Mail sorter system and method for productivity optimization through precision scheduling
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method for transitioning from an earlier phase to a later phase of mail sortation, comprising:
- performing the earlier phase of mail sortation, before the later phase;
acquiring information during the earlier phase comprising at least a total number of pitches occupied by the mail to be sorted in the later phase known after the earlier phase is halted; and
using the information in order to calculate, while continuing the earlier phase, a transition time at which there would be sufficient remaining time to perform the later phase prior to a deadline for completing the later phase,wherein using the information to calculate the transition time is repeated in order to calculate, before the earlier phase is stopped, a revised value of the transition time.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A mail sorting system, method, and software product are provided for transitioning from an earlier phase to a later phase of mail sortation. Information acquired during the earlier phase is used in order to calculate, while continuing the earlier phase, a transition time. At the transition time, there would be sufficient remaining time to perform the later phase, in order to meet a deadline for completing the later phase.
97 Citations
31 Claims
-
1. A method for transitioning from an earlier phase to a later phase of mail sortation, comprising:
-
performing the earlier phase of mail sortation, before the later phase; acquiring information during the earlier phase comprising at least a total number of pitches occupied by the mail to be sorted in the later phase known after the earlier phase is halted; and using the information in order to calculate, while continuing the earlier phase, a transition time at which there would be sufficient remaining time to perform the later phase prior to a deadline for completing the later phase, wherein using the information to calculate the transition time is repeated in order to calculate, before the earlier phase is stopped, a revised value of the transition time. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
-
-
23. A mail sorting system, comprising:
-
a first set of sorting equipment, configured to perform an earlier phase of mail sortation; a second set of sorting equipment, configured to perform a later phase of mail sortation, wherein the earlier phase occurs before a transition to the later phase; at least one information acquisition device, configured to acquire information during the earlier phase comprising at least a total number of pitches occupied by the mail to be sorted in the later phase known after the earlier phase is halted; and at least one processing module, configured to use the information to calculate, while the earlier phase is continuing, a transition time for the transition, wherein, at the transition time, there is sufficient remaining time to perform the later phase prior to a deadline for completing the later phase, and wherein the processing module is further configured to use the information repeatedly, in order to calculate a revised value of the transition time, before the earlier phase is stopped. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
-
Specification