Parcel self-servicing machine
First Claim
1. A postal item check-in system comprising a control unit having a central data processing unit, data storage means, means for communicating information to a customer, means for receiving information from a customer to the control unit, means for communicating with a global computer network, and means for OCR (optical character recognition), the system further comprising a payment device for receiving payment from a customer, the operation of said payment device being controlled by the control unit, and a printing device being enabled to print a postal delivery address, the operation of said printing device being controlled by the control unit, the control unit being enabled to look up delivery addresses in a database comprising valid postal delivery addresses, validate a user-provided address, and control the operation of the printing device according to the validated address, and the control unit further being enabled to receive commands from a customer via the global computer network, the means for OCR being enabled to read a text on an item delivered to the system and communicate a content of the text to the central data processing unit.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A parcel self-servicing machine for check-in and/or delivery of items, such as mail items, library books, postal order items etc. Is capable of communicating via a global computer network. Items to be checked in or delivered may be pre-announced via the global computer network. The system may be adapted to receive payment, e.g. credit card payment. May have an item receiving unit having a cylinder shell part defining an interior cavity, the shell part having an opening defined therein for allowing items to pass between the exterior and the interior of the shell part. The system may comprise at least two storage parts for storing items and a connecting part for connecting a chosen storage part and a receiving/delivery platform. A plurality of storage parts may be arranged on a carrousel. Maintenance may be performed on the system by means of an electronic connection between an electronic service tool and the control unit of the system.
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Citations
72 Claims
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1. A postal item check-in system comprising
a control unit having a central data processing unit, data storage means, means for communicating information to a customer, means for receiving information from a customer to the control unit, means for communicating with a global computer network, and means for OCR (optical character recognition), the system further comprising a payment device for receiving payment from a customer, the operation of said payment device being controlled by the control unit, and a printing device being enabled to print a postal delivery address, the operation of said printing device being controlled by the control unit, the control unit being enabled to look up delivery addresses in a database comprising valid postal delivery addresses, validate a user-provided address, and control the operation of the printing device according to the validated address, and the control unit further being enabled to receive commands from a customer via the global computer network, the means for OCR being enabled to read a text on an item delivered to the system and communicate a content of the text to the central data processing unit.
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35. An item check-in system comprising
a control unit having a central data processing unit, data storage means, means for communicating with a global computer network, and means for OCR (optical character recognition), the system further comprising an item receiving unit having a cylinder shell part defining an interior cavity of said part, the shell part having an opening defined therein for allowing items to pass between the exterior and the interior of said part, the cylinder shell part being arranged pivotally about a substantially vertical axis of symmetry of said cylinder shell part, a front plate part being fixedly arranged and having an opening defined therein for allowing items to pass the front plate part, the cylinder shell part and the front plate part being arranged in close proximity in such a way that the openings of said parts at a receiving angular position of the cylinder shell part are aligned so as to allow for items to pass both openings and so that the opening of said front plate part at one or more discharge angular positions of the cylinder shell part is closed by the cylinder shell part, the item receiving unit further having drive means for turning the cylinder shell part between said angular positions, the operation of the drive means being controlled by the control unit, the control unit further being enabled to receive commands from a customer via the global computer network, the means for OCR being enabled to read a text on an item delivered to the system and communicate a content of the text to the central data processing unit.
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44. A postal item check-in and delivery system comprising
a control unit having a central data processing unit, data storage means, means for communicating information to a customer, and means for receiving information from a customer to the control unit, the system further comprising a payment device for receiving payment from a customer, the operation of said payment device being controlled by the control unit, and a receiving and/or delivery platform for receiving and/or delivering postal items from/to a customer, at least two storage parts for storing postal items which have been received from customers and/or postal items which are to be delivered to customers, and a connecting part being enabled to connect the receiving and/or delivery platform to a chosen one of the at least two storage parts, so as to allow a postal item to be transferred in a chosen direction between the platform and the chosen storage part.
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55. A method of delivering items from an item delivery system, the system comprising a control unit, a delivery platform, at least two storage parts for storing items to be delivered to customers, and a connecting part being enabled to connect the delivery platform to a chosen one of the at least two storage parts, the connecting part comprising drive means being controlled by the control unit, the method comprising the steps of
a customer identifying himself or herself, the control unit identifying an item to be delivered, the control unit identifying the storage part containing the item to be delivered, the system conveying the item from said storage part via the connecting part to the delivery platform, the customer receiving the item.
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64. A method of performing maintenance and/or service on an item check-in and/or delivery system, the system comprising a control unit having means for communicating with service personnel, the method comprising the steps of
the service personnel establishing an electronic connection between an electronic service tool and the control unit of the system, the service personnel performing the maintenance and/or service required via the established electronic connection using the electronic service tool, and the service personnel disrupting the established connection.
Specification