DE102004037364A1 - Apparatus and method for providing container identification information when sorting mail - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (10) for sorting mail items and for providing identification information for containers (20). Said device comprises a processor (30), a plurality of containers (20) provided with electronic displays (21), and transmission devices (40) arranged in a plurality of storage positions (50) of the device, the transmission devices (40) communicating with the processor and comprising means for transmitting data to electronic displays (21). The inventive device also comprises a sensor (60) communicating with the processor (10), for determining the presence of a container (20) in a storage position (50). When a new container is placed in a storage position, the processor transmits a corresponding container identification to the transmission device which transmits the data to the label display.

Description

The The invention relates to a device for sorting mail and for providing identification information for containers.

The The invention further relates to a method for sorting mail and for providing identification information for containers.

to Visually detectable marking of objects such as goods, containers, containers or pallets it is known to provide these with labels, which for example, information about the content, destination or price of a good. On the basis of this marking can persons for her read required information and appropriate actions such as the transport of an item to a specified Perform target position. Is it changeable Information must be with every change a new marking on the object concerned become. Usually the information is manually removed from the label and through replaced new information. The old label can also completely through a new one replaced or glued over, for example, with a new label become.

Around the disadvantages of conventional To fix labels, electronic labels are reinforced on the label Base developed by electronic ink. Such a label is for example in international patent application WO 00/16189 A1 described.

The Label is composed of multiple layers such as display, activation grid, Processor and antenna layers and a memory element constructed, wherein the display layers comprise an electronic carrier mounted on a carrier Have ink. about the antenna layer can the information to be displayed is transmitted to the label.

A typical use of electronic labels is in the international Patent application WO 00/67110 A1 describes which electronic labels to changeable Price identification of goods revealed. This will be an electronic label attached to a shelf on which there are goods, so that the display is variable Prices or other product information can be accessed.

Further It is well known the visually detectable marking of objects in Transport or logistics systems using RFID technologies with electronic multiple to replace writeable and readable transponders. such Systems have the advantage that in a transponder a variety information can be electronically read in and out, whereby automatic transport, sorting, tracking or distribution processes can be controlled without requiring the visual display of information.

One example for the use of RFID transponders in the postal sector is disclosed in international patent application WO 03/098533 A1. The RFID transponders are attached to mailpieces and these sorted by the readable and readable information and to a delivery location transported.

Especially in logistics systems such as mailing systems is used for recording and / or used to transport mail a variety of containers, which are marked at various processing and transhipment stations have to. This typically requires a large amount of paper labels that for each Label change must be printed and replaced. This is a high material, Staff, disposal and cost associated. Further is the labeling of containers with one-off labels flawed, as it causes confusion can come with the manual attachment of new labels. Visually however, detectable labels are for particular embodiments required by mailing systems if for allocation and transportation of containers at least partially staff is used.

In particular, in devices for sorting mail items used containers are repeatedly provided with container labels. For mail sorting it is for example from the European patent specification EP 0 595 596 B1 It is known to provide sorting devices with a printer which, on account of the sorting plan used, prints out container labels and transports them into the respectively assigned container.

to Avoiding the disadvantages of known container markings can be electronic Labels are used, which at least one visually detectable Include display on which variable information is displayed can be. at variable Identification information can thus be used for material, personnel, disposal and costs are significantly reduced.

If containers are provided with an electronic display and used in a sorting system for postal items, which has a larger number of containers, are stored in the sorted by a plan shipments, there is a need for a device for the transmission of Information on the electronic labels of the containers.

task The invention is therefore an apparatus for sorting mail and for providing electronic identification information ready for container to deliver.

According to the invention this Task by the subject matter of independent claims 1 and 5 solved. Advantageous developments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims 2-4 and 6-7.

The The invention provides a device for sorting mail and for Provide identification information for containers containing a variety of containers includes with electronic ads. The device also has a processor and transmission devices at a plurality of storage positions of the device. Standing there the transmission devices in communication with the processor and include means for transmitting of data on the electronic displays of the containers.

The The device further includes a sensor in communication with the processor to detect the presence of a container at a storage position. The sensor may be a switch, by the operation of a personnel force a signal is triggered. Represents a personal force a container to a storage position of a device, it actuates the switch and the so triggered signal is transmitted to the processor. The processor maps the container Identification information and transmits them via the transmission device to the Display of the container. In a further particularly preferred embodiment of the invention is the sensor a self-triggering device, by when entering the container in a defined area a signal can be triggered. As a self-triggering device can For example, photoelectric sensors or motion detectors used become.

It has proved to be useful container a postal sorting system not only with electronic displays, but in addition to be provided with RFID transponders. In a preferred embodiment The invention comprises a container additionally for an electronic display on an RFID transponder and the transmission devices include means for transmitting of data on the RFID transponder of a container.

The The invention further includes a method for sorting mail and for providing identification information for containers within a Contraption. The method sees the detection of the presence a container at a storage position by means of a sensor in communication with a processor. Furthermore, data on electronic displays of containers by means of transmission devices transmitted at a plurality of storage positions of the device, the transmission devices communicate with the processor.

at the sensor is preferably a self-triggering device, by when entering the container in a defined area a signal is triggered. The sensor can do this also be triggered manually by a personnel force. The transfer of data on an electronic display of a container via an RFID chip For example, in connection with the display.

The inventive device and the associated one Methods have the advantage that variable identification information of containers a sorting system no longer printed and manually attached to the containers need, but an automatic transmission of data to be displayed. This can avoid misidentifications and the material and cost of labeling the container can be to reduce. Since the processor of the sorter with the sorting plan the current shipment amount is fed and based on this plan controls the output of the programs to different storage locations, can the container information transmitted directly to the container displays become.

Other advantages, features and expedient developments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims and the following description of a preferred embodiment with reference to 1 ,

1 shows a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention in the form of a device 10 for sorting mail and providing identification information for containers 20 , There is a large number of containers 20 at different storage positions 30 a device. The containers each have at least one electronic display 21 on.

The storage positions 50 the device represent subjects in which sorted items are stored according to a predetermined sorting scheme. The device further comprises a central processor 30 on which this sorting process controls. The processor is in communication with transmission devices 40 at the respective storage positions. Also at the storage positions are sensors 60 detecting the presence of a new container. The placement of a new container can be done, for example, at the start of a sorting pass or when replacing a full against an empty container.

For example, a sensor may be a switch that is operated by a human operator as soon as it places a new container in a storage position. The switch triggers a signal which is transmitted to the processor. The processor then generates identifying information associated with a container which it transmits to the relevant transmission device. The information will be on the ad 21 played and displayed there, so that a personal force on the next removal of the container information such as the content and / or the next destination can read. In a further embodiment of the invention, the displayed information is at least partially encrypted data such as a barcode. This barcode can be read with an optical device such as a scanner at various transhipment stations of a mailing system.

at the sensor may also be a self-triggering device like a photoelectric switch, or a motion detector act. Becomes a container placed by a personal force in the detection range of the sensor, receives the Processor sends a signal and transmits corresponding identification information to the display of the container. In a further embodiment of the Invention, the identification information is not at introduction a new container, but transferred during the removal.

The electronic label one container at least one optically or visually detectable electronic display on. As with monostable display systems in case of failure of the voltage source the displayed information is no longer visible, will open the electronic information carrier preferably bistable Display units used. The display can be different technologies for example, based on the liquid crystals be used. When choosing a suitable display technology are depending on the application criteria such as flexibility, impact resistance, Lifetime, maintenance, weather resistance, working temperature range, Number of write cycles and the generation intervals to be considered.

A possible Display technology introduces the FLCD technology (Ferroelectric Liquid Crystal Display). Ferroelectric liquid crystal phases are of formed chiral or chiral doped smectic C phases. By the tilt of the molecular axes within the smectic layers a spontaneous polarization arises perpendicular to the layer normal. By applying an electric field contrary to this polarization, the tilting direction of the molecules and thus also the direction of polarization reversed. Both switching states differ visually and are stable. A reflective FLCD exists in principle from a polarizer, the liquid crystalline Phase and a stored mirror. Depending on the tilt direction of the smectic Phase relative to the polarizer light and dark states are generated.

A Further technology is provided by the Electrically Addressable Smectic Liquid Displays (EASL) dar. It is a liquid crystal display, which based on electro-optic effects of smectic liquid crystals. Not tilted smectic layers are aligned parallel to the display cell and in this state, incident light is not subject to birefringence. The display appears transparent or with a deposit colored reflection layer in the corresponding color. The second state is characterized fortuitously arranged focal conic domains from where stray light is generated. By the then present birefringence this scattered light appears white and with the addition of dichroic dyes in the corresponding Colour. Both states can be transferred by applying an electrical voltage to each other.

Zenithal Bistable Devices (ZBD) are displays based on nematic liquid crystals. In this particular type of nematic display will be on a substrate through a trench structure in the micrometer range disturbances of nematic order induced such that depending on the influence of a DC electrical field either a planar or a homeotropic orientation can be adjusted.

The BiNem technology relies on the bistability of two nematic states. Of the liquid crystal is in a planar orientation and experiences on the one substrate a strong edge connection while it experiences a weak edge connection on the other substrate. With Decided current pulses can occur between a non-twisted bulk structure and a 180 ° twisted bulk structure be switched. Will one with parallel polarizers equipped liquid crystal cell deposited with an absorption foil, the non-twisted appears Condition knows, during the twisted state appears black.

The Technology of Cholesteric Liquid Crystal Displays (CHLCD) is based on twisted nematic liquid crystalline Phases. Chiral nematic phases or with chiral dopants Provided nematic phases form helical structures on a molecular level Level off. Is the length the helix is equal to the wavelength visible light is selectively reflected (helix perpendicular to the display area) or transmitted (random Arrangement of the helices). Both states are long-term stable and can be transferred by applying a voltage into each other.

at The ads can also be a polymer display like a OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) act. Such displays consist of a multi-layer system in which a very thin polymer is arranged between two electrodes. This can be done a thin one Realize display, which as a paper substitute for the identification of objects can be used. It is enough it, black and white To insert ads, it can but also more elaborate Ads with multiple colors can be used. Such OLED displays have the advantage that they require less energy than LED displays, so that the life of a battery of a container identifier is increased can.

In a particularly preferred embodiment According to the invention, the displays are formed by electronic ink. These are chemically microcapsules, the two different color components contain different charge, which in the electric Align box. Due to the particle size and the viscosity of the system no immediate action takes place after switching off the electric field Rückrelaxion into a disordered initial state. There is thus no loss the enrolled information, but it occurs if necessary only a decrease in the Konstrastes.

electrophoretic Ads are cheap Properties in particular as regards the mechanical requirements for flexibility, shock sensitivity and pressure stability. Further they provide sufficient bistable behavior and work within a temperature range that matches the typical weather conditions for a Transport container system equivalent. Furthermore, due to the comparatively low drive voltage the circuit complexity for the energy supply limited.

In an embodiment According to the invention, an electronic label comprises at least one wireless Interface for the preferably bidirectional transmission of data and a display for visualization of optically detectable Information. The interface is preferably an RFID component like a chip. In addition, a logical one Circuit for integrated data management, which facilitates the transfer of data from the wireless interface to the display. It also includes a label expediently a circuit part for the provision of the energy required by the individual system components.

It has proved to be useful the for the Operation of the electronic label required energy over the wireless interface to transfer. The transfer from above the wireless interface receives data received to the display For example, from a microcontroller in conjunction with a suitable display driver. ever by type of link and the additional circuitry These basic elements allow different concept variants of the Realize complete system.

Come active (monostable) LCDs for use, is a permanent power supply of the Displays required what the integration of an energy storage as a battery, a battery or a capacitor with sufficient capacity requires. The to be transferred Data is being transmitted an RF interface Received and stored there directly. Data relevant to the advertisement are passed to a microcontroller with display driver, which takes over the control of the display. During the data transfer becomes energy from the RF signal through a separate circuit part won that to refill An energy storage device serves to supply the controller and display is ensured.

The for the RF component needed Energy is taken from this directly from the RF signal. All therefor required Components are preferably already included in the RFID chip. The necessary effort for the Circuit for additional Energy production, on the other hand, is strongly dependent on the supply voltage depends on the other connected components.

At the Use of passive (bistable) displays can be a simplified Variant of the previously listed Concept are used. The basic elements of the RF component and of the microcontroller with display control. By the However, use of a passive display can affect the energy storage be waived. As bistable displays usually with a higher operating voltage as conventional LCDs work, change the control of the display. To obtain the drive voltage can additional (passive) Components are used, but what the number of components elevated.

For passive (bistable) displays can be used For example, two separate RF components are used. A component may be an RFID-IC component which contains the circuitry necessary for the generation of energy from the RF signal. The part of the circuit which is provided for driving the display is preferably decoupled from the RFID-IC component. This simplifies the adaptation of the second RF component and additionally required components to the higher supply voltage of the passive display. The data to be transmitted to the display are thus only passed through by the second RF component and displayed via the following microcontroller with display control.

In a further embodiment the electronic label becomes the number of system components preferably kept low by all components except the display be integrated within an application specific IC. The goal Such ASIC (Application Specific IC) or CSIC (Customer Specific IC) is it, as far as possible all necessary functionalities for an electronic To integrate the end product into a single semiconductor.

In a further particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the visually detectable electronic display of a container by an RFID transponder 70 supplemented, which is also connected to the container. As a result, the same or different information can be stored in the RFID transponder as displayed on the electronic display. Typically, RFID transponders are used to track containers and to generate transport statistics so that information required for them is stored. The transmission means 40 have additional means for transmitting data to the RFID transponder.

The transfer of data to the electronic display 21 is preferably contactless. This is the transmission device 50 equipped with a transmitter which transmits data to a receiving means of the display. In a further embodiment of the invention, the transmission takes place via direct contact of the container display with a contact means of the transmission device. For example, at the storage position 50 a device for receiving the container may be provided, which aligns the container in a position in which the contact means of the transfer device engages in a counterpart of the display and so a solid contact is made, over which data can be transmitted.

10

contraption for sorting mail

20

container

30

processor

40

transfer device

50

storage position

60

sensor

70

RFID transponder

Claims (7)

Contraption ( 10 ) for sorting mail and providing identification information for containers ( 20 ), characterized by the following features: a processor ( 30 ); - a variety of containers ( 20 ) with electronic displays ( 21 ); - transmission devices ( 40 ) at a plurality of storage positions ( 50 ) of the device, the transmission devices ( 40 ) in communication with the processor ( 30 ) and means for transferring data to electronic displays ( 21 ) of containers ( 20 ); and a sensor ( 60 ) in communication with the processor ( 10 ), the presence of a container ( 20 ) at a storage position ( 50 ). Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the sensor ( 60 ) is a switch through which a signal is triggered by actuation by a personal force. Device according to one or both of Claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the sensor ( 60 ) is a self-triggering device by which a signal is triggered when the container enters a defined area. Device according to one or more of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that a container ( 20 ) an RFID transponder ( 70 ) and the transmission devices ( 40 ) Have means for transmitting data to the RFID transponder of a container. Method for sorting mail and providing identification information for containers ( 20 ) within a device ( 10 ), characterized by the following features: - detecting the presence of a container ( 20 ) at a storage position ( 50 ) by means of a sensor ( 60 ) in communication with a processor ( 10 ); - Transfer of data to electronic advertisements ( 21 ) of containers ( 20 ) by means of transmission devices ( 40 ) at a plurality of storage positions ( 50 ) of the device ( 10 ), where the transmission devices ( 40 ) with the processor ( 30 ) communicate. Method according to claim 5, characterized in that the sensor ( 60 ) is a self-triggering device by which a signal is triggered upon entry of the container in a defined area. Method according to one or both of Claims 5 and 6, characterized in that the transmission of data to an electronic display ( 21 ) of a container via an RFID chip in conjunction with the display.