Mail Delivery Tracking System and Apparatus

• US 20080191877A1
• Filed: 01/25/2006
• Published: 08/14/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lyngsoe Systems Ltd. (Lyngsoe Systems Holding Nspk ApS)
• Original Assignee: Lyngsoe Systems Ltd. (Lyngsoe Systems Holding Nspk ApS)
• Inventors: Nicolescu, Ioan, Paun, Mircea, Ferguson, Don
• Granted Patent: US 7,864,052 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/572.1
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2029/1226 comprising electrical parts
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2029/1229 activated by the letter flap
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 2029/145 the receptacle comprising means for identifying a deposit; Deposits carrying identification means, e.g. a bar code
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 29/1214 including a receiver located remotely from the letter-box and a transmitter
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 29/1225 Signalling devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 21/00 Measuring or testing not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 17/00508 Printing or attaching on mailpieces printing mechanisms B41J; security printing B41M3/14; marking methods B41M5/00; inks C09D11/00; record carriers with at least a part designed to carry digital markings G06K19/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/0004 Determining the location of mailpieces outside apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00629 Circuit, e.g. transponder

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system that will permit the automatic measurement of the efficiencies of a delivery process from end to end. This system uses Radio Frequency based transponders and reader infrastructure to capture data as objects that contain RF transponders pass process points. In particular this invention permits the capture of delivery data automatically at the final end point. This invention is applicable in delivery applications such as those performed by post offices.

Claims

1. A mail delivery measurement system comprising:

a excitation unit for installation on a delivery door,

and a remote reader unit,

wherein when a mailpiece is inserted through a slot in said delivery door, said excitation unit excites said mailpiece such that any radio frequency identification tag contained within the mailpiece communicates a corresponding identity to said remote reader unit.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said slot further incorporates a flap which covers said slot and wherein when said flap is held in the open position for a predetermined length of time, said excitation unit communicates directly with said remote reader unit.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said remote reader unit stores the corresponding identity, time stamps the corresponding identity, and relays the corresponding identity immediately or at a later time for post processing.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein power conservation mode is maintained by the excitation unit until opening of a flap covering said slot.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein said excitation unit reverts to said power conservation mode after said excitation unit communicates said corresponding identity to said remote reader unit.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the integrity of the system is determined by analyzing an integrity messages received.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein said excitation unit is capable of transmiting diagnostic messages on UHF and wherein said remote read unit is capable of indicating reception of said diagnositic messages.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein said diagnostic messages include battery low messages.

2. An excitation unit for cooperation with a delivery door comprising:

an actuator for coupling to a flap covering a slot in said delivery door wherein when a mailpiece is inserted in said slot, said actuator is actuated,

a switch having a first and second position, coupled to said actuator, wherein when said actuator is actuated, said switch is in moved said first position, and otherwise, said switch remains in said second position,

a low frequency transmitter controlled so as to emit a signal when said switch is in said first position, said signal for the excitation of any radio frequency identification tags contained within said mailpiece.