KR20010072111A - A postal item check-in system - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system used to automatically process a postal mail, in particular a parcel, for a postal customer and a method of using the system. The system accesses a database of valid mail delivery addresses to verify the address entered by the customer, or in particular to help the customer find the correct mail delivery address. The address is printed by the system and attached to the mail. The system allows the customer to pay by cash and / or credit card. For example, a machine-readable code is attached to the mail as an identification code for a specific item. One of the important features of the present invention is that the item receiver has an axially pivoting cylinder shell with an opening which is aligned with the opening of the reception desk in the receiving position and the shell rotates to discharge position. When in the shell obscures the opening of the reception desk.

Description

A POSTAL ITEM CHECK-IN SYSTEM}

Automated mail processing systems for weighing postage, stamping and paying postage are known from the prior art and are disclosed in US Pat. No. 5,570,290 as well as US Pat. No. 4,940,887, US 5,313,404. The system in US Pat. No. 5,586,037 can print the destination code and / or delivery address on a mail or label attached to the mail.

The system known from US Pat. No. 5,770,841 is a system for verifying a mailing address recorded on mails processed by a postal delivery system. The system can scan the recorded address to obtain information obtained by using optical character recognition. It can be compared with a valid delivery address. If the address is wrong, the postal operator will query the system.

If a customer looks up an incorrect address, it will be useful for the efficiency of the postal delivery system, thus reducing the number of mails with addresses that are not valid for the postal delivery system. It is also useful if you can get help finding a complete and valid address, for example if you don't know the full address, don't know the correct spelling of the sender's name, or you don't know the street name or postal code.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to automatically process the mail for the customer for mail, that is, pay the weighing fee and the customer enters the mail delivery address in the mail procedure using the mail procedure system and the effective mail delivery system The present invention provides a postal mail processing system that can check the address by referring to a database of addresses, print the address, and attach the postal mail.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a postal mail procedure system that allows a customer to select a valid address only with a portion of the postal address entered by the customer.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a postal mail procedure system that helps a customer select a valid address even if the customer has entered something wrong.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a postal mail procedure system that provides a machine-readable code that can be attached to the postal mail.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a postal mail processing system capable of assigning a unique postal mail identification code for each postal mail procedure in the mail forwarding system and sending the identification code to the remote computer system together with the confirmed delivery address. There is.

The present invention relates to a system used to automatically process a mail, in particular a parcel, for a mail customer and a method of using the system. The system allows the customer to pay for the postal service by cash and credit card and / or payment card. The system accesses a database of valid mail delivery addresses to verify the address entered by the customer or, in particular, to help the customer find the correct mail delivery address. The address is printed by the system and attached to the mail.

For example, a machine-readable code is attached to the mail as an identification code for a specific item.

One of the important features of the present invention is a cylinder shell (Cylinder shell) is installed in the form of the item receiving portion is pivoting in the axial direction so that the opening of the receiving table and the opening of the cylinder shell is placed side by side or The shell obscures the opening of the reception desk when the shell is rotated to release the item.

1 is a block diagram of a parcel processing system according to the present invention.

Figure 2 shows the front-end of the postal delivery system in the direction the customer is looking.

3 shows four positions in which the receiver receives the article.

FIG. 4 shows four states of the receiving part similar to that of FIG.

5 shows four operating states of a delivery belt with a photo cell to receive the item.

6 shows a perspective view of a procedure system including the receiver of FIGS. 3 and 4.

7 shows the main components of the controller.

The present invention

A mail processing system comprising a central information processing apparatus, a data storage means, a communication means for exchanging information with a customer, and a control unit having a receiving means for receiving information from a customer and transmitting the information to a control unit.

In addition, the mail procedure system

A bill payment device which can receive a fee from a customer and is controlled and operated by the controller;

It may further include a printing device for printing the mail delivery address, and controlled and operated by the control unit,

The control unit checks a database including a valid postal delivery address, confirms an address input by a customer, and controls the printing apparatus according to the confirmed address.

An adapted weighing unit may be added to the mailing procedure system to inform the controller of the result of displaying the weight of the mail on the weighing table. Preferably, the weighing unit includes a transfer means for transferring the postal matter to the weighing table of the postal mail and then taking it out again, and a driving means for driving the delivery means and controlled by the control unit. The weight of a postal item such as a parcel may be used as a criterion for preliminary classification of the processed mail when the postage of the postal item is calculated by the control unit, or when a postal item having a weight exceeding a predetermined standard is not received.

The bill payment device may include a card reader that reads the information of the credit card and / or may use bank notes and / or coins. As a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is a mail processing system capable of handling all means of payment means.

The printing device may be directly attached to the mail or by using an application device by printing a machine-readable code such as a barcode directly on the mail or on an adhesive label attached to the mail. The printing apparatus may additionally provide blanking for the postal matter.

The printing apparatus preferably includes means for positioning the adhesive label at a predetermined position relative to the printing portion of the printing apparatus so that the printing portion can print the adhesive label. The delivery address and possibly barcode and / or blanking may be printed on the label and affixed by the customer. Optionally, the mail processing system includes a device for attaching the adhesive label to mail.

Also as a substitute for or supplementing the adhesive label, the printing apparatus may include means for directly printing the delivery address and / or barcode and / or blanking on the surface of the mail.

In addition, the mail procedure system may include a printing device for printing a receipt to give to the customer. The receipt may be a receipt for payment only or a written document certifying that the parcel has been processed at a certain time and at a certain delivery address. Alternatively, the receipt may be used as an insurance document if the parcel is insured. .

It is useful if the control is able to exchange information with a remote computer system at least temporarily connected to an information communication network. In order for the control unit to check the credit card inserted into the card reader, the control unit may exchange information with a remote computer system capable of confirming the credit card information.

In addition, the controller can exchange information with a remote computer system that can charge a credit card account, so that the controller can charge a fee to the credit card account to receive a payment by the credit card. Alternatively or additionally, the controller may exchange information with a remote computer system having a database containing a valid mailing address.

In particular, in the present invention, the control unit may assign a single identification code to each of the postal items processed in the postal mail procedure system and exchange information with a remote computer system for a valid delivery address of each postal item corresponding to the identification code. Thus, the mail enters a general mail management system that manages a larger area, such as a country or many countries, which can look up addresses through a database containing a valid mailing address for that area.

In addition, the postal mail procedure system may include means for attaching a machine-readable code to each postal mail at the postal mail procedure system. The machine-readable code includes a barcode or another optically detectable code, that is, a radio frequency identification tag (RFID Tag). The machine readable code is preferably used as a Significant Indication indicating the identification code.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the control unit may use a database of a valid postal delivery address in order to receive some information on an address from a customer and present one or more valid addresses to the customer. Even if a portion of the address entered by the customer does not match a valid address, the controller may present one or more valid postal delivery addresses.

As a special embodiment of the present invention, the mail procedure system may include an item receiver, wherein the item receiver is an invention that can be used for the procedure of mail as well as other items, which is necessary to be described below. This is where safety items are very important, especially in the case of airports where the customer can submit or leave the item. Therefore, in consideration of the above matters, in one embodiment of the present invention is a postal procedure system

An open cylinder is provided between the inside and the outside of the cylinder shell with an empty cylinder shell portion, and the cylinder shell portion is formed around the substantially vertical axis of symmetry of the cylinder shell portion. Arranged pivotally,

Have a fixed reception area and open an opening in the reception area to allow mail to pass through the reception area,

When the cylinder shell portion and the receiving portion are placed close to each other and the cylinder shell portion is in a receiving angular position, the opening of the receiving portion and the opening of the cylinder shell portion are arranged to allow the postal matter to pass through the cylinder. An article receiving portion arranged such that the opening of the receiving portion is blocked by the cylinder shell portion in at least one discharge angular position of the shell portion,

In addition, the item receiving unit has a driving means for rotating the cylinder shell portion and controlled and operated by the control unit.

Preferably, the weight measuring unit is included in the cylinder shell portion. In particular, the weight measuring portion is pivotally positioned about the same axis as the axis of the cylinder shell portion to form a constant angle with respect to the cylinder shell portion. The conveying means of the weighing unit may include an endless belt, which allows the endless belt to move in the vertical direction of the opening of the cylinder shell, and forms a substantially horizontal plane for supporting the postal matter.

The inner surface of the receiving portion, which is the portion facing the cylinder shell portion of the receiving portion, has a concave shape having a radius substantially the same as the outer radius of the cylinder shell portion so as to have a favorable shape on the item receiving portion. have. In order to prevent the opening of the cylinder shell portion at least in an angular position, the inner surface of the receiving portion is disposed at least in the angular direction of at least one opening portion of the receiving portion, at least from the opening of the receiving portion. Extends larger than the angular size of the opening.

Looking at the present invention from another angle can be seen as a general item procedure system, the item procedure system,

Central Information Processing Unit,

It includes a control unit having an information storage means,

It may additionally include an item receiver.

The item receiving unit

An empty cylinder shell portion is provided and an opening is provided between the inside and the outside of the cylinder shell so that the cylinder shell portion pivots about an axis of substantially vertical symmetry of the cylinder shell portion. Placed,

An opening is made in the receiving part with a fixed receiving part to allow the item to pass through the receiving part and the cylinder shell part,

The cylinder shell portion and the receiving portion close to each other when the cylinder shell portion is in the receiving angle state, the opening of the receiving table and the opening of the cylinder shell portion are arranged so that the item can pass through and at least one of the cylinder shell portion In the discharge angle state, the opening part of the receiving portion is blocked by the cylinder shell portion,

In addition, the item receiving unit is provided with a driving means for rotating the cylinder shell portion, controlled and operated by the control unit.

The general item procedure system may include a weight measuring unit, wherein the weight measuring unit is installed inside the cylinder shell portion to transmit a result indicating the weight of the item measured at the weighing table to the controller, and the weight measuring unit And transfer means for moving the item out of the weighing table and then taking it out again, and driving means for driving the transfer means and controlled by the control unit. The weight measuring unit is preferably pivotally positioned in the cylinder shell portion about the same axis as the axis of the cylinder shell portion to form a constant angle with respect to the cylinder shell. The conveying means of the weighing unit includes a circulation belt movable in the vertical direction of the opening of the cylinder shell portion, the circulation belt forming a substantially horizontal plane for supporting the items.

As in the postal delivery system, preferably the inner surface of the receiving portion facing the cylinder shell portion has a concave shape having a radius substantially equal to the outer radius of the cylinder shell portion. In order to prevent the opening of the cylinder shell portion at least at a constant angle, the inner surface of the receiving portion is formed at least in each angular direction of the opening portion of the receiving portion at least from the opening portion of the receiving portion at least. It extends larger than size. Thus, the customer can access the back of the reception desk in any way, which is very valuable in terms of safety with an automated check-in system at the airport. The general procedure system may also include elements that form part of the aforementioned mail procedure system. In addition, the cargo check-in system may receive or confirm the identification of the customer / passenger by the control unit, including the ticket reader or the like, and the printing apparatus may print the cargo receipt to the customer.

The present invention also includes a method for operating the systems, which can be readily seen by the examples described above and the examples below. In particular, the method according to the invention for the customer to process the mail, as follows:

The customer puts the mail in the item receiving section,

The customer enters at least a part of the postal delivery address into the control unit,

The control unit searches a database containing valid postal delivery addresses and presents the customer with at least one postal address that at least partially matches the information entered by the customer,

Customer approves one of the presented addresses,

The customer pays the postal service fee by using the bill payment system of the above-mentioned postal procedure

The printing apparatus controlled by the control unit includes the steps of printing the valid and approved address.

The item receiving unit additionally includes a weight measuring unit and measures the weight of the mail submitted by the customer, and transmits the information indicating the weight to the control unit.

In addition, the method, in a preferred embodiment,

The printing apparatus prints the address on an adhesive label,

The label is delivered to the customer, and

The customer includes attaching the label to the mail.

The payment step is as follows,

The customer inserts the credit card into the credit card reader,

The control unit exchanges information with a remote computer capable of verifying the credit card through an information communication network to confirm the inserted credit card, and

The controller may include receiving payment from the card when the credit card is valid.

In addition, the fee payment step, as follows,

The control unit exchanges information with a remote computer that can receive a charge from a credit card account through an information communication network, and

The control unit includes a step of charging a charge to the account of the inserted credit card to perform the payment procedure.

In addition, the method is as follows,

The control unit assigns a single identification code to each mail item which is processed by the mail item procedure system, and

The control unit may include exchanging an identification code of each postal item and information on a valid postal delivery address corresponding to the identification code through a information communication network.

In the method according to the present invention,

The system is further useful if it further comprises the step of providing a machine-readable code that can be attached to each postal procedure in the system.

When the item receiving unit is included in the operated mail processing system, the method is as follows.

The cylinder shell portion is rotated about a substantially vertical axis of symmetry of the cylinder shell portion by driving means controlled by the control unit so that the opening portion of the cylinder shell portion and the fixed receiving portion opening portion are parallel to each other.

The mail is put into the cylinder shell portion through the opening of the cylinder shell portion and the opening of the receiving portion,

Rotate the cylinder shell portion by an angle such that the opening of the cylinder shell portion is at least parallel with one of the discharge stations and the cylinder shell portion closes the opening of the receiving portion, and

And discharging the postal matter into the cylinder shell portion to the discharge portion.

Preferably, the circulation belt is pivotally installed at an angle with respect to the cylinder shell portion about the same axis as the axis of symmetry of the cylinder shell portion, and moves substantially in a direction perpendicular to the opening of the cylinder shell portion and substantially supports the mail. It forms a horizontal plane to drive the circulation belt by the drive means controlled by the control unit to deliver the mail in the interior of the cylinder shell portion.

In one preferred embodiment of the method according to the present invention, the weight measuring unit for measuring the weight of the postal matter in the endless belt is installed inside the cylinder shell portion.

Portions of the parcel processing system according to the present invention are shown in FIG. 1. The parcel procedure system includes an inlet conveyor belt section 1, a static weighting portion having a delivery belt and providing an electrical output indicating the weight of the parcel on the delivery belt. (2) and an accumulating conveyor portion (3) for receiving the parcels from the weighing portion (2) and temporarily storing them, and the three portions (1, 2, 3) are arranged in series. . Each of the three parts 1, 2, 3 comprises an asynchronous electric motor for driving the drive means, ie the item delivery means of each part. The weighing portion 2 is preferably placed away from the customer.

The operation of the parcel processing system is controlled by the controller 4, which is a multipurpose computer having a central information processing apparatus, an information storage means and information communication means 5-10. Appropriate computer software is stored in the information storage means to control the data. The control unit 4 transmits the information to the information communication means 5 to 7 in order to control the operation of the drive unit of the three parts 1 to 3 and transmits the information through a sensor installed in the three parts 1 to 3. I can receive it. In addition, information communication means (8, 9) are provided to transfer control information from the control unit (4) to the label printer 11 and the receipt printer 12, respectively, and from the label printer 11 and the receipt printer 12 The state information is transmitted to the control unit 4. The parcel processing system includes a machine-readable credit card or payment as well as an information communication means (10) connected to the bill payment device (13) that can exchange information between the bill payment device (13) and the control unit (4). A card and also a bill payment device 13 which can be paid by customers in the form of bills and / or coins.

The control unit 4 is permanently or temporarily connected with the communication network 14, which may be a wide area network (WAN) in which the control unit 4 can communicate with a remote external system. The external systems include a database containing all valid postal addresses registered in a given region, such as one or several states, one or several countries, and a lookup table that associates a valid postal address with each valid single postal identification code. a postal central computer system 15 having an up table; and an automatic maintenance system for checking the operation status of the parcel processing system, such as whether the computer software is updated / upgraded and whether there is an error or lack of a label. 16) a test system 17 capable of performing remote online troubleshooting and diagnostics, and a credit and / or payment card system capable of verifying and billing credit and / or payment cards to customer accounts ( There is 18).

The front side of the parcel processing system in the direction seen by the customer shown in FIG. 2 is a keyboard 20 of the control unit 4 which provides a monitor 19 and means for exchanging information between the customer and the parcel processing system. There is. The monitor 19 may optionally have a touch sensitive screen, and the keyboard 20 is not necessary. A card reader 21 for reading a credit card or the like may be placed on the front-end to receive a fee from a customer, and a device may be installed on the front to accept bills and / or coins. Can be. The opening 22 is provided for placing the parcel in the introduction belt portion 1. The preferred size of the opening 22 is to prevent the vesicles from entering a certain dimension. In particular, the plane of the opening is arranged substantially parallel to the plane on which the inlet belt portion 1 supports the article so that only parcels satisfying all three-dimensional dimensions of the opening can enter the parcel handling system. You can do that. In addition, the printed matter printed on the label printer 11 and the receipt printer 12 may be delivered to the customer by having the openings 23 and 24 disposed on the front surface thereof. The printed label is printed on the address identified above, and includes a barcode, an RFID tag transponder, a series of letters and numbers combined by an optical character reader (OCR), and the like. It contains a single parcel identification code assigned to a particular parcel in the same machine-readable form. The label may be affixed by the customer, but may be affixed by an autoadhesive instead. However, at present such automatic attachers are not reliable enough for expensive and irregularly shaped parcels.

The customer starts to operate the parcel handling system by inserting the parcel into the introduction belt portion 1 through the opening 22 installed in the front of the parcel processing system. Operation of the drive unit of the introduction belt portion is initiated by the control section 4 and the parcel is delivered to the weighing portion 2 until the parcel is at a suitable position above the static weighing portion 2. do. The position of the parcel is controlled by a photovoltaic cell, which is activated when the front of the parcel comes to a given position of the weighing part 2. When the photovoltaic cell is activated, an output is sent to the control unit 4 which causes the control unit to stop the operation of the operating device of the introduction delivery belt part 1 and the weighing part 2 at an appropriate moment. It is possible to install a large number of photovoltaic cells in the vicinity of the weighing portion 2 so that the dimensions of the parcels can be measured or controlled at least within a certain range. The weighing part 2 is sent to the controller 4 as an electrical output indicating the weight of the parcel. The control unit displays the measured weight of the parcel on the monitor 19 to inform the customer, and the control unit transmits the introduction delivery belt part 1 and the weight to send the parcel back to the introduction delivery belt part 1. The drive means of the measuring part 2 is operated to move in the opposite direction. The position of the parcel above the introduction delivery belt portion 1 is controlled by a photocell, and when the front side of the parcel reaches a given position of the introduction delivery belt portion 1, the photovoltaic cell is activated so that the control unit 4 The result is passed.

The controller 4 allows the customer to insert the credit card into the card reader 21 through the monitor 19. After the inserted card is read by the card reader, the credit information of the card is transferred to the control unit 4, and the control unit 4 performs a confirmation procedure through the network to the credit card system 18. To start. Once the card is verified, the customer is prompted to enter a delivery address or at least a portion of the delivery address with a keyboard. The control unit 4 accesses a database of valid postal addresses from either the postal central computer 15 or a copy of the database which is stored and updated periodically by region via a network. When the customer inputs insufficient information about the address, the controller 4 presents several valid addresses using the database so that the customer can find the correct address.

The database of valid postal addresses includes, in simple form, an index of valid street names in each region, for example, in a postal code such as a ZIP code, and also as a plain indicator of house number and street. More sophisticated databases may also include the names of residents in the address. In addition, the database may include information on a postal route designated by each postal address.

The address verification and enabling a user to find a valid address depends on the description level of the database employed. The system of address resolution and the ability to find a valid address allows the user to check for incorrect or alternate spellings of person and street names so that the name "Smith" can be searched by database searches for "Smith, Schmidt, Smidth, Schmith, Schmitt, .. ", etc., if one does not match completely, one or more valid addresses can be presented from a limited number of information.

The parcel processing system may include a voice recognition device and / or an optical character reader (OCR) for recognizing an address recorded on the parcel, in addition or selectively to the keyboard or touch screen as a device input by a customer.

The customer can approve the address, put in an additional classification of the parcel, such as "fragile" or "express", put the contents of the parcel and / or insure the parcel. The controller 4 calculates the total fee and confirms it to the customer and, if necessary, inputs a PIN-code. The control unit 4 charges the account of the card via the network with the credit card / payment card system 18.

The parcel is endowed with a single postal identification code, the code being sent to the postal central computer system 15 together with the address identified by the control unit 4, the identification code of the parcel processing system and further classification, and associated database. Is added to The code can be used to classify parcels and to monitor and track them through the parcel delivery system.

A label is printed on the label printing apparatus 11 and a receipt is printed on the receipt printing apparatus 12 so that the label and the receipt are delivered to the customer through the openings 23 and 24 on the front of the parcel processing system, respectively. . The customer attaches the adhesive label to the parcel and informs the parcel processing system that the parcel is ready. The parcel is transferred from the introduction belt portion 1 to the weighing portion 2 and the weight of the parcel is again checked to see if the parcel is inflated, for example replaced with a heavier parcel. It is measured and controlled by a scanner to locate the identification code in order to actually enable machine reading. The parcel is then moved to the collective conveying part 3 and enters the parcel delivery system.

Optionally, the parcel is not given a single postal code, but instead has a machine-readable code printed on a label that contains information about all or part of the address and also the delivery route to a self-designated address, or For example, you may not have any machine-readable code. If there is no need to access the central billing system 18 by means of payment, in particular in the case of cash, cash cards or any smart card, there is no need to be connected to the network.

3 and 4 show yet another embodiment of a receiving portion of the parcel processing system, wherein the weighing portion 2 is a cylinder in which a screen part 25 is pivotally disposed. It is installed inside the shell. The cut-off portion 25 has an opening 26 so that the parcel is placed inside the cut-off portion 25 so that it can be placed on the weighing portion 2 and the parcel can be taken out again. An opening 27 is provided in the receiving table 28 corresponding to the opening of the receiving portion, so that the opening angles 26 and 27 receive the cylinder shell blocking portion 25 from the angle of receiving. To be arranged as:

As shown in FIG. 3, A, B, C, and D represent four states of the cylinder shell as one embodiment of the parcel processing system having the blocking portion 25. Position A is a receiving position, as mentioned above, in which the opening 26 of the blocking portion 25 is arranged side by side with the opening 27 of the receiving table 28 to be inside the blocking portion 25. It is installed to allow the customer to converge the parcel to the weighing portion (2) to be rotated together with the blocking portion 25 and the transmission direction of the transfer belt of the weighing portion (2) (indicated by the arrow 29) Is always perpendicular to the opening 26 of the closure. In positions B, C and D, the cut-off part 25 rotates about an axis, the axis being equal to the axis of vertical symmetry of the cylinder shell, three different discharges by an electric step motor controlled by the control part 4. The parcel placed in the weighing part 2 is discharged at the position A by angular discharge position. Multiple discharges may pre-classify parcels according to criteria such as parcel dimensions, destination, express parcel, parcel insurance, cargo of courier service, or a combination of the above criteria. The preliminary classification is a package, such as a wire mesh container or a delivery bag, in which different parcels are managed by different management schemes, and so that small parcels are classified so that they do not occupy the space of an accumulation conveyor for larger parcels. This is very useful in that the parcel storage space can be used much more efficiently if stored as

The four angle states A to D in FIG. 4 show four angle states in which the blocking part 25 is placed in another embodiment of the present invention. Looking at the embodiment, the reception desk 28 has an extension portion 30, the extension portion 30 is formed as a corresponding portion of the outer shape of the blocking portion 25 inward toward the blocking portion 25 The two parts 25, 30 are fitted very closely together. The angular size of the extension portion 30 is at least larger than the angular size of the opening portion 26 of the blocking portion 25 so that the extension portion 30 may cover the opening portion 26 of the blocking portion 25. Thus, no openings are formed between the area inaccessible to the customer and the area of the customer while the parcel processing system is in operation. 4, the blocking unit 25 rotates counterclockwise toward one of the discharge states from the item receiving state of the blocking unit 25. This operation is represented by B, C, and D in FIG. 4, and the blocking portion 25 is gradually rotated by each unit from the reception state. The opening 26 of the blocking section 25 is partly parallel to the opening 27 of the receiving table 28 in states B and C and the remaining part of the opening 26 of the blocking section 25 is the extension portion. It is blocked by 30. In position D, the opening 26 of the blocking part 25 is no longer in line with the opening 27 of the receiving table and between the end 31 of the extension part 30 and the opening 26 of the blocking part. Make an opening. The cutout 25 may rotate to one or more other discharge stations that are inaccessible to the customer. In view of the size of the part of the parcel handling system shown in FIG. 4, the number of the discharge portions may not be more than two, but the number may be three or more depending on the size of the opening 26 of the blocking portion. have.

FIG. 5 shows the relation of the arrangement of the photovoltaic cells R1, R2, D1, D2 with respect to the weighing part 2 and the operating relationship to the output from the photovoltaic cells R1, R2, D1, D2. The weighing portion 2 shown at position A shows both photocells D1 and D2 at the discharge end of the weighing portion 2 when there is no parcel, as well as the two photocells R1 and R2. It can be seen at the receiving end of the weighing part 2. In the positions B to D, reference numbers of the photovoltaic cells R1, R2, D1, and D2 are not shown. At position B the parcel 32 enters the end of the receiving end of the weighing part 2. The transfer belt of the weighing portion 2 is operated until the two photovoltaic cells R1 and R2 at the end of the receiving section are blocked until the first photovoltaic cell D1 at the end of the weighing unit is blocked, and the photovoltaic cell D1 is the photovoltaic cell R1. , The control unit to which the output of R2, D1, D2 is transmitted to inform that the parcel has reached the weighing position and the operation of the transfer belt is stopped as in position C. At the same time, the length of the vesicle can be measured based on the delivery speed of the belt as well as the time when the second photocell R2 at the end of the receiver is no longer blocked and the first photocell D1 at the outlet end is blocked. Use the second photovoltaic cell D2 at the end of the outlet of the weighing part 2 to make sure that the time for which the transfer belt is not in operation is not too long, in which case the direction of transfer is changed and until the photovoltaic cell D2 is not blocked. Allow the belt to operate and also verify that the parcel 32 is completely discharged from the weighing portion 2.

As in position D, the photovoltaic cell D2 can be used when a long parcel 33 enters the weighing part 2. The parcel 33, represented by the solid line, shows the maximum length allowed by the parcel convergence system and is in the correct weighing position when the two photovoltaic cells R2 and D1 are blocked. The remaining photovoltaic cells R1 and D2 are used to check whether the parcel 33 is not too long or does not exceed the allowable limit of the weighing unit.

6 shows control of the operation of the main parts of the parcel handling system. The control unit of the parcel processing system includes a personal computer (PC) having a central processing unit and a data storage means including a RAM as well as a hard disk as a physical storage medium. The PC includes a credit card reader for payment from a customer, a modem capable of communicating with a remote computer system via a communication network, and an auxiliary power supply that can be shut down properly if power is lost. ), A label printer capable of printing the delivery address on an adhesive label attached to the parcel by the customer, and a printer for printing the receipt, and interacting with the customer and receiving information from the control unit via a screen. Presented by the customer is connected to the touch screen that can provide information to the control unit to the touch sensing portion of the screen. Control of the drive means of the intersecting belt or the transfer belt of the weighing unit and other possible transmission belts, control of the drive means for rotating the cylinder shell-shaped cut-off part 25 and output of the photovoltaic cells R1, R2, D1, D2 Reception is performed by the sub-control part ISD02 via the RSC 232/485 interface.

According to the present invention, the letter processing system can be configured similarly to the parcel processing system.

Claims (42)

Central information processing unit, Information storage means; Communication means for sending information to the customer, and It includes a control unit having a receiving means for receiving information from a customer, A bill payment device which receives a fee from a customer and is controlled and operated by the controller; A printing device which prints a mailing address and is controlled and operated by the control unit; The control unit can find a delivery address in a database including a valid postal delivery address, a mail delivery system for checking the address given by the customer and controlling the operation of the printing apparatus according to the confirmed address. The mail processing system of claim 1, further comprising a weighing unit adapted to provide a result indicating the weight of the mail on the weighing station. 3. The postal mail processing system according to claim 2, wherein said weighing unit includes a delivery means for putting the mail in and out of a weighing table, and a driving means for driving said delivery means and controlled by said control unit. A mail processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said fare payment device comprises a card reader for reading information of a credit card. 5. A mail processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said fare payment device is capable of accepting bills and / or coins. 6. A mail processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said printing device is capable of printing a machine-readable code additionally. 7. A mail processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said printing device can additionally provide blanking for said mail. 8. The postal mail procedure system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the printing unit of the printing apparatus includes means for adjusting the position of the adhesive label relative to the printing unit so as to print on the adhesive label. . 10. A mail processing system according to claim 8, further comprising a device capable of attaching the adhesive label to the mail. 10. A postal mail processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein said printing apparatus further comprises means for printing on said postal mail. 11. A postal mail procedure system as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising a printing device for printing a receipt to be delivered to a customer. 12. A postal mail processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein said control unit is at least temporarily connected to an information communication network so that said control unit can exchange information with a remote computer system. 13. A mail processing system according to claim 4 and 12, wherein said control unit is capable of communicating with a remote computer system capable of verifying credit card information so as to confirm a credit card inserted into said card reader. The method of claim 12 or 13, wherein the controller communicates with a remote computer system that can charge a credit card account for payment by a credit card so that the controller can charge the credit card account. Mail delivery system. 15. A mail processing system according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein said control unit is capable of communicating with a remote computer system having a database containing a valid mailing address. 16. The system according to any one of claims 11 to 15, wherein the control unit assigns a single identification code to each of the postal matters to be processed in the postal procedure, wherein the control unit corresponds to each of the identification code and each of the postal items. A mail delivery system that can exchange a valid delivery address with a remote computer system. 17. A mail processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 16, comprising means for attaching a machine-readable code to each mail collected in the mail processing system. 18. The mail processing system of claim 17, wherein said machine readable code provides an indication indicative of said single identification code. 19. A mail processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein said control unit can present one or more valid postal delivery addresses based on the information of some of the addresses received from the customer. 20. The postal delivery system of claim 19, wherein the control unit can present one or more valid postal delivery addresses if a portion of the information entered by the customer does not match a valid postal delivery address contained in the database. 21. The postal mail procedure system of any of claims 1 to 20, wherein The cylinder shell portion, that is, the inside of the cylinder shell portion is hollow and has an opening in the cylinder shell portion to allow mail to pass through and out of the cylinder shell portion, and is disposed pivotally about the vertical symmetry axis of the cylinder shell. The cylinder shell portion, The receiving part, ie the receiving part which is fixedly installed and which has an opening to allow mail to pass through the receiving part, The cylinder shell portion and the receiving portion are provided in close proximity so that the openings of the two portions are side by side so that mail can pass through the openings of the two portions, and the opening portion of the receiving portion at one or more discharge angles of the cylinder shell portion. Is blocked by the cylinder shell portion, It further includes an item receiving unit having the cylinder shell portion and the receiving portion, And the article receiving section further comprises driving means for rotating the cylinder shell portion between the angular states and being controlled and operated by the controller. 22. A postal mail processing system according to claim 3 or 21, wherein said weighing unit is provided in said cylinder shell portion. 23. A postal mail processing system according to claim 22, wherein said weighing portion is pivotally disposed on the same axis as the axis of said cylinder shell portion and said weighing portion is at an angle with respect to said cylinder shell portion. 24. A postal mail processing system according to claim 23, wherein said weight measuring unit includes a circulation belt, said circulation belt being arranged to move in a vertical direction of an opening of said cylinder shell portion and forming a substantially horizontal plane for supporting mail. 25. A postal mail processing system according to any one of claims 21 to 24, wherein the receiving portion facing the cylinder shell portion has a concave inner surface having a radius substantially the same as the outer diameter of the cylinder shell. 26. The opening of the receiving portion according to claim 25, wherein the inner surface of the receiving portion is at least an opening portion of the receiving portion at least from the opening portion of the receiving portion so as to close the opening of the cylinder shell portion at least at an angle of the cylinder shell portion. A mail delivery system extending in at least one angular direction of the cylinder shell portion at least larger than the angular size of the opening of the cylinder shell portion. It includes a control unit having a central information processing device and information storage means, It additionally includes an item receiving unit having a cylinder shell portion and a receiving portion. Here, the cylinder shell portion is hollow inside the cylinder shell portion and has an opening in the cylinder shell portion to allow items to pass in and out of the cylinder shell portion and is disposed pivotally about a vertical symmetry axis of the cylinder shell. And the receiving part is fixedly installed and has an opening so that the item can pass through the receiving part, and the cylinder shell part and the receiving part are installed in close proximity so that the openings of the two parts are placed side by side. It can pass through the opening of two parts and the opening of the receiving portion is blocked by the cylinder shell part in one or more discharge angles of the cylinder shell part, And the article receiving unit further comprises driving means for rotating the cylinder shell portion between the angular states and being controlled and operated by the controller. 28. The apparatus according to claim 27, further comprising a weighing unit, wherein the weighing unit is adapted to transmit the result of indicating the weight of the item placed on the weighing table and installed in the cylinder shell portion to the control unit. And a delivery means for driving the delivery means into and out of the item and driving the control means and controlled by the controller. 29. The item collection system according to claim 28, wherein said weighing unit is arranged in a direction pivoting on the same axis as the axis of said cylinder shell portion, and said weighing portion forms an angle with respect to said cylinder shell portion. 30. The item collection system according to claim 29, wherein said weight measuring unit includes a circulation belt arranged to move in a vertical direction of the opening of said cylinder shell portion, said circulation belt forming a substantially horizontal plane for supporting said item. 31. The article collection system according to any one of claims 27 to 30, wherein the receiving portion facing the cylinder shell portion has a concave shape having a concave shape having a radius substantially the same as the outer radius of the cylinder shell portion. . 33. The opening of the receiving portion according to claim 31, wherein the inner surface of the receiving portion is at least an opening portion of the receiving portion at least from the opening portion of the receiving portion so as to close the opening of the cylinder shell portion when the inner surface of the receiving portion is at least an angle of the cylinder shell portion. An article processing system extending in at least one angular direction of the cylinder shell portion at least larger than the angular size of the opening of the cylinder shell portion. The customer puts the mail in the item receipt; The customer inputs at least some information about the postal address in the control unit; The control unit searching a database including a valid postal delivery address and presenting to the customer at least one address partially matching the information input by the customer; The customer approves one of the listed addresses, The customer pays for the postal service using the billing device of the system, and And a printing device controlled by the control unit printing the approved valid delivery address. 34. The method of claim 33, wherein the item receiving unit includes a weight measuring unit for delivering information indicating the weight to the control unit by measuring the weight of the mail in which the customer puts the mail. The method of claim 33 or 34, Printing the address on an adhesive label by the printing apparatus; Delivering said label to a customer, and The customer further comprises the step of affixing the label on the mail. 36. The method of any of claims 33 to 35, wherein the step of paying The customer inserts the credit card into the credit card reader, The controller communicating with a remote computer capable of verifying the credit card through an information communication network to verify the credit card; and And if the credit card is valid, the control unit pays the charge with the credit card. The method of claim 36, The controller communicating with a remote computer capable of charging a credit card account through an information communication network; and The customer further comprises the step of billing the account of the credit card by the control unit to perform a billing procedure. The method according to any one of claims 33 to 37, Assigning, by the control unit, a single identification code to each of the postal matters to the system, and And the control unit communicating with the remote computer a single postal code and a valid postal delivery address corresponding to the single identification code of the respective postal items through an information communication network. The method of any one of claims 33-38, And the system further comprises providing a machine-readable code that can be attached to each piece of mail that is entrusted to the system. The method according to any one of claims 33 to 39, Rotating the cylinder shell portion by driving means controlled by the controller about an axis substantially equal to the vertical symmetry axis of the cylinder shell so that the fixed opening portion of the receiving portion and the opening portion of the cylinder shell portion lie side by side; Putting the mail through the opening of the cylinder shell portion and the receiving portion into the cylinder shell portion; Rotating the cylinder shell portion such that the opening of the cylinder shell portion is parallel to one of several discharge portions and the opening of the receiving table is closed by the cylinder shell portion, and And discharging the mail from the inside of the cylinder shell portion to the discharge portion. The method of claim 40, The circulation belt is pivotally disposed about the same axis as the axis of the cylinder shell portion and forms an angle with respect to the cylinder shell portion, and the circulation belt is configured to move in the vertical direction of the cylinder shell portion, and A method of collecting a postal mail by a customer which forms a substantially horizontal plane to support and drives said circulation belt by a drive means controlled by said control unit to take out said postal mail from within said cylinder shell portion. 42. The method of claim 34 and 41 wherein And a customer installed in the cylinder shell portion for measuring the weight of the mail placed on the circulation belt.