Sorting Arm Position Tracking via Transponder Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for sorting mail items in a sorting register lack feedback on correct sorting, making it difficult to track and locate items if errors occur, as there is no mechanism to verify the final position of the mail item within the register.
Innovation Solution
Equipping the sorting register with sorting compartments, a position transponder on the sorting arm, and image capture technology to determine the correct sorting compartment and record the mail item's position, allowing for tracking and verification of correct sorting through a navigation-like system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual sorting without tracking is used, then sorting speed and simplicity are maintained, but the ability to track and verify final position of mail items is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by recording the position of the sorting arm via a position transponder during the sorting process. This position information is stored and later used to verify where the mail item was placed, providing closed-loop feedback that enables tracking and verification of sorting accuracy without requiring complex continuous monitoring systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital copy of the sorting process by recording position data of the sorting arm and storing it alongside mail item information. This positional copy serves as a traceable record that allows verification of where items were placed, enabling tracking without physically following each item through the system.
2Measurement precision
If position tracking is implemented, then sorting verification is enabled, but device complexity increases due to additional sensors and recording systems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a position transponder as an intermediary device attached to the sorting arm. This transponder simplifies the measurement system by providing direct position signals without requiring complex sensor arrays or vision systems, achieving accurate position measurement through a dedicated intermediary component.
3Productivity
If the sorting arm moves quickly, then sorting productivity increases, but precise position determination becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by recording the position of the sorting arm during the sorting process and storing this position data for later verification. This preliminary recording captures position information at the moment of sorting, enabling accurate determination even when the arm moves quickly, as the position is captured at the critical moment rather than requiring continuous slow monitoring.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables accurate tracking and verification of the sorting position of mail items, ensuring they are correctly placed in the sorting register, and providing a means to locate them later if needed, with optional display feedback for correct or incorrect sorting.
Implementation Method 1
The method for determining the position of the position transponder would therefore use the principle of the transit time measurements used from the satellite-based navigation systems.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for tracking the sorting of a mailed item (6) in a sorting register (2), comprising the following method steps: a) providing the sorting register (2) with a number of sorting compartments (Fij); b) assigning determining information, in particular delivery addresses, to the sorting compartments (Fij); c) detecting an image of the mailed item (6) and extracting the determining information of the mailed item (6) from the image and displaying the sorting compartment (F23) assigned to this determining information; d) equipping a sorting arm (10) with a position transponder (12) for determining a position of the sorting-register-side end of the sorting arm (10) relative to the sorting register (2); e) supplying the mailed item (6) to the displayed sorting compartment (F23) by means of the sorting arm (10); f) recording the position of the position transponder (12) during the supplying of the mailed item (6) in the direction of the displayed sorting compartment (F23); g) determining the closest position (16) of the position transponder (12) relative to the sorting register (2); h) assigning this closest position (16) to a sorting compartment (F23) of the sorting register (2); and i) storing a sorting dataset, comprising the assigned sorting compartment (F23) and the image and optionally the extracted determining information of the mailed item (6). In this way, as a result of the traceability of the movement of the sorting arm, it is possible to determine the actual sorting position for the mailed item to be sorted into the sorting register. For this, it is assumed that the closest position in relation to the sorting register corresponds to the position in which the mailed item has been deposited into a sorting compartment of the sorting register. If the sorting-register-side end of the sorting arm moves away from the sorting register again, it is assumed that the sorting of the mailed item into the sorting register has been completed.