EP3165292A1 - Shipment tracking for shipments which cannot be processed by sorting assemblies - Google Patents

Abstract

It is disclosed, inter alia. a method comprising: collecting data of a shipment (8) or obtaining acquired data of a shipment (8), the shipment (8) being provided with at least one information (80, 81) identifying the shipment (8) as a consignment to be tracked and classified as non-processible by a sorting facility (21), and wherein the sorting facility (21) is set up, respective data from consignments (8) processed by it and, if the processed consignments (8) respectively at least one piece of information (80, 81) which respectively identifies the processed items (8) as items to be tracked, automatically acquires at least one of these pieces of information (80, 81), and generates a delivery tracking event relating to the item (8 ) in a shipment tracking database (31) based at least on the acquired data or outputting the acquired data to generate such a shipment tracking event. Also disclosed are apparatus (222, 32) for carrying out and / or controlling this method, a system (1) having one or more devices for carrying out and / or controlling this method, and a computer program for implementing and / or controlling this method by means of one Processor (300).

Description

area

Exemplary embodiments of the invention relate to the shipment tracking for shipments, for example, large-format letters, which are not always fully automated in sorting systems and therefore can not be consistently detected by data technology.

background

In the meantime, for parcels being delivered by parcel services to their respective recipients, it is now common for parcel services to offer a parcel tracking service whereby the consignor and / or the consignee of a consignment can track the current delivery status of his consignment. The tracking service can use as an interface to the user (sender or recipient), for example, an Internet portal on which the user enters an identifier of the shipment and then informed about the current status of delivery of the shipment and possibly gets an expected delivery date. Alternatively, a notification service may be used as an interface to the user, for example by informing the user via e-mail, SMS or similar message formats about the current status of the delivery of the shipment and / or about changes in this status. The tracking service is based on the acquisition of the data of the shipment (for example, by scanning data applied on the shipment), in particular the identifier of the shipment, at one or more stations in the delivery chain. The detected identifier may then be stored, for example, together with a timestamp of the capture and the location of the capture in a shipment tracking database. For example, there exists for each item to be tracked an identifiable record, for example, via the identifier, which is enriched with the respective location and time information with each acquisition. The information about a transmission provided to a user via the interfaces already described is then based on the data record corresponding to this transmission in the transmission tracking database.

For letters, such a tracking service does not currently exist. This is not least due to the fact that data of letters, unlike parcels, are not recorded at all or at fewer stations in the delivery chain. In particular, as a rule, there is no recording of the data of a letter at the time of delivery to the recipient.

Summary of some exemplary embodiments of the invention

It would be desirable to be able to provide a mail tracking service also for letters, at least for large-format letters (so-called large letters) in which, for example, books are sent. It would also be desirable to be able to provide a tracking service which, without the need to collect the data of the shipment (in particular, a letter or large letter) at the time of delivery of the shipment, also considers the delivery of the shipment (for example at the recipient, or in a mailbox of the recipient). It would be desirable that no significant modifications to the sorting systems used to process the mailpieces (in particular letters and large letters) are required.

• Erfassen von Daten einer Sendung oder Erhalten von erfassten Daten einer Sendung, wobei die Sendung mit zumindest einer Information versehen ist, die die Sendung als zu verfolgende Sendung kennzeichnet, und als von einer Sortieranlage nicht verarbeitbar klassifiziert wurde, und wobei die Sortieranlage eingerichtet ist, jeweilige Daten von von ihr verarbeiteten Sendungen und, falls die verarbeiteten Sendungen jeweils mit zumindest einer Information versehen sind, die die verarbeiteten Sendungen jeweils als zu verfolgende Sendungen kennzeichnet, jeweils zumindest eine dieser zumindest einen Information automatisch zu erfassen; und
• Erzeugen eines Sendungsverfolgungsereignisses betreffend die Sendung in einer Sendungsverfolgungsdatenbank zumindest basierend auf den erfassten Daten oder Ausgeben der erfassten Daten zum Erzeugen eines derartigen Sendungsverfolgungsereignisses.

According to a first exemplary aspect of the invention, a method is disclosed which comprises:

• Acquiring data of a shipment or receiving collected data of a shipment, the shipment being provided with at least information identifying the shipment as a shipment to be tracked and classified as being unprocessable by a sorter, and wherein the sorter is arranged, respective ones Data from programs processed by it and, if the processed items are each provided with at least one item of information which respectively identifies the processed items as items to be tracked, in each case automatically detecting at least one of these items of information; and
• Generating a shipment tracking event relating to the shipment in a shipment tracking database based at least on the acquired data or outputting the acquired data to generate such a shipment tracking event.

In one embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the method includes obtaining the captured data of the shipment and generating the shipment tracking event relating to the shipment. In another embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the method comprises acquiring the data of the transmission and outputting the transmission collected data (in particular to another device, eg to a shipment tracking unit) for generating the shipment tracking event.

According to a second exemplary aspect of the invention, there is disclosed an apparatus arranged to carry out and / or control the method of the first aspect of the invention or comprising respective means for performing and / or controlling the steps of the method according to the first aspect of the invention. In this case, either all steps of the method can be controlled, or all steps of the method can be executed, or one or more steps can be controlled and one or more steps can be executed. One or more of the means may also be executed and / or controlled by the same unit. For example, one or more of the means may be formed by one or more processors.

According to a third exemplary aspect of the invention, there is disclosed a device comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including program code, wherein the memory and the program code are arranged with the at least one processor including a device (eg, the device having the processor and the memory) to at least execute and / or control the method according to the first aspect of the invention. In this case, either all steps of the method can be controlled, or all steps of the method can be executed, or one or more steps can be controlled and one or more steps can be executed.

According to a fourth exemplary aspect of the invention, a system is disclosed which comprises one or more devices arranged to carry out and / or control the method according to the first aspect of the invention or means for carrying out and / or controlling the steps of the method according to the first aspect of the invention. In this case, either all steps of the method can be controlled, or all steps of the method can be executed, or one or more steps can be controlled and one or more steps can be executed.

According to a fifth exemplary aspect of the invention, there is disclosed a computer program comprising program instructions that cause a processor to execute and / or control the method according to the first aspect of the invention when the computer program is run on the processor. Among a processor in this specification, among other control units, microprocessors, micro-control units such as microcontrollers, digital signal processors (DSP), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) or Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). In this case, either all steps of the method can be controlled, or all steps of the method can be executed, or one or more steps can be controlled and one or more steps can be executed. The computer program can be distributed, for example, via a network such as the Internet, a telephone or mobile network and / or a local network. The computer program may be at least partially software and / or firmware of a processor. It may equally be at least partially implemented as hardware. The computer program can be stored, for example, on a computer-readable storage medium, for example a magnetic, electrical, electro-magnetic, optical and / or other type of storage medium. The storage medium may for example be part of the processor, for example a (non-volatile or volatile) program memory of the processor or a part thereof. The storage medium is, for example, representational, that is, tangible, and / or non-transitory.

These five aspects of the present invention include i.a. the below described - partly exemplary - properties.

Data of a shipment is detected or acquired data of a shipment is obtained. For example, the shipment may be a postcard, a letter, a large letter (used, for example, to send books), a maxi letter (used, for example, to send books or goods), a parcel or a parcel, albeit are also different types of shipments conceivable. A large letter has, for example, the following dimensions: a length of 10 - 35.3 cm, a width of 7 - 25 cm, a height of up to 2 cm and a weight of up to 500g. For example, a Maxibrief has the following dimensions: a length of 10 - 35.3 cm, a width of 7 - 25 cm, a height of up to 5 cm and a weight of up to 1000g. In particular, a consignment may be a letter by which books or goods are sent.

The data of the shipment is contained, for example, in a code printed on the shipment (for example on a label) or contained in a read-only memory (eg contained therein or mounted on it), to name only a few possibilities. For example, the data may follow a predefined format. In the case of a code printed on the shipment, it may be, for example, a one-dimensional or two-dimensional barcode. Examples of a two-dimensional barcode are a QR code or a matrix code, for example a DataMatrix code. For example, a DataMatrix code is currently being used by Deutsche Post AG for data processing clearance (DV-franking) used. Private customers of Deutsche Post AG can use the DataMatrix code as part of the so-called "Internet brand".

The acquisition of the data includes, for example, the machine-readout of the data, for example from code (e.g., by optical detection) or memory (e.g., by radio-based detection, for example, by technologies such as Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) or Near Field Communication (NFC)). The acquisition of the data takes place with means for acquiring the data, which are for example part of the devices according to the invention or of the system according to the invention. For example, if the method according to the first aspect of the invention comprises obtaining acquired data of a shipment, the acquired data has been detected as described above.

The data of the shipment may in particular comprise a (in particular unique) identifier of the shipment by means of which the shipment (for example in a shipment tracking database) can be distinguished from other shipments. The identifier may be, for example, a numeric or alphanumeric string. The data of the shipment may additionally or alternatively include, for example: a customer number of the sender, a product key (for example, identifies the type of shipment, eg "large letter"), possibly combined with an additional service / variant (eg, an indication that a Proof of delivery must be provided), a posting date, customer-specific information (eg, assigned by the customer for the particular shipment, especially unique identifier), etc .. The identifier for the shipment tracking can be included, for example, in the customer-specific information. The sender (customer) can then always use this identifier to refer to his own systems and / or process IDs.

The shipment whose data is collected has been classified as non-processable by a sorting facility. This classification can be done automatically, for example, by discharge from the sorting system, or manually, for example in the context of pre-sorting. The classifying can for example be part of the method according to the first aspect of the invention.

For example, shipments may be classified as non-processable by the sorter if they have protruding edges and / or an irregular surface contour and / or a thickness above a predefined threshold. This can be in the automatic transport of such shipments in the sorting system for blocking or Damage to the sorting system or damage to such shipments or other items that are sorted together with such items in the sorting lead.

The result of the classification need not be explicitly associated with or noted on the program. For example, the classification leads only to the subsequent different handling of the consignment, for example automatically by the sorting system as shipments classified by the sorting system and manually by personnel at consignments not classified as being able to be processed by the sorting system.

In particular, the consignment classified as non-processible by the sorting system is not processed (or at least not completely processed by the sorting system, for example in the course of processing) by the sorting system (because of its classification). By way of example, the consignment of the sorting system classified as non-processible by the sorting system is not fed to the sorting system for processing but, for example, processed separately (in particular manually) (for example sorted).

The sorting system is set up, respective data of shipments processed by it and, if the processed shipments are each provided with at least one information that identifies the processed shipments as programs to be tracked, at least one of these at least one information automatically to capture. The recorded data of a processed consignment comprises, for example, at least partially the same data as in a consignment classified as non-processable, in particular at least one identifier of the processed consignment that can be used for consignment tracking.

The processing by the sorting system includes, in addition to the collection of the data of shipments, for example, the sorting of the items, for example, based on the delivery address of the shipment and / or the type of shipment.

The sorting system is located, for example, in a sorting center, for example a letter center, and serves for the automatic sorting of mailings, for example letters, large letters and maximum letters. A sorting center can be understood, for example, as a logistical device for the at least regionally bundled processing of shipments. The concept of letter centers as an example of sorting centers divides Germany into 10 upper regions and labels them with numbers from 0 to 9. Each upper region is subdivided into 10 regions, which in turn are designated from 0 to 9. This gives 99 possible Regions, each with a two-digit guide number. The guide number forms the first two digits of the five-digit postal code. Each region has a center that provides two basic services: i) Letter Center Exit (BZA): All letters posted in the region are collected in the mail center, sorted by type of letter and guide number, and transported to the other mail centers provided; ii) Letter center entry (BZE): All letters addressed to the own routing number are sorted for delivery to the recipients and forwarded to the delivery districts.

The automatic detection of the respective data of a processed consignment and, if present, at least one piece of information that the processed consignment is a consignment to be tracked is therefore part of the sorting process in the sorting system, for example. In the detection, for example, an identifier contained in the data of the processed item, and at least one of the at least one item of information provided to the processed item and identifying the item being processed as a item to be tracked, can be detected. The at least one of the at least one pieces of information which identifies the processed mail item as a mail item to be tracked may, for example, be contained together with the data of the processed mail item in a code (eg a 2D barcode) which is stored on an information carrier (eg a label or the Packing / shell of the consignment) is applied, wherein the information carrier is either connected to the consignment or at least partially formed by the shipment itself.

For example, the sorting center automatically detects (for example, scans) the consignments delivered in the sorting center, the so-called BZE scan. For example, the BZE scan can capture information from the Datamatrix code. For example, it is checked based on information from the data matrix code, in particular the postage / franking value and possibly the product key, and additional (especially measured) information about the size and weight of the shipment, if the shipment was correctly franked. Information from the data matrix code can also be used to generate statistics on the characteristics of the processed consignments.

As already explained, the data of the processed mail item, in particular an identifier of the mailpiece, and at least one of the at least one information that the mailpiece is a mail item to be tracked can also be accommodated in the data matrix code. Thus, in the case of shipments processed by the sorting system in the context of the BZE scan, this information can be automatically recorded together with the information required for checking the correct franking and / or for generating statistics, and for a Consignment tracking are used. For example, the location and / or an identifier of the sorting center and / or a time of the BZE scan may be used to form or enrich an item in the item tracking database that relates to the processed item.

While data / information for the shipment tracking can thus be collected for consignments processed by the sorting system as part of the processing by the sorting system, this is not possible for consignments which were classified as non-processible by the sorting system. Thus, the fact that there are a significant number of shipments that can not be processed by the sorting system hinders the provision of a tracking service for the shipments.

According to the invention u.a. proposed that the data of those items classified as unprocessable by the sorting system and provided with at least one piece of information identifying them as items to be tracked (items provided with such information are also referred to as items to be tracked below), be recorded. This is a total of a collection of the data of all to be tracked items, - that is, regardless of whether the items are processed by the sorting or not - and thus the provision of based on this collected data tracking service possible. However, for a further shipment that has been classified as non-processible by the sorting system, but that is not provided with at least one piece of information that identifies the further shipment as a shipment to be tracked, for example, there is no acquisition of the data of the further shipment and no generation of a shipment tracking event ,

The collection of data from those items to be tracked which are classified as non-processible by the sorting system may be manual or automatic. However, while those consignments which are processed by the sorting system can record the data for all consignments, regardless of whether they are consignments to be tracked or not, the consignments which are classified as non-processible by the sorting system are recorded Capturing the data advantageously takes place only if these items are to be tracked items. This can, in particular, if the detection has to be triggered manually, allow a considerable effort reduction and an associated increase in efficiency / cost reduction.

The items to be tracked are provided with at least one piece of information that identifies them as items to be tracked. This information may, for example, be associated with the item (e.g., printed on the item or label of the item) in the same manner as the item's data (to be collected). For example, this information can be contained together with the data of the program in a data record which, for example, obeys a predefined format. For example, the data set may be machine detectable, such as optically (e.g., by scanning) or by radio transmission (e.g., by RFID or NFC transmission). The data record can be contained in a code, for example in a DataMatrix code or another 2D barcode (or also a 1D barcode). The information that characterizes a program as a program to be tracked can be contained in a field of the DataMatrix code, for example. This may be, for example, a field that contains information about a product key (and possibly also an additional service / variant) of the shipment.

According to the invention, a program to be tracked can be provided not only with information identifying a program as a program to be tracked but with more than one information identifying the program as a program to be tracked. For example, a first information characterizing the program as a program to be tracked can not be recognized by a person without resources (eg without a decoder) as information identifying the program as a program to be tracked, while a second information containing the program as a program to be followed, can be recognized by a person without resources as information that identifies the program as a program to be tracked. The first information may be, for example, a code such as a 1D or 2D bar code (e.g., the DataMatrix code). The code can be detectable, for example, optically or by radio. For example, the second information may be one or more predefined symbols, such as one or more letters (eg, "H"), and / or one or more words (eg, "shipment tracking") that may be printed on a tag or tag Shipment itself are printed. The person may then, for example, in the context of a manual sorting carried out by the person as non-sortable by the sorting programs on the basis of the presence of the second information decide whether a capture (eg scanning) of the data of each shipment is required (in the presence of second information) or not (in the absence of the second information).

At least based on the acquired data of the shipment to be tracked, classified as not processable by the sorting facility, a shipment tracking event will (in particular automatically) occur concerning this shipment in a shipment tracking database. Alternatively, the acquired data for generating a shipment tracking event concerning the shipment is output in a shipment tracking database at least based on the acquired data, in particular, a device different from a device that performs the capture. In particular, based on the recorded data of a consignment to be tracked, processed by the sorting installation (in particular automatically), a consignment tracking event concerning this processed consignment can be generated in the consignment tracking database. Accordingly, in an exemplary embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the method may further comprise generating a shipment tracking event relating to a shipment processed by the sorting facility whose data and at least one information identifying the processed shipment as a shipment to be tracked are automatically acquired. For example, for programs that are not to be tracked by the sorting system, no shipment tracking events are generated or at least not generated such shipment tracking events that are generated only at a predefined predetermined time after the acquisition of their respective data (or after receiving this acquired data) ,

In the following description, therefore, it is not distinguished with regard to the generation of the shipment tracking event, whether it is a consignment that can not be processed by the sorting system (or is classified as such) or a consignment processed by the sorting system.

For example, the shipment tracking database stores a plurality of shipment tracking events. For example, a shipment tracking event includes information about a collection of data from a shipment, such as the location and / or the station where the capture took place, and / or the time of capture and / or the time of generating the shipment tracking event. For example, multiple broadcast events relating to a broadcast may be grouped together in a broadcast specific dataset. For example, each shipment tracking event is associated with a particular shipment to which it contains information. The shipment tracking event further includes, for example, an identifier of the shipment and / or associated with such an identifier. This identifier, or an identifier associated with or associable with this identifier, is also included in the data of the transmission detected in the aforementioned acquisitions. Thus, if data of a shipment at a station (eg a scanning station, for example as part of the sorting system) is detected, at least based on the acquired data (including, in particular, the identifier of the shipment), a shipment tracking event relating to the shipment is generated, which indicates, for example, the location and / or the station of the capture and / or the time of acquisition.

The shipment tracking database can also be designed as a database for proof of delivery. For example, it can then contain only one consignment tracking event for each consignment, which relates to the delivery of the consignment (to the consignee, ie to his place of residence or business, or to a mailbox of the consignee).

The generating of the tracking event occurs, for example, automatically, in particular triggered by the acquisition of the data or the receipt of the acquired data. However, the shipment tracking event does not have to occur immediately after acquiring the data of the shipment or receiving the captured data of the shipment, but may also be delayed. For example, according to a predefined rule, it may be determined when, after acquiring the data of a shipment or receiving the captured data of a shipment, a shipment tracking event is to be generated in the shipment tracking database. In particular, according to embodiments of the present invention, the generated tracking event may also indicate a different location and / or a different station and / or a different time than the location, the station or the time of recording the data of the transmission.

For example, it may be determined by the predefined rule that, when data of a shipment is detected in a sorting center, a shipment tracking event is not generated until a predetermined time on the following day. In particular, this may imply that, if data from a consignment has been collected in a sorting center, it can almost certainly be assumed that the consignment will arrive at the consignee's (or a consignee's) mailbox the next day at a given time. was delivered. Data of a consignment recorded in the sorting center can thus be used to generate a consignment tracking event concerning the delivery of the consignment (at the consignee, or into a recipient's mailbox), without (at the consignee's or a recipient's mailbox) receiving a ( further) recording the data of the consignment (eg by the deliverer) would be required. The generated tracking event may then include, for example, the delivery address as the capture location and the acquisition timing at which the shipment tracking event was generated.

For example, the invention thus makes it possible inter alia to record data of a shipment to be tracked (in particular large letters and maximum letters) independently of whether or not the shipment can be processed by a sorting system and to generate a shipment tracking event relating to the shipment based on the acquired data, which, in particular, is only generated at a time determined according to a predefined rule after the acquisition of the data of the consignment. This makes it possible to provide a tracking service for shipments that are not all processable by a sorting facility without having to make major constructive changes to the sorting facility (for example, to ensure the processability of all shipments through the sorting facility) and without capturing the data shipments would be required at the time of delivery of the shipment.

According to an exemplary embodiment of all aspects of the invention, the shipment tracking event is generated only at a second time, which is after a first time at which the data of the transmission is detected or the acquired data is obtained, the second time being according to a predetermined rule, in particular at least depending on the first time is determined. Between the acquisition of the data of the consignment and the generation of the consignment tracking event, therefore, there is a period which may be, for example, several hours or days. The generation of the tracking event at a later (second) time than the (first) time of recording the data of the shipment makes it possible, for example, to save a collection of data of the shipment at a later (the second) time (in particular the delivery time). The prerequisite for this is the expectation that an event in the delivery process (for example the delivery of the consignment at the recipient or in a mailbox of the recipient), which is to be represented by the generated consignment tracking event, is likely to occur in the time interval between the first time and the second time and, if necessary, as will be explained further below, that specific deviations (eg non-delivery of a single consignment, such as erroneous address, or general delay of delivery of consignments in a delivery district, etc.) are recognized by this expectation and in these Cases in which generating the shipment tracking event can be suppressed or adapted to the deviations. The generated tracking event may then include, for example, the time at which the shipment tracking event is generated and / or the delivery address (or mailbox address if delivered to a mailbox) as the location.

The (delayed) shipment tracking event may be generated, for example, such that at the first time the second time after the predetermined rule is determined and an order to generate the delayed shipment tracking event is generated, which is assigned the second time as the execution time. If the second time is reached, without in the meantime being instructed not to execute the order or until later than the second time, the order is executed and the shipment tracking event is generated.

In addition to generating the shipment tracking event concerning the shipment at the second time, generating another shipment tracking event regarding the shipment may also occur at the first time. The further shipment tracking event may in particular designate the location and / or the station and / or the time of acquisition of the data or of the acquisition of the acquired data. For the program, at least one program tracking event (which represents the actual acquisition of the data) exists in the program tracking database from the first time, and after the second time another program tracking event (which is a high probability event, in particular the delivery of the program, represents).

In exemplary embodiments of the invention, the shipment tracking event may be a delivery event identifying the delivery of the shipment (eg, at the recipient, or into a mailbox of the recipient), and the second time will then be between taking into account a predetermined or estimated common time period the data of the shipment or the receipt of the recorded data of the shipment and their delivery determined. For example, the delivery event may merely contain the information that the shipment has been delivered (for example, at the recipient or in a mailbox of the recipient). Additionally or alternatively, the delivery event may include the second time it was generated and / or an address of the recipient. The usual time duration can be determined, for example, by averaging the respective durations measured in a plurality of real delivery processes from the acquisition of the data of a shipment to the actual delivery, whereby, for example, a predefined safety margin, for example one or several hours, is added to compensate for variances , The usual period of time may be location-dependent, for example, that is, different at different sorting centers or different delivery areas. The usual period of time is then correspondingly, for example, by averaging measured time durations of real delivery processes, via a sorting center run (for which a usual period of time is to be determined) or which take place in a delivery area (for which a usual period of time is to be determined). The usual time period can also be determined or estimated even more differentiated over time. For example, for each delivery address of a shipment, a common time period may be measured or estimated, for example, taking into account the usual delivery routes.

In exemplary embodiments of the invention, in the case of successful delivery of the shipment, no further delivery tracking event is generated in the shipment tracking database. In particular, therefore, no detection of the data of the shipment takes place at the time of delivery of the shipment, for example by the deliverer.

• Erfassen von Daten einer weiteren Sendung oder Erhalten von erfassten Daten einer weiteren Sendung, wobei die weitere Sendung mit zumindest einer Information versehen wurde, die die weitere Sendung als zu verfolgende Sendung kennzeichnet, und die als von der Sortieranlage nicht verarbeitbar klassifiziert wurde, und
• Erhalten einer Information, aus der hervorgeht, dass eine Zustellung der weiteren Sendung an den Empfänger der Sendung fehlgeschlagen ist oder dass sich die Zustellung der weiteren Sendung an den Empfänger der weiteren Sendung verzögern wird, wobei aufgrund der erhaltenen Information entweder kein Sendungsverfolgungsereignis betreffend die weitere Sendung, das auf den erfassten Daten beruht, in der Sendungsverfolgungsdatenbank erzeugt wird oder lediglich unter Berücksichtigung der erhaltenen Information ein Sendungsverfolgungsereignis betreffend die weitere Sendung in der Sendungsverfolgungsdatenbank erzeugt wird.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the method further comprises:

• Acquiring data of another shipment or obtaining collected data of another shipment, the further shipment having been provided with at least one information identifying the further shipment as a shipment to be tracked and classified as non-processible by the sorting facility, and
• Obtaining information showing that delivery of the further shipment to the consignee of the consignment has failed or that the delivery of the further consignment to the recipient of the further consignment will be delayed, whereby due to the received information either no consignment tracking event concerning the further consignment which is based on the acquired data, is generated in the shipment tracking database, or only in response to the received information, a shipment tracking event relating to the further shipment in the shipment tracking database is generated.

This exemplary embodiment relates to the case that prior to the generation of the shipment tracking event for the further shipment, which is likewise a shipment to be tracked, which was classified as non-processable by the sorting system, information is received that a delivery of the further shipment to the recipient of the shipment has failed or that the delivery of the further shipment to the recipient of the further shipment will be delayed. This information reflects actual deviations from the usual delivery process, which is responded to by either not generating a shipment tracking event or merely generating a shipment tracking event taking into account the information received. If this information For example, within the time period described above, between the first time and the second time, an already created order to generate the shipment tracking event for the further shipment may be deleted (for example, in the case of failed delivery of the further shipment due to erroneous address of the recipient) or its execution time into the future (for example, temporary delays in the delivery of consignments in general, for example due to adverse weather conditions, strikes, processing backlogs in the sorting center, etc.). The information that a delivery of the further shipment to the recipient of the shipment has failed can originate, for example, from a delivery agent and, for example, can also be included as a shipment tracking event in the shipment tracking database. The information that the delivery of the further shipment to the recipient of the further shipment will be delayed, can also come from the entrusted with the delivery of the consignment. Alternatively, in particular, if several shipments are affected by the delay, this information can for example come from a control center or control room, such as a control center of the sorting center in which the sorting system is located, or a control center or control room of a downstream in the delivery chain station, for example a station of a delivery district.

According to an exemplary embodiment of all aspects of the invention, the consignment was discharged from the sorting plant during a sorting process and thereby classified as non-processible by the sorting plant. The sorting system can have, for example, an automatic incoming inspection, in which consignments, for example due to their thickness and / or surface quality, are classified as not being processable by the sorting system.

According to an exemplary embodiment of all aspects of the invention, the shipment has been classified as non-processable by the sorting system as part of a manual pre-sorting process. The pre-sorting can be done, for example, before consignments are fed to the sorting system, for example immediately after the arrival of consignments in a sorting center. For example, before they are placed on a conveyor belt that leads to the sorting system, consignments are classified and sorted as non-processible by the sorting system, or initially placed on the conveyor belt with all other mail items and then taken down again when viewed as from the sorting system can not be classified as workable.

According to an exemplary embodiment of all aspects of the invention, the data of the transmission is detected optically and / or radio-based by an information carrier connected to the transmission or at least partially formed by it. In the case of optical detection, the information carrier is for example a label or a packaging / casing of the item itself. In the case of radio-based registration, the information carrier is for example an electronic store, for example a memory of an RFID transponder or NFC chip. The optical detection can be done for example with a scanner. For example, the scanner may be detachably attached (eg, sorted) to a person who processes (eg, sorts) the mailings classified as unprocessable by the sorting system, or may be held or carried by that person (eg, as glasses with a scan function or as a glove with a scan function). Alternatively, the scanner may also be attached to a device at a station where the shipments classified as non-processible by the sorting system are processed, for example on a trolley on which containers of consignments to be processed are transportable or on a linkage Contains containers used in the processing of non-sortable shipments (for example, containers into which these shipments are sorted). The radio-based detection can be done for example with a transponder reader or an NFC reader.

According to an exemplary embodiment of all aspects of the invention, at least one of the at least one information characterizing the program as a program to be tracked is present together with the data of the program on or in the information carrier. As already explained, at least one of the at least one piece of information can be contained, for example, together with the data of the mailing in a data set with a predefined format, for example printed on a label or packaging of the mail item, or stored in a memory element associated with the mailpiece. The information can then be detectable, for example, together with the data of the program, in particular by machine.

According to an exemplary embodiment of all aspects of the invention, the data of the shipment and the at least one of the at least one information in the form of a code, in particular a 1D or 2D barcode, on a label associated with the shipment or the shipment itself (in particular their packaging or sleeve). The 2D barcode may be, for example, the DataMatrix code.

According to an exemplary embodiment of all aspects of the invention, a further one of the at least one information characterizing the program as a program to be tracked is not contained in the code but still on the information carrier or other information carrier connected to the mail or at least partially is formed by this, imprinted. In this embodiment, therefore, there are two pieces of information that identify the item as being to be followed. A first of these information may be suitable, for example, primarily for automatic detection, for example in the context of the sorting process carried out by the sorting system. A second of this information may be suitable, for example, primarily for the detection by a person, for example, in order to be able to quickly and without aids recognize in the context of manual processing of non-processed by the sorting system classified programs, whether the data of the respective program must be recorded (second Information available) or not (second information not available).

According to an exemplary embodiment of all aspects of the invention, at least one of the at least one information characterizing the shipment as a shipment to be tracked is present on or in an information carrier connected to the shipment. As already stated, the information carrier can be, for example, a label, the package / envelope of the item or an electronic store.

• Detektieren, dass die Sendung mit zumindest einer der zumindest einen Information versehen ist, die die Sendung als zu verfolgende Sendung kennzeichnet,

wobei das Erfassen der Daten der Sendung in Reaktion auf das Detektieren, dass die Sendung mit der zumindest einen der zumindest einen Information versehen ist, die die Sendung als zu verfolgende Sendung kennzeichnet, erfolgt, und
wobei für eine andere, als von der Sortieranlage nicht verarbeitbar klassifizierte Sendung, für die trotz Prüfung, ob sie mit zumindest einer Information versehen ist, die die andere Sendung als zu verfolgende Sendung kennzeichnet, nicht detektiert wurde, dass sie mit einer derartigen Information versehen ist, kein Erfassen der Daten der anderen Sendung stattfindet.According to an exemplary embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the method further comprises:

• Detecting that the item is provided with at least one of the at least pieces of information identifying the item to be tracked,

wherein acquiring the data of the shipment in response to detecting that the shipment is provided with the at least one of the at least one information that identifies the shipment as being to be tracked, and
wherein for a different, as of the sorting plant unprocessable classified consignment for which, despite checking whether it is provided with at least one information that identifies the other program as a program to be tracked, has not been detected that it is provided with such information , does not capture the data of the other broadcast takes place.

In this embodiment, therefore, the acquisition of data of a shipment (classified as not processable by the sorting installation) is carried out only if the shipment is a shipment to be tracked (which, in the case of the presence of the at least one of the at least an information is detected). The detection can take place, for example, by machine. The mailings classified as non-processible by the sorting system can be guided past, for example, on a transport path (eg a conveyor belt) to a detection device on which a corresponding detection device is arranged. The detection device can be coupled to a detection device (and also form a common unit, eg in the form of an optical scanner), in order to automatically trigger the detection of the data of the transmission in the case of detection of a program to be tracked. After the shipments have passed through the transport route, for example, further, in particular manual processing (for example sorting) of the shipments can follow. By way of example, the detection device and the detection device can be designed and arranged such that transmissions relating to the transport path can be analyzed both from above and from below, so that it is unimportant whether the information carriers (eg labels with the data of the transmission and the at least one the at least one piece of information that it is a consignment to be tracked) of the consignments during transport on the transport route pointing up or down. Alternatively, the detection device and the detection device can also be designed and arranged such that transmissions relating to the transport path can only be analyzed from above or only from below. However, then an additional (for example manual) step is required in which the items are all placed on the transport path so that their information carriers point up or down. This can represent a partial step of the shipment of the consignments to the transport route.

The at least one of the at least one information, which identifies the program as a program to be followed, can be detected optically, for example. For example, this information can be configured as information that is particularly fast and / or robust to be detected, for example only as a symbol or a letter. The detection can then take place, for example, much faster than the detection / detection of a possibly additionally existing further of the at least one information that identifies the program as a program to be tracked, and together with the data of the program in a predefined data format, in particular a code (in particular the DataMatrix code).

According to an exemplary embodiment of all aspects of the invention, the collection of the data of the shipment is triggered by a person who has recognized that the transmission with at least one of the at least one information containing the transmission as a transmission to be followed is provided. The devices of the invention and the system of the invention may include corresponding means for enabling triggering of the data of the shipment. Due to the fact that the consignment is classified as non-processible by the sorting system, a manual sorting of the consignment may be required, in which a person involved in the sorting must anyway look at a label of the consignment to sorting parameters (in particular the address of the consignee ) capture. It is therefore advantageous to integrate the acquisition of data from items to be tracked into this sorting process. As a result, costs for the purchase and maintenance of the transport route described in the previous embodiment with integrated detection and detection device and additional steps (in particular with regard to the programs that do not need to be tracked, but still have to go through the transport route) can be saved.

The detection of the data of the shipment is triggered, for example, by the fact that a person approximates a device with which the data of the shipment can be detected to the shipment or approximates the shipment to such a device and / or a physical action (for example by means of a gesture , or by operating a control element), which is detectable by a device with which the data of the shipment can be detected. The device may be, for example, a scanner that is active during the entire sorting process, but only when approaching a shipment or the label of the shipment data of the shipment detected, for example, because it captures only from a predefined minimum distance data from the shipment or the label can.

The at least one of the at least one information that identifies the program as a program to be tracked can, for example, be applied to the program with or without optical aids perceptible by a person (and in particular evaluable) optical identification, so that the person is able to do so to decide whether or not the program is to be tracked. Since the person anyway has to perceive the address of the program optically from the program or a label of the program in the course of the sorting process, it is advantageous to mark on the program or on the label of the program the at least one information which identifies the program as a program to be tracked , also in optical form. This is particularly advantageous if the information can be perceived and evaluated by the person without aids, since then the address of the recipient as well as the information can be detected by the person in one process, in particular at a glance.

The method according to the first aspect of the invention may further include, for example, outputting a person-perceivable indication that the shipment is provided with at least one of the at least one information that identifies the shipment as a to-be-tracked message to prompt the person to trigger the acquisition of the data of the shipment, the indication being issued only for transmissions which are provided with at least one of the at least one information identifying the respective shipment as being to be tracked. The indication can be output visually and / or acoustically, for example. The outputting of the indication may, for example, be in response to a detection that the transmission has at least one of the at least one information characterizing the transmission as a transmission to be tracked.

The indication can be, for example, an optical indication that is displayed to the person by means of a device worn by the person, in particular a pair of glasses or a glove.

In particular, the optical indication can lead to at least a portion of the item, in particular at least one of the items identifying the item being tracked, being visually highlighted when viewed by the person, in particular by coloring and / or framing. The coloring and / or framing is then superimposed, for example, in the visual field or field of view of the user and superimposed on his normal perception. This technology is known in other areas as Augmented Reality (AR). For example, a program to be tracked can then be displayed in a signal color, for example red, (eg with the address field being left out, which the person must be able to read well and, if appropriate, the information visually perceptible by the person, which identifies the program as a program to be followed). colored in order to make it clear to the person that the data of the consignment must be recorded. For not to be tracked programs, for example, no visual emphasis.

Both the output of the perceptible by the person indication and thus the detection of the data of the shipment can be performed at least partially with the same device, in particular with a pair of glasses or a glove.

The above-described embodiments, which are generally independent of one another and exemplary embodiments of all aspects of the present invention, should also be understood to be disclosed in all combinations with one another.

Further advantageous exemplary embodiments of the invention are given in the following detailed description of some exemplary embodiments of the present invention, in particular in conjunction with the figures. The attached to the application

However, figures should only serve the purpose of clarification, but not to determine the scope of the invention. The accompanying drawings are not necessarily to scale and are merely exemplary of the general concept of the present invention. In particular, features included in the figures should by no means be considered as a necessary part of the present invention.

Brief description of the figures

Fig. 1:

eine schematische Darstellung einer beispielhaften Ausführungsform eines Systems gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung,

Fig. 2:

eine schematische Darstellung einer Sendung, die gemäß einer Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Erfindung mit Information versehen ist, die die Sendung als zu verfolgende Sendung kennzeichnet,

Fig. 3:

eine schematische Darstellung einer beispielhaften Ausführungsform einer Vorrichtung gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung,

Fig. 4:

ein Flussdiagramm einer beispielhaften Ausführungsform eines Verfahrens, das im Kontext der vorliegenden Erfindung beispielsweise von der Erfassungseinheit 210 des Systems der Fig. 1 ausgeführt werden kann;

Fig. 5:

ein Flussdiagramm einer beispielhaften Ausführungsform eines Verfahrens gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung, wie es beispielsweise von der Sendungsverfolgungssteuerung 32 des Systems der Fig. 1 ausgeführt wird;

Fig. 6:

ein Flussdiagramm einer beispielhaften Ausführungsform eines Verfahrens, das im Kontext der vorliegenden Erfindung beispielsweise von dem Sortierer 221 des Systems der Fig. 1 ausgeführt werden kann;

Fig. 7:

ein Flussdiagramm einer beispielhaften Ausführungsform eines Verfahrens gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung, wie es beispielsweise bei einer automatisierten Erfassung von Daten von Sendungen in der manuellen Sortierstation 22 des Systems der Fig. 1 ausgeführt wird; und

Fig. 8:

ein Flussdiagramm einer beispielhaften Ausführungsform eines Verfahrens gemäß der vorliegenden Erfindung, wie es beispielsweise von der Erfassungseinheit 222 des Systems der Fig. 1 ausgeführt wird.

Show it:

Fig. 1:

a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a system according to the present invention,

Fig. 2:

1 is a schematic representation of a mail item which, according to an embodiment of the present invention, is provided with information which identifies the mail item as a mail item to be tracked;

3:

1 is a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention;

4:

a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of a method, in the context of the present invention, for example, from the detection unit 210 of the system Fig. 1 can be executed;

Fig. 5:

a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of a method according to the present invention, as for example, from the program tracking control 32 of the system Fig. 1 is performed;

Fig. 6:

a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of a method that in the context of the present invention, for example, by the sorter 221 of the system Fig. 1 can be executed;

Fig. 7:

a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of a method according to the present invention, as for example in an automated collection of data from shipments in the manual sorting station 22 of the system Fig. 1 is performed; and

Fig. 8:

a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of a method according to the present invention, as for example, by the detection unit 222 of the system Fig. 1 is performed.

Detailed Description of Some Exemplary Embodiments of the Invention

Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a system 1 according to the present invention. The system 1 comprises a sorting center 2, a mailing tracking unit 3, a station 4 of a delivery area, a mailer 5, a network 6, a computer 7 and a mailing 8 or 8 '. The broad, solid arrows symbolize the flow of a variety of shipments through the delivery chain, which includes here only the sorting center 2, the Zustellbezirksstation 4 and the deliverer 5 by way of example. The dashed arrows symbolize the logical flow of information from different components to the shipment tracking unit 3.

The sorting center 2, which may be, for example, a letter center, initially comprises a sorting installation 21, of which, however, several may also be provided in the sorting center 2.

The sorting system 21 is set up for the automatic processing of broadcasts 8, in particular postcards, letters, large letters and maximum letters. Part of the processing is in particular the acquisition of data of the items 8 by the detection unit 210, but in particular also the sorting of the items 8, for example at least based on address information 82 (see Fig. 2 ). The consignments 8 can, for example, be sorted by delivery districts and then sorted at delivery district stations 4, of which in Fig. 1 by way of example only one is shown (for example, with vehicles).

Not all shipments 8 can be processed by the sorting system 21. This applies, as already stated, in particular for programs 8 with irregular surface structure and / or for programs 8 whose thickness exceeds a certain threshold. For this reason, a classification of incoming shipments as "processable by the sorting installation" and "not processable by the sorting installation" is first carried out in a classification station 20 of the sorting center 2. The classification station 20 may also be present multiple times, for example, a classification station 20 may each be assigned to a sorting installation 21. For example, a classification station 20 may be formed by one or more persons scanning the incoming broadcasts 8 classify their suitability for processing by the sorting plant 21 (for example, by visual inspection) and then, depending on the result, carry the classification to either the sorting plant 21 or the manual sorting station 22. However, the classification of the mailings 8 in the classification station 20 can also be automated. In addition or as an alternative, however, consignments 8 may have already been classified as non-processable by the sorting system 21 outside the sorting center and may be delivered to the sorting center 2 separately from other consignments 8 classified as processable by the sorting system 21 (for example, in US Pat separate containers). It is also possible for at least a portion of shipments that have been classified as being processable by the sorting installation 21 to be discharged again from the sorting installation 21 after the start of the processing (eg sorting) because the sorting installation 21 or an operator of the sorting installation 21 have ascertained in that these shipments 8 are not suitable for processing by the sorting system 21.

In the manual sorting station 22 of the sorting center, those items that have been classified as being not processable by the sorting unit 21 (or rejected by the sorting unit 21) are sorted manually by one or more sorters 221, in particular by means of address information 82 (see FIG Fig. 2 ). Again, the objective may be to sort the items 8 by delivery districts. For this purpose, for example, a sorting support device 220 is provided. The sorting support device 220 may comprise, for example, a holder for a plurality of containers, wherein, for example, each of the containers is associated with a particular delivery area. The sorter 221 can then assign a shipment based on the address information 82 of the mailing 8 the correct container and insert into this.

The items 8 sorted at the manual sorting station 22 then form the mail item output stream of the sorting center 2 with the items 8 sorted by the sorting unit 21 and are delivered to the delivery district stations 4.

In order to be able to offer a tracking service for the programs 8, in embodiments of the present invention, the programs are provided with at least one piece of information identifying the program 8 as a program to be tracked.

For example, the program 8 can be provided with a first piece of information which identifies the program 8 as a program to be tracked and can not be recognized or evaluated by a person without auxiliary means. Such first information can be found in eg be housed a bar code, for example in the in Fig. 2 shown 2D barcode 80, which was assumed here as an example as DataMatrix code. On the basis of this first information, for example, the detection unit 210 (or an additional detection unit) of the sorting system 21 can automatically detect during the sorting of programs 8 whether a program processed by the sorting system 8 is a program to be tracked. Data of the transmission 8 detected by the detection unit 210 (in particular further information from the 2D barcode 80, such as an identifier of the transmission 8) can then (in particular only), possibly with further data, such as a time of acquisition of the data , an indication of the location of the collection of the data and / or an identifier of the sorting center 2, the sorting system 21 and / or the detection unit 210, transmitted to the shipment tracking unit 3 and used to generate a shipment tracking event. An example of the functional sequence at the detection unit 210 will be described below with reference to the flowchart 400 of FIG Fig. 4 described in more detail.

As explained, however, not all items 8 can be processed by the sorting system 21, so that part of the items 8 must be processed (in particular sorted) at the manual sorting station 22. In the present embodiment, since the first information characterizing a program 8 as a program to be tracked is not evaluable by a person without auxiliary means, the sorter 221 at the manual sorting station 22 is unable to quickly decide whether the data is one of it must be recorded for the purpose of tracking the consignment or not. Therefore, the program 8 is additionally provided in the present embodiment with a second information that identifies the program as a program to be tracked and is perceptible and / or evaluable by a person without aids. In the example of Fig. 2 the second information is represented as a letter "H" printed on the program. The sorter 221 can then immediately decide when sorting consignments 8 at the manual sorting station 22 whether it is dealing with a consignment to be followed (imprint "H" present) or not (imprint "H" does not exist). This choice of marking of items to be tracked 8 is particularly advantageous because the sorter 221 at least the address information 82 (see Fig. 2 ) must inspect each shipment 8 anyway, in order to sort the program 8 can. The sorter 221 can therefore essentially simultaneously detect the address information 82 and the second information 81 and integrate the additional step of triggering the acquisition of the data of a consignment 8 to be tracked into the sorting process. Since the acquisition of the data of a shipment takes a certain time in each case, advantageously only data from those broadcasts 8 are detected as to tracking programs 8 are marked, that is, programs 8, which have the second information "H". An example of the operation performed by the sorter 221 will be described below with reference to the flowchart 600 of FIG Fig. 6 described in more detail. The flowchart 800 of the Fig. 8 also explains how the sorter 221 can be assisted by the detection unit 222. The flowchart 700 of Fig. 7 describes an alternative automatic detection of the data to be tracked shipments 8, which can further relieve the sorter 221.

In embodiments of the present invention, the acquisition of the data to be tracked by the sorter 221 is triggered, for example by the sorter 221 reducing the distance between a mailing 8 and a detection station 222 provided at the manual sorting station 22. For example, the sorter 221 for triggering the detection of the data of a shipment 8 approaches the shipment 8 to the detection unit 222 or approaches the detection unit 222 to the shipment 8. The detection unit 222 may, for example, be attached to the sorting support device 220 or at least temporarily worn by the sorter 221 on the body, for example as glasses or glove.

The data of the shipment 8 acquired by the detection unit 222 may, for example, correspond to the data that is acquired by the detection unit 210 of the sorting installation 21, or a subset thereof. For example, the data acquired by the capture unit 222 may include information from the 2D barcode 80, such as a. an identifier of the transmission 8. The data acquired by the detection unit 222 can then, possibly with other data, such as a time of detection of the data, an indication of the location of detection of the data and / or an identifier of the sorting center 2, the Sorting system 21 and / or the detection unit 210, transmitted to the shipment tracking unit 3 and used to generate a shipment tracking event.

The shipment tracking unit 3 forms another part of the system 1 of Fig. 1 , It may, as drawn, be located outside the sorting center 2, but may also be part of the sorting center 2 as well. Functionally, the shipment tracking unit 3 comprises a shipment tracking database 31 in which shipment tracking events are stored at different shipments. A shipment tracking event, for example, is associated with a shipment 8 and includes information on the circumstances of the collection of data of the shipment 8, for example when and / or where and / or by whom the data of the shipment 8 were detected. In a simple embodiment, a shipment tracking event includes only information at a time at which data of a consignment 8 has been detected, or only information that a delivery of the consignment 8 has occurred. The identifier of a shipment 8 to which a shipment tracking event relates may be included in the shipment tracking event, or otherwise associated with the shipment tracking event, to enable the identifier to locate the shipment tracking event. Several broadcast tracking events, which also relate to the same broadcast 8, may be grouped in a record, for example, arranged chronologically.

The shipment tracking controller 32 of the shipment tracking unit 3 controls the generation of shipment tracking events in the shipment tracking database 31 based on acquired data of shipments 8 as obtained from the capture unit 210 and the capture unit 222, from information received from a control center 23 of the sorting center 2 or Control room 41 of the Zustellbezirksstation 4 are received and information obtained from a mobile device 50 of the deliverer 5 (for example, a handheld scanner or smartphone). The consignment tracking controller 32 can, in particular, generate orders for the production of consignment tracking events based on the data acquired by the recording units 210 and 222 of consignments, thus execute these orders at the correct time and, if due to others, in particular by the control rooms 23 and / or 41 and / or the mobile device of the deliverer 50 obtained information required - change these orders or delete. By this procedure, which will be described below with reference to the flowchart 500 of Fig. 5 will be explained in more detail, it is possible, inter alia, to produce program tracking events concerning the delivery of broadcasts 8 at the respective consignee without data of the consignment 8 would have to be detected at the time of delivery of a consignment 8 at the respective consignee (for example, by the deliverer 5). The detection of the data of a consignment 8 at the time of delivery is replaced by the acquisition of the data of the consignment 8 in the sorting center 2 and delays the generation of the consignment tracking event concerning the delivery according to the measured or estimated usual delivery time of a consignment 8 after its data has been collected in the sorting center 2. Deviations from this usual delivery time are explicitly communicated to the consignment tracking controller 32 (by the control rooms 23 and / or 41 and / or the mobile device 50 of the deliverer 5), so that they can adjust the generation of the consignment tracking events of the consignments concerned 8 accordingly.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention thus make it possible to decide whether data of a consignment 8 to be delivered has to be recorded and also to trigger the collection of the data of the consignment itself from the feeder 5 to the sorting center 2, where this is the case for the sorting system 21 processable shipments is made automatically and for the remaining, not processed by the sorting system 21 shipments of sorters 221 is made. Thus, for the consignments 8 processed by the sorting system 21, the manual processing is completely eliminated, while for the number of smaller consignments 8 that are not processable by the sorting system 21, the decision and the triggering of the collection of the data efficiently in the manual sorting process anyway required the manual sorting station 22 can be integrated. The degree of manual processing involved in the tracking of the consignment therefore becomes counter to the obvious solution of carrying out consignment tracking by detecting the data of the consignment by the courier upon delivery (ie, in particular, handing over the consignment 8 to the consignee or inserting it in its mailbox). considerably reduced. By contrast, the generation and transmission of the (rare) information about deviations from the normal delivery process from the control room 23 and / or 41 and / or the deliverer 5 to the consignment tracking controller 32 is negligible.

The tracking enables a user to access the mail tracking database 31 via the network 6, which may be, for example, the Internet (or an intranet), with his computer 7. Access to the shipment tracking database 31 is, for example, moderated by the shipment tracking controller 32, or by a separate entity (in Fig. 1 not shown). For example, a user of the mail tracking service, for example, the sender of one or more mailings 8 or the recipient of a mailing 8, can provide information about the current delivery status of a mailing 8 stating an identifier of the mailing by accessing the data of the mail item, for example via a web site Shipment tracking database 31 accesses. For example, then the most recent or all of the program tracking events relating to this program 8 are displayed to it. Alternatively, the user can also be actively informed about new tracking events recorded in the tracking database 31, for example by email or SMS notification, to name just a few examples. The user can, for example, also receive information about several shipments collected. For example, a user, in particular a user who has given a large number of consignments for delivery, and for these consignments a target delivery date to which the consignments should have been delivered at the latest, given has provided a list of shipments that have exceeded the target delivery date. This may allow the user, who represents, for example, a dealer, to inform the recipients of these items (buyers) about the delayed delivery (for example, via their own tracking portal, or by means of active notification by e-mail, SMS, etc.).

In the embodiment described above, it has been assumed by way of example that first and second information are present which characterize a program 8 as a program to be tracked. Alternatively, only information that identifies a program 8 as a program to be tracked can also be used. This can advantageously be information that can be quickly recognized both by the detection unit 210 and by the sorter 221. An example of such information is one or more symbols printed on the mailing (or a mailing label), such as those in FIG Fig. 2 Symbol 81 shown by way of example. A symbol (eg a letter or a number) can be quickly recognized both by machines and by people and thus allows a quick decision as to whether or not a consignment 8 is a consignment to be tracked.

Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of a program 8, which is provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention with information 80, 81, which identifies the program 8 as a program to be followed. The mail item 8 also has address information 82 which can be used for sorting the mail item in the sorting system 21 and / or the manual sorting station 22, for example. In the embodiment of Fig. 2 There are two pieces of information which characterize the item 8 as being to be followed: once within the 2D barcode 80 (first information) and once in the form of a printed symbol 81 (second item of information), here by way of example "H". This information can be detected optically, for example with a scanner with functionality for bar code decoding (first information) and symbol recognition (Optical Character Recognition, OCR) (second information). However, one or both of these information, in particular the first information, can also be represented elsewhere, for example in the form of information that can be recorded by radio, for example as information stored on a memory, in particular an RFID or NFC chip.

The in Fig. 2 Exemplary 2D barcode 80 shown may be, for example, a DataMatrix code (alternative embodiments are, for example, a QR code or a one-dimensional bar code). An example of the content of such a DataMatrix code will be as follows it is 42 bytes in hexadecimal notation (each byte contains two hexadecimal symbols from the alphabet {0-F}): Overall string: 44 45 41 12 20 01 2C B6 B0 4100 B9 6B 17 00 94 00 00 02 03 22 B8 00 A9 31 31 39 39 38 32 35 30 30 31 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 importance Position in the string Content string Post companies: DEA Bytes f1-f3 44 45 41 Franking type: 18 = DV franking, version 1.3 Byte f4 12 Version Products / Prices: 32 Byte f5 20 Customer number: 5045137473 Bytes f6-f10 01 2C B6 B0 41 Franking value: 1.85 Bytes f11-f12 00 B9 Date of delivery: 01.10.2015 Bytes f13-f14 6B 17 Product key: 148 = large letter; Additional service / variant: proof of delivery Bytes f15-f16 0094 current consignment number: 00000002 Bytes f17-f19 00 00 02 Participation number: 03 Byte f20 03 Payroll number: 8888 Bytes f21-f22 22 B8 Announcement Content Data element: 0 Byte f23 00 Coding / length byte: 101 01001 Byte f24 A9 Customer-specific information: Customer-specific information in ASCII: 1199825001 Bytes f25-f42 31 31 39 39 38 32 35 30 30 31 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00

Therein, bytes f15-f16 denote the product key and the additional power / variant. In the present example, the bytes f15-f16 assume the value "00 94", which corresponds to the number 148 in decimal representation and is interpreted as the information "large letter with proof of delivery". The bytes f15-f16 with the value "00 94" thus represent an example of the first information that characterizes the program as a program to be tracked.

The bytes f25-f42 contain customer-specific information, which is interpreted as ASCII characters, corresponding to the number sequence "1199825001" (the zeros in the bytes f35-f42 were not taken into account here). This sequence of numbers provides an example of an identification of the program For example, it may be captured when data is collected from the shipment and used to generate a shipment tracking event for the shipment. For example, the identifier may be included in the generated shipment tracking event (eg, along with a time of acquisition of the data and / or information about the location of the acquisition and / or the location of collection) or associated with the shipment tracking event.

In the present exemplary embodiment, therefore, both the data to be recorded in programs to be tracked (in particular the identifier of the transmission, bytes f25-f42) and the first information which identifies the transmission as a transmission to be tracked (bytes f15-f16) are shown in FIG Therefore, to provide the tracking service, at least for the mailpieces 8 that can be processed by the sorting system 21, advantageously no additional detection device is required, since those in a conventional Sorting system 21 already existing detection device 210 used for this purpose and only the corresponding evaluation of the information in bytes f15-f16 and f25-f42 and - if necessary - their transmission to the shipment tracking unit 3 (possibly together with time stamp and location / station information) be ensured must.

Fig. 3 FIG. 12 shows a schematic representation of an exemplary embodiment of a device 30 that may be used in the context of the present invention.

The device 30 may, for example, the detection unit 210 of the sorting system 21 of Fig. 1 and then, for example, the method of flowchart 400 of FIG Fig. 4 execute), or the shipment tracking controller 32 of FIG Fig. 1 and then, for example, the method of flowchart 500 of FIG Fig. 5 execute), or a device (for example, the detection unit 222 of the manual sorting station 22 of FIG Fig. 1 ) for automatically acquiring the data of items to be tracked, classified as not processable by the sorting unit 21 (and then, for example, the method of the flowchart 700 of FIG Fig. 7 execute) or the detection unit 222 of the manual sorting station 22 of Fig. 1 and then, for example, the method of flowchart 800 of FIG Fig. 8 To run).

Device 30 includes a processor 300 with associated memory 301 and program memory 302. The processor 300 executes program instructions, for example stored in the program memory 302. The program instructions execute and / or control the method according to the first aspect of the invention. Thus, the program memory 302 includes a computer program according to the fifth aspect of the invention and constitutes a computer program product for storing it. Apparatus 30 illustrates an example of a device according to the second or third aspect of the invention.

The program memory 302 may be, for example, a persistent memory, such as a read only memory (ROM) memory. For example, the program memory 302 may be fixed to the processor 300, but may alternatively be detachably connected to the processor 300, such as a memory card, floppy disk, or optical media (e.g., a CD or DVD). In the program memory 302, or in a separate memory, also other information can be stored.

The working memory 301 is used, for example, for storing temporary results during the execution of the program instructions, this being, for example, a volatile memory, such as a random access memory (RAM) memory.

The processor 300 is also operatively connected to a communication interface 303, for example, with which information exchange with other devices is possible (see the dashed arrows in FIG Fig. 1 ).

The device 30 may also contain other components. If device 30 represents the detection unit 210 or 222, in particular, a detection means for detecting data of a transmission 8 is provided, for example, for optical detection (eg in the form of a scanner (eg a barcode scanner)) or for radio-based detection (eg in form a radio receiver (eg, an RFID or NFC reader)) of the data of the transmission 8 is set up and is operatively connected to the processor 300.

If device 30 represents detection unit 222, means operatively connected to processor 300 for detecting that sorter 221 would like to trigger detection of the data of a transmission 8 may be present. These means may be arranged, for example, for detecting predefined actions of the sorter 221 with which the detection of the data of a program is to be triggered, for example the actuation of a button, or the making of a gesture (for example a head or eye movement). or bringing a shipment close to the detection means). However, these means can also be part of the detection means.

If device 30 represents detection unit 222, in embodiments of the invention (cf. Fig. 7 or the Fig. 8 ), in which a program to be followed 8 is provided with first and different second information (as it is, for example, in the embodiment of the Fig. 2 the case) identifying the program 8 as a program to be tracked, in addition to the detection means, a detection means operatively connected to the processor 300 (eg, an optical detector with symbol recognition, if the second information is optical information) for detection, that the mailpiece 8 is provided with at least the second information, may be present in the device 30. Detection means and detection means can share, for example, at least one component (for example an optical sensor if both the first information and the second information are optically detectable). Alternatively, the detection means and the detection means may be formed by a common module (for example, an optical detector which can read bar codes and recognize symbols, for example).

If the device 30 represents the detection unit 222, in embodiments of the invention (cf. Fig. 8 Furthermore, a display means is provided, which is set up for the optical highlighting of information, which identifies a program 8 as a program to be tracked, and is operatively connected to processor 300. The display means can be designed, for example, as glasses with a display device located therein, for example in the form of augmented reality glasses. For example, the highlighting is then faded in a field of view of the sorter 221, which carries the glasses, and at least partially overlaps a program 8, the sorter 221 just before (in particular in his hand) has. In such glasses, for example, the detection means and / or the detection means may be integrated.

Fig. 4 FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart 400 of an exemplary embodiment of a method that may be practiced in the context of the present invention. The method is, for example, from the detection unit 210 of the sorting system 21 of Fig. 1 executed, for example, as the device 30 of the Fig. 3 can be trained.

In a first step 401, data of a mailing 8 (which can be processed by the sorting system 21) and, if present, at least one piece of information (in particular the first information), which identifies the program 8 as a program to be tracked. As already described, the data of the program 8 and the information in a common data record, in particular a 2D barcode, can be printed on the program.

In a step 402, it is then determined whether the information that identifies the program as a program to be tracked exists. If this is the case, in step 403 at least part of the captured data (or also all recorded data) is transmitted to the shipment tracking unit 3, in particular in order to enable or effect the generation of a shipment tracking event. Subsequently, or if the determination in step 402 has been negative, it is checked in step 404 whether there are further transmissions 8. If so, the flowchart 400 returns to step 401. Otherwise, processing ends.

In the present exemplary embodiment, data is thus recorded by all shipments, regardless of whether or not they are to be tracked. However, data is transmitted to the shipment tracking unit 3 only for the items to be tracked.

Fig. 6 FIG. 3 illustrates a flowchart 600 of an exemplary embodiment of a method that may be performed by a sorter 221 at the manual sorter 22 in the context of the present invention.

In step 601, the sorter 221 views a shipment 8 that is a shipment classified as non-processible by the sorter 21. For example, sorter 221 extracts the shipment from a container in which such classified mail has been previously collected.

In step 602, the sorter 221 checks if the shipment has been provided with information identifying the shipment as being to be tracked. Advantageously, this information is an information that can be perceived and evaluated by the sorter without aids, such as a printed symbol 81, as shown in FIG Fig. 2 is shown by way of example.

If the sorter 221 determines that such information is present, in step 603 it triggers the acquisition of the data of the transmission by the detection unit 222, for example by a predetermined action, for example by actuating a control element or by approaching the program or a label of the program to the registration unit 222, in particular to a detection means of the registration unit 222. If it is determined that no such information is present, the step 603 is skipped.

In step 604, the mail item 8 is then sorted, whether or not it is a mail item to be tracked.

In step 605, the sorter 221 checks whether there are any more programs 8. If so, in step 601 the next transmission 8 is processed. Otherwise, the sorter 221 stops the activity.

Fig. 8 FIG. 10 illustrates a flowchart 800 of an exemplary embodiment of a method according to the first aspect of the invention, which is performed by the detection unit 222 of the manual sorting station 21, which is referred to, for example, as the device 30 of FIG Fig. 3 can be trained. In this case, the detection unit 222 not only waits for the detection by the sorter 221 to be triggered, but also assists the sorter 221 in detecting whether a transmission 8 is a transmission to be tracked or not.

For this purpose, it is first checked in step 801 whether a mail item 8, which the sorter 221 has just in front of it (eg on a conveyor belt or in the hand of the sorter 221), is provided with at least one item of information to be tracked Shipment. The information may be information that can be perceived and / or evaluated by the sorter 221 even without auxiliary means, or alternatively information that is not perceptible and / or evaluable by the sorter 221 without auxiliary means.

In step 802, the further course of action is determined depending on the result of the checking. If the item 8 is provided with information indicating the item 8 to be tracked, the step 803 is executed. Otherwise, the processing jumps to step 807.

In step 803, the information that identifies the program 8 as a program to be tracked, or at least part of the program 8, is highlighted. The highlighting of the information takes place, for example, when the information is an information that can be perceived and evaluated by the sorter 221 optically without auxiliary means (for example, the first information 81 of FIG Fig. 2 ). At least part of the broadcast will be For example, if the information is information that can not be perceived and / or evaluated by the sorter 221 without auxiliary means.

The emphasis can be made, for example, visually by framing or coloring the information or at least the part of the shipment. For example, the augmented-reality highlighting may be superimposed by superimposing the highlights of a real scene that the sorter 221 sees. The sorter 221 may view the real scene by, for example, a transparent or non-transparent device. For example, in the first case, the device is a transparent eyeglass that projects the highlights into the field of view or field of view of the sorter 221. In the latter case, the device comprises at least one monitor by means of which the sorter 221 is shown both the real scene and the highlighting. The monitor (s) can be carried by the sorter 221 on the head much like a helmet or glasses.

In step 804 it is then checked whether an action of the sorter 221 (for example, the actuation of a control element, etc.) for triggering the detection of the data of the transmission 8 has taken place. If this is the case, the data of the consignment 8 are detected in step 805 and at least part of this data is then transferred to the consignment tracking unit 3 in step 806, in particular to enable or effect the production of a consignment tracking product. Otherwise, steps 805 and 806 are skipped.

In step 807, if further programs are present, processing of the next program is started in step 801. Otherwise, the procedure ends.

In the present embodiment, the sorter 221 is assisted in checking whether a broadcast 8 is a broadcast to be tracked (whose data is then required to be detected) or not, by optically highlighting programs to be watched. This clearly reduces the probability that items to be tracked are not recognized by the sorter 221. For example, only items to be tracked can be visually highlighted, for example by red coloring. The sorter 221 then knows that in addition to sorting, it only has to initiate the acquisition of the data of the shipment in the case of red-colored mailings.

Further relief of the sorter 221 may be provided by the process of identifying the items to be tracked and triggering the collection of the data to be tracked Shipments is automated. The sorter 221 is then responsible, for example, only for sorting the consignments arriving at the manual sorting station 22.

This shows the Fig. 7 a flowchart 700 of an exemplary embodiment of a method according to the first aspect of the invention, which is performed by the detection unit 222 of the manual sorting station 21, for example, as the device 30 of Fig. 3 can be trained. In the present embodiment, the detection unit 222 is arranged, for example, on a transport path on which the consignments 8 classified as non-processible by the sorting system 21 are transported. For example, these mailings 8 are placed on the transport path by the sorter 221 from a container (for example with a specific orientation which makes possible the acquisition of the data of the shipment or at least facilitates orientation, for example with the label upwards or downwards). The transport speed of the transport route can be dependent, for example, on whether the data of a shipment is currently being recorded or not.

For the programs 8, it is then checked in step 701 whether the program is provided with at least one piece of information identifying the program as a program to be tracked. In this case, only information which marks the consignment as a consignment to be followed, for example the same information which can also be automatically detected by the detection unit 210 of the sorting system 21, can be present here. This can be, for example, information in a barcode (for example a 2D barcode such as the DataMatrix code), but alternatively also radio-readable information.

Depending on the result of the check, branching takes place differently in step 702 of the flowchart 700: in the absence of the information, step 705 is skipped. In the presence of the information, in an optional step, a capture of the data of the shipment can be performed, in particular if the data has not already been detected during the examination of step 701. For example, if the information is included in a data set / code along with the data of the mailing 8, that data of the mailing after the check is usually already present in step 701 and then need not be re-acquired. The implementation of both steps 701 and 703 is expedient if the information that characterizes a program as a program to be tracked can not be recorded together with the data of the program or if there is a plurality of information that identifies the program as being to be tracked. In the latter case, then, in step 701, the test is preferably performed based on the information that is to be detected and evaluated more quickly, since step 701 is different from Step 703 must be performed for all shipments that have been classified as non-processible by the sorting system, and therefore is particularly time-critical.

At step 704, at least a portion of the captured data of the shipment is transmitted to the shipment tracking unit 3, in particular to facilitate or effect the creation of a shipment tracking product.

In step 705, if further transmissions are present, processing of the next transmission is begun in step 701. Otherwise, the procedure ends.

After step 701 or, if executed, step 703, the respective mail item may then be sent to the manual sorting process. In contrast to the processing in the sorting installation 21, the items 8 in the present embodiment are therefore not automatically sorted.

Regardless of whether the acquisition of data to be tracked consignments 8 by the detection unit 210 of the sorting system 21 or the detection unit 222 of the manual sorting station 22 has been performed, the detected data is transmitted to the shipment tracking unit 3. This transmission can take place wirelessly at least in sections, but can also be based on wired transmission. From the point of view of the shipment tracking unit 3, it makes no difference, for example, from which registration unit the data was acquired. However, it is possible that the information transmitted with the acquired data provide information on which station and / or by which recording unit the data was acquired.

Fig. 5 11 shows a flow diagram 500 of an exemplary embodiment of a method according to the first aspect of the invention, which is executed by the shipment tracking controller 32 of the mailer tracking unit 3, which is referred to, for example, as the device 30 of FIG Fig. 3 can be trained.

In step 501, it is checked if data of a transmission has been obtained. The data of the shipment may in particular be that of a detection unit 210/222 of the Fig. 1 captured data or at least a subset thereof. The data of the shipment may, for example, contain at least one identifier of the shipment. In addition (and in particular together) with the data of the transmission, further information (in particular provided by the detection units) concerning the acquisition of the data of the transmission from the Shipment tracking controller 32 may be obtained, for example, information about a time of detection of the data and / or about a place of detection of the data.

If data of a shipment has been received, steps 502-503 are executed, otherwise, step 504 is entered.

In step 502, a time is determined at which a shipment tracking event is to be generated in the shipment tracking database 31, in particular according to a predefined rule. This time may be determined, for example, based on information at the time of capturing the data and / or the location of capturing the data (for example, instead of a transmitted time of capturing the data, a time of obtaining the data of the transmission from the capturing units 210/222 be used). For example, if the data of a shipment that was acquired at 22:05 on a detection unit 201/222 of the sorting center 2 or received at 22:05 on the shipment tracking control can be obtained, for example, on the basis of a known (for example, regularly checked / measured) the usual remaining delivery time after passage of the registration unit by a consignment be assumed that for this shipment with almost certain probability to 18:00 clock on the following day, the delivery has been made. The time for generation of the item tracking event concerning this item is then determined to be 6:00 pm of the next day.

The place of acquiring the data may play a role in determining the timing at which a shipment tracking event is to be generated, as the received data of shipments from sorting centers located in the delivery chain at different locations correspond to differently delayed shipment tracking events should lead. For example, collecting data from a shipment at a sorting center at the beginning of the delivery chain would result in a more delayed shipment tracking event than acquiring data from a shipment at a sorting center at the end of the delivery chain. When the shipment tracking controller 32 generates shipment tracking events for broadcasts 8 whose data is collected in a plurality of sorting centers, particularly with different processing times of shipments, it is advantageous to consider when determining the time at which a shipment tracking event is to be generated Sorting center or at least at which kind of sorting center the data of a consignment was received. For the sorting centers or types of sorting center (for example, differentiated according to the sorting center's greetings) For example, information may be stored on the shipment tracking controller 32 with which remaining delivery time for the respective sorting center or the respective type of sorting center after acquisition of the data of a shipment is to be expected. This information can then be used in the determination of the time in step 502.

In step 503, a scheduled job for generating a shipment tracking event is then determined at the time determined in step 502. This order is therefore executed only if the time determined in step 502 is reached (and in the meantime no information opposing the execution of the order is received from the program tracking controller 32, as will be explained in more detail below). For example, the job may already include the information needed to generate the mail tracking event (eg, an identifier of the mailing, the particular time and / or location to which the mail tracking event is to refer in step 502, e.g., the mailing address or mailbox address).

In step 504, it is checked if information on a non-deliverable shipment has been received. Such information is generated, for example, by a mobile device 50 of a deliverer 5 at the instigation of the deliverer 5, who could not deliver a program 8 ', for example because the address of the program 8' is incorrect (for example, because the recipient has moved away or died, or because the address contains so many errors that it can not be assigned to a receiver). In this case, the deliverer records, for example, with the mobile device 50 data of the shipment (for example, an identifier of the shipment). The captured data is then transmitted to the tracking controller 32, for example, enriched with further information (for example, the reason why the item could not be delivered).

It should be noted that this transfer of information from the mobile device 50 of the mailer to the mail tracking controller 32 as shown in FIG Fig. 1 is shown, is logical, and can actually take a different route. For example, the information about the undeliverable shipment from the mobile device of the deliverer first to another entity, such as the control room 41 of the Zustellbezirksstation 4 of the deliverer, transmitted and transmitted from there to the tracking program control 32. In particular, the information about the undeliverable shipment can only be transmitted to the shipment tracking controller 32 if a check, for example by the entity or by another entity, has revealed that the undeliverable shipment is about is a program to be tracked. Otherwise, information about the undeliverable shipment would be superfluous for shipment tracking control.

If information on an undeliverable shipment is obtained in step 504, in step 505 the already existing scheduled order creation request generated in step 503 for the purpose of generating a shipment tracking event for that undeliverable shipment is deleted, since no more delivery is expected with the usual delivery time can. Otherwise, the flowchart jumps to step 506.

In step 506, it is checked whether information on delivery delays has been obtained. This information can be any information that may cause an extension of the usual remaining time from the collection of the data of a shipment in the sorting center until the delivery. These include, for example, processing residues in sorting centers or delivery districts, adverse weather conditions that prevent or slow delivery by the deliverers, strikes, etc. The information about delivery delays can be supplied, for example, from the control center 23 of the sorting center 2 or the control room 41 of the delivery district station 4 by respective responsible personnel. Alternatively, the delivery delay information may also come from other sources.

If information on delivery delays has been received, in step 507, the shipments affected by the delivery delays are determined. For example, a processing backlog in a delivery district only affects the shipments of that delivery area, while adverse weather conditions or strikes may affect shipments from multiple delivery areas. For example, in the determination made in step 507, only those shipments are considered that represent shipments to be tracked and / or for which still active scheduled jobs for generating shipment tracking events exist.

In step 508, the scheduled transmission tracking event jobs are changed for those shipments determined in step 507, in particular, the time of execution of the respective jobs corresponding to the expected delay is postponed to the future. The amount of shift may depend on the nature of the delivery delay and / or on information provided to the shipment tracking controller 32 about the expected amount of delay (eg, in days).

In step 509, it is checked whether the time for executing the job has been reached for one of the scheduled jobs generated in step 503 or changed in step 508. If not, flowchart 500 branches to step 512. Otherwise, in step 510, a shipment tracking event is generated in the shipment tracking database 31. From this point on, the shipment tracking event can be called up, for example, by the computer 7 in the shipment tracking database 31. For example, the generated tracking event includes or is associated with the identifier of the transmission. The generated shipment tracking event may further include the time of creation of the shipment tracking event. This time may, for example, be designated as the time of the shipment tracking event (ie, the time at which the shipment tracking supposedly took place, for example, as the time of the delivery event). The generated tracking event may additionally or alternatively include the delivery address (also in the form of the address of a mailbox upon delivery to a mailbox). For example, this address may be designated as the location of the shipment tracking event (that is, the location where the shipment tracking was allegedly occurring).

In an optional step 511, the generation of the shipment tracking event also triggers a notification (eg via e-mail, fax, SMS, MMS, WhatsApp, etc.) about the new shipment tracking event, for example to the computer 7 (or another device whose address is the Transmission tracking control is known, for example, a (mobile) phone of a user of the tracking service).

In step 512, it is finally checked whether the method of the flowchart 500 should be aborted. If this is the case, the procedure is aborted. Otherwise, the processing returns to step 501 and starts again. It should be noted that the queries of steps 501, 504, 506 and 509 and their respective subsequent actions 502-503, 505., 507-508 and 510-511 do not necessarily have to be processed sequentially, but are simultaneously tested in parallel threads / can be processed.

1. 1. Ausführungsform:
   Verfahren, umfassend:
   • Erfassen von Daten einer Sendung oder Erhalten von erfassten Daten einer Sendung, wobei die Sendung mit zumindest einer Information versehen ist, die die Sendung als zu verfolgende Sendung kennzeichnet, und als von einer Sortieranlage nicht verarbeitbar klassifiziert wurde, und wobei die Sortieranlage eingerichtet ist, jeweilige Daten von von ihr verarbeiteten Sendungen und, falls die verarbeiteten Sendungen jeweils mit zumindest einer Information versehen sind, die die verarbeiteten Sendungen jeweils als zu verfolgende Sendungen kennzeichnet, jeweils zumindest eine dieser zumindest einen Information automatisch zu erfassen; und
   • Erzeugen zumindest eines Sendungsverfolgungsereignisses betreffend die Sendung in einer Sendungsverfolgungsdatenbank zumindest basierend auf den erfassten Daten o-der Ausgeben der erfassten Daten zum Erzeugen eines derartigen Sendungsverfol-gungsereignisses.
2. 2. Ausführungsform:
   Verfahren nach Ausführungsform 1, wobei das Sendungsverfolgungsereignis erst an einem zweiten Zeitpunkt erzeugt wird, der nach einem ersten Zeitpunkt liegt, zu dem die Daten der Sendung erfasst oder die erfassten Daten erhalten werden, wobei der zweite Zeitpunkt nach einer vorbestimmten Regel, insbesondere zumindest in Abhän-gigkeit des ersten Zeitpunkts, bestimmt wird.
3. 3. Ausführungsform:
   Verfahren nach Ausführungsform 2, wobei das Sendungsverfolgungsereignis ein Zustel-lereignis ist, das die Zustellung der Sendung kennzeichnet, und wobei der zweite Zeit-punkt unter Berücksichtigung einer zuvor bestimmten oder geschätzten üblichen Zeit-dauer zwischen dem Erfassen der Daten der Sendung oder dem Erhalten der erfassten Daten der Sendung und deren Zustellung bestimmt wird.
4. 4. Ausführungsform:
   Verfahren nach Ausführungsform 3, wobei im Falle der erfolgreichen Zustellung der Sendung kein weiteres, die erfolgte Zustellung betreffendes Sendungsverfolgungsereig-nis in der Sendungsverfolgungsdatenbank erzeugt wird.
5. 5. Ausführungsform:
   Verfahren nach einer der Ausführungsformen 1-4, ferner umfassend:
   • Erfassen von Daten einer weiteren Sendung oder Erhalten von erfassten Daten einer weiteren Sendung, wobei die weitere Sendung mit zumindest einer Information ver-sehen wurde, die die weitere Sendung als zu verfolgende Sendung kennzeichnet, und die als von der Sortieranlage nicht verarbeitbar klassifiziert wurde,
   • Erhalten einer Information, aus der hervorgeht, dass eine Zustellung der weiteren Sendung an den Empfänger der Sendung fehlgeschlagen ist oder dass sich die Zustel-lung der weiteren Sendung an den Empfänger der weiteren Sendung verzögern wird, wobei aufgrund der erhaltenen Information entweder kein Sendungsverfolgungser-eignis betreffend die weitere Sendung, das auf den erfassten Daten beruht, in der Sen-dungsverfolgungsdatenbank erzeugt wird oder lediglich unter Berücksichtigung der erhaltenen Information ein Sendungsverfolgungsereignis betreffend die weitere Sen-dung in der Sendungsverfolgungsdatenbank erzeugt wird.
6. 6. Ausführungsform:
   Verfahren nach einer der Ausführungsformen 1-5, wobei die Sendung während eines Sortierprozesses von der Sortieranlage ausgeschleust und dadurch als von der Sor-tieranlage nicht verarbeitbar klassifiziert wurde.
7. 7. Ausführungsform:
   Verfahren nach einer der Ausführungsformen 1-5, wobei die Sendung im Rahmen ei-ner manuellen Vorsortierung als von der Sortieranlage nicht verarbeitbar klassifiziert wurde.
8. 8. Ausführungsform:
   Verfahren nach einer der Ausführungsformen 1-7, wobei die Daten der Sendung op-tisch und/oder funkbasiert von einem mit der Sendung verbundenen oder zumindest teilweise durch diese gebildeten Informationsträger erfasst werden.
9. 9. Ausführungsform:
   Verfahren nach Ausführungsform 8, wobei zumindest eine der zumindest einen In-formation, die die Sendung als zu verfolgende Sendung kennzeichnet, zusammen mit den Daten der Sendung auf oder in dem Informationsträger vorhanden ist.
10. 10. Ausführungsform:
    Verfahren nach Ausführungsform 9, wobei die Daten der Sendung und die zumindest eine der zumindest einen Information in Form eines Codes, insbesondere eines 2D-Barcodes, auf einem mit der Sendung verbundenen Etikett oder der Sendung selbst aufgedruckt sind.
11. 11. Ausführungsform:
    Verfahren nach Ausführungsform 10, wobei eine weitere der zumindest einen Infor-mation, die die Sendung als zu verfolgende Sendung kennzeichnet, nicht in dem Code enthalten, aber dennoch auf dem Informationsträger oder einem anderen Informati-onsträger, der mit der Sendung verbunden ist oder zumindest teilweise durch diese gebildet wird, aufgedruckt ist.
12. 12. Ausführungsform:
    Verfahren nach einer der Ausführungsformen 1-11, wobei zumindest eine der zumin-dest einen Information, die die Sendung als zu verfolgende Sendung kennzeichnet, auf oder in einem mit der Sendung verbundenen Informationsträger vorhanden ist.
13. 13. Ausführungsform:
    Verfahren nach einer der Ausführungsformen 1-12, ferner umfassend:
    • Detektieren, dass die Sendung mit zumindest einer der zumindest einen Information versehen ist, die die Sendung als zu verfolgende Sendung kennzeichnet, wobei das Erfassen der Daten der Sendung in Reaktion auf das Detektieren, dass die Sendung mit der zumindest einen der zumindest einen Information versehen ist, die die Sendung als zu verfolgende Sendung kennzeichnet, erfolgt, und wobei für eine andere, als von der Sortieranlage nicht verarbeitbar klassifizierte Sen-dung, für die trotz Prüfung, ob sie mit zumindest einer Information versehen ist, die die andere Sendung als zu verfolgende Sendung kennzeichnet, nicht detektiert wurde, dass sie mit einer derartigen Information versehen ist, kein Erfassen der Daten der anderen Sendung stattfindet.
14. 14. Ausführungsform:
    Verfahren nach einer der Ausführungsformen 1-13, wobei das Erfassen der Daten der Sendung von einer Person ausgelöst wird, die erkannt hat, dass die Sendung mit zu-mindest einer der zumindest einen Information, die die Sendung als zu verfolgende Sendung kennzeichnet, versehen ist.
15. 15. Ausführungsform:
    Verfahren nach Ausführungsform 14, wobei das Erfassen der Daten der Sendung dadurch ausgelöst wird, dass eine Person eine Vorrichtung, mit der die Daten der Sen-dung erfasst werden können, an die Sendung annähert oder die Sendung an eine der-artige Vorrichtung annähert und/oder eine körperliche Handlung vornimmt, die von einer Vorrichtung, mit der die Daten der Sendung erfasst werden können, detektierbar ist.
16. 16. Ausführungsform:
    Verfahren nach einer der Ausführungsformen 14-15, wobei die zumindest eine der zumindest einen Information, die die Sendung als zu verfolgende Sendung kennzeich-net, als mit oder ohne optische Hilfsmittel durch eine Person wahrnehmbare optische Kennzeichnung auf der Sendung aufgebracht ist, so dass die Person in der Lage ist zu entscheiden, ob es sich bei der Sendung um eine zu verfolgende Sendung handelt oder nicht.
17. 17. Ausführungsform:
    Verfahren nach einer der Ausführungsformen 14-16, ferner umfassend:
    • Ausgeben einer durch die Person wahrnehmbaren Indikation, dass die Sendung mit zumindest einer der zumindest einen Information, die die Sendung als zu verfolgende Sendung kennzeichnet, versehen ist, um die Person zu veranlassen, das Erfassen der Daten der Sendung auszulösen, wobei die Indikation nur für Sendungen ausgegeben wird, die mit zumindest einer der zumindest einen Information, die die jeweilige Sen-dung als zu verfolgende Sendung kennzeichnet, versehen sind.
18. 18. Ausführungsform:
    Verfahren nach Ausführungsform 17, wobei die Indikation eine optische Indikation ist,die der Person durch eine von der Person getragene Vorrichtung, insbesondere eine Brille oder ein Handschuh, angezeigt wird.
19. 19. Ausführungsform:
    Verfahren nach Ausführungsform 18, wobei die optische Indikation dazu führt, dass zumindest ein Teil der Sendung, insbesondere zumindest eine der zumindest einen In-formation, die die Sendung als zu verfolgende Sendung kennzeichnet, bei Betrachtung durch die Person optisch hervorgehoben wird, insbesondere durch Einfärbung und/oder Einrahmung.
20. 20. Ausführungsform:
    Verfahren nach einer der Ausführungsformen 17-19, wobei sowohl das Ausgeben der von der Person wahrnehmbaren Indikation also auch das Erfassen der Daten der Sen- dung zumindest teilweise mit der gleichen Vorrichtung ausgeführt wird, insbesondere mit einer Brille oder einem Handschuh.
21. 21. Ausführungsform:
    Verfahren nach einer der Ausführungsformen 1-20, ferner umfassend:
    • Erzeugen eines Sendungsverfolgungsereignisses betreffend eine von der Sortieranlage verarbeitete Sendung, deren Daten und deren zumindest eine Information, die die verarbeitete Sendung als zu verfolgende Sendung kennzeichnet, automatisch erfasst wurden.
22. 22. Ausführungsform:
    Vorrichtung eingerichtet zur Ausführung und/oder Steuerung des Verfahrens nach einer der Ausführungsformen 1-21 oder umfassend jeweilige Mittel zur Ausführung und/oder Steuerung der Schritte des Verfahrens nach einer der Ausführungsformen 1-21.
23. 23. Ausführungsform:
    System, umfassend eine oder mehrere Vorrichtungen, die eingerichtet sind zur Ausführung und/oder Steuerung des Verfahrens nach einer der Ausführungsformen 1-21 oder Mittel zur Ausführung und/oder Steuerung der Schritte des Verfahrens nach einer der Ausführungsformen 1-21 aufweisen.
24. 24. Ausführungsform:
    Computerprogramm, umfassend Programmanweisungen, die einen Prozessor zur Ausführung und/oder Steuerung des Verfahrens gemäß einer der Ausführungsformen 1-21 veranlassen, wenn das Computerprogramm auf dem Prozessor läuft.

Finally, the following exemplary embodiments of the invention are disclosed:

1. 1st embodiment:
   Method, comprising:
   • Collecting data from a shipment or receiving collected data of a shipment, the shipment is provided with at least one piece of information that the shipment as to traceable consignment and classified as non-processible by a sorting facility, and wherein the sorting facility is set up, respective data of consignments processed by it and, if the processed consignments are each provided with at least one information, the respective consignments respectively to be followed Programs characterized, at least one of these at least one information to automatically detect; and
   • Generating at least one shipment tracking event relating to the shipment in a shipment tracking database based at least on the acquired data or outputting the acquired data to generate such a shipment tracking event.
2. 2nd embodiment:
   The method according to embodiment 1, wherein the shipment tracking event is generated only at a second time, which is after a first time at which the data of the transmission detected or the detected data is obtained, the second time after a predetermined rule, in particular at least depending -gigkeit of the first time, is determined.
3. 3rd embodiment:
   A method according to embodiment 2, wherein the shipment tracking event is a delivery event characterizing the delivery of the shipment, and wherein the second time point is between a collection of the data of the shipment or the receipt of the shipment, taking into account a predetermined or estimated usual time duration recorded data of the consignment and their delivery is determined.
4. 4th embodiment:
   Method according to embodiment 3, wherein in the case of the successful delivery of the shipment, no further delivery tracking message relating to the delivery tracking database is generated in the shipment tracking database.
5. 5th embodiment:
   The method of any of embodiments 1-4, further comprising:
   • Acquiring data of another shipment or obtaining collected data of another shipment, the further shipment having been provided with at least one information identifying the further shipment as a shipment to be tracked, and classified as non-processible by the sorting facility,
   • Obtaining information indicating that delivery of the further shipment to the consignee of the consignment has failed or that the delivery of the further consignment to the recipient of the further consignment will be delayed, whereby due to the received information either no consignment tracking event occurs concerning the further transmission based on the acquired data, in which the transmission tracking database is generated or merely in the light of the received information, a transmission tracking event relating to the further transmission in the transmission tracking database is generated.
6. 6th embodiment:
   Method according to one of embodiments 1-5, wherein the shipment was discharged from the sorting installation during a sorting process and thereby classified as non-processable by the sorting plant.
7. 7th embodiment:
   Method according to one of the embodiments 1-5, wherein the consignment has been classified as non-processable by the sorting system in the context of manual pre-sorting.
8. 8th embodiment:
   Method according to one of the embodiments 1-7, wherein the data of the transmission are detected optically and / or radio-based by an information carrier connected to the transmission or at least partially formed by it.
9. 9th embodiment:
   A method according to embodiment 8, wherein at least one of the at least one in-formation, which characterizes the program as a program to be tracked, is present together with the data of the program on or in the information carrier.
10. 10th embodiment:
    Method according to embodiment 9, wherein the data of the item and the at least one of the at least one item of information in the form of a code, in particular a 2D barcode, are printed on a label associated with the item or the item itself.
11. 11th embodiment:
    Method according to embodiment 10, wherein a further one of the at least one information characterizing the program as a program to be tracked is not contained in the code but nevertheless on the information carrier or another information carrier connected to the program or at least is partially formed by this, is printed.
12. 12th embodiment:
    Method according to one of the embodiments 1-11, wherein at least one of the at least one information, which identifies the item as the item to be tracked, is present on or in an information carrier connected to the item.
13. 13th embodiment:
    The method of any of embodiments 1-12, further comprising:
    • Detecting that the shipment is provided with at least one of the at least one information identifying the shipment as being tracked, wherein acquiring the data of the shipment in response to detecting that the shipment is provided with the at least one of the at least one information which identifies the consignment as a consignment to be tracked, and wherein, for a consignment classified as non-processible by the sorting system, despite being checked, it is provided with at least one information identifying the other consignment as being to be followed Transmission, is not detected that it is provided with such information, no acquisition of the data of the other broadcast takes place.
14. 14th embodiment:
    Method according to one of the embodiments 1-13, wherein the detection of the data of the transmission is triggered by a person who has recognized that the transmission is provided with at least one of the at least one information identifying the transmission as a transmission to be tracked ,
15. 15th embodiment:
    Method according to embodiment 14, wherein the acquisition of the data of the transmission is triggered by a person approaching a device, with which the data of the transmission can be detected, to the transmission or approaching the transmission to a device of the type and / or or performing a physical act by a device with which the data of the shipment can be detected, is detectable.
16. 16th embodiment
    Method according to one of the embodiments 14-15, wherein the at least one of the at least one information which identifies the program as a program to be tracked is applied on the program as optical or visual recognition by a person, so that the Person is able to decide whether or not the program is to be tracked.
17. 17th embodiment:
    The method of any of embodiments 14-16, further comprising:
    • Issuing an indication perceivable by the person that the transmission is provided with at least one of the at least one information identifying the transmission as a transmission to be followed in order to cause the person to trigger the detection of the data of the transmission, the indication being for Broadcasts are output which are provided with at least one of the at least one information that identifies the respective transmission as a program to be followed.
18. 18th embodiment:
    The method of embodiment 17, wherein the indication is an optical indication displayed to the person by a device worn by the person, in particular a pair of glasses or a glove.
19. 19th embodiment:
    Method according to embodiment 18, wherein the optical indication results in that at least a part of the item, in particular at least one of the items identifying the item as being traced, is visually highlighted when viewed by the person, in particular by coloring and / or framing.
20. 20th embodiment:
    Method according to one of the embodiments 17-19, whereby both the outputting of the indication perceptible by the person and the acquisition of the data of the sensors At least partially performed with the same device, in particular with a pair of glasses or a glove.
21. 21st embodiment:
    The method of any of embodiments 1-20, further comprising:
    • Generating a shipment tracking event concerning a shipment processed by the sorting system whose data and at least one piece of information identifying the processed shipment as a shipment to be tracked were automatically acquired.
22. 22nd embodiment:
    Device configured to carry out and / or control the method according to one of the embodiments 1-21 or comprising respective means for carrying out and / or controlling the steps of the method according to one of the embodiments 1-21.
23. 23rd embodiment:
    A system comprising one or more devices configured to perform and / or control the method of any one of embodiments 1-21 or means for performing and / or controlling the steps of the method of any of embodiments 1-21.
24. 24th embodiment:
    A computer program comprising program instructions that cause a processor to execute and / or control the method according to any of embodiments 1-21 when the computer program is running on the processor.

The exemplary embodiments / embodiments of the present invention described in this specification are intended to be understood as disclosed individually as well as in all combinations with one another. In particular, the description of a feature encompassed by an embodiment is - unless explicitly explained to the contrary - not be understood in this case as meaning that the feature is essential or essential for the function of the exemplary embodiment. The sequence of the method steps described in this specification in the individual flowcharts is not mandatory, alternative sequences of the method steps are conceivable. The method steps can be implemented in different ways, so is an implementation in software (by program instructions), Hardware or a combination of both conceivable for implementing the method steps. Terms used in the claims, such as "comprising,""comprising,""including,""containing," and the like, do not exclude other elements or steps. The phrase "at least partially" includes both the "partial" and "full" cases. The expression "and / or" should be understood to mean that both the alternative and the combination should be disclosed, ie "A and / or B" means "(A) or (B) or (A and B)". A plurality of units, persons or the like means several units, persons or the like in the context of this specification. The use of the indefinite article does not exclude a majority. A single device can perform the functions of several units or devices mentioned in the claims. Reference signs indicated in the claims should not be regarded as limitations on the means and steps employed.

Claims (15)

Method, comprising: Acquiring data of a shipment or obtaining collected data of a shipment, the shipment being provided with at least one information identifying the shipment as a shipment to be tracked and classified as non-processible by a sorting facility, and wherein the sorting facility is set up, respective data of shipments processed by it and, if the processed shipments are each provided with at least one piece of information which respectively identifies the processed shipments as shipments to be tracked, in each case automatically detecting at least one of these at least one information; and Generating at least one shipment tracking event relating to the shipment in a shipment tracking database based at least on the acquired data or outputting the acquired data to generate such a shipment tracking event. The method of claim 1, wherein the shipment tracking event is generated only at a second time, which is after a first time at which the data of the transmission detected or the detected data is obtained, the second time after a predetermined rule, in particular at least in dependence the first time, is determined. The method of claim 2, wherein the shipment tracking event is a delivery event characterizing the delivery of the shipment, and wherein the second time, taking into account a predetermined or estimated common time period, between acquiring the data of the shipment or obtaining the captured data of the shipment and the latter Delivery is determined. Method according to one of claims 1-3, wherein the consignment was discharged during a sorting process of the sorting system and thereby classified as non-processable by the sorting system, or wherein the consignment was classified as non-processable by the sorting system in the context of a manual pre-sorting. Method according to one of claims 1-4, wherein the data of the transmission are optically and / or radio-based detected by a connected to the shipment or at least partially formed by this information carrier. The method of any of claims 1-5, further comprising: Detecting that the item is provided with at least one of the at least one items of information identifying the item to be tracked, wherein acquiring the data of the shipment in response to detecting that the shipment is provided with the at least one of the at least one information that identifies the shipment as being to be tracked, and
wherein for a different, as of the sorting plant unprocessable classified consignment for which, despite checking whether it is provided with at least one information that identifies the other program as a program to be tracked, has not been detected that it is provided with such information , does not capture the data of the other broadcast takes place. Method according to one of claims 1-6, wherein the detection of the data of the transmission is triggered by a person who has recognized that the transmission is provided with at least one of the at least one information that identifies the transmission as a program to be tracked. The method of claim 7, wherein detecting the data of the transmission is triggered by a person approaching a device, with which the data of the transmission can be detected, to the transmission or the transmission to such a device and / or a physical action which is detectable by a device with which the data of the shipment can be detected. Method according to one of claims 7-8, wherein the at least one of the at least one information, which identifies the program as a program to be tracked, is applied to the program as visual or visual recognition by a person with optical aids, so that the person in is able to decide whether or not the consignment is to be tracked. The method of any of claims 7-9, further comprising: Issuing an indication perceptible by the person that the item is provided with at least one of the at least one items identifying the item to be tracked, to cause the person to trigger the collection of the item's data, the indication being only is issued for programs that are provided with at least one of the at least one information that identifies the respective program as a program to be tracked. The method of claim 10, wherein the indication is an optical indication displayed to the person by a device carried by the person, in particular a pair of glasses or a glove. Method according to claim 11, wherein the optical indication results in that at least a part of the item, in particular at least one of the items identifying the item as being traced, is visually highlighted when viewed by the person, in particular by coloring and / or or framing. Method according to one of claims 10-12, wherein both the output of the perceptible by the person indication and thus the acquisition of the data of the shipment is at least partially performed with the same device, in particular with a pair of glasses or a glove. A device or system comprising one or more devices arranged to carry out and / or control the method of any one of claims 1-13 or means for performing and / or controlling the steps of the method of any one of claims 1-13 /identify. A computer program comprising program instructions that cause a processor to execute and / or control the method of any of claims 1-13 when the computer program is running on the processor.

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