Method and system for data transmission between a package mailbox and at least one central data processing unit in a logistic system

• US 7,151,434 B2
• Filed: 08/07/2003
• Issued: 12/19/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/16/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Deutsche Post AG
• Original Assignee: Deutsche Post AG
• Inventors: Schommers, Johannes, Mayer, Boris
• Primary Examiner(s): Garber, Wendy R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BANGACHON, WILLIAM L
• Application Number:
  US10/524,947
• Publication Number:
  US 20050288977A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,230 Days
• Field of Search: 340/5.73, 340/5.7, 340/5.9, 340/568.1, 340/572.1, 340/569, 340/539.1, 340/543, 700/233, 700/244, 700/214, 700/237, 700/242, 235/382, 235/385, 235/381, 232/45, 232/19
• US Class Current: 340/5.73
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/08 Logistics, e.g. warehousing, loading or distribution; Inventory or stock management
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 17/00024 Physical or organizational aspects of franking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/0004 Determining the location of mailpieces outside apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: G07B 2017/00209 Mailbox, i.e. container for outgoing mail

Abstract

A method and system for data transmission between a package mailbox and at least one central data processing unit in a logistic system for the operation of one or more package mailboxes. Events at a package mailbox are evaluated by means of a communication device, which transmits function requests corresponding to the events to the data processing unit. The data processing unit carries out the corresponding functions and optionally returns data to the communication device of the package mailbox.

Claims

1. A method for data transmission between a parcel compartment system and at least one remote data processing unit for operating at least one parcel compartment system having a communications device, the method comprising the steps of collecting events at a parcel compartment system by the communication device, whereby the events at the parcel compartment system comprise depositing and/or picking-up shipments and/or the expiration of time intervals, the communication device associating function messages with the events, combining the function messages into one single request and transmitting the request to the remote data processing unit, whereby each request is provided with an unambiguous RequestID, the remote data processing unit executing functions corresponding to the function messages depending on the transportation or delivery company or user affected by the event and, if applicable, sending data back to the communication device.

2. The method of claim 1, comprising the communications device sending the RequestID with the request to the remote data processing unit, and sending the response to the request back with this RequestID.

3. The method of claim 1, comprising the remote data processing unit confirming each function message with a status code that indicates the success or failure of the function message.

4. The method of claim 3, comprising the communications device repeating the function message if the remote data processing unit has not sent back a status code within a certain period of time.