Mail handling process and device

• US 6,169,978 B1
• Filed: 03/27/1998
• Issued: 01/02/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Siemens Nixdorf Informationssysteme AG (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens AG
• Inventors: Tewes, Udo, Kremer, Holger, Flückiger, Hans Walter, Sieber, Stefan, Lutz, Bernhard, Urban, Uwe
• Primary Examiner(s): Cosimano, Edward R.
• Application Number:
  US09/043,940
• Time in Patent Office: 1,012 Days
• Field of Search: 177/25.15, 702/155, 702/156, 702/158, 702/159, 702/166, 705/401, 705/406, 705/407, 705/410
• US Class Current: 705/406
• CPC Class Codes: B07C 1/10 Sorting according to size or flexibility
• CPC Class Codes: G01B 11/24 for measuring contours or curvatures
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 17/00661 Sensing or measuring mailpieces weighing G01G19/00
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/0037 Calculation of postage value
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00685 Measuring the dimensions of mailpieces
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00709 Scanning mailpieces

Abstract

A process and device for automaticaly posting virtually and item of mail wherein the item of mail is deposited on a handling surface and images of the item of are processed by an electronic camera.

Claims

1. A device for automatically accepting and marking an item of mail, comprising:

an acceptance compartment for accepting the item of mail;

a handling plate for handling the item of mail upon receipt from the acceptance compartment;

a controller for moving the handling plate along a displacement path between the acceptance compartment and a plurality of mail handling positions;

a measuring system for measuring physical properties of the item of mail and forwarding physical properties data to the controller;

an electronic camera connected to the controller and positioned above the displacement path at a mail handling position;

a display positioned near the acceptance compartment for displaying at least a surface image of the item of mail recorded by the electronic camera; and

an applicator connected to the controller for applying a marking to the item of mail positioned on the controller.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a balance upon which the handling plate may be placed for weighing the item of mail.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

an electro-optical measuring device positioned on at least one side of the displacement path for measuring a height of the item of mail.

4. A device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a drawer having the handling plate as its base and which has open front and top sides, the drawer being tiltable about an axis defined at an intersecting point between the handling plate and rear side of the drawer.

5. A device as claimed in claim 4, further comprising:

a turning plate as part of the rear wall, the turning plate being tiltable from a substantially vertical to substantially horizontal position.

6. A device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a housing in which the acceptance compartment is located;

a closure device on the housing which is controlled by the controller and which only allows the item of mail to be inserted into the acceptance compartment when in an open state; and

a detector for reporting the closed state of the closure device to the controller.

7. A device as claimed in claim 6, further comprising:

front and rear openings on the acceptance compartment;

a front closure plate as part of the closure device, the front closure plate associated with the front opening of the acceptance compartment; and

a rear closure plate as part of the closure device, the rear closure plate associated with the rear opening of the acceptance compartment, wherein only one or the other of the front and rear closure plates may be opened at a single point in time.

8. A device as claimed in claim 6, further comprising:

a row of light barriers positioned behind the front closure plate, wherein the row of light barriers have an upwardly-pointing scanning direction and wherein the front closure plate is displaceable in a vertical direction.

9. A device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:

a light source positioned beneath the handling plate;

a Fresnel lens positioned above the handling plate;

a translucent diffuser positioned above the Fresnel lens; and

an electro-optical measuring device positioned above the translucent diffuser for measuring both a length and width of the item of mail.

10. A device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the handling plate is positioned on a side of the Fresnel lens facing the electro-optical measuring device.

11. A device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the handling plate is transparent.

12. A device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the electro-optical measuring device is an electronic camera.

13. A device for automatically accepting and marking an item of mail, comprising:

an acceptance compartment for accepting the item of mail;

a handling plate for handling the item of mail upon receipt from the acceptance compartment;

a controller for moving the handling plate along a displacement path between the acceptance compartment and a plurality of mail handling positions;

a measuring system for measuring physical properties of the item of mail and forwarding physical properties data to the controller;

an electronic camera connected to the controller and positioned above the displacement path at a mail handling position;

a display positioned near the acceptance compartment for displaying at least a surface image of the item of mail recorded by the electronic camera;

an applicator connected to the controller for applying a marking to the item of mail positioned on the controller;

a light source for illuminating the handling plate positioned underneath the handling plate;

a Fresnel lens positioned above the handling plate; and

an electro-optical measuring device for measuring a length and width of the item of mail, wherein the Fresnel lens is positioned at a focal point of the electro-optical measuring device and dimensions of the Fresnel lens are greater than a vertical projection of a largest item of mail to be measured.

14. A device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the Fresnel lens is pivotable between a position covering the handling plate and a position exposing the handling plate.

15. A device as claimed in claim 13, wherein the handling plate has a light-diffusing surface.

16. A device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the handling plate is opaque.

17. A device as claimed in claim 15, wherein the light source is positioned laterally above the handling plate.

18. A device for automatically accepting and marking an item of mail, comprising:

an acceptance compartment for accepting the item of mail;

a handling plate for handling the item of mail upon receipt from the acceptance compartment;

a controller for moving the handling plate along a displacement path between the acceptance compartment and a plurality of mail handling positions;

a measuring system for measuring physical properties of the item of mail and forwarding physical properties data to the controller;

an electronic camera connected to the controller and positioned above the displacement path at a mail handling position;

a display positioned near the acceptance compartment for displaying at least a surface image of the item of mail recorded by the electronic camera;

an applicator connected to the controller for applying a marking to the item of mail positioned on the controller; and

a paying-in device, wherein a charge is determined in the controller based on the physical properties data and is indicated on the display, and wherein the paying-in device enables the applicator to apply the marking to the item of mail upon receipt of the charge.

19. A device as claimed in claim 18, wherein the applicator includes a head for picking up a label to which the marking is applied, the head being positionable over both a label dispenser and the handling plate and further being rotatable about a vertical axis as well as vertically displaceable.

20. A device as claimed in claim 19, wherein the head is a flexible pad having at least one channel susceptible to reduced air pressure under control of the controller.

21. A device as claimed in claim 19, further comprising:

at least one container positioned beneath the displacement path for optionally receiving the item of mail from the handling plate.

22. A device as claimed in claim 19, wherein the electronic camera is a line camera having an angular aperture corresponding to a width of the handling plate.

23. A device as claimed in claim 19, further comprising:

a printer connected to the controller for outputting a record of the charge.

24. A process for automatically accepting and marking an item of mail, comprising the steps of:

depositing the item of mail on a handling plate;

using at least one measuring device to determine weight and/or dimension data of the item of mail;

determining a marking to be applied to the item of mail based on the weight and/or dimension data;

recording a surface image of the item of mail using an electronic camera;

displaying both the surface image and the marking on a screen; and

applying the marking to the item of mail via key pad actuation.

25. A process as claimed in claim 24, further comprising the steps of:

displaying a place of intended application of the marking on the item of mail in the display; and

acknowledging the place of intended application by actuating a first key of an input device.

26. A process as claimed in claim 24, further comprising the step of:

determining a length and width of the item of mail using the electronic camera.

27. A process as claimed in claim 24, further comprising the steps of:

transilluminating the handling plate with a light source positioned therebeneath; and

capturing an outline of the item of mail using the electronic camera.

28. A process as claimed in claim 24, further comprising the step of:

receiving a charge prior to applying the marking to the item of mail.

29. A process as claimed in claim 24, further comprising the step of:

depicting the surface image of the item of mail on the display such that, regardless of an actual alignment of the item of mail on the handling plate, at least one edge of the item of mail is approximately parallel to an edge of the display.

30. A process as claimed in claim 24, further comprising the steps of:

providing an acceptance compartment having a closure device;

opening the closure device;

inserting the item of mail through the closure device onto the handling plate;

closing the closure device; and

reopening the closure device if no marking is applied to the item of mail.

31. A process as claimed in claim 30, further comprising the steps of:

moving the handling plate into an interior area of the device after closing of the closure device;

sensing if the item of mail has moved a predetermined distance;

returning the handling plate to the acceptance compartment if the handling device is not so sensed; and

opening the closure device.

32. A process as claimed in claim 24, further comprising the step of:

moving the handling plate onto a balance to determine a weight of the item of mail.

33. A process as claimed in claim 32, further comprising the step of:

moving the handling plate under the electronic camera after a weight-measuring operation.

34. A process as claimed in claim 24, further comprising the step of:

indicating a position intended for application of the marking in the surface image of the item of mail.

35. A process as claimed in claim 34, further comprising the step of:

changing the position of the marking in the surface image of the item of mail by actuating an input key of the input device.

36. A process for automatically accepting and marking an item of mail, comprising the steps of:

depositing the item of mail on a handling plate;

using at least one measuring device to determine weight and/or dimension data of the item of mail;

determining a marking to be applied to the item of mail based on the weight and/or dimension data;

recording a surface image of the item of mail using an electronic camera;

displaying both the surface image and the marking on a screen;

applying the marking to the item of mail via key pad actuation;

transferring the item of mail onto a turning plate wherein the turning plate temporarily takes over the function of the handling plate; and

using the electronic camera to again sense the position, shape and image-related properties of the item of mail.

37. A process as claimed in claim 36, further comprising the steps of:

pivoting the turning plate into a position covering the handling plate;

pivoting, simultaneously, both the turning plate and the handling plate through approximately 180°

about an axis near one edge of the handling plate wherein the turning plate comes to lie beneath the item of mail; and

pivoting the handling plate out of its position covering the turning plate.

38. A process as claimed in claim 37, further comprising the steps of:

moving the handling plate into a horizontal position; and

pivoting the turning plate about the axis wherein the item of mail may again slide onto the handling plate.

39. A process for automatically accepting and marking an item of mail, comprising the steps of:

depositing the item of mail on a handling plate;

using at least one measuring device to determine weight and/or dimension data of the item of mail;

determining a marking to be applied to the item of mail based on the weight and/or dimension data;

recording a surface image of the item of mail using an electronic camera;

displaying both the surface image and the marking on a screen;

applying the marking to the item of mail via key pad actuation;

providing an applicator for applying the marking which includes a head piece;

rotating the head piece about a vertical axis so that one edge of the marking is approximately parallel to one edge of the item of mail;

moving the applicator along a first horizontal axis to a first calculated position;

moving the handling plate along a second horizontal axis which is orthogonal to the first axis to a second calculated position; and

lowering the head piece in a direction of the item of mail to apply the marking.

40. A process as claimed in claim 39, further comprising the step of:

permanently storing the surface image of the item of mail after applying the marking.

41. A process as claimed in claim 39, further comprising the step of:

printing a copy of the surface image onto a record wherein the record is made available to a user of the process.

42. A process as claimed in claim 39, further comprising the steps of:

tipping the handling plate after applying the marking; and

sliding the item of mail into a container.

43. A process as claimed in claim 39, further comprising the steps of:

picking up a self-adhesive label which serves as the marking with the head piece; and

transporting the label with a flexible pad having one or more channels subjected to reduced air pressure.

44. A process as claimed in claim 43, further comprising the step of:

providing the label by a label printer.

45. A process as claimed in claim 39, further comprising the step of:

creating and storing a second surface image having higher resolution than the first surface image.

46. A process as claimed in claim 45, wherein a second high-resolution line camera is used to create the second surface image by moving the handling plate in relation to the line camera.

47. A process as claimed in claim 39, further comprising the steps of:

subjecting the surface image of the item of mail to a text recognition process;

providing a result of the text recognition process to a user of the process; and

correcting, if necessary, the surface image of the item of mail by the user of the process.

48. A process as claimed in claim 47, further comprising the steps of:

obtaining a zip code in response to the text recognition process;

printing the zip code onto the item of mail;

placing the zip code, if desired, in the marking; and

using the zip code, if desired, for controlling diverters in a continued conveyance of the item of mail.