JP2002522264A - Mail check-in system - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) SUMMARY A system and method used for automatic check-in of mailpieces. The system has access to a database of valid postal addresses, and the system can verify the address provided by the customer and, in particular, assist the customer in finding the correct postal address. The address is printed and affixed to the mail. The system allows customers to pay by cash and / or credit card. Optionally, a machine readable code consisting of a mail confirmation code is affixed to the mail. The important side has a cylinder shell arranged in a swivel shape in which the object receiving unit forms a cavity inside, and the opening of both parts almost coincides when the cylinder shell and the front plate part are in the receiving angle position, When at the carry-out angle, the front plate portion is adjusted so as to be closed by the cylinder shell.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a system used by a postal customer for the automatic check-in of mail, especially parcels, and a method of using such a system. The system allows customers to pay for postal services with cash and / or credit or payment cards. The system has access to a database of valid postal addresses, and the system can verify customer-supplied addresses and, in particular, assist the customer in finding the correct delivery address. The address is printed by the system and affixed to mail.

[0002] As an option, a machine readable code is attached to the mail piece to identify that particular mail piece. An important aspect is that the mail check-in unit, when in the reception position, has a cylinder shell arranged on a rotating plate with an opening angled with the opening in the front plate, or said shell is Swiveling to the discharge position, where the shell can close the opening in the front plate.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Automatic check-in systems for mail that weigh the mail and apply and pay the postage are well known in the art and are disclosed in US 4,949,887, US 5,313,404 and US 5 , 57
Published by 0,290. In the system published by US 5,586,037,
The delivery address can be printed and / or printed on the mail piece on a label applied to the delivery address or mail piece.

[0004] The written address is retrieved, using optical character reading, the obtained information is compared with a database of valid delivery addresses, and the delivery address written on the mail accepted by the mail delivery system. A system for verifying an address is known from US 5,770,841. If a conflict occurs, you will be referred to a post office member. If a customer is referred in the event of a conflict, this is one advantage of the efficiency of the mail delivery system and limits the number of mails with invalid addresses in the mail delivery system. Also, if the customer does not know the full address, the exact spelling of the person's name, the street name, or the postal code, etc., it is one of the benefits of getting help in finding a valid delivery address for all of the mail. It is an advantage.

[0005] However, it is an object of the present invention to provide a system that allows a postal customer to automatically check in postal mail, whereby the postal mail is weighed, the customer pays for postal services, and the customer receives a valid delivery service. The address is verified against a destination address database and interacts with a system that presents the address applicable to the mail in a printed form to verify the postal delivery address.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a system capable of assisting a customer in searching for a valid address from only a part of a postal address input by the customer. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a system that can assist a customer in searching for a valid postal address, even if part of the customer input is incorrect. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a system capable of presenting a machine readable code applied to a mailpiece.

It is a further object of the present invention to assign a unique mail confirmation code to each mail checked in by the system and to communicate this confirmation code to a remote computer system with a valid verified delivery address. It is to provide a system that can do it.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a mail check-in system comprising a central data processing unit, data storage means, means for updating information with a customer, and means for receiving information from a customer to a control unit. . Further, the system includes a payment device for receiving payment from a customer, a printing device for printing a postal address, operation of the printing device controlled by a control unit, and a delivery address in a database of valid postal addresses. A control unit capable of searching, confirming the address provided by the user, and controlling operation of the printing device according to the confirmed address.

[0009] The system may further include a weighing unit used to provide an output value indicating the weight of the mailpiece placed on the weighing position of the weighing unit to the control unit, preferably the system includes: The weight measuring unit includes a transport unit for moving mail in and out of the weight measurement position, a driving unit for driving the transport unit, and the driving unit controlled by a control unit. The weight of mail such as parcels is
Criteria, such as pre-classification of checked-in mail, can be used by the control unit to calculate postage for mail and reject mail that exceeds a certain weight.

The payment device includes a card reader that reads information from a credit card,
And / or be able to receive bills and / or coins. In an embodiment of the invention, the system can receive all types of payments described above. The printing device is capable of printing a machine readable code, whether a bar code on an adhesive label that is applied directly on the mail, or by the customer or by means of a dedicated device, on the mail. . The printing device can also provide a free delivery stamp of the mail.

Preferably, the printing device comprises means for positioning the adhesive label relative to the printing unit of the printing device so that the printing unit can print on the adhesive label. The delivery address and, if possible, a barcode and / or a free delivery stamp are printed on a label and affixed to the mailpiece by the customer. Alternatively, the system comprises:
Equipped with a device for attaching an adhesive label to mail.

As an alternative or supplement to the adhesive label, the printing device may also include a device capable of printing a delivery address and / or a barcode and / or a free delivery mark on the surface of the mailpiece. The system can also include a device for printing a receipt to the customer. Receipts can also be used for payment only, at the specified time, for the proof of check-in of the parcel at the specified destination and, optionally, for the insurance certificate if the parcel is insured. .

It is an advantage if the control unit is capable of at least temporarily connecting to a data communication network in order to enable data communication with a remote computer system. Said communication enables the control unit to communicate with a remote computer to verify the credit card inserted in the credit card reader.

Further, the unit may be a remote creditable credit card account to enable the control unit to charge the credit card account so that the control unit can receive payment by the credit card. It can also be able to communicate with a computer system. Alternatively or additionally, the control unit may be able to communicate with a remote computer system having a database of valid delivery addresses.

[0015] In particular, the control unit according to the invention can assign a unique verification code to each mail piece checked in by the system, whereby the control unit causes the control code to correspond to each of the mail pieces. To communicate the valid delivery address to the remote computer system. The mail is thus entered into a general mail processing system, which includes a valid delivery address in a database and the system searches for the address in one or several countries. Such a wide geographical area.

[0016] The system may further comprise means for using a machine readable code for each piece of mail checked in by the system. The machine readable code can be a bar code or other optically detectable code, such as an RFID (radio frequency identification) tag. Preferably, the machine readable code provides an important indicator to the unique verification code.

[0017] The control unit of an embodiment of the present invention may be configured to provide a valid mail delivery address to the customer based on the partial address information received from the customer to indicate one or more valid mail delivery addresses. A database consisting of delivery addresses is available. It can further suggest to the customer one or more valid postal addresses if a portion of the received information does not match a valid postal address comprising the database.

In one embodiment of the invention, there is an article check-in unit that is itself an invention that can be used to check in other things, not just mail, so that customers can present things, especially at airports. It has one advantage when deposited. At airports, the possible safety details described below are extremely important. Accordingly, one embodiment of the present invention is considered a system having an object check-in unit as described above and comprising:

A cylinder shell portion that forms a cavity therein, the shell portion has an opening through which mail can enter and exit the outside and inside of the portion, and the cylinder shell portion is symmetrical with respect to a substantially vertical axis. The front plate portion, the cylinder shell portion and the front plate portion, which are arranged in a swivel shape and have openings through which mail can pass, and are fixedly arranged, are both portions when the cylinder shell portion is at the receiving angle position. Openings are adjusted so that mail pieces can pass through both openings, and when the cylinder shell portion is at one or more carry-out angles, the front plate portion is connected to the cylinder shell portion. The object receiving unit further comprises drive means for pivoting the cylinder shell portion between said angles, said drive means being controlled by Controlled by the control unit.

Preferably, the weighing unit is arranged in an internal cavity of the cylinder shell part, and in particular may be arranged in a swivel shape around the same axis as the cylinder shell part,
The weighing unit has a fixed angular position relative to the cylinder shell. The transport means of the weighing unit comprises an endless belt movably disposed at right angles to the opening of the cylinder shell, the endless belt having a substantially horizontal surface for holding mail. .

[0021] The front plate of the cylinder shell part is in an advantageous design of the object receiving unit, the radius of the concave inner surface being substantially equal to the outer radius of the cylinder shell part. The inner surface of the front plate portion is at least one angle from the opening of the front plate portion,
The inner surface covers the opening of the cylinder shell when the opening of the cylinder shell is at least in one angular position and has an extent greater than or equal to the angle of the opening angle of the cylinder shell.

One aspect of the present invention is considered a general object check-in system comprising: A central unit comprising a central data processing unit and data storage means; the system further comprises an object receiving unit having the following configuration: a cylinder shell part forming a cavity therein, wherein the shell part is provided with an object of the part; It has an opening through which the inside and outside can enter and exit, and the cylinder shell portion is arranged symmetrically in a swivel shape with respect to a substantially vertical axis, has an opening through which objects can pass, and is fixedly arranged. The front plate portion, the cylinder shell portion and the front plate portion are adjusted such that when the cylinder shell portion is at the receiving angle position, the openings of both portions almost coincide with each other so that an object can pass through both openings, and The front plate portion is adjusted and arranged to be closed by the cylinder shell portion when the cylinder shell portion is at one or more exit angles; Further, the object receiving unit has driving means for turning the cylinder shell portion between the angles, and the driving means is controlled by the control unit.

The general system further comprises a weighing unit for providing an output to the control unit indicating the weight of the object placed at the weighing position above the weighing unit, wherein the weighing unit is an internal cavity in the cylinder shell portion. The weight measuring unit has a transport means for moving the object in and out of the weight measuring position, and has a drive means for driving the transport means, and the operation of the drive means is controlled by the control unit. Preferably, the weighing unit is arranged in the internal cavity of the cylinder shell part, and is particularly arranged in a swivel shape around the same axis as the cylinder shell part, and the weighing unit is fixed relative to the cylinder shell part. Has an angular position. The conveying means of the weighing unit comprises an endless belt movably arranged at a right angle to the opening of the cylinder shell, the endless belt having an almost horizontal surface for holding mail. Have.

Preferably, the front surface of the cylinder shell has a shape in which the radius of the inner surface of the concave cylinder is substantially equal to the outer radius of the cylinder shell, as in a mail check-in system. The inner surface of the front plate portion has an angle spread of at least an opening angle size of the cylinder shell portion in a direction at least one angle from the opening of the front plate portion, and the opening of the cylinder shell portion has at least one angle. When in position, the inner surface covers the opening of the cylinder shell portion. The customer will then have any access to the area behind the front panel, and for security reasons even very expensive items, such as for automatic luggage check-in systems at airports and the like. The general check-in system described above may also include the above elements, such as parts of a mail check-in system. The baggage check-in system can also include a boarding pass reader or the like, by means of which the customer / passenger can identify himself to the control unit and the printing device can print the baggage receipt to the customer. .

The present invention is also considered a method of operating a system as described above. Said method is approximately evident from the examples above and below. In particular, a method for performing customer check-in of mail according to the present invention comprises the following steps: the customer places the mail in the goods receiving unit; the customer sends at least partial information of the mail delivery destination to the control unit. The communicating control unit, based on the partial address information received from the customer, creates a database of valid postal addresses to suggest one or more valid postal addresses to the customer. Searching, the customer confirms one of the suggested addresses, the customer pays for the postal service using the payment device of the system, and the printing device controlled by the control unit is a valid and confirmed delivery address Print.

The object receiving unit further comprises a weighing unit where the customer places the mailpiece, where the weighing unit determines the weight of the mailpiece and communicates data indicating said weight to the control unit. The method also comprises, in an embodiment, the following steps: The printing device prints the address on the adhesive label.

The label is provided to a customer, and the customer applies the label to mail. The payment step may comprise the following steps: the customer inserts the credit card into the credit card reader; to verify the inserted credit card, the control unit is capable of verifying the credit card over a data communication network; Communicating with a computer, and the control unit accepting payment by credit card if the credit card is valid, the payment step further comprises: a remote computer capable of charging the credit card over a data communication network. And the control unit initiates a billing of the account associated with the credit card entered to perform the payment procedure.

The method may also comprise the following steps: the control unit assigns a unique verification code to each mail piece checked into the system, and the control unit allocates a unique verification code of the mail piece Communicate the code and corresponding valid delivery address to the remote computer system over the data communication network.

It is also an advantage if the method according to the invention further comprises the following steps: The system is provided with a machine readable code for each piece of mail checked into the system. If the system to be actuated comprises the above-mentioned object receiving unit, the method further comprises the following steps: so that the opening of the cylinder shell part coincides with the opening of the fixedly arranged front plate part; Turning the cylinder shell portion controlled by a control unit arranged in a swivel shape about a substantially vertical axis symmetrically with respect to the cylinder shell portion, placing mail in an internal cavity of the cylinder shell portion, To adjust the portion to be closed by the cylinder shell portion, the cylinder shell portion is pivoted to one or more exit angles and the mail is ejected from the interior cavity to an exit location.

The endless belt is preferably arranged in a swivel shape around the same axis as the cylinder shell part and has a fixed angular position relative to the cylinder shell part. The endless belt is arranged so as to be movable at right angles to the opening of the cylinder shell part, has an almost horizontal surface for holding mail, and is driven by driving means controlled by a control unit. The mail is removed from the internal cavity.

In most embodiments according to the present invention, a weighing unit is located in the internal cavity for determining the weight of the mailpiece placed on the endless belt.

Detailed Description of the Drawings Each part of the parcel check-in system according to the present invention is shown in FIG. The system comprises an inlet conveyor belt section 1, a fixed weighing section 2 with a conveyor belt, the weighing section 2 can provide an electronic output indicating the weight of objects placed on the belt, and Consisting of an integrated conveyor section 3 which receives and temporarily supplements parcels from the measuring section 2, three sections 1 to 3 are arranged in series. Each of the three sections from 1 to 3 consists of a drive unit and an untuned motor for driving the object transport means in each section. The weighing section 2 is desirably installed in a place where the customer cannot access.

The operation of the system is controlled by a control unit 4, which is a multipurpose computer, having a central data processing unit and data storage means and data communication means 5-10 for operating the computer. And suitable computer software stored in the data storage means. The control unit 4 has data communication means 5-7, and is used for data transmission for controlling the operation of the drive unit of the section 1-3.
Used to receive data from sensors along the line. The control unit 4 also has data communication means 8 and 9, and transmits control data from the control unit 4 to each of the label printing machine 11 and the receipt printing machine 12, and to the label printing machine 1
1 and the receipt printing machine 12 are used to transmit status data to the control unit 4. The system comprises a payment unit 13 for receiving payment from a customer, in the form of an opportunity readable credit card or payment card, and optionally also in the form of banknotes or coins, and between the payment unit 13 and the control unit 4 Communication means 10 connected to the payment unit 13 for exchanging data.

The control unit 4 is permanently or temporarily connected to a communication network such as a wide area network (WAN) and can communicate with a remote external computer.
The illustrated external network includes a database of all registered valid delivery addresses within a given geographic area, such as one or more states, one or more countries, etc. Lookup table associated with each unique postal code used for different delivery addresses, operating status of the check-in system due to lack of date / content updates and lack of supply of errors and labels, etc. It has an automatic maintenance system 16 for monitoring, a test system 17 for performing remote troubleshooting and diagnosis, and a credit and / or payment card system 18 for verifying cards and billing customer accounts.

The customer front panel shown in FIG. 2 has a monitor 19 and a keyboard 20 for communication between the system and the customer. The monitor 19 optionally has a touch-sensitive screen, thereby eliminating the need for a keyboard 20. A card reader 21 for reading a credit card or the like is installed on a front plate for receiving payment from a customer, and the front plate has a unit for selectively receiving bills and coins. Opening 22
Is for putting the parcel into the inlet belt conveyor. The opening 2
2 is desirably sized so that parcels exceeding a certain size are not contained.
In particular, the opening surface should be substantially flush with the load-bearing surface of the inlet conveyor section 1 so that only parcels meeting the dimensional requirements in all three directions can be accommodated. Furthermore, the front has openings 23 and 24 from which the output from the label printing machine 11 and the receipt printing machine 12, respectively, is passed to the customer. The printed label is printed on a specific address in a machine-readable format, such as a barcode, RFID transponder, or a series of alphanumeric characters readable by an optical character reader (OCR). Consists of a unique mail confirmation code assigned to the parcel. Labeling is done by the customer, but can alternatively be done by an automatic applicator. At present, however, such applicators are expensive and their functions are still not reliable enough to be used for unsteady parcels.

The customer starts by placing a parcel in the inlet belt conveyor section 1 through the relevant front opening 22 on the front of said system to activate the parcel check-in system. The drive unit of the inlet belt conveyor section starts to be operated by the control unit 4, the parcel is conveyed to the fixed weighing section 2, and the driving unit there also starts to operate, and the parcel moves to the predetermined position Transported to. The position of the parcel is controlled by an optical cell that starts moving when the front end of the parcel reaches a predetermined location in the weighing section 2. When the optical battery starts moving, an output is sent to the control unit 4, which terminates the operation of the drive unit of the inlet conveyor section 1 and the operation of the weighing section 2 at the appropriate time. Alternatively, a number of optical cells can be arranged along the weighing section 2 to measure the dimensions of the parcel and control it to at least fall within a predetermined range. The weighing section 2 transmits an electronic output indicating the weight of the parcel to the control unit 4. The control unit displays the measured weight on the monitor 19 to the customer, moves the drive means of the inlet belt conveyor section 1 and the weight measuring section 2 in opposite directions, and returns the parcel to the inlet conveyor section 1. The position of the parcel in the inlet belt conveyor section 1 is controlled by the optical cell that has begun to move, and transmits the output to the control unit 4 when the leading end of the parcel reaches a predetermined position in the inlet belt conveyor section 1.

The control unit 4 prompts the customer through the monitor 19 to insert a credit card into the credit card reader 21. The inserted card is read by a card reader, and the confirmation data of the card is sent to the control unit 4, and the confirmation procedure is performed through the network of the credit card system 18. When the card is verified, the customer is prompted to enter a delivery address, or at least a portion of the delivery address, on a keyboard. The control unit 4 has access to a database of valid mail addresses, either from a mail center on the network or from a copy of a locally stored and regularly updated database.
The control unit 4 can assist the customer while using the database to find the correct address in the database from the address information containing the mistake entered by the customer.

The database of valid postal addresses is, in a simplified form, a postal code or postal code, and optionally, a valid street name for each region with a valid house number or one-story number on those streets. Index. A more detailed database also includes the building names of those addresses. The database also includes information about the destination delivery route for each mailing address, and the like.

The assistance in verifying the address and finding a valid address for the customer depends on the degree of detail of the database used. The support and verification system can also recognize errors such as personal names and street names, and alternative spellings, and the “Smith” name in the database search is “Smith, Schmidt, Smidth, Schmith, Schmitt,…” Recognized as belonging to a group, it may be possible to suggest one or more valid addresses from a limited but incomplete set of information.

Additional or optional customer input devices to the system's keyboard or touch-sensitive screen may include means for speech recognition and / or optical character recognition for detecting addresses previously written on the parcel. Is provided. After confirming the address, the customer enters an additional classification of the parcel, such as "handling care" or "express delivery", and enters the parcel content and / or whether the parcel should be insured. The control unit 4 calculates the total charge, the customer confirms the amount, and if the PIN for the card
Enter the code if needed. The control unit communicates with the network of the credit card / payment card system 18 to charge the account of the inserted card.

The parcel is given a unique mail confirmation code, and the control system sends the postal code to add the verified address, the check-in system verification code, and any additional classification codes to the relevant database. It communicates to a central computer system 15. The code is used for sorting parcels and for monitoring and tracking parcels through a postal parcel delivery system.

The label is printed by the label printing machine 11, the receipt is printed by the receipt printing machine 12, and the label and the receipt are handed to the customer through the respective openings 23 and 24. The customer affixes the adhesive label to the package and informs the system that the package is ready. The parcel is transported from the garbage bin belt conveyor section 1 to the weighing section 2, where the parcel is weighed again and checked to see if it has been tampered with, ie, replaced with a heavy one. Controls whether the verification code is actually machine readable. The parcel is then transported to the collection conveyor section 3, where the parcel enters the postal parcel delivery system.

Alternatively, the parcel is not provided with a unique mail identification code, but instead is machine readable on a label containing information about the partial or complete address and, optionally, the delivery route address of the destination. It may have a possible code, or the parcel may have no machine readable code. Such a system does not need to be connected to a network, especially if the payment means can be received without having to access the central payment system 18, such as cash, a cash card, or some commerce card.

Another embodiment of the parcel receiving portion of the system is shown in FIGS.
According to this, the weighing section 2 is arranged in a sorting part 25 which is formed like a cylinder shell and which is arranged in a swivel manner. The sorting section 25 allows the parcel to enter the sorting section 25, proceed to the weighing section 2 and return to the unloading position again,
It has an opening 26 inside. A corresponding opening 27 is in the front plate 28 of the receiving part, and the two openings 26 and 27 are aligned at the receiving angular position of the cylinder shell sorting part, as in position A in FIG. 3 and position A in FIG. Adjusted.

The four positions of one embodiment of a system having a sorting portion 25 formed like a cylinder shell are shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C, and 3D. Position A is the receiving position as described above, the opening 26 of the sorting section 25 is aligned with the opening 27 of the front plate 28, and the customer checks in the parcel to the weighing section 2 located in the sorting section 25. And swivel along with the sorting section (arrow 2)
9), at right angles to the opening 26 of the shell in the direction of transport of the conveyor belt of the weighing section 2. At positions B, C and D, position A
By means of an electric step motor controlled by a control unit for unloading the parcel placed in the weighing section 2 at, the sorting section 25 is moved around a pivot axis which coincides with the symmetric vertical axis of the cylinder shell. Swivel to three unloading angle positions.
The presence of a plurality of unloading locations allows for pre-sorting based on a set of criteria, such as parcel dimensions, destination, express parcel, parcel insurance, delivery services, etc., or a combination of such criteria. If pre-sorted, different types of parcels are often handled by different handling procedures, and if small parcels are stored in mass storage means, such as wire containers or postal bags, there is space on the conveyor for large parcels. Otherwise, the parcel storage space is efficiently used, which is a great advantage.

The four angular positions AD of the sorting part 25 arranged according to another embodiment of the invention are shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the front plate 28 has an extension portion 30, the inside of the sorting portion 25 is formed so as to correspond to the outer form of the sorting portion, and the two portions 25 and 30 match exactly. The extension 30 extends at least at an angle equal to the opening 26 of the sorting part 25, and the extension 30 covers said opening 26 and provides an opening between the customer area and the area that the customer cannot access during operation of the system. Protect. As shown at position A in FIG. 4, the sorting portion 25 pivots in incremental angular steps from the receiving position. The opening 26 of the sorting portion 25 is
At positions B and C, the opening 27 of the front plate 28 partially coincides, and the remaining portion of the opening 26 of the sorting portion 25 is covered by the extension 30. In the position D, the opening 26 of the sorting unit 25 no longer matches the opening 27 of the front plate 28. One opening is formed between the rear end 31 of the extension portion 30 and the opening 26 of the sorting portion 25. The sorting section 25 can pivot towards one, two or more exits of the area not accessible to the customer. The number of outlets is not more than two due to the dimensions of each part of the system shown, but is three or more, depending mainly on the angular size of the opening 26 of the sorting part 25 of the system. It is also possible.

The optical cells R1, R2, D1, D2 are shown in FIG. 5 in connection with the weighing section 2 and the operation of the section 2 and according to the output of the optical cells R1, R2, D1, D2. . The weighing section 2 is shown at position A without the parcel, showing two optical cells R1, R2 at the receiving end of section 2 and two optical cells D1, D2 at the output end of section 2. ing. The reference numbers of the optical cells R1, R2, D1, D2 are not included in the positions BD. The parcel 32 is placed at the receiving end of the weighing section 2 at position B. The two optical batteries R1 and R2 at the receiving end are closed, the first optical battery D1 at the output end of the weighing unit is closed, and the optical batteries R1, R2 and D are closed.
1, the conveyor belt of the gravity measuring section 2 is operated until the parcel 32 of D2 arrives at the weighing position and the control unit of the system communicates the output that the conveyor belt has stopped as shown at position C. I do. The vertical dimension of the parcel is
The time when the second optical battery R2 at the receiving end is no longer closed, the time when the first optical battery D1 at the output end is closed, and the belt conveyance speed are simultaneously measured. The second optical cell D2 at the output end of the weighing section 2 is used to ensure that the conveyor belt does not run for too long, in which case the transport direction is reversed and the belt is no longer closed. Activated until not loaded, parcel 32
Is actually used to confirm that the entirety has been unloaded from section 2.

The optical cell D 2 also has a long parcel 33, as shown in position D,
Can also be used when placed in Parcel 3 shown with continuous lines
Numeral 3 is the longest length of the system tolerance, which is in the correct weighing position, and covers both optical cells R2 and D1. The remaining two optical cells R1 and D2 are used to confirm that the parcel 33 is too long and does not exceed the tolerance of the weighing unit.

The control of the operation of the main parts of the system is shown in FIG. The control unit of the system is composed of a central processing unit, a random access memory (RAM), a physical storage medium, and a personal computer (PC) having storage means having a hard disk. PCs include credit card readers for receiving payments from customers, modems for communicating with remote computers over a communications network, uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) for ensuring that the system is properly closed in the event of a power outage, A label printing machine for printing the delivery address on a self-adhesive label used for parcels and printing a receipt, and information from the control unit is transmitted to the customer on the screen, and the customer detects the sensor on the screen. It is connected to a touch screen for talking to customers to provide information input to the control unit by touching. The control of the driving means for driving the cross belt or the conveyor belt of the weighing unit and other conveyor belts, the receiving of the output of the cylinder shell form selecting section 25 and the optical cells R1, R2, D1, D2 is performed by the subordinate control section ISD02.
Via the RS232 / 485 interface, where the actual control takes place.

According to the present invention, a letter check-in system similar to the parcel check-in system described above can also be constructed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a parcel check-in system according to the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a customer-side front of the system.

FIG. 3 shows four positions of a goods receiving unit for receiving goods.

FIG. 4 shows four positions of the receiving unit, similar to FIG. 3, but with a different front plate design.

FIG. 5 shows four states of operation of a conveyor belt with photocells for receiving objects.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a check-in system including the reception units of FIGS. 3 and 4.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the main elements of the control unit.

[Procedural Amendment] Submission of translation of Article 34 Amendment of the Patent Cooperation Treaty

[Submission date] November 13, 2000 (2001.11.13)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Claims

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Claims]

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G07F 17/00 G07F 17/00 (81) Designated country EP (AT, BE, CH, CY, DE, DK, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, IE, IT, LU, MC, NL, PT, SE), OA (BF, BJ, CF, CG, CI, CM, GA, GN, GW, ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG), AP (GH, GM, KE, LS, MW, SD, SL, SZ, UG, ZW), EA (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, MD, RU, TJ, TM), AE, AL, AM, AT, AU, AZ, BA, BB, BG, BR, BY, CA, CH, CN, CU, CZ, DE, DK, EE, ES, F I, GB, GD, GE, GH, GM, HR, HU, ID, IL, IN, IS, JP, KE, KG, KP, KR, KZ, LC, LK, LR, LS, LT, LU, LV , MD, MG, MK, MN, MW, MX, NO, NZ, PL, PT, RO, RU, SD, SE, SG, SI, SK, SL, TJ, TM, TR, TT, UA, UG, US, UZ, VN, YU, ZA, ZW (72) Inventor Kloster, Axel, Denmark, Daco-8220 Brabrand, Roll Saint-Gervay 17 (72) Inventor Hundebaal, Jörn Bak ン n, Denmark, Deko-9530 Stovelin , Fulbayen 37 F term (reference) 2H113 AA01 AA04 AA05 CA15 FA21 FA51 FA56 3E048 AA10 BA01 BA06 BA07 3F079 AA04 BA25 BA26 CA02 CA03 CA06 CA18 CA19 CA20 CA29 CB12 CB17 CB28 CC13 DA11 EA19 5B0M ND20 PQ03

Claims (42)

[Claims] 1. A mail check-in system comprising: a central data processing unit; data storage means; means for communicating with a customer; and means for receiving information from a customer to a control unit. A payment device for receiving payment from a customer, the payment device being controlled by a control unit; and a printing device for printing a postal delivery address, the operation being controlled by the control unit. A system comprising: a printing device; and a control unit capable of searching for a delivery address in a database of valid postal delivery addresses, verifying an address provided by a user, and controlling the printing device according to the verified address. . 2. The system according to claim 1, further comprising: a weight measuring unit used to provide an output indicating to a control unit the weight of the mail piece placed at the weight measuring position of the weight measuring unit. , With the system. 3. The system according to claim 2, wherein the weight measuring unit includes a transport unit for loading and unloading the mail to and from the gravity measurement position, and a driving unit for driving the transport unit. The operation of the driving means is controlled by a control unit. 4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the payment device includes a card reader for reading information from a credit card. 5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the payment device is capable of receiving bills and / or coins. 6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the printing device is further capable of printing a machine readable code. 7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the printing device is further capable of providing a free delivery stamp of the postal matter. 8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive level is positioned relative to the printing unit of the printing device so that the printing unit can print on the adhesive label. Means. 9. The system according to claim 8, further comprising an apparatus for applying an adhesive label to a mail. 10. The system according to claim 1, wherein the printing device further comprises means for printing on mail. 11. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a printing device for printing a receipt to a customer. 12. The system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is at least temporarily connected to a data communication network for the control unit to communicate with a remote computer system. System. 13. A system as claimed in claim 4 and claim 12, wherein the control unit can verify the credit card data, such that the control unit can verify the credit card inserted into the credit card reader. A system capable of communicating with a computer system. 14. The system according to claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the control unit is configured to enable a credit card account to be charged for receiving credit card payments. The system is capable of communicating with a remote computer system where the unit can charge a credit card account. 15. The system according to claim 12, wherein the control unit is capable of communicating with a remote computer system having a database of valid postal addresses. Features system. 16. The system according to any one of claims 11 to 15, wherein the control unit assigns a unique verification code to each piece of mail checked into the system, the control unit comprising: A system capable of communicating with the remote computer system the valid delivery address of each of the mails corresponding to the verification code. 17. The system according to claim 1, wherein the system comprises means for using a machine-readable code for each piece of mail checked into the system. Equipped system. 18. The system according to claim 17, wherein the machine readable code provides a key indicator of a unique verification code. 19. The system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit provides the customer with one or more valid mail deliveries based on the partial address information received from the customer. Being able to suggest a destination address. 20. The system according to claim 19, wherein the control unit comprises one or more valid mail delivery addresses if the received information does not match a valid mailing address in the database. A system capable of suggesting a destination address to a customer. 21. The system according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the system further comprises a cylinder shell portion defining a cavity therein, wherein the mailpiece is connected to an exterior of the portion. A cylinder shell portion having an opening through which the inside can enter and exit, wherein the cylinder shell portion is arranged symmetrically with respect to the cylinder shell portion in a swivel shape with respect to a substantially vertical axis, and mail can pass through the front plate; An object receiving unit having a fixedly arranged front plate portion having an opening, wherein the cylinder shell portion and the front plate portion of the object receiving unit are both positioned when the cylinder shell portion is at the receiving angle position. When the openings of the parts are aligned so that the mailpieces can pass through both openings substantially and the cylinder shell part is at one or more exit angles Are arranged so that the front plate portion is closed by the cylinder shell portion, and the object receiving unit further includes driving means for rotating the cylinder shell portion between the angles. The system, wherein the driving means is controlled by a control unit. 22. The system according to claim 3, wherein the weighing unit is located in an internal cavity of the cylinder shell. 23. The system according to claim 22, wherein the weight measuring unit is disposed in an internal cavity of the cylinder shell portion, and is arranged in a swivel shape about the same axis as the cylinder shell portion, and the weight measurement is performed. The system wherein the unit has a fixed angular position relative to the cylinder shell portion. 24. The system according to claim 23, wherein the conveying means of the weight measuring unit includes an endless belt movably disposed in a direction perpendicular to an opening of the cylinder shell portion, wherein the endless belt is a postal mail. A system having a substantially horizontal surface for holding an object. 25. The system according to any one of claims 21 to 24, wherein the inner surface of the front plate of the cylinder shell is concave and has a radius substantially equal to the outer radius of the cylinder shell. System. 26. The system of claim 25, wherein the inner surface of the front plate portion is at least one angle from the opening of the front plate portion to at least the angle of the opening angle size of the cylinder shell portion. Wherein the inner surface covers the opening of the cylinder shell when the opening of the cylinder shell is in at least one angular position. 27. An object check-in system comprising a central data processing unit and a central unit having data storage means, further comprising: a cylinder shell portion forming a cavity therein, wherein the object is the portion. A cylinder shell portion having an opening through which the outside and inside of the cylinder shell can enter and exit, wherein the cylinder shell portion is arranged symmetrically with respect to the cylinder shell portion in a swivel shape with respect to a substantially vertical axis; And a fixedly arranged front plate portion having an opening through which the cylinder shell portion and the front plate portion can be provided. Sometimes the openings in both parts are adjusted so that the openings almost coincide and the object can pass through both openings, and the cylinder shell part has one or more exit angles. In some cases, the front plate portion is arranged so as to be closed by the cylinder shell portion, and the object receiving unit further includes a driving means for rotating the cylinder shell portion between the angles, The driving means is controlled by a control unit. 28. The system of claim 27, further comprising: an internal cavity in the cylinder shell portion that provides an output to the control unit indicating the weight of an object placed at the weighing location on the weighing unit. A weighing unit arranged in the weighing unit, wherein the weighing unit is configured to carry the object in and out of the weighing position, and a driving unit configured to drive the conveying unit and control the operation by the control unit. When,
A system that has 29. The system according to claim 28, wherein the weighing unit arranged in a swivel shape about the same axis as the cylinder shell has a fixed angular position relative to the cylinder shell. System. 30. The system according to claim 29, wherein the conveying means of the weight measuring unit comprises an endless belt movably arranged at right angles to the opening of the cylinder shell portion, Wherein the endless belt has a substantially horizontal surface for holding mail. 31. The system according to any one of claims 27 to 30, wherein the front plate of the cylinder shell portion has an inner surface of a concave cylinder portion having a radius substantially equal to the outer radius of the cylinder shell portion. , With the system. 32. The system of claim 31, wherein the inner surface of the front plate portion has an angle of at least an opening angle size of the cylinder shell portion in a direction at least one angle from the opening of the front plate portion. A system comprising a divergence, wherein the inner surface covers the opening of the cylinder shell when the opening of the cylinder shell is in at least one angular position. 33. A method for performing a customer check-in of a mail piece, the method comprising the steps of: putting a mail piece into a mail pick-up unit; Communicating at least a portion of the information to the control unit, and the control unit suggesting one or more valid postal addresses to the customer based on the partial address information received from the customer. Retrieving a database consisting of valid postal addresses, verifying one of the suggested addresses by the customer, paying the postal service using the payment device of the system, and controlling A printing device controlled by the unit printing a valid and confirmed delivery address; 34. The method according to claim 33, wherein the object receiving unit comprises a weighing unit on which the customer places the mailpiece, the weighing unit indicating the weight after determining the weight of the mailpiece. Communicating data to a control unit. 35. The method according to claim 33 or claim 34, comprising the steps of: printing the address on an adhesive label by the printing device; and providing the label to a customer. Provided, and the customer applies the label to the mail. 36. A method according to any one of claims 33 to 35, wherein the payment step comprises the following steps: The customer inserts a credit card into a credit card reader. Communicating with a remote computer capable of verifying the credit card over a data communication network to verify the inserted credit card; and accepting the credit card payment if the credit card is valid. Step. 37. The method according to claim 36, wherein the payment step further comprises: a remote computer capable of charging a credit card over the data communication network by the control unit; Communicating; and initiating a charge on the account associated with the credit card entered by the control unit to perform the payment procedure. 38. The method according to any one of claims 33 to 37, further comprising the following steps: each of the mailpieces in which the control unit checks into the system. Assigning a unique verification code to the remote control system via a data communication network to the control unit communicating the unique verification code of the mailpiece and a corresponding valid delivery address. 39. The method according to any one of claims 33 to 38, wherein the system further comprises the step of attaching a machine readable code to each piece of mail checked into the system. And how. 40. The method according to any one of claims 33 to 39, further comprising the following steps: the opening of the cylinder shell portion is fixedly arranged. Turning the cylinder shell part controlled by a control unit arranged in a swivel shape about a vertical axis symmetrically with respect to the cylinder shell part so as to coincide with the opening of the front plate part; Placing mail in the interior cavity of the shell portion; and pivoting the cylinder shell portion at one or more exit angles to adjust the front plate portion to be closed by the cylinder shell portion; Delivering mail from the internal cavity to a delivery location; 41. The method according to claim 40, wherein the cylinder shell is arranged in a swivel shape about the same axis as the cylinder shell part and at a fixed angular position relative to the cylinder shell part. An endless belt movably arranged at a right angle to the opening of the part, said endless belt having a substantially horizontal surface for holding mail, the endless belt being controlled by a control unit Removing mail from the internal cavity by driving a driving means. 42. The method according to claim 34, wherein a weight measuring unit is arranged in the internal cavity for determining the weight of the mailpiece placed on the endless belt. how to.