Method and device for efficiently delivering different sized items to be delivered into storage compartment installation

Abstract

In particular a method implemented by a first device comprising a plurality of enrollment compartments or components thereof, the method comprising: obtaining a delivery, in particular a letter delivery; checking whether the delivery should be received in one of the plurality of registered storage cells; if the check shows that the sent object should be received in one of the plurality of registered storage compartments, receiving the sent object in the storage compartment; and rejecting the delivery if the check indicates that the delivery should not be received into one of the plurality of registered storage compartments. Furthermore, corresponding devices, systems and computer programs for implementing and / or controlling the disclosed methods accordingly are disclosed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to methods, apparatus, systems, and computer programs for delivering mail, particularly letters, to registered storage compartments of a device, wherein the device is particularly a storage compartment facility that is also adapted to receive parcel mail. Background Technology

[0002] Mail is typically delivered to a mailbox at the recipient's address. Alternatively, it can be delivered to a mailbox. A mailbox is a lockable, inaccessible storage compartment, usually rented by the recipient from a delivery company or its partners for a fixed period. Mailboxes are typically located within the mailbox facilities of a branch of the delivery company or its partners. Recipients access their rented mailboxes, for example, using a key or access code. Mailboxes are suitable, for example, for receiving business mail or for recipients who rarely have the opportunity to empty their mailboxes.

[0003] Storage compartment facilities, such as locker storage compartment facilities or parcel storage compartment facilities, are used for a wide variety of purposes. An example of a parcel storage compartment facility is the applicant's parcel station, where recipients can have items delivered. The delivery person places the item into a storage compartment at the parcel station located near the recipient and / or pre-selected by the recipient, locks the compartment, and notifies the recipient accordingly. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To date, locker facilities have been primarily defined as facilities for the delivery and / or retrieval of parcels. To allow recipients of mail (mailbox users) to also benefit from the advantages of locker facilities, such as unrestricted access during branch opening hours, multiple pickup locations, and / or simultaneous pickup of mail and parcels, solutions for delivering mail within locker facilities are desirable. Efficient use of existing space is particularly desirable here. Delivering individual mail to lockers configured for parcels would significantly reduce the capacity of the locker facility and is therefore undesirable. Furthermore, the number of mail items delivered to individual mailbox users and between different mailbox users often varies considerably; therefore, dynamic delivery solutions are desirable, where a separate mailbox is not required for each mailbox user at all times. Additionally, solutions for delivering mail outside of recipient addresses for those without a mailbox are also desirable.

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to overcome one or more of the above-mentioned disadvantages and / or obtain one or more of the above-mentioned advantages and / or achieve one or more of the above-mentioned improvements.

[0006] An exemplary aspect of the present invention discloses a method comprising: obtaining a mail item; checking whether the mail item should be accepted into one of a plurality of registered storage compartments; if the check indicates that the mail item should be accepted into one of the plurality of registered storage compartments, then accepting the mail item into the compartment; and if the check indicates that the mail item should not be accepted into one of the plurality of registered storage compartments, then rejecting the mail item. The method may be implemented, for example, by a first device or a component of the first device. The mail item may be, for example, a letter. The method may further include: distributing the mail item to a person who has been successfully authenticated with the first device.

[0007] This application also discloses the following exemplary embodiments:

[0008] - An apparatus comprising means for implementing and / or controlling the method, wherein the apparatus is a first apparatus or a component thereof. 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.

[0009] - An apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory containing program code, wherein the memory and program code are configured to cause a device having the at least one processor to at least implement and / or control the method. Herein, 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.

[0010] - One of these devices is used to store items for a person (e.g., in the first device) and to enable that person to access the item (e.g., by outputting the item).

[0011] A computer program, comprising program instructions, which, when executed on a processor, cause the processor to perform and / or control at least the following steps: obtaining a mail item (particularly a letter) on a first device comprising a plurality of registered storage compartments; checking whether the mail item should be accepted into one of the plurality of registered storage compartments; accepting the mail item into a storage compartment if the check indicates that the mail item should be accepted into one of the plurality of registered storage compartments; and rejecting the mail item if the check indicates that the mail item should not be accepted into one of the plurality of registered storage compartments. Among other things, in this specification, "processor" should be understood as a control unit, microprocessor, microcontroller (such as a microcontroller), digital signal processor (DSP), application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or field-programmable gate array (FPGA). Herein, either all steps of the method can be controlled, all steps of the method can be implemented, or one or more steps can be controlled and one or more steps can be implemented. The computer program may, for example, be distributed via a network such as the Internet, telephone networks, or mobile radio networks and / or local area networks. A computer program can be at least partly the software and / or firmware of a processor. A computer program can also be at least partly implemented as hardware. A computer program can be stored, for example, on a computer-readable storage medium, such as a magnetic, electrical, optical, and / or other form of storage medium. The storage medium can be, for example, part of a processor, such as the processor's (non-volatile or volatile) program memory or a portion thereof. The storage medium can be, for example, a concrete and / or physical storage medium. Attached Figure Description

[0012] Other advantageous exemplary embodiments of the invention will be derived from the following detailed description of some exemplary embodiments of the invention, particularly in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the drawings in this application are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to define the scope of the invention. These drawings are not necessarily to scale and should only exemplarily reflect the overall concept of the invention. In particular, the features included in the drawings should in no way be considered essential components of the invention.

[0013] In the attached diagram:

[0014] Figure 1a A schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the device according to the present invention is shown;

[0015] Figure 1b A schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the device according to the present invention is shown;

[0016] Figure 2 A schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of components of a device according to the present invention;

[0017] Figure 3 A flowchart illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the method according to the present invention;

[0018] Figure 4 A schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the method according to the present invention is shown;

[0019] Figure 5 A schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a sub-aspect of the method according to the invention; and

[0020] Figure 6 A schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the device according to the present invention is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0021] Figure 1a and Figure 1b An exemplary first device 100 is shown according to different exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0022] exist Figure 1a In this device, the first device 100 includes a storage compartment facility 120 having multiple storage compartments 122 and a registration facility 110 having multiple registration storage compartments 111, the registration facility being located, for example, in one of the storage compartments 122. Figure 1b In this embodiment, the first device 100 includes a storage compartment facility 120 and a facility 130 separate from the storage compartment facility 120, in which a registration facility 110 with a plurality of registered storage compartments 111 is located. The independence of facility 130 from storage compartment facility 120 can be spatial, for example, as shown, but can also be system-wise (e.g., via a separately running computer program, a separate communication interface or user interface, and / or a separate data storage device). In other exemplary embodiments, the first device may not include all the shown components of (storage compartment) facilities 120 and 130, for example, including facility 130 but not storage compartment facility 120, or only including some components of facility 130.

[0023] As in Figure 1a and Figure 1bAs shown, the first device 100 includes a plurality of registration storage compartments 111. Each of these registration storage compartments 111 is provided for receiving at least one item to be sent, particularly a letter. Letters to be sent include, for example, items having the Deutsche Post specification of “standard, compact, large, or extra-large” and / or similar specifications from other postal service providers. Letters to be sent may also include book items and / or items packaged in bags. A further characteristic of letters to be sent may be that they are typically delivered by a mail carrier (rather than by a parcel service provider). Alternatively or additionally, items may be classified as letters to be sent, for example, by means of their size. Mail items may include, for example, items whose minimum size is less than a first maximum size (e.g., height less than 1cm, 2cm, or 5cm) and / or whose maximum size is less than a second maximum size (e.g., length less than 25cm, 30cm, or 40cm) and / or whose sum of two or three sizes is less than a third maximum size (e.g., the sum of length, width, and height is less than 40cm, 50cm, or 60cm) and / or whose minimum size is smaller than the longest size or the other two sizes by a minimum factor (e.g., height is smaller than length, width, and / or the sum of length and width by a factor of 2, 5, or 10). Alternatively or additionally, mail items may include only items up to a maximum weight, such as up to 50g, 500g, or 1000g.

[0024] In an exemplary embodiment, at least one of the plurality of registered storage compartments 111, such as only one registered storage compartment, some registered storage compartments, or all registered storage compartments 111, may be configured to simultaneously store multiple items, particularly multiple items associated with the same recipient or the same group of recipients. Here, in the following text, the recipient of the item may also always represent a group of recipients, such as a group of colleagues in the same company. The registered storage compartments 111 are not publicly accessible and are, for example, located inside the first device 100. To obtain and output items to the registered storage compartments 111, the first device 100 includes, for example, an input point 115 and an output point 116, wherein, however, the input point 115 and the output point 116 may also be composed of a shared unit, for example.

[0025] In exemplary embodiments, the registration compartment 111 may be part of the registration facility 110. For this purpose, the first device 100 may also include the registration facility 110. In some of these exemplary embodiments, the registration facility 110 may be configured to perform the receiving of mail into the mail registration compartment 111 and / or to perform the output of mail. In exemplary embodiments, the registration compartment 111 may be movably, particularly rotatably, arranged within the registration facility 110. In some of these exemplary embodiments, the registration compartment 111 is movable within the registration facility 110 along a closed, particularly elliptical, trajectory, for example, by being arranged on or at a surrounding band. Receiving mail is then achieved, for example, by moving the registration compartment 111, into which the mail should be received, such that it is positioned below the receiving opening. The registration compartments 111 may be top-opening or side-opening, for example. Alternatively, these registration compartments may have a mechanism for opening the registration compartment 111 when a shipment is to be received. To discharge a shipment, the registration compartment 111 may move through an output opening and, for example, open downwards or rotate. Alternatively, when the registration compartment is top-opening or side-opening, the shipment may be removed from the registration compartment 111 by means of a gripping mechanism, for example. Alternatively, the registration compartments 111 may be arranged horizontally or vertically in a rack system, for example. Receiving or discharging the shipment is then achieved, for example, by horizontally or vertically movable shelves and racks, and by pushing or rolling devices in the registration compartments 111 (which transport the shipment from the shelves to the registration compartments 111 and vice versa). In an exemplary embodiment, at least one of these registration compartments 111 may be configured to change its size. Therefore, for example, the registration compartment 111 can be individually adapted to the quantity and size of the items to be accepted in the registration compartment 111. In an exemplary embodiment, at least one registration compartment may have a storage size or an input size, wherein, in order to input items into and / or output items from the at least one registration compartment, the registration compartment is increased from the storage size to the input size and then reduced back to the storage size after input and / or output.

[0026] exist Figure 2Registration facility 110 is schematically shown in an exemplary embodiment. Registration compartments 201, 202 are arranged about a rotation axis 207, for example, rotatable in two directions. To receive one or more items 205, registration compartment 201 moves below receiving opening 203 by rotating along the rotation axis 207. Receiving opening 203 may be permanently open, for example, allowing items 205 in front of receiving opening 203 to fall into registration compartment 201. Alternatively, after registration compartment 201 has moved below receiving opening 203, receiving opening 203 may be opened, for example, by a flap mechanism or alternatively by a push mechanism, to receive items 205 into registration compartment 201. Alternatively or additionally, registration compartment 201 may be opened, for example, by a flap mechanism or a push mechanism. After the item 205 is entered into the registration compartment, the receiving opening 203 and / or the registration compartment 201 can be closed again. Then, for example, another registration compartment can be moved below the receiving opening 203 to receive another item, or a registration compartment can be moved to exit the item through the output opening 204, for example, by rotating along the rotation axis 207. For example, the registration compartment 202 can be moved through the output opening 204 by rotating along the rotation axis 207 to exit one or more items 206. Then, for example, the output opening 204 and / or the registration compartment 202 can be opened by a flap mechanism or a pushing mechanism (e.g., by opening a flap of the output opening 204 as shown), thereby exiting the item 206 from the registration compartment 202, for example, by causing the item to fall from the registration compartment 202. The output opening and / or the registration compartment can then be closed, thus preparing the registration facility 110 to receive or exit another item.

[0027] In an exemplary embodiment where the received mail item is a letter, the first device 100 may further include a plurality of storage compartments, at least some of which 118, 119, 122 are configured to receive letter items. Each of these storage compartments 118, 119, 122 is provided for receiving one or more letter items (i.e., similar to or exactly the same as in the case of a regular mailbox), for example, an individual mail recipient. An individual mail recipient may also be assigned multiple storage compartments 118, 119, 122. Each of these storage compartments 118, 119, 122 can be locked or closed in a basic state. Some of the storage compartments 118 may be locked or opened, for example, with a mechanical lock, the key of which may be owned, for example, by the individual mail recipient or a group of mail recipients, and the delivery person. Some storage compartments 119, 122 may be electrically unlocked or opened, for example, controlled by instructions or individually (e.g., via a lock control unit provided in the first device 100). In some of these exemplary embodiments, at least one of these storage compartments 122 may also be configured to receive parcel shipments. Parcel shipments are, for example, shipments other than mail shipments, such as shipments whose size and / or weight do not meet mail shipment standards. In this embodiment, both mechanically unlockable storage compartment 118 and controllably unlockable storage compartments 119, 122 are present. In other embodiments, controllably unlockable storage compartments 119, 122 may not exist, or mechanically unlockable storage compartment 118 may not exist.

[0028] In an exemplary embodiment where the received item is a letter, the first device 100 may further include a storage compartment facility 120 with multiple compartments, at least some of which 122 are configured to receive parcel items. Thus, each of these compartments 122 of the storage compartment facility 120 is provided, for example, to receive one or more parcel items and / or one or more objects (e.g., for an individual recipient). An individual recipient may also be assigned multiple compartments. Each compartment is locked or closed in its basic state and can be electrically unlocked or opened controlled by instruction and individually by, for example, a lock control unit located in the storage compartment facility 120. An example of such a storage compartment facility 120 is a storage compartment facility based on the applicant's known parcel station concept.

[0029] In an exemplary embodiment, the registration facility 110 may be located in a storage compartment of the first device 100, for example, Figure 1aThe storage compartments are shown in the storage compartment facility 120. In some of these exemplary embodiments, the storage compartments can only be accessed by personnel who have been authenticated with the first device 100. These personnel may be, for example, personnel who want to input items into the first device 100 (e.g., a delivery person) or personnel who want to retrieve items from the registered storage compartment facility 120 (e.g., a recipient of a delivery).

[0030] For this purpose, the first device 100 may be equipped with one or more communication interfaces as user interfaces 117, such as interfaces for wireless communication with mobile devices. Wireless communication connections are based on optical transmission and / or communication using electrical, magnetic, or electromagnetic signals or fields, particularly short-range communication such as Bluetooth, WLAN, ZigBee, NFC, and / or RFID.

[0031] However, in other embodiments, the first device 100 may, for example, not include an interface for wireless communication with a mobile device, or may include such an interface that is, for example, not available in principle, only available under specific circumstances, or available in principle but not used. Thus, communication of data present on the mobile device and, for example, displayed data, may be performed by a user who, for example, inputs or thus transmits this data or a portion thereof on the first device 100 via an input unit of the user interface 117 (e.g., a keyboard of the registration storage compartment facility 120 or a touch-sensitive display with a screen keyboard, voice recognition module, or optical scanner). Of course, the user may also input data that is not present on the mobile device and / or not displayed there. Furthermore, the first device 100 may also exemplary include an output unit as the user interface 117, for example, for displaying information via, for example, a screen.

[0032] In an exemplary embodiment where the first device 100 also includes a storage compartment facility 120 with multiple storage compartments (which are configured, for example, at least partially, for receiving parcels and / or at least partially for receiving mail), the first device 100 may have a (e.g., shared) user interface 117 through which, for example, after successful authentication, access can be made to one or more of the storage compartments of the storage compartment facility, and input and / or output of mail can be made. Such an exemplary embodiment is... Figure 1a As shown in the diagram. However, in other embodiments, the first device 100 includes, for example, a plurality of user interfaces 117', 117'', which allow access to one or more of the storage compartments in the storage facility or the output of mailed items, for example in... Figure 1bAs shown in the illustration. For example, in the storage compartment facility 120, user interface 117" is configured to allow access to the storage compartment 122 of the storage compartment facility 120, and user interface 117' is used to input and / or output mail items.

[0033] The first device 100 is also configured, for example, to communicate with a backend system, i.e., it has a communication interface that enables access to the Internet or other communication networks connected to the backend system. Specifically, the first device 100 is configured for remote communication, i.e., it has an interface to a cellular mobile communication system, a DSL interface, or a local area network (LAN) interface, through which the first device can communicate with the system 100 via a communication connection.

[0034] Figure 3 A flowchart 300 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a method according to the invention, which is implemented and / or controlled, for example, by a first device 100, wherein the first device 100 includes a plurality of registered storage compartments 111.

[0035] In step 301, the first device 100 receives the mail, particularly a letter, for example, by a person (e.g., a delivery person) who enters the mail into the first device 100, for example, into an opening in the first device 100 (however, the opening in the first device 100 is not, for example, a registration storage compartment where the mail may later be accepted). For this purpose, the person, for example, places the mail into the input point 115. In an exemplary embodiment, the input point can only be accessed by a person who has successfully authenticated with the first device 100. Access is permitted, for example, by opening a flap or pulling out a drawer. Authentication can be performed, for example, by transmitting authentication information via the user interface 117 of the first device 100. The person can authenticate, for example, by entering a user identification code and a related password and / or by transmitting authentication information via short-range communication, for example, by an application on the person's mobile device or by other authentication objects (e.g., a chip card). The authentication information can then be verified, for example, by the first device 100 itself, for example, by comparing the transmitted authentication information with authentication information stored (at least temporarily) in the first device 100. Additionally or alternatively, the transmitted authentication information may be forwarded to a backend system for verification, and the authentication result from the backend system may then be transmitted to the first device 100.

[0036] In step 302, it is checked whether the received item should be accepted into one of the plurality of registered storage compartments 111. In an exemplary embodiment, this check can be performed in response to receiving the item or after receiving the item. For example, after obtaining information via user interface 117, one or more items may be introduced, for example, placed into the first device 100. Alternatively or additionally, the first device 100 may identify the received item (or items) by means of, for example, a sensor. Based on the result of the check in step 302, the item is then accepted into a registered storage compartment in step 303 or rejected in step 304.

[0037] Preferably, in step 303, the obtained mail item is accepted into a registered storage compartment that does not yet contain mail items for other mail item recipients. If a mail item already exists in one or more registered storage compartments for the mail item recipient of the obtained mail item, it is preferable to accept the obtained mail item into one of these registered storage compartments.

[0038] Rejecting the received mail in step 304 can be done, for example, by throwing or outputting the mail or notifying the person who entered the mail to retrieve it again. Here, output can be performed only after the person has been authenticated, thus ensuring that no unauthorized person has access to the mail. In an exemplary embodiment where the first device 100 includes additional storage compartments 118, 119, 122, the person can be informed, for example, that the mail should be accepted into one of these storage compartments 118, 119, 122 after the received mail is rejected. For this purpose, the storage compartment can be electronically unlocked by the first device 100 or mechanically opened by a person. In an exemplary embodiment where the first device 100 does not include additional storage compartments 118, 119, 122, the mail can be carried by a person and delivered separately to the recipient (e.g., in their mailbox).

[0039] In an exemplary embodiment, the inspection in step 302 may be based, for example, at least on the characteristics or information of the shipment. The characteristics or information of the shipment may include, for example, the recipient, the recipient's address, and / or all or all of the dimensions (length and / or width and / or depth and / or weight), i.e., the size of the shipment. The first device 100 may, for example, be configured to accept only shipments from a specific recipient address (e.g., within a specific area where the first device 100 is located) and a specific recipient (e.g., a recipient previously registered with the operator of the first device 100). Alternatively or additionally, a shipment may be rejected, for example, when the recipient has been assigned to storage compartments 118, 119, 122 and therefore the shipment should be accepted in the assigned compartment rather than the registered storage compartment 111. Here, lockers 118, 119, and 122 can be permanently assigned to the recipient of the mail, for example, by the recipient renting these lockers from the operator of the first device 100 (e.g., as in the case of a regular mailbox). Preferably, this applies to locker 118, which has a mechanical lock and a key for the recipient to use. Lockers 119 and 122 with electronically unlockable locks can preferably be dynamically occupied and assigned to the recipient only for such a long period that lockers 119 and 122 contain their mail. Alternatively or additionally, the first device 100 can obtain, for example, a list of mail to be accepted from a back-end system, so that only these mails should be accepted. Alternatively or additionally, the first device 100 can be configured to accept only mail of a certain size or up to a maximum size. Here, size can be determined, for example, by the length, width, depth, or weight of the item, or any combination thereof. In some of these exemplary embodiments, the characteristics or information of the item can be automatically detected upon receipt, for example by the first device 100, the registration facility 110 of the first device 100, or other components. Detection can be performed, for example, by reading a barcode, Data Matrix Code (DMC), Quick Response Code (QR), Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) transponder, or plain text information. The information read may already contain characteristics or information; however, alternatively, it may only contain an item identifier, which can be associated with the desired characteristics or information by comparison with stored data. For example, the stored data may have been detected and transmitted to the first device 100 during the processing of the item before delivery. Alternatively, the stored data may have been stored in a back-end system. In this case, the first device 100 can transmit the item identifier to the back-end system, and the back-end system can then retrieve the desired characteristics or information. Alternatively or additionally, characteristics or information may be detected, for example, by scanning and measuring the mail and / or weighing the mail in the registered storage compartment facility 120.Alternatively or additionally, characteristics or information may be obtained via user interface 117, for example, by a person who has entered the item to be sent.

[0040] In an exemplary embodiment, the check in step 302 may alternatively or additionally be based on the current and / or projected utilization of the first device 100. For example, a shipment may be refused when all registered storage compartments are occupied or are projected to be occupied in the future (e.g., based on one or more pre-reserved registered storage compartments). Alternatively or additionally, a shipment may be refused, for example, if one or more shipments have already been accepted into a registered storage compartment for the recipient and the capacity of that compartment may be exceeded due to additional shipments (e.g., because the total depth (or other dimensions) of the shipments may exceed the determined maximum depth (or other dimensions) of the registered storage compartment or registration facility 110, the total weight may exceed a determined significant weight, or the total number of shipments may exceed the determined maximum number of shipments). In an exemplary embodiment, the check in step 302 may also include checking whether one or more shipments already accepted into one or more registered storage compartments 111 of registration facility 110 should be rejected. If, for example, a shipment is rejected and instead placed in one of the storage compartments 118, 119, 122 of the first device 100, other shipments already accepted in one or more registered storage compartments 111 of the registration facility 110 are preferably output along with the same recipient, for example, along with the rejected shipment. Thus, all shipments identified as being for the same recipient can be accepted in the same storage compartment (e.g., 118, 119, 122), and that registered storage compartment can accept additional shipments. Therefore, in an exemplary embodiment, the registration facility 110 is configured to output one or more additional shipments already accepted in one or more registered storage compartments 111 of the registration facility 110 (e.g., along with the rejected shipment) when a shipment is rejected. Alternatively or additionally, when a shipment might be rejected, for example, due to utilization, all shipments in one or more selected registered storage compartments 111 can be output, rather than rejecting the received shipment. For example, a registering storage cell from which to output a shipment can be selected based on the number or size of the shipments in the registering storage cell. For instance, the shipments from the registering storage cell containing the most shipments or the largest overall size can be output. Alternatively or additionally, when it is determined that one of these storage cells 118, 119, 122 of the first device 100 is assigned to a recipient of these shipments, for example, all shipments from one or more selected registering storage cells can be output.

[0041] In an exemplary embodiment, the first device 100 is configured to acquire multiple shipments at once in step 301 and sequentially perform the checks in step 302 on each of the multiple shipments. Furthermore, the first device 100 is configured, for example, to perform acceptance or rejection on each of the multiple shipments based on the corresponding check results. However, acceptance or rejection does not necessarily have to be performed sequentially; it can also be performed on multiple shipments of the multiple shipments at once.

[0042] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the method according to the present invention, showing the various steps in detail. Optional steps are shown in dashed lines for this embodiment.

[0043] In step 401, the delivery person authenticates with the first device 100 to input the item to be delivered. For this purpose, the delivery person operates, for example, an application implemented on their mobile device, such as a smartphone or handheld scanner. To do this, the mobile device, for example, requests the first device 100 to establish a short-range data communication connection, such as optical transmission, Bluetooth, ZigBee, NFC, RFID, or WLAN. Then, authentication information is transmitted from the mobile device to the first device 100 (preferably encrypted). In step 402, the first device 100 checks this authentication information. This is done, for example, on the first device 100 itself or in a back-end system connected via a remote data communication connection. Alternatively, the authentication information may also be stored, for example, in the authentication object, such as an NFC chip or RFID token, or may be entered by the delivery person on the first device 100, for example, in the form of a user identification code and associated password.

[0044] If authentication is successful, the delivery person can access the input point 115 in step 403. This can be done, for example, through the opening of the storage compartment where the registration facility 110 is located, through the opening of the flip panel at the input point, or by pulling out a drawer. In step 404, the delivery person then inserts the mail into the input point 115, such as a stack of mail (as an example of mail that is not necessarily limiting for this embodiment), for example, one or more standard letters, compact letters, large letters and / or oversized letters and / or one or more book mail and / or one or more flat small packages. The delivery person can then confirm the input mail (e.g., by confirmation in an application on their mobile device, confirmation on the user interface 117, or, for example, by closing the flip panel at the input point or closing the drawer).

[0045] After receiving the mail items, the first device 100 detects each mail item in step 405. For this purpose, the first device detects, for example, the sender's name, recipient's address, size, and / or weight of the mail item. Next, in step 406, the first device sequentially checks whether each received mail item should be accepted into the registration storage compartment. Steps 405 and 406 can be performed sequentially for each individual mail item; alternatively, step 405 can be performed first for all mail items before starting step 406; alternatively, steps 405 and 406 can be performed sequentially for mail items destined for a particular recipient, and then step 405 can begin for the next recipient.

[0046] Figure 5 This is a flowchart of an exemplary implementation of the checks in step 406 (again, a non-limiting example using a letter as the delivery item) and steps 407 (i.e., rejecting or accepting the letter) and 408 (i.e., outputting the other delivery item that has been accepted). The check in step 406 may, for example, include using... Figure 5 The embodiments shown include all, (only) multiple, or only one inspection step of inspection steps 501 to 504. Step 406 does not include... Figure 5 In all embodiments of the inspection steps 501 to 504 shown, one or more of these inspection steps (e.g., steps 501 and / or 502) may be performed outside the first device 100 in a previous process, such that the first device 100 contains only items that have been previously inspected, thereby enabling, in principle (but regardless of the results of other inspection steps) acceptance into the registration storage compartment (i.e., step 501 yields "yes" or step 502 yields "no"). Thus, the inspection in step 406 involves those inspection steps that have not been inspected in the previous process.

[0047] For example, in step 501, it is first checked whether the mail delivery conforms to the general criteria for accepting mail. The check in step 501 may include, for example, whether the recipient of the mail has registered on the first device 100. Alternatively or additionally, the check in step 501 may include whether the recipient's address matches the address where the mail should be accepted. Furthermore, in step 501, it may be checked, for example, whether the size of the mail delivery allows it to be accepted into a registered storage compartment, i.e., whether the delivery is too long, wide, deep, and / or heavy to fit into a registered storage compartment. If the delivery does not conform to the general criteria, the delivery is rejected (step 510). In other cases, step 502 may check, for example, whether the recipient of the mail has been assigned one of these storage compartments 118, 119, 122, for example, because one of these storage compartments 122 contains the recipient's package, or because the recipient has rented a regularly assigned storage compartment 118, 119, 122. If the recipient has been assigned one of these lockers 118, 119, 122, the delivery is refused (step 510). Otherwise, in step 503, it is checked whether the delivery can be accepted into one of these registered lockers 111.

[0048] Therefore, for example, in step 503, it is first checked whether a registration locker for a mailing item belonging to the same recipient already exists. In this case, it is preferable to accept the mailing item into the same registration locker. For this purpose, for example, it may be additionally checked whether the capacity of the registration locker or registration facility 110 is exceeded when accepting the mailing item, such as the maximum number of mailing items, the maximum total depth of mailing items, and / or the maximum total weight of mailing items. If this is not the case, the mailing item is accepted into the registration locker. In other cases, for example, the mailing item may be rejected, or alternatively, it may be checked whether or should the mailing item be accepted into another empty registration locker. Checking whether or should the mailing item be accepted into an empty registration locker is performed, for example, when there is no registration locker with a mailing item belonging to the same recipient yet. The check is based, for example, on the (current or predicted) utilization rate of the registration facility 110. If the result is positive, the mailing item is accepted into an empty registration locker accordingly (step 512).

[0049] If the check result in step 503 is negative, for example, in step 504, it can be checked whether one of these registered storage compartments 111 should be emptied (i.e., whether all mail items in that registered storage compartment should be output) rather than rejecting mail items. Outputting multiple mail items from a registered storage compartment can be preferred over rejecting individual mail items under certain conditions. For example, when the maximum number of mail items in the registration facility 110 is a limiting standard for utilization, since additional mail items can be accepted into the registration facility 110 after outputting these multiple mail items, and only one storage compartment 119, 122 of the first device 100 is blocked by the multiple mail items output from the registered storage compartment, rather than each mail item occupying multiple storage compartments 119, 122 of the first device 100. In this case, these mail items are output (step 511) and the obtained mail items are accepted into the registered storage compartment (step 512). In other cases, mail items are completely rejected (step 510).

[0050] If you transfer again Figure 4 Then (as exemplarily demonstrated by using) Figure 5 (As described) In step 407, based on the inspection result from step 406, the mail item is either accepted into one of the registration storage compartments 111 or rejected. In the case of rejecting the mail item, with Figure 5 Similarly, in step 511, for example, in step 408, additional mail items that have been accepted into one or more registered storage compartments 111 of the registration facility 110 may be output, preferably mail items owned by the same recipient as the rejected mail items. Step 408 may be performed, for example, after all mail items in step 406 have been examined, or, for example, after each rejection of mail items is obtained in the check in step 406.

[0051] In the event of rejected mail delivery, the mail delivery can be output, for example, at output point 116. After completing the check in step 406 for all mail delivery, output can be performed sequentially or collectively for all mail delivery that should be output, for example, if mail delivery is rejected. For this purpose, the first device 100 may include, for example, a storage rack (Zwischenablage) for storing rejected mail delivery. Output point 116 may be configured similarly to input point 115 with access restrictions, such that the user can only enter the output point after (re)authentication. For this purpose, the first device 100 may, for example, communicate with the deliveryman via user interface 117 in step 409 to reject some mail delivery and require its removal. During the processing of the obtained mail delivery by the first device 100 in steps 405 to 409, the deliveryman may, for example, input other delivery items that should not be accepted into the registered storage compartment into the first device 100, such as parcel delivery items (step 420). Next, in step 410, the delivery person can communicate with the first device 100, for example, via an application on their mobile device, or by entering information at the user interface 117, to prepare the delivery person to receive mail items to be delivered and, for example, to re-authenticate, as per step 401. Upon successful authentication, the first device 100 outputs all mail items to be delivered in step 411 or enables access to the output point 116.

[0052] In step 412, the first device 100, for example, opens (if any) all lockers 119, 122, which are electronically unlockable and into which the mail items output in step 411 are to be placed. Manually unlockable lockers 118, if present, can be opened by the delivery person themselves, for example, in step 413. The delivery person then places the mail items output in step 411 into the opened lockers and then locks or closes them again. For this purpose, the first device 100 can, for example, output information to the delivery person via user interface 117: which mail items should be placed in which locker. Alternatively, the delivery person can begin a new process in which they request and specify lockers on the first device 100: which mail items they want to place there. Preferably, all mail items for the recipients are placed in the lockers. Here, the output of mail items in step 411 and the opening of storage compartments 118, 119, and 122 in steps 412 or 413 can, for example, be performed together for all mail items. Alternatively, for example, all mail items for the recipient can be output first, and the individual storage compartment to which the mail item is to be entered can be opened. Then, all mail items for the next recipient can be output, and the next storage compartment can be opened. The delivery process ends after all the output mail items that should be placed in storage compartments 118, 119, and 122 have been placed in the storage compartments by the delivery person in step 414. In an exemplary embodiment where the first device 100 does not include additional storage compartments 118, 119, and 122 (or if there are not enough storage compartments 118, 119, and 122 available), for example, the delivery person can carry the mail and deliver it separately to the recipient (e.g., by placing it in their mailbox).

[0053] In an exemplary embodiment, the method may further include: distributing mail to a person who has successfully authenticated with the first device 100. To retrieve the mail, the person first authenticates with the first device 100, for example, to authorize them to receive mail. Similar to step 401, authentication can be performed, for example, by means of an application, by transmitting authentication information via an authentication object, or by entering a user identification code. Using the transmitted authentication information, the first device 100 can determine which mails the person is authorized to receive. If these mails have been accepted in the registration facility 110, they are then discharged from the registration facility 110 after successful authentication, enabling the person to access the output point 116 via the first device 100, for example, by opening a flap, opening a storage compartment where the registration facility 110 is located, and / or pulling out a drawer. If the first device 100 has determined that the person's mail and / or other mail items are present in one of its storage compartments, the first device 100 may, for example, output a notification to the person via user interface 117 that the additional mail items need to be retrieved from the storage compartment. For storage compartments 118 with mechanical locks (if present), the person may, for example, open these compartments with their key. For electronically unlockable locks 119, 122 (if present), the first device 100 may, for example, unlock them in the same step or after re-authentication.

[0054] Figure 4 and Figure 5 The steps in the document do not necessarily have to be performed in the order described. They can be interchanged as long as there is no mandatory logical order, and they can also be performed in parallel.

[0055] Figure 6 A schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a device according to the invention, such as a first device 100 or its control unit, is shown. Optional components are shown in dashed lines for this embodiment.

[0056] Device 600 includes a processor 601, a program memory 602, a working memory 603, a user data memory 604, one or more communication interfaces 605, a control unit 606, one or more optional sensors 607, one or more optional detection units 608, and one or more optional input units 609. For example, the processor 601 executes a program according to the invention, stored in the program memory 602, for example as firmware. The working memory 603 is particularly used to store temporary data during the execution of this program. The user data memory 604 is used to store data required when executing the program.

[0057] Communication interface 605 includes, for example, an interface for wireless communication with mobile devices, such as communication via optical transmission and / or communication via electrical, magnetic, or electromagnetic signals or fields, particularly communication based on Bluetooth, NFC, and / or RFID (Radio Frequency Identification). In some embodiments, device 600 is also configured, for example, to communicate directly with a backend system, and therefore has, for example, a communication interface capable of enabling access to the Internet or other networks connected to the backend system.

[0058] The control unit 606 is capable, for example, of receiving items into specific registered storage compartments, particularly by controlling a motor and / or transmission device. However, the control unit is also capable, for example, of selectively opening or unlocking the individual storage compartments 119, 122 of the first device 100, so that opening can be achieved, in particular, by controlling the locks of the storage compartments 119, 122 or the lock control units of the storage compartments 119, 122.

[0059] Sensor 607, for example, can detect whether a mailed item has been placed at input point 115 and / or whether a mailed item has been removed from output point 116. The sensor can also detect, for example, whether a corresponding mailed item or object exists in the corresponding storage compartment 118, 119, 122, and / or whether the door of storage compartment 118, 119, 122 is open or closed.

[0060] The detection unit 608 can, for example, automatically detect the characteristics or information of the mailed item, and based on this, check 406 whether the mailed item should be accepted into the registration storage compartment. In an exemplary embodiment, the detection unit is a scanner capable of optically detecting information (alternatively, RFID technology can be used, for example).

[0061] User interface 609 is configured to communicate with a user. Here, the user interface may include, for example, an output unit for displaying (e.g., via a screen or via a light-emitting display dedicated to the storage compartment (e.g., for displaying the corresponding occupancy / unoccupancy status)) or acoustically outputting information; and / or an input unit for obtaining information and / or data from a person (e.g., a keyboard or a touch-sensitive screen with an on-screen keyboard or a voice recognition module). However, preferably, no input / output unit is provided, and the user communicates with the first device 100 only via a mobile device, in order to reduce, for example, the associated maintenance and / or repair costs (e.g., due to intentional damage) and / or manufacturing costs. Thus, the user interface of the first device 100 (e.g., including menu navigation) is at least partially or completely extended to the mobile device.

[0062] The exemplary embodiments / exemplifications of the invention described in this specification should also be understood as being disclosed in all combinations thereof. In particular, descriptions of features included in the embodiments—unless explicitly stated otherwise—should not be construed as meaning that such features are necessary or essential to the functionality of the embodiment. The sequence of method steps listed in the flowcharts in this specification is not mandatory, and alternative sequences of these method steps are contemplated. These method steps can be implemented in different ways and therefore are contemplated as implementations in software (by program instructions), hardware, or a combination of both. Terms such as “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” as used in the patent claims do not exclude other elements or steps. The expression “at least partially” includes both “partially” and “completely.” The expression “and / or” should be understood as disclosing both alternative and combined solutions; that is, “A and / or B” means “(A) or (B) or (A and B).” Multiple units, persons, etc., in the context of this specification mean multiple units, persons, etc. The use of indefinite articles does not preclude a plurality. A single device can perform the functions of multiple units or devices mentioned in the patent claims. The reference numerals given in the patent claims should not be construed as limitations on the devices and steps used.

Claims

1. A method, the method being implemented by a first device or a component thereof, wherein the first device comprises a plurality of registered storage compartments, the method comprising: - To receive mail, especially letters; - Check whether the shipment should be accepted into one of the plurality of registered storage compartments; - If the inspection indicates that the shipment should be accepted into one of the plurality of registered storage compartments, then the shipment is accepted into the registered storage compartment; and If the inspection indicates that the shipment should not be accepted into one of the plurality of registered storage compartments, then the shipment is rejected.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: - The shipment is delivered to a person who has successfully authenticated with the first device.

3. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inspection is based at least on the characteristics or information of the mailing item.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the characteristics of the mailing item are automatically detected when the mailing item is obtained.

5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inspection is based at least on the current utilization or predicted utilization of the first device.

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inspection further comprises: Check whether one or more items that have been accepted into one or more registered storage compartments in the registration facility should be exported.

7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inspection is performed in response to obtaining the mailing item or after obtaining the mailing item.

8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the plurality of registered storage compartments is configured to simultaneously store a plurality of mail items, particularly a plurality of mail items associated with the same recipient.

9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of registered storage compartments are part of the registration facility of the first device.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the registration facility is configured to perform the act of receiving the mailing item in the mailing item's registration storage compartment.

11. The method according to any one of claims 9 and 10, wherein the registration facility is configured to: in the event of rejection of the mailing, output one or more other mailings that have been accepted in one or more registration storage compartments of the registration facility.

12. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the plurality of registered storage compartments are movably, in particular rotatably, arranged in the registration facility about an axis.

13. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the plurality of registered storage compartments are movable in the registration facility along a closed, particularly elliptical, trajectory.

14. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mailing is a letter mailing, and wherein the first device further comprises a plurality of storage compartments, at least some of the plurality of storage compartments being configured to receive the letter mailing.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein at least one additional storage compartment is configured to receive parcel shipments.

16. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 13, or any one of claims 14 and 15, wherein the registration facility is located in a storage compartment of the first device.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the storage compartment can only be accessed by personnel who have been authenticated with the first device.

18. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first device is configured to acquire a plurality of mailings at once and perform the inspection sequentially on each of the plurality of mailings.

19. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the registered storage compartments is configured to change its size.

20. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the registered storage compartments has a storage size and an input size, wherein in order to input a mail item into the at least one registered storage compartment and / or to output a mail item from the at least one registered storage compartment, the registered storage compartment is increased from the storage size to the input size and then reduced back to the storage size after the input and / or output.

21. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the mailing is a letter mailing, and wherein the first device further includes a storage compartment facility with a plurality of storage compartments, at least some of the plurality of storage compartments being configured to receive a parcel mailing.

22. In the case of claim 2, the method of claim 21, wherein the first device has a user interface through which access to one or more storage compartments of the storage facility is made, and the output of the mailed item is made.

23. An apparatus comprising means for implementing and / or controlling the method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the apparatus is the first apparatus or a component thereof.

24. In the case of claim 9, the device according to claim 23 further includes the registration facility.

25. The use of the device according to any one of claims 23 and 24, for storing mail for a person and enabling the person to access the mail.

26. A computer program comprising program instructions that, when the computer program is executed on a processor, cause the processor to perform and / or control at least the following steps: - To obtain mail, especially letters, from a first device that includes multiple registered storage compartments; - Check whether the shipment should be accepted into one of the multiple registered storage compartments; - If the inspection indicates that the shipment should be accepted into one of the plurality of registered storage compartments, then the shipment is accepted into the registered storage compartment; as well as If the check indicates that the shipment should not be accepted into one of the plurality of registered storage compartments, then the shipment is rejected [e.g., by throwing / outputting or notifying the user to retrieve the shipment again].

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