Source: http://www.google.com/patents/US20010042055?dq=5,581,513
Timestamp: 2013-12-05 16:19:07
Document Index: 661111591

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 25', 'art 25', 'art 25', 'art 25', 'art 25', 'art 25', 'art 25', 'art 25', 'art 25', 'art 30', 'art 25', 'art 25', 'arts 25', 'art 30', 'art 25', 'art 30', 'art 25', 'art 25', 'art 25', 'art 25', 'art 25', 'art 30', 'art 25', 'art 30', 'art 25', 'art 25', 'art 25', 'art 25', 'art 28', 'arts 110', 'art 110', 'arts 110', 'art 110', 'art 110', 'art 110', 'art 110', 'art 110', 'art 110', 'arts 110', 'arts 110', 'art 110', 'art 109', 'art 110', 'art 110', 'art 109', 'art 110', 'art 109', 'art 109', 'art 109', 'art 110', 'art 109', 'art 110', 'art 110', 'art 110', 'arts 110', 'art 110', 'art 109', 'art 110', 'art 109', 'art 109', 'art 110', 'art 109', 'art 109', 'arts 110', 'art 110', 'art 110', 'art 110']

Patent US20010042055 - Parcel self-servicing machine - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Advanced Patent Search | Sign inAdvanced Patent SearchPatentsA parcel self-servicing machine for check-in and/or delivery of items, such as mail items, library books, postal order items etc. Is capable of communicating via a global computer network. Items to be checked in or delivered may be pre-announced via the global computer network. The system may be adapted...http://www.google.com/patents/US20010042055?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US20010042055 - Parcel self-servicing machinePublication numberUS20010042055 A1Publication typeApplicationApplication numberUS 09/777,683Publication dateNov 15, 2001Filing dateFeb 7, 2001Priority dateFeb 7, 2000Publication number09777683, 777683, US 2001/0042055 A1, US 2001/042055 A1, US 20010042055 A1, US 20010042055A1, US 2001042055 A1, US 2001042055A1, US-A1-20010042055, US-A1-2001042055, US2001/0042055A1, US2001/042055A1, US20010042055 A1, US20010042055A1, US2001042055 A1, US2001042055A1InventorsJan Didriksen, Jorn Hundeboll, Wolmer Jorgensen, John Pedersen, Jan Mikkelsen, Leif RasmussenOriginal AssigneeJan Didriksen, Hundeboll Jorn Vagn, Wolmer Jorgensen, Pedersen John Nymann, Jan Mikkelsen, Rasmussen Leif FlemingReferenced by (19), Classifications (7), Legal Events (2) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetParcel self-servicing machineUS 20010042055 A1Abstract A parcel self-servicing machine for check-in and/or delivery of items, such as mail items, library books, postal order items etc. Is capable of communicating via a global computer network. Items to be checked in or delivered may be pre-announced via the global computer network. The system may be adapted to receive payment, e.g. credit card payment. May have an item receiving unit having a cylinder shell part defining an interior cavity, the shell part having an opening defined therein for allowing items to pass between the exterior and the interior of the shell part. The system may comprise at least two storage parts for storing items and a connecting part for connecting a chosen storage part and a receiving/delivery platform. A plurality of storage parts may be arranged on a carrousel. Maintenance may be performed on the system by means of an electronic connection between an electronic service tool and the control unit of the system. Images(12) Claims(72)
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES [0178] The parts of a parcel check-in system according to the invention are shown on the diagram in FIG. 1. The system comprises an inlet conveyor belt section 1, a static weighting section 2 having a conveyor belt, the weighting section 2 being able to provide an electronic output indicating the weight of an article placed on the belt, and an accumulating conveyor section 3 for receiving and temporarily storing parcels from the weighting section 2, the three sections 1-3 being arranged in series. Each of the three sections 1-3 comprises a drive unit, an asynchronous electric motor, for driving the article conveying means of the respective section. The weighting section 2 is preferably placed in an area to which customers do not have access. [0179] The operation of the system is controlled by a control unit 4, which is a multiple-purpose computer having a central processing unit, data storage means and data communication means 5-10, and being provided with suitable computer software stored in the data storage means for controlling the operation of the computer. The control unit 4 has data communication means 5-7 being adapted for transferring data for controlling the operation of the drive units of the three sections 1-3 and for receiving data from sensors arranged along the sections 1-3. It further has data communication means 8, 9 being adapted for transferring control data from the control unit 4 to a label printer 11 and to a receipt printer 12, respectively, and for transferring status data from the label printer 11 and the receipt printer 12 to the control unit 4. The system comprises a payment unit 13 for receiving payment from the customers in the form of a machine-readable credit card or payment card, such as a smart card, and optionally also in the form of bank notes and/or coins, as well as a data communication means 10 associated with the payment unit 13 for transferring data back and forth between the payment unit 13 and the control unit 4. [0180] The control unit 4 is permanently or temporarily connected to a communication network 14, which may be a wide area network (WAN) by which the control unit 4 may communicate with remote external systems. The external systems shown are a postal central computer system 15 having a database containing all registered valid postal addresses within a given geographical area, such as one or more states, one or more countries, etc., and a look-up table connecting each active unique postal item identification code with a valid postal address, an automatic maintenance system 16 which keeps the computer software updated/upgraded and monitors the operational state of the check-in system for errors, lack of supplies of labels etc., a test system 17 from which a remote on-line troubleshooting and diagnosing can be performed, and a credit card and/or payment card system 18 from which a validation of cards can be obtained and where the customers account can be charged. [0181] The customer front-end shown in FIG. 2 has a monitor 19 and a keyboard 20 of the control unit 4 for providing means for communication between the system and the customer. The monitor 19 has optionally a touch-sensitive screen, thus making the keyboard 20 unnecessary. A card reader 21 for reading credit cards etc. is placed on the front-end for receiving payment from the customers, and the front-end optionally also has a unit for receiving bank notes and/or coins. An opening 22 is provided for entering parcels onto the inlet belt conveyor section 1. The opening 22 is preferably of a size so that parcels exceeding certain dimensions cannot be entered. In particular, the plane of the opening may be situated in a plate laying in a plane that is substantially parallel to the article-supporting plane of the inlet belt conveyor section 1 so that only parcels complying with the dimension requirements in all three dimensions may be entered into the system. Further, the front-end has openings 23, 24 through which the output from the label printer 11 and the receipt printer 12, respectively, can be delivered to the customer. The printed label has the validated address printed on it and comprises a unique postal item identification code assigned to the particular parcel in a machine-readable form, such as a bar code, an RFID transponder, a series of alphanumeric characters to be read by Optical Character Recognition (OCR), etc. The application of the label on the parcel is performed by the customer but could instead be performed by an automatic applicator. However, at present such applicators are high-priced and their performance are not sufficiently reliable when dealing with irregularly shaped parcels. [0182] The customer begins the operation of the parcel check-in system by placing a parcel onto the inlet belt conveyor section 1 through the associated opening 22 in the front-end of the system. The operation of the drive unit of the inlet belt conveyor section is started by the control unit 4 and the parcel is conveyed to the static weighting section 2 of which the drive unit is activated as well, until the parcel is at a correct position on the weighting section 2. The position of the parcel is controlled by a photocell, which is activated when the front end of the parcel reaches a given position along the weighting section 2. The photocell sends an output to the control unit 4 when it is activated so that the control unit can stop the operation of the drive units of the input conveyor section 1 and the weighting section 2 at an appropriate moment. Optionally, a number of photocells are arranged around the weighting section 2 so that the dimensions of the parcel may be measured or at least controlled to be within a given set of limits. The weighting section 2 transmits an electronic output to the control unit 4 indicating the weight of the parcel. The control unit displays the measured weight to the customer on the monitor 19 and activates the drive means of the input belt conveyor section 1 and the weighting section 2 in a reverse direction so as to convey the parcel back onto the input belt conveyor section 1. The position of the parcel on the input belt conveyor section 1 is controlled by a photocell which is activated and sends an output to the control unit 4 when the front end of the parcel reaches a given position along the input belt conveyor section 1. [0183] The control unit 4 prompts via the monitor 19 the customer for entering a credit card into the card reader 21. The entered card is read by the card reader and the identification data of the card is transmitted to the control unit 4 which performs a validation procedure over the network with the credit card system 18. When the card is validated, the customer is prompted to enter the delivery address or at least part of the delivery address on the keyboard. The control unit 4 has access to a database of valid postal addresses, either from the postal central computer 15 over the network or from a locally stored and regularly updated copy of the database. The control unit 4 can by using the database assist the customer in finding the correct address by proposing a number of valid addresses found in the database from deficient address information entered by the customer. [0184] The database of valid postal addresses may in a simple form comprise an index of valid street names for each district with a postal code, e.g. ZIP-code, optionally also valid house numbers and flat indications on those streets. More elaborate databases also comprise the names of the residents of those addresses. The database may also comprise information about the mail route each postal address is designated to. [0185] The validation of addresses and assistance for the user in finding a valid address depends on the specification level of the database employed. The assistance and validation system may be enabled to recognise faulty or alternative spelling of personal names and street names so that the name �Smith� in a database search will be regarded as belonging to the group of �Smith, Schmidt, Smidth, Schmith, Schmitt, . . . ,� etc. and be able to suggest one or more valid addresses from a limited number of information of which perhaps none are completely correct. [0186] The customer input device of the system may additionally or alternatively to the keyboard or the touch-sensitive screen comprise means for speech recognition and/or an Optical Character Recognition system for scanning an address that is already written on the parcel. [0187] The customer may after having confirmed the address enter additional categorisation of the parcel, such as �fragile� or �express�, enter the contents of the parcel and/or insure the parcel. The control unit 4 calculates the total charge and the customer confirms the amount and enters if required a PIN-code for the card. The control unit 4 charges the account of the entered card by communicating over the network with the credit card/payment card system 18. [0188] The parcel is allocated a unique postal item identification code and the control system communicates the code together with the validated address, the identification code of the check-in system and the optional categorisation to the postal central computer system 15 in which it is added to the relevant database. The code is used for sorting of the parcels and for monitoring and tracking of the parcel through the postal parcel delivery system. [0189] A label is printed on the label printer 11 and a receipt is printed on the receipt printer 12 and the label and the receipt are delivered to the customer through the respective front-end openings 23, 24. The customer applies the adhesive label to the parcel and communicates to the system that the parcel is ready. The parcel is conveyed from the inlet belt conveyor section 1 to the weighting section 2 and the parcel is weighted again to ensure that the parcel has not been tampered with, e.g. been exchanged with a heavier parcel, and a scanner controls that the identification code is placed so that it actually is machine-readable. The parcel is then conveyed to the accumulating conveyor section 3 from where it is entered into the postal parcel delivery system. [0190] The parcel may alternatively not be allocated a unique postal item identification code but instead have a machine-readable code printed on the label containing information about the partial or complete address and optionally also about the mail route the address is designated to, or the parcel may not be given a machine-readable code at all. Such a system does not necessarily have to be connected to a network, especially not if only payment means are accepted that do not require access to a central payment system 18, such as cash, cash cards or certain smart-cards. [0191] Another embodiment of the parcel receiving part of the system is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 according to which the weighting section 2 is arranged within a pivotally arranged screen part 25 formed as a cylinder shell. The screen part 25 has an opening 26 defined therein for allowing parcels to be entered into the screen part 25 and onto the weighting section 2 and for allowing the parcels to be discharged again. A corresponding opening 27 is defined in the front plate 28 of the receiving part so that the two openings 26, 27 may be aligned in a receiving angular position of the cylinder shell screen part 25 as shown in FIG. 3 position A and in FIG. 4 position A. [0192] Four positions of one embodiment of the system with a screen part 25 formed as a cylinder shell are shown in FIG. 3 as positions A, B, C and D. Position A is as mentioned above a receiving position in which the opening 26 of the screen part 25 is aligned with the opening 27 of the front plate 28 to allow a customer to enter a parcel to be checked in onto the weighting section 2 that is arranged within the screen part 25 in such a way that it is turned together with the screen part and the transport direction (indicated with an arrow 29) of the conveyor belt of the weighting section 2 constantly is perpendicular to the opening 26 in the shell part. In positions B, C and D, the screen part 25 is turned about its pivot axis, which is identical with the vertical symmetry axis of the cylinder shell, by means of an electrical stepper motor that is controlled by the control unit to three different angular discharge positions in which the parcel that was placed on the weighting section 2 at position A may be discharged. The plurality of discharge positions allows for a pre-sorting of the parcels according to a set of criteria such as the dimensions of the parcels, the destination, express parcels, insurance of the parcels, parcels for courier service, etc. or a combination of such criteria. The pre-sorting can be very advantageous as the different types of parcels often are handled by means of different handling arrangements and accumulation space for the parcels may be utilised more efficiently if small parcels are sorted into a bulk storage means such as a wire container or a mail bag so that they do not take up space on accumulation conveyors for larger parcels. [0193] Four angular positions A-D of a screen part 25 arranged according to another embodiment of the invention are shown in FIG. 4. In this embodiment, the front plate 28 has an extension part 30 that on the inner side towards the screen part 25 is formed as a counterpart to the outer shape of the screen part 25 so that the two parts 25, 30 fit closely together. The extension part 30 extends over an angle that is at least equal to the angular size of the opening 26 defined in the screen part 25 so that the extension part 30 can cover said opening 26 and prevent that an opening is formed between the customer area and the area to which customers do not have access during the operation of the system. From the receiving position of the screen part 25 as shown in position A of FIG. 4, the screen part 25 is turned counter-clockwise towards one of the discharge positions. This operation is illustrated in positions B, C and D of FIG. 4, in which the screen part 25 is turned in incrementing angular steps from the receiving position. The opening 26 in the screen part 25 is partly aligned with the opening 27 in the front plate 28 at position B and C, and the remaining part of the opening 26 in the screen part 25 is covered by the extension part 30. At position D, the opening 26 in the screen part 25 is no longer aligned with the opening 27 in the front plate 28 and an opening is forming between the rear edge 31 of the extension part 30 and the opening 26 in the screen part 25. The screen part 25 may be turned to one, two or more different discharge stations arranged in the area to which customers do not have access. The number of discharge stations can not be more than two for the shown dimensioning of the parts of the system but the number may be three or more, depending mainly on the angular size of the opening 26 defined in the screen part 25 of the system. [0194] An arrangement of photocells, R1, R2, D1, D2 in relation to the weighting section 2 and the operation of the section 2 in accordance with the output from the photocells R1, R2, D1, D2 is shown in FIG. 5. The weighting section 2 is shown in position A without a parcel present so that the two photocells R1, R2 at the receiving end of the section 2 as well as the two photocells D1, D2 at the discharge end of the section 2 are visible. The reference numbers for the photo cells R1, R2, D1, D2 are not included in positions B-D. A parcel 32 is entered onto the receiving end of the weighting section 2 in position B. The two photo cells R1, R2 at the receiving end are blocked off and the conveyor belt of the weighting section 2 is operated until the first photo cell D1 at the discharge end of the weighting unit is blocked off which indicates to the control unit of the system, to which the output from the photo cells R1, R2, D1, D2 are directed, that the parcel 32 has reached a weighting position and the operation of the conveyor belt is halted as shown in position C. The longitudinal size of the parcel is measured at the same time based on the time between the second photo cell R2 at the receiving end is no longer blocked off and the first photo cell D1 at the discharge end is blocked off as well as the conveying speed of the belt. The second photo cell D2 at the discharge end of the weighting section 2 is used to ensure that the conveyor belt is not operated for too long a period, in which case the conveying direction may be reversed and the belt being operated until the photo cell D2 is no longer blocked off, and also to ensure that the parcels 32 are actually fully discharged from the section 2. [0195] The photo cell D2 may also be used in case a long parcel 33 is entered onto the weighting section 2 as shown at position D. The parcel 33 illustrated with the continuous line has the maximum length allowable for the system and is in the correct weighting position blocking off two of the photo cells R2, D1. The two remaining photo cells R1, D2 are used to ensure that the parcel 33 is not too long and extends beyond the allowable limits of the weighting unit. [0196] The control of the operation of main parts of the system is illustrated in FIG. 6. The control unit of the system is constituted by a Personal Computer (PC) having a central processing unit and data storage means comprising Random Access Memory (RAM) as well as a physical storage medium, a hard disc. The PC is connected to a Credit card reader for receiving payment from the customers, a modem for communicating with remote computer systems via a communication network, a UPS that ensures that the system is closed down properly in case of a power failure, a label printer for printing the delivery address on adhesive labels to be applied to the parcels by the customer and for printing receipts and a Touch-screen for interaction with the customer so that information from the control unit to the customer are shown on the screen and the customer can provide information input to the control unit by touching sensitive parts of the screen. The control of the drive means for driving the cross belt, or conveyor belt, of the weighting unit and possibly other conveyor belts, the control of the drive means for turning the cylinder shell shaped screen part 25 and the receiving of output from the photo cells R1, R2, D1, D2 is performed via an RS 232/485 interface to a subsidiary control part ISD02 through which the actual control is performed. [0197]FIG. 8 shows how postal item check-in systems 100 are connected to a global computer network 101 via a Post WAN system 102, and the users 103,104 are in contact with the postal item check-in systems 100. [0198] In a embodiment of the invention the communication of commands flows from the users 103,104 via the global computer network to different service systems, such as a ticket and reservation system 105, a payment system 106, a tracking and tracing system 107, or a library server 108, depending on the wanted operation. [0199] By communicating via the global computer network the user 103,104 is able to reserve tickets, prepare sending of a parcel, and when the user 103,104 afterwards identifies him/herself to one of the postal item check-in systems 100 the system 100 will communicate with the relevant service system to require the necessary information and perform the user specified operation, such as receiving payment and printing tickets, checking in the parcel, or the like. [0200] A user 103, 104 who uses the postal item check-in system 100 on a regular basis may generate a file in the system, the file containing information regarding a number of receiving addresses which the user 103, 104 has used, such as addresses used within a specific time interval preceding the present or the last, e.g. 10, addresses used. When the user 103, 104 communicates with the postal item check-in system 100 and identifies himself/herself in order to announce that a parcel is to be checked in, the system 100 will enter the file and present the addresses contained therein to the user 103, 104. The user 103, 104 may then pick one of the addresses, or he/she may choose to enter an address which is not currently contained in the file. In the latter case the file is automatically updated so as to contain the additional address. [0201] The user 103, 104 may pre-announce that one or more parcel(s) is/are to be checked in via e.g. a personal computer being connected to the system 100 via the global computer network 101. When the user 103, 104 at a later time approaches one of the postal item check-in systems 100 and identifies himself/herself, the system 100 will list the parcel(s) which has/have been pre-announced, and the user 103, 104 will be asked to enter the first parcel, then the second etc. until all the parcels have been checked in. [0202] FIGS. 9-12 illustrate embodiments of the postal item check-in system, wherein the parcel receiving part of the system has a cylinder shell part. The parcel receiving part comprises a connecting section 109 which is positioned behind the front plate part 28, i.e. it is unavailable for a customer using the system. [0203] In FIGS. 9 and 10 the parcel receiving part further comprises five storage parts 110, each of which may be connected to a weighing section 2 being positioned inside the cylinder shell part by means of the connecting section 109. The connecting section 109 is provided with a conveyor belt and drive means for driving the conveyor belt, so that items may be conveyed by the connecting section 109. The connecting section 109 is further provided with elevator means 111, so that the level of the connecting section 109 may be adjusted according to the storage part 110 to which it shall be connected. As can be seen from FIG. 9, the storage parts 110 may be positioned at different levels, and they may be of different sizes in order to accommodate different kinds of parcels, e.g. having different sizes. [0204] The parcel receiving part may be used for check-in of articles and/or for delivering articles to the customer. In case the parcel receiving part is used for check-in, it is operated substantially as described above until the parcel is to be conveyed away from the weighting section 2. At this point the cylinder is turned until the conveying directions of the weighting section 2 and the connecting section 109 are aligned, as indicated in FIGS. 9 and 10. The cylinder is then turned along with the connecting section 109, and subsequently the connecting section 109 is optionally elevated/lowered by means of the elevator means 111, until a connection is established to a chosen storage part 110. The connecting section 109 is turned around the same axis around which the cylinder shell part is turned. The chosen storage part 110 is the one which shall accommodate the received item. The item is then conveyed by means of the weighting section 2 and the connecting section to the chosen storage part 110. The parcel receiving part then return to a position in which it is ready to receive another item. Preferably, the connecting section 109 subsequently automatically returns to an initial position from where it is ready to perform the above operations again. This may be performed while the next session begins, e.g. while the next customer enters an item into the parcel receiving part or while the next customer identifies himself/herself in order to be allowed to pick up an item being stored at one of the storage parts. This will save operation time. [0205] In case the parcel receiving part is used for delivering an item to a customer, it is preferably operated as follows. The customer approaches the parcel receiving unit and identifies himself/herself. The parcel receiving unit then identifies an item which is to be delivered to that customer, and it identifies the storage part 110 which accommodates that item. The cylinder and the connecting section 109 are then moved as described above so as to establish a connection between the weighting section 2 and the storage part 110 accommodating the item. The item is then conveyed by means of the connecting section 109 and the weighting section 2 from the storage part 110 to the weighting section 2. Finally, the cylinder is turned into a position in which the customer may pick up the item from the weighting section 2. Optionally, in case payment is required from the customer, he/she may provide such payment using the payment device of the parcel receiving part before the item is delivered. The items being delivered may be ordinary postal items, such as parcels, but it may also be ordered goods, e.g. goods bought by means of e-commerce or library books, rented video cassettes or any other suitable kind of goods. In any case the distributor makes use of the infra structure provided by the item check-in system. [0206] Preferably, the customer is advised in advance that an item is to be delivered at a specific parcel receiving part. This may be performed by delivering a note at the customers home address, but it may alternatively be performed by sending an electronic message to the customer, such as an e-mail, an SMS message or any other kind of message sent to the customer's cellular telephone or PC. In case a message is sent to the customer's cellular telephone, the customer may identify himself/herself at the parcel receiving part by merely turning on the cellular telephone, the telephone thereby transmitting a signal identifying said telephone and hence the customer carrying it, e.g. by means of the Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) or using a similar technology. [0207] In a further embodiment of the invention the communication is performed over the world wide web, a global network or the internet. [0208]FIGS. 11 and 12 show perspective views of a check-in and delivery system comprising a plurality of storage parts 110 arranged on a carrousel 112. The carrousel 112 comprises a number of storage sections 113, each comprising six storage parts 110 in the form of shelves. In the shown embodiment check-in as well as delivery of articles from/to a customer as described above is possible. Preferably, each storage part 110 has a unique ID. When an article is checked in (or delivered for later delivery to a customer) and subsequently positioned in a storage part, the ID of the article is linked to the ID of the storage part, so that the system will know where a specific article is located. Thus, in case the article is to be delivered to a customer, the system will be able to locate and deliver the correct article when the customer turns up. [0209] Check-in of articles is performed as described above until the article is to be moved away from the connecting part 109. Then an empty storage part 110 is identified, and in case the identified empty storage part 110 is not in the vicinity of the connecting part 109, the carrousel 112 is moved in such a way that the empty storage part 110 is in the vicinity of the connecting part 109. The connecting part 109, and optionally the elevator means 111, are moved so as to connect the connecting part 109 and the chosen empty storage part 110. Finally, the article is transferred from the connecting part 109 to the chosen storage part 110. At this time at the latest the ID of the storage part 110 is linked to the ID of the article, so that the article may be located at a later time as described above. Based on the ID of the article the system may obtain additional information relating to the article, such as destination or other relevant information as described above. The ID of the storage part 110 may thus be linked to this additional information as well, or the system may use the information when handling the article. [0210] The checked-in articles may be collected, e.g. by a truck or lorry. In this case the driver may extract information from the system relating to which articles have been checked in for further distribution, and he may empty the storage parts 110 containing such articles only. The driver may additionally deliver articles which are to be delivered by a customer from the system in question at a later time. This will be described further below. [0211] Delivery of articles may be performed in the following way. A customer approaches the system and identifies himself/herself as described above. The system then identifies and locates the article which is to be delivered to the customer. If the storage part 110 containing the identified article is not in the vicinity of the connecting part 109 the carrousel 112 is moved until the storage part 110 is in the vicinity of the connecting part 109. The connecting part 109, and optionally the elevator means 111, are moved so as to connect the storage part 110 and the connecting part 109. The article is transferred to the connecting part 109, and the article is subsequently moved to the delivery platform as described above in order to be delivered to the customer. [0212] In case a truck or lorry delivers articles to be delivered to customer this is preferably performed as follows. The driver has access to the back part of the system where he enters the articles in empty storage parts 110 and makes sure that the ID of each article is linked to the ID of the storage part 110 containing the article. This may e.g. be performed using a scanning device for scanning an electronic ID of each article as well as an electronic ID of a storage part 110 before the article is positioned in the storage part 110. [0213] A letter check-in system similar to the described parcel check-in system can also be constructed according to the invention. Referenced byCiting PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS6704690 *Dec 8, 2000Mar 9, 2004St. Logitrack Pte Ltd.Monitoring systemUS6970868 *Mar 12, 2002Nov 29, 2005Siemens Dematic AgMethod for ascertaining valid address codesUS7065492Oct 30, 2002Jun 20, 2006Laura CinquiniMethod and apparatus for providing a personal item drop off/return service at security checkpointsUS7090134 *Mar 4, 2004Aug 15, 2006United Parcel Service Of America, Inc.System for projecting a handling instruction onto a moving item or parcelUS7267262 *Aug 5, 2002Sep 11, 2007Seecontrol, Inc.Method and apparatus confirming return and/or pick-up valuable itemsUS7613654 *Jan 31, 2003Nov 3, 2009Neopost TechnologiesUse of electronic devices for money transferUS7731089 *Aug 8, 2006Jun 8, 2010International Business Machines CorporationInteractive physical mail content managementUS7761348Dec 30, 2004Jul 20, 2010United Parcel Service Of America, Inc.Systems and methods for consolidated global shippingUS7809654 *Aug 30, 2002Oct 5, 2010Neopost IndustrieUniversal modular mail handling systemUS7853536Dec 30, 2004Dec 14, 2010United Parcel Service Of America, Inc.Systems and methods for virtual inventory managementUS7895092Jul 21, 2009Feb 22, 2011United Parcel Service Of America, Inc.Systems and methods for integrated global shipping and visibilityUS8140395Nov 26, 2008Mar 20, 2012Proiam, LlcEnrollment apparatus, system, and methodUS20100106293 *Oct 23, 2008Apr 29, 2010Pitney Bowes Inc.Postal kiosk system and method for providing electronic post office box servicesUS20110140830 *Dec 15, 2009Jun 16, 2011Lane T RandallTemperature Tracking Device and Method Using SameDE102011100709A1 *May 6, 2011Nov 8, 2012Erich BielefeldtPacket station for receiving or adoption of parcels or packages in post offices, has several electronic data processing units connected with database, for sending receiving and shipping information of packageEP2217982A1 *Nov 26, 2008Aug 18, 2010Proiam, LlcEnrollment apparatus, system, and methodWO2006058601A1 *Nov 9, 2005Jun 8, 2006Deutsche Post AgMethod and device for accepting electronic appliancesWO2006098728A2 *Mar 11, 2005Sep 21, 2006Amerisource Companies LpMethod and system for item deliveryWO2009020485A1 *May 28, 2008Feb 12, 2009United Parcel Service IncSystems and methods for providing and updating customer-specific shipping information on a server* Cited by examinerClassifications U.S. Classification705/407, 705/401International ClassificationG07B17/00Cooperative ClassificationG07B2017/00225, G07B2017/0004, G07B17/00193European ClassificationG07B17/00E1Legal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionNov 15, 2002ASAssignmentOwner name: CRISPLANT A/S, DENMARKFree format text: CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ASSIGNEES ADDRESS THAT WAS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 011998, FRAME 0416;ASSIGNOR:ID & TEKNIK;REEL/FRAME:013497/0349Effective date: 20021115Jul 19, 2001ASAssignmentOwner name: CRISPLANT A/S, DENMARKFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:DIDRIKSEN, JAN;JORGENSEN, WOLMER;PEDERSEN, JOHN NYMANN;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:011997/0113;SIGNING DATES FROM 20010521 TO 20010615Owner name: ID & TEKNIK, DENMARKFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:RASMUSSEN, LEIF FLEMMING;REEL/FRAME:011995/0850Effective date: 20010503Owner name: LYNGSO INDUSTRI A/S, DENMARKFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:HUNDEBOLL, JORN VAGN;REEL/FRAME:011997/0140Effective date: 20010504Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:ID & TEKNIK;REEL/FRAME:011998/0416Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:LYNGSO INDUSTRI A/S;REEL/FRAME:011995/0803Effective date: 20010505RotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services©2012 Google