Abstract: A set of users who may authenticate is predefined and is associated, each, with a reference secret share. A first subset of users who has, each, to authenticate is predefined. The device defines a second subset of the users who has, each, to authenticate while further satisfying, each, to be physically proximate to the device and an authentication condition(s). The second user subset is comprised within the first user subset comprised within the user set. The device verifies whether each user of the second user subset satisfies to be physically proximate to the device and the authentication condition(s), if yes, requests, to each user device, the secret share and receives, from each user device relating to at least the first user subset, the secret share. The device reconstructs a secret with each received secret share, verifies whether the reconstructed matches the reference and, if yes, authenticates the user set.

Abstract: A set of users who may authenticate is predefined and is associated, each, with a reference secret share. A first subset of users who has, each, to authenticate is predefined. The device defines a second subset of the users who has, each, to authenticate while further satisfying, each, to be physically proximate to the device and an authentication condition(s). The second user subset is comprised within the first user subset comprised within the user set. The device verifies whether each user of the second user subset satisfies to be physically proximate to the device and the authentication condition(s), if yes, requests, to each user device, the secret share and receives, from each user device relating to at least the first user subset, the secret share. The device reconstructs a secret with each received secret share, verifies whether the reconstructed matches the reference and, if yes, authenticates the user set.

Abstract: The device for sorting flat objects comprises at least one first conveyor consisting of buckets moving along a closed loop first path and a second conveyor, mechanically independent of the first conveyor, also consisting of buckets moving in a closed loop path and vertically superposed over the first path. Movement of both conveyors are synchronized by an electric shaft. Flat objects are transferred between conveyors by gravity.

Abstract: Double pick separator device comprising means for retaining a flat object which might otherwise be entrained by friction by another flat object being moved in a predetermined transfer direction by transfer means.The retaining means are mounted on a structure mobile in a direction substantially perpendicular to the transfer direction. The separator device further comprises means for exerting a holding force on the retaining means, said holding force being oriented in a holding direction substantially perpendicular to the transfer direction.Application to automatic mail sorting, especially to sorting mail items of varying thickness.

Abstract: An automatic mail sorting flat object holding device has a driven perforated belt and suction grasping heads inside the belt. The holding device has a holding side consisting of the perforated belt moving in a predetermined transfer direction and to the front of which a stack of flat objects is offered up. A double pick separator has a suction head disposed substantially facing an exit edge of the holding side. The suction holding device has at least two substantially adjacent suction heads aligned in the transfer direction, one suction head of which is at least partly overlapping the double pick separator suction head.

Abstract: A flat object transfer device for transferring flat objects, particularly flat objects of varying thickness, to a sorting device from the output of an unstacking device. The flat object transfer device includes a gripping device for gripping a flat object initially located in a transfer plane. The gripping device includes a set of pinch rollers and pulleywheels on opposite sides of each pinch roller. A set of drive belts are trained around each pinch roller and the pulleywheels on opposite sides of the pinch roller. At least one of the pinch rollers in the set of pinch rollers can move in a direction substantially perpendicular to the transfer plane. A double pick separator device is provided for retaining flat objects except for a flat object to be gripped by the gripping device. The double pick separator device is disposed between two levels of the drive belts trained around the pinch rollers and pulleywheels.

Abstract: A device for feeding flat pieces of mail from a stack of mail pieces in edgewise abutment with a registration wall has a feeder for feeding pieces of mail off the stack which is located in front of the first mail piece on the stack. The feeding feeder effects translation of the pieces of mail at a speed V.sub.1 perpendicular to the stack 1. A transfer feeder transfers the piece of mail fed off the stack at a speed V.sub.2. An anti double feed device is disposed between the two feeders. The anti double feed device is a retention device acting on a face of the piece of mail as soon as such piece of mail is taken hold of by the transfer feeder and having a retentive force which is lower than the translation force of the transfer feeder. The speed V.sub.1 of the translation first feeder is lower than the speed V.sub.2 of the transfer feeder.