EP2332664A1 - Device and method for transporting objects using mobile data storage devices - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves producing and storing data record with measured transportation attribute values and measured feature values for article. The article is placed into transport unit and transported to intermediate point with data memory (DSE-1) which is used to store respective data record for article. Another feature value which is assumed by feature for article is measured to determine data record produced and stored for the transported article. The further transportation of article is initiated based on the attribute value contained in determined data record. An independent claim is included for apparatus for transporting articles.

Description

The invention relates to a method and a device for transporting objects, in particular flat mail items, by means of a mobile data memory.

To transport an item to a given destination, transport attributes are needed. Examples of transport attributes are an identification of the destination as well as the weight and dimensions of the item. The measurement of which value a transport attribute assumes for an object to be transported can be associated with considerable effort, for example because an indication of the destination is not machine readable and must be deciphered by a human and then entered. Therefore, the transport attribute is measured once, and the measured transport attribute value is reused later.

A long-standing option is to print or otherwise apply the measured transport attribute value to the article itself. For example, a coding of the read delivery address in the form of a bar code or a matrix code is printed on a mail item.

Another possibility is to apply a machine-readable identifier to the object and to create a data record with this identifier and the transport attribute value in a central database. To reuse the transport attribute value, the identifier is read and the central database is searched for the record with this identifier.

In order to avoid having to tag an item, methods of "fingerprinting"("VirtualID") have been proposed. Out EP 1222037 B1 it is known to generate a feature value vector with pictorial features of the object, for which an image of the object is created. A record for the item includes the feature value vector and the transport attribute value. To retrieve the transport attribute value, the object is measured again.

A method having the features of the preamble of claim 1 and an apparatus having the features of the preamble of claim 8 are made DE 102007057985 A1 and DE 102008017186 A1 known.

The methods described there provide a solution to the problem occurring in the case of fingerprinting that, when searching for the data record for an object, the feature value vector of the object is to be compared with a large number of feature value vectors of stored data sets. Therefore, it is proposed to label a means of transport in which items are transported. In the exemplary embodiment, flat mail items are transported in containers. This label includes a machine-readable identification of the means of transport. In a central database, the transport information is stored, which object is transported in which means of transport. This transport information is used to limit the search space to be searched when searching for the data record.

In US 2002/012045 A1 a method for transporting a transport container ("carrier 30") is described. In the transport container 30 are several objects ("individual containers 40A through 40N"). The transport container 30 has a data memory ("memory 60"). Each item 40A-40N has its own data memory ("memory devices 50A through 50N"). In the data memory 50x of an object 40x, inter alia, a unique identifier, the destination address, transport requirements (temperature, humidity), details of the sender and receiver and a desired latest time of arrival are stored. This data is generated by a central server 90.

In DE 10 2004 037 365 A1 a container is described which is used to transport objects or can be used for this purpose, e.g. B. to transport mail. The container comprises a rewritable electronic label with a display surface. On this display surface, information can be displayed in a human-readable form. For example, information about the contents of the container or about a sorting or transhipment station are displayed. The container is z. B. to transport to this sorting station.

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 8, which allow a transport of the object without a read access to a central database with the data sets is required ,

The object is achieved by a method having the features of claim 1 and an apparatus having the features of claim 8. Advantageous embodiments are specified in the subclaims.

For the method according to the solution, at least one measurable transport attribute and at least one measurable feature are specified. At least one means of transport is used to transport the multiple items. This at least one means of transport has a mobile data memory which is transported by the means of transport.

• Gemessen wird, welchen jeweiligen Wert das oder jedes vorgegebene Merkmal für diesen Gegenstand annimmt.
• Gemessen wird, welchen jeweiligen Wert das oder jedes vorgegebene Transport-Attribut für diesen Gegenstand annimmt.

For each item, the following steps are performed:

• It is measured which respective value the or each predetermined feature for this item assumes.
• It is measured which respective value the or each predefined transport attribute assumes for this item.

• jeden für den Gegenstand gemessenen Transport-Attribut-Wert und
• jeden für den Gegenstand gemessenen Merkmalswert.

A data record for the object is generated and stored. This record includes

• each transport attribute value measured for the item and
• each feature value measured for the item.

This data record is stored in the mobile data memory of the means of transport.

The objects are brought into the at least one means of transport and transported by means of the means of transport to an intermediate point.

• Erneut wird gemessen, welchen Wert das oder jedes vorgegebene Merkmal für den Gegenstand annimmt.
• Der für diesen Gegenstand erzeugte und abgespeicherte Datensatz wird unter demjenigen Datensätzen gesucht, die im mobilen Datenspeicher des Transportmittels abgespeichert sind. Für die Suche wird der mindestens eine Merkmalswert, der beim erneuten Messen gemessen wurde, vorgegeben.
• In Abhängigkeit von demjenigen Transport-Attribut-Wert, der im ermittelten Datensatz enthalten ist, wird ein Weitertransport des Gegenstands ausgelöst.

After transporting the items to the intermediate point, the following steps are performed for each item:

• Again, what value is taken by the or each given feature for the item is measured.
• The data record generated and stored for this item is searched for under those data records which are stored in the mobile data memory of the transport means. For the search, the at least one feature value that was measured during the renewed measurement is specified.
• Depending on the transport attribute value that is contained in the ascertained data record, a further transport of the object is triggered.

The invention saves the need to provide each item with a unique identifier. Rather, the object is identified by means of the feature value (s) obtained during retiming.

• In der Regel werden in demselben Transportmittel mehrere Gegenstände auf einmal transportiert. Wird ein mobiler Datenspeicher pro Transportmittel verwendet, so werden weniger Datenspeicher benötigt als bei einem Datenspeicher pro transportiertem Gegenstand.

This is advantageous for the following reasons:

• As a rule, several items are transported at once in the same means of transport. If a mobile data storage is used per means of transport, less data storage is required than with one data storage per transported item.

The same means of transport can generally be used for a plurality of successively carried out transport operations, wherein in each transport process in each case at least one object is transported. Therefore, the mobile data storage can be used again. If, on the other hand, a data store was used for each transported object, then this data store is generally no longer available after completion of the transport.

Thanks to the invention, the need is saved to provide the means of transport with an identifier for the means of transport and to have to read this identifier later. Furthermore, thanks to the invention, it is not necessary to have to provide the object itself with a data memory or to provide per each item a data storage.

It is also not necessary to provide the object with a machine-readable identifier or to print the transport attribute value on the article itself. This saves ink for printing and labels, saving time and money and eliminating environmental impact.

The method according to the solution and the device according to the solution save the need to have to provide read access to a central data memory in order to determine the stored transport attribute value for an object. Such a read access may not be possible at times because of line interruption or failure of a server or may require considerable time due to high data volumes. Rather, the at least one feature value and the at least one transport attribute value are stored in a mobile data memory, which is connected to the means of transport and transported by this means of transport.

The solution according to the method and the device according to the solution can be easily integrated into an existing sorting system, which performs fingerprint. The additional equipment required is low.

The data in the data memory of the means of transport can be easily updated and corrected if necessary.

The mobile data storage at the transport does not necessarily have to have a display area to display information in a human-readable form. The mobile data memory can be realized completely without a display area. The data records that are stored in the mobile data storage relate to one item in the means of transport. The data records can be evaluated fully automatically without a human needing to read information on a display area. Storing the records requires less energy and less time than writing information in a human-readable form on a display surface. It is possible, but not necessary, to additionally store information about the means of transport as a whole, eg. B. on a transport destination.

It is possible to additionally use the data stored in the data memory of the means of transport as an operating log to later determine which items are transported in this means of transport. In addition to these stored data, time stamps can be stored, for example the time when the means of transport reaches or leaves an intermediate point during transport.

Thanks to the invention, it is easier to check which objects are in the means of transport. The data sets in the mobile data store can be compared with the objects that are actually in the means of transport without the need for an identifier of each item. This complicates subsequent manipulation.

Preferably, the feature value and the transport attribute value of each item are measured before the item is placed in the transport. Then the measurements are easier to carry out than at a later time. The step, the objects in the means of transport to spend, triggers the step to store the records for these items in the data storage of the means of transport.

This eliminates the need to store these records outside of the data store and keep them in stock, requiring synchronization with other data and operations. Furthermore, the risk is reduced that incorrect records are stored in the data memory, so records of items that are not in the means of transport, or missing records, that is, for an object in the transport no record is stored.

Preferably, a feature value vector is generated both during measurement and when measuring again. This feature value vector distinguishes the object from the other transported objects. This eliminates the need to provide the item with a unique identifier or to find a single optically detectable feature whose values distinguish the items from one another. Apart from a unique identifier, there is usually no such unique feature.

In one embodiment, at least one means of transport with a data memory and another means of transport without data memory are used. This embodiment avoids the need to provide all the means of transport used with mobile data storage at one go.

In this embodiment, it is automatically checked whether a means of transport, with which objects are transported, has a data memory or not. If the means of transport has a data memory, the data records for the items that are transported in this means of transport are stored in this data memory of the means of transport. Otherwise, the data records are stored in a central fixed data memory.

It is also possible that data sets for the same objects are stored both in a data memory of a means of transport and in the central data memory. This embodiment makes it possible to check the search result of the search among the data records in the mobile data storage at the means of transport and z. B. also to get the right results when subsequently removed or added items from the transport.

Fig. 1

schematisch eine Anordnung zur Durchführung des Verfahrens, wobei jeder Behälter einen mobilen Datenspeicher aufweist;

Fig. 2

eine Abwandlung der Anordnung von Fig. 1, wobei zusätzlich eine zentrale Datenbank verwendet wird.

In the following the invention will be described with reference to an embodiment. Showing:

Fig. 1

schematically an arrangement for carrying out the method, wherein each container has a mobile data memory;

Fig. 2

a modification of the arrangement of Fig. 1 , where additionally a central database is used.

In the exemplary embodiment, the objects to be transported are mail items, for example letters, postcards, catalogs or packages. Each mail item is provided with details of the delivery address at which this mail item is to be transported. These delivery address information acts as the destination of the mailing. The information has usually been attached to the mailing before the start of transporting. But it is also possible that they are attached only during transport.

Fig. 1 schematically shows an arrangement for carrying out the method with two sorting Anl-1 and Anl-2. The first sorting installation Anl-1 has an output compartment Af-1, a first camera Ka-1, an OCR unit OCR-1, a first evaluation unit Aus-1 and a data memory DSE-1. The second sorting system Anl-2 has a feeding device ZE-2, a second camera Ka-2, a second evaluation unit Aus-2 and a reader LG-2.

In Fig. 1 Material flows are shown with solid lines, data flows with dashed lines.

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 through is the first sorting plant Anl-1, the sorting plant used in the second pass through is the second sorting plant Anl-2 or a third sorting plant.

In the example of Fig. 1 The z mail items P-1,..., Px, Py,..., Pz pass through the first sorting system Anl-1. The first x mail items P-1,..., Px then pass through the second sorting system Anl-2 and the remaining mail items pass through a further sorting system (not shown).

The first camera Ka-1 of the first sorting installation Anl-1 in each case generates a computer-accessible image Abb of each mail item P-1,..., P-z. This image Abb is evaluated to determine the delivery address of the mail item.

At the first pass, at least the delivery address is determined. It is possible that further parameters are measured, for example the weight or a dimension of the mail piece or with which franking the mail piece is provided.

The OCR unit OCR-1 of the first sorting system Anl-1 preferably attempts to automatically determine the delivery address by means of "optical character recognition" (OCR). If this fails, a person reads the delivery address and gives at least a part of the delivery address, eg. As the postal code, in a video encoding, not shown. The sorting system subsequently discharges the mail item into one of a plurality of output compartments depending on the recognized delivery address.

Automatically or manually by means of a plant operator, mail items which the first sorting plant Anl-1 has discharged into a certain output bin Af-1 are put into a container. This container acts as one of the means of transport. In the example of Fig. 1 this is the first container Beh-1. By sending mail in the first container Beh-1, the output tray Af-1 is completely or at least substantially emptied. The first container Beh-1 is transported to an intermediate point ZE-2, which will be described later.

Preferably, the first container Beh-1 is provided with an identification of this intermediate point ZE-2. This marking is preferably applied to the container, for example in the form of a label, in a machine-readable form and in a human-readable form.

In one embodiment, the sorting system Anl-1 displays on a display surface in the vicinity of the output tray Af-1 a description of an intermediate point. The label is provided manually or by a printer with the marking of this displayed destination.

In another embodiment, an electronic label is used, as for example EP 1942451 A1 is known. This electronic label has an electronic display area. Electricity is needed only to describe this display area, but not to permanently display a string once written on the display area. A writing device of the sorting system labels this label.

Again, the first sorting system Anl-1 fills the output tray Af-1. The output tray Af-1 is again emptied into a container, completely or at least partially. This container may be the same first container Beh-1 or another container as that by first emptying the output tray Af-1.

In the example of Fig. 1 the x mail items P-1, ..., Px from the output tray Af-1 in the first container Beh-1 and the remaining mail items Py, ..., Pz spent in the second container Beh-2.

The first container Beh-1 can be reused for several transport operations. In the exemplary embodiment, the x mail items P-1,..., P-x are transported in a first transport operation and the remaining mail items P-y,..., P-z are transported in a second transport operation. The remaining mail items P-y, ..., P-z are transferred to a further container Beh-2 and transported into this further container Beh-2 to another intermediate point. This further intermediate point may be the same as that on which the first container Beh-1 was transported, or another intermediate point.

Each intermediate point in the exemplary embodiment is a feeding device to a sorting system, for example the feeder ZE-2 of the second sorting system Anl-2. Such a feeder includes a "feeder" with a singulator.

The container with the mail items is transported to this intermediate point and emptied there. The mail items from the first container Beh-1 are fed to the feeder ZE-2 of the second sorting system Anl-2. The camera Ka-2 of the second sorting installation Anl-2 in turn generates a respective computer-ready image of each mail item that passes through the second sorting installation Anl-2. This second sorting system Anl-2 determines the delivery address of each mail item that the first sorting system Anl-1 has read as described above. Subsequently, the second sorting system Anl-2 in turn discharges each mail item into one of the output compartments depending on the delivery address. The transport of the mail items to this delivery address is triggered.

In the example of Fig. 1 the mail items P-1, ..., Px, Py, ..., Pz are discharged into the output tray Af-1 of the first sorting system Anl-1. The mail items P-1, ..., Px are then spent from the output tray Af-1 in the first container Beh-1. The first container Beh-1 with the mail items P-1, ..., Px is transported to the feeder ZE-2 of the second sorting system Anl-2. There, the container Beh-1 is unloaded, and the mail items P-1, ..., Px are fed via the feeder ZE-2 of the second sorting system Anl-2.

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 for a mail item to pass through the same sorting system several times, for example because the number of output bins is less than the number of predetermined delivery areas. In this case, an "n-pass sequencing" is preferably carried out, for example EP 0948416 B1 known. After the first pass, the mail items that the first sorting system Anl-1 has discharged into an output tray are transferred to a container. The container is transported to a feeder of the first sorting system Anl-1, and the mailpieces are fed to the first sorting system Anl-1 for a second pass.

It is also possible in each case to transport a stack of mailpieces by means of a conveyor belt from an output tray back to the feeding device of the same sorting system.

It is also possible that a container with mail items, which have passed through a sorting system for the first time, be transported to another location and there the second sorting system Anl-2 are supplied.

It is also possible that some mail items are transported from an output tray of the second sorting system Anl-2 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 sorting system Anl-2 and each further sorting system would again have to read the delivery address that the first sorting system Anl-1 has already read, for example. B. by video coding.

In the exemplary embodiment, the respective delivery address of a mailpiece acts as a transport attribute value of this mailpiece. Further transport attribute values may be the weight of the mail piece or the value of a franking with which the mail piece is provided.

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 (barcode). The second sorting system Anl-2 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 coding systems or even similar systems, which would "confuse" a sorting system.

Therefore, in the embodiment, a method is used, which has become known under the name "Fingerprint" or "Virtual ID" and, for example, in EP 122037 B1 , in DE 10 2007 057 985 A1 as in DE 10 2008 017 186 A1 is described. This method makes it possible for each further sorting installation to determine the delivery address which the first sorting installation Anl-1 has read, without having to print a line pattern.

• eine Abmessung der Postsendung,
• die Verteilung von Grauwerten und/oder Farbtönen auf einer Oberfläche der Postsendung oder in einem Teilbereich der Oberfläche, z. B. in einem Quadranten,
• die Lage und Abmessung des Freimachungsvermerks auf der Postsendung,
• das Vorhandensein und die Lage eines Sichtfensters einer Postsendung,
• die Lage und Größe des Adressblocks und/oder des Blocks mit Angaben zum Absender sowie
• Parameter der Zustelladresse, zum Beispiel die Postleitzahl.

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

• a dimension of the mail piece,
• the distribution of gray levels and / or hues on a surface of the mail piece or in a partial area of the surface, for. In a quadrant,
• the location and dimensions of the franking mark on the mailpiece,
• the presence and location of a viewing window of a mailpiece,
• the location and size of the address block and / or the block with details of the sender as well
• Parameters of the delivery address, for example the postal code.

As soon as an item of mail Ps passes through the first sorting system Anl-1, the first camera Ka-1 generates at least one computer-accessible image Abb of this item of mail Ps. The first evaluation unit Aus-1 generates a feature value vector V for this item of mail Ps, for which the first evaluation unit Aus-1 evaluates the image Abb of the mail item Ps. For this purpose, the first sorting system Anl-1 measures the postal item Ps and, for each predefined characteristic, the respective value that this characteristic assumes for the item of mail Ps. As a result, the first evaluation unit Aus-1 in the first sorting installation Anl-1 generates a feature value vector for this mailpiece. For N given characteristics, this feature value vector consists of N feature values.

Furthermore, the first evaluation unit Aus-1 generates in each case a computer-accessible identification of each transport attribute value for the mail item Ps, that is to say in particular an identification for the recognized and deciphered delivery address and optionally for the weight and for one dimension.

The first evaluation unit Aus-1 generates a data record for the mail item Ps, which comprises the feature value vector with the N feature values and the respective identifier of each transport attribute value.

Furthermore, the data record comprises an internal identifier for the mailpiece. However, this internal identifier is not printed on the mail item in the exemplary embodiment.

The first container Beh-1 is provided with a first mobile data memory Sp-1. This data memory Sp-1 is permanently connected to the container Beh-1. In the first data memory Sp-1, data can be stored and read again via contact interface or by radio. For example, the data memory is designed as an RFID chip.

The first sorting system Anl-1 sets a start signal as soon as the first mail item P-1 reaches the output tray Af-1. An operator then places the first container Beh-1 on a support surface. The first sorting system Anl-1 or also the system operator spends the x mailpieces P-1,..., P-x into the first container Beh-1. Then, the first sorting system Anl-1 sets off an end signal, and the operator takes the first container Beh-1 from the support surface. Between the generation of the start signal and the generation of the end signal, the first sorting system Anl-1 discharges exclusively the x mail items P-1,..., P-x into the output tray Af-1, but no further mailpieces. As a result, the sorting system Anl-1 "knows" which items of mail are in the first container Beh-1.

The first evaluation unit Aus-1 compiles the x data sets for the x mailpieces P-1,..., P-x into a table or a database. The data storage unit DSE-1 stores this table or database in the mobile data memory Sp-1 of the first container Beh-1.

Preferably, the data storage unit DSE-1 additionally stores an identifier for the first sorting system Anl-1 and an identification of the current time stamp time stamp in the mobile data memory Sp-1 on the first container Beh-1. As a result, the path of the container Beh-1 and the actual transport times can be reconstructed.

In one embodiment, the first container Beh-1 is placed on the support surface such that the data memory Sp-1 on the first container Beh-1 in conjunction with a contact interface of the data storage unit DSE-1 device. An indicator light or similar device indicates whether or not the first data memory Sp-1 is actually in a position in which the data storage unit DSE-1 can store data via the contact interface in the data memory Sp-1. If this is the case, then the table or the database is stored in the data memory Sp-1.

In another embodiment, the data memory Sp-1 is placed on the first container Beh-1 in the vicinity of a transmitter belonging to the data storage unit DSE-1. The transmitter transmits without contact the table or database to the mobile data memory Sp-1.

The first container Beh-1 is transported to the feeder ZE-2 of the second sorting system Anl-2. The x mail items in this first container Beh-1 are removed from the container Beh-1 and fed to the feeder ZE-2 of the second sorting system Anl-2. The x mail items are separated and pass through the second sorting system Anl-2. The second camera Ka-2 generates in each case a computer-accessible image of each mail item P-1,..., P-x. The second evaluation unit Aus-2 generates in each case a feature value vector V for each mailpiece in that the second evaluation unit Aus-2 evaluates the image from the second camera Ka-2.

This feature value vector V of the mail item Ps is compared with the feature value vectors of data records in the table or the database which are stored in the mobile data memory Sp-1 of the first container Beh-1. In each case a degree of agreement between the feature value vector V of the mail item Ps and a stored feature value vector V is calculated. The stored feature value vector which provides the largest match measure is determined and selected. As a result, that data record is found which, during the passage of the mailpiece through the first Sorting Anl-1 was created and comes from the same mailing Ps. The second sorting system Anl-2 and each further sorting system uses the delivery address and the further transport attribute values of this data record to transport this mailpiece.

For reading the data memory Sp-1 is spent in the vicinity of the reader LG-2 of the second sorting system Anl-2. The reader LG-2 reads in the data records stored in the data memory Sp-1.

Preferably, these data sets are stored at least temporarily in a data memory of the second sorting system Anl-2 in order to be able to search quickly for the correct feature value vector. The reader LG-2 reads in the data either via a contact interface or contactlessly from the mobile data memory Sp-1.

The steps just described are now performed accordingly for the further mail items P-y, ..., P-z. The first sorting system Anl-1 has ejected these further (z-y + 1) mail pieces after the x mailings P-1,..., P-y into the output tray Af-1. The first evaluation unit Aus-1 has in each case generated a data record for each mail item, and this data record is stored. The mail items P-y, ..., P-z are transferred to a further container Beh-2 and are taken to the feeder ZE-2 of the second sorting installation Anl-2 or to a feeder ZE-3 of a third sorting installation. Again, a feature value vector is generated for each mail item and compared among stored feature value vectors. The transport attribute values of these determined records are used for further transport.

In one embodiment, the second container Beh-2 is also connected to a mobile data memory, namely the data memory Sp-2. The data storage device DSE-1 stores the data records for the mailpieces Py,..., Pz in the mobile data memory Sp-2, and the reading device LG-2 - or a reader of the third sorting system - reads in the data records from the second data memory Sp-2.

Fig. 2 shows an alternative embodiment. This embodiment of the Fig. 2 makes it possible to use containers with and containers without mobile data storage at the same time. In this alternative embodiment, both the first sorting installation Anl-1 and the second sorting installation Anl-2 are connected to a centralized and stationary database DB. The data storage device DSE-1 or another data processing system DVA-1 of the first sorting system Anl-1 store the data sets for the z mail items P-1, ..., Px, Py, ..., Pz additionally in the central database DB.

The alternative embodiment will be explained with reference to the example that the first container Beh-1 has a mobile data memory Sp-1, but a third container Beh-3 has no data memory. The third container Beh-3 preferably has a different color or a different deviating marking than the first container Beh-1, so that it can be seen immediately that only the first container Beh-1 has a mobile data memory.

The first container Beh-1 is placed in such a position on the support surface of the output tray Af-1 that the data storage unit DSE-1 can store the x records of the mail items P-1, ..., P-x in the mobile data memory Sp-1. The third container Beh-3 only needs to be placed on the support surface in such a way that the remaining (z-y + 1) postal items can easily be transferred to the third container Beh-3.

After a container has been placed on the support surface and in the vicinity of the data storage unit DSE-1, it is automatically checked whether this container has a mobile data memory that can now be read or not. If the third container Beh-3 is placed on the support surface, where the first sorting system Anl-1 automatically determines that this third container Beh-3 does not have a mobile data memory having. The data storage device DSE-1 or the further data processing system DVA-1 then stores the data records for the (z-y + 1) postal items transported in the third container Beh-3 in the central database DB.

After the first container Beh-1 has been transported to the second sorting system Anl-2, for each of the x mailpieces P-1,..., Px from the first container Beh-1, the record of this mail item is searched by searching the data records , which are stored in the data memory Sp-1. After the third container Beh-3 has been transported to the second sorting installation Anl-2 or to the third sorting installation, for each of the (zy + 1) postal items Py, ..., Pz, the third container Beh-3 is searched for the record for this Mailing wanted. For this purpose, records are searched that are stored in the central database DB. It is possible to limit the search space in this search, for example, as in EP 1222037 B1 . DE 10 2008 017186 A1 or DE 10 2007 057985 A1 is described.

In a further development of this embodiment, at least one of the x mailpieces from the first container Beh-1 in the central database DB is searched for the matching data record. The starting situation is again that the second camera Ka-2 has produced an image of a mail item Ps, while this mail item Ps is passing through the second sorting system Anl-2. The second evaluation unit Aus-2 has generated a feature value vector by evaluating the image of the mail item Ps. To determine is that record that comes from this mailing Ps. For this purpose, the feature value vector is first compared with the feature value vectors of those data sets which are stored in the mobile data memory Sp-1 of the first container Beh-1. In one embodiment, the feature value vector is in each case compared with feature value vectors of data records in the central database DB.

In another embodiment, the feature value vector is compared at least then with feature value vectors of data sets in the central database DB if the reader (LG-2) can not read the contents of the data memory Sp-1.

In a third embodiment, a respective degree of agreement between the feature value vector of the mail item Ps and each feature value vector of a data record in the mobile data memory Sp-1 is calculated. If this measure of conformity lies below a predetermined limit, then the feature value vector from the mail item Ps is additionally compared with feature value vectors of data records in the central database DB. If the match is greater than or equal to the bound, then this comparison with records does not occur in the central database DB. In the first case, the one record whose feature value vector has the highest match size is determined. This embodiment avoids errors in the event that in the first container Beh-1 additional mail items are, for which no record was stored in the data memory Sp-1.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

reference numeral importance Fig computer-accessible image of a mail item produced by the first camera Ka-1 Af-1 Output tray of the first sorting system Anl-1 Anl-1 first sorting system, has output tray Af-1 Anl-2 second sorting plant, has feeder (ZE-2) Beh-1 first container, has mobile data storage Sp-1 Beh-2 second container, has mobile data storage Sp-2 Beh-3 Third container, has no data storage DB central fixed database DSE-1 Data storage unit of the first sorting system Anl-1 stores data in data memories on containers DVA-1 another data processing system stores data records in the stationary database DB Ka-1 first camera, belongs to the first sorting plant Anl-1 Ka-2 second camera, belongs to the second sorting system Anl-2 LG-2 Reader of the second sorting system Anl-2, reads data storage on containers OCR 1 OCR unit of the first sorting plant Anl-1 P-1, ..., P-x Mail items transported in the first container Beh-1 P-y, ..., P-z Mail items transported in the second container Beh-2 Sp-1 mobile data memory of the first container Beh-1 Sp-2 mobile data storage of the second container Beh-2 ZE-2 Feeding device of the second sorting system Anl-2

Claims (10)

Method for transporting objects (P-1, ...),
wherein at least one measurable transport attribute and at least one measurable feature are specified and
the method comprises the steps of for each item (P-1, ...)
is measured, which value the feature assumes for this item (P-1, ...),
is measured, which value the transport attribute for this object (P-1, ...) assumes, and
a record for the object (P-1, ...) is generated and stored, the the at least one measured transport attribute value and - the at least one measured feature value includes,
the objects (P-1, ...) in at least one means of transport (Beh-1, Beh-2, Beh-3) spent and with the help of this at least one means of transport (Beh-1, Beh-2, Beh-3) transported to an intermediate point (ZE-2),
for each object (P-1, ...) after transport to the intermediate point (ZE-2), the steps are carried out such that it is again measured what value the feature assumes for this item, using the at least one feature value measured for this item when re-measured generated and stored record is determined and - a further transport of the object (P-1, ...) in response to the transport attribute value contained in the determined record is triggered, characterized in that at least one of the transport means (Beh-1, Beh-2) has a data memory (Sp-1) which is transported by the means of transport (Beh-1, Beh-2),
for each article (P-1, ..., Px) transported by means of this transport (Beh-1, Beh-2), - The respective data record for this object (P-1, ..., Px) in the data memory (Sp-1, Sp-2) of the means of transport (Beh-1, Beh-2) is stored and - The record for this item is determined among the data stored in the data memory (Sp-1, Sp-2) of the means of transport (Beh-1, Beh-2) records. Method according to claim 1,
characterized in that
for at least one article (Py, ..., Pz) transported by means of one of the means of transport (Beh-1, Beh-2, Beh-3), - The record for this object (Py, ..., Pz) is stored in a stationary data memory (DB) and - In the determination of the record for this item under records that are stored in the fixed data memory (DB), is searched. Method according to claim 2,
characterized in that - several means of transport (Beh-1, Beh-2, Beh-3) are used, - after the transport of one of the means of transport (Beh-1, Beh-2, Beh-3) to the intermediate point (ZE-2) is automatically checked whether this means of transport (Beh-1, Beh-2, Beh-3) a data memory ( Sp-1, Sp-2) or not, if the transport means (Beh-1, Beh-2) has a data memory (Sp-1, Sp-2), the data record is determined from the data records stored in this data memory (Sp-1, Sp-2), and - If the means of transport (Beh-3) has no data memory, the record under records that are stored in the fixed data memory (DB), is searched. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3,
characterized in that
the data memory (Sp-1, Sp-2) of the at least one transport means (Beh-1, Beh-2) is blocked against a change in the stored data,
after the articles (P-1, ...) are placed in the means of transport (Beh-1, Beh-2) and the data records for these objects (P-1, ...) are stored in the data memory (Sp-1, Sp-2 ) were stored, and
the blocking is canceled at the earliest when the means of transport (Beh-1, Beh-2) with the objects (P-1, ...) reaches the intermediate point (ZE-2). Method according to one of claims 1 to 4,
characterized in that
each measurement, which value the at least one feature for the object (P-1, ...) assumes, comprises the steps of
a computer-accessible image (fig) of the object (P-1, ...) is generated and evaluated. Method according to one of claims 1 to 5,
characterized in that
the feature value and the transport attribute value of each item (P-1, ...) are measured before the item is placed in the at least one transport means (Beh-1, Beh-2), and
the step of placing the objects in the means of transport (Beh-1, Beh-2) triggers the step of storing the records for those objects in the data memory (Sp-1, Sp-2) of the means of transport (Beh-1, Beh-2 ) store. Method according to one of claims 1 to 6,
characterized in that
several measurable characteristics are given
for each object (P-1,...) and for each given feature, a characteristic value is measured both during measurement and when measuring again,
so that in each case a feature value vector is created, which distinguishes this object from the other transported objects. Device for transporting objects (P-1, ...), wherein the device a first measuring device (Ka-1), a second measuring device (Ka-2), an attribute measuring device (OCR-1), at least one means of transport (Beh-1, Beh-2, Beh-3), a first data processing device (Aus-1, DSE-1) and a second data processing device (Aus-2, LG-2) includes,
the first measuring device (Ka-1) is designed to measure, for each article (P-1, ...), a respective value which at least one predetermined characteristic assumes for this article,
the attribute measuring device (OCR-1) is designed to measure, for each article (P-1, ...), which value assumes at least one predetermined transport attribute for this article,
the first data processing device (Aus-1, DSE-1) is designed to generate and store a data record for each object the at least one measured transport attribute value and - the at least one measured feature value includes,
each means of transport (Beh-1, Beh-2, Beh-3) is designed so that the objects (P-1, ...) can be transferred to the means of transport (Beh-1, Beh-2, Beh-3) and in the at least one transport means (Beh-1, Beh-2, Beh-3) can be transported to an intermediate point (ZE-2),
the second measuring device (Ka-2) is designed to again measure, for each object (P-1,...), a value which the given characteristic assumes for this object,
the second measuring device (Ka-2) being arranged to measure the value after the article has been transported to the intermediate point (ZE-2),
the second data processing device (Aus-2, LG-2) is designed to determine the data set generated and stored for this object (P-1,...) using the feature value measured during the renewed measurement, and
the second data processing device (Aus-2, LG-2) is designed to trigger a further transport of each object as a function of its transport attribute value which is contained in the ascertained data record,
characterized in that at least one of the transport means (Beh-1, Beh-2) has a data memory (Sp-1, Sp-2) which is connected or connectable to the means of transport (Beh-1, Beh-2) during transport, the first data processing system (Aus-1, DSE-1) is designed for each item (P-1,...) the respective data record in the data memory (Sp-1, Sp-2) of the transport means (Beh-1, Beh-2), and the second data processing system (Aus-2, LG-2) is designed for each item (P-1,...) to store the respective data record in the data memory (Sp-1, Sp-2) of the means of transport (container). 1, Beh-2) to determine stored records. Device according to claim 8,
characterized in that
the device a fixed data memory (DB) and - another data processing system (DVA-1) includes,
the further data processing system (DVA-1) is configured to additionally store the data records for the objects in the stationary data memory (DB) and
the device is designed for at least one article (Py, ..., Pz) which is transported by means of one of the transport means (Beh-1, Beh-2, Beh-3),
in the determination of the data record for this object (Py, ..., Pz) in addition to search under records that are stored in the stationary data memory (DB). Device according to claim 9,
characterized in that
the device comprises at least one further transport means (Beh-3) and
designed for this purpose to check whether or not a means of transport (Beh-1, Beh-2, Beh-3) used to transport the objects has a data memory (Sp-1, Sp-2) or not, and - When the means of transport used (Beh-3) has no data storage, the records for the objects (Py, ..., Pz), which are transported in this means of transport (Beh-3) to store in the stationary data memory (DB) ,

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