Postal Sorting Magnifier Module Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing postal sorting devices require additional processing time and significant storage capacity to sequence a large number of delivery points, as they need to handle all mail addresses in an intermediate step, which limits the scalability of delivery point sequencing.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that utilize a magnification factor (K) to increase the number of sequenced delivery points by dividing them into subgroups and using a magnifier module to form overlapping postal objects, allowing for re-processing and final sorting in a way that reduces storage needs and processing time, enabling n*j*K delivery points to be sequenced efficiently.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an intermediate sequencing step is introduced to sequence a large number of delivery points, then the number of sequenced delivery points increases, but additional processing time is required and considerable storing capacity is needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the sequence of delivery points into multiple subgroups (first subgroup, second subgroup, third subgroup, etc.), where each subgroup contains delivery points spaced by a magnification factor K. This segmentation allows the sorting device to process and accumulate subgroups in parallel across different outlets, thereby increasing the total number of sequenced delivery points without proportionally increasing processing time or storage requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If an intermediate sequencing step is introduced to sequence a large number of delivery points, then the number of sequenced delivery points increases, but considerable storing capacity is required
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting delivery points into subgroups with magnification factor K, the patent reduces the storage burden. Each outlet needs to store only one subgroup at a time rather than all delivery points, thereby increasing the number of sequenced delivery points while keeping storage capacity requirements manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension of organization by using the magnification factor K to create subgroups. Instead of storing all delivery points in a single sequence, the system organizes them in K interleaved sequences distributed across different outlets, effectively using the outlet dimension to reduce individual storage requirements while increasing total sequencing capacity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If all mail regarding additional addresses is fed onto the sorting system in an intermediate step, then the number of sequenced delivery points increases, but additional processing time is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the mail flow into K subgroups corresponding to K magnification factors. Each subgroup is processed and accumulated in parallel across different outlets, allowing the system to handle a larger number of delivery points simultaneously without increasing the processing time for each individual subgroup, thereby maintaining productivity while expanding capacity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for sorting postal objects (1) comprising the steps of: treating packs (4) of overlapping postal objects (7) for generating singulated postal objects, i.e., ones physically separated from each other; and sorting the singulated postal objects, directing each postal object (7) towards a respective outlet (12) selected from among a number n of selectable outlets (12). Moreover envisaged are the steps of: performing a first sorting step (100), accumulating, within an i-th selected outlet, postal objects belonging to K subgroups having homogeneous delivery points, and carrying out a step (110) of re-processing the previously sorted postal objects (100), whereby the postal objects taken from the outlets (12) are treated for forming ordered sets of postal objects, each set comprising the postal objects belonging to a respective homogeneous subgroup and being formed by postal objects ordered according to successive delivery points; and performing a second step (120) of sorting ordered sets, on the basis of which the postal objects that have corresponding positions within each subgroup are sent to the respective outlets (12). Said objects are accumulated according to successive delivery points in the outlets; i.e., they are sequenced.