EP1515279A1 - Verfahren zum Verarbeiten und Zustellen von Einschreibsendungen - Google Patents

Verfahren zum Verarbeiten und Zustellen von Einschreibsendungen Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1515279A1
EP1515279A1 EP03020690A EP03020690A EP1515279A1 EP 1515279 A1 EP1515279 A1 EP 1515279A1 EP 03020690 A EP03020690 A EP 03020690A EP 03020690 A EP03020690 A EP 03020690A EP 1515279 A1 EP1515279 A1 EP 1515279A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
computer
mail piece
mail
information
further including
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP03020690A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Leon A. Pintsov
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Pitney Bowes Inc
Original Assignee
Pitney Bowes Inc
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Pitney Bowes Inc filed Critical Pitney Bowes Inc
Priority to EP03020690A priority Critical patent/EP1515279A1/de
Publication of EP1515279A1 publication Critical patent/EP1515279A1/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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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
    • B07C3/18—Devices or arrangements for indicating destination, e.g. by code marks
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00016—Relations between apparatus, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office, in a franking system
    • G07B17/00024—Physical or organizational aspects of franking systems
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00459—Details relating to mailpieces in a franking system
    • G07B17/00508—Printing or attaching on mailpieces
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00016—Relations between apparatus, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office, in a franking system
    • G07B17/00024—Physical or organizational aspects of franking systems
    • G07B2017/0004—Determining the location of mailpieces outside apparatus
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00459—Details relating to mailpieces in a franking system
    • G07B17/00508—Printing or attaching on mailpieces
    • G07B2017/00612—Attaching item on mailpiece
    • G07B2017/00629—Circuit, e.g. transponder

Definitions

  • the invention relates generally to the field of mailing systems and, more particularly, to systems for locating mail.
  • the post offices typically charges mailers for delivering the mail.
  • Mailers may pay the post office for this service by purchasing a stamp, i.e., a printed adhesive label, issued by the post office at specified prices that is affixed to all letters, parcels or other mail matter to show prepayment of postage.
  • the United States Postal Service currently handles large volumes of normal mail, i.e., first class mail, standard A mail, standard B mail, etc.
  • special service mail i.e., registered mail, etc.
  • the USPS uses gummed service stickers and forms to indicate and process the special service mail.
  • the use of gummed service stickers and completion of forms by hand is time consuming, error prone and raises the expense for receiving these services.
  • the use of registered mail requires the mailer to physically deliver the mail piece to the clerk in the lobby of the USPS.
  • Registered mail is the most secure service that the USPS offers. It incorporates a system of written receipts to monitor the movement of the mail from the point of acceptance by the postal lobby clerk to delivery to the recipient. Registered mail service provides the sender with a mailing receipt and at least a minimal insurance for the value of the article being mailed. The USPS also maintains a written record of the custody of the mail as the mail travels through the postal system to the recipient.
  • a disadvantage of the prior art is that once a registered mail piece is accepted by the USPS and placed in a bag, the USPS has to open the bag to determine that the mail piece is in the bag or provide assurances to that effect by inspectors who monitor the sealed bag containing registered mail-
  • the foregoing process is labor intensive, time consuming and expensive.
  • This invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by utilizing a system that enables registered mail to be detected automatically at various locations and then storing the location of places that the mail was detected as the mail moves through the delivery process.
  • the foregoing is accomplished by placing radio frequency identification tags on mail pieces to uniquely identify registered mail pieces.
  • the unique identifier information is stored in a first computer and then communicated to a second computer.
  • the radio frequency identification tag is then scanned at selected locations as the mail piece travels through the mail sorting, transportation and delivery processes. Then the information scanned at the selected locations, including information indicative of the location of the scanner, is communicated to the second computer as the mail piece travels through the delivery process.
  • Fig. 1 is a drawing of a mail piece having a radio frequency identification tag.
  • Fig. 2 is a drawing showing the steps in the delivery of registered mail.
  • Fig. 3 is a drawing showing the record computer 50 (Fig, 2) has stored for mail piece 11 (Fig. 1) as mail piece 11 exited a typical destination Post Office.
  • Fig. 4 is a drawing of RFID data processing block 200 of Fig. 2 in greater detail.
  • the reference character 11 represents a mail piece that has a sender address field 12, a recipient address field 13, a postal indicia 14, a radio frequency identification tag 15, and a bar code 16 that contains specified information.
  • Radio frequency identification (RFID) tag 15 may be the 4x6 RFID Smart Label Philips manufactured by RAFEC USA of 999 Oakmont Plaza Drive, Suite 200, Westmont, Illinois, USA 60559.
  • the information contained in tag 15 is the sender address field 12, recipient address field 13, the type of special service to be performed by the carrier, i.e., registered mail, and the mailer's declared value of the contents of the mail piece.
  • tag 15 may be encrypted or digitally signed for the purpose of protecting the information stored in tag 15 from unauthorized use. It would be obvious to one skilled in the art that other information may be used to uniquely define mail piece 11.
  • the information written into tag 15 may be by a radio frequency identification tag printer (not shown).
  • the radio frequency identification tag printer may be the Zebra R140 printer manufactured by Zebra Technologies Corporation of 333 Corporate Woods Parkway, Vemon Hills, Illinois, USA 60061. Indicia 14 and tag 15 may be placed on a paper tape 17 that is adhered to mail piece 11, or indicia 14 may be printed directly on mail piece 11, and tag 15 adhered to mail piece 11.
  • Fig. 2 is a drawing showing the steps in the delivery of registered mail.
  • Postage meter or value label printer 22 would print postal or similar indicum 14 (Fig. 1) with the correct amount of postage and bar code 16 on paper tape 17 (Fig. 1).
  • Local computer 24 will communicate with post office central computer 50 and postage meter 22 to determine the information that will be placed in tag 15.
  • RFID tag printer 23 would place the aforementioned information into tag 15.
  • Tag 15 would then be affixed to paper tape 17.
  • Printer 23 may be the Zebra model R140 manufactured by Zebra Technologies Corporation of 333 Corporate Woods Parkway Vernon Hills, Illinois, USA 60061.
  • RFID data processing block 200 (which is hereinafter described in the description of Fig. 4) where the information would be protected against unauthorized use.
  • RFID data processing block 200 would send the information that was read as well as identify the location of reader 26 to local computer 24 and central computer 50.
  • Computers 24 and 50 would store the aforementioned information, time stamp the information to indicate when the information was read, and to identify and locate reader 26.
  • RFID reader 27 at the post office exit would read the information contained in one or more tags 15 and transmit the information to RFID data processing block 200 where the information would be protected against unauthorized use.
  • Block 200 would send the information that was read, as well as the identity and location of reader 27 to central computer 50.
  • Central computer 50 will acknowledge to local computer 24 the information it receives concerning all RFID tags on all registered mail pieces posted at local post office 20.
  • a plurality of RFID readers during transport 60 is positioned at various locations along the delivery path 29. At a minimum, at least one RFID reader 60 is positioned at every location in which mail bag 25 is expected to experience a change in mode of transportation, i.e., from truck to airplane, from truck to train, from airplane to truck, or other significant changes, for example a change in control from one entity to another. At least one RFID reader 60 is positioned at the entrance and exit of every postal facility that mail bag 25 will enter and exit. RFID readers 60 may also be in the physical possession of every postal employee that will handle mail bag 25. Every time a RFID reader 60 reads the tags 15 that are contained in mail bag 25, that RFID reader 60 will communicate the information stored in tags 15 to RFID data processing block 200 for protection of the information. RFID data processing block 200 will transmit the information scanned from tags 15 and the location of RFID reader 60 to central computer 50. Computer 50 will store the time that it receives a communication from any RFID reader by time stamping the receiving event.
  • RFID reader 35 located at the entrance of the destination post office 37 will read the information stored in tags 15 and communicate in a secure manner via block 200, e.g., digitally signed the read information as well as the identity of the location of reader 35 to computer 50.
  • Computer 50 will store the aforementioned information together with its time of arrival.
  • Mail bag 25 will be opened in destination post office 37, and mail piece 11 (Fig. 1) will be removed from mail bag 25 and given to a local postal carrier for delivery to the recipient identified in recipient address field 13.
  • RFID reader 36 at the exit of destination post office 37 will read the information stored in tag 15 and communicate the read information stored in tags 15 to RFID data processing block 200 for protection of the information.
  • Block 200 will transmit the above information as well as the location of reader 35 to computer 50.
  • Computer 50 will store the aforementioned information together with its time of arrival.
  • the local letter carrier may have a RFID reader that reports the delivery of mail piece 11 to the recipient and/or have the recipient sign a receipt that indicates the acceptance of mail piece 11.
  • Radio frequency identification (RFID) readers 26, 27, 35, 36 and 60 may be the model SL EV900 reader manufactured by Philips Semiconductors of 1109 McKay Drive, San Jose, California, USA 95131.
  • Local post office 30 is coupled to computer 50, and local post office 40 is coupled to computer 50.
  • Computer 50 and local post offices 30 and 40 will operate in the same manner described for local post office 20.
  • Fig. 3 is a drawing showing the record 100 computer 50 (Fig. 2) has stored for mail piece 11 (Fig. 1) as mail piece 11 exited a typical destination post office, for example, Ft. Lauderdale, FL.
  • the recipient's name is stored in block 101, and the recipient's address is stored in block 102.
  • the sender's name is stored in block 103, and the sender's address is stored in block 104.
  • Block 105 stores the RFID tag number as well as the declared and insured value of mail piece 11 and block 106 stores information regarding the location of RFID reader 26 and the date and time reader 26 read tag 15 that was affixed to mail piece 11.
  • Block 107 stores information regarding the location of RFID reader 27 and the date and time reader 27 read tag 15 that was affixed to mail piece 11.
  • Block 108 stores information regarding the date and time the reader 60 located on a vehicle, i.e. truck at Stamford, CT, read tag 15 that was affixed to mail piece 11.
  • Block 109 stores information regarding the date and time the reader 60, located at JFK Airport, Queens, NY, read tag 15.
  • Block 110 stores information regarding the date and time the reader 60, located on United Airlines Plane No. 123 at JFK Airport, Queens, NY, read tag 15.
  • Block 111 stores information regarding the date and time the reader 60, located on United Airlines Plane No. 123 at Ft. Lauderdale Airport, FL, read tag 15.
  • Block 112 stores information regarding the date and time the reader 60 located on a vehicle, i.e., truck at Ft. Lauderdale, FL, read tag 15 that was affixed to mail piece 11.
  • the location of RFID reader 35 and the date and time reader 35 read tag 15 are stored in block 113.
  • the location of RFID reader 36 and the date and time reader 36 read tag 15 is stored in block 114.
  • the record 100 is continuously protected in computer 50 from accidental or deliberate modification by using information security techniques such as hashing, encryption and digital signatures.
  • Fig. 4 is a drawing of RFID data processing block 200 of Fig. 2 in greater detail.
  • RFID block 200 is provided with I/O device 201, non-volatile memory 202, cryptographic computation and secure storage for keys 203 and processor 204.
  • I/O device 201 After the information stored in RFID tags 15 is scanned by readers 26, 27, 35, 36 and 60 (Fig. 2), the information enters block 200 via I/O 201. Then the information is stored in non-volatile memory 202. At this point the tag 15 information cannot be changed or altered deliberately or by accident. In the foregoing manner, the information stored in tags 15 concerning all mail in mail bag 25 is entered into non-volatile memory 202.
  • non-volatile memory 202 supplies RFID tags 15 information to processor 204.
  • Processor 204 also receives a (private) cryptographic key from cryptographic computation and secure storage for keys 203. Then processor 204 performs digital signature computations on the information that was stored in tags 15 before outputting the information through I/O 201. In this manner, all of the information is protected against alteration, and post office central computer 50 receives unaltered information from scanners 26, 27, 35, 36 and 60.
  • the method described in the present specification automatically monitors the progress of all registered mail through the postal delivery system, In doing so, a central computer can identify lost or stolen mail in a timely manner and alert postal personnel by sending automatic notices through any appropriate communication system, e.g., e-mail, telephone, facsimile, pagers, etc.
  • the automatic notices may contain the identity and value of the lost or stolen mail together with the location of where the mail was last seen, the time it was last seen and when it was expected to arrive, if it had arrived. The manual investigation of the mail that did not arrive may then commence.
EP03020690A 2003-09-11 2003-09-11 Verfahren zum Verarbeiten und Zustellen von Einschreibsendungen Withdrawn EP1515279A1 (de)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP03020690A EP1515279A1 (de) 2003-09-11 2003-09-11 Verfahren zum Verarbeiten und Zustellen von Einschreibsendungen

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP03020690A EP1515279A1 (de) 2003-09-11 2003-09-11 Verfahren zum Verarbeiten und Zustellen von Einschreibsendungen

Publications (1)

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EP1515279A1 true EP1515279A1 (de) 2005-03-16

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Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102005062578A1 (de) * 2005-12-27 2007-06-28 Siemens Ag Verfahren zum gesicherten Versenden von Postsachen
WO2007088416A1 (en) * 2006-02-03 2007-08-09 Al Jenaibi Abdulla Hamad Saeed Automatic registered mail service for the “automatic po box system”
EP2025417A1 (de) 2007-08-17 2009-02-18 Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc. Verfahren und System zum Verfolgen von Postsendungen
EP2039437A1 (de) 2007-09-20 2009-03-25 Solystic Verfahren zur Sortierung von Postsendungen mit RFID-Umschlag
US8608068B2 (en) 2007-12-05 2013-12-17 Siemens Industry, Inc. Mail processing tracking system and method

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5971587A (en) * 1997-08-01 1999-10-26 Kato; Kiroku Package and mail delivery system
US6260029B1 (en) * 1999-08-11 2001-07-10 Pitney Bowes Inc. Postage meter that provides on a mailpiece evidence of postage paid together with cryptographically secured, third party certified, non-shipping information about the sender of the mailpiece
US20010032190A1 (en) * 2000-03-10 2001-10-18 Rainer Ediger Identification mark for storing information, device for writing information on the mark, mark processing system, and associated methods
US20010040513A1 (en) * 1999-05-24 2001-11-15 Mcdonald Glenn Method and apparatus for tracking and locating a moveable article
US20020029153A1 (en) * 1999-06-24 2002-03-07 Pitney Bowes Inc. Method and apparatus for tracking a special service delivery of a mail item created by an office worker

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5971587A (en) * 1997-08-01 1999-10-26 Kato; Kiroku Package and mail delivery system
US20010040513A1 (en) * 1999-05-24 2001-11-15 Mcdonald Glenn Method and apparatus for tracking and locating a moveable article
US20020029153A1 (en) * 1999-06-24 2002-03-07 Pitney Bowes Inc. Method and apparatus for tracking a special service delivery of a mail item created by an office worker
US6260029B1 (en) * 1999-08-11 2001-07-10 Pitney Bowes Inc. Postage meter that provides on a mailpiece evidence of postage paid together with cryptographically secured, third party certified, non-shipping information about the sender of the mailpiece
US20010032190A1 (en) * 2000-03-10 2001-10-18 Rainer Ediger Identification mark for storing information, device for writing information on the mark, mark processing system, and associated methods

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102005062578A1 (de) * 2005-12-27 2007-06-28 Siemens Ag Verfahren zum gesicherten Versenden von Postsachen
WO2007088416A1 (en) * 2006-02-03 2007-08-09 Al Jenaibi Abdulla Hamad Saeed Automatic registered mail service for the “automatic po box system”
EP2025417A1 (de) 2007-08-17 2009-02-18 Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc. Verfahren und System zum Verfolgen von Postsendungen
US8024063B2 (en) 2007-08-17 2011-09-20 Siemens Industry, Inc. Process and system for tracking of mail
EP2039437A1 (de) 2007-09-20 2009-03-25 Solystic Verfahren zur Sortierung von Postsendungen mit RFID-Umschlag
FR2921280A1 (fr) * 2007-09-20 2009-03-27 Solystic Sas Procede de tri d'envois postaux a enveloppe rfid
US8608068B2 (en) 2007-12-05 2013-12-17 Siemens Industry, Inc. Mail processing tracking system and method

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