EP2196960A1 - Device and method for accepting postal items - Google Patents

Abstract

The mail item receiving device (1) has a mail item supply for mail item, an operating interface (12), an invoicing-unit, and a card reading unit with cover plate. A mail item insertion mounting grid (13.1) is arranged at the front side of a mail receiving device. The mail item supply is equipped with an adjustable opening (30) of a shaft shaped supply duct for insertion and for infiltrating mail item. The supply duct is formed in folded shape and the mail item insertion mounting grid consists of two side walls and a rear wall. An independent claim is included for a method for receiving mail item.

Description

The invention relates to a device and a method for mail acceptance, according to the type specified in the preamble of claims 1 and 10 and is suitable for a mail processing machine, which is placed in the post office, in shops, gas stations and / or public places or private facilities and the mail piece acceptance is used.

From the European patent EP 503 311 B1 the applicant Francotyp-Postalia GmbH is already a means for processing mail, which uses standardized Postgutzuführungen for the mail and a billing unit, in which a postage credit card or an authorization card can be inserted. After the billing of the postage fee by the billing unit, a transport lock of the postgood supply is unlocked. The mail is then stored in secure storage containers. However, upon acceptance, neither printing of a receipt for the postal customer nor printing of a franking slip on the mailpiece occurs.

From the European patent application EP 1 058 212 A2 the applicant Francotyp-Postalia GmbH is a method for the mail processing and mail processing system out.

In so-called picking stations an automatic mail acceptance and in distribution stations, the mail distribution is prepared by a mail carrier after a franking of the mail, with each post office a printing of a receipt receipt for the postal customer and printing a machine-readable mark on the mail piece. For temporary storage of the marked mail in the storage container of the loading station, an input of other relevant data is in the first memory of the loading station, which due to the marking, the aforementioned data can be stored assigned to the mail piece and retrieved again. The input can be done with the support of a customer-related chip card, which is plugged into a first read / write unit and for identifying the customer-related chip card or the customer is made. The retrieval of the data, for example, also by means of the special first read / write unit by a carrier chip card is inserted, for loading the booking data from the first memory in a memory of the special carrier card. Then, a discharge of the storage container of the loading station and a transport of the marked mail and the special carrier card by a first mail carrier to a remote franking machine in a dispensing station. After inserting the special carrier card into a second read / write unit and loading the booking data from the memory of the special carrier card into a second memory of the postage meter, the mail is franked in the dispensing station in accordance with the data stored in the second memory associated with the tag information which is recovered from the scannable mark printed on the mail piece. For the feeding stations, three variants were proposed. The simplest variant consists of a storage container for mail pieces and a slot for inserting a customer card and associated electronics and a connected to this ordinary customer receipt printer, which prints both the receipt and the mark on a self-adhesive paper strip. This requires that the strip with the mark may be glued to the mail piece by the customer himself before entering the storage box. A remote dispensing station includes a marker reader and a postage meter system. The latter preferably consists of an automatic feeder station, a dynamic weighing station and a franking station. The marker reading device can be integrated into the postage meter system. The mail processing system thus consists of a plurality of mailing stations and a plurality of mailing stations between which a (private) mail carrier operates to empty mail piece storage containers and convey mail pieces to the mail dispensing station which stamp the mailpieces. If the mailing stations are simply constructed, the mailing stations must be more complex, ie, equipped with additional stations, such as a dynamic scale station. Conversely, a mail delivery station can be constructed simply (without scales) if the mail delivery stations already have a scale, ie are more complex ausgestatet. Thus, a variety of design variants for a mail processing system is conceivable. The disadvantage is that, on the one hand, an overfilling of the mail piece acceptance device is possible and, on the other hand, an emptying of the mail piece acceptance devices in a fixed position Time intervals also takes place, if there was no postal item stored. In addition, stations with a scale are usually subject to verification, which causes increased maintenance costs.

From the US 20080040208 A1 For example, a business method is known whereby an item is delivered from a shipping service provider to an item service provider who performs its delivery. However, the use of a variety of service providers in the carriage of a mail piece is costly.

Postal authorities have made further proposals on new services and on the design or modification of existing services, with more and more new vending machines being used. Thereby the problem of the "first mile" has to be overcome, i. public and private mail service providers have to get the mail pieces themselves first, in order to then be able to transport them. Deutsche Post AG (DPAG) was obliged until the year 2007 to operate at least 12,000 branches. From the year 2008, this is no longer required by law and a mailing to 50 g can now be promoted by the competitors of the DPAG, but see after the introduction of minimum wages hardly a chance to work profitably.

While, on the one hand, only smaller service providers or foreign low-wage service providers act as a result, DPAG solves this problem through automation using the new Post24 / 7 machines in addition to the well-known mail acceptance points (formerly post offices) and mailboxes. The new Post24 / 7 machines are coupled with stamp dispensers and mailboxes. From the stamp donor, the postal customer must first pull stamps and stick on a piece of mail, which can then be thrown into a neighboring conventional mailbox from the postal customer. At the back of the Post24 / 7 machine is a packing station. An electric parcel compartment system and a method for its operation is known from the European patent EP 1408 802 B1 known to the DPAG.

Registered customers can also have shipments sent to the Post24 / 7 station. You will then be notified by email / SMS and can pick up the shipment regardless of opening hours.

The postal authorities of a majority of countries and private service providers are aware of a procedure that assumes that the delivered mail has been cleared by the customer. At the same time, the service providers are faced with the task of reducing branch services or penetrating markets in which the service provider does not yet have any branches. In order to completely replace branches, the letter acceptance devices must be calibrated as long as they detect a postage. However, if no postage is determined, this task is relocated to the mail centers to sort out postal items that have not or not been adequately cleared by the postal customer. The mode of operation of the letter reception centers is therefore to be seen in conjunction with that of the letter centers.

Sorting in DPAG's mail center is carried out semi-automatically. In the letter center are sorted according to an orientation and orientation of the mail pieces, the latter according to the types of mail categories: length, width, height and weight sorted. The DPAG transmission types are postcards, standard letters, compact letters, large letters and maxi letters. The programs are thrown into small compartments ( DE 10 2004 040 100 A1 ). It is advantageous if the letters are transported quickly on the belt. The manual sorting is complicated and thus it would be desirable if a part of the sorting tasks is relocated externally and can be performed there automatically.

Obviously not all tasks can be taken over by the machine. DPAG's post24 / 7 machine does not sort mail, not even partially. The need for pre-sorted mail, for which discounts are given by the state or private mail carrier operating a distribution center, could be met by private mail carriers upstream of the mailing center to the distribution center.

From the European patent EP 1 519 325 B1 ) of the applicant Francotyp-Postalia GmbH shows an arrangement for generating a printed image for franking and postmarking machines, wherein printed data for at least a first mail carrier in predetermined sections of the printed image on a strip or on a mailpiece and the first mail carrier stations of a franking system for Presorting operated by the first postal carrier. The mailpieces must be picked up by the first (private) mail carrier and then manually placed in the correct position at the feeder station of the franking system. However, if no other private mail carrier is to be placed in the mail path between the mail piece acceptance devices and the distribution center of the DPAG, the mail piece acceptance devices would have to determine the postage and measure mail item features.

According to the calibration law, however, there are considerable requirements for verifiable mailpiece acceptance devices. These requirements lead to a considerable effort and the solution is nevertheless subject to the disadvantages of the calibration law such. the initial verification, recalibration the provision of Alibispeichern and ancillary equipment.

At the beginning of December 2008, Deutsche Post AG officially launched the nationwide "Briefstation" pilot project at four locations in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. Inside a vending machine, postal items are measured, weighed and franked using state-of-the-art technology. The mail pieces (eg letter mail) can be placed individually or in batches for franking in the corresponding compartment of the machine. In addition, the station has a mailbox for already franked mailpieces, the opening of which opens only when the customer has been identified by his Postcard is. In addition, the slot of the opening is larger than normal, so that mail pieces in the mail format Maxibriefe can be inserted. In addition, the machine can also print stamps. The letter station can hold several thousand letters through a special container system.

If a certain filling level is reached before the daily emptying, the responsible letter center is automatically informed for an additional emptying. And should a malfunction occur, the clever automaton reports this to the technical service alone.

For letters with additional service, the shipment data is immediately made available for shipment tracking. The status of the shipment is available on the Internet portal of Deutsche Post AG " www.briefstatus.de ".

The invention has for its object to provide a method and a device for mail acceptance, which processed the mail piece and yet, although the mail piece acceptance device has no scale, in a successor of a mail carrier a correct franking with the right remuneration, in real Orientation on the mailpiece and on the right side of the mailpiece allows.

The mail piece acceptance device is to pre-sort the mail pieces in a decentralized manner, store them in the correct position and store them until they are picked up, the front and / or back of each mail piece being scanned during pre-sorting.

By a printer of the mail piece acceptance device, an imprint is to be printed on each mail piece for the convenience of further processing in the mailing machine follow-up direction.

The Poststückannahmeeinrichtungen should be protected against vandalism and their emptying should be on demand. In addition, a mail piece tracking should be possible.

The object is achieved with the features of the arrangement according to claim 1 and with the features of the method according to claim 10.

Starting from a mail acceptance device, with a Postgutzuführung for mail pieces, with a user interface and a billing unit, with a card reading unit, in which a postage credit card or an authorization card can be inserted, after the billing of the postage by the billing unit a filing in secure storage containers in the storage area is proposed, a mail piece receiving device is proposed with a Postgutzuführung which is adjustable for insertion of a mail piece and for feeding the mail piece, wherein the mail piece is an element of a set of mail pieces whose dimensions may be different. The mail piece can be in different feed positions be thrown into the Postgutzuführung and is automatically addressed within the mail piece acceptance device in a certain position before an identifier is printed.

• Die voreingestellte Schlitzgröße der ersten Vorrichtung garantiert, dass die für diese Voreinstellung maximal zulässigen Abmessungen des Poststückes nicht überschritten werden, welches der Benutzer in die Poststückannahmeeinrichtung einzustecken beabsichtigt.
• Die Poststückannahmeeinrichtung enthält keine Waage und unterliegt somit nicht dem Eichrecht mit seinen Nachteilen und Anforderungen.
• Unabhängig davon, in welcher Orientierung das Poststück vom Post-kunden (Bediener) in den Einwurfschlitz gesteckt wird, erfolgt automa-tisch eine Lageausrichtung des Postückes.
• Nach erfolgter Lageausrichtung wird mittels einer Druckvorrichtung auf die richtige Seite in richtiger Ausrichtung des Poststückes eine Markierung gedruckt, welche das Entgelt für die Beförderungsdienst-leistung bzw. Portowert und eine Kennung enthält. Außerdem können diverse Zusatzleitungen erbracht werden, wie z.B. die Dimensionsbestimmung, das größenrichtige Vorsortieren und Ablegen der Poststücke, da sich aufgrund der Voreinstellung der Schlitzgröße automatisch relevante Informationen für den späteren Sortierprozess ergeben, weil vorgenannte Informationen durch die Eingaben des Postkunden an der Poststückannahmeeinrichtung bekannt sind.

The mail piece acceptor includes a number of means for scanning the mail piece surface, automatically positioning the mail piece, transporting, generating an identifier, billing and posting, and printing a tag on the mail piece and depositing it. For depositing a branching of each of the mail pieces to a specific storage container in the storage area, which is sized for the size of the correct collection of mailpieces. The mail piece acceptor includes a first opening channel setting device of a feed channel to a second mailpiece receiving device, a third mailpiece surface scanning device, a fourth mailpiece automatic positioning device, a fifth printing device sixth device for transporting and branching when correctly sized collecting mail pieces in the storage area, which has a number of storage containers for storage of the mail items in the correct position. All of the aforementioned devices are operatively connected to a controller. The operator interface is control-connected to the first device for setting a variable size of an opening (letter slit) of the shutter of the first device corresponding to the inputs of salary-relevant characteristics by the user via the operation interface and via the controller. A mail piece slot plate has a slot with the maximum allowable dimensions of a mailpiece defined by the respective mail carrier. The mail piece acceptance device has the following advantages:

• The pre-set slot size of the first device ensures that the maximum allowable dimensions of the mail piece for this presetting are not exceeded, which the user intends to insert into the mail piece acceptor.
• The mail piece acceptance device contains no balance and is therefore not subject to the calibration law with its disadvantages and requirements.
• Regardless of the orientation in which the mail piece is inserted by the post-customer (operator) into the insertion slot, the postage is automatically aligned.
• After the position alignment is printed by means of a printing device on the right side in the correct orientation of the mail piece a mark containing the fee for the transport service performance or postage value and an identifier. In addition, various additional lines can be provided, such as the determination of dimensions, the correct presorting and storing the mailpieces, as due to the default setting of the slot size automatically relevant information for the subsequent sorting process, because the aforementioned information is known by the entries of the postal customer to the mail piece acceptance device.

• Identifizierung der Kunden-Nummer bzw. Autorisierung zur Bedienung der Poststückannahmeeinrichtung,
• Ermitteln der vom Bediener getroffenen Vorwahl und Einstellung der Öffnungsweite des Einwurfschlitzes des Verschlusses des Zuführkanals der Poststückannahmeeinrichtung mittels einer ersten Vorrichtung,
• Ermitteln der Zuführung eines Poststückes in den Zuführkanal, wobei ein erster Sensor der ersten Vorrichtung ein Signal bei Zuführung einer Kante des Poststückes abgibt,
• Einziehen des Poststückes mittels einer zweiten Vorrichtung zum Einziehen von Poststücken in den Zuführkanal,
• Auslösen des Abtastvorganges der Oberflächen des Poststücks mittels einer dritten Vorrichtung zum Abtasten im Zuführkanal,
• Herstellung einer Lageorientierung mittels einer vierten Vorrichtung zur automatischen Lageausrichtung eines Poststückes, wobei die automatische Lageausrichtung gesteuert durch ein Unterprogramm für die Steuerung erfolgt, nach dem das Poststück den Zuführkanal durchlaufen hat,
• Erzeugung und Speicherung einer Kenn-Nummer für das zugeführte Poststück, Abrechnung und Buchung der Abrechnungsdaten zugeordnet zur Kenn-Nummer und Ausdrucken eines Belegs als Quittung für den Benutzer,
• Ansteuerung einer sechsten Transportvorrichtung zum Transport der Poststücke zu einem Drucker einer fünften Vorrichtung, um die Markierung auf das Poststück aufzudrucken,
• Ansteuerung der sechsten Transportvorrichtung für Poststücke und von entsprechenden Weichen am Transportband zum Transport bis zur Ablage des Poststückes,
• Ablage des Poststückes und
• Verschließen des Verschlusses, wenn kein weiteres Poststück eingeworfen werden soll, oder Einwurf eines weiteren Poststücks, wenn dazu eine Benutzer-Autorisierung vorliegt.

The method of mail acceptance includes the following steps:

• Identification of the customer number or authorization for the operation of the mail piece acceptance device,
• Determining the preselection made by the operator and setting the opening width of the insertion slot of the closure of the feed channel of the mail piece receiving device by means of a first device,
• Determining the feeding of a mail piece into the feed channel, wherein a first sensor of the first device emits a signal when an edge of the mail piece is fed,
• Retracting the mail piece by means of a second device for drawing mail pieces into the feed channel,
• Triggering the scanning of the surfaces of the mail piece by means of a third device for scanning in the feed channel,
• Producing a positional orientation by means of a fourth device for automatically aligning a mail piece, the automatic position alignment taking place under the control of a subroutine for the control after the mail item has passed through the feed channel,
• Generation and storage of an identification number for the delivered mail piece, billing and posting of the billing data assigned to the identification number and printing of a document as a receipt for the user,
• Activating a sixth transport device for transporting the mailpieces to a printer of a fifth device in order to print the marking on the mailpiece,
• Control of the sixth transport device for mail pieces and of corresponding switches on the conveyor belt for transport to the deposit of the mail piece,
• Filing of the mail piece and
• Closing the closure, if no further mailpiece is to be inserted, or throwing another mail piece, if there is a user authorization.

The accounting of the accounting data includes at least the identification data of the user and a postage value for the subsequent transportation and delivery of the item processed by the item acceptor by the mail carrier. The mark printed on the mailpiece includes the previously generated identification number.

1. (a) bestimmte Briefe in der Poststückannahmeeinrichtung vorliegen,
2. (b) die Poststückannahmeeinrichtung geleert werden muss,
3. (c) wie die weitere Poststückverarbeitung erfolgen soll oder
4. (d) an welcher Stelle im Postweg sich das Poststück genau befindet.

To solve the other tasks, a data connection for data transmission to the distribution center is further created, so that at least one piece of information can be stored in the distribution center that

1. (a) there are certain letters in the mailpiece acceptor,
2. (b) the mail piece acceptance device must be emptied,
3. (c) how the further mailpiece processing should be done or
4. (d) at which point in the mail the mailpiece is located exactly.

The decentralized scanning in the third device has the advantage that the information already exists in the distribution center when the mail item arrives in the distribution center, that more time is available for the central evaluation of the information. Then only the letter ID in the distribution center is read. Due to the letter recognition, the records associated with the letter can be used in the distribution center to organize the distribution and delivery of the mailpieces.

In one variant, an additional reading station (OCR) is arranged in the third device for scanning the mail piece surface so that all track and trace information required for mail piece tracking can be determined decentrally. This leads to a further advantage: The data records transmitted in connection with the marking (identification) of scanned front and back sides of the mail piece acceptance device via a communication device to a data center of the mail center conveyor enable a central evaluation in the distribution center without the mail pieces remaining there once again need to be scanned.

The mail piece accepting device is characterized by easy operability by a user and following operation.
After a first query step for user input, in the second step, an identification of the customer number or authorization to operate the mail piece acceptance device, then the user of the mail piece acceptance device for preselecting the opening width of the insertion slot of the closure of the feed channel of the mail piece receiving device is initiated, the area code is queried in query steps, then in a subroutine, an adjustment of the opening width of a closure of the feed channel according to the area code according to one of the approved by the postal carrier post formats. A mail piece is fed into the feed channel when a sensor of a first device for changing the opening width of the closure at the input of the feed channel emits a signal when an edge of the mail piece is fed. When feeding takes place Retracting the mail piece by means of a second device for feeding the mail piece into the feed channel and triggering the scanning of the surfaces of the mail piece by means of a third device in the feed, wherein detected by means of a subroutine, the location of the mail item supplied and optionally with a code number for each scanned surface is generated and stored belonging to the supplied mail piece. Subsequently, after the mailpiece has passed through the feed channel, a predetermined positional orientation is established by means of a subprogram in the controller and by means of a fourth device for automatic position orientation and orientation and an output to a sixth transport device for transporting the mailpieces to a printer of a fifth Device and its control to print a generated identifier on the mailpiece.

Billing takes place following the operating instructions of the user, for example by means of a postal security device as billing unit of the mail piece acceptance device or via a similarly secure data processing device and in connection with an infrastructure, for example such as is already known in the franking environment.
Subsequently, after printing, a control of the sixth transport device for mail pieces and of corresponding switches on the conveyor belt for transport to the storage of the mailpiece.

Figur 1a,

perspektivische Darstellung einer ersten Variante einer Poststückannahmeeinrichtung von vorn rechts oben,

Figur 1b,

schematische Darstellung der Baugruppenanordnung der Poststückannahmeeinrichtung,

Figuren 2-I, 2-II, 2-III, 2-IV,

unterschiedliche Zuführlagen für Poststücke zur Poststückannahmeeinrichtung,

Figur 3a,

Poststückeinwurfschlitzplatte in Frontansicht, .

Figur 3b,

Frontansicht einer Vorrichtung zur Einstellung der Offnungs-weite des Verschlusses des Zuführkanals für Poststücke bei einer kleinen Öffnungsweite und prinzipielle Anordnung von Baugruppen zur Ansteuerung der Verschlussmittel,

Figur 3c,

Frontansicht einer Vorrichtung zur Einstellung der Öffnungs-weite des Verschlusses des Zuführkanals für Poststücke bei einer großen Öffnungsweite und prinzipielle Anordnung von Baugruppen zur Ansteuerung der Verschlussmittel,

Figuren 4a-I, 4a-II, 4a-III, 4a-IV,

Darstellung unterschiedlicher Zuführlagen der Poststücke zur Poststückannahmeeinrichtung,

Figuren 4b-I, 4b-II, 4b-III, 4b-IV,

Draufansicht auf eine vereinfacht darge-stellte Vorrichtung zur lagerichtigen Ausrichtung der Poststücke,

Figuren 4c-I/III, 4c-II/IV,

Draufansicht auf eine vereinfacht dargestellte Vorrichtung zur lagerichtigen Ausrichtung, vor und nach Ausgabe des Poststückes in Ausgabelage und beim Drucken während des Transports des Poststückes in x-Richtung,

Figur 5a-I, 5a-II, 5a-III, 5a-IV,

vereinfachte Darstellung der Draufsicht auf den Drehteller mit Schwenkvorrichtung nach einem Viertel Drehung der Schwenkvorrichtung um eine Achse parallel zur x-Richtung,

Figur 5b-I, 5b-II, 5b-III, 5b-IV,

vereinfachte Darstellung der Draufsicht auf den Drehteller mit Schwenkvorrichtung nach einem Viertel Drehung des Drehtellers um eine Achse parallel zur z-Richtung,

Figur 5c-I, 5c-II, 5c-III, 5c-IV,

Draufsicht auf ein Poststück in Ausgabelage,

Figur 6a,

Draufansicht auf eine Vorrichtung zur lagerichtigen Ausrichtung von Poststücken in der x/y-Ebene, mit einem Drehteller und mit einer Schwenkvorrichtung in der Zuführphase eines Poststückes,

Figur 6b,

Seitenansicht des Zuführkanals und der Schwenkvorrichtung in der x/z-Ebene,

Figur 6c,

Vorderansicht der Vorrichtung zur lagerichtigen Ausrichtung von Poststücken in der y/z-Ebene, mit einem Drehteller und mit einer Schwenkvorrichtung in der Zuführphase eines Poststückes,

Figur 6d,

Seitenansicht der Schwenkvorrichtung in der x/z-Ebene,

Figur 6e,

Frontansicht der Vorrichtung zur lagerichtigen Ausrichtung von Poststücken in der y/z-Ebene, in Phase nach dem Schwenken eines Poststückes,

Figur 6f,

Seitenansicht der Vorrichtung zur lagerichtigen Ausrichtung von Poststücken in der x/z-Ebene nach einer viertel Drehung des Drehtellers um eine Achse parallel zur z-Richtung,

Figur 6g,

Seitenansicht eines Poststückes in Ausgabelage beim Transport in x-Richtung aus der Schwenkvorrichtung,

Figur 7a,

perspektivische Darstellung einer zweiten Variante einer Poststückannahmeeinrichtung von vorn rechts oben,

Figur 7b,

Vereinfachte Darstellung einer Draufsicht auf den Drehteller mit Poststück im Transportpfad in x-Richtung zum Drucken gemäß einer zweiten Variante der Post-stückannahmeeinrichtung,

Figur 7c,

Frontansicht des Drehtellers mit Schwenkvorrichtung und Poststück in Phasen, die bei der zweiten Variante der Poststückannahmeeinrichtung ablaufen,

Figur 8,

Ablaufplan der Arbeitsweise der Poststückannahmeeinrichtung,

Figur 8a,

Unterprogramm zur Einstellung der Einwurföffnung der Poststückannahmeeinrichtung,

Figur 8b,

Unterprogramm zur Abtastung der Vorder- und Rückseite eines Poststückes in der Poststückannahmeeinrichtung,

Figur 8c,

Unterprogramme zur Lageausrichtung eines Poststückes in der Poststückannahmeeinrichtung, zur Erzeugung einer Kennung bzw. Abrechnungsnummer, Abrechnung des Poststück-Versandtauftrages, Buchung der Beförderungsgebühr, zum Aufdrucken der Kennung, ggf. zum Ausdrucken einer Quittung und zur Ablage im Ablagebehälter.

Advantageous developments of the invention are characterized in the dependent claims or will be described in more detail below together with the description of the preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to FIGS. Show it:

FIG. 1a,

Perspective view of a first variant of a mail piece receiving device from the front right top,

FIG. 1b,

schematic representation of the assembly arrangement of the mail piece receiving device,

FIGS. 2-I, 2-II, 2-III, 2-IV,

different feed positions for mail pieces to the mail piece acceptance device,

FIG. 3a,

Mail piece slot plate in front view,.

FIG. 3b,

Front view of a device for adjusting the opening width of the closure of the feed channel for mailpieces with a small opening width and basic arrangement of assemblies for controlling the closure means,

3c,

Front view of a device for adjusting the opening width of the closure of the feed channel for mail pieces with a large opening width and basic arrangement of assemblies for controlling the closure means,

FIGS. 4a-1, 4a-II, 4a-III, 4a-IV,

Representation of different feed positions of the mailpieces to the mail piece acceptance device,

FIGS. 4b-1, 4b-II, 4b-III, 4b-IV,

Top view of a simplified illustrated device for the correct orientation of the mail pieces,

Figures 4c-I / III, 4c-II / IV,

Top view of a device shown in a simplified orientation for orientation, before and after output of the mail piece in the output position and during printing during transport of the mail piece in the x direction,

5a-I, 5a-II, 5a-III, 5a-IV,

simplified representation of the plan view of the turntable with pivoting device after a quarter turn of the pivoting device about an axis parallel to the x-direction,

5b-I, 5b-II, 5b-III, 5b-IV,

simplified representation of the plan view of the turntable with pivoting device after a quarter turn of the turntable about an axis parallel to the z-direction,

5c-1, 5c-II, 5c-III, 5c-IV,

Top view of a mail piece in output position,

FIG. 6a,

Top view of a device for the correct alignment of mail pieces in the x / y plane, with a turntable and with a pivoting device in the feeding phase of a mail piece,

FIG. 6b,

Side view of the feed channel and the pivoting device in the x / z plane,

FIG. 6c,

Front view of the device for the correct alignment of mailpieces in the y / z plane, with a turntable and with a pivoting device in the feeding phase of a mailpiece,

FIG. 6d,

Side view of the pivoting device in the x / z plane,

FIG. 6e,

Front view of the device for the correct alignment of mail items in the y / z plane, in phase after pivoting a mail piece,

FIG. 6f,

Side view of the device for the correct alignment of mailpieces in the x / z plane after a quarter turn of the turntable about an axis parallel to the z-direction,

FIG. 6g,

Side view of a mail piece in the output position during transport in the x-direction from the swivel device,

FIG. 7a,

perspective view of a second variant of a mailpiece receiving device from the front right top,

FIG. 7b,

Simplified representation of a plan view of the turntable with mail item in the transport path in the x direction for printing according to a second variant of the postal item acceptance device,

FIG. 7c,

Front view of the turntable with pivoting device and mailpiece in phases, which run in the second variant of the mail piece acceptance device,

FIG. 8,

Flow chart of the operation of the mail piece acceptance device,

FIG. 8a,

Subroutine for adjusting the insertion opening of the mail piece acceptance device,

FIG. 8b,

Subroutine for scanning the front and back of a mailpiece in the mailpiece acceptor,

FIG. 8c,

Subprograms for the position alignment of a mail piece in the mail piece acceptance device, for generating an identifier or billing number, billing of the mail piece dispatch order, booking the transport fee, for printing the identifier, if necessary to print a receipt and storage in the storage container.

In the FIG. 1a is a perspective view of the mail piece receiving device 1 from the top right front shown in a first variant. Last has a height (ie, a z-direction extension), a depth (ie, an x-direction extent), and a width (ie, y-direction extension of a right-angle coordinate system.) The mail piece acceptor 1 has a square cabinet shape with accessible from the outside and in each case by means of locking means lockable and unlocked accesses 9.1, 9.2, 9.3 to a plurality of chambers, each with a storage container and optional access to 9.0 to a waste container. The storage area 9 occupies most of the volume of the mail piece acceptance device. The accesses 9.1, 9.2, 9.3 serve to empty the storage area by a mail carrier company. Although only 3 accesses are drawn, however, further accesses to the mail piece storage chambers may follow to the left in the y direction. On the front side near the right side are arranged the following parts: a card reader cover plate 11, a user interface 12, a mail piece slot plate 13.1, a receipt dispenser 18 and a flap 17.1 of a mail piece return tray for returning unworkable mailpieces to the operator (postal customers). The height of the mail piece receiving device 1 advantageously corresponds to at least the average height of the user so that all actions of the user on the card reader, on the operator interface, on the mail piece slot, on the receipt output and on the flap of the mail piece return tray can be performed at an ergonomically favorable height. The width of the mailpiece receiving device 1 advantageously corresponds to that width of a multi-door cabinet wall. The depth of the mail piece receiving device 1 advantageously corresponds to at least twice the length of a longest postal item. The mail piece slot plate 13.1 serves as a cover for a variable opening 30 of the shaft-shaped feed channel and has a centrally located slot 13.0 which is used for insertion and acceptance of mailpieces and has constant dimensions corresponding to the dimensions of the largest mail piece allowed by the mail carrier for carriage. The mail piece acceptance device 1 is connected to a data center 20 for communication with a remote data center via a communication device 14 via a data cable 19, wherein a wired communication with other communication devices, for example via a telephone network, is made possible.

Alternatively, in the mail piece acceptance device 1, a communication device can also be operated without a data cable, for example via Bluetooth communication technology, or via another type of wireless communication with other communication devices, for example via WLAN.

In addition to the above-described design of the first variant and at least one other design of a second variant of the mail piece receiving device can be realized, which will be explained below.

• einer ersten Vorrichtung 3 zur Einstellung der Öffnungsweite des Verschlusses des Zuführkanals 13, welcher zur Frontseite eine Poststückeinwurfschlitzplatte 13.1 aufweist,
• einer zweiten Vorrichtung 4 zum Einzug von Poststücken 2a in den Zuführkanal 13,
• einer dritten Vorrichtung 5 zur Lageabtastung eines Poststücks im Zuführkanal, optional zur optischen Abtastung und zum Erfassen von Daten entweder der Adressseite und/oder der Rückseite und/oder von beiden Seiten der Poststücke 2a,
• einer vierten Vorrichtung 6 zur automatischen Lageorientierung und Lageausrichtung eines Postückes 2b,
• einer fünften Vorrichtung 8 zum Drucken einer Markierung 2.2,
• einer sechsten Vorrichtung 7 zum Transport und zum Abzweigen beim größenrichtigen Sammeln von Poststücken im Ablagebereich, wobei die Poststücke 2c beim Transport eine vorbestimmte Ausrichtung haben und eine erste Weiche, oder erste und zweite Weiche 7.2 und 7.4 oder eine Vielzahl an Weichen 7.2, 7.4, ..., 7.x erreichen, welche zum Abzweigen beim größenrichtigen Sammeln von Poststücken im Ablagebereich 9 dienen, wobei der Ablagebereich 9 eine Anzahl an Ablagebehältern 9.1, 9.2, 9.3 zur lagerichtigen Ablage der Poststücke 2c aufweist,
• einer siebenten Vorrichtung 14 zur Kommunikation mit einem Datenzentrum 20,
• einer achten Quittungs-Ausgabevorrichtung 18 mit einem Drucker 18.1 zum Drucken von Quittungen/Bestätigungen bzw. von Quittungen über Abläufe,
• einer Bedienschnittstelle 12 zum Vorgeben von Postparametern, Poststückeigenschaften oder -Informationen durch den Benutzer, wie Z.B. Freimachungswerten, Anzahl, Versendungseigensschaften, Postgutmerkmalen usw.
• einer Kartenleserabdeckplatte 11 für eine EC- oder Kreditkartenleseeinrichtung 10.1 und einem postalischen Sicherheitsgerät 10.2 zur Abrechnung,
• einem Poststückrückgabefach 17 sowie
• einer Steuerung 10 der Vorrichtungen, welche mit den vorgenann-ten Vorrichtungen 3 bis 8, mit der Kreditkartenleseeinrichtung 10.1 dem postalischen Sicherheitsgerät 10.2, der Bedienschnittstelle 12, der Kommunikationsvorrichtung 14, der Quittungs-Ausgabevorrichtung 18 und dem Drucker 18.1 betriebsmäßig in Verbindung steht.

Based on FIG. 1b showing a schematic representation of the assembly assembly of the mail piece receiving device 1 of the first variant, the latter will be explained in more detail. The mail piece acceptance device 1 preferably consists of:

• a first device 3 for adjusting the opening width of the closure of the feed channel 13, which has a mailpiece slot plate 13.1 to the front,
• a second device 4 for feeding postal items 2a into the feed channel 13,
• a third device 5 for position scanning a mail piece in the feed channel, optionally for optical scanning and for acquiring data on either the address side and / or the back side and / or both sides of the mail pieces 2a,
• a fourth device 6 for automatic position orientation and position alignment of a piece of mail 2b,
• a fifth device 8 for printing a marking 2.2,
• a sixth device 7 for transport and branching when correctly sized collecting mail pieces in the storage area, the mail pieces 2c during transport have a predetermined orientation and a first switch, or first and second points 7.2 and 7.4 or a plurality of points 7.2, 7.4,. .., reach 7.x, which serve for branching when correctly sized collecting pieces of mail in the storage area 9, wherein the storage area 9 has a number of storage containers 9.1, 9.2, 9.3 for storage of the mail pieces 2c in the correct position,
• a seventh device 14 for communication with a data center 20,
• an eighth receipt issuing device 18 with a printer 18.1 for printing receipts / confirmations or receipts via processes,
• an operator interface 12 for providing user post parameters, mailpiece properties or information, such as indicia, number, mailing characteristics, mailing features, etc.
• a card reader cover plate 11 for an EC or credit card reading device 10.1 and a postal security device 10.2 for billing,
• a mailpiece return tray 17 as well
• a controller 10 of the devices operatively associated with the aforementioned devices 3 to 8, with the credit card reader 10.1 the postal security device 10.2, the operator interface 12, the communication device 14, the receipt dispenser 18 and the printer 18.1.

• Poststücke bzw. Briefe anzunehmen,
• Poststücke bzw. Briefe zu kennzeichnen,
• Poststücke bzw. Briefe in Ablagebehältern nach Größe sortiert und lagerichtig, d.h. in definierter Lage abzulegen,
• ggf. Adressen auf Poststücken zu lesen und zu verarbeiten
• den Postbeförderer (Briefdienstleiter) zu informieren, wenn ein Abholzeitpunkt bzw. vorbestimmter Füllungsgrad erreicht ist, damit dieser on demand die Briefannahmeeinrichtung leeren kann.

The mailpiece acceptors can be advantageously built into existing mail files or by using other existing infrastructures, For example, in gas stations, lottery acceptance points, etc. are built. This results in the possibility:

• To accept mail pieces or letters
• Mark mail pieces or letters,
• Mail pieces or letters in storage containers sorted by size and in the correct position, ie put down in a defined position,
• if necessary, to read and process addresses on mailpieces
• To inform the mail carrier (letter service) when a pickup time or predetermined degree of filling is reached, so that this on demand can empty the letter acceptance device.

Each mail piece acceptance device contains a mail piece return pocket 17 as an additional mail piece buffer to which unprinted mail pieces or letters can be removed via a flap 17.1 after the user has terminated the process. The termination of the process can also be done automatically, for example, if the position of the mailpiece or letter is not recognized, the latter is too small in terms of allowed for carriage dimensions, if foreign bodies are recognized, are not allowed for carriage or if the user to Transport required fee can not provide. The items are deposited in a separate container if they are not removed by the user from the post office return box. The separate container (not shown) can be subsequently emptied via a flap 9.0. Advantageously, no staff in the post office or similar facilities is required, resulting in corresponding cost advantages. Particular attention is drawn to those cost advantages that arise during maintenance. The latter causes less effort since the mailpiece acceptor does not contain a balance.

A user inserts his debit, credit, debit or debit card into the slot of the card reader cover plate 11 of the mail acceptance device. Optionally, after inserting the card, a PIN number is entered. He is identified and a settlement is possible. The user gives an indicium value or the information for the service provider about the dimensions of the mailpiece and possibly a number of mail items to be franked, e.g. via touch screen or keyboard. Thus, the arrangement is no longer subject to the calibration obligation, since no balance is available.

The shoot of the feed channel 13 is opened by means of the first device 3. The mail pieces 2a are successively inserted into the slot of the plate 13.1 and land in the feed channel 13. They are fed by the latter into the mail piece acceptance device. In this case, by scanning at least two pieces of mail pieces, a recognition of the orientation of the mail pieces before producing a different orientation and orientation. In the result an image of the front and back is created in the controller 10, from which information on the existing orientation of the mail piece are derived. Thereafter, the required for printing with the fee orientation of the mail piece with the fourth device 6 is controlled by the controller 10, which also includes a billing and booking unit.

The now correct postal item is supplied to the franking of the printing device 8 and marked by being printed at least with the fee and an identifier, which subsequently provides the service provider with appropriate information.

The devices 3 to 8 contain sensors and actuators which are operatively connected to the controller 10 - which, for reasons of clarity in the FIG. 1b was not fully presented. A first light barrier L3-S3 is arranged at the beginning of the feed channel, inside or near the first device 3. A sensor S3 of the first light barrier emits a signal when an edge of the mail piece is fed and is - in a manner not shown - electrically connected to the controller, which determines the supply of a mailpiece in the feed channel. The sensor S3 receives light from a light source L3 until the light beam is interrupted by a mailpiece. A second photo-interrupter L4-S4 is arranged at the end of the feed channel 13 and signals the end of the feeding of the mailpiece. A second light barrier sensor S4 receives light from a light source L4 until the light beam is interrupted by a mailpiece. The latter is the case when a predetermined position of the mail piece is reached, which may trigger a blockage of the feed channel 13 if necessary by closing the shutter of the first device 3, if no further mail item is to be supplied. The sensors and actuators of the devices are all connected - not shown, in a manner known per se - to the controller 10 and will be explained later in connection with the function of these devices. A further light barrier S9-L9 arranged in storage repository 9 can, for example, monitor all storage containers at once to determine whether one of the containers is already full. A sensor S9 receives light from a light source L9 until a predetermined degree of filling of one of the storage containers 9.01, 9.02 and 9.03 is reached.

The billing takes place immediately at the beginning of the printout in the postal security device 10.2 and / or either directly immediately via the communication device 14 by means of a data connection to the remote data center or consolidated at a later time.

The security device 10.2 detects and stores the number and / or properties of the mail pieces associated with the user. In. If required, a receipt print can be made available to the user.

In another embodiment, an OCR reader is also included in the third device 5 which scans the information on at least one page (preferably the address page) of the mail item detected by the controller 10, the controller having a corresponding user program. With a read address, a suitable applied identifier and the assignment of the two features to each other in a further processing step at the service provider a mail piece tracking function, which is also known as "track and trace" realized.

• 2-I - auf der Vorderseite mit der Klappe an der unteren Längskante,
• 2-II - auf der Rückseite mit der Klappe an der oberen Längskante,
• 2-III - auf der Rückseite mit der Klappe an der unteren Längskante oder
• 2-IV - auf der Vorderseite mit der Klappe an der oberen Längskante.

The Figures 2-I, 2-II, 2-III, 2-IV show different feed positions for mail pieces to the mail piece acceptance device. The illustration shows the top view of a lying mail piece in different starting positions and rotated in different feed positions I, II, III or IV. The mail item is located in the starting position, for example in FIG

• 2-I - on the front with the flap on the lower longitudinal edge,
• 2-II - on the back with the flap on the upper longitudinal edge,
• 2-III - on the back with the flap on the lower longitudinal edge or
• 2-IV - on the front with the flap on the upper longitudinal edge.

• 2-I - mit der Klappe nach vorn und an der unteren Längskante,
• 2-II - mit der Klappe nach hinten und an der oberen Längskante,
• 2-III - mit der Klappe nach hinten und an der unteren Längskante sowie
• 2-IV - mit der Klappe nach vorn und an der oberen Längskante.

The mail piece is located in the feed position on the longitudinal edge, for example in FIG

• 2-I - with the flap forward and at the lower longitudinal edge,
• 2-II - with the flap to the rear and at the upper longitudinal edge,
• 2-III - with the flap to the rear and at the lower longitudinal edge as well
• 2-IV - with the flap forward and at the upper longitudinal edge.

A mail piece 2, in particular an envelope, can for example lie on a table (not shown) in any of the possible different initial positions and is rotated by the operator into one of the feed positions I, II, III or IV shown before a throw-in into the slot Mail acceptance device takes place, wherein the opening width of the closure is adjusted by the first device.

The FIG. 3a shows a front view of a plate with a slot for insertion of mailpieces. At the front of the mail piece receiving means, a mail piece slot plate 13.1 is mounted with a slot 13.0 for insertion of, for example, edge pieces. The slot 13.1 has the dimensions 50 mg - 250 mm.

For example, Deutsche Post AG carries mail pieces with the following maximum dimensions (postal format): abbreviation description height width length M Maxibrief 50 mm 250 mm 353 mm G Großbrief 20 mm 250 mm 353 mm K Kompaktbrief 10 mm 125 mm 235 mm S standard letter 5 mm 125 mm 235 mm

The smallest piece of mail should have a minimum dimension of 70 mm. 100 mm or 90 mm. 140 mm (standard letter).
A letter slot for a maxi letter measures a maximum of 50 mm. 250 mm.
A letter slot for a large letter measures a maximum of 20 mm. 250 mm.
A letter slot for a compact letter measures a maximum of 10 mm. 125 mm.
A letter slot for a standard letter with a maximum of 5 mm. 125 mm.

In spite of the common term "letter", these are more specifically the formats of envelopes or mail piece protective envelopes or packaging or postcards.The carrier of the letter content is usually a piece of paper of commercially available dimensions (normal formats). The initial format is chosen such that each halving maintains the original aspect ratio, which is not the case with other formats: A-0 is the original format and DIN-A is preferred Row, while the additional rows B and C have dependent on the A-series formats and then serve for wrapping or processing the A-row.

The paper sizes of the DIN series in mm: DIN Row A Row B Row C 0 841 x 1189 1000x1414 917x1297 1 594x841 707x1000 648 x 917 2 420x594 500 x 707 458 x 648 3 297x420 353x500 324x458 4 210x297 250x353 229 x 324 5 148x210 176x250 162x229 6 105x148 125x176 114x162 7 74x105 88x125 81x114 8th 52x74 62x88 57x81 9 37x52 44 x 62 41x57 10 26x37 31x44 11 18x26

0. Behälter:

Alle kleinste Poststücke bzw. Gegenstände, welche in der Breite oder Länge ein Mindestmaß von 70 mm · 100 mm unterschreiten.

1. Behälter:

Alle Kuverte für Maxi- oder Großbriefe, d.h. größere C4-formatige und B4-formartige Poststücke (alles was größer gleich C4 ist). Ein Maxibrief darf die Höhe von 50 mm nicht überschreiten.

2. Behälter:

Alle kleinen Kuverte. Das Kuvert für einen kleinen "normalen" Brief und Postkarten in Deutschland ist 162 mm lang und 114 mm breit und entspricht somit dem Format C6. Bei gleicher Breite sind auch Kuverte von 220 mm Länge üblich, d.h. ca. C5-Länge. Ein Standardbrief darf die Höhe von 5 mm nicht überschreiten.

3. Behälter:

Alle Kuverte für Briefe und Poststücke, welche nicht in die anderen Behälter 1 oder 2 abgelegt oder in den 0-ten Behälter aussortiert werden sollen. Ein Kompaktbrief darf die Höhe von 10 mm nicht überschreiten.

There are three typical size groups to distinguish when mail pieces are to be sorted into containers in the correct size and a waste or return container, which is referred to below as the 0th container:

0. container:

All smallest items of mail or items which are less than or equal to a minimum of 70 mm x 100 mm in width or length.

1. container:

All envelopes for maxi or large letters, ie larger C4 format and B4 shaped mail pieces (anything larger than C4). A maxi-letter must not exceed the height of 50 mm.

2. Container:

All the little things. The envelope for a small "normal" letter and postcards in Germany is 162 mm long and 114 mm wide and thus corresponds to the format C6. For the same width also Kuverte of 220 mm in length are common, ie about C5-length. A standard letter may not exceed the height of 5 mm.

3. container:

All envelopes for letters and postal items, which should not be placed in the other containers 1 or 2 or sorted out in the 0th container. A compact letter may not exceed the height of 10 mm.

The FIG. 3b shows a front view of an apparatus 3 for adjusting the opening width of the shutter of the mailing channel for a small opening width and the basic arrangement of Baugrup-pen to its control. The shutter is formed by first and second shutter jaws 31 and 32 and driven by a controller 10 driven by a first motor (M1) 15 and second motor (M2) 16. In a first variant, the closure is kept completely closed as long as the user has not identified himself. The mailpiece acceptors can thereby be effectively protected from the unauthorized entry of items that could cause harm. As soon as the user has identified himself, he can be held responsible and liable for any damage he has caused or is demonstrably subject to vandalism.

In another variant (without vandalism protection), the closure is never completely closed and there is always a slot for mail pieces (letter slot), which have the smallest possible dimensions allowed by the postal carrier. The device 3 can therefore be abbreviated also referred to as Schlitzgrößenverstelleinrichtung. The closure has a square-shaped opening 30 (letter slot) and two immediately adjacent immovable sides and two immediately adjacent movable sides in order to enlarge the letter slot.

The movable sides are formed by a movable L-shaped locking jaw 32, which faces an L-shaped locking jaw 31 which is immovably mounted on a chassis 310, wherein the movable locking jaw 32 has a rotated by 180 ° to the right L-shape and is arranged opposite the non-rotated L-shaped closure jaws 31. On the chassis 310 at a distance from the non-rotated L-shaped locking jaws 31, a bearing 311 arranged opposite the latter is fixed or formed, which serves to guide a first slide 312 in the z-direction and opposite thereto. The movement is thereby transmitted from the second motor 16 via a - not shown - drive device on the first rail 312. The first carriage 312 carries a second bearing 313 for a second carriage 321. The latter is driven by the first motor 15 via a - not shown - drive device in the y-direction and moves opposite thereto. The second carriage 321 is integrally formed or rigidly mounted on the outer side of the movable rotated closure jaw 32, with which at least one movement in the y-direction or opposite to the closure jaw 32 is transmitted. Each of the two closure jaws has an L-shape, i. a bent from the longer arm at a right angle shorter arm 322nd

The motors 15 and 16 may be formed as stepper motors M1 and M2. From an end point, after the delivery of a number of drive pulses by the control unit 10 to the stepper motors M1 and M2, a predetermined opening width of the shutter can be achieved. For example, two limit switches 33 and 34 are implemented as microswitches and provide a signal to the controller when the movement reaches an endpoint. The end of the shorter arm 322 of the second locking jaw 32, for example, moved in the y direction to the longer arm 314 of the first closure jaw 31 and reaches its end position, when the end of the shorter arm 322 of the second closure jaw 32, the second Endlageschalter 34th actuated, the latter emits a ground signal to the controller 10 via its output u. During a movement of the closure jaw 32 near the end position on the switch in the z-direction and opposite thereto, a mechanically caused wear on the switching knob of the second limit switch 34 could arise. To reduce the abrasion, a resilient actuating lever 341 is inserted between the closing jaw 32 and the second closing position switch 34. At the end of the switch knob of the first Endlageschalters 33, a rotatably mounted ball or a wheel 331 is used to avoid abrasion.

In an alternative - not shown - Subvariante the first variant of the closure of two movable jaws is formed.

In an alternative - not shown - another sub-variant of the first variant of the shutter is either driven by alternative electromagnetic actuators Actuators, linear motors, etc. or pneumatically operated actuators.

The Figure 3c shows a front view of an apparatus for adjusting the opening width of the closure of the mailing channel for a large opening width and principle arrangement of assemblies for its control. The L-shaped movable shutter 32 of the shutter rotated by 180 ° to the right was moved by means of the first carriage 312 and the second carriage 321 to a position corresponding to a maximum opening width of the shutter of the mailing passage.

The Figures 4a-I, 4a-II, 4a-III, 4a-IV show a representation of different Zufuhrlagen I to IV of the mail pieces 2a when fed into a channel (not shown) of the mail piece receiving device in plan view on x / y plane. The two Figures 4a-I, 4a-II, 4a-III and 4a-IV each initial situation shown on the top left corresponds to that which already on the basis of Figures 2-I, 2-II, 2-III and 2-IV were explained. However, there are a large number of possible starting positions, which should not all be displayed for reasons of space. The lower starting point dargestelle is to indicate the variety of possible starting positions or illustrate that not only a single starting position occurs in practice. The item of mail is manually rotated for delivery in such a way that it fits into the insertion slot. An insertion into the insertion slot of the mailpiece acceptance device is possible for large mail formats (maxi letters and large letters) only in a longitudinal position. In a transverse position of large post formats whose length would exceed the set height of the insertion slot of the closure ten. They can therefore not be inserted in the transverse position in the insertion slot of the closure of the feed channel of the mail piece receiving device. For small post formats (compact and standard letters), the transverse position would only be possible if the opening width of the insertion slot was previously set too large. The feed position is scanned by the scanning device 5a, 5b. Transverse positions of the mailpiece can basically be recorded and provided for subsequent modulation and return via return tray.

As an alternative to returning the processing of mail pieces in a transverse position can be done, now eight instead of four Zuführlagen should be considered in the orientation of the post items.

The eight feed layers comprise the aforementioned four feed positions Figures 2-I, 2-II, 2-III and 2-IV for postal items in longitudinal position and four additional Zuführlagen for mail pieces in transverse position. The transverse position is apparent from the longitudinal position when the mailpieces are rotated at an angle of + 90 ° to the left.

The cost-conscious operator will, however, usually select a cost-effective opening width of the insertion slot of the closure of the feed channel and thus the Lägslage in the supply of a mailpiece.

• Ein in der ersten Zuführlage I zugeführtes Poststück wird durch eine erste Bewegung A1 in die gezeichnete Seitenlage überführt und im dritten und vierten Viertel Q3, Q4 der Vorrichtung 6 positioniert sowie anschließend durch eine erste Drehung B1 in eine - in Fig. 4c-I/III gezeigte - Abgabelage im ersten und vierten Viertel Q1, Q4 gebracht.
• Ein in der zweiten Zuführlage II zugeführtes Poststück wird durch eine zweite Bewegung A2 in die gezeichnete Seitenlage überführt und im ersten und zweiten Viertel Q1, Q2 der Vorrichtung 6 positioniert sowie anschließend durch eine zweite Drehung B2 in die - in Fig. 4c-II/IV gezeigte - Abgabelage im zweiten und dritten Viertel Q2, Q3 gebracht.
• Ein in der dritten Zuführlage III zugeführtes Poststück wird durch eine zweite Bewegung A2 in die gezeichnete Seitenlage überführt und im ersten und zweiten Viertel der Vorrichtung 6 positioniert sowie an-schließend durch eine dritte Drehung B3 in die - in Fig. 4c-I/III gezeigte - Abgabelage im ersten und vierten Viertel Q1, Q4 gebracht.
• Ein in der vierten Zuführlage IV zugeführtes Poststück wird durch eine erste Bewegung A1 in die gezeichnete Seitenlage überführt und im dritten und vierten Viertel Q3, Q4 der Vorrichtung 6 positioniert sowie anschließend durch eine vierte Drehung B4 in eine - in Fig. 4c-II/IV gezeigte - Abgabelage im zweiten und dritten Viertel Q2, Q3 gebracht.
• Es ist vorgesehen, dass die erste und zweite Bewegung Klapp- oder Schwenkbewegungen sind, welche durch die vierten Vorrichtung 6 selbst ausgeführt werden. Die Klapp- oder Schwenkbewegungen erfolgen jeweils beispielsweise um eine Drechachse im Winkel von ca. 90°, wobei die vorgenannte Drechachse parallel zu x-Achse liegt.

The Figures 4b-I, 4b-II, 4b-III, 4b-IV show a top view of a simplified illustrated device 6 for the correct alignment of mailpieces that lie on an x / y plane. The mailpieces were fed on the edge in different feed positions of the mailpiece acceptor. The above-mentioned device 6 has been simplified as a four-quarter circle Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4. As a result of the evaluation of the scanning results by a controller and controlled by the latter, the above-mentioned device 6 carries out the necessary movements for the correct alignment of mail items in the following way:

• A mail item fed in the first feed position I is transferred by a first movement A1 into the illustrated lateral position and positioned in the third and fourth quarters Q3, Q4 of the device 6, and then by a first rotation B1 into a - in Fig. 4c-I / III shown - exhaust layer in the first and fourth quarter Q1, Q4 brought.
• A mail piece fed in the second feed position II is transferred by a second movement A2 into the illustrated lateral position and positioned in the first and second quarters Q1, Q2 of the device 6, and subsequently into the - by a second rotation B2 Fig. 4c-II / IV shown - exhaust position in the second and third quarter Q2, Q3 brought.
• A in the third Zuführlage III supplied mail piece is transferred by a second movement A2 in the drawn side position and positioned in the first and second quarters of the device 6 and then closing by a third rotation B3 in the - Fig. 4c-I / III shown - exhaust layer in the first and fourth quarter Q1, Q4 brought.
• A mail item fed in the fourth feed position IV is transferred by a first movement A1 into the illustrated lateral position and positioned in the third and fourth quarters Q3, Q4 of the device 6, and then by a fourth rotation B4 into a - Fig. 4c-II / IV shown - exhaust position in the second and third quarter Q2, Q3 brought.
• It is envisaged that the first and second movements are folding or pivoting movements, which are carried out by the fourth device 6 itself. The folding or pivoting movements are in each case, for example, about a turning axis at an angle of about 90 °, wherein the aforementioned axis of rotation is parallel to the x-axis.

Alternatively, it is provided that the first and second movement of the mail pieces are feeding movements which are carried out by a separate device (not shown) for feeding a mail piece to a turntable. For example, a piece of mail can be brought to a slide after passing through a switch, which runs in space so that the mail piece comes in lateral position in the appropriate position on a turntable of the fourth device 6.

The Figures 4c-I / III, 4c-II / IV show a top view of a simplified illustrated device 6 for positional alignment, before and after output of the mail piece in the delivery position and during printing during transport of the mail piece in the y direction.

The Figure 4c-I / III shows a first discharge position of a mail item in the first and fourth quarters Q1, Q4 of a turntable 60 before output of the mail piece in the discharge position 2b. The output is effected by means of a first output movement C1 in the x direction.

The Figure 4c-II / IV shows a second discharge position of a mail piece in the second and third quarters Q2, Q3 of the turntable 60 before outputting the mail piece in the discharge position 2b. The output is effected by means of a second output movement C2 in the same x direction, wherein a second distance covered by the mail piece during the second output movement C2 is longer than a first distance traveled during the first output movement C1.
The mailpieces are in the delivery and discharge position on the back and are all oriented just as well oriented for further transport.

From the Figures 4c-I / III, 4c-II / IV It can be seen that the aforementioned transport direction of the mailpiece now takes place in the y-direction, ie has been changed by an angle of + 90 ° with respect to the x-direction when fed. The printed by the printer 8 mail piece 2c then passes to the filing.

Alternatively, it is provided that there is a change of direction for the transport direction of the mailpiece after the mail item has been issued in the output position in an angle range of 0 ° to + 90 °.

It is also possible in principle for the aforementioned transport direction of the mail piece to take place in the direction opposite to the y-direction or in an angle range of 0 ° to -90 °.

The Figures 5a-I, 5a-II, 5a-III, 5a-IV show a simplified representation of the top view of the turntable 60 with pivoting device 67 after a quarter turn of the pivoting device about an axis q parallel to the x-direction. The Mail piece lies in each case on the back within the swivel device. The latter has been cut open to illustrate the mailpiece orientation. With arrows A1 and A2, the movements of the pivoting device are illustrated. The turntable 60 with pivoting device 67 is part of the fourth device 6 for automatic position orientation and position alignment, which is a mail piece after passing through the second device 4 for feeding mail pieces in the feed channel and the third device 5 for position-tasting a mail piece in the feed reached. The Figures 5a-I, 5a-II, 5a-III, 5a-IV show only one of the possible embodiments of the fourth device 6. They illustrate the implementation of a first group A {n} with n = 1, 2 types of movement based on the Figures 4b-I, 4b-II, 4b-III, 4b-IV already explained movements.

The FIGS. 5b-1, 5b-II, 5b-III, 5b-IV show a simplified representation of the top view of the turntable with pivoting device after a quarter turn of the turntable about an axis - not shown - parallel to the z-direction, which is orthogonal to the x / y surface. The movements were each represented by arrows B1, B2, B3 and B4.

The movements were represented by arrows B1, B2, B3 and A4. The FIGS. 5b-1, 5b-II, 5b-III, 5b-IV show a possible embodiment for the implementation of a second group B {n} with n = 1, 2, 3, 4 rotational movements by means of turntable according to the basis of Figures 4b-I, 4b-II, 4b-III, 4b-IV already explained movements.

The Figures 5c-I, 5c-II, 5c-III, 5c-IV , Fig. 1, show a plan view of a mail piece 2b in the discharge position after each movement (black arrow) from the group B, corresponding to that of Figs Figures 4c-I / III and 4c-II / IV already explained movements C1 and C2 and before a movement (white arrow) of the mailpiece in the transport direction (y-direction). The illustrated address field 2.1 illustrates the supine position of the mail piece.

The FIG. 6a shows a top view of a device 6 for the correct orientation of mail pieces, with a turntable 60 and with a pivoting device 67 in the feeding phase of a mail piece in the first feed position I. The mail piece 2a-I passes through the edge standing x-direction the second Device 4 for feeding mail items into the feed channel and third device 5 for position scanning a mail piece before reaching the fourth device 6. On the turntable 60 of the fourth device 6, a number of transport means 61, 62, 63, 64 transverse to the x direction and orthogonal to the x / y plane (ie, in the z direction). The pivoting device 67 is over the Transport means 61, 62, 63, 64 arranged and formed for collecting in the feed phase on the edge standing mail pieces. It is attached to a shaft 651 which lies on a rotation axis q parallel to the x-direction.

The FIG. 6b shows a side view of the feed channel 13 and the pivoting device 67 of the fourth device 6. The feed channel 13 is constructed professionally and consists of at least one slit plate 13.1, two side walls 13.2, 13.4 and a rear wall 13.3. He is also equipped with - not shown - sensors or light barriers, means of transport and holding means for holding the mail piece until the time of leaving the feed channel 13. The item of mail 2 is drawn below the feed channel 13 from this outstanding at the time of leaving the feed channel 13, for example, solely due to the force of gravity. The pivoting device 67 is arranged on the turntable 60, which is mounted centrally on a shaft 681 through whose center a rotation axis r runs parallel to the z-direction.

The FIG. 6c shows a front view of the device 6 for the correct alignment of mail pieces in the y / z plane, with a turntable 60 and with a pivoting device 67 in the feed phase of a post-piece 2a-I in the feed position I after the time of leaving the feed channel. The pivoting device 67 is rotated so that one of the openings facing upwards in the z-direction and has a corresponding opening width for a mail piece with a maximum thickness (50 mm). At the edge of the turntable 60, a third motor 66, for example a DC motor M3, with a shaft 661 for driving the transport means 61, 62, 63, 64, for example via a drive belt 613 is arranged. The transporting means 61 has a driven roller 611 and a non-driven pulley 612 for a conveyor belt 614. The driven roller 611 and the non-driven roller 612 are rotatably mounted on a respective shaft 615, 616 above the turntable 60 in bearings ( Fig.6d ) stored. The bearings are spaced from the surface of the turntable 60 by means of spacers 601, 602. Below the turntable, a fourth motor 68, for example, a stepper motor M4 is arranged, the shaft 681 with the bottom of the turntable 60 centric positive and non-positively verbun-the. The pivoting device 67 is mounted on a shaft 651, which is arranged centrally in the region between the rollers 611, 612 parallel to the rotary shafts 615, 616 and is rotatably mounted in the x direction. The pivoting device 67 can be pivoted in the clockwise direction A1 or in the opposite direction in the direction A2.

The pivoting device 67 consists of a rectangular frame which is folded in the middle V-shaped and fixed on the shaft 651, for example by spot welding. The V-folded portion of the frame extends from one-half to one full length corresponding to the diameter-driven roller 611 of the first transport 61. The partial regions of the frame, in which the two opposing halves of the frame run parallel to one another, adjoin the V-shaped folded region of the frame. The frame folded in this way has a rectangular opening whose dimensions are determined by the dimensions of the largest postal items to be transported. The rectangular opening is open on four sides, ie in the position shown to the front and rear and up and down, for a mailpiece and is bounded by side walls.

The FIG. 6d shows a side view of the pivoting device 67 in the x / z plane. Between the edges of the frame 670 except at its center (in the region of the V-shaped fold and the shaft 651) are mounted as side walls the plate 671 and an opposite plate (hidden), both with slit-shaped openings 6711, 6712, 6713, 6714 are seen centrally in the area opposite the transport means 61, 62, 63, 64. The shaft 651 may be directly or indirectly mechanically coupled to a fifth motor 65, for example, a DC motor M5, which is disposed and mounted on the turntable 60 in the position shown or in another position. The plate 671 passes below the top of the conveyor belts when the fifth motor 65 is driven and the pivoting device 67 is pivoted. The rotation axis q, which is parallel to the x-axis, extends centrally of the shaft 651. The shaft 651 is rotatably mounted on the edge of the turntable 60 in opposite bearings 691, 692. The transport means 61, 62, 63, 64 have driven rollers which are mounted on a shaft 615, through which a rotation axis (not shown) extends, which is also parallel to the x-axis. The shaft 615 is driven by the third motor 66 via the drive belt 613, which is designed, for example, as a toothed belt. On the shaft 615 and the motor shaft 661 of the third motor 66 correspondingly suitable toothed rollers (not shown) are then arranged, which are in engagement with the toothing of the toothed belt. The drive can also be done alternatively in another way, for example by means of drive chain and gears. The controller (not shown) is electrically connected to the motors and programmed to drive the drives accordingly. The fourth device 6 for automatic position alignment of a mail piece has at least one drive, which is controlled by the controller 10 to transfer the mail piece from a (random) feed position 2a before issuing the mail piece in a predetermined output position 2b, wherein all mail pieces in the Ausgabelage lie on the back and are all oriented just as well for further transport.

Alternatively, other means than the plate 671 and an opposite plate (concealed) may be attached as side walls, for example wire mesh or wire clips suitably shaped to hold mailpieces.

The FIG. 6e shows a front view of the device 6 for the correct alignment of mail pieces in the y / z plane, ie in a phase after pivoting a mail item 2. The plate 671 and the shaft 651 are below and the plate 672 is above the top of the conveyor belts.

The FIG. 6f shows a side view of the device for the correct alignment of mailpieces in the x / z plane, after a quarter turn of the pivoting device about an axis parallel to the z-direction. The slot in the plate 671 is wide enough that the function of the transport means 61, namely the transport of the mailpiece, is not hindered.

The FIG. 6g shows a side view of a mail item in Ausgabelage during transport in the x direction from the pivoting device. The mailpiece 2b lies on the back, which can be seen on the flap 2.3.

The Figure 7a shows a perspective view of a second variant of a mail piece receiving device 1 from the front right above. On the front side near the right side are a card reader cover plate 11 ', a user interface 12', a mail piece slot plate 13.1, a receipt dispenser 18 'and a flap 17.1' of a mail piece return tray for returning unworkable mailpieces to the operator (post office customers) and possibly one Access 9.0 'arranged to the waste container. There are also other - not visible - lateral access to the storage containers.

The FIG. 7b shows a simplified representation of a plan view of the turntable 60 'with mailpiece in the transport path for transport in the x-direction and for printing according to a second variant of the mail piece receiving device. The output of the mail item into the delivery position 2b 'is effected by means of a third motor 66' of the mail piece acceptance device (1 ') which is actuated by a controller 10' for dispensing the mail piece opposite to the y direction by means of a third or fourth dispensing movement C3 or C4, wherein a fourth distance traveled by the mail item during the fourth output movement C4 is longer than a third distance traveled during the third output movement C3.

The mail piece 2b 'retains, after rotation, a recumbent position relative to the standing position when fed in the third device with the scanners 5a', 5b 'for position scanning of a mail piece in the feed channel. This maintained position of the mailpiece 2c '( Figure 7b ) is opposite to that of the item of mail 2c 4c-I / III rotated about an axis parallel to the z-direction at an angle of -90 ° clockwise. The programming of the controller 10 'for controlling the fourth device 6' is adapted accordingly. The rotation of the turntable can also be done before pivoting or folding the mailpieces, as described below with reference to Fig. 7c is explained.

The FIG. 7c shows a front view of the turntable with pivoting in the y / z plane and a mailpiece in phases, which run in the mail piece receiving device 1 'of the second variant. The mail piece is, for example, an enveloped letter with address field. The longitudinal edge lies on the fold edge of the envelope flap of the envelope or just opposite the address window (not shown).

1. a) In der ersten Zuführlage I und dritten Zuführlage III steht das Poststück bzw. kuvertierte Brief auf derjenigen Längskante, welche auf der Faltkante der Umschlagsklappe liegt. Die Umschlagsklappe steht vom Kuvert ab und zwar in die entgegengesetzte Richtung zur y-Richtung.
   Im Unterschied zur ersten Zuführlage I ist aber die Umschlagsklappe des in der dritten Zuführlage III zugeführten Briefkuverts in y-Richtung abstehend am Umschlag des Briefes Poststück angebracht.
2. b) In der zweiten Zuführlage II und vierten Zuführlage IV steht das Poststück bzw. kuvertierte Brief auf derjenigen Längskante, welche der Faltkante der Umschlagsklappe gegenüber liegt. Die Umschlagsklappe steht vom Kuvert ab und zwar in y-Richtung.
   Im Unterschied zur zweiten Zuführlage II ist aber die Umschlagsklappe des in der vierten Zuführlage IV zugeführten Briefkuverts in die entgegengesetzte Richtung zur y-Richtung abstehend am Umschlag des Briefes Poststück angebracht.

Phase A illustrates four feed positions of a piece of mail standing on the longitudinal edge. The following cases should be noted:

1. a) In the first feed position I and third Zuführlage III is the mail piece or enveloped letter on that longitudinal edge, which lies on the folding edge of the envelope flap. The flap flaps off the envelope in the opposite direction to the y direction.
   In contrast to the first Zuführlage I but the envelope flap of the supplied in the third Zuführlage III letter envelope in the y-direction projecting attached to the envelope of the letter mail piece.
2. b) In the second Zuführlage II and fourth feed position IV is the mail piece or enveloped letter on that longitudinal edge, which lies opposite the folding edge of the envelope flap. The flap flaps off the envelope in the y-direction.
   In contrast to the second Zuführlage II but the envelope flap of the supplied in the fourth Zuführlage IV letter envelope in the opposite direction to the y-direction distantly attached to the envelope of the letter mail piece.

Phase B illustrates that for two out of four feed layers of a mail piece fed on the longitudinal edge, no rotation is required. This is the aforementioned case a).

Phase B also illustrates, for the other two of the four feed layers of a mail item, that by means of the turntable 60 a rotation about an axis parallel to the z-direction must be made at an angle of 180 °. This is the aforementioned case b).

• c) Bei einem in der ersten Zuführlage I und dritten Zuführlage III zugeführten Poststück, erfolgt ein Umklappen des Poststücks nach rechts, d.h. in der entgegengesetzten Richtung zur y-Richtung
  sowie
• d) bei dem in der zweiten Zuführlage II und vierten Zuführlage IV zugeführten Poststück, erfolgt ein Umklappen des Poststücks nach links, d.h. in der y-Richtung.

The phase C illustrates for the standing in different feed positions on the longitudinal edge of the mail piece, that a folding of the mailpiece must be done by means of the pivoting device. The following cases should be noted:

• c) In a mail item fed in the first feed position I and third feed position III, the mail piece is folded over to the right, ie in the opposite direction to the y direction
  such as
• d) in the mail item fed in the second feed position II and fourth feed position IV, the mail piece is folded over to the left, ie in the y direction.

In a mail item fed in the first feed position I and third feed position III, the mail piece leaves the swivel device through the same opening through which the mail piece was fed to the swivel device.

In a mail item fed in the second feed position 11 and fourth feed position IV, the mail piece leaves the swivel device through the opposite opening, i. not through the same opening through which the mailpiece was fed to the pivoting device.

Phase D illustrates the dispensing of the mail piece on the back. In a mail item fed in the first feed position I and third feed position III, the mail piece leaves the swivel device with a third movement C3 on a short path. In a mail item fed in the second feed position II and fourth feed position IV, the mail piece leaves the swivel device with a fourth movement C4 on a longer path compared to the former path, both paths leading in the opposite direction to the y direction.

An implementation of the fourth movement C4 requires two opposite openings in the pivoting device 67 of the device 6 for the correct alignment of mail items, which is apparent from the Figures 6a and 6b evident. Both openings of the pivoting device 67 are shown open in the z-direction, wherein the movement (white arrow) of the mailpiece ends on a turntable 60.

• eine Abfrage nach einer Benutzereingabe bzw. -aktion im ersten Abfrageschritt 101, wobei in einer Warteschleife auf den Eingang des ersten Abfrageschritts 101 zurückverzweigt wird, wenn keine Benutzereingabe bzw. -aktion festgestellt werden kann,
• eine Identifizierung/Autorisierung des Benutzers/der Benutzereingabe im zweiten Schritt 102 durch ein postalisches Sicherheitsgerät (PSD) der Poststückannahmeeinrichtung,
• eine Auswahl von mehreren Möglichkeiten und dannach eine Ermittlung der Vorwahl der Briefschlitzgröße im dritten Abfrageschritt 103, vierten Abfrageschritt 104 oder fünften Abfrageschritt 105 mit anschließender Erreichung eines ersten Punktes (A*) im Ablaufplan 100 oder eine Nicht-Ermittlung der Vorwahl mit anschließender Rückverzweigung zum Beginn des ersten Abfrageschritts 101,
• eine Durchführung eines Unterprogramms zur Einstellung der Schlitz-größe im dritten Schritt 110 mit anschließender Erreichung eines zweiten Punktes (B*) im Ablaufplan 100,
• eine Abfrage nach einem Poststückeinwurf im folgenden hundertundsiebzehnten Abfrageschritt 117 und
• eine Ausgabe eines Benutzerhinweises mit einem Auffordern des Benutzers zum Einwerfen eines Poststückes im hundertundachtzehnten Schritt 118, wenn noch kein Poststückeinwurf festgestellt wird, oder
• eine Durchführung eines Unterprogramms zur Lageerkennung des eingeworfenen Poststückes im hundertundzwanzigsten Schritt 120, wenn ein Poststückeinwurf festgestellt wird und anschließender Erreichung eines dritten Punktes (C*) im Ablaufplan 100, wobei im vorgenannten Unterprogramm ein Abtasten der Vorder- und Rückseite des Poststückes im Subschritt 121 erfolgt und Subabfrageschritte 122 bis 125 zur Erkennung der Lage des eingeworfenen Poststückes vor einer Erreichung des Punktes (C*) im Ablaufplan 100, in dem Falle durchlaufen werden, dass die Vorder- oder Rückseite des eingeworfenen Poststückes erkannt wurde und wobei anderenfalls über einen Subschritt 126 mit Aussteuerung des Poststücks in der Poststückannahmeeinrichtung zur Poststückrückgabe auf einen hundertundneunzehnten Schritt 119 zur Ausgabe eines Benutzerhinweises verzweigt wird, um den Benutzer zur Rücknahme des eingeworfenen Poststückes aufzufordern sowie wobei nach dem hundertundneunzehnten Schritt 119 zum Beginn des ersten Abfrageschritts 101 zurückverzweigt wird,
• eine Erzeugung einer Kenn-Nummer nach Erreichung des dritten Punktes C* im hundertundneunundzwanzigsten Schritt 129 des Ablaufplans 100, wobei die Kenn-Nummer jeweils einem abgetasteten Bild der Vorder- und Rückseite des eingeworfenen Poststückes zugeordnet und gespeichert wird, bevor ein vierter Punkt (D*) im Ablaufplan 100 erreicht ist,
• eine Durchführung eines Unterprogramms zur Herstellung einer vorbestimmten Lageorientierung des eingeworfenen Poststückes im hundertunddreizigsten Schritt 130 des Ablaufplans 100 nach Erreichung des vierten Punktes (D*) und vor Erreichung eines fünften Punktes (E*) im Ablaufplan 100,
• eine Generierung einer Kennung für das Poststück, Abrechnung, Buchung und Aufbringung einer Markierung auf das Poststück und ggf. Ausdrucken einer Quittung im hundertundfünfzigsten Schritt 150 nach Erreichung des fünften Punktes (E*) im Ablaufplan 100,
• eine Durchführung eines Unterprogramms zur Ablage des eingeworfe-nen Poststückes im hundertundsechzigsten Schritt 160, wobei der jeweilige Ablagebehälter entsprechend der Vorwahl ausgewählt wird, sowie
• eine Information an ein Datenzentrum im hundertundsiebzigsten Schritt 170, betreff des Poststückes, der zugeordneten Kenn-Nummer und der auf das Poststück aufgedruckten Kennung, welche jeweils einem abgetasteten Bild der Vorder- und Rückseite des eingeworfenen Poststückes zugeordnet gespeichert ist, bevor ein Abfrageschritt 177 durchlaufen wird, um festzustellen, ob der Benutzer die Poststückannahmeeinrichtung noch zum Einwurf weiterer Poststücke benötigt, wobei dann, wenn der letztere Fall eintritt, vom Abfrageschritt 177 auf den hundertundneunzehnten Schritt 119 zur Ausgabe eines Benutzerhinweises zurückverzweigt wird, bevor vom Benutzer getätigte weitere Eingaben erkannt werden und/oder ein weiteres Poststück von demselben Benutzer eingeworfen wird,
• anderenfalls, wenn der letztere Fall nicht gewünscht wird, dass ein weiteres Poststück von demselben Benutzer eingeworfen wird und innerhalb einer vorbestimmten Zeitdauer keine weitere Eingabe getätigt wird, dann wird auf einen Schritt 178 zum Schließen des Briefschlitzes verzweigt, wobei nach dem Schließen ein Ende-Schritt 179 zum Beenden des Ablaufplans 100 erreicht ist.

Based on FIG. 8 A flow chart of the operation of the mail piece acceptance device is shown. After the mailpiece acceptor is turned on, a startup step 99 is reached. The flowchart 100 includes the following steps after the start step 99:

• a query for a user input or action in the first query step 101, wherein a backlog is routed to the input of the first query step 101 if no user input or action can be detected,
• identification / authorization of the user / user input in the second step 102 by a postal security device (PSD) of the mail piece acceptance device,
• a selection of several possibilities and then a determination of the preselection of the mailbox size in the third query step 103, fourth query step 104 or fifth query step 105 with subsequent achievement of a first point (A *) in the schedule 100 or a non-determination of the area code followed by branching back to the beginning the first query step 101,
• performing a subroutine for setting the slot size in the third step 110, then attaining a second point (B *) in the schedule 100,
• a query for a mailpiece insertion in the following hundred and seventeenth query step 117 and
• outputting a user notice requesting the user to insert a mail piece at the hundred-eighth step 118 if no mailpiece is detected yet, or
• performing a subroutine for detecting the position of the inserted mail in the hundred-and-twentieth step 120 when a mail piece is detected and then reaching a third point (C *) in the schedule 100, wherein in the aforementioned subroutine, scanning the front and back of the mail in the sub-step 121 and sub-query steps 122-125 for detecting the location of the inserted mail item before reaching the point (C *) in the schedule 100, in which case the front or back of the inserted mail piece has been detected and otherwise via a sub-step 126 Control of the mail piece in the mail piece acceptance device for mail item return is branched to a hundred and nineteenth step 119 for issuing a user advice to prompt the user to take back the inserted mail piece and wherein after the hundred and nineteenth step 119 to Be beginning of the first query step 101 is branched back,
• Generation of an identification number after reaching the third point C * in the hundredth and twenty-ninth step 129 of the flowchart 100, wherein the identification number is assigned to a scanned image of the front and back of the inserted item of mail and stored before a fourth point (D *). ) is reached in the schedule 100,
• performing a subroutine for establishing a predetermined attitude orientation of the inserted mail piece in the hundred and thirty-first step 130 of the schedule 100 after reaching the fourth point (D *) and before reaching a fifth point (E *) in the schedule 100,
• generating an identifier for the mailpiece, billing, posting and applying a mark to the mailpiece and, if necessary, printing a receipt in the hundred and fifty step 150 after reaching the fifth item (E *) in the schedule 100,
• performing a subroutine for storing the requested mail piece in the hundred and sixty step 160, wherein the respective tray is selected according to the area code, and
• an information to a data center in the hundred and seventieth step 170 concerning the mailpiece, the associated ID number and the ID printed on the mailpiece, each associated with a scanned image of the front and back sides of the inserted mail piece, before passing through a query step 177 to determine if the user still needs the mailpiece acceptor to inject more mailpieces, and then, when the latter case occurs, to branch back from query step 177 to the hundred and nineteenth step 119 for issuing a user advice before further input made by the user is recognized and / / or another piece of mail is thrown in by the same user,
• otherwise, if the latter case is not desired to have another piece of mail thrown in by the same user and no further input is made within a predetermined period of time, then a step 178 is entered for closing the mail slot, and after closing, an end step 179 is reached to terminate the schedule 100.

The pre-selection made by the user for setting the insertion opening of the mail piece acceptance device is queried by the query steps 103, 104 and 105 and can be supplemented by further query steps wer if the due to changed postal regulations or country dependent or carrier dependent other postal regulations should be required. The rule here is that the second area code II is branched if the first area code I was not recognized as selected. If the second area code II is not recognized as selected, then the third area code III is branched off and so on until a K-th area code is requested. If the latter is not recognized as selected, then the beginning of the first interrogation step 101 is branched back to the beginning.

The FIG. 8a shows a subroutine 110 for adjusting the insertion opening of the mail acceptance device, which runs after reaching the first point (A *) in the flowchart 100. In the first sub-step 111, the preselection of the insertion opening (mail slot size) made by the user is stored and the width and height of the desired insertion opening are output in the form of Parameters that identify the Y and Z positions. The corresponding Y and Z positions are achieved when the sealing jaws are moved in the y and z directions in order to set the opening width of the closure of the mail piece feed channel. The subroutine for setting the slot size in the third step (110) comprises a second sub-step (112) for controlling a motor M1 and a fourth sub-step (114) for controlling a second motor M2, wherein in the respectively following third and fifth subquery step (113 and 115), whether the Y-position and the Z-position have already been reached, and otherwise the first motor M1 and the second motor M2 for jaw adjustment are further driven.

Otherwise, after it has been determined in subquery steps 113 and 115 that the y-position and the Z-position have already been reached, in a sixth sub-step 116 a timer of the controller 10 is started, which runs until a preset time / counter value is reached is. The latter determines how long a readiness of the mail piece acceptance device to take letter acceptance. Reaching the preset time / counter value by the timer is monitored in step 106 of the schedule 100. The timer is reset (not shown) when branching back to the first query step 101 via further steps. After setting the opening size of the shutter (slot size) in the subroutine 110, the second point (B *) in the schedule 100 is reached.

The FIG. 8b shows a subroutine 120 for scanning the front and back of a mailpiece and for detecting the position of a mailpiece in the mailpiece acceptor. After the second point (B *) of the schedule 100, a mail item is retrieved in the query step 117 and then branched to the first sub-step 121 of the subroutine 120 when a mail piece has been inserted into the opening (letter slot) of the shutter of the feed channel, as indicated by the corresponding sen Sources is detected in the feed. Otherwise, if no mailpiece entry was detected in query step 117, then via step 118, a "user mail item" is issued for issuing a user advice and branched back to item (B) via sixth inquiry step 106. In the first sub-step 121 of the subroutine 120, a scanning of the front and back of the mailpiece and an evaluation of the scan data.

Subsequently, based on the evaluation of the scan data in a first subquery step 127, it may be decided whether the mailpiece is too small. The latter is the case if the minimum dimensions of a mail item specified by the mail carrier are undershot. Then branch to the fourth point (D *). Otherwise, the first subquery step 127 branches to a second subquery step 122 for checking whether the front side of a To the left of the feed channel for mail pieces arranged scanning was detected. If this is not the case, then the third subquery step 123 branches to check whether the front side has been recognized by a scanning device arranged on the right of the mail piece feed channel. If this is also not the case, then via a sub-step 126 for controlling the mail piece to return it via the tray 17 (FIG. Fig. 1 b) is branched to the nineteenth step 119 of the schedule 100 to display a user notice "mailpiece return".

The second subquery step 122 branches to a fourth subquery step 124 when the front side has been recognized by a scanner located on the left of the mail piece feed channel.

The third subquery step 123 branches to a fifth subquery step 125 when the front side has been recognized by a scanner arranged on the right side of the mail piece feed channel.

Subsequently, in the fourth sub-query step 124, it is determined whether a mailpiece is upside down because it has been fed upright on the flap edge, and then branches to a first memory sub-step 128.1 to provide a first type 1 mailing orientation corresponding to a first feed position otherwise, if a mailpiece is not upside down, branching from the fourth subquery step 124 to a second memory sub-step 128.2 to store a second type 2 of mailpiece alignment corresponding to a second feed position II.

From the fifth subquery step 125, if a mail piece is upside down, i.e., a mail piece is turned upside down. is fed standing on the edge with flap, branched to a third memory sub-step 128.3 to store a third type 3 of the orientation of the mail pieces corresponding to the third feed position III. Otherwise, if a mailpiece is not upside down, the fifth subquery step 125 branches to a fourth first memory sub-step 128.4 to store a fourth type 4 of mail item alignment corresponding to the fourth feed position IV. After storing the type in the first, second, third or memory sub-step, the third point (C *) is reached.

The third device for scanning the mail piece blanket is operatively connected to the controller, which on the one hand contains the subroutine for scanning and evaluation of the sampled data and on the other hand a subroutine for positional orientation stored nonvolatilely in a memory, which is accessed by a microprocessor of the controller during operation as soon as a sampling result is available.

The FIG. 8c shows subroutines for position alignment of a mail piece in the mail piece acceptance device, for generating an identifier or billing number, billing of the mailpiece dispatch order, booking of the transport fee, for printing the marking (identifier), if necessary for printing a receipt and for filing in the storage container. A subroutine 130 is provided for registering a mail piece in the mail piece acceptor and subroutine 160 is for storage in the tray. Between the aforementioned two subroutines 130 and 160 there is a subroutine 150 with a first subroutine 151 for generating an account number and a second subroutine 152 for billing the mail item dispatch order and posting, the subroutines being executed by the processor of the postal security service. Device to be processed. This is followed by a sub-subroutine 153 for printing the identifier or billing number and a sub-subroutine 154 for printing an acknowledgment and the aforementioned sub-program 160 for storage in the storage container, these subroutines also being processed by the processor of the mainboard of the controller 10. On the latter will not be discussed here in more detail, because the transport of a mail piece with printing the mark, receipt printing and storage are known in the art.

The position alignment subroutine 130 starts after reaching the fourth point (D *) with a query on the first subquery step 131 of the first type 1 of the mail pieces alignment. If a type 1 exists, a sub-step 132 is reached, wherein the controller controls the motor 65 to drive the pivoting device 67 ( Fig. 6d ) to flip them in the A1 direction (to -y), ie to the right ( Fig. 6c ). After folding the pivoting device 67 to the right in the A1 direction is in the Figure 5a-I shown state before.

Otherwise, if there is no type 1, the first subquery step 131 branches to the second subquery step 135. There it is queried whether a second type 2 of the alignment of the mailpieces is present. If a type 2 is present, a sub-step 136 is reached, wherein the control drives the motor 65 to drive the pivoting device 67 in order to fold it in the A2 direction (to the right), ie to the left. After folding the pivoting device 67 to the left in the A2 direction is in the Figure 5a-II shown state before.

Otherwise, if neither Type 1 nor Type 2 exists, the second subquery step 135 branches to the third subquery step 140. There it is queried whether a third type 3 of the alignment of the mail pieces is present. If a type 3 is present, a sub-step 141 is reached, wherein the controller drives the motor 65 to drive the pivoting device 67 in order to move it in the A2 direction (to y), ie to fold to the left. After folding the pivoting device 67 to the left in the A2 direction is the in Figure 5a-III shown state before.

Otherwise, if there is neither a type 1 nor a type 2 nor a type 3, the third subquery step 140 branches to the fourth subquery step 145. If a type 4 is present, a sub-step 146 is reached, wherein the control activates the motor 65 for driving the pivoting device 67 in order to fold it in the A1 direction (to -y), ie to the right. After folding the pivoting device 67 to the right in the A1 direction is in the Figure 5a-IV shown state before.

If there is no type 4, a sub-step 139 is reached, for controlling the mail item for the purpose of returning or storing it in the waste container. The waste container can be advantageously arranged under the return tray and separated by a sieve. Small pieces of metal and other waste fall through the screen, while too little or unaddressed mail remains in the return tray. From the aforementioned substep 139, a step 119 is issued for issuing a corresponding user hint to prompt the user to empty the return tray.

If a type 1 exists, a sub-step 133 is reached after the sub-step 132, wherein the control drives the motor 68 for driving the turntable 60 ( Fig. 6c ) in order to rotate these about the axis r parallel to the z direction in the B1 direction by the angle of 90 ° in the counterclockwise direction ( Fig. 6f ). After turning the turntable is in the Figure 5b-I shown state before.

If a type 2 is present, a sub-step 137 is reached after the sub-step 136, wherein the control drives the motor 68 to drive the turntable 60 to this by the angle of 90 to the axis r parallel to the z-direction in the B2 direction ° to turn counterclockwise. After turning the turntable is in the Figure 5b-II shown state before.

If a type 3 is present, a sub-step 142 is reached after the sub-step 141, wherein the control drives the motor 68 to drive the turntable 60 to this by the angle of 90 to the axis r parallel to the z-direction in B3 direction ° to turn clockwise. After turning the turntable is in the Figure 5b-III shown state before.

If a type 4 is present, a sub-step 147 is reached after the sub-step 146, whereby the control drives the motor 68 for driving the turntable 60 to move it around the axis r parallel to the z-direction in the B4 direction by the angle of 90 ° to turn clockwise. After turning the turntable is in the Figure 5b-IV shown state before.

Subsequent to the sub-steps 133, 137, 142 and 147 for driving the turntable, a tape transport takes place in the sub-steps 134, 138, 143 and 148 for moving the mail item off the turntable, before a fifth point (E *) is reached. For tape transport in the sub-steps 134 and 138, the motor 66 is driven by the controller to a - in the Fig. 6d Turned shaft 615 clockwise to rotate, ie the shaft and thus the - in the Fig. 6a shown - conveyor belts 61, 62, 63 and 64 are brought to the right turn. For tape transport in the sub-steps 143 and 148, the motor 66 is controlled by the controller to a - in the Fig. 6d Shaft 615 to rotate in the counterclockwise direction, ie the shaft and thus also in the Fig. 6a shown - conveyor belts 61, 62, 63 and 64 are brought to the left rotation.

After subroutine 130 for position alignment, subroutine 150, in whose first subroutine 151 an individual identifier for the mailpiece is generated by the PSD of the controller, in whose second subroutine 152 the posting is made, in its third subroutine 153 the transport of the mailpiece by the sixth Transport device is started and printed by means of the printer of the fifth device, an identifier on the mailpiece and in the fourth sub-subroutine 154 a Qittungsdrucker is driven to a document to prove the promotion order for the user, ie Postal customers to print.

Subroutine 150 is followed by subroutine 160 for filing the inserted mail item in the filing bin, which has subquery steps 161, 162, 163, 164, so that a filing in the filing bin occurs in the subsequent sub-step 166 depending on the preselected size of the set opening width when the query condition is met. In the subroutine 160 for filing in the storage container, the prefix dialed by the user is queried in sub-querying steps 161, 162, 163 and optionally, if required, at least one further sub-querying step 164 (drawn in dash-dotted lines). It is true that in each case to the subsequent query of the area code K is branched if the immediately preceding query the area code K-1 was not recognized as stored. In the respective subsequent sub-step of a step 165 for storage in the storage container takes place depending on the area code a control of turnouts for the corresponding storage.

The invention is not limited to the present embodiment, since obviously other other arrangements or embodiments of the invention can be developed or used, which - based on the same basic idea of the invention - are encompassed by the attached claims.

Claims (15)

Post office acceptance device, with a Postgutzuführung for mail pieces, with a user interface (12) and with a billing unit, with a card reading unit with cover plate (11), in the slot a postage credit card or an authorization card can be inserted after the billing of the postage by the Billing unit a storage in secure storage containers in the storage area (9), characterized thereby, in that a mail piece slot plate (13.1) is arranged on the front side of the mail piece acceptance device, - That the Postgutzuführung (3, 4) with an adjustable opening (30) of a shaft-shaped feed channel for insertion and for feeding a mail piece (2) is provided, wherein the mail piece is an element of a set of mail pieces whose dimensions may be different - That the supply channel (13) is constructed professionally and at least from the Mailpiece slot plate (13.1), two side walls (13.2, 13.4) and a rear wall (13.3), - That the mail piece receiving device (1) a number of devices (5, 6, 7, 8, ... 9.03) for scanning the mail piece surface, for automatic postage alignment of the mail piece, for transport, for printing a mark (2.2) on the Mail piece and for storing the same, wherein for depositing a branching of each of the mailpieces to a specific storage container in the storage area (9), which is dimensioned for correct size collection of mailpieces and - That the billing unit is arranged in a controller (10) of the mail piece acceptance device. A mail piece receiving device according to claim 1, characterized in that the mail feed has a first device (3) for adjusting the opening width of a shutter of a feed channel to a second device (4) for feeding mail pieces (2) into the mail piece receiving device (1), in that after the second device (4) for feeding in mail pieces, a third device (5) for scanning the mailpiece surface, a fourth device (6) for automatically aligning a mail piece, a fifth device (8) for printing, a sixth device ( 7) are arranged for transporting and branching when correctly sized collecting mail pieces in the storage area (9), wherein the storage area has a number of storage containers for storage of the mail pieces in the correct position that the controller (10) with the aforementioned first to sixth devices (3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8), with the card reading unit (10.1), with a postal security device (10.2), with the operating interface (12), with a communication device (14), with an acknowledgment Output device (18) and an associated printer (18.1) are operatively connected to the control interface (12) via the controller (10) to the first device (3) is connected to a variable size of an opening (30) of the Adjust the closure of the first device (3) according to the inputs of pay-relevant features by the user via the control interface (12) and via the control unit (10) that the mailpiece slot plate (13.1) is equipped with a slot (13.0), which the maximum allowable Dimensions of a mailpiece (2), which are defined by the respective mail carrier and that a sensor (S3) of the first device (3) at the entrance of Zuführk Anals, which emits a signal upon feeding of an edge of the mail piece and which is connected to the controller, which detects the delivery of a mail piece in the feed channel, that the closure by a first and second closing jaws (31 and 32) is formed and controlled by the controller (10) by a first motor M1 (15) and second motor M2 (16) is driven, and that a postal security device (10.2) is provided as a billing unit. Mail piece accepting device according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the shutter has a square-shaped opening (30) and two immovable sides immediately adjoining each other and two directly adjoining movable sides in order to enlarge the mail slot or the shutter of two movable ones Baking formed and driven either by motors or electromagnetic actuators, solenoids, linear motors USW or by pneumatically operated actuators. A mailpiece acceptor according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the third device (5) for scanning the mail piece surface is connected to the controller (10), the controller (10) being programmed to move the feed layer (2a-I, 2a -II, 2a-III, 2a-IV) of a mail piece, wherein the mail pieces (2) are fed on the edge in different feed positions of the mail item supply (3, 4) to the mail piece receiving means, that the feed channel (13) with sensors resp Photocells, means of transport and holding means for holding the mail piece until the time of leaving the feed channel (13), wherein the mail piece (2) leaves the feed channel (13) due to the effect of gravity, that the fourth device (6) for automatic position alignment of a mailpiece has at least one drive which is actuated by the controller (10), in order to transfer the item of mail from any feed position (2a) before delivery of the item of mail to a predetermined delivery position (2b), wherein the items of mail in the delivery position lie on the back and are all oriented in the same orientation for further transport. Mail piece acceptance device according to claims 1, 2 and 4, characterized in that the fourth device (6) for automatic position alignment of a mail piece has a turntable (60), to whose rotary drive a fourth motor M4 (68) from the controller (10 ), that the fourth device (6) for automatically aligning a mail piece has a swivel device (67), to the swivel drive of which a fifth motor M5 (65) is actuated by the control (10), wherein the swivel device (67) is designed to catch mailpieces standing on the edge in the feed phase and fastened to a shaft (651) which lies on a rotation axis q parallel to the x-direction and wherein the shaft (651) is directly or indirectly connected to the fifth motor (65) is mechanically coupled, that on the turntable (60) of the fourth device (6) a number of transport means (61, 62, 63, 64) is arranged orthogonal to the x / y plane in the z-direction and that the pivoting device (67) is arranged on the turntable (60) such that the transporting means (61, 62, 63, 64) have driven rollers mounted on a shaft (615) through which passes an axis of rotation parallel to the x -Axis, wherein the shaft (615) is driven by a third motor (66) via a drive belt (613). A mailpiece acceptor according to claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the third motor (66) is controlled by the controller (10) of the mail piece acceptor (1) for dispensing the mail piece by means of a first or second dispensing movement C1 or C2 in the same x direction wherein a second distance traveled by the mail piece during the second output movement C2 is longer than a first distance traveled during the first output movement C1 or that the third motor (66 ') is driven by the controller (10') of the mail piece receiving means (1 ') for dispensing the mail piece opposite to the y-direction by means of a third or fourth dispensing movement C3 or C4, wherein a fourth dispensed during the fourth dispensing movement C4 from the mailpiece Distance is longer than a third distance traveled during the third output movement C3 third distance. Mail piece acceptance device according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that on the front of the mail piece receiving means (1, 1 ') near the right side a Kartenleserabdeckplatte (11, 11'), an operator interface (12, 12 '), the mail piece insertion slot plate (13.1 , 13.1 '), a receipt dispenser (18, 18') and a flap (17.1, 17.1 ') of a mail item bin for returning unworkable mail to the operator, and that an access (9.0, 9.0') to the bin is arranged on the front of the mail piece receiving device (1, 1 '). Mail acceptance device according to claim 7, characterized in that front accesses (9.1, 9.2, 9.3) are provided to the storage containers. Mail acceptance device according to claim 7, characterized in that lateral accesses to the storage containers are provided. Method for mail acceptance, with verification of the authorization of the operator for use by means of an authorization card or postage credit card, wherein after the billing of the postage by a billing unit a storage in secure storage containers in the storage area (9), characterized by the following steps, Identification of the customer number or authorization for operating the mail piece acceptance device, Determining the preselection made by the operator and adjusting the opening width of the insertion slot of the closure of the feed channel of the mailpiece receiving device by means of a first device (3), Determining the delivery of a mail piece into the feed channel, wherein a first sensor (S3) of the first device (3) emits a signal when an edge of the mail piece is fed, - retracting the mail piece by means of a second device (4) for drawing mail pieces (2) into the feed channel, Triggering the scanning of the surfaces of the mail piece by means of a third device (5) for scanning in the feed channel, Producing a positional orientation by means of a fourth device (6) for automatic positional alignment of a mail piece, wherein the automatic position alignment is controlled by a subroutine for the control, after which the mail piece has passed through the feed channel, Generation and storage of an identification number for the delivered mail piece, billing and posting of the billing data assigned to the identification number and printing of a document as a receipt for the user, Driving a sixth transport device (7) for transporting the mailpieces to a printer of a fifth device (8) in order to print the marking on the mailpiece, - Control of the sixth transport device (7) for mail pieces and of corresponding switches on the conveyor belt for transport to the storage of the mail piece, - Filing of the mail piece and - Closing of the closure, if no further mail piece to be thrown, or throwing another piece of mail, if there is a user authorization. A method according to claim 10, characterized in that the posting of the accounting data includes at least the identification data of the user and a postage value for the subsequent transport and delivery of the item of mail processed by the item acceptor by the mail carrier that the label printed on the item of mail contains the previously generated identifier Number includes. A method according to claim 10, characterized in that a sequence program (100) of the controller includes the following steps: a query for a user input or action in the first query step (101), wherein a back-to-back queue is applied to the input of the first query step (101) if no user input or action can be detected, an identification / authorization of the user / user input in the second step (102) by a postal security device (PSD) of the mail piece acceptance device, a selection of several possibilities and then a determination of the preselection of the mailing slot size in the third query step (103), the fourth query step (104) or the fifth query step (105) with subsequent closing Reaching a first point (A *) in the flowchart (100) or a non-determination of the area code with subsequent branching back to the beginning of the first polling step (101), a performance of a subprogram for setting the slot size in the third step (110), with subsequent achievement of a second point (B *) in the flowchart (100), a query for a mailpiece insertion in the following hundred and seventeenth query step (117) and an output of a user notice requesting the user to insert a mail piece in the one hundred and eighth step (118) if no mailpiece has yet been detected, or - Carrying out a sub-program for detecting the position of the inserted mail piece in the hundred and twenty-first step (120) when a mail piece insertion is detected and then reaching a third point (C *) in the flowchart (100), wherein in the aforementioned subroutine, scanning the front and back of the Mail item in the sub-step (121) is carried out and Subquerfrageschritte (122 to 125) for detecting the position of the inserted mail piece before reaching the point (C *) in the flowchart (100) in the case are traversed that the front or back of the Otherwise, a sub-step (126) of controlling the mail piece in the mail piece acceptor for mail piece return branches to a hundred and nineteenth step (119) for issuing a user prompt to prompt the user to cancel the inserted mail piece and after the hundred and nineteenth Sch rode (119) back to the beginning of the first polling step (101), generation of an identification number upon reaching the third point (C *) in the hundred and twenty-first step (129) of the flowchart (100), the identification number being assigned and stored respectively to a scanned image of the front and back of the inserted mail item; before reaching a fourth point (D *) in the flowchart (100), a subroutine for establishing a predetermined positional orientation of the inserted item of mail in the hundred and thirtieth step (130) of the schedule (100) after reaching the fourth point (D *) and before reaching a fifth point (E *) in the schedule (100), a generation of an identifier for the mail piece, billing, posting and application of a marking on the mail item and, if necessary, printing of a receipt in the hundred and fiftyth step (150) after reaching the fifth item (E *) in the flowchart (100), - performing a subroutine for storing the requested mail piece in the hundred and sixty step (160), wherein the respective tray is selected according to the area code, and an information to a data center in the hundred and seventieth step (170) concerning the mail item, the associated ID number and the ID printed on the mail item, each associated with a scanned image associated with the front and back of the mail item being deposited a query step (177) is performed to determine if the user still needs the mailpiece acceptor to inject more mailpieces, and if the latter case does, from the query step (177) to the hundred and nineteenth step (119) to issue a user hint is branched back before further entries made by the user are recognized and / or another mailpiece is inserted by the same user, otherwise, if the latter case is not desired that another piece of mail is inserted by the same user and no further input is made within a predetermined period of time, then a step (178) for closing the mail slot is branched, wherein after closing End step (179) is reached to terminate the flowchart (100). A method according to claim 12, characterized in that the pre-selection made by the user for setting the insertion opening of the mail acceptance device by the interrogation steps (103, 104 and 105) is queried, being branched to the second area code II, if the first area code I not as has been detected, and if the second prefix II is not recognized as being selected, then branching to the third prefix III, etc., until the query of a K-ten area code, and then if the latter is not recognized as selected, at the beginning of the first query step (101), the subroutine for setting the slot size in the third step (110) comprises a first sub-step (111) for storing the user-selected area code for setting the insertion opening and for outputting the width and height of the desired insertion opening in the form of Includes parameters which identify the Y and Z position for the sealing jaws, wherein the ents in the y and z directions, when the shutter jaws are moved in the y and z directions to set the opening width of the shutter of the mail piece feed passage, the slit size setting subroutine in the third step (110) achieves a second sub step (112) for controlling a motor M1 in the sub-step (112) and a fourth sub-step (114) for controlling a second motor M2, wherein in the respective following third and fifth subquery step (113 and 115), it is checked whether the Y position and the Z position have already been reached and otherwise the first motor M1 and the second motor M2 are further driven, the subroutine for setting the slot size in the third step (110) comprises a sixth sub-step (116), wherein after it has been determined in the third and fifth sub-interrogation steps (113 and 115) that the Y-position and the Z-position have already been reached, a timer of the control is started as long as runs until a preset time / count is reached, the latter determining how long a readiness of the mail acceptor to accept the letter should last. A method according to claim 12, characterized in that the subroutine (120) for scanning the front and back of a mail piece and detecting the position of a mail piece in the mail piece acceptance means comprises a first sub-step (121) of scanning the front and back of the mail piece and for evaluating the scanning data, wherein in the subsequent first subquering step (127) a decision is made as to whether the minimum dimensions of a mail item specified by the mail carrier are exceeded, in such a case branching is made to the fourth point (D *) in order to control the mail piece, wherein, when the minimum dimensions of a mail item specified by the mail carrier are not undershot, branching is made from the first subquery step (127) to a second subquery step (122), checking in the second subquery step (122) whether the front side is from a left of the feed channel arranged for mail items Abtasteinrichtun Otherwise, if this is not the case, branching is made to the third subquery step (123) for checking whether the front side has been recognized by a scanning device located to the right of the mail piece feed channel, if the latter is likewise not the case, branching is made via a return tray via a sixth sub-step (126) for controlling the mailpiece to return it, and branching from the second sub-querying step (122) to a fourth sub-querying step (124) when the front side is scanned by a scanner located on the left of the mail piece feed channel and branching from the third subquery step (123) to a fifth subquery step (125) if the front side has been detected by a scanner located on the right of the mail piece feed channel, then it is determined by the fourth subquering step (124) whether a Mail piece is upside down because it has been fed upright on the edge with flap, and then branched to a first memory sub-step (128.1) to store a first type of registration of the mail pieces corresponding to a first feed position, otherwise a mailpiece is not upside down, is branched from the fourth subquery step (124) to a second memory subroutine (128.2) to store a second type of mailpiece registration corresponding to a second feed position, then from the fifth subquery step (125) Mail piece is upside down because it has been fed upright on the flap edge, branched to a third memory sub-step (128.3) to store a third type of mailpiece registration corresponding to the third feed position, and otherwise if a mail piece is not upside down, is branched from the fifth subquery step (125) to a fourth first memory sub-step (128.4) to store a fourth type of alignment of the mail pieces corresponding to the fourth feed position. A method according to claim 12, characterized in that the subroutine (160) for storing the inserted mail piece Subabfrageschritte (161, 162, 163, 164), so that when applying the query condition a filing in the storage container depending on the preselection of the size of the set opening width in Subsequent step (166) takes place.

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