EP0821518B1 - Transfer device and distribution device - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a device for transferring a shipment delivered by a distributor to a recipient, with one with a locking device against unauthorized persons Access lockable deposit device for temporary Record the shipment and one assigned to the recipient Key with which the locking device at least during the presence of a shipment in the deposit facility can be unlocked to remove the shipment.

D1 (US 4,894,717 A) shows a deposit device (lockers) in a system that automatically delivered deliveries and in return receipts automatically issues to even during the absence of a recipient for goods shipments to be reachable. The assignment between the delivered shipment and recipient is made by means of clearly assigned codes.

D2 (FR-A-2 565 370) describes an automatic pick-up device Consignments, with an acknowledgment and identification device being provided. The Identification is not used to transfer the relevant data into a receipt to be created however, to control the locking mechanism.

Devices of the type mentioned are as mailboxes known. Known mailboxes are sufficient for ordinary letters and for consignments without major ones Value. However, if the shipment is for example for registered mail or for goods with a higher value it for reasons of liability or for reasons of Evidence of compliance with the deadline required that delivery the consignment is acknowledged to the deliverer.

Because a conventional mailbox is unable to do so is to acknowledge receipt or deposit of a shipment, So far it is necessary to acknowledge that the the consignment bringing the shipment to the recipient meets the recipient, to get the receipt from him. Does he meet that If the recipient does not arrive, he usually arrives a second and possibly a third time to the recipient. Is it the to be delivered to the Deutsche Bundespost, is then usually a notification instead of the show the presence of a shipment thrown into the mailbox, whereupon the recipient will pick up the shipment himself at the post office got to. In such a case, the acknowledgment then takes place at the post office.

The invention has for its object to further develop a distribution device so that an automatic assignment Delivered shipments can be made to associated recipients.

According to the invention, the object is achieved by a distribution device according to the features of claim 1 solved.

The invention creates one

Distribution device for transferring a shipment delivered by a distributor (10) to a predetermined recipient (12.1) of a group of at least 2 recipients (12.1, 12.2, 12.3)
at least one depositing device (20) which can be locked against unauthorized access by a locking device (30) for temporarily receiving the mail item,
a control device (34) which controls the locking device (30) in such a way that it can only be unlocked with a key (32.1) assigned to the predetermined recipient (12.1) for removing the mail item, at least during the presence of the mail item in the depositing device (20) , and
an acknowledgment device (24) for creating a receipt for depositing a shipment in the depositing device (20) and / or for automatically creating a receipt by opening the depositing device (20) for removing a shipment from the depositing device (20),
characterized in that
an identification device (22) is provided for identifying the item deposited in the depositing device (20) and
the control device (34) controls the locking device (30) on the basis of the identification of the deposited shipment.

It also enables the distribution device especially because of the identification device and the assignment of the key to the predetermined recipient, i.e. to the recipient of the recipient group who receives the shipment the depositing device is supposed to be delivered can serve multiple recipients. That is why it is, for example possible for residential complexes with a large number of households with one Number of landfill facilities that make use of the Number of households in the condominium. This reduction is possible because usually larger ones Condominiums did not deliver to all households at the same time get so that sharing less Deposit facilities as households makes no problems.

Locker systems are another application at. Post offices, banks or the like. It is also here namely usually so that not all locker customers receive programs at the same time, so that a reduction in Number of deposit facilities is possible.

In the simplest embodiment, it is the acknowledgment device for a stamp. This stamp can are located in the depositing facility, for example, and of which the messenger depositing the consignment is used to stamp an acknowledgment card. A possible one In this case, however, the shipment should be identified by the messenger on the card, if the Stamp is not adjustable accordingly.

However, the acknowledgment device is preferred a printer that advantageously works with the Identifier works together to automatically create a Acknowledgment upon deposit to the messenger depositing the consignment print.

However, the receipt can also be "paperless" be, namely when the acknowledgment device Has read / write device for chip cards and / or magnetic cards. In this case, the messenger depositing the consignment is responsible a corresponding chip card or magnetic card in the device the acknowledgment is saved on the card.

The acknowledgment device preferably has a connection for outputting electrical information containing the acknowledgment information Signals on. Such signals can either be sent to one of the delivered the device to the depositing messenger and saved in the device as a receipt. The acknowledgment information but can also over appropriate data transmission links directly to the distributor and / or to those given by the distributor commissioned by the distributor at which the messenger depositing the shipment works. The forwarder can be the Deutsche Bundespost.

With all the acknowledgment devices described above the receipt can only consist of information about that a shipment is deposited or from the depository has been removed without the shipment in the Receipt would be identified. However, it is preferred that the acknowledgment device based on the identification one Receipt created, the identification is removable.

The recipient's key can't just be around a key in the traditional sense, but also around trade a chip card, a magnetic card or a code word, that of the receiver to unlock the locking device is entered into a corresponding input device.

However, it should be ensured beyond any doubt that only the predetermined recipient receives the shipment from the depositing facility and not just any person, who (authorized or unauthorized) holds the key, the Chip card, the magnetic card or the code word has come, it is preferred according to the invention that the Key for information identifying the recipient is. With such identifying information, it can for example a fingerprint of the recipient act a voice analysis or the like.

The identification device can be a chip card reader Magnetic card reader, a barcode reader or an interrogator for Be a transponder. In this case, of course, must be guaranteed be a corresponding information carrier is assigned to the consignment to be delivered.

The identification device can also be a scale for Weigh the deposited consignment and identify it by comparing the weight of the shipment with a or several predetermined comparison values. in the In the case of connection of the deposit facility to the distributor or the forwarder via a data channel can use the comparison values also stored at the forwarder or distributor his.

The deposit facility can not only protect against unauthorized persons Removing a deposited shipment, but also against unauthorized Deposit of objects locked and only with one Keys for depositing can be unlocked. Thereby apply for this key also the above statements on the key assigned to the recipient, which is a removal of the Shipment enabled. In particular, the key, as well the key of the recipient, designed so that it only temporarily enables unlocking, namely for example only if a consignment is delivered to the recipient should. The unlocking ability of the key of the recipient can be limited to the time in which a consignment intended for him in the deposit facility located. Especially the temporary keys awarded by the distributor and / or by the forwarder, for example by means of remote data transmission.

As explained above, the deposit device be isolated. According to the invention, however, it is preferred the distributor, a forwarder and / or the recipient Exchange of data connected. This embodiment is particular preferred for "paperless" processing.

In addition, the distributor, the freight forwarder and / or the recipient to exchange data with each other be connected.

Fig. 1

ein Ausführungsbeispiel der erfindungsgemäßen Übergabevorrichtung und

Fig. 2

ein Ausführungsbeispiel der erfindungsgemäßen Distributionsvorrichtung.

The invention is explained in more detail below with the aid of two preferred exemplary embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawing. Show:

Fig. 1

an embodiment of the transfer device according to the invention and

Fig. 2

an embodiment of the distribution device according to the invention.

Fig. 1 shows a distributor 10, which shows a shipment want to send a recipient 12. For this, the distributor delivers 10 the shipment to a forwarder 18. The forwarder 18 deposited the shipment in a depositing device 20.

The depositing device 20 is equipped with a bar code reader 22 provided, with the help of which the forwarder or his agent Messenger when depositing the shipment in the deposit facility 20 after unlocking with his key reads the barcode on the program, which means that the Shipment is identified. The identification signal of the barcode reader 22 is sent to an acknowledgment device 24 in the depositing device 20 delivered. The acknowledgment device is over Data lines 26 and 28 with the carrier 18 and the distributor 10 connected and gives an acknowledgment signal to the carrier 18 and to the distributor 10. The acknowledgment signal is depending on the time of transfer of risk, either immediately after reading the barcode with the barcode reader 22 or at Removal of the shipment delivered by the recipient 12.

The recipient 12 can take one to remove the shipment the locking device provided the depositing device 20 30 open with a key 32. With the key 32 it is a credit card assigned to the recipient 12 32, which he opens the depositing device 20 in inserts a magnetic card reader 34 into the depositing device 20. After a comparison of the credit card data read with correspondingly stored data at the distributor 10 or at the forwarder 18 via the data lines 28 or 26 the locking device 30 released for removal of the shipment. The recipient is either from the landfill 20 via a data line 36 or from the distributor 10 via a data line 38 or from the forwarder 18 via a data line 40 informs him that a program has been deposited in the depositing device 20. This Instruction can also be made using the existing telephone network With the help of an appropriate modem.

Distributors 10 and the carrier 18 is connected to one another via a data line 42.

In the transfer device described above a depositing device 20 is uniquely assigned to a receiver 12.

Fig. 2 shows a distribution device in which the Assignment of the depositing device 20 is no longer clear, but several receivers in one deposit facility 12.1, 12.2 and 12.3 are assigned. Otherwise they are identical and corresponding elements in FIG. 2 with the same reference numbers as provided in Fig. 1. To avoid repetition these elements are not explained again.

The operation of the distribution device according to Fig. 2 is as follows:

The distributor 10 orders the forwarder 18 to deliver a shipment to one of the recipients 12.1, 12.2 and 12.3. It is assumed below that the recipient 12.1 should receive the shipment.

The freight forwarder deposits according to the order placed 18 or its messenger the one intended for the recipient 12.1 Shipment after unlocking with his key in the deposit facility 20, whereby it is by means of the bar code reader 22 reads a barcode on the shipment. The read one Information is again sent to the acknowledgment device 24 which send a corresponding acknowledgment signal to the distributor 10 and / or the freight forwarder 18.

Since the acknowledgment signal also contains information about the deposited Consignment includes can over the data lines 26th or 28 from the forwarder 18 or from the distributor 10 the locking device can be controlled so that only the receiver 12.1 is able to use the locking device 30 open.

When the consignment is deposited, it is assigned to the consignment Receiver 12.1, for example, via the data line 38.1 or via a data line (not shown) from the carrier 18 informed of the landfill. The recipient 12.1 can then insert his credit card into the magnetic card reader 34 open the locking device 30, because a comparison of the data stored on the credit card with those saved at the forwarder 18 or the distributor 10 Data shows that the recipient 12.1 to receive the shipment is authorized.

A comparison of the data on the credit cards 32.2 and 32.3 the recipient 12.2 or 12.3 with those at the forwarder 18 or data stored with the distributor does not match, which is why the dumping facility for these recipients remains locked.

After the consignment has been removed by the recipient, 12.1 the depositing device 20 again for depositing another Shipment can be used, for example, the recipients 32.2 or 32.3 is assigned.

Both the transfer device of FIG. 1 and the Distribution device according to Fig. 2 make a personal Contact of a consignment depositing a consignment Messenger unnecessary when a receipt is required, which the distribution is greatly simplified. Furthermore allows the distribution device of FIG. 2 with less Landfill facilities get along as potential recipients are present, which is another simplification brings.

The in the above description, the claims as well Features of the invention disclosed in the drawing both individually and in any combination for the Realization of the invention in its various embodiments be essential. In particular, the identification device 22, the acknowledgment device 24, the key 32 and the magnetic card reader 34 are not described Embodiments limited, but can be limited by others Devices that perform the required function are replaced. It can also be provided that several freight forwarders and / or several distributors of one and the same deposit facility or one and the same group of deposit facilities to use.

Claims (13)

1. A distribution device for transferring an item deposited by a sender (10) to a predetermined recipient (12.1) from a group of at least two recipients (12.1, 12.2, 12.3), comprising
   at least one deposit arrangement (20) lockable against unauthorised access by means of a locking arrangement (30), for temporarily storing the item,
   a control arrangement (34) which controls the locking arrangement (30) in such a way that, at least during the presence of the item in the deposit arrangement (20), it can only be unlocked by a key (32.1) allocated to the predetermined recipient (12.1) for retrieval of the item, and
   a receipt arrangement (24) for issuing a receipt upon deposition of an item in the deposit arrangement (20) and/or for automatically issuing a receipt upon opening of the deposit arrangement (20) for retrieval of the item therefrom,
   characterised in that
   an identification arrangement (22) for identification of the item deposited in the deposit arrangement (20) is provided, and
   the control arrangement (34) controls the locking arrangement (30) on the basis of the identification of the deposited item.
2. A device according to claim 1, characterised in that the receipt arrangement (24) comprises a stamp.
3. A device according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the receipt arrangement (24) comprises a printer.
4. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the receipt arrangement (24) comprises a read/write unit for smart cards and/or magnetic cards.
5. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the receipt arrangement (24) comprises a connection for the emission of electrical signals containing the receipt information.
6. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the receipt arrangement (24) issues a receipt on the basis of the identification, which is shown on the receipt.
7. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the key (32) is a smart card, a magnetic card or a codeword.
8. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the key (32) is a piece of information identifying the recipient.
9. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the identification arrangement (22) is a smart-card reader, a magnetic-card reader, a barcode reader or an interrogation unit for transponders.
10. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the identification arrangement (22) comprises scales for weighing the deposited item and carries out identification by comparing the weight of the item with one or more predetermined reference values.
11. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the deposit arrangement (20) is locked against unauthorised depositing of objects and, for making a deposit, can only be unlocked by a key.
12. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the deposit arrangement (20) is connected to the sender (10), a forwarding agent (18) and/or the recipient (12) for the exchange of data.
13. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the sender (10), the forwarding agent (18) and/or the recipient (12) are connected to one another for the exchange of data.

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