EP1677258A2 - Appareil pour la création de l'affranchissement pour l'envoi postale - Google Patents

Appareil pour la création de l'affranchissement pour l'envoi postale Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1677258A2
EP1677258A2 EP05026786A EP05026786A EP1677258A2 EP 1677258 A2 EP1677258 A2 EP 1677258A2 EP 05026786 A EP05026786 A EP 05026786A EP 05026786 A EP05026786 A EP 05026786A EP 1677258 A2 EP1677258 A2 EP 1677258A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
tariff
weighing pan
forwarding
machine
balance
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Withdrawn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
EP05026786A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1677258A3 (fr
Inventor
Rolf Schneeberger
Martin Buser
Marcel Schibli
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.)
Die Schweizerische Post
Original Assignee
Die Schweizerische Post
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 Die Schweizerische Post filed Critical Die Schweizerische Post
Publication of EP1677258A2 publication Critical patent/EP1677258A2/fr
Publication of EP1677258A3 publication Critical patent/EP1677258A3/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00185—Details internally of apparatus in a franking system, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office
    • G07B17/00362—Calculation or computing within apparatus, e.g. calculation of postage value
    • 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
    • G07B17/00661—Sensing or measuring mailpieces
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G07—CHECKING-DEVICES
    • G07B—TICKET-ISSUING APPARATUS; FARE-REGISTERING APPARATUS; FRANKING APPARATUS
    • G07B17/00—Franking apparatus
    • G07B17/00185—Details internally of apparatus in a franking system, e.g. franking machine at customer or apparatus at post office
    • G07B17/00362—Calculation or computing within apparatus, e.g. calculation of postage value
    • G07B2017/0037—Calculation of postage value
    • 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
    • G07B17/00661—Sensing or measuring mailpieces
    • G07B2017/00685—Measuring the dimensions of mailpieces
    • 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
    • G07B17/00661—Sensing or measuring mailpieces
    • G07B2017/00701—Measuring the weight of mailpieces

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a device for generating a tariff etiquette for mail as well as a system for franking and shipping mailpieces according to the preamble of the independent claims.
  • Object of the present invention is to provide a device or system of the type mentioned, which simplifies these operations.
  • the device is thus equipped with a balance for determining the weight of the mail item and a measuring device for measuring at least one dimension of the item of mail. It also has a processing device for determining the appropriate tariff label, depending on the weight and dimension and, if necessary, further details, such as e.g. Destination and forwarding type. Finally, the device has a label output for outputting the tariff label according to the tariff so determined, e.g. with machine-readable coding.
  • the device may for example comprise a height measuring device, which is arranged on a vertical wall on or at the weighing plate of the balance.
  • the height measuring device is designed such that it allows a piece of mail lying on the weighing pan to be divided into one of at least two different height ranges. In this way, it is possible in a simple way, not only the weight, but on the postal relevant Determine the height of the mail item on the weighing pan.
  • the balance is preferably equipped with at least one tilt sensor.
  • the tilt sensor is disposed on at least one edge region of the weighing pan and is capable of detecting tilting of the weighing pan due to misloading, e.g. when a heavy, small package is placed in the center of the weighing pan.
  • the device can be inserted into a system for franking and forwarding mailpieces, this system also having at least one cash register for collecting a fee for the tariff label and at least one forwarding system for partially or fully automatic forwarding of the mailpieces.
  • the processing device of said apparatus is capable of printing tariff labels having a first machine-readable code for the cash register and a second, separate machine-readable code for the forwarding equipment.
  • the cash register then reads out the first machine-readable code and determines therefrom the fee to be paid.
  • the second machine-readable code is used by the forwarding system to determine the desired type of forwarding and / or to check the tariff label. Since two separate such codes are provided, the cash register and the forwarding system need not be technically matched to one another, which simplifies the insertion of the invention into existing systems.
  • the first machine-readable code is an EAN code, in particular an EAN-13 bar code.
  • EAN code in particular an EAN-13 bar code.
  • An EAN code is an EAN standard code managed by EAN International, Brussels.
  • FIG. It consists of a balance 1 and a control part 2.
  • the balance 1 is used to determine the weight of a mailpiece. It has a horizontal weighing plate 3, on which the mail piece can be placed. At the edge of the weighing pan 3, three vertical walls 4a, 4b, 4c are arranged perpendicular to the weighing pan 3. A first wall 4a extends along the rear half of a first side edge of the weighing pan 3, a second wall 4b is perpendicular to the first wall 4a and runs along the rear edge of the weighing pan 3. A third wall 4c is perpendicular to the second wall 4b and extends along the rear half of the wide side edge of the weighing pan 3. Preferably, the walls 4a, 4b, 4c attached to the weighing pan, so that even then accurate weight measurements are possible when the mailpiece is in contact with the walls.
  • a height measuring device 5 is provided, which allows, on the weighing plate 3 to arrange lying mailing in one of several height ranges.
  • this height measuring device 5 is formed by a height scale comprising one or more scale entries, e.g. in the form of horizontal, differently colored strips 5a, 5b. Each strip extends over a height range. The strip into which the top edge of the mail item falls defines the height range of the item of mail.
  • a width and depth measuring device 6 is additionally arranged, which makes it possible to classify the mail item lying on the weighing pan in contact with the walls 4b, 4c in one of at least two size ranges.
  • the width and depth measuring device 6 is formed by three differently colored areas 6a, 6b, 6c.
  • the size range can be determined from the area (s) into which the mail item falls.
  • a weight sensor 8 is arranged below the weighing pan 3.
  • the weight sensor 8 supports the center of the weighing pan 3. Since the weight sensor 8 is substantially smaller than the weighing pan 3, it can happen that a relatively small but heavy mail item leads to an impermissible tilting moment when it is deposited in an edge region of the weighing pan 3. Therefore, one or more tilt sensors 9 are provided in the edge regions, which are able to detect such a faulty loading, so that the user can be prompted by the device, if necessary, to place the mailpiece for weight measurement centrally on the weighing pan 3.
  • each tilt sensor 9 is arranged below an edge region of the weighing pan 3 and configured such that it responds to the tilt sensor 9 when the weighing pan 3 approaches.
  • microswitches may be provided for this purpose.
  • each tilt sensor 9 also consist of a simple electrical contact 10, which contacted at an excessive tilting, ie at a faulty loading, the weighing plate 3, so that a current flows, which can then be detected.
  • the tilt sensors 9 generally respond only to very heavy, small packages at all. As far as the tilt sensors 9 do not respond, the scale 1 is able to determine the weight of a mailpiece, even if it is simultaneously in contact with the walls 4b, 4c, so that at the same time a weighing and thickness measurement is possible.
  • a processing device to be described below is arranged.
  • the object of this processing device is, depending on the weight and the size of the mailpiece, as well as in function of other parameters, such as. the type of shipment and the region of delivery to determine a suitable tariff.
  • an electronic interface is provided between the scale 1 and the processing device, which allows the processing device to automatically interrogate the weight of the mail item from the balance 1.
  • the processing device has input means, eg in the form of a touch-sensitive screen 11, which allow the user to manually enter the height range or size range of the mail item which he has determined with the height measuring device 5 and the width and depth measuring device 6.
  • the processing device makes available to him a selection of several size ranges. Among the smallest size range are mail items that fall in the smallest height range and the smallest width and depth range. Under the next larger size range are mail items falling in all dimensions at most in the middle range, etc.
  • the processing device Once the processing device has determined the tariff of the item of mail, it actuates a label output, e.g. in the form of a printer with dispensing slot 12 and outputs a tariff etiquette to be glued to the mail piece.
  • a label output e.g. in the form of a printer with dispensing slot 12 and outputs a tariff etiquette to be glued to the mail piece.
  • the device is preferably used in the context of a plant, as shown in Fig. 3.
  • This system includes, in addition to one or more devices 20 of the type mentioned, one or more funds 21 for collecting a fee depending on the tariff etiquette and at least one forwarding system 22 for semi-automatic or automatic forwarding of the mail.
  • the cash boxes 21 are equipped with bar code readers 25 with which the tariff labels 26 can be read. From the information thus read is determined by the cash register 21 in a fee to be paid.
  • the cash registers 21 are also capable of reading EAN codes, in particular EAN-13 bar codes, on the remaining items distributed by the retailer.
  • the mailpieces 27 are received and handed over to a postal service, which operates the forwarding system 22, wherein the term postal service is intended to include both traditional postal services, but also courier services.
  • the forwarding installation 22 can be, for example, a system for the automatic sorting of mailpieces. Also, the forwarding system 22 is able, the tariff labels 26 automatically For example, to determine the type of forwarding or to check the correctness of the tariff labels.
  • the tariff label 26 preferably has the form shown in FIG. 4.
  • the tariff etiquette 26 according to FIG. 4 has a self-adhesive carrier 30 onto which three different, at least partially redundant markings 31, 32 and 33 are printed by the device 20.
  • a first mark 31 describes the information on the tariff label in human-readable form.
  • the type of shipment eg "economy", “signature” or “priority”, or “A-post” or the like
  • the weight e.g "post-pac” or “letter”
  • the price e.g "post-pac” or "letter”
  • a second marker 32 contains substantially the same data but encodes as the first machine-readable code, preferably as an EAN-13 bar code.
  • the third marker 33 also contains substantially the same data in the form of a second machine-readable code, for example as a bar code or dot code.
  • the first machine-readable code as shown in Fig. 4, is preferably arranged separately (i.e., at a certain distance) from the second machine-readable code.
  • the coding used in the first and second machine-readable code is preferably different.
  • the first machine-readable code in the marker 32 is designed so that it can be read by the cash register 21 as easily as possible.
  • the same coding can be used, which is used in the retail trade in weight-variable units, such as fruits, today.
  • This coding contains a price from which the cash register 21 can determine the price.
  • the second machine-readable code in the marker 33 is that of the forwarding system 22 adapted standards so that it can be read by him without further adjustments.
  • the user In order to send a mail item by means of the system according to FIG. 3, the user goes to the retailer 24 and places the mail item 27 on the weighing plate of the device 20 provided there, in such a way that it touches the walls 4b and 4c.
  • the balance 1 then automatically determines the weight of the mail piece.
  • it asks the user for the size, which he, as described above, can determine with the height measuring device 5 and the width and depth measuring device 6 itself.
  • the device 20 asks for the desired type of forwarding as well as the geographical target area. From this data, the device 20 determines the appropriate tariff and outputs a corresponding tariff label 26. The user sticks the tariff label 26 on the mail piece 27 and brings it to one of the cash registers 21.
  • the tariff label 26 is read with the bar code reader 25 and the cash register 21 determines the amount to be paid. At the same time, the user can also pay for other items purchased from the retailer.
  • the mail piece is received by the cashier and temporarily stored at the retailer 24.
  • the postal service picks up the mailpieces 27 from the retailer 24 on a regular basis or as required, and brings them to the forwarding installation 22 for further processing, where they are sorted and supplied to corresponding further shipping steps.
  • the device 20 easily adapts to existing infrastructures. It is robust and easy to use, and makes it easy to make freight forwarding services available to the public.
  • the device 20 shown is just one of several possible concrete embodiments of the invention.
  • the size of the mail piece can also be semi-automatic or fully automatic be determined.
  • the height measuring device can also be formed by a light barrier, which extends at a predetermined height, for example between the walls 4a and 4c.
  • Other optical measuring means for example a camera with image processing, can also be used to determine the height of the mail item.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mathematical Physics (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Devices For Checking Fares Or Tickets At Control Points (AREA)
EP05026786A 2004-12-15 2005-12-08 Appareil pour la création de l'affranchissement pour l'envoi postale Withdrawn EP1677258A3 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CH20762004 2004-12-15

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1677258A2 true EP1677258A2 (fr) 2006-07-05
EP1677258A3 EP1677258A3 (fr) 2007-12-19

Family

ID=36097190

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP05026786A Withdrawn EP1677258A3 (fr) 2004-12-15 2005-12-08 Appareil pour la création de l'affranchissement pour l'envoi postale

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US (1) US20060155657A1 (fr)
EP (1) EP1677258A3 (fr)

Families Citing this family (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2217982A4 (fr) * 2007-11-26 2011-05-04 Proiam Llc Appareil, système et procédé d'enregistrement
JP2011153875A (ja) * 2010-01-26 2011-08-11 Nitto Denko Corp 外形判定装置
US10032239B2 (en) * 2010-06-10 2018-07-24 United Parcel Service Of America, Inc. Enhanced payments for shipping
US20120123970A1 (en) * 2010-11-17 2012-05-17 Pitney Bowes Inc. Dimensional rating of a mail piece using a touch screen on a mail kiosk
US9528813B2 (en) 2013-06-21 2016-12-27 Quantronix, Inc. Object dimensioning apparatus, systems and related methods
JP6649084B2 (ja) * 2015-12-28 2020-02-19 東芝テック株式会社 宅配システム
CN109215247B (zh) * 2018-08-16 2020-12-08 刘璐 一种自动收快递设备

Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH07128019A (ja) * 1993-10-29 1995-05-19 Hitachi Ltd 外形寸法重量計測器及び郵便料金計数機
WO1997013223A1 (fr) * 1995-09-29 1997-04-10 Siemens Nixdorf Procede et dispositif de traitement du courrier
DE19758191A1 (de) * 1996-12-31 1998-07-02 Pitney Bowes Inc Vorrichtung zum Bestimmen von abmessungsspezifischem Gewicht
US20020178130A1 (en) * 2001-02-23 2002-11-28 Christian Moy Letter flow control
EP1306813A2 (fr) * 2001-10-29 2003-05-02 Samkyung C&C Co.,LTD. Procédé et dispositif permettant la détermination automatisée des frais d'expédition
WO2003102501A1 (fr) * 2002-06-04 2003-12-11 Global Sensor Systems Inc. Système et procédé d'affranchissement
EP1406219A1 (fr) * 2002-10-01 2004-04-07 Wincor Nixdorf International GmbH Système pour la mésure de courriers
US20040173386A1 (en) * 2003-01-31 2004-09-09 Olivier Galtier Weighing module for weighing on the fly

Patent Citations (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH07128019A (ja) * 1993-10-29 1995-05-19 Hitachi Ltd 外形寸法重量計測器及び郵便料金計数機
WO1997013223A1 (fr) * 1995-09-29 1997-04-10 Siemens Nixdorf Procede et dispositif de traitement du courrier
DE19758191A1 (de) * 1996-12-31 1998-07-02 Pitney Bowes Inc Vorrichtung zum Bestimmen von abmessungsspezifischem Gewicht
US20020178130A1 (en) * 2001-02-23 2002-11-28 Christian Moy Letter flow control
EP1306813A2 (fr) * 2001-10-29 2003-05-02 Samkyung C&C Co.,LTD. Procédé et dispositif permettant la détermination automatisée des frais d'expédition
WO2003102501A1 (fr) * 2002-06-04 2003-12-11 Global Sensor Systems Inc. Système et procédé d'affranchissement
EP1406219A1 (fr) * 2002-10-01 2004-04-07 Wincor Nixdorf International GmbH Système pour la mésure de courriers
US20040173386A1 (en) * 2003-01-31 2004-09-09 Olivier Galtier Weighing module for weighing on the fly

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Publication number Publication date
EP1677258A3 (fr) 2007-12-19
US20060155657A1 (en) 2006-07-13

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