EP0939679B1 - Method and device for distributing mail items - Google Patents
Method and device for distributing mail items Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0939679B1 EP0939679B1 EP97948727A EP97948727A EP0939679B1 EP 0939679 B1 EP0939679 B1 EP 0939679B1 EP 97948727 A EP97948727 A EP 97948727A EP 97948727 A EP97948727 A EP 97948727A EP 0939679 B1 EP0939679 B1 EP 0939679B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- sorting
- items
- thicknesses
- distribution
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B07—SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS; SORTING
- B07C—POSTAL SORTING; SORTING INDIVIDUAL ARTICLES, OR BULK MATERIAL FIT TO BE SORTED PIECE-MEAL, e.g. BY PICKING
- B07C3/00—Sorting according to destination
- B07C3/02—Apparatus characterised by the means used for distribution
Definitions
- the invention relates to the distribution of shipments with those located on the shipment surface Distribution information, where the distribution is successively using different Sorting machines is carried out, in particular the sorting on a course order for the last distribution point.
- sorting consignments in sorting machines e.g. letter sorting machines, large letter sorting machines, ...)
- a separation is usually provided for each sorting direction. If the number of items to be sorted exceeds the capacity of the stacker, bin or container at the discharge, the container is changed automatically or manually or emptied. In certain situations, however, it can be cheap or even imperative to flexibly adapt the sorting plan to the number of items to be sorted and the space they occupy. If certain sorting directions are particularly frequented, it is advantageous to provide several sorting compartments or containers for this purpose, which are emptied in such a way that the sorting compartments can be emptied as rarely as possible using level indicators (DE 195 28 803 A1).
- the invention is therefore based on the problem of the distribution of the mail items in sorting compartments to design or containers when sorting on distribution points before this sorting, that the shipments as evenly as possible on the sorting bins or containers with avoidance of overflow situations can be distributed.
- the optimized sorting plans and according to claim 3 the distribution points assigned data about the thickness of the shipment.
- the data on the Consignment thicknesses only the number of consignments and the corresponding statistically processed ones Shipment thicknesses used for each distribution point.
- the optimization of the sorting plans is advantageously carried out in that that the distribution of the mailings on the sorting compartments of the respective sorting machine done as evenly as possible while avoiding the overflow of the subjects.
- programs 30 are received during the first shipment recording Transport 20 in a sorting machine 10 by means of optical measuring means 40 to determine the sorting information located in the mail items 30. With the aid of further measuring means 50 the consignment thicknesses are recorded.
- the sorting information such as sorting destination, if necessary an identification code (ID code) and the mailing thickness are registered, stored and possibly processed statistically for each mailing.
- ID code identification code
- the optimized sorting plans for the subsequent sorting machines 90 assigned to the sorting points are then calculated in a function block 110 of the machine control 60.
- the data of these sorting plans are transmitted to the machine control 100 of the relevant sorting machine 90 via a transmission medium 70.
- Data networks, transponders or diskettes can serve as the transmission medium 70.
- the mail items 30 are transported to the sorting machine 90 for the respective distribution point in containers 80.
- the mail item surfaces of the mail items 30 are also scanned with optical measuring means 40 in order to determine the sorting information (sorting destination) for each mail item.
- the sorting is then carried out with the aid of the transferred optimized sorting plan.
- the machine controls 60 of the sorting machines 10 receiving the mail items 30 for the first time after determining the sorting information (sorting destinations) and the mail item thicknesses, these are, if necessary with an identification code and after statistical processing, via the medium 70 to the machine controls 100 for the respective sorting machines 90 responsible for the distribution points. It is only there that the optimized sorting plans are calculated in a corresponding function block 110, according to which the mail items 30 are then sorted after their sorting destinations (distribution points) have been recorded.
- Tables 1 and 2 show possible structures of the transmitted statistical data. No. sorting destination Number of shipments average shipment thickness 1 78459 120 2.3 2 78476 89 1.9 3 78498 132 3.0
- Each sorting destination is identified by a 5-digit number. Only the number of shipments and their average thickness (for each sorting destination) are transferred. No. sorting destination Number of shipments follow the consignment thickness 1 78459-123 5 2.3 1.6 1.0 4.1 2.1 2 78459-124 3 1.9 1.1 3.2 3 78560-100 2.1 2.2
- Each sorting destination is defined by an 8-digit number. It becomes everyone Sort destination transfer the number of consignments and the sequence of consignment thicknesses.
- ID code an identification code
- Table 3 the items also carry or receive an identification code (ID code), which enables individual items to be clearly identified.
- ID code is noted in the form of an 8-digit decimal number and the consignment thickness.
- the consignments carry or receive an ID code that clearly recognizes them individual shipments.
- the target information is in the form of each ID code the 8-digit decimal number and the consignment thickness noted. Two examples are given for sorting plan optimization:
- the compartment assignment in the first sorting process can be carried out in such a way that the compartments are emptied later in the order of the geometric arrangement and the shipments can be fed back to the machine for further sorting.
- the sorting compartments can be assigned in such a way that shipments for the same sorting destination are stored in the same or at least in neighboring compartments.
Landscapes
- Sorting Of Articles (AREA)
Description
Die Erfindung betrifft die Verteilung von Sendungen, mit auf der Sendungsoberfläche befindlichen Verteilinformationen, bei welchem die Verteilung nacheinander mit Hilfe verschiedener Sortiermaschinen durchgeführt wird, insbesondere die Sortierung auf eine Gangreihenfolge für den letzten Verteilpunkt.The invention relates to the distribution of shipments with those located on the shipment surface Distribution information, where the distribution is successively using different Sorting machines is carried out, in particular the sorting on a course order for the last distribution point.
Bei der Sortierung von Sendungen in Sortiermaschinen (z.B. Briefsortiermaschinen, Großbriefsortiermaschinen,...)
wird in der Regel für jede Sortierrichtung eine Ausscheidung
vorgesehen. Übersteigt die Zahl zu sortierender Sendungen das Fassungsvermögen des
Stackers, Bins oder Behälters an der Ausscheidung, dann wird das Behältnis automatisch oder
manuell gewechsel oder geleert.
In bestimmten Situationen kann es aber günstig oder sogar zwingend erforderlich sein, den
Sortierplan an die Zahl zu sortierender Sendungen und den Raum den diese einnehmen,
flexibel anzupassen.
Wenn bestimmte Sortierrichtungen besonders stark frequentiert sind, ist es günstig dafür
mehrere Sortierfächer oder -behälter vorzusehen, die so entleert werden, daß die Sortierfächer
unter Verwendung von Füllstandsmeldern möglichst selten zu leeren sind (DE 195 28 803 A1).
Wenn eine Gangfolgesortierung vorgenommen werden soll, dann kann eine gleichmäßige
Auslastung der Sortierfächer die Zahl erforderlicher Sortierfächer oder Sortiergänge verringern.
Da Sendungen bei der Gangfolgesortierung zwei und mehr Maschinenläufe machen und dabei
die Reihenfolge der Wiederzuführung von Sendungen in die Maschinen strikt einzuhalten ist, ist
in Bezug auf das Handling der Sendungen insbesondere wünschenswert, daß der Sendungsstrom
aus einer jeden Ausscheidung einen bestimmten Raum nicht übersteigt. Bei automatischen
Gangfolgesortiermaschinen ist diese Forderung sogar zwingend, da die Maschine das
gesamte Sendungsaufkommen während und zwischen den Sortierläufen intern speichern muß,
der Raum also offensichtlich begrenzt ist.
Bei der Generierung der Sortierpläne werden bisher das Erfahrungswissen der Betreiber oder
Mengenstatistiken des täglichen Sendungsaufkommens der Vergangenheit herangezogen.
Der Nachteil hierbei besteht darin, daß keine dynamische Anpassung an das tatsächlich
vorliegende Sendungsaufkommen erfolgt.
Speziell bei der Gangfolgesortierung sind Lösungen bekannt geworden, bei denen während
des ersten Sortiergangs nach Aufnahme der Adressen eine Mengenstatistik erstellt wird (Zahl
der Sendungen pro Verteilpunkt), auf Basis derer dann die folgenden Sortiergänge hinsichtlich
Raumbedarf optimiert werden können (EP 0 533 536 B1 und US-A-5 363 971). Auf Basis der
Sendungsmengen kann die Optimierung jedoch nur sehr ungenau erfolgen, da die Sendungen
unterschiedliche Dicken aufweisen. Zur genaueren Abschätzung des Raumbedarfs der
Sendungen wurden in EP 0 661 106 A2, EP 0 718 049 A2 vorgeschlagen, im ersten Sortiergang
die Sendungsdicken durch eine geeignete Meßeinrichtung zu erfassen und zur Optimierung
der späteren Sortiergänge mit heranzuziehen.
Ein schwerwiegender Nachteil hierbei ist, daß im ersten Maschinenlauf keine Sortierpianoptimierung
möglich ist. Bei automatischen Gangfolgesortiermaschinen kann dies die
Sortierung unmöglich machen, obwohl durch geeignete Gestaltung des ersten Sortierplans eine
Sortierung möglich gewesen wäre.When sorting consignments in sorting machines (e.g. letter sorting machines, large letter sorting machines, ...), a separation is usually provided for each sorting direction. If the number of items to be sorted exceeds the capacity of the stacker, bin or container at the discharge, the container is changed automatically or manually or emptied.
In certain situations, however, it can be cheap or even imperative to flexibly adapt the sorting plan to the number of items to be sorted and the space they occupy.
If certain sorting directions are particularly frequented, it is advantageous to provide several sorting compartments or containers for this purpose, which are emptied in such a way that the sorting compartments can be emptied as rarely as possible using level indicators (DE 195 28 803 A1). If a sequence sorting is to be carried out, then even utilization of the sorting compartments can reduce the number of required sorting compartments or sorting aisles. Since consignments make two or more machine runs during the sequence sorting and the sequence of the re-feeding of consignments into the machines must be strictly observed, it is particularly desirable with regard to the handling of the consignments that the consignment flow from each separation does not exceed a certain space. In the case of automatic aisle sorting machines, this requirement is even imperative since the machine has to store the entire shipment volume internally during and between the sorting runs, so the space is obviously limited.
When generating the sorting plans, the experience of the operator or quantity statistics of the daily shipment volume of the past have been used.
The disadvantage here is that there is no dynamic adaptation to the actual volume of mail.
Solutions have become known in particular for aisle sorting, in which quantity statistics (number of shipments per distribution point) are created during the first sorting process after the addresses have been recorded, on the basis of which the following sorting processes can then be optimized in terms of space requirements (EP 0 533 536 B1 and US-A-5 363 971). However, based on the shipment quantities, the optimization can only be carried out very imprecisely, since the shipments have different thicknesses. In order to estimate the space requirements of the mail items more precisely, it was proposed in EP 0 661 106 A2, EP 0 718 049 A2 to record the mail item thicknesses in the first sorting process by means of a suitable measuring device and to use them to optimize the later sorting processes.
A serious disadvantage here is that sorting piano optimization is not possible in the first machine run. With automatic sequence sorting machines, this can make sorting impossible, although sorting would have been possible by suitably designing the first sorting plan.
Der Erfindung liegt daher das Problem zugrunde, die Verteilung der Sendungen in Sortierfächer oder -behälter bei der Sortierung auf Verteilpunkte schon vor dieser Sortierung so zu gestalten, daß die Sendungen möglichst gleichmäßig auf die Sortierfächer oder -behälter mit Vermeidung von Überlaufsituationen verteilt werden können.The invention is therefore based on the problem of the distribution of the mail items in sorting compartments to design or containers when sorting on distribution points before this sorting, that the shipments as evenly as possible on the sorting bins or containers with avoidance of overflow situations can be distributed.
Erfindungsgemäß wird die Aufgabe durch die in den unabhängigen Ansprüchen 1 und 8
angegebene Lehre gelöst.According to the invention the object is achieved by the
Durch das Messen der Sendungsdicken, das Ermitteln der Verteilpunkte, das Registrieren und Speichern der den Verteilpunkten zugeordneten Dicken der Sendungen bei der ersten Sendungsaufnahme, das Berechnen optimierter Sortierpläne für die den jeweiligen Verteilpunkten zugeordneten Sortiermaschinen unter Berücksichtigung von Daten über die Sendungsdicken und das entsprechende Sortieren der Sendungen sind die Voraussetzungen für die aufgabengemäße Verteilung der Sendungen geschaffen worden, da die Kenntnis über die anfallenden Sendungsmengen und -dicken bezogen auf die Verteilpunkte vor der ersten Bearbeitung dieser Sendungen in den Sortiermaschinen der Verteilpunkte diese optimierte Verteilung ermöglicht.By measuring the thickness of the shipment, determining the distribution points and registering and storing the thicknesses of the mail items assigned to the distribution points at first shipment recording, the calculation of optimized sorting plans for each Sorting machines assigned to distribution points taking into account data on the consignment thickness and the appropriate sorting of the consignments are the prerequisites was created for the task-based distribution of the consignments, since the Knowledge of the shipment quantities and thicknesses related to the distribution points before the first processing of these shipments in the sorting machines of the distribution points this optimized distribution enables.
Vorteilhafte Ausgestaltungen der Erfindungen sind in den Unteransprüchen angegeben.Advantageous embodiments of the inventions are specified in the subclaims.
So werden nach den steuerungstechnischen Voraussetzungen in den Sortiermaschinen bei der erstmaligen Aufnahme der Sendungen und in den Verteilpunkten zugeordneten Sortiermaschinen nach Anspruch 2 die optimierten Sortierpläne und nach Anspruch 3 die den Verteilpunkten zugeordneten Daten über die Sendungsdicken übertragen.According to the control-technical requirements in the sorting machines at initial recording of the consignments and sorting machines assigned to the distribution points according to claim 2, the optimized sorting plans and according to claim 3, the distribution points assigned data about the thickness of the shipment.
Nach Anspruch 4 ist es vorteilhaft, zur Kennzeichnung jeder Sendung deren Dicke, Verteilpunkt und einen aufgebrachten ID-Kode zu übertragen.According to claim 4, it is advantageous to identify each shipment, its thickness, distribution point and transmit an applied ID code.
Gemäß Anspruch 5 ist es vorteilhaft, die Berechnung der optimierten Sortierpläne zentral durchzuführen und die Sortierpläne dann an die Sortiermaschinen zu übertragen, wodurch Ressourcen eingespart werden.According to claim 5, it is advantageous to calculate the optimized sorting plans centrally carry out and then transfer the sorting plans to the sorting machines, whereby Resources are saved.
In einer weiteren vorteilhaften Ausgestaltung nach Anspruch 5 werden als Daten über die Sendungsdicken nur die Anzahl der Sendungen und die dazugehörenden statistisch aufbereiteten Sendungsdicken für jeden Verteilpunkt verwendet.In a further advantageous embodiment according to claim 5, the data on the Consignment thicknesses only the number of consignments and the corresponding statistically processed ones Shipment thicknesses used for each distribution point.
Nach Anspruch 7 wird die Optimierung der Sortierpläne vorteilhaft dahingehend durchgeführt, daß die Verteilung der Sendungen auf die Sortierfächer der jeweiligen Sortiermaschine möglichst gleichmäßig bei Vermeidung des Überlaufens der Fächer erfolgt.According to claim 7, the optimization of the sorting plans is advantageously carried out in that that the distribution of the mailings on the sorting compartments of the respective sorting machine done as evenly as possible while avoiding the overflow of the subjects.
Im weiteren wird die Erfindung anhand von Ausführungsbeispielen nächer erläutert.
Dabei zeigen die Zeichnungen in
- FIG 1
- die Verfahrensschritte in Funktionsblockdarstellung mit optimierter Sortierplanerstellung bei der ersten Sendungsaufnahme und Übertagung der optimierten Sortierpläne.
- FIG 2
- die Verfahrensschritte in Funktionsblockdarstellung mit Übertragung der Daten über die Sendungsdicken und Erstellung der optimierten Sortierpläne in den Sortiermaschinen für die Verteilpunkte
- FIG 3
- die Verfahrensschritte in Funktionsdarstellung mit zentraler optimierter Sortierplanerstellung.
The drawings show in
- FIG. 1
- the procedural steps in function block representation with optimized sorting plan creation when the first shipment is received and transmission of the optimized sorting plans.
- FIG 2
- the process steps in function block representation with transmission of the data about the shipment thicknesses and creation of the optimized sorting plans in the sorting machines for the distribution points
- FIG 3
- the procedural steps in functional representation with central optimized sorting plan creation.
Gemäß FIG 1 werden bei der erstmaligen Sendungsaufnahme Sendungen 30 während des
Transports 20 in einer Sortiermaschine 10 mittels optischer Meßmittel 40 zur Ermittlung der auf
den Sendungen 30 befindlichen Sortierinformationen abgetastet. Mit Hilfe weiterer Meßmittel 50
werden die Sendungsdicken erfaßt. According to FIG. 1,
In der Maschinensteuerung 60 werden zu jeder Sendung die Sortierinformation wie z.B.
Sortierziel, bei Bedarf ein Identifikationskode (ID-Kode) und die Sendungsdicke registriert,
gespeichert und gegebenenfalls statistisch aufbereitet. Danach erfolgt in einem Funktionsblock
110 der Maschinensteuerung 60 die Berechnung der optimierten Sortierpläne für die
nachfolgenden, den Sortierpunkten zugeordneten Sortiermaschinen 90. Die Daten dieser
Sortierpläne werden über ein Übertragungsmedium 70 an die Maschinensteuerung 100 der
betreffenden Sortiermaschine 90 übertragen. Als Übertragungsmedium 70 können Datennetzwerke,
Transponder oder Disketten dienen.
Die Sendungen 30 werden zur Sortiermaschine 90 für den jeweiligen Verteilpunkt in Behältnissen
80 transportiert.
Bei der Sortierung in den bestimmten Sortierzielen zuständigen Sortiermaschinen 90 werden
die Sendungsoberflächen der Sendungen 30 ebenfalls mit optischen Meßmitteln 40 abgetastet,
um für jede Sendung die Sortierinformation (Sortierziel) zu ermitteln. Mit Hilfe des übertragenen
optimierten Sortierplans erfolgt dann die Sortierung.In the
The
When sorting in the
Entsprechend der FIG 2 werden in den Maschinensteuerungen 60 der die Sendungen 30
erstmalig aufnehmenden Sortiermaschinen 10 nach der Ermittlung der Sortierinformationen
(Sortierziele) und der Sendungsdicken diese, bei Bedarf mit einem Identifikationskode und
nach statistischer Aufbereitung, über das Medium 70 an die Maschinensteuerungen 100 der für
die jeweiligen Verteilpunkte zuständigen Sortiermaschinen 90 übertragen.
Erst dort werden in einem entsprechenden Funktionsblock 110 die optimierten Sortierpläne
berechnet, nach denen dann die Sendungen 30 nach Aufnahme ihrer Sortierziele (Verteilpunkte)
sortiert werden.According to FIG 2, in the machine controls 60 of the
It is only there that the optimized sorting plans are calculated in a
Wie der FIG 3 zu entnehmen ist, kann es bei größeren Verteilungssystemen günstiger sein, die
Sendungsdaten (einschließlich Dickeninformation) entsprechend der vorangegangenen
Beispiele an eine zentrale Verarbeitungseinheit 110 zur Ermittlung der optimierten Sortierpläne
zu übertragen, von wo aus die optimierten Sortierpläne an die Steuerungen 100 der nachfolgenden
Sortiermaschinen übertragen werden.As can be seen in FIG 3, it can be cheaper for larger distribution systems that
Shipment data (including thickness information) corresponding to the previous one
Examples to a
Die nachfolgenden Tabellen zeigen mögliche Strukturen der übertragenen oder verarbeiteten statistischen Daten.The following tables show possible structures of the transferred or processed statistical data.
Tabellen 1 und 2 zeigen mögliche Strukturen der übertragenen statistischen Daten.
Jedes Sortierziel ist durch eine 5-stellige Zahl gekennzeichnet. Es werden nur die Zahl
der Sendungen und deren durchschnittliche Dicke (für jedes Sortierziel) übertragen.
Jedes Sortierziel ist durch eine 8stellige Zahl definiert. Es werden zu jedem Sortierziel die Zahl von Sendungen und die Folge der Sendungsdicken übertragen.Each sorting destination is defined by an 8-digit number. It becomes everyone Sort destination transfer the number of consignments and the sequence of consignment thicknesses.
In der Tabelle 3 tragen oder erhalten die Sendungen zusätzlich einen Identifikationskode
(ID-Kode), der eine eindeutige Wiedererkennung einzelner Sendungen ermöglicht. Zu
jedem ID-Kode wird die Zielinformation in form einer 8-stelligen Dezimalzahl und die Sendungsdicke
vermerkt.
Die Sendungen tragen oder erhalten einen ID-Code, der eine eindeutige Wiedererkennung einzelner Sendungen ermöglicht. Zu jedem ID-Code wird die Zielinformation in Form der 8stelligen Dezimalzahl und die Sendungsdicke vermerkt. Zur Sortierplanoptimierung seien zwei Beispiele angeführt:The consignments carry or receive an ID code that clearly recognizes them individual shipments. The target information is in the form of each ID code the 8-digit decimal number and the consignment thickness noted. Two examples are given for sorting plan optimization:
Es erfolge eine Feinsortierung von 10.000 Sendungen auf 250 Richtungen durch Sortierung
in einer Maschine mit 300 Fächern (z. B. Feinverteilmaschine der AEG). Im Schnitt
wird somit jedes Fach mit 40 Sendungen befüllt. Da das Fassungsvermögen eines jeden
Faches rund 100 Sendungen beträgt, muß die Maschine während des Sortierlaufs nicht
entleert werden.
Ist nun vor der Sortierung (durch die vorgeschlagene Übermittlung zuvor erfaßter Daten)
bekannt, daß z.B. 30 der 250 Richtungen besonders stark frequentiert sind, z.B. mit je
160 Sendungen anstatt dem Mittelwert 40, dann kann der Sortierplan vor dem Sortierbeginn
derart modifiziert werden, daß zu den 30 stark frequentierten Richtungen zusätzliche
Fächer reserviert werden, insgesamt also z.B. 250 + 30 = 280 der 300 verfügbaren Fächer.
Diejenigen Fächer, die zu gleichen Sortierrichtungen gehören, können dabei nebeneinander
angeordnet werden, so daß die anschließende Entleerung der Maschine
nach Richtungen geschehen kann.There is a fine sorting of 10,000 mail items in 250 directions by sorting in a machine with 300 compartments (e.g. AEG fine distribution machine). On average, each compartment is filled with 40 items. Since the capacity of each compartment is around 100 items, the machine does not have to be emptied during the sorting run.
If it is now known before the sorting (through the proposed transmission of previously recorded data) that, for example, 30 of the 250 directions are particularly heavily frequented, for example with 160 items instead of the
Bei der Gangfolgesortierung nach dem "Radix-Sortverfahren" durchlaufen Sendungen
mehrmals die Sortiermaschine, wobei die Sendungen nach dem ersten Sortiergang entleert
und in der richtigen Reihenfolge der Maschine wieder zur Sortierung zugeführt werden.
Dabei ist das "Überlaufen" einzelner Fächer während des ersten Sortierganges besonders
unangenehm, da dann auf Reservefächer ausgewichen werden muß, die nach
der späteren Entleerung mühsam in die richtige Sequenz mit den regulären Fächern gebracht
werden müssen, um dann dem folgenden Sortiergang zugeführt zu werden.
Ist vor dem ersten Sortiergang durch Übermittlung zuvor gewonnener Information über
Sendungsmengen und -dicken bekannt, wieviel Raum für eine jede Sortierrichtung des
ersten Sortierganges vorzusehen ist, dann kann die Fachzuordnung im ersten Sortiergang
so erfolgen, daß die Fächer später in der Reihenfolge der geometrischen Anordnung
entleert und die Sendungen der Maschine für die weiteren Sortiergänge wieder zugeführt
werden können. Das gleiche gilt für die folgenden Sortiergänge: Wenn die Sendungsmengen
und der benötigte Stapelraum für jedes Sortierziel vorab bekannt sind,
können die Sortierfächer derart zugeordnet werden, daß Sendungen für das gleiche Sortierziel
im gleichen oder zumindest in benachbarten Fächern abgelegt werden.In the case of aisle sorting according to the "Radix sorting method", consignments pass through the sorting machine several times, the empties being emptied after the first sorting and returned to the machine for sorting in the correct order. The "overflow" of individual compartments during the first sorting process is particularly unpleasant, since it is then necessary to switch to reserve compartments, which after the later emptying have to be laboriously brought into the correct sequence with the regular compartments in order to then be fed to the following sorting process.
If prior to the first sorting process it is known how much space is to be provided for each sorting direction of the first sorting process by transmitting previously obtained information about the quantities and thicknesses of the consignments, then the compartment assignment in the first sorting process can be carried out in such a way that the compartments are emptied later in the order of the geometric arrangement and the shipments can be fed back to the machine for further sorting. The same applies to the following sorting processes: If the shipment quantities and the required stacking space for each sorting destination are known in advance, the sorting compartments can be assigned in such a way that shipments for the same sorting destination are stored in the same or at least in neighboring compartments.
Claims (9)
- Method of distributing items of mail having distribution information located on the surface of the items of mail, in which the distribution is carried out successively with the aid of various sorting machines, having the following method steps:a) scanning the surfaces of the items of mail and determining the distribution points, and measuring the thicknesses of the items of mail during the first mail recording,b) registering and storing the thicknesses of the items of mail associated with the distribution points during the first mail recording, and calculating optimized sorting plans for the sorting machines associated with the respective distribution points, using data relating to the determined thicknesses of the items of mail,c) transporting the items of mail to the sorting machines associated with the respective distribution points,d) sorting the items of mail to the individual distribution points on the basis of the optimized sorting plans.
- Method according to Claim 1, in which the optimized sorting plans are calculated in the controllers of the sorting machines during the first mail recording, and the optimized sorting plans are transmitted to the controllers of the responsible sorting machines.
- Method according to Claim 1, in which the data associated with the distribution points relating to the thicknesses of the items of mail are transmitted to optimized sorting plans of self-calculating controllers of the responsible sorting machines.
- Method according to Claim 1 and 3, in which the transmitted data about the thicknesses of the items of mail contain the thickness of each item of mail, its distribution point and its ID code applied during the recording.
- Method according to Claim 1, in which the data associated with the distribution points and relating to the thicknesses of the items of mail are transmitted to a central station for calculating the optimized sorting plans for the sorting machines of the distribution points, and which the optimized sorting plans are then transmitted to the controllers of the relevant sorting machines.
- Method according to Claims 1 to 5, in which the data used as the data about the thicknesses of the items of mail is only the number of items of mail and the associated, statistically prepared thicknesses of the items of mail for each distribution point.
- Method according to Claims 1 to 5, in which, in order to optimize the sorting plans, the items of mail are distributed to the sorting compartments as uniformly as possible, avoiding any overflow of the compartments.
- Arrangement for distribution of items of mail having distribution information located on the surface of the items of mail, in which the distribution is carried out successively with the aid of various sorting machines, comprisingoptical measuring means (40) for determining the sorting information located on the items of mail (30) in order to determine the distribution pointsmeasuring means (50) for determining the thicknesses of the items of mailmeans for the machine control (60) of the respective first sorting machine (10) for registering and storing the thicknesses of the items of mail associated with the distribution pointsfunctional blocks (110) for calculating optimized sorting plans for the sorting machines (90) associated with the respective distribution points, using the data relating to the thicknesses of the items of mailtransmission media (70) for transmitting the data associated with the distribution points relating to the thicknesses of the items of mail to the functional blocks (110) for calculating optimized sorting plans, or for transmitting the optimized sorting plans to the machine controller (100) of the responsible sorting machines (90)means for transporting the items of mail associated with the distribution points.
- Arrangement according to Claim 8, in which, in the means for registering and storing the thicknesses of items of mail associated with the distribution points, statistical data relating to the thicknesses of the items of mail are additionally generated and output.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| DE19647973 | 1996-11-20 | ||
| DE19647973A DE19647973C1 (en) | 1996-11-20 | 1996-11-20 | Method for distribution of mail |
| PCT/DE1997/002592 WO1998022228A1 (en) | 1996-11-20 | 1997-11-07 | Method and device for distributing mail items |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| EP0939679A1 EP0939679A1 (en) | 1999-09-08 |
| EP0939679B1 true EP0939679B1 (en) | 2002-07-24 |
Family
ID=7812208
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| EP97948727A Expired - Lifetime EP0939679B1 (en) | 1996-11-20 | 1997-11-07 | Method and device for distributing mail items |
Country Status (7)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US6279750B1 (en) |
| EP (1) | EP0939679B1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JP2001503672A (en) |
| AU (1) | AU7299398A (en) |
| DE (2) | DE19647973C1 (en) |
| TW (1) | TW355690B (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1998022228A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (38)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE19625007C2 (en) * | 1996-06-22 | 2000-03-02 | Siemens Ag | Procedure for sorting the distribution order |
| ITTO980233A1 (en) * | 1998-03-17 | 1999-09-17 | Finmeccanica Spa | LOAD BALANCING METHOD IN AN OBJECT SEQUENCING PROCESS, IN PARTICULAR POSTAL OBJECTS. |
| BR0012927A (en) * | 1999-08-02 | 2002-04-30 | Siemens Ag | Match separation system with distribution point sequence with flat match capability |
| US6953906B2 (en) | 1999-08-02 | 2005-10-11 | Rapistan Systems Advertising Corp. | Delivery point sequencing mail sorting system with flat mail capability |
| US6894243B1 (en) * | 1999-08-31 | 2005-05-17 | United States Postal Service | Identification coder reader and method for reading an identification code from a mailpiece |
| US7081595B1 (en) * | 1999-08-31 | 2006-07-25 | United States Postal Service | Apparatus and methods for processing mailpiece information in a mail processing device using sorter application software |
| US6977353B1 (en) | 1999-08-31 | 2005-12-20 | United States Postal Service | Apparatus and methods for identifying and processing mail using an identification code |
| US7060925B1 (en) * | 1999-08-31 | 2006-06-13 | United States Of America Postal Service | Apparatus and methods for processing mailpiece information by an identification code server |
| DE19947259C1 (en) * | 1999-09-30 | 2000-09-28 | Siemens Ag | Sorting packages involves changing/emptying containers when full, storing packages in same sequence, entering package data in database and re-ordering during subsequent sorting runs |
| GB2370823B (en) * | 2001-01-09 | 2004-09-22 | Post Office | An improved sorting system |
| DE10145295A1 (en) | 2001-09-14 | 2003-04-24 | Siemens Dematic Ag | Distribution order sorting procedure |
| US20030057143A1 (en) * | 2001-09-21 | 2003-03-27 | Eric Lieberman | Method and apparatus for facilitating handling of communications |
| US20080300856A1 (en) * | 2001-09-21 | 2008-12-04 | Talkflow Systems, Llc | System and method for structuring information |
| FR2841673B1 (en) * | 2002-06-26 | 2004-12-03 | Solystic | TIMING OF POSTAL OBJECTS BY IMAGE SIGNATURE AND ASSOCIATED SORTING MACHINE |
| US6921875B2 (en) * | 2002-10-08 | 2005-07-26 | Lockheed Martin Corporation | Method for sequentially ordering objects using a single pass delivery point process |
| US7315007B2 (en) * | 2003-06-09 | 2008-01-01 | Siemens Dematic Corp. | Method and apparatus for stiffness and thickness detection in mail sorting systems |
| EP1639424A4 (en) * | 2003-06-12 | 2008-10-15 | Us Postal Service | System and method for dynamically adjusting the allocation of mail items associated with particular delivery points within a carrier structure |
| US7723633B2 (en) | 2003-07-31 | 2010-05-25 | Lockheed Martin Corporation | Sequencing system and method of use |
| US7528339B2 (en) | 2003-07-31 | 2009-05-05 | Lockheed Martin Corporation | Sequencing system and method of use |
| US20050107910A1 (en) * | 2003-11-19 | 2005-05-19 | Hanson Bruce H. | System and method of filling containers |
| US20050178699A1 (en) * | 2004-02-02 | 2005-08-18 | Technology Solutions International, Inc. | Simplified and integrated method and apparatus for processing bulk mail at United State Postal service processing facilities |
| DE102004035365A1 (en) * | 2004-07-21 | 2006-02-16 | Deutsche Post Ag | Method and device for sorting mailpieces |
| US7671293B2 (en) * | 2004-09-08 | 2010-03-02 | Lockheed Martin Corporation | System and method for dynamic allocation for bin assignment |
| US7923655B2 (en) * | 2004-11-03 | 2011-04-12 | Pitney Bowes Inc. | Sorting method and system with dynamically re-allocated sortation bins |
| DE102005005115B3 (en) * | 2005-02-04 | 2006-11-23 | Siemens Ag | Method and arrangement for processing transmissions with radio transponders |
| DE102005040689A1 (en) * | 2005-08-26 | 2007-03-01 | Siemens Ag | Method for identifying postal items |
| US7762401B1 (en) | 2006-02-15 | 2010-07-27 | Siemens Industry, Inc. | Mail template for measuring size and flexibility |
| FR2909360B1 (en) | 2006-11-30 | 2010-01-15 | Mag Systemes | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR DETERMINING THE DEGREE OF FILLING OF A CONTAINER IN FULL ENVELOPES |
| FR2920678B1 (en) * | 2007-09-07 | 2009-10-16 | Solystic Sas | METHOD FOR PROCESSING POSTAL DELIVERY WITH CLIENT CODES ASSOCIATED WITH DIGITAL IMPRESSIONS. |
| DE102007058579A1 (en) * | 2007-09-18 | 2009-03-26 | Siemens Ag | Method for transporting multiple objects |
| DE102007058580A1 (en) * | 2007-12-05 | 2009-06-10 | Siemens Ag | Method for sorting flat postal items |
| US20090223872A1 (en) * | 2008-03-07 | 2009-09-10 | Ronald Robbins | System and method for sorting items |
| US8748768B2 (en) * | 2008-05-16 | 2014-06-10 | Bell And Howell, Llc | Method and system to indicate bin sweep status on document processing equipment |
| US8931618B2 (en) * | 2011-02-08 | 2015-01-13 | C.G. Bretting Manufacturing Co., Inc. | Small and bulk pack napkin separator |
| US11059073B1 (en) * | 2013-03-28 | 2021-07-13 | Broadridge Output Solutions, Inc. | Commingling physical tray boundaries |
| US10970667B2 (en) | 2014-08-08 | 2021-04-06 | United States Postal Service | System and method for dynamically routing items |
| JP6470118B2 (en) * | 2015-06-10 | 2019-02-13 | 株式会社東芝 | Delivery processing apparatus, delivery processing support apparatus, delivery processing system, delivery processing program, and delivery processing support program |
| EP4000754B1 (en) * | 2020-11-17 | 2023-11-01 | BEUMER Group A/S | Mobile sorting unit and method |
Family Cites Families (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE6920878U (en) * | 1969-05-21 | 1969-10-02 | Guenter Werner | READY TO INSTALL WINDOW |
| AU662922B2 (en) * | 1991-08-09 | 1995-09-21 | Westinghouse Electric Corporation | Modular mail processing method and control system |
| FR2681263B1 (en) * | 1991-09-18 | 1993-11-12 | Cga Hbs Cie Gle Automatisme | METHOD FOR SORTING OBJECTS. |
| US5363971A (en) | 1992-10-16 | 1994-11-15 | United States Postal Service | Automatic carrier sequence bar code sorter |
| DE4302231C2 (en) * | 1993-01-28 | 1995-08-10 | Licentia Gmbh | Process for sorting mail items in the distribution aisle sequence in mail distribution systems |
| JPH07185472A (en) * | 1993-12-28 | 1995-07-25 | Hitachi Ltd | Paper sheet dividing apparatus |
| JP3389717B2 (en) * | 1994-12-22 | 2003-03-24 | 株式会社日立製作所 | Paper sheet sorting method and apparatus |
| DE19528803C1 (en) | 1995-08-05 | 1997-01-30 | Licentia Gmbh | Procedure for sorting shipments |
-
1996
- 1996-11-20 DE DE19647973A patent/DE19647973C1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1997
- 1997-11-07 DE DE59707814T patent/DE59707814D1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1997-11-07 JP JP52084098A patent/JP2001503672A/en not_active Ceased
- 1997-11-07 EP EP97948727A patent/EP0939679B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1997-11-07 WO PCT/DE1997/002592 patent/WO1998022228A1/en active IP Right Grant
- 1997-11-07 AU AU72993/98A patent/AU7299398A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1997-11-07 US US09/308,616 patent/US6279750B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1997-11-17 TW TW086117121A patent/TW355690B/en active
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AU7299398A (en) | 1998-06-10 |
| EP0939679A1 (en) | 1999-09-08 |
| WO1998022228A1 (en) | 1998-05-28 |
| DE19647973C1 (en) | 1997-09-25 |
| JP2001503672A (en) | 2001-03-21 |
| TW355690B (en) | 1999-04-11 |
| US6279750B1 (en) | 2001-08-28 |
| DE59707814D1 (en) | 2002-08-29 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| EP0939679B1 (en) | Method and device for distributing mail items | |
| DE19927251C2 (en) | Device for handling piece goods | |
| DE19625007C2 (en) | Procedure for sorting the distribution order | |
| DE69706477T2 (en) | Procedure for sorting mail in delivery order | |
| EP2298458A2 (en) | Method and device for sorting mail | |
| DE69323350T2 (en) | Method of organizing mail items | |
| EP2085152B1 (en) | Method and device for sorting flat objects during multiple sorting runs | |
| WO2006042347A2 (en) | Warehouse for transferring goods and method for operating said warehouse | |
| EP0999902B1 (en) | Method for sorting mail items | |
| WO2000001496A2 (en) | Device and method for producing a complete stack | |
| EP2197599A1 (en) | Method and device for transporting and handling a plurality of articles | |
| EP1425113B1 (en) | Method for sorting in a distribution order | |
| EP2197596A1 (en) | Method and device for transporting articles | |
| EP1220721B1 (en) | Device and method for classifying flat mail items | |
| EP2190595B1 (en) | Method and device for transporting a plurality of articles | |
| EP2067535B1 (en) | Method and system for sorting flat postal packages | |
| DE69426866T2 (en) | Device for sorting sheet-like or similar materials | |
| EP2011578B1 (en) | Method and device for sorting objects into several cycles in order of delivery | |
| DE102008017188A1 (en) | Method and device for transporting objects | |
| DE19629125C2 (en) | Procedure for sorting shipments | |
| WO1999064172A2 (en) | Device for sorting out consignments | |
| EP1961493A1 (en) | Method and device for sorting postal packages | |
| DE102011077793A1 (en) | Arrangement for sorting objects such as flattened mails, has a removal device which is arranged to select removal location of each sorting object and to guide discharge of object from the movable retaining device |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
| 17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 19990505 |
|
| AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): BE DE FR GB NL |
|
| GRAG | Despatch of communication of intention to grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA |
|
| 17Q | First examination report despatched |
Effective date: 20011008 |
|
| GRAG | Despatch of communication of intention to grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS AGRA |
|
| GRAH | Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA |
|
| GRAH | Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA |
|
| GRAA | (expected) grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210 |
|
| AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: B1 Designated state(s): BE DE FR GB NL |
|
| REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: GB Ref legal event code: FG4D Free format text: NOT ENGLISH |
|
| REF | Corresponds to: |
Ref document number: 59707814 Country of ref document: DE Date of ref document: 20020829 |
|
| GBT | Gb: translation of ep patent filed (gb section 77(6)(a)/1977) |
Effective date: 20021010 |
|
| ET | Fr: translation filed | ||
| PLBE | No opposition filed within time limit |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261 |
|
| STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT |
|
| 26N | No opposition filed |
Effective date: 20030425 |
|
| PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Payment date: 20101111 Year of fee payment: 14 |
|
| PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: BE Payment date: 20111229 Year of fee payment: 15 |
|
| REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R084 Ref document number: 59707814 Country of ref document: DE Effective date: 20120712 |
|
| BERE | Be: lapsed |
Owner name: *SIEMENS A.G. Effective date: 20121130 |
|
| GBPC | Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee |
Effective date: 20121107 |
|
| PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: BE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20121130 |
|
| PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20121107 |
|
| REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: PLFP Year of fee payment: 19 |
|
| REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: PLFP Year of fee payment: 20 |
|
| PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: FR Payment date: 20161123 Year of fee payment: 20 Ref country code: NL Payment date: 20161108 Year of fee payment: 20 |
|
| PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: DE Payment date: 20170120 Year of fee payment: 20 |
|
| REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R071 Ref document number: 59707814 Country of ref document: DE |
|
| REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: NL Ref legal event code: MK Effective date: 20171106 |