Logistics network for processing of mailed articles and method for controlling this network
First Claim
1. A logistics network comprising:
- means for performing acceptance, processing and passing on of mailed articles, which are directed from a sender to a recipient, in a temporally and locally predetermined sequence, the means for performing including edges and nodes;
means for detecting discrepancies between requirements data, which describe requirements imposed on the logistics network if a predetermined quality standard is to be maintained, and actual measured data, andcontrol means for minimizing the discrepancies in a predetermined time by moving the processing of mailed articles from at least one node, whose capacity is less than the requirements data, to at least one other node, wherein a minimal additional outlay or expense is incurred.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A logistical network has nodes and edges, or transport links, which permit mailed articles that are being set from a sender to a receiver to be transferred, processed, and forwarded in a sequence which is predetermined in terms of time and place. The network includes devices for determining differences between nominal data describing the state of the logistical network and actual measured data. A controlled system is provided for minimizing differences in a predetermined period of time by shifting the processing of mailed articles from one node or a plurality of nodes of which the capacity is reduced with respect to the nominal data to one or a plurality of other nodes such that minimal additional expenditure is incurred.
39 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A logistics network comprising:
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means for performing acceptance, processing and passing on of mailed articles, which are directed from a sender to a recipient, in a temporally and locally predetermined sequence, the means for performing including edges and nodes; means for detecting discrepancies between requirements data, which describe requirements imposed on the logistics network if a predetermined quality standard is to be maintained, and actual measured data, and control means for minimizing the discrepancies in a predetermined time by moving the processing of mailed articles from at least one node, whose capacity is less than the requirements data, to at least one other node, wherein a minimal additional outlay or expense is incurred. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for controlling a logistics network having a plurality of nodes for processing articles between receipt of the articles from senders and delivery of the articles to receivers, comprising;
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(a) assigning articles to the nodes in a predetermined manner if predetermined throughput requirements can be maintained; (b) detecting whether any of the nodes wold be overloaded and thus unable to maintain the throughput requirements as a result of the assignment in step (a); (c) determining whether any other nodes have excess processing capacity; and (d) dynamically modifying the predetermined manner of assigning articles to nodes so as to divert articles from a node that was detected as being overloaded in step (b) to a node that was determined to have excess capacity in step (c) if the throughput requirements can be maintained as a result of the diversion.
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Specification