container to the respective delivery address.

The intermediate point is a feeding device to a second sorting plant, for example a "feeder" of this second sorting plant. The container with the mail items is transported to this intermediate point and emptied there. The mail items from the container are fed to the second sorting system. This further sorting system determines the delivery address of each mail item that has read the first sorting system. Subsequently, the second sorting system in turn discharges the mail item into one of the output compartments depending on the delivery address. The transport of the mail item to this delivery address is triggered.

Each possible delivery address is assigned to a delivery area. All mail items to the same delivery area are ejected into the same output bin each time they pass. It is possible that a mail item passes through the same sorting system several times, for example because the number of output pockets is less than the number of predetermined delivery areas. In this case, an "n-pass sequencing" is preferably carried out. Such a procedure is over EP 948416 B1 known. After the first pass, the mail items that the sorting system has discharged into an output tray are placed in a container. The container becomes the feeder of the second sorting machine transported, and the mail items are fed to the sorting system for the second pass.

In the example of Fig. 1 the mail items are fed from the output tray Af-1.1 of the feeder ZE-1 and go through the system Anl-1 again. One reason for this may be that n-pass sequencing is being performed, as just described It is also possible that individual mail items pass through the sorting system Anl-1 several times because of "off-line video coding" being performed It does not succeed in automatically detecting the address in this image, so that the image is transmitted to a video coding station, where the address is manually entered, and once again, the mail item passes through the sorting system again A mail item may also pass through the first sorting system Anl-1 because it is being shipped within a location or delivery area and the first sorting system Anl-1 will perform both inbound sorting and outbound sorting.

It is also possible that a container with mail items, which have passed through a sorting plant for the first time, be transported to another location and there fed to the second sorting system. It is also possible that some mail items are transported from an output tray of the second sorting system in a container to a feeding device of a third sorting system and these mail items are fed to the third sorting system.

It would be very inconvenient if the second and any other sorting system would again have to read the delivery address that the first sorting system has already read. The classic approach to avoid this is that the first sorting system prints a coding of the delivery address on the mailpiece, z. B. in the form of a bar pattern ("bar code"). The second and every other sorting system reads this bar pattern.

Often, however, it is not desired that a postal item is provided with a line pattern. An agreement of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) stipulates that cross-border postal items are not provided with a bar pattern, because different postal service providers generally use different systems of coding.

Therefore, in the embodiment, a method is used, which has become known under the name "Fingerprint" or "Virtual ID" and z. In DE 4000603 C2 and

EP 1222037 B1 is described and which makes it possible that each further sorting system determines that delivery address that has read the first sorting system without a bar pattern.

• Abmessungen der Postsendung,
• die Verteilung von Grauwerten und/oder Farbtönen auf einer Oberfläche der Postsendung,
• die Lage und Abmessung des Freimachungsvermerks,
• die Lage und Größe des Adressblocks und/oder der Angaben zum Absender sowie
• Merkmale der Zustelladresse, z. B. die Postleitzahl.

In the exemplary embodiment, various features of a mail item are predefined, which can be measured from the outside, while the mail item passes through a sorting system. Examples of such features are

• Dimensions of the item of mail,
• the distribution of gray values and / or hues on a surface of the mail piece,
• the location and dimensions of the franking mark,
• the location and size of the address block and / or details of the sender as well
• Characteristics of the delivery address, z. For example, the postcode.

• eine eindeutige Kennung der Postsendung,
• die Zieladresse, die die erste Sortieranlage gelesen hat, sowie
• optional weitere Merkmale der Postsendung, z. B. ihr Gewicht oder ihre Frankierung.

In the exemplary embodiment, each sorting system is connected to the same central database. As soon as a mail item passes through the first sorting system, a data record for this mailpiece is generated and stored in the central database. This record includes

• a unique identifier of the item of mail,
• the destination address that the first sorting system has read, as well as
• optionally further features of the mailing, z. For example, their weight or their franking.

The identifier distinguishes the mail item from all other mail items that pass through one of the sorting systems within a certain period of time. The period is z. For ten days. The identifier can be printed on the mail piece or used exclusively internally in the database.

The first sorting system measures for each mail item that passes through the first sorting system, and for each given feature, the respective value that this characteristic assumes for this mail item. As a result, the first sorting system generates a feature vector (more precisely: feature value vector) for the mailpiece. For N features, this feature vector consists of N feature values. In addition to the delivery address, the data record for the mailing also includes the feature vector.

The second and each further sorting system, which passes through the mailing, measures again for each feature the respective value that the feature assumes for this mailing. As a result, the second sorting system likewise generates a feature vector for the mailpiece which consists of N feature values. This second feature vector is compared with the feature vectors of data records stored in the central database. As a result, that data record is found which was generated during the passage of the mailpiece by the first sorting system and originates from the same mail item. The second sorting system uses the delivery address of this data set as the delivery address to which this item of mail is to be transported.

Because a large number of mail items go through each sorting system in a single day, it would be inappropriate if the feature vector used by the second sorting system would be inappropriate would have been compared with all feature vectors from the first sorting facility. This would require too much computing time. Especially with many mail items, the danger increases that an incorrect feature vector is found. Therefore, the search space is restricted.

The exemplary embodiment will be further explained with reference to an output tray of the first sorting system, second container and a feed device of a second sorting system. All mail items which the first sorting installation discharges into this output compartment are to be transported to the same intermediate point (same feeding device of the same second sorting installation).

Fig. 1 schematically shows a first sorting system Anl-1 with an output tray Af. Mail items which the first sorting system Anl-1 has discharged into the delivery compartment Af are transferred to a first container Beh-1.

At the beginning of processing, the output tray is empty. After generating a start signal Start, the first sorting installation Anl-1 begins to discharge mail items into the output compartment Af. After discharging, the mailpieces are in an order produced by the first sorting system Anl-1 in the output tray Af. The sorting system Anl-1 preferably supplements each data record for a mail item by an identifier of that output bin into which it has ejected the mail item. This order is denoted by R in the figures.

Preferably, the first sorting system Anl-1 additionally stores the respective order for each output compartment in which it ejects the mailpieces into the output compartment. By way of example, the sorting system supplements the data record for a mail item by an identifier of the output tray and an encoding of the time of the discharge. Instead of a time encoding, the sorting system Anl-1 can also be a coding of a period, for. One day, and one running Save number. The sequential number is assigned only once for the period and indicates how many postal items of the period this item of mail has been discharged into this output compartment.

A plant operator places the first container Beh-1 on a first support device near the output tray Af. This process triggers the generation of a first signal Q0. It is possible that the output tray is still empty when the first signal Q0 is generated. It is also possible that there are already mail items in the output tray at the time of production. In the example of Fig. 1 are the mail items, which are denoted by R0, in the output tray Af, as the first signal Q0 is generated.

The first container is provided with a machine-readable identifier Ke-1. This identifier Ke-1 is printed for example in the form of a bar pattern ("bar code") or matrix code on the first container or stored in an RFID chip which is firmly connected to the first container Beh-1. The first sorting system Anl-1 reads the container identifier Ke-1 and stores it.

The first sorting system Anl-1 labels a label with an identification of the intermediate point ZE, to which this container is to be transported. The label is at least temporarily connected to the first container Beh-1. The marking can be read by a system operator and is used to transport the container Beh-1.

In a modification, the label additionally has a label identifier that is machine-readable. As the container identifier Ke-1, the label identifier is used. This configuration eliminates the need to bring a reader near the container Beh-1. Rather, the label identifier is read, which is also possible if the label is not connected to the container Beh-1.

In a further development of this modification, the label is generated only when needed. For example, an operator gives a signal, which triggers the generation. Or the container is placed on or removed from a support, the support being provided with a sensor. The sensor measures the placement or removal of the container Beh-1, and this measurement triggers the creation of the label.

This modification eliminates the need to bring a reader near the container Beh-1 or the label. Rather, the label identifier is assigned during the production and assigned to the container Beh-1 and the postal items stored therein.

The first sorting system Anl-1 discharges further mail items into the output compartment Af. Subsequently, mail items are removed from the output tray Af and spent in the first container. The removal process can be triggered by the level in the output compartment Af having reached or exceeded a predetermined barrier. It is also possible that the removal process is triggered time-controlled. It is not necessary for the first sorting system to determine which items of mail have been sent to the first container. This determination is often not possible in practice, at least not if not every mailpiece is provided with a unique machine-readable label.

The first container Beh-1 is transported to the intermediate point specified by the label. After mail has been removed from the output tray Af and placed in the first container Beh-1, the first sorting system discharges further mail items into the output tray.

The first container Beh-1 is transported to a feeder ZE of the second sorting system Anl-2 and placed there on a second support means. The machine-readable identifier Ke-1 of the first container Beh-1 is read. The Mail items are taken from the first container Beh-1 and fed to the feeder ZW. The mail items then pass through the second sorting system Anl-2.

For each item of mail from the first container Beh-1 is searched for that record that has generated the first sorting system Anl-1 for this mail item. The second sorting system Anl-2 again measures the mail item and generates a feature vector. This current feature vector is compared with the feature vectors of records stored in the central database.

According to the invention, a search space restriction is made here. The current feature vector is compared exclusively with those feature vectors which originate from mailpieces which are ejected between the generation of the start signal Start and that of a second signal Q1. For this purpose, the second sorting system Anl-2 uses the read identifier Ke-1 of the first container Beh-1 and the information I1 that all the mail items in the first container Beh-1 between the start signal Start and the generation of the second signal Q1 in the output tray Af were discharged.

The second signal Q1 is generated after mail has been transferred to the first container Beh-1. It is possible that the output tray Af is still empty when the second signal Q1 is generated. It is also possible that at the time of production again mail items are in the output tray Af. Preferably, the first sorting system Anl-1 interrupts the discharge of mail items in the output tray Af after the second signal Q1 has been generated. In the example of Fig. 1 the second signal Q1 is generated after the first sorting system Anl-1 has ejected the mail items labeled R1 into the delivery compartment Af.

A plant operator places a second container Beh-2 on a support device near the output tray Af. In one embodiment, this process triggers the generation of a second signal Q1 off. In another embodiment, the second signal Q1 is already triggered by the first container Beh-1 is removed from the support device. In a third embodiment, the generation of the second signal Q1 is triggered by triggering the generation of a label for the second container Beh-2.

• eine Kennung für das erste Signal Q0,
• eine Codierung für den Zeitpunkt, an dem das erste Signal Q0 erzeugt wurde,
• eine Kennung für das zweite Signal Q1 und
• eine Codierung für den Zeitpunkt, an dem das zweite Signal Q1 erzeugt wurde.

The first sorting system Anl-1 stores which mailpieces were ejected between the generation of the first signal Q0 and the generation of the second signal Q1 in the output tray Af, and stores this information. For example, the sorting system stores the following information:

• an identifier for the first signal Q0,
• an encoding for the time at which the first signal Q0 was generated,
• an identifier for the second signal Q1 and
• an encoding for the time when the second signal Q1 was generated.

In a corresponding manner, the first sorting system Anl-1 has previously stored the information as to which mailpieces it has discharged into the output compartment Af between the generation of the start signal Start and the generation of the first signal Q0.

Or the first sorting system Anl-1 stores which mail item was ejected as the last before the generation of the first signal Q0 and which was first rejected after the generation of the second signal Q1. In this embodiment, as described above, the order of discharge is additionally stored. Therefore, it is possible to reconstruct which mailpieces the first sorting system Anl-1 has discharged between the generation of the first signal Q0 and that of the second signal Q1.

Fig. 1 illustrates the situation at the first sorting system Anl-1 at the moment when the second signal Q1 generates becomes. The first sorting system Anl-1 initially discharges the mail items designated R0 into the output compartment Af, then the ones labeled S1 and then the one denoted R1. The order in which the first sorting system Anl-1 ejects the mailpieces is in Fig. 1 denoted by R. It is indicated which mail items the first sorting system Anl-1 has discharged after the generation of the start signal Start and before the generation of Q0 and which it has diverted between the generation of Q0 and the generation of Q1.

At the time the signal Q0 is generated, only the mail items labeled R0 are in the output tray Af. These mail items were ejected after the start signal Start was generated. Until the time at which the second signal Q1 is generated, the first sorting system Anl-1 additionally discharges the mail items labeled S1 and those designated R1 into the delivery compartment Af.

The first sorting system Anl-1 stores the information that, between the generation of the first signal Q0 and that of the second signal Q1, all those mail items which have been transferred to the delivery compartment Af are discharged into the delivery compartment Af Fig. 1 S1 or R1. In addition, it stores the information that before the first signal Q0 was generated, all the mail items which were stored in Fig. 1 are denoted by R0.

A first transport process is carried out with the aid of the first container Beh-1. This first transport process acts as the transport process in the sense of the claims. The container Beh-1 has the machine-readable identifier Ke-1. The first sorting system Anl-1 reads the identifier Ke-1 and stores the information that all the mail items in the container Beh-1 between the generation of the start signal Start and the generation of the second signal Q1 have been discharged into the output tray Af. Preferably, the first stores Sorting Anl-1 a link between the container identifier Ke-1 and the two signals start signal and Q1 from.

In the first container Beh-1 all mail items are spent, which were discharged before the generation of the first signal Q0 in the output tray (these are in Fig. 1 denoted by R0) as well as those mail items which are in Fig. 1 denoted by S1. The mail items labeled R1 remain in the output tray Af. In Fig. 1 indicates which mail items are spent in the first container Beh-1 and which mail items initially remain in the output tray Af. In the moment in which the second signal Q1 is generated, only the letters designated R1 in the output tray Af. Which mail items are actually sent to the first container Beh-1 need not be determined because this information is not needed.

Fig. 2 illustrates the situation at the first sorting system Anl-1 after just as described items of mail from the output tray Af in the first container Beh-1 spent and the second signal Q1 was generated. In the output tray Af remain those mail items that are in Fig. 2 are denoted by R1. In the database, the information I1 is stored that, between the generation of the start signal Start and the first signal Q0, the m items denoted R0 have been rejected, and between the generation of Q0 and those of Q1 the items of mail which are in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 are designated S1 or R1.

Fig. 3 illustrates the situation at the second sorting system Anl-2 after the first container Beh-1 out Fig. 1 was transported from the first support means to the feeder ZE of the second sorting system Anl-2 and unloaded there. In the feeder ZE are those mail items that are in Fig. 3 denoted by S1 or R0.

A second transport process is performed. This second transport process acts as the further transport process in the sense of the claims. During the second transport process, the second container Beh-2 is used. This has a machine-readable identifier Ke-2.

Further mail items from the output tray Af are placed in the second container Beh-2. Here, all those mail items are spent in the second container Beh-2, which were discharged before the generation of Q1 in the output tray, and preferably other mail items that were then discharged. The second container is removed after filling.

A third signal Q2 is generated. For example, the generation of Q2 is triggered by taking the second container Beh-2 off the support surface Af. The first sorting system stores which mailpieces it has ejected between the generation of Q1 and that of Q2 in the output tray Af. This does it in one of the ways described above for the first signal Q0 and the second signal Q1.

Fig. 4 illustrates the situation at the first sorting plant at the moment when the third signal Q2 is generated. In the second transport process, those mail items are transported in the second container Beh-2, which are denoted by R1 or S2.

Fig. 5 shows the situation at the first sorting system after mail has been transferred from the output tray Af to the second container Beh-2. Mail items from the output tray Af were placed in the second container Beh-2, and the third signal Q2 was generated. In the output tray Af remain those mail items that are in Fig. 5 are denoted by R2. In the database, the information I2 is stored, that between the generation of Q1 and the Q2 of the mail items R2 and S2 were discharged.

Fig. 6 illustrates the situation at the second sorting plant after the second container Beh-2 off Fig. 4 was transported to the feeder ZE of the second sorting system Anl-2 and unloaded there. In the feeder ZE are now those mail items that are in Fig. 5 denoted by S2 or R1. Further transport operations are performed, with further signals being generated.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

reference numeral importance af Output tray of the first sorting system Anl-1 Anl-1 first sorting system, has output tray Af Anl-2 second sorting plant, has feeder ZE Beh-1 first container Beh-2 second container Ke-1 Identification of the first container Beh-1 Ke-2 Identification of the second container Beh-2 I1 stored information: between start and Q0, R0 was rejected, between Q0 and Q1 S1 and R1. I2 stored information: between Q0 and Q1, S1 and R1 have been eliminated, between Q1 and Q2 S2 and R2. Q0 first signal Q1 second signal Q2 third signal R0 Mail sent out prior to the generation of Q0 R1 Mail sent out after the generation of Q0 and before the generation of Q1 R2 Mail sent out after the creation of Q1 and before the generation of Q2 S1 Mail items which are discharged after the production of Q0 and transported away in the first container Beh-1 S2 Mail items which are discharged after the generation of Q1 and transported away in the second container Beh-2 ZE Feeding device of the sorting system Anl-2

Claims (9)

1. Method for transporting a plurality of articles (R0, S0, R1,...)
   wherein at least one measurable transport attribute and at least one measurable feature are predetermined and the method comprises the steps that for each article (R0, S0, R1,...)

   - a measurement is made for each predetermined transport attribute as to the value that this attribute assumes for this article (R0, S0, R1,...),

   - a respective value is measured for each predetermined feature that this feature assumes for this article (R0, S0, R1,...),

   a data record is stored for each article (R0, S0, R1,...), which comprises

   - each measured transport attribute value of the article (R0, S0, R1,...) and

   - each measured feature value of the article (R0, S0, R1,...),

   a number of transport processes are carried out, wherein, in each transport process, at least one of the articles in each case

   - is conveyed into intermediate storage (Af) and

   - is transported by way of a means of transport (Beh-1, Beh-2) from intermediate storage (Af) to a continuation point (ZE) in each case,

   each article (R0, S0, R1,...) is transported by one of the transport processes to a continuation point (ZE) and subsequently

   - a further measurement is made as to the value that the feature assumes for this article (R0, S0, R1,...),

   - using the feature value measured in the new measurement, the data record is determined that has been stored for this article, and

   - further transport of the article (R0, S0, R1,...) is initiated as a function of that measured transport attribute value contained in the data record determined, characterised in that

   for at least one transport process from intermediate storage (Af) to a continuation point (ZE), a sequence comprising the following steps is carried out

   - A start signal (Start) is created,

   - Each article that was conveyed into intermediate storage (Af) before generation of the start signal is taken out of intermediate storage (Af)

   - The articles (R0, S1) transported in this transport process are moved from intermediate storage (Af) into the means of transport (Beh-1) provided for this transport process,

   - An end signal (Q1) is generated after the moving of the articles (R0, S1) into the means of transport (Beh-1) is completed,

   - Information is stored as to which articles (R0, S1, R1) have been conveyed into intermediate storage (Af) between the generation of the start signal (Start) and the generation of the end signal (Q1),

   - The transport process is carried out and

   - The articles (R0, S1) transported in the means of transport (Beh-1) are removed from the means of transport (Beh-1) and

   for each article (R0, S1) which was transported in this transport process,
   in the determination of the data record stored for this article (R0, S1) a search area restriction is carried out, which consists of
   the stored data record being determined exclusively from those data records which were generated for those articles (R0, S1, R1) which were conveyed into intermediate storage (Af) between the generation of the start signal (Start) and the generation of the end signal (Q1).
2. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that

   - the means of transport (Beh-1) used in the at least one transport process for which this sequence is carried out, has an identifier (Ke-1),

   - this identifier (Ke-1) is determined on movement of the articles (R0, S1, R1) into the means of transport (Beh-1),

   - the transport information (I1) is stored that all articles moved into the means of transport (Beh-1) with this identifier (Ke-1) between the generation of the start signal (Start) and the generation of the end signal (Q1) have been conveyed into the intermediate storage (Af),

   - the identifier (Ke-1) is determined once again on removal of the articles (R0, S1, R1) from the means of transport (Beh-1) and

   - the search area restriction is carried out using the identifier (Ke-1) which was determined during removal and the stored transport information (I1).
3. Method according to claim 1 or claim 2,
   characterised in that
   the generation of the start signal (Start) is initiated by the means of transport (Beh-1) being put into a predetermined position relative to intermediate storage (Af) and
   the generation of the end signal (Q1) is triggered by the means of transport (Beh-1) being removed from the relative position.
4. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3,
   characterised in that
   in the execution of the sequence, the storage of articles (R0, S1, R1) which were conveyed into intermediate storage (Af) between the generation of the start signal (Start) and the generation of the end signal (Q1), includes the step that each data record for an article which was conveyed into intermediate storage (Af) between the generation of the start signal (Start) and the generation of the end signal (Q1) is supplemented by an identifier of the start signal (Start) and an identifier of the end signal (Q1).
5. The method according to one of claims 1 to 4,
   characterised in that
   at least one article (R1) is conveyed into intermediate storage (Af) after generation of the start signal (Start) and before generation of the end signal (Q1) and is transported by a further transport process to an intermediate point.
6. Method according to claim 5,
   characterised in that
   a sequence with generation of a further start signal (Q0) and a further end signal (Q2) is likewise carried out for the further transport process and for each article (R1, S2), which is transported in the further transport process, a search area restriction using the further start signal (Q0) and the further end signal (Q2) is likewise carried out.
7. Method according to one of claims 1 to 6,
   characterised in that
   each article (R0, S0, R1,...) is provided with information as to the predetermined destination point to which this article is to be transported,
   the measurement of the transport attribute of an article (R0, S0, R1,...) includes the step that the information with which the article (R0, S0, R1,...) is provided is read out and
   a further transport of the article (R0, S0, R1,...) to the destination point read out in each case is initiated.
8. Use of a method according to one of claims 1 to 7 for transporting articles of mail.
9. Device for transporting a number of articles (R0, S0, R1,...),
   wherein each article (R0, S0, R1,...) is provided with a value of a measurable transport attribute,
   wherein at least one measurable processing attribute and at least one measurable feature of predetermined and the transport device comprises

   - intermediate storage (Af),

   - an attribute measurement device,

   - a feature measurement device,

   - a means of transport (Beh-1),

   - a data processing device and

   - data storage

   the attribute measurement device is designed to measure, for each predetermined transport attribute and each article (R0, S0, R1,...) the value that this transport attribute assumes that this article (R0, S0, R1,...), the feature measurement device is designed to measure, for each predetermined feature and each article (R0, S0, R1,...), the value that this predetermined feature assumes for each article (R0, S0, R1,...), the data processing device is designed to store a data record in a data memory for each article (R0, S0, R1,...) which

   - comprises each measured transport attribute value of the article (R0, S0, R1, ...) and

   - each measured feature value of the article (R0, S0, R1,...),

   the transport device is further designed to carry out a number of transport processes,
   wherein the transport device in each transport process respectively conveys at least one of the articles (R0, S0, R1,...)

   - into intermediate storage (Af) and

   - by way of the means of transport (Beh-1, Beh-2) transports the articles together an intermediate storage (Af) to a continuation point (ZE) in each case,

   the feature measurement device is designed, for each article (R0, S0, R1,...), after this has been transported to a continuation point, to measure once again the value that the feature of this article (R0, S0, R1,...) assumes, the data processing device is designed, using the feature value measured during the renewed measurement, to determined that data record which was stored for this article and the transport device is designed to initiate a further transport of the article (R0, S0, R1,...) ,...) as a function of that measured transport attribute value which is contained in the data record determined, characterised in that
   the transport device is designed, Fred least one transport process from intermediate storage (Af) to a continuation point (ZE), to carry out a sequence,
   comprising the steps that

   - The transport device generates the start signal (Start),

   - Each article which was conveyed into intermediate storage (Af) before the generation of the start signal (Start) is taken out of intermediate storage (Af),

   - The articles (R0, S1) transported in this transport device are moved from intermediate storage (Af) into the means of transport used for this transport process (Beh-1),

   - The transport device generates an end signal (Q1) after the movement of the articles (R0, S1) into the means of transport (Beh-1) is completed,

   - The data processing device stores the articles that were conveyed into intermediate storage (Af) between the generation of the start signal (Start) and the generation of the end signal (Q1),

   - The transport process is carried out

   - The articles (R0, S1) transported in the means of transport (Beh-1) are removed from the means of transport (Beh-1) and

   the data processing device, for each article (R0, S1), which was transported in this transport process,
   during determination of the data record stored for this article (R0, S1), carries out a search area restriction which consists of
   the data processing device exclusively determining the stored data record from such data records as were generated for these articles (R0, S1, R1), that were conveyed into intermediate storage (Af) between the generation of the start signal (Start) and the generation of the end signal (Q1).

Images