EP1058212A2 - Method for processing mail pieces and mail piece processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

Process has the following steps: in a process station (12-14), reading of dispatch data and attachment of a machine readable marking to the mail item and item storage; transport of the marked item (A) to a remote delivery station (10) with a franking machine (60) and transfer of mail data from the marking to franking machine memory (69); franking of the mail using data stored in the memory. An Independent claim is made for a post processing system using the above process.

Description

The invention relates to a method for processing mail, according to specified in the preamble of claim 1 and for a Postal goods processing system, according to in the preamble of claim 8 specified type. The method allows a staggered processing of mail and is suitable for multicarrier work. The system has Drop-off stations set up to accept mail at strategic locations, which are emptied by a first carrier who sends the mail to transported to a delivery station. The latter is enabled to Frank the mail so that a second carrier delivers the mail to the Can transport distribution points.

Public franking machines are already known, in which one Weighing device is combined with a franking machine (DE OS 28 19 872). However, such systems do not yet have multicarrier capability. The mail to be sent abroad is already sent by the respective national transported at least two public postal carriers. The future Postal transport is also operated by private carriers, which may own logos and completely different provisions for clearing use as the public carrier. Especially private carriers only be present locally during the start-up phase and must be public Cooperate with postal carriers.

Free a machine from the post office and also issue the receipts can, is known from DE OS 24 30 413. Also, for example, is off US 5,065,000, two printers for direct barcode printing on the mail piece and a separate imprint of one Insert record about it. From US 4,923,022 is a automatic mail device with special slot, a drive mechanism, Weighing, stamping and sorting mechanism known. Such Postal devices require a lot of space for the large number of containers sorted mail and are complex and expensive to operate. One of the containers is always full first, which then does the job of the whole postal device impaired. But if the postal devices are emptied at short intervals the containers with sorted mail are filled differently and must be emptied individually even if a container is almost empty is. The transport costs are proportional to the transport route and inversely proportional to the amount of mail. The sorted mail must of course be transported separately, which requires additional attention and Expenses incurred by the carrier company. If some carriers will place higher demands on this in the future Franking stamp printed image can be provided, for example security imprint with 2-D barcode, high-quality printers must be used become expensive to maintain.

The applicant has already received the title: "Procedure and Device for processing mail "in EP 503 311 A2 automatic mail acceptance system with a cash card or Customer card and with a standardized mail delivery Transport lock proposed that neither a device for weighing still has for franking. The cash card allows immediate debiting a postage fee, which is determined by the selection of the standardized Mail delivery results. The postage calculation does not take into account the weight. The transport lock is unlocked after the postage calculation. In addition, the use of separate storage containers necessary, because a distinction of the shipping method because of the missing franking imprint is no longer possible. In connection with the card reader becomes a conventional postage fee storage in combination with a secured mail storage container needed. The container is made by an authorized person emptied, which the data from the postage fee memory into a special withdrawal chip card loads. The latter is allowed if the Senders themselves when receiving mail with a special customer card had authorized the customer accounts in a central clearing house charged with the fees used.

The further procedure up to the distribution of the franked post is true not described in detail, however it can be assumed that the carrier also handles mail distribution. Because should be public carrier for the further transport and distribution of Postal items are commissioned, its provisions for Labeling and franking of mail and for billing complied with become. However, since no franking takes place, for example the provisions of Deutsche Post AG were not observed. Usually mail items, for example letters to be sent abroad, be cleared at least by printing. The loss of one Franking printing has other disadvantages, such as a date verification problem, a risk of fraud by introducing several or overweight unpaid mail items, especially at Standard feeder for large format mail.

The invention has for its object the shortcomings of the prior art Eliminate technology and an optimal process and a safe and to develop a cost-effective system for processing mail, in shortly the feed stations are emptied without same frequency of maintenance and separate treatment of the Post must already be done in the posting stations.

The object is with the features of claim 1 for a method and solved with the features of claim 8 for a system.

A method has been found which requires minimal outlay in mail processing, since the first carrier only assigns one identification number per mail item (for example letter), which is applied or attached to the mail item as a machine-readable marking in a predetermined area. The aforementioned identification number is assigned to the shipping data entered by the postal customer. This data is first stored in a memory module of the delivery station and then loaded into a memory module of the delivery station. A special carrier card acts as a means of transmission and is transported from the first carrier to the delivery station together with the posted mail. The marking on the mail item is scanned in the delivery station in order to carry out the franking accordingly.
It has been found that a common storage container for unfranked but marked mail is filled to such an extent that the expenditure for emptying it is optimal, although the latter takes place in a short cycle. The invention therefore assumes that a common storage container for all franked mail is the cheapest for the mail sender. The invention has the advantage over the aforementioned solution according to EP 503 311 A2 that the mail feed is not standardized for a specific mail format when mail is accepted. The transport lock can be unlocked independently of the postage calculation, so that the sender can place all unfranked mail items through a slot on a lower guide plate of a feed device. Attempts to defraud are prevented by the fact that the mail feed is not standardized and a printer is used to mark the mail pieces to be separated. An additional receipt printer also enables proof of the posting. A scale can be integrated in the common storage container, so that later weighing is not necessary. In contrast to the prior art, a printer no longer has to be arranged behind the scale. This results in a simple construction for the feed stations. Alternatively, a scale can be integrated into the delivery station. Then the scales are omitted in the loading station. In any case, post processing is staggered in accordance with the invention in such a way that marking takes place before weighing. It is advantageous that the feed stations only have to be equipped with marking printers and not with expensive franking printers. Advantageously, the postage to be transported can be franked separately from the postage at the tariff of the second carrier. This has the advantage for a first carrier that he can deliver franked mail for his service, can negotiate a volume discount with a second carrier. The first carrier can also negotiate a volume discount with other carriers. The franking device of the delivery station can be set for a large number of different carriers. In the delivery station, their delivery requires a storage system with a controllable switch and a large number of shelves, each of which is assigned to the respective carrier. The franking device of the delivery station is programmed to determine the carrier with the cheapest tariff for each transport task. While the first carrier benefits from the tariff differences, the delivery to different carriers has the advantage for the mail sender that the tariffs remain moderate due to the competition. However, this is not to preclude the fact that a suitable user interface with keyboard and display unit in the loading station takes into account the additional input of a carrier desired by the sender.
It is therefore provided according to the invention that a feed device and a marking printer are arranged in front of a storage container in the feed station in the direction of the mail flow and are connected to a control unit. The feed device has a locking mechanism with a slot, which can be controlled by a read / write unit, so that at least one postal item can be inserted through the slot into the feed device by the sender only in the case of a card inserted by the sender into a slot of the read / write unit . A non-volatile memory for booking data and a clock / date module are connected to the control unit, which is programmed to assign an ID number to each item of mail and to make a booking in the non-volatile memory for booking data under the aforementioned number depending on the shipping inputs made via the keyboard to save the weight, if necessary, and to actuate the marking printer, to print the aforementioned number on the postal matter while it is being transported downstream.
In the case of a special carrier card inserted into the slot of the read / write unit by the authorized person, it is further provided according to the invention that the control unit is programmed to write the booking data associated with the respective numbers in the special carrier card and to provide an output closure (TOR) on the storage container for the removal of mail actuate. The special carrier card is designed, on the one hand, for the removal of mail from the posting station by a first mail carrier and, on the other hand, for the entry of the booking data by a person authorized to do so into a franking machine of the delivery station. The data transmission can also take place via an alternative means (on-line or off-line) to the delivery station. The delivery station consists of at least one franking machine and of a scanning and feeding device arranged in the mail stream, the latter having a scanner for scanning the marking printed on the delivery station. The franking machine has a read / write unit for the special carrier cards, a second non-volatile memory, a franking printer and a connection for printing out posting lists via a second printer, and a control unit, which is programmed, from the scanned marking data the number of the respective mail item derive and determine the associated entered booking data, if necessary, with the associated weight from the second non-volatile memory in order to set the franking machine accordingly before franking.
It is also advantageous that the sender can use a value or customer card to pay for the service to be provided by the carrier. The debiting by prepaid card requires an automatic format and thickness detection of the mail pieces. The prepaid card can be a rechargeable cash card. The customer card only allows the entry of an identification number. A debit is not made from the card, but is either made retrospectively from the customer account or an invoice is issued. Losing the customer card is not tragic, since it does not automatically lose money if a service of the first carrier is immediately informed that the franking machine is blocked for the corresponding identification number. An additional advantage results from the locking mechanism for the slot as protection against willful material damage to the receiving station in connection with the read / write unit. A card inserted in the latter is retained if vandalism is detected via additional sensors. The cardholder and, if applicable, the person who caused the damage can be identified using the card's identity number. Similarly, the keyboard and the display unit can be additionally protected.

Figur 1a,

Postverarbeitungssystem nach einer ersten Variante mit Aufgabestationen und mit einer Abgabestation,

Figur 1b,

Blockschaltbild der Aufgabestation nach der ersten Variante,

Figur 1c,

Perspektivische Ansicht der Abgabestation nach der ersten Variante,

Figur 2a,

Postverarbeitungssystem nach einer zweiten Variante mit Aufgabestationen und mit einer Abgabestation,

Figur 2b,

Blockschaltbild der Aufgabestation nach der zweiten Variante,

Figur 2c,

Draufsicht auf eine druckende Zuführeinrichtung der Aufgabestation nach der zweiten Variante,

Figur 2d,

Draufsicht auf eine Abtast- und Zuführeinrichtung der Abgabestation nach der zweiten Variante,

Figur 2e,

Blockschaltbild der Aufgabestation nach der dritten Variante,

Figur 2f,

Perspektivische Ansicht der Abgabestation nach der zweiten Variante,

Figur 3,

Perspektivische Ansicht einer Abtast- und Zuführeinrichtung.

Advantageous developments of the invention are characterized in the subclaims or are shown in more detail below together with the description of the preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the figures. Show it:

Figure 1a,

Mail processing system according to a first variant with delivery stations and with a delivery station,

Figure 1b,

Block diagram of the loading station according to the first variant,

Figure 1c,

Perspective view of the delivery station according to the first variant,

Figure 2a,

Postal processing system according to a second variant with delivery stations and with a delivery station,

Figure 2b,

Block diagram of the loading station according to the second variant,

Figure 2c,

Top view of a printing feed device of the feed station according to the second variant,

Figure 2d,

Top view of a scanning and feeding device of the delivery station according to the second variant,

Figure 2e,

Block diagram of the loading station according to the third variant,

Figure 2f,

Perspective view of the delivery station according to the second variant,

Figure 3,

Perspective view of a scanning and feeding device.

1a shows a mail processing system according to a first variant with delivery stations 12, 13, 14 and with a delivery station 10 shown. The loading stations 12, 13, 14 are at petrol stations, Shopping centers, self service areas of banks, near EC machines and other important locations. The delivery station 10 is located away from it. For example, in one Service center made the frankings. System I assumes that the sender has a prepaid card C and in one Slot of the feed station 12 is inserted. The feed station 12 generates for each postal item B has a different number. The required entries for the sender takes delivery on a keyboard 26 of the loading station according to Postgut B. A slot 22 becomes a closure Approved. The mail item B inserted in the slot 22 is within the Feeding station 12 weighed and marked. The latter is done, for example by a number and / or a barcode in a predetermined Area on the Postgut. The marked franked postage ends up in a storage container shown in Figure 1b. In addition to the posting station 12 or integrated on the side can be an ordinary mailbox 43 for franked by postage stamps or franking stamps or otherwise Letters be arranged. The mailbox 43 points in a manner known per se Have a slot 42 for inserting the franked letters. The measured internally in each posting station 12, 13, 14 and by the sender entered data are saved non-volatile. An agent of the first carrier has a means of transport 46 and empties at regular intervals the mailboxes and storage containers of the posting stations 12, 13, 14. Opening the loading stations 12, 13, 14 requires access means like inserting a special carrier card E into the corresponding slot of a read / write unit 23 of the feed stations 12, 13, 14. To transfer the data to the delivery station, the non-volatile stored data entered in a transmission medium, preferably loaded into the special carrier card E.

Upon arrival of the means of transport 46 at the delivery station, the franked letters are parked in a second storage area 65. The operation of the delivery station 10 first requires a data transfer, for example inserting one of the special carrier cards E into the corresponding slot of a read / write unit 63 of the franking machine 60 in order to take over the data stored in the card. The associated postal items can now be franked automatically based on this data. Before franking, the mail item passes through a scanning and feeding device 55 and is scanned by a scanner 50 with regard to the marking. The marking information is transmitted to the franking machine 60 via the feed device 55, converted into a letter number and checked for its occurrence in a list of the stored data. The franking machine 60 has, in a manner known per se, a booking memory 69 which stores the list of the stored data in a non-volatile manner and in which a debiting is carried out. After franking, the letters arrive in a first storage 68 arranged downstream. By means of a printer 66, a delivery list 67 with the stored data from the booking memory 69 can be printed out for a stack of franked mail pieces. The printer can be connected to postage meter 60 directly or alternatively via a personal computer (not shown). The stack of franked mail items from the first storage 68 with the delivery list 67 and the franked letters from the second storage 65 are delivered by a means of transport 47 of the first carrier to a mail distribution center 80 of the second carrier and are forwarded to the recipient or Distribution locations are transported to distribute the mail.
1b shows a block diagram of the feed station 12 according to the first variant. The read / write unit 23 is connected in terms of control to a drive (not shown) of a locking mechanism of the slot 22 and to a unit 25 for control and postage calculation. Since the slot is only opened when the card is inserted, there is effective protection of the mail items inside the posting station against vandalism. The slot 22 is arranged upstream of a scanning and feeding device 20 on the housing of the feed station. A marking printer 30 is arranged downstream of the scanning and feeding device 20. The marking printer 30 can alternatively also be part of the scanning and feeding device 20. The marking can thus advantageously be carried out by the marking printer 30 during or immediately after the mail item B has been fed. A storage container 40 for marked mail is arranged downstream of the marking printer 30. A static scale 31, which includes a weighing plate 35 and a weighing cell S6, is part of the storage container
40. A gate 41 with the associated controllable opening device is arranged on the housing of the loading station. The weighing plate 35 is arranged on a weighing cell S6, which contains electronics for transmitting a weight signal to the control unit 25. The weight of the individually fed mail items is determined in the control unit 25 using the difference method.
The application of mail item B to be posted is detected with a sensor S1. The sensors S2 and S4 allow a format determination, the sensor S3 a thickness determination and the sensor S5 a determination of the position of the supplied mail item B in the transport path and the sensor S7 a determination of the fill level by the control unit 25. A suitable scanning and feeding device is described in detail in the unpublished German patent application 19912807.3, under the title: "Arrangement for determining the dimensions of printing media". According to the invention, the marking printer 30 is arranged in addition to the latter solution. For example, the marking printer 30 and the sensor S1 are arranged in the pre-separation area.
The control unit 25 is connected in terms of control to the aforementioned means 20, 22, 23, 30, 41. The control unit 25 is equipped with a tariff memory 39 and programmed for postage calculation. The current tariff for postage calculation can be reloaded via the read / write unit 23 connected to the control unit 25 using a RATE TABLE chip card or optionally via a connected modem 24. The keyboard 26, a display unit 27, a clock / date module 28, a non-volatile memory 29 and a customer receipt printer 36 are connected to the control unit 25. The latter can print out the number of the item of mail, the time data and the shipping data entered when the item was posted as a customer receipt. The keyboard and the display unit form a user interface and can be combined (softkeys) or integrated (touchscreen). The user interface can also be protected against damage, for example against vandalism, by a locking mechanism.
It is optionally provided that the feed station is supplied with electricity from an autonomous energy source 33, the energy source being fed from solar collectors 34.

FIG. 1c shows a perspective view of the delivery station according to the first variant, comprising a scanning and feeding device 55, a franking machine 60 and a tray 68. A scanner 50 is arranged in an opening at the pot material feed point of a lateral guide plate, for example in the pre-separation area between the openings in the guide plate for two drive rollers. A commercially available scanner, for example of the type LS 4100 from Datalogic, is used as a scanner for a bar code. Such a scanning and feeding device 55 suitable for mixed mail processing is explained in more detail with reference to FIG. 3. After the letters have been applied, a pressure means is actuated, for example an application means 556, which presses the stack of letters onto the guide plate, so that the letter below is first scanned. The stack is separated by transporting the scanned letter in the direction of the storage container. Under the cover 557, the letters fed are separated, as has already been described in principle in the German patent DE 196 05 017 C2 and in the aforementioned German patent application 199 12 807.3.
The franking machine 60 consists, in a manner known per se, of a meter 62 and a base. Particularly suitable is a system based on the applicant's Jet Mail® franking machine, which has been described in detail, inter alia, in European patent applications EP 875 864 A2 and EP 901 108 A2. The base is equipped with a chip card reader / writer 63, which is arranged behind a guide plate and is accessible from the upper edge of the housing. After the franking machine has been switched on by means of a switch next to the read / write unit 63, a transport card E can be inserted into an insertion slot from top to bottom. A fed letter A, which lies with its surface to be printed on the guide plate, is then printed with a franking stamp in accordance with the input data and then falls into the filing box 68.

The feed device 20 in the feed station 12 can be the same have a constructive structure, such as the feed device 55 of the delivery station 10. The feed device 20 of the - shown in Figure 1b - Task station 12 is, however, additionally with sensors for scanning the Format and the thickness of the mail piece. A scale 31 with the S6 weighing sensor for weight measurement, the scanning and Subordinate feed device 20. The sensor data using the Weight 31 measured by balance 31 becomes control unit 25 transmitted, the latter controls the transport of the mail piece and to Postage calculation is formed. The customer's card is a prepaid card C. The debit of the postage from the prepaid card C and a booking of the Shipping data is stored in the non-volatile memory 29 of the control unit 25 of the loading station 12 made. The control unit is programmed, a debit from the prepaid card C via the read / write unit 23 after the mark is printed has been.

• Identifizierung einer Karte des Kunden bei deren Einstecken in eine erste Lese-/Schreibeinheit 23 der Aufgabestation und Eingabe von Versanddaten,
• Generieren einer Nummer für ein Poststück B und Schreiben der Nummer und eingegebener Versanddaten in einen ersten Speicher 29 der Aufgabestation,
• Freigabe des Slots 22 der Aufgabestation zwecks Postgutzuführung,
• Markierung des Postgutes B mittels der Aufgabestation,
• Eingabe weiterer relevanter Daten in den ersten Speicher 29 der Aufgabestation,
• Zwischenspeicherung des markierten Postgutes A im Aufbewahrungsbehälter 40 der Aufgabestation,
• Einstecken einer speziellen Befördererkarte E in die erste Lese/Schreibeinheit 23 und Laden der Buchungsdaten aus dem ersten Speicher 29 in den Speicher der speziellen Befördererkarte E,
• Öffnen des Tors 41 des Aufbewahrungsbehälters 40 mittels der speziellen Befördererkarte E zur Entnahme des markierten Postgutes A,
• Transport des markierten Postgutes A und der speziellen Beförderer-karte E durch einen ersten Postbeförderer 46 zur entfernten Frankier-maschine 60 in einer Abgabestation,
• Einstecken der speziellen Befördererkarte E in eine entfernte zweite Lese-/Schreibeinheit 63 und Laden der Buchungsdaten aus dem Speicher der speziellen Befördererkarte E in einen zweiten Speicher 69 der Frankiermaschine 60,
• Einlegen des Postgutes A in eine Abtast- und Zuführeinrichtung 55 stromaufwärts der Frankiermaschine der Abgabestation,
• Frankierung von entsprechend markiertem Postgut A in Abhängigkeit von zugehörig Buchungsdaten im zweiten Speicher 69,
• Ausdrucken von Einlieferungslisten 67 mit einem zweiten Drucker 66,
• Transport durch einen ersten Postbeförderer 47 zur Einlieferung des frankierten Postgutes mit der zugehörigen Einlieferungsliste bei einem zweiten Postbeförderer in einer entfernten Postverteilzentrale 80 zur Postverteilung durch den zweiten Postbeförderer 81.

The method according to the invention comprises the steps:

• Identification of a card of the customer when it is inserted into a first read / write unit 23 of the loading station and input of shipping data,
• Generating a number for a mail item B and writing the number and entered shipping data into a first memory 29 of the loading station,
• Release of slot 22 of the posting station for the purpose of mail delivery,
• Marking of the postal matter B by means of the loading station,
• Input of further relevant data into the first memory 29 of the loading station,
• Intermediate storage of the marked mail item A in the storage container 40 of the loading station,
• Inserting a special carrier card E into the first read / write unit 23 and loading the booking data from the first memory 29 into the memory of the special carrier card E,
• Opening the gate 41 of the storage container 40 by means of the special carrier card E for the removal of the marked mail item A,
• Transport of the marked mail item A and the special carrier card E by a first mail carrier 46 to the remote franking machine 60 in a delivery station,
• Inserting the special carrier card E into a remote second read / write unit 63 and loading the booking data from the memory of the special carrier card E into a second memory 69 of the franking machine 60,
• Inserting the mail item A into a scanning and feeding device 55 upstream of the franking machine of the delivery station,
• Franking of appropriately marked mail item A as a function of the corresponding booking data in the second memory 69,
• Printing out posting lists 67 with a second printer 66,
• Transport by a first mail carrier 47 for the delivery of the franked mail with the associated posting list to a second mail carrier in a remote mail distribution center 80 for mail distribution by the second mail carrier 81.

It is provided that the customer's card is a prepaid card C, that the supply of mail is detected by a first sensor S1 and that the step of entering further relevant data into the first memory 29 of the loading station carries out at least one automatic time and date input includes the clock / date block 28.
If the customer's card is a prepaid card C, the step of inputting further relevant data into the first memory 29 of the loading station comprises automatic data input by further sensors S2 and S4 for scanning the format and S3 of the thickness of the mail item in the feed device 20 and S6 for weight measurement in a balance 31, 35 of the loading station with subsequent calculation and debiting of the postage from the value card C. A suitable embodiment for the scanning and feeding device 20 with the sensors S2 to S5 is described in the unpublished German application 199 12 807.3 with the Title: "Arrangement for dimension determination of print media" described in more detail.

Alternatively, another system II is provided, which differs from the former System 1 differs in that the customer's card has a Customer card D is, which has an identification number. Such one Postal processing system according to a second variant with posting stations and with a delivery station is shown in Figure 2a. Advantageous the sensors for format and thickness determination in the feed stations and a scale are not required. The loading station can use it are produced more cost-effectively, which can be seen from FIG. 2b. The identification number is there together with the shipping data, the Time, date and the generated number in a first Storage 29 of the feed station stored. If the feeding of Postage is detected by a first sensor S1, then that Mark triggered. A customer receipt 37 is also printed out.

From FIG. 2a it can be seen that the special carrier card E can again be used to transmit the stored data to the franking machine 60 of the delivery station. A comparable storage medium or alternative transfer medium could also be used for the same purpose. After the step of inserting the postal items into a scanning and feeding device 55 of the delivery station, the delivery station carries out a scanning of the format and the thickness of the mail piece in the feeding device 55 and a weight measurement in a dynamic balance 58 for the franking machine 60 of the delivery station. A more detailed description of a suitable scanning and feeding device 55 with the sensors for scanning the format and the thickness of the mail item can be found in the unpublished German application 199 12 807.3 with the title: "Arrangement for determining the dimensions of printing media".
Further details on the design of a suitable dynamic scale can be found in the unpublished German patent application P 198 33 767.1-53. The control can take place, for example, as was already suggested under the title: "Method and arrangement for controlling a dynamic balance" in the unpublished German patent applications P 198 60 296.0 and 198 60 295.2. The weight measurement in a dynamic balance is preferably carried out according to the unpublished German patent application P 198 60 294.4, which bears the title: "Method and arrangement for determining a weight with a dynamic balance".
After the postage has been calculated, the postage is debited from the customer account at customer bank 90 or by teleporto from the account at the data center. A personal computer 59 is preferably in communication with the customer bank 90. If the postage cannot be debited from the customer account, the letter remains unpaid. The first shelf 68 can - in a manner not shown - be equipped with a switch or with an additional control compartment with a third shelf for franked letters. It is advantageous for the operator if the personal computer 59 is connected to the franking machine 60 and the printer 66 for the posting lists 67. A tariff memory 61 and a booking memory 69, which are preferably part of the franking machine 60, are required for the postage calculation in the storage station.
Usually one meter forms a (second) control unit for the franking machine base.
According to an alternative proposal, the meter function of the franking machine can be taken over by the personal computer. Such a printing machine base station controlled by a personal computer has been described in detail, for example, in European patent application EP 866 427 A2.

FIG. 2b shows a block diagram of the feed station after the second Variant shown. In front of the marking printer 30, i.e. upstream, is a feed device 20 'and before the latter again a slot 22 with Locking mechanism arranged, which again from the Read / write unit 23 is controlled. The opened slot 22 allows inserting at least one large letter of 250 mm width and 50 mm thickness in the feed device 20 'or alternatively an insertion from a stack of letters of smaller formats and / or thickness.

A suitable feed device with pre-separation and printer can be constructed, for example, as explained in more detail with reference to FIG. 2c. In contrast to the first variant, sensors for format and thickness measurement are not required. According to the invention, an inkjet printer 30 is preferably arranged as a marking printer in the pre-separation area.
In contrast to the previous, generally practiced procedure, according to the invention the letters of a stack are first printed and then separated or transported away. As a result, the entire letter entry or scanning and print control can be simplified considerably. Letters of any thickness up to parcels can be printed directly with a barcode and on the other hand batches of mixed mail B of small thickness can be processed automatically. Compared to a purely manual plant device, a significant increase in processing speed is achieved with automatic batch processing.
As shown schematically in FIG. 2b, the common storage container 40 for marked mail item A is again arranged downstream, behind the marking printer 30 and the feed device 20 '. In contrast to the first variant, there is no need to install a scale. The feed station can have, for example, a cabinet-like structure, with the slot 22, the read / write unit 23, possibly a modem 23, the control unit 25, the keyboard 26, the display unit 27, the clock / date module 28 and the non-volatile memory in a door 29 and 39, the customer receipt printer 36 and the gate 41 are installed. Gate 41 allows the authorized carrier to unlock the door to open it. The control unit 25 is again connected to the aforementioned means 20 ', 22, 23, 29, 30, 36, 41 in terms of control. The energy source 33, the feed device 20 ′ with the marking printer 30 and the common storage container 40 are arranged in the interior of the cabinet, the latter being able to be emptied when the door is open. Such a posting station can be set up at any job location.

The receipt 37 printed by the receipt printer 36 enables connection several letters from a stack of mail posted, one in itself known record for the mailing customer regarding the Printing the identification number on the mail in the loading station.

• daß in der Aufgabestation in Richtung des Poststroms eine Zuführeinrichtung 20' und ein Markierungsdrucker 30 vor einem Aufbewahrungsbehälter 40 angeordnet und mit der Steuerungseinheit 25 verbunden sind,
• daß die Zuführeinrichtung 20' einen Eingabeverschluß mit einem Slot 22 aufweist, wecher von der Lese-/Schreibeinheit 23 ansteuerbar ist, so daß nur bei einer vom Absender in einen Slit der Lese-/Schreibeinheit 23 eingesteckten Karte D vom Absender mindestens ein Postgut B durch den Slot 22 in die Zuführeinrichtung 20' eingelegt werden kann,
• daß ein nichtflüchtigen Speicher 29 für Buchungsdaten und ein Uhr/Datumsbaustein 28 mit der Steuerungseinheit 25 verbunden sind,
• daß die Steuerungseinheit 25 programmiert ist, jedem Postgut eine Nummer zuzuordnen und in Abhängigkeit von den über die Tastatur 26 getätigten Versandeingaben eine Buchung in dem nichtflüchtigen Speicher 29 unter der vorgenannten Nummer vorzunehmen und den Markierungsdrucker 30 anzusteuern, die vorgenannte Nummer auf das Postgut B zu drucken, während es stromabwärts transportiert wird,
• daß bei einer vom Berechtigten in den Slit der Lese-/Schreibeinheit 23 eingesteckten speziellen Befördererkarte E die Steuerungseinheit 25 programmiert ist, die Buchungsdaten zugeordnet zu den jeweiligen Nummern in die speziellen Befördererkarte E einzuschreiben, zur Postgutentnahme einen Ausgabeverschluß TOR 41 am Aufbewahrungsbehälter 40 zu betätigen,
• daß die spezielle Befördererkarte E einerseits zur Postgutentnahme aus der Aufgabestation durch einen ersten Postbeförderer 46 und andererseits zur Eingabe der Buchungsdaten durch einen dazu Berechtigten in eine Frankiermaschine 60 der Abgabestation ausgebildet ist,
• daß die Abgabestation mindestens aus einer Frankiermaschine 60 und aus einer im Poststrom vorangestellten Abtast- und Zuführeinrichtung 55 besteht, wobei letztere einen Scanner 50 zur Abtastung der in der Aufgabestation aufgedruckten Markierung aufweist,
• daß die Frankiermaschine 60 eine Lese-/Schreibeinheit 63 für die speziellen Befördererkarten E, einen zweiten nichtflüchtigen Speicher 69, einen Frankierdrucker und einen Anschluß für das Ausdrucken von Einlieferungslisten 67 über einen zweiten Drucker 66 sowie eine zweite Steuerungseinheit aufweist, welche programmiert ist, aus den abgetasteten Markierungsdaten die Nummer des jeweiligen Postgutes abzuleiten und die zugehörigen eingegebenen Buchungsdaten aus dem zweiten nichtflüchtigen Speicher 69 zu ermitteln, um eine entsprechende Einstellung der Frankiermaschine vor dem Frankieren vorzunehmen.

According to the invention, a preferred embodiment provides:

• that a feed device 20 'and a marking printer 30 are arranged in front of a storage container 40 and connected to the control unit 25 in the feed station in the direction of the mail flow,
• that the feed device 20 'has an input closure with a slot 22, which can be controlled by the read / write unit 23, so that at least one postal item B is sent by the sender only in the case of a card D inserted into a slit of the read / write unit 23 by the sender the slot 22 can be inserted into the feed device 20 ',
• that a non-volatile memory 29 for booking data and a clock / date block 28 are connected to the control unit 25,
• that the control unit 25 is programmed to assign a number to each mail item and, depending on the shipping entries made via the keyboard 26, to make a booking in the non-volatile memory 29 under the aforementioned number and to control the marking printer 30 to print the aforementioned number on the mail item B. while it is being transported downstream,
• that in the case of a special carrier card E inserted into the slot of the read / write unit 23 by the authorized person, the control unit 25 is programmed to write the booking data assigned to the respective numbers into the special carrier card E, to actuate an output closure TOR 41 on the storage container 40 for the removal of mail,
• that the special carrier card E is designed, on the one hand, for the removal of mail from the posting station by a first mail carrier 46 and, on the other hand, for the entry of the booking data by a person authorized to do so into a franking machine 60 of the delivery station,
• that the delivery station consists of at least one franking machine 60 and of a scanning and feeding device 55 arranged in the mail stream, the latter having a scanner 50 for scanning the marking printed on the delivery station,
• that the franking machine 60 has a read / write unit 63 for the special carrier cards E, a second non-volatile memory 69, a franking printer and a connection for printing out posting lists 67 via a second printer 66 and a second control unit which is programmed from the deriving the scanned marking data, the number of the respective mail item and determining the associated entered booking data from the second non-volatile memory 69 in order to make a corresponding setting of the franking machine before franking.

The control unit 25 of the feed station 17 is programmed according to the insertion of a customer card D into the read / write unit 23 Identification number assigned to the number of the postal item, the date and the time and the entered shipping data in the non-volatile to store the first memory 29 of the loading station 17. The control unit 25 of the feed station 17 is further programmed after Insert a special carrier card E into the stored data to load the memory of the carrier card E so that a debit from the customer account at a customer bank 90 after marking but before franking can be made.

FIG. 2c shows a top view of a printing feed device the feed station 17 according to the second variant. Postgut A stands after loading on a lower guide plate 252 parallel to one lateral guide plate 251. The latter has openings for transport, Pressure and sensor media on. In the pre-separation area is between the openings 203 and 204 for the drive rollers 253, 354 an opening 201 arranged for the printer means 30. Comes as a marker printer for example, an inkjet printer. For the purpose of Mail pieces are in connection with the opening of the slot 22 Application means 256 from an actuator (not shown) as long as driven up to the maximum by the side guide plate 251 are removed. The cover 257 of the mechanics in the separation area limits the depth of the task area and at the same time forms one Stop edge for a stack of mail pieces (mixed mail). A sensor S1, for example a light reflex sensor, signals the presence of at least one piece of mail in the pre-separation area. Before or after Input of the shipping parameters is a from the printer means 30 Mark printed, the application means 256, driven by the - not shown - actuator, are used, which the stack press against the pressure area. After printing the The printed mail piece is driven by the marking Drive rollers 253, 354 moved to the separation area and Drive belt 258 and ejection means 259 take over the rest Transport to storage container 40. A sensor S5, for example a light barrier signals the ejection of at least one Mail piece in the storage container 40.

FIG. 2d shows a top view of a scanning and feeding device 55 of the delivery station 11 according to the second variant. The mechanical Construction can also take place, as explained in FIG. 2c, with however, instead of the printer means 30, a scanning means 50 in one Window-like opening 501 of the side guide plate 551 arranged to scan a printed barcode. The side guide plate 551. has openings for the transport, scanning and sensor means on. In the pre-separation area is between openings 503 and 504 for the drive rollers 553, 554, the opening 501 for the scanning means 50 arranged, the sensor S1 and the application means 556 additionally one Have a protective function for the eyes. So that not at the scanning and Letter created feeder not a laser beam from the laser scanner is aimed directly into the eye of the beholder because of the Sensor signal from sensor S1 the laser beam switched off. The barcode is then only scanned during the singulation. In addition, the Pressure bracket 556 widened accordingly, so that even when the Scanning and feeding device no laser beam directly into the eye of the Viewer can reach.

A suitable scanner is the type LS4100 from Datalogic 84 x 68 x 28 mm. The scanner LS4100 is spaced of at least 40 mm from the guide plate 551. For use comes a version with a 90 ° deflecting mirror on the scanner. That guy allows a maximum scan rate of Smax = 800 scans / sec.

A piece of mail is transported at a speed of V = 630 mm / sec and preferably carries a barcode with lines parallel to the direction of transport. The number of effective scans N includes the length of the lines L and the speed V of the item of mail. The following formula then results: N = {(L / V) * Smax} - 2

A vertically stuck label with a 10 mm barcode bar length on one Letter that is transported at 630 mm / sec results in a number of (800 * 10/630) - 2 = 10 effective scans, what for the scanning and Feeding device of the franking machine JetMail is sufficient to due to the redundancy of the measured values, a barcode from others To distinguish between printing (address).

FIG. 2e shows a block diagram of a feed station 15 according to the third variant. In this most cost-effective variant, the separate marking printers saved. Its function is from previous receipt printer taken over. The after saving the Card identification number, the generated letter number and the entered shipping data in the non-volatile memory 29 dated Customer receipt and marking printer 36 contains printed receipt 27 a section 38 with the barcode corresponding to that generated Letter number. The letter number together with the barcode be printed out so that the section 38 human and is machine readable. Section 38 is a self-adhesive strip executed and is stuck on the mail piece A by the letter sender. The Mail item A can then through the opened slot 22 in the Storage container 40 are inserted. The latter and one separate mailbox 42 with a slot 42 for inserting Postage paid can be opened using carrier card E. The Control unit 25 controls a common gate 41 around which Storage box 40 and the separate mailbox 42 for the purpose Emptying to be opened by the first carrier.

• daß in der Aufgabestation ein Aufbewahrungsbehälter 40 mit einen Füllstands-Sensor S7 angeordnet ist, welcher mit der Steuerungseinheit 25 verbunden ist,
• daß der Aufbewahrungsbehälter 40 einen Eingabeverschluß mit einem Slot 22 aufweist, wecher von der Steuerungseinheit 25 ansteuerbar ist, so daß nur bei einer vom Absender in einen Slit der Lese/Schreibeinheit 23 eingesteckten Karte D vom Kunden ein Postgut A durch den Slot in den Aufbewahrungsbehälter eingesteckt werden kann,
• daß ein nichtflüchtigen Speicher 29 für Buchungsdaten und ein Uhr/Datumsbaustein 28 sowie ein Kundenbeleg- und Markierungsdrucker 36 mit der Steuerungseinheit 25 verbunden sind,
• daß die Steuerungseinheit 25 programmiert ist, jedem Postgut B eine Nummer zuzuordnen und in Abhängigkeit von den über die Tastatur 26 getätigten Versandeingaben eine Buchung in dem nichtflüchtigen Speicher 29 unter der vorgenannten Nummer vorzunehmen und den Kundenbeleg- und Markierungsdrucker 36 anzusteuern, um die vorgenannte Nummer des Postgutes, die Zeitdaten und die bei Post-aufgabe eingegebenen Versanddaten als Kundenbeleg und eine Markierung auf einem Abschnitt 38 zu drucken, welche zur Anbringung auf dem Postgut B vorgesehen ist,
• daß die Steuerungseinheit 25 weiterhin programmiert ist, bei einer vom Berechtigten in den Slit der Lese-/Schreibeinheit 23 eingesteckten speziellen Befördererkarte E, die Buchungsdaten zugeordnet zu den jeweiligen Nummern in die speziellen Befördererkarte E einzuschreiben, zur Postgutentnahme einen Ausgabeverschluß (TOR 41) am Aufbewahrungsbehälter zu betätigen,
• daß die spezielle Befördererkarte E einerseits zur Postgutentnahme aus der Aufgabestation durch einen ersten Postbeförderer 46 und andererseits zur Eingabe der Buchungsdaten durch einen dazu Berechtigten in eine Frankiermaschine 60 einer Abgabestation ausgebildet ist,
• daß die Abgabestation mindestens aus einer Frankiermaschine 60 und aus einer im Poststrom vorangestellten Abtast- und Zuführeinrichtung 55 besteht, wobei letztere einen Scanner 50 zur Abtastung der in der Aufgabestation aufgedruckten Markierung aufweist,
• daß die Frankiermaschine 60 eine Lese-/Schreibeinheit 63 für die speziellen Befördererkarten E, einen zweiten nichtflüchtigen Speicher 69, einen Frankierdrucker und einen Anschluß für das Ausdrucken von Einlieferungslisten 67 über einen zweiten Drucker 66 sowie eine Steuereinheit 59, 62 aufweist, welche programmiert ist, aus den abgetasteten Markierungsdaten die Nummer des jeweiligen Postgutes abzuleiten und die zugehörigen eingegebenen Buchungsdaten aus dem zweiten nichtflüchtigen Speicher 69 zu ermitteln, um eine entsprechende Einstellung der Frankiermaschine 60 vor dem Frankieren und eine Abbuchung vom Kundenkonto bei einer Kundenbank 90 nach der Markierung aber vor dem Frankieren vorzunehmen.

The mail processing system is characterized by

• that a storage container 40 with a fill level sensor S7, which is connected to the control unit 25, is arranged in the feed station,
• that the storage container 40 has an input closure with a slot 22, which can be controlled by the control unit 25, so that only in the case of a card D inserted by the sender into a slit of the read / write unit 23, the customer inserts a postal item A through the slot into the storage container can be,
• that a non-volatile memory 29 for booking data and a clock / date module 28 and a customer receipt and marking printer 36 are connected to the control unit 25,
• that the control unit 25 is programmed to assign a number to each mail item B and, depending on the shipping inputs made via the keyboard 26, to make a booking in the non-volatile memory 29 under the aforementioned number and to control the customer receipt and marking printer 36 in order to obtain the aforementioned number of the To print the postal matter, the time data and the shipping data entered when the postal item was posted as a customer receipt and a marking on a section 38 which is intended to be attached to the postal matter B,
• that the control unit 25 is further programmed, in the case of a special carrier card E inserted into the slit of the read / write unit 23 by the authorized person, to write the booking data associated with the respective numbers in the special carrier card E, an output closure (TOR 41) on the storage container for the removal of mail to operate
• that the special carrier card E is designed, on the one hand, for the removal of mail from the posting station by a first mail carrier 46 and, on the other hand, for the entry of the booking data by a person authorized to do so into a franking machine 60 of a delivery station,
• that the delivery station consists of at least one franking machine 60 and of a scanning and feeding device 55 arranged in the mail stream, the latter having a scanner 50 for scanning the marking printed on the delivery station,
• that the franking machine 60 has a read / write unit 63 for the special carrier cards E, a second non-volatile memory 69, a franking printer and a connection for printing out posting lists 67 via a second printer 66 and a control unit 59, 62 which is programmed, derive the number of the respective mail item from the scanned marking data and determine the associated entered booking data from the second non-volatile memory 69 in order to set the franking machine 60 accordingly before franking and to debit the customer account at a customer bank 90 after the marking but before franking to make.

FIG. 2f shows a perspective view of the delivery station 11 according to FIG the second variant of the mail processing system. A such delivery station 11 can frank mail, which in relative simply structured feed stations 15, ..., or 17, 18, 19 marked has been. The delivery station 11 includes one for mixed mail processing suitable scanning and feeding device 55, a dynamic scale 58, a franking machine 60 and a tray 68 in the pre-separation area a scanner 50 is arranged behind an opening. The scanner, for example, type LS 4100 from Datalogic, is used as a scanner for the barcode marker is inserted. The franking machine 60 of Delivery station has a tariff memory 61 for postage calculation current tariffs.

• daß eine Identifikationsnummer einer Kundenkarte D zusammen mit den Versanddaten, der Uhrzeit, dem Datum und einer generierten Nummer im ersten Speicher 29 der Aufgabestation 15 gespeichert werden,
• daß die Nummer des Poststückes, die Zeitdaten und die bei Postaufgabe eingegebenen Versanddaten als Kundenbeleg 37 und eine Markierung 38 von einem Kundenbeleg- und Markierungsdrucker 36 der Aufgabestation 15 gedruckt werden,
• daß das Anbringen einer maschinenlesbaren Markierung 38 am Postgut B extern von der Aufgabestation 15 und die Freigabe des Slots 22 der Aufgabestation 15 für markiertes Postgut A erfolgt,
• daß nach Aufbewahrung das markierte Postgut A mittels eines ersten Postbeförderes 46 zur Abgabestation 11 transportiert wird, wobei mittels einer speziellen Befördererkarte E ein Übermitteln der gespeicherten Daten zur Frankiermaschine 60 der Abgabestation 11 erfolgt,
• daß das Einlegen der Postgüter in eine Abtast- und Zuführeinrichtung 55 der Abgabestation mittels einem Sensor S51 detektiert wird, wodurch ein Abtasten der Markierung mittels einem Scanner 50 ausgelöst wird und
• daß eine Abtastung des Formates und der Dicke des Poststückes in der Zuführeinrichtung 55 und eine Gewichtsmessung in einer Waage 58 vor der Frankierung mit der Frankiermaschine 60 durchgeführt wird sowie
• daß nach Berechnung des Portos die Abbuchung des Portos vom Kundenkonto erfolgt.

The process is characterized by

• that an identification number of a customer card D together with the shipping data, the time, the date and a generated number are stored in the first memory 29 of the loading station 15,
• that the number of the item of mail, the time data and the shipping data entered when the item is posted are printed as a customer receipt 37 and a marking 38 by a customer receipt and marking printer 36 of the loading station 15,
• that the attachment of a machine-readable marking 38 to the mail item B takes place externally from the loading station 15 and the slot 22 of the loading station 15 is released for marked mail item A,
• that after storage, the marked mail item A is transported to the delivery station 11 by means of a first mail carrier 46, the stored data being transmitted to the franking machine 60 of the delivery station 11 by means of a special delivery card E.
• that the insertion of the postal items into a scanning and feeding device 55 of the delivery station is detected by a sensor S51, whereby a scanning of the marking is triggered by a scanner 50 and
• that a scanning of the format and the thickness of the mail piece in the feed device 55 and a weight measurement in a scale 58 is carried out before the franking with the franking machine 60 and
• that after the postage has been calculated, the postage is debited from the customer account.

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a scanning and Feeder 55 in the delivery station. The feeder 55 is functionally into a pre-separation area 55a and into one Separation area 55b divided. To keep the letters A is one rear guide plate 551 inclined slightly backwards and one to this orthogonal lower guide plate 552 is provided. in the Pre-separation area 55a is a commercially available scanner 50 for Scanning of the marking printed in the feed station behind an opening 501 of the guide plate 551 arranged.

Letters A are stacked with the edge of their envelope flap on the lower guide plate 552 standing between an application means 556 and the rear guide plate 551 non-positively arranged. The Application means 556 is from a rest position to the operating position shown arranged swivel and lockable.

By means of two drive roller combinations 553, 554, which are on the bottom their special design cause the stack of letters to be shaken, the letters A slide along the rear guide plate 551 one after the other from the pre-separation area 55a into the Separation area 55b pushed. More details for the mechanics in the isolation area 55b are in the unpublished German Patent applications 198 36 235.8 and 199 12 807.3 the title: "Device for separating print media" and under the title: "Arrangement for determining the dimensions of print media" have been described.

The invention is not limited to the present embodiment, since obviously other arrangements or designs of the Invention can be developed or used, the - of the same Basic ideas of the invention starting from the adjacent Claims are included.

Claims (16)

Process for mail item processing, with automatic mail item acceptance in delivery stations and with mail distribution by a mail carrier after franking the mail item, characterized by staggered mail item processing recording shipping data and providing the mail with machine-readable marking and mail storage in the posting stations (12 to 19), Transporting the marked mail item (A) to a remote delivery station (10, 11) with at least one franking device (60) and transmitting the shipping data associated with the marking into a memory (69) of the franking device and Franking of the mail item in the delivery station (10, 11) in accordance with the data stored in the memory (69) associated with the marking. Method according to claim 1, characterized by the steps: Identification of a card (C, D) of the customer when it is inserted into a first read / write unit (23) of the loading station and input of shipping data, Generating a number for a mail item (B) and writing the number and entered shipping data into a first memory (29) of the loading station, Release of the slot (22) of the loading station for the purpose of mail delivery, Marking of the mail item (B) by means of the posting station, Input of further relevant data into the first memory (29) of the loading station, Intermediate storage of the marked mail item (A) in the storage container (40) of the loading station, Inserting a special carrier card (E) into the first read / write unit (23) and loading the booking data from the first memory (29) into a memory of the special carrier card (E), Opening a gate (41) of the storage container (40) by means of the special carrier card (E) for the removal of the marked mail item (A), Transport of the marked mail item (A) and the special carrier card (E) by a first mail carrier (46) to the remote franking machine (60) in a delivery station, Inserting the special carrier card (E) into a second read / write unit (63) and loading the booking data from the memory of the special carrier card (E) into a second memory (69) of the franking machine (60), Inserting the mail item (A) into a scanning and feeding device (55 ', 55) upstream of the franking machine (60) of the delivery station (10, 11), Franking of appropriately marked postal items (A) depending on the corresponding booking data in the second memory (69), Printing out posting lists (67) with a second printer (66), Transport by a first mail carrier (47) for the delivery of the franked mail with the associated posting list to a second mail carrier in a remote mail distribution center (80) for mail distribution by the second mail carrier (81). Method according to claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the customer's card is a prepaid card (C), that the supply of mail is detected by a first sensor (S1) and that the step of entering further relevant data in the first Memory (29) of the loading station (10) comprises at least one automatic time and date input by a clock / date block (28). Method according to claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the customer's card is a prepaid card (C), that the step of entering further relevant data into the first memory (29) of the loading station (11) is an automatic data input by further sensors (S2) and (S4) for scanning the format and (S3) the thickness of the mail piece in the feeder (20) and (S6) for weight measurement in a scale (35, S6) of the loading station (10) with subsequent calculation and debiting of the Postage from the prepaid card (C). Method according to claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the customer's card is a customer card (D) which has an identification number which, together with the shipping data, the time, the date and the number generated, in the first memory (29) the feed station (17, 18, 19) is stored, that the supply of mail is detected by a first sensor (S1), that the stored data is transmitted to the franking machine (60) of the delivery station (11) by means of the special carrier card (E) The delivery station (11) detects the delivery of mail, a scan of the format and the thickness of the mail item (A) in the delivery device (55) and a weight measurement in a dynamic balance (58) in front of the franking machine (60) of the delivery station (11) after the step of inserting the postal items into a scanning and feeding device (55) of the delivery station (11), and after the postage has been calculated, the postage is debited from the postage om customer account. Method according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the number of the piece of mail, the time data and the shipping data entered when the mail is posted are printed as a customer receipt by a receipt printer (36) of the loading station (17, 18, 19). Method according to claim 1, characterized in that that an identification number of a customer card (D) together with the shipping data, the time, the date and a generated number are stored in the first memory (29) of the loading station (15), that the number of the item of mail, the time data and the shipping data entered when the item is posted are printed as a customer receipt (37) and a marker (38) by a customer receipt and marking printer (36) of the loading station (15), that a machine-readable marking (38) is attached to the mail item (B) externally from the loading station (15) and the slot (22) of the loading station (15) is released for marked mail item (A), that after storage, the marked mail item (A) is transported to the franking device by means of a first mail carrier, the stored data being transmitted to the franking machine (60) of the delivery station (11) by means of a special carrier card (E), that the insertion of the postal items in a scanning and feeding device (55) of the delivery station (11) is detected by a sensor (S51), whereby a scanning of the marking is triggered by a scanner (50) and that a scanning of the format and the thickness of the mail piece in the feed device (55) and a weight measurement in a scale (58) before the franking with the franking machine (60) is carried out and that after the postage has been calculated, the postage is debited from the customer account. Postal processing system, with loading stations for automatic mail acceptance and with mail distribution by a mail carrier after franking the mail, each loading station containing a keyboard, a display unit, a card reader / writer and a mail storage container, which are connected to a control unit, characterized in that that the posting stations (12 to 19) have a marking device and are arranged at a distance from a delivery station (10, 11), the latter being equipped with a franking machine (60) which transmitted the franking of appropriately marked mail item (A) as a function of the associated Carries out booking data. Postal goods processing system, according to claim 8, characterized in that a feed station (20, 20 ') and a marking printer (30) are arranged in front of a storage container (40) and connected to the control unit (25) in the feed station in the direction of the mail flow, that the feed device (20, 20 ') has a locking mechanism with a slot (22), which can be controlled by the read / write unit (23), so that only one plugged into a slit of the read / write unit (23) by the sender Card from the sender at least one item of mail (B) can be inserted through the slot (22) into the feed device (20), that a non-volatile memory (29) for booking data and a clock / date block (28) are connected to the control unit (25), that the control unit (25) is programmed to assign a number to each item of mail and, depending on the shipping inputs made via the keyboard (26), make a booking in the non-volatile memory (29) under the aforementioned number and to activate the marking printer (30) to print the aforementioned number on the mail item (B) while it is being transported downstream, that in the case of a special carrier card (E) inserted into the slit of the read / write unit (23) by the authorized person, the control unit (25) is programmed to write the booking data associated with the respective numbers in the special carrier card (E), an output closure for the removal of mail (TOR 41) on the storage container (40), that the special carrier card (E) is designed, on the one hand, for the removal of mail from the posting station by a first mail carrier (46) and, on the other hand, for the entry of the booking data by a person authorized to do so into a franking machine (60) of the delivery station (10, 11), that the delivery station (10, 11) consists of at least one franking machine (60) and of a scanning and feeding device (55 ', 55) placed in front of the mail flow, the latter having a scanner (50) for scanning the marking printed on the delivery station, that the franking machine has a read / write unit (63) for the special carrier cards (E), a second non-volatile memory (69), a franking printer and a connection for printing out posting lists (67) via a second printer (66) and a control unit (62), which is programmed to derive the number of the respective mail item from the scanned marking data and to determine the associated entered booking data from the second non-volatile memory (69) in order to make a corresponding setting of the franking machine (60) before franking. Postal processing system according to claim 9, characterized in that the feed in the feed station (12, 13, 14) is designed as a scanning and feeding device (20), which sensors (S2, S3, S4) for scanning the format and the thickness of the Poststückes includes that a scale (31, 35) for weight measurement of the scanning and feeding device (20) is arranged downstream, that the sensor data and the weight measured by means of the scale (31, 35) is transmitted to the control unit (25) which is responsible for the transport of the postal item (A) controls and which is designed for postage calculation and that the customer's card is a prepaid card (C) and the debiting of the postage from the prepaid card (C) and a posting of the shipping data in the non-volatile memory (29) of the control unit (25 ) the loading station (12, 13, 14) is carried out and that the control unit (25) is programmed, via which a debit from the value card (C) is carried out via the read / write unit (23), after the mark has been printed. Postal item processing system according to claim 9, characterized in that the control unit of the loading station is programmed, after inserting a customer card (D) into the read / write unit (23) the identification number assigned to the number of the postal item, the date and time as well as the entered shipping data to store in the non-volatile memory (29) of the loading station that the control unit (25) of the loading station is programmed to load the stored data into the memory of the carrier card (E) after inserting a special carrier card (E), so that a debit is made can be carried out from the customer account at a customer bank after marking but before franking. Postal goods processing system, according to claim 8, characterized in that a storage container (40) with a fill level sensor (S7), which is connected to the control unit (25), is arranged in the feed station (12 to 19), that the storage container (40) has an input closure with a slot (22), which can be controlled by the control unit (25), so that only a card (D) inserted by the sender into a slit of the read / write unit (23) by the customer a postal item (A) can be inserted through the slot into the storage container, that a non-volatile memory (29) for booking data and a clock / date module (28) as well as a customer receipt and marking printer (36) are connected to the control unit (25), that the control unit (25) is programmed to assign a number to each item of mail (B) and, depending on the shipping inputs made via the keyboard (26), to make a booking in the non-volatile memory (29) under the aforementioned number and the customer receipt and marking printer (36) in order to print the aforementioned number of the mail item, the time data and the shipping data entered when the mail was posted as a customer receipt and a marking on a section (38) which is intended to be attached to the mail item (B), that the control unit (25) is further programmed, with a special carrier card (E) inserted into the slit of the reading / writing unit (23) by the authorized person, to write the booking data associated with the respective numbers in the special carrier card (E) for the removal of mail to actuate a dispensing closure (TOR 41) on the storage container (40), that the special carrier card (E) is designed, on the one hand, for the removal of mail from the posting station by a first mail carrier (46) and, on the other hand, for the entry of the booking data by a person authorized to do so into a franking machine (60) of a delivery station, that the delivery station consists of at least one franking machine (60) and of a scanning and feeding device (55) placed in front of the mail stream, the latter having a scanner (50) for scanning the marking printed on the delivery station, that the franking machine (60) has a read / write unit (63) for the special carrier cards (E), a second non-volatile memory (69), a franking printer and a connection for printing out posting lists (67) via a second printer (66) and a control unit (59, 62) which is programmed to derive the number of the respective postal matter from the scanned marking data and to determine the associated entered booking data from the second non-volatile memory (69) in order to make a corresponding setting of the franking machine (60) franking and debiting the customer account at a customer bank (90) after marking but before franking. Postal processing system according to one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that the control unit (25) of the loading station (12 to 19) is connected to an energy source (33) which is fed by solar collectors (34). Postal goods processing system according to claim 13, characterized in that the franking machine (60) of the delivery station (11) has a tariff memory (61). Postal goods processing system according to claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the control unit (25) of the loading station (12, 13, 14) is connected to a tariff memory (39). Postal goods processing system according to claim 15, characterized in that the control unit (25) of the loading station (12, 13, 14) is connected to a modem (24) and the control unit (25) programs to reload the current carrier tariffs into the tariff memory (39) is.

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