Method and device for processing and sorting officies

Abstract

A method is disclosed, the method comprising: for each of a plurality of deliveries, determining a respective sorting destination from a plurality of sorting destinations; assigning, to each of the plurality of deliveries, a respective warehousing number specific to the sorting destination; wherein for at least one sorting destination of the plurality of sorting destinations, the method further comprises: arranging to the sorting destination those deliveries whose sorting destinations have been determined, based on a storage number specific to the sorting destination assigned to the deliveries; and determining a delivery order of the mails arranged to the sorting destination based on the mails information; and outputting a sequence of storage numbers allocated to the deliveries sorted in accordance with a delivery order of the deliveries arranged to the sorting destination; or for each of the mails for which the sorting destination has been determined, outputting the corresponding allocated storage number and the corresponding mail information.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to methods, devices, systems, and computer programs for sorting and delivering mail items, in particular mail items that cannot be sorted according to a delivery sequence or can be sorted only with great effort. Background Art

[0002] In delivery or courier services, mail items are divided into delivery areas. Each delivery area has a distribution center where mail items are sorted by couriers and their delivery routes. Different mail sizes are handled separately, such as standard letters, oversized letters, and non-machine-processable mail items that cannot be sorted by machines.

[0003] In the sorting facilities of the distribution center, mail items that can be processed automatically are sorted and sorted into the process flow. The process flow corresponds to the order in which the couriers need to deliver the mail items along their delivery routes.

[0004] First, non-machine-processable consignments (for example, consignments with unusual specifications or that cannot be automatically processed for other reasons) are sorted to local consignment delivery locations (such as delivery points or warehouses) in the distribution center, then sorted to couriers, and in the final step, manually sorted by the couriers to the operation process at the local consignment delivery location. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In terms of the delivery process, it is desirable that the delivery person can detect during delivery with relatively little effort which is the next mail item to be delivered and where it is located in its transport container.

[0006] For processing at the distribution center, it is desirable to be able to process the mail items immediately upon arrival. Using known methods for sorting in multiple sorting lanes according to the process flow, sorting for the process flow can only be performed when all mail items along the delivery route are known at the distribution center. With a large volume of mail items, it is possible that the distribution center's existing sorting capacity is insufficient to sort all mail items into the process flow after the last mail item arrives. Mail items that arrive too late or are not considered due to the sorting capacity may not be sorted into the process flow until the next sorting cycle (e.g., the next day) or must be transferred to the courier without being sorted.

[0007] However, it is desirable that couriers can start delivering mail as soon as possible after receiving all the mail items required for their delivery routes. Manual sorting of mail items that are not automatically sorted into the process by couriers at a local mail delivery location (e.g., at a drop-off point or warehouse) not only takes time but also requires additional space at the local mail delivery location, as a sorting area must be provided for each couriers.

[0008] The object of the present invention is to overcome one or more of the above-mentioned disadvantages and / or to achieve one or more of the above-mentioned advantages and / or to implement one or more of the above-mentioned improvements.

[0009] According to an exemplary first aspect of the present invention, a method is disclosed, for example performed by a sorting facility (e.g., in a distribution center), the method comprising:

[0010] For each of the plurality of consignments, determining a corresponding sorting destination from a plurality of sorting destinations;

[0011] assigning a corresponding inbound number specific to the sorting destination to each of the plurality of consignments;

[0012] For at least one of the plurality of sorting destinations, the method further comprises:

[0013] Arranging those mail items for which a sorting destination has been determined to the sorting destination based on the incoming stocking number assigned to the mail items that is specific to the sorting destination;

[0014] as well as

[0015] determining, for at least one of the plurality of sorting destinations, a delivery order of the mails arranged to the sorting destination based on the mail information; and outputting, for at least one of the plurality of sorting destinations, a sequence of storage numbers assigned to the mails sorted according to the delivery order of the mails arranged to the sorting destination;

[0016] or

[0017] For at least one of the multiple sorting destinations, for each of the mails among those for which the sorting destination has been determined, the corresponding assigned warehousing number and the corresponding mail information are output, wherein the delivery order of the mails can be determined based on the mail information of the mails.

[0018] Here, arranging the consignments at the sorting destination based on the assigned storage number particularly refers to physically arranging them at the sorting destination.

[0019] According to an exemplary second aspect of the present invention, a method is disclosed, comprising:

[0020] Obtaining a sorted sequence of inbound numbers, wherein an inbound number is assigned to each of the plurality of consignments, and wherein the sequence of inbound numbers is sorted according to a delivery order of the assigned consignments;

[0021] or

[0022] For each of the plurality of consignments, obtaining a storage number assigned to the corresponding consignment and corresponding consignment information, wherein a delivery order of the consignments can be determined based on the consignment information; and

[0023] determining a delivery order for the consignments based at least on the consignment information; and

[0024] Determining the sequence of incoming numbers assigned to consignments that are sorted according to their delivery order;

[0025] as well as

[0026] The delivery entity detects the incoming number of the sorted sequence or outputs it to the delivery entity, wherein the multiple mail items are sorted according to the incoming number, and the delivery entity is able to find the mail item assigned to the incoming number among the sorted multiple mail items based on the incoming number.

[0027] The methods disclosed in accordance with the first and second aspects of the present invention ensure a reliable and rapid delivery process, particularly for mail items that have not been sorted according to the operational procedures. The need for rapid locating mail items during the delivery process is achieved by importing an incoming number, sorting mail items according to the incoming number, and outputting the sorted incoming number sequence. Because the complex operational procedures for sorting mail items are eliminated compared to sorting by incoming number, the present invention significantly simplifies and accelerates the sorting process, thereby enabling smaller dimensions for the corresponding sorting facilities, given the same volume of mail items.

[0028] In addition, for each of the two exemplary aspects of the present invention, the present application also discloses:

[0029] - A computer program comprising program instructions that, when executed on a processor, cause the processor to implement and / or control a method according to a corresponding aspect of the present invention. In this specification, "processor" is understood to include, among other things, a control unit, a microprocessor, a microcontroller (e.g., a microcontroller), a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or a field-programmable gate array (FPGA). Here, a processor may control all steps of a method, implement all steps of a method, or control one or more steps and implement one or more steps. The computer program may, for example, be distributable via a network such as the Internet, a telephone network, a mobile radio network, and / or a local area network. The computer program may be at least partially software and / or firmware for the processor. The computer program may also be implemented at least partially as hardware. The computer program may, for example, be stored on a computer-readable storage medium, such as a magnetic, electrical, optical, and / or other type of storage medium. The storage medium may, for example, be part of the processor, such as a (non-volatile or volatile) program memory of the processor or a portion thereof. The storage medium may, for example, be a specific and / or physical storage medium.

[0030] -A device or a system comprising at least two devices, wherein the device or system is configured to implement and / or control the method according to the corresponding aspect of the present invention, or includes corresponding devices for implementing and / or controlling the steps of the method according to the corresponding aspect of the present invention. Here, either all steps of the method can be controlled, or all steps of the method can be implemented, or one or more steps can be controlled and one or more steps can be implemented. One or more of these devices can also be implemented and / or controlled by the same unit. For example, one or more of these devices can be composed of one or more processors.

[0031] - A device comprising at least one processor and at least one memory containing program code, wherein the memory and the program code are configured to cause the device having at least one processor to at least implement and / or control a method according to a corresponding aspect of the present invention. In this case, either all steps of the method may be controlled, all steps of the method may be implemented, or one or more steps may be controlled and one or more steps may be implemented. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] Other advantageous exemplary embodiments of the present invention are apparent from the following detailed description of some exemplary embodiments of the present invention, particularly in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the drawings in this application are intended for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to define the scope of protection of the present invention. These drawings are not necessarily true to scale and are intended merely to exemplify the overall concept of the present invention. In particular, the features shown in the drawings should not be considered essential components of the present invention.

[0033] In the attached figure:

[0034] Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing an exemplary embodiment of a system according to the first aspect of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 2 A schematic diagram showing an exemplary embodiment of a system according to the present invention;

[0036] Figure 3 a flow chart illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the method according to the first aspect of the invention; and

[0037] Figure 4 A flow chart showing an exemplary embodiment of the method according to the second aspect of the invention is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] Figure 1 A sorting facility 100 is schematically shown, with which the exemplary method for sorting a plurality of consignments according to the first aspect of the invention can be implemented.

[0039] In one or more devices, for example, in a detection unit 110 comprised of multiple devices, a corresponding sorting destination from a plurality of sorting destinations is determined for each of the plurality of consignments. For example, this can be based at least on the corresponding destination address of the consignment. To this end, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a corresponding destination address is determined for each of the plurality of consignments.

[0040] For example, the sort destination is a container 107 at a sort location 106. The sorting facility 100 includes, for example, ten sort locations 106, each of which contains, for example, a certain number of containers 107. The sort destination can then be determined, for example, by assigning a sort location 106 and a container 107 within that sort location 106 (i.e., sort location 1, container 10 or sort location 2, container 10). Alternatively, the containers 107 can be identified consecutively, for example, by being consecutively numbered, for example, across all sort locations 106 of the sorting facility 100.

[0041] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, one or more delivery routes may be assigned to each of the multiple sorting destinations. Determining the sorting destination may then be based on determining a delivery route that includes the corresponding destination address. Here, a delivery route corresponds to multiple destination addresses, preferably all served by the same delivery agent. A delivery agent may be a person, such as a delivery person (particularly one working for a delivery company), or a device, such as a vehicle, a robot, or a drone, to name a few examples.

[0042] Advantageously, in some of these exemplary embodiments, each of the multiple sorting destinations is assigned to exactly one delivery route. If, for example, a container 107 is assigned to exactly one delivery route of a delivery entity, the container 107 can be transferred to the delivery entity and used by the delivery entity to transport the mail on its delivery route without having to reprocess the mail in the container. Advantageously, in exemplary embodiments, a delivery route is assigned exactly one sorting destination, thereby determining the sorting destination by determining the delivery route. For example, if the capacity of the container 107 assigned to exactly one delivery route is insufficient for all mail on that delivery route, it may be necessary to assign multiple containers 107 to the same delivery route, and the determination of the sorting destination may be additionally based on other criteria, such as the position of the destination address within an operational flow (operational flow number), wherein the operational flow describes the sequence of all destination addresses included in the delivery route, and in the operational flow, the destination addresses are arranged in the order in which they are served by the delivery entity.

[0043] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the detection unit 110 includes one or more placement locations 101 , a reading device 102 , a hysteresis section 103 , a printing device 104 , and a data processing unit 105 .

[0044] The individual mail items are preferably supplied to the reading device 102 successively. To this end, in the exemplary embodiment shown, one or more placement locations 101 are located in front of the reading device 102, at which the mail items are manually and / or automatically provided to the sorting facility 100. The reading device 102 generates data for each mail item, from which the data processing unit 105 generates the information required for determining the sorting destination, and transmits the data to the data processing unit 105. The required information is, for example, address information that can be detected by optical character recognition (OCR), for example, wherein an image of the mail item is captured by a video scanner of the reading device 102 and the image is then analyzed, for example, based on an address database. Alternatively or additionally, the mail items can already be provided with a clear mail identification, for example when they are sent out or when they are processed in another distribution center before being transported to the distribution center where the sorting facility 100 is located. The consignment identification is, for example, a barcode, a data matrix code (DMC), a quick response (QR) code, plain text information, or a radio frequency identification (RFID) transponder, to name a few. The consignment identification can be read by a reading device 102 (e.g., a scanner or RFID reader) and correlated with the required information in the data processing unit 105 by comparing it with data stored in the system. In order to process consignments with and without consignment identification, the reading device 102 is preferably configured to implement a plurality of different methods for detecting data.

[0045] Next, in the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the mail is transported in lag section 103 while data processing unit 105 determines a sorting destination for the mail based on the information obtained by reading device 102. For example, based on the obtained destination address, a corresponding delivery route containing the destination address is derived. Thus, each delivery route is assigned, for example, exactly one sorting destination. The number of delivery routes and / or sorting destinations, the assignment of addresses to delivery routes and / or sorting destinations, and / or the operational procedures can be defined for a specific time period, but they can also be redefined, for example, daily or for individual sorting processes, for example, based on changes in the service schedule or the volume of mail.

[0046] After the sort destination is determined, a corresponding sort destination-specific inbound storage number is assigned to each of the plurality of consignments, for example, in the data processing unit 105. If the inbound storage number is unique for all consignments of the sort destination (for example, at least within a predefined period of time, such as within a day, or for the sorting process), then the inbound storage number is specific to the sort destination, and thus, for each sort destination, each specific inbound storage number can be unambiguously assigned to all consignments determined for the respective sort destination (for example, within a predefined period of time or during the sorting process).

[0047] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a corresponding storage number is assigned to a mail item from a plurality of mail items for which a sort destination was also determined when the storage number was assigned, or the corresponding storage number is associated with a quantity. If, for example, a mail item is the first mail item detected for its sort destination (e.g., within a predefined time period or during a sorting process), it is assigned storage number 1. If three mail items have previously been detected for the same sort destination (e.g., within a predefined time period or during the sorting process), i.e., if the mail item is the fourth mail item detected for that sort destination, then the storage number 4 is assigned to the mail item.

[0048] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the mail is associated with information, wherein based on this information, at least the storage number of the mail can be determined. The information is, for example, a barcode, a data matrix code (DMC), a QR code, plain text information or data in a radio frequency identification (RFID) transponder, to name just a few examples. In an exemplary embodiment, associating the mail with the information is preferably achieved by affixing a label. In these exemplary embodiments, the method further comprises creating a label for the corresponding mail. To this end, the detection unit 110, for example, additionally comprises a printing device 104. In an alternative embodiment, the information can, for example, be printed directly onto the mail or stored in an RFID transponder.

[0049] In the exemplary embodiment, if the sorting destination is successfully determined, the mail item is conveyed to its corresponding sorting destination. This can be done, for example, manually and / or automatically. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the mail item is first automatically transported to the sorting location 106 via a conveyor system 109. There, a sorting agent (e.g., a person (manually) or a device (automatically)) sorts the mail item into a container 107 corresponding to the sorting destination determined for the mail item.

[0050] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, further information about the mail can be derived based on the information associated with the mail. This further information can be used, for example, to transport the mail to a sorting destination. In an exemplary embodiment, at least a portion of the associated information is machine-readable, for example, by a QR code, a DMC, or a barcode. In some of these exemplary embodiments, the mail is transported to the corresponding, determined sorting destination based at least on the machine-readable portion of the information. For example, the sorting position 106 at which the sorting destination is located can be encoded in a machine-readable manner on the mail and read by the conveyor system 109 for transport, for example, by one or more scanners. Alternatively or additionally, in some exemplary embodiments of the present invention, at least a portion of the associated information is human-readable. In some of these exemplary embodiments, the transport of the mail to the corresponding sorting destination toward the corresponding determined sorting destination is at least partially performed manually and based at least on the human-readable portion of the information. For example, the sorting destination and the location of the container 107 within the sorting location 106 can be determined from this information, for example, by an alphanumeric combination indicating the horizontal and vertical position of the container 107 within the sorting location 106. As a result, the sorting personnel responsible for placing the containers 107 do not need to know the individual delivery routes and the assignment of containers 107 to delivery routes, and these sorting personnel can be flexibly employed at different sorting locations 106 without requiring special training for this purpose.

[0051] In addition to specifying the sorting destination and the warehousing number, information about the destination address, the delivery route, or information about the operation process number, for example, may be determined based on information associated with the consignment.

[0052] If the mail item's sorting destination cannot be determined, in an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the mail item is transported to a specified special sorting destination 108. There, the mail item can be processed manually, for example. Manual processing can include, for example, manually determining the sorting destination and / or manually associating it with an incoming order number. In an alternative embodiment, the mail item can be fed back to the inspection unit 110, for example.

[0053] At the sorting destination determined for the mail item, the mail item is arranged to the sorting destination based on the sorting destination-specific incoming stocking number assigned to the mail item. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the arrangement of the mail item is at least partially automated and based at least on the human-readable portion of the information. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the arrangement of the mail item is at least partially manual and based at least on the human-readable portion of the information. The mail item is arranged to (e.g., physically sorted to) the sorting destination, for example, based on ascending or descending incoming stocking numbers. If the incoming stocking numbers of the mail items correspond to the number of mail items (the sorting destination determined for the mail item is also determined when the incoming stocking numbers are assigned to the mail items, as described above with respect to the exemplary embodiment), sorting based on ascending incoming stocking numbers can be achieved, for example, by transporting the mail items to the sorting destination according to the incoming stocking order and manually or automatically placing the mail items on the existing mail items there.

[0054] The method according to the present invention comprises: determining a delivery sequence for a plurality of mail items and determining or outputting a sequence of storage numbers assigned to the mail items, the mail items being sorted according to the delivery sequence.

[0055] In a first alternative, these steps are part of the method according to the first aspect of the present invention. To this end, the method according to the first aspect of the present invention includes: determining, for at least one of the plurality of sorting destinations, a delivery order for the mail items to be routed to the sorting destination based on the mail item information; and outputting a sequence of sorted entry numbers assigned to the mail items according to the delivery order for the mail items to be routed to the sorting destination.

[0056] Correspondingly, in a first alternative, the method according to the second aspect of the invention includes: obtaining a sorted sequence of incoming numbers, wherein an incoming number is assigned to each of a plurality of consignments, and wherein the sequence of incoming numbers is sorted according to the delivery order of the assigned consignments.

[0057] Determining the delivery sequence can, for example, be carried out in an external server such as the following, which is used for multiple distribution centers in a centralized manner or is provided locally for a separate local mail delivery location, such as a delivery point or warehouse. Alternatively, determining the delivery sequence can, for example, be carried out in a data processing unit 105. According to the first aspect of the present invention, the sequence of outputting the inbound and outbound numbers can, for example, be simulated, for example, by means of a printed list or barcode, which is, for example, transmitted to the delivery entity together with the container 106 and the mail contained therein. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the sequence is output to a mobile device, such as a mobile phone or portable device (so-called handheld scanner) of the delivery entity. This is, for example, carried out by transmitting data via a data communication connection and, for example, can also be carried out by forwarding through other devices. Carrying out data communication with a mobile device is, for example, based on the Internet Protocol (IP), wherein the mobile device, for example, accesses the Internet via a wireless radio connection, such as a cellular mobile radio connection or a wireless local area network (WLAN). Alternatively, for example, a barcode can be scanned by a mobile device and the inbound and outbound number sequence is therefore detected by the device.

[0058] In a second alternative, the above-described steps for determining the delivery order and the sequence of inbound numbers are part of the method according to the second aspect of the present invention. To this end, the method according to the first aspect of the present invention includes: for at least one of the plurality of sorting destinations, for each of the mail items for which the sorting destination has been determined, outputting a corresponding assigned inbound number and corresponding consignment information, wherein the delivery order of the mail items can be determined based on the mail item information. Correspondingly, the method according to the second aspect of the present invention includes: for each of the plurality of mail items, obtaining a corresponding inbound number and corresponding consignment information assigned to the mail item, wherein the delivery order of the mail items can be determined based on the mail item information; determining the delivery order of the mail items based at least on the mail item information; and determining a sequence of inbound numbers assigned to the mail items, sorted according to the delivery order of the mail items. Transmitting the mail item information and inbound numbers can be performed, for example, in the same manner as transmitting the sequence of inbound numbers.

[0059] Outputting the allocated storage number and corresponding mailing information according to the first aspect of the present invention can be for example carried out in analogy, for example by printed list or bar code, and this bar code is for example transmitted to the delivery subject (for example being transported there) together with container 106 and the mailing contained therein.Alternatively, output can be carried out in digital mode, for example by being connected with the data communication of external server.In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, output is to mobile device, for example the mobile phone of delivery subject or portable device (so-called handheld scanner).This is for example carried out by carrying out data transmission (for example between data processing unit 105 and mobile device) via data communication connection and for example can also be carried out by forwarding through other equipment.Carrying out data communication with mobile device is for example based on Internet Protocol (IP), and wherein mobile device for example accesses the Internet via wireless radio connection, for example cellular mobile radio connection or wireless local area network (WLAN).Alternatively, for example can be by mobile device scanning bar code and therefore by this device detection storage number sequence.

[0060] Determining the sequence of delivery order and entry numbers can be performed, for example, by a mobile device or by an external server (e.g., in this regard, communicating with the mobile device), which is provided, for example, for a corresponding local consignment delivery location (e.g., a delivery point or warehouse). The consignment information can, for example, include the destination address of the consignment, based on which the delivery order of the consignment can be determined while knowing the operational flow of the delivery route and at the same time determining the sequence of entry numbers. The operational flow of the delivery route may, for example, have been stored in a server or mobile device at an earlier point in time or transmitted to a server or mobile device for determination. Alternatively, it can also be determined, for example, by the delivery entity itself.

[0061] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the consignment information includes at least respective destination addresses of the consignments, and wherein determining the delivery order of the consignments is based at least on an operational flow of a delivery route including the destination addresses.

[0062] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of the method is shown for six consignments entering a distribution center, which are assigned to two different delivery routes 214 and 218. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the inbound number of a consignment corresponds to the quantity of the consignment, and the sorting destination determined for the consignment is also determined when the inbound number is assigned to the consignment.

[0063] Delivery route I 214 includes four addresses 215, "A," "B," "C," and "D," wherein the delivery entity first serves address "A" on its delivery route, then "B," then "C," and finally "D." This results in an operational sequence (A, B, C, D) for delivery route I 214. Delivery route II 218 includes three addresses 219, "X," "Y," and "Z," with an operational sequence (X, Y, Z). At the distribution center, each delivery route I, II is assigned exactly one container 212, 216 as a sorting destination.

[0064] At the distribution center, mail item 201 with destination address "B" 202 is detected as the first mail item. Since this is the first mail item (for which a corresponding delivery route 1 214 has been determined, and therefore a container 212 has been determined as the sorting destination), mail item 201 is assigned a storage number 1. This storage number is used to label mail item 201 by creating a corresponding label 203 and applying it to mail item 201. In addition to storage number "1" 204, label 203 may, for example, include information about the corresponding delivery route "1" 206 and / or the operational flow number "2" 205 of the destination address. Destination address "B" 202 has an operational flow number 2 because address "B" is the second address to be served on the corresponding delivery route 1 214. The mail item is then placed in the sorting destination "container 212."

[0065] The second mail item 207 detected has a destination address "Z," which is included in delivery route 1 218. Therefore, container 216 is determined as the sorting destination for this mail item. Since no other mail items have been detected for this sorting destination, the second mail item is also assigned the storage number "1." The corresponding marking is then applied and the mail item is placed in the sorting destination "container 216."

[0066] The third mail item 208 detected has a destination address "A," which is included in delivery route I 214. Therefore, container 212 is determined as the sorting destination for the mail item. Since mail item 201 has already been detected for container 212, new mail item 208 is assigned storage number 2 and marked accordingly. Mail item 208 is arranged into container 210 based on its storage number. In the exemplary embodiment shown, mail items are arranged into containers 212 and 216 in ascending order of storage number. Therefore, mail item 208, which has storage number 2, is arranged behind first mail item 201, which has storage number 1.

[0067] Correspondingly, as the subsequently detected mail items 209, 210 and 211 shift, when viewed from front to back or from bottom to top in stereoscopic perspective, after all mail items are arranged, mail items 201, 208 and 209 are in container 212, whose destination addresses are included in delivery route I 214, and mail items 207, 210 and 211 are in container 216, whose destination addresses are included in delivery route II 218.

[0068] For example, the delivery sequence is determined by utilizing the corresponding operational procedures of the delivery routes. For the three mail items 201, 208, and 209 in container 212, mail item 208 is first delivered to destination address "A," followed by mail item 201 to destination address "B," and then mail item 209 to destination address "D." This results in a sequence 213 of incoming numbers (2, 1, 3). For the three mail items 207, 210, and 211 in container 216, mail item 210 is first delivered to destination address "X," followed by mail items 207 and 211 to destination address "Z." This results in a sequence 217 of incoming numbers (2, 1, 3) or (2, 3, 1), from which any sequence can be selected because both mail items are delivered simultaneously to destination address "Z."

[0069] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a sorted sequence of entry numbers 213 is obtained or determined, for example, by a delivery entity of delivery route 1 or a mobile device of the delivery entity, wherein an entry number is assigned to each of a plurality of mail items, and wherein the sequence of entry numbers is sorted according to the order in which the assigned mail items are delivered. The entry numbers are detected by the delivery entity in the sorted sequence 213 or output to the delivery entity. In this case, the number of mail items (e.g., in container 212) is sorted according to the entry number, and the delivery entity can find the mail item assigned to the entry number among the plurality of mail items (e.g., in container 212) based on the entry number. If the sequence is obtained or determined, for example, by a mobile device and the entry number is output from the mobile device to the delivery entity, then for this purpose, an app (i.e., a complex program) that was installed on the mobile device at an earlier point in time is run on the mobile device.

[0070] Once the delivery agent at the local mail delivery location obtains the container 212 with mail items 201, 208, and 209, the delivery agent can start from delivery route 1 214 because these mail items no longer need to be further processed at the local mail delivery location. During the delivery, it is sufficient for the delivery agent to know which mail item needs to be delivered next. To this end, the delivery agent outputs or detects the next mail item that has not yet been delivered in the sequence of storage number 213. Since the mail items are sorted in the container 212 based on the storage number, the delivery agent can use the storage number to evaluate the position of the mail items in the container 212 and find these mail items. At the beginning of the mail delivery route, the delivery agent detects with the sequence of storage number 213 that the first mail item to be delivered has storage number 2. Since there are a total of three mail items in the container 212, the delivery agent can estimate that the mail item with storage number 2 will be in the middle of the container. After delivering mail item 208 with storage number 2, the delivery agent detects that the next mail item to be delivered has storage number 1, meaning that, given the current ascending order of mail items, this next mail item is at the front of the container. By evaluating the position of mail items to be sorted within container 212, the delivery time of mail items is shortened compared to unsorted containers. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, in which mail items are associated with information from which the storage number can be derived, the delivery agent can identify mail items using the storage number without any other information, for example, to ensure the destination address or recipient, thereby further reducing mail delivery time.

[0071] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, for at least a portion of the multiple mailings, information related to the mailings is obtained together with the entry number, and then the information related to the mailings is detected or output together with the entry number. For example, the destination address associated with each entry number is detected or output so that the delivery entity knows at which address the next mailing needs to be delivered before it takes the mailing out of the container. By obtaining the destination address assigned to the entry number, the entry number sequence and other mailing sequences (which can also be identified by means of the destination address) can be merged into one list. For example, the delivery entity additionally has the following sequence of parcels or mailings to be delivered, which require special processing, such as registration, which requires a signature when registering; or cash on delivery, in which case the payment process is essential. The merging of lists simplifies the delivery process of all mailings by the delivery entity because the delivery entity does not need to pay attention to different lists or information sources at the same time.

[0072] In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, only a portion of all the entry numbers contained in the sorted entry number sequence are output accordingly. For this reason, it is also determined which portion of the entry numbers in all the entry numbers contained in the entry number sequence are output. For example, only a specific number of next entry numbers are output on the mobile device of the delivery subject, for example, only the entry number of the mail to be delivered next is output accordingly, to improve clarity. In some embodiments of these exemplary embodiments, determining which portion of the entry numbers to be output is based on the destination address of the assigned mail and the current position of the delivery subject. For example, only the entry numbers within a specified distance from the current position of the delivery subject are indicated on the delivery route of the delivery subject. The position of the delivery subject can for example be determined by a global positioning system (GPS) receiver in a mobile device and processed there together with the information about the delivery route.

[0073] Figure 3 A flowchart 300 shows an exemplary embodiment of a method according to the first aspect of the invention, for example, as implemented and / or controlled by a sorting facility 100 for sorting a plurality of consignments. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The described embodiments are generalized versions and may be combined with one or more or all of the features described in these embodiments.

[0074] In step 301, a corresponding sorting destination from among a plurality of sorting destinations is determined for each of a plurality of consignments. In step 302, a corresponding sorting destination-specific inbound number is assigned to each of the plurality of consignments. If no other consignment has the same inbound number assigned to the sorting destination of a consignment, the inbound number of the consignment is then specific to the sorting destination. In other words, a sorting destination-specific inbound number can be explicitly assigned to a particular consignment from among all consignments identified for the corresponding sorting destination. In step 303, for at least one of the plurality of sorting destinations, those consignments for which a sorting destination has been identified are assigned to the sorting destination based on the sorting destination-specific inbound numbers assigned to those consignments. This sorting of consignments can occur, for example, after the consignments have been assigned sorting destination-specific inbound numbers, even before all consignments have been identified for the sorting destination. For example, consignments that have been initially assigned sorting destination-specific inbound numbers are also initially assigned to the sorting destination. Alternatively, for example, all consignments may first be identified for a sorting destination and then assigned to the sorting destination in a common step. In step 304, for at least one of the multiple sorting destinations, the delivery order of the consignments assigned to the sorting destination is determined based on the consignment information. In step 305, for at least one of the multiple sorting destinations, a sequence of sorted storage numbers assigned to the consignments assigned to the sorting destination is output. In step 306, an alternative to steps 304 and 305, for at least one of the multiple sorting destinations, the corresponding assigned storage number and corresponding consignment information are output for each of the consignments for which a sorting destination has been identified, where the delivery order of the consignments can be determined based on the consignment information. Steps 304 and 305, or step 306, may be performed before, during, or after the consignments are assigned to the sorting destinations (step 303).

[0075] Figure 4 Flowchart 400 shows an exemplary embodiment of a method according to the second aspect of the present invention, for example, implemented and / or controlled by a delivery entity or a mobile device of a delivery entity. This exemplary embodiment of the method is based on the second aspect of the present invention, Figure 1 and Figure 2 The described embodiments are generalized versions and may be combined with one or more or all of the features described in these embodiments.

[0076] In step 401, a sorted sequence of incoming numbers is obtained, wherein each of the plurality of consignments is assigned an incoming number and the sequence of incoming numbers is sorted according to the order in which the assigned consignments are delivered. Obtaining the sequence corresponds to outputting the sequence in step 305 of flowchart 300, however, in step 401, it is not mandatory that the sequence be obtained by the device implementing the method according to step 305. Similarly, in step 305, it is not mandatory that the sequence be output to the device, person, or system implementing the method according to step 401.

[0077] Steps 402, 403, and 404 replace step 401. In step 402, for each of the multiple consignments, a corresponding entry number and corresponding consignment information are obtained, wherein a delivery order can be determined based on the consignment information. Obtaining the entry number and consignment information corresponds to outputting the entry number and consignment information in step 306 of flowchart 300. However, in step 402, it is not mandatory for the device or system implementing the method according to step 306 to obtain these entry numbers and consignment information. Similarly, in step 306, it is not mandatory for the device, person, or system implementing the method according to step 402 to output these entry numbers and consignment information. In step 403, a delivery order is determined for the consignments based at least on the consignment information. In step 404, a sequence of entry numbers assigned to the consignments, sorted according to their delivery order, is determined.

[0078] In step 405, which is identical to the two alternatives, the delivery entity detects the sorted sequence of the incoming numbers or outputs them to the delivery entity, wherein the multiple mails are sorted according to the incoming numbers, and the delivery entity is able to find the mail assigned to the incoming number among the multiple mails based on the incoming numbers. If the sequence of the incoming numbers is obtained, for example, by the mobile device of the delivery entity in step 401 or determined in step 404, step 405 includes outputting the sorted sequence of the incoming numbers to the delivery entity. For example, the output can be performed optically by the screen of the mobile device and / or acoustically. Here, all incoming numbers can be output simultaneously, individually, and / or in groups.

[0079] The method according to the invention comprises the steps of the first alternative or the steps of the second alternative. Likewise, if a device or system is configured for implementing a method having steps of only one or two embodiments or comprises means for implementing the method, then the device or system is a device or system according to the invention.

[0080] The exemplary embodiments / examples of the present invention described in this specification should also be understood to be disclosed in all possible combinations. In particular, the description of a feature included in an embodiment—unless explicitly stated to the contrary—should not be interpreted as implying that the feature is necessary or essential for the functionality of that embodiment. The sequence of method steps listed in this specification and in the flow charts is not mandatory; alternative sequences of these method steps are also conceivable. These method steps can be implemented in various ways, and therefore implementation in software (via program instructions), hardware, or a combination of both is conceivable. Terms such as "comprising," "having," "including," and "containing" used in patent claims do not exclude additional elements or steps. The expression "at least partially" includes both "partially" and "completely." The expression "and / or" should be understood to disclose both alternatives and combinations, i.e., "A and / or B" means "(A) or (B) or (A and B)." In the context of this specification, a plurality of units, persons, etc. means a plurality of units, persons, etc. The use of the indefinite article does not exclude a plurality. A single device may perform the functions of several units or means recited in the patent claims. The reference numerals given in the patent claims should not be seen as limiting the means and steps to be used.

Claims

1. A method comprising: - for each of the plurality of consignments, determining a corresponding sorting destination from a plurality of sorting destinations; - assigning to each of the plurality of consignments a corresponding storage number specific to the sorting destination; For at least one of the plurality of sorting destinations, the method further comprises: o Arranging those mail items for which the sorting destination has been determined to the sorting destination based on the storage number specific to the sorting destination assigned to the mail items; as well as ■ determining the delivery order of the mail items arranged to the sorting destinations based on mail item information; and ■ outputting a sequence of storage numbers assigned to the mail items sorted according to the delivery order of the mail items arranged to the sorting destination; or ■ For each of the mail items for which the sorting destination has been determined, the corresponding allocated storage number and the corresponding mail item information are output, wherein the delivery order of the mail items can be determined based on the mail item information of the mail items.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the corresponding storage number corresponds to the following mail items among a certain number of mail items, for which the sorting destination determined for the mail item was also determined when the storage number was assigned; or the corresponding storage number is related to the said quantity.

3. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: - The mail items are conveyed to the corresponding, determined sorting destinations.

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: - for each consignment of the plurality of consignments, determining a respective destination address, wherein said determining the respective sorting destination is based at least on the respective destination address.

5. The method of claim 3 , wherein one or more delivery routes are assigned to each of the plurality of sort destinations; and wherein determining the corresponding sort destination is based at least on determining a delivery route that includes the corresponding destination address.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein each of the plurality of sort destinations is assigned exactly one delivery route.

7. The method according to claim 5, wherein exactly one sorting destination is assigned to a delivery route.

8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: - Associating the respective consignment with information, wherein at least the storage number can be derived based on the information.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein associating the corresponding consignment with the information is performed by affixing a label to the corresponding consignment, and further comprising: - Create labels for the corresponding shipments.

10. The method of any one of claims 8 or 9, wherein at least part of the information is machine readable.

11. The method according to claim 10 with direct or indirect reference to claim 3, wherein the conveying of the consignments to the corresponding, determined sorting destination is based at least on a machine-readable portion of the information.

12. A method according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the arranging of the consignments to the respective sorting destinations is performed at least partially automatically and is based at least on a machine-readable part of the information.

13. The method of any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein at least part of the information is human readable.

14. A method according to claim 13 with direct or indirect reference to claim 3, wherein said conveying of the consignments to the respective sorting destinations is performed at least partially manually and at least based on a human-readable portion of said information.

15. Method according to one of claims 13 or 14, wherein said arranging of the consignments to the respective sorting destinations is performed at least partially manually and is based at least on a human-readable portion of said information.

16. The method according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the output is performed to a mobile device.

17. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the consignment information includes at least a corresponding destination address of the consignment, and wherein the determining of the delivery order is based at least on an operational flow of a delivery route including the destination address.

18. A method comprising: Obtaining a sorted sequence of inbound numbers, wherein an inbound number is assigned to each of a plurality of consignments, and wherein the sequence of inbound numbers is sorted according to a delivery order of the assigned consignments; or For each of the plurality of consignments, obtaining a storage number assigned to the corresponding consignment and corresponding consignment information, wherein a delivery order of the consignments can be determined based on the consignment information of the consignment; as well as ○ Determining a delivery order of the consignments based at least on the consignment information; as well as ○ Determining a sequence of storage numbers assigned to the mail items that have been sorted according to the order in which the mail items were delivered; as well as -The delivery entity detects the incoming number in the sorted sequence or outputs it to the delivery entity, wherein the multiple mail items are sorted according to the incoming number, and the delivery entity is able to find the mail item assigned to the incoming number among the sorted multiple mail items based on the incoming number.

19. A method according to claim 18, wherein for at least a portion of the multiple consignments, information related to the consignments is obtained together with the warehousing number, and wherein for the portion of the multiple consignments, the input and output warehousing numbers are performed together with the information related to the consignments.

20. The method according to claim 18 or 19, wherein only a portion of all the incoming warehouse numbers contained in the sorted incoming warehouse number sequence are output accordingly, further comprising: -Determines which portion of all receipt numbers included in the output receipt number sequence.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the determining which portion of the inbound number to output is based on the assigned destination address of the consignment and the location of the delivery entity.

22. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 21, wherein the storage number has been assigned to the mailings of the plurality of mailings according to the method according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

23. A device or a system consisting of at least two devices, the device or the system being configured for implementing and / or controlling the method according to one of claims 1 to 17, or comprising means for implementing and / or controlling the steps of the method according to one of claims 1 to 17.

24. A device configured to implement and / or control the method according to one of claims 18 to 22, or comprising means for implementing the method according to one of claims 18 to 22. 25 . A computer program comprising program instructions which, when the computer program is run on a processor, cause the processor to carry out and / or control the method according to claim 1 . 26 . A computer program comprising program instructions which, when the computer program is run on a processor, cause the processor to carry out and / or control the method according to claim 18 .

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