Patents Assigned to Deutsche Post AG
  • Patent number: 11907890
    Abstract: Apparatus configured to perform or control obtaining or causing obtaining an image of at least a part of a surface of a consignment unit. The apparatus derives or causes deriving a representation of the at least a part of the surface from the image. The representation includes a set of values representing a corresponding set of height levels. The apparatus generates or causes generation of a string of characters based on representation of the at least a part of the surface. The string of characters includes a first portion representative of the set of height levels of corresponding sections of the at least a part of the surface and a second portion generated based on a function of the representation and/or of the first portion of the string of characters. The apparatus associates or causes associating information representing the string of characters with shipping information of the consignment unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Deutsche Post AG
    Inventors: Ali Özyigit, Baris Cem Sal
  • Patent number: 11883957
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vehicle chassis (6) for checking and/or counting stock (4) in a warehouse (3) and configured for attaching to an autonomous indoor vehicle (9), with an extendable mast (11) comprising a first end (12) mounted onto the chassis (6) and an opposite second end (13) arrangeable at different distances above the chassis (6), and at least one scanner (2) arranged at the second end (13) and configured for checking and/or counting stock (4) in a shelve (5) of the warehouse (3) lateral to the vehicle (1). The invention further relates to an autonomous robot vehicle (1) comprising the vehicle chassis (6) and the autonomous indoor vehicle (9), whereby the chassis (6) is mounted onto the autonomous indoor vehicle (9) such that the autonomous indoor vehicle (9) and the chassis (6) are configured for autonomously moving the vehicle (1) in the warehouse (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: Deutsche Post AG
    Inventors: Kent Rogers, Karl Brooks
  • Patent number: 11881067
    Abstract: A method for holding piece goods to be collected, and/or for gathering together piece goods to be dropped off. At least one piece goods module has a plurality of separate piece goods compartments at a collection point. The piece goods compartments each have a closure device adjustable from a closure position preventing access to the piece goods compartment into an opening position, which opens up access to the piece goods compartment and back. The piece goods module is transported by a drone by air from a distribution base to a transfer point and/or vice versa. The piece goods module is transported by a courier vehicle from the transfer point to the collection point and/or vice versa. At the collection point the at least one piece goods module is secured captively to a docking station and/or is separated from the docking station which is connected to the piece goods module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: Deutsche Post AG
    Inventors: Felix Vorwerk, Matthäus Pruski
  • Patent number: 11834274
    Abstract: A conveyor system includes a conveyor device for transporting a piece goods item along a transport direction, and at least one guide member which has a base area and a first, planar lateral face, wherein the conveyor device has a conveyor surface for the piece goods item, and a lateral peripheral region which in the transport direction is disposed so as to be lateral to the conveyor surface, wherein the first lateral face conjointly with the base area configures an internal angle of intersection of less than 90 degrees, and wherein the guide member is disposed and/or designed in such a manner that at least part of the base area thereof is on the lateral peripheral region, and that a normal vector of the first lateral face, counter to the transport direction, points obliquely toward a center of the conveyor surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: Deutsche Post AG
    Inventor: Hillar Loh
  • Patent number: 11809182
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of a method for averting a danger. The method is performed by a control apparatus for an unmanned vehicle, and the method involves obtaining a plurality of pieces of sensor information. At least partially depending on the obtained pieces of sensor information it is determined whether a danger exists. If it is determined that a danger exists, then at least one averting measure for averting the danger is determined, and the at least one averting measure is performed or caused to be performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Deutsche Post AG
    Inventors: Ralph Wiechers, Christian Ibach
  • Patent number: 11797912
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed which is configured to perform or control obtaining or causing obtaining at least one image of at least a part of an object; obtaining or causing obtaining information representative of a distance between at least one feature of the object present in the image and at least one reference feature of the object present in the image; generating or causing generating a string of characters based on the obtained information, the string of characters comprising at least a first portion representative of the distance between the at least one feature of the object present in the image and the at least one reference feature of the object present in the image; associating or causing associating information representing the string of characters with process information of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Deutsche Post AG
    Inventor: Paulo Ferro De Gouveia
  • Patent number: 11790715
    Abstract: A method for loading and/or unloading an automated shipment machine with shipments by means of a user with a vehicle or for preparing same. In the method, the user on the vehicle is authenticated. The vehicle is taken into communication range for communication with the automated shipment machine. The vehicle is authenticated on the automated shipment machine, and optionally, the user is authenticated on the automated shipment machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: Deutsche Post AG
    Inventors: Christoph Dautz, Florian Markert, Markus von Gostomski
  • Patent number: 11760120
    Abstract: A method is disclosed which is performed by at least one first apparatus. In the method, information indicative of at least one characteristic of a franking is obtained. It is determined whether or not the franking is a counterfeit franking and/or a reused franking based on the obtained information or based on the obtained information and based on reference information indicative of at least one characteristic of a franking. The at least one characteristic includes at least one of a physical characteristic of the franking, a visual characteristic of an image provided on the franking, and/or a characteristic based on at least one material of the franking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: DEUTSCHE POST AG
    Inventors: Ali Özyigit, Baris Cem Sal, Elisa Schneider, Marc Gittler
  • Publication number: 20230275773
    Abstract: A method performed by at least one apparatus. The method comprising storing a first data portion and a second data portion of at least one data block in a data memory portion assigned to the at least one node. The first data portion stored as immutable data. Causing first hash information to be stored in association with the first data portion as part of a distributed ledger. Causing second hash information to be stored in association with the second data portion as part of the distributed ledger. Obtaining modification request information relating to the at least one data block. Causing the second hash information associated with the second data portion to be deleted and/or causing of new second hash information to be stored in association with a new second data portion for the at least one data block as part of the distributed ledger based on the modification request information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2023
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Applicant: Deutsche Post AG
    Inventor: Bejoy Jacob
  • Publication number: 20230274273
    Abstract: A method performed by at least one apparatus. The method includes receiving or causing of receiving a connection establishment message from at least one external apparatus or transmitting or causing of transmitting the connection establishment message to the at least one external apparatus. The method includes obtaining or causing of obtaining a decentralized identifier representative of the external apparatus based on the connection establishment message. The method includes obtaining or causing of obtaining at least one hash value generated based on at least part of the obtained decentralized identifier. The method includes storing or causing of storing the at least one hash value in association with at least part of the decentralized identifier in a securitized portion of a memory of a distributed ledger system comprising the peer-to-peer network based on a consensus processing involving at least a subgroup of the nodes of the peer-to-peer network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2023
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Applicant: Deutsche Post AG
    Inventor: Bejoy Jacob
  • Patent number: 11708223
    Abstract: A device for aligning packages, in particular in a sorter, with a first connecting element for connection to a package conveyor, and a routing element connected to the first connecting element, wherein the routing element forms a contact face which comes into contact with the packages for alignment, in particular for realignment, of the packages. Here, the contact face is formed at least partially curved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2023
    Assignee: Deutsche Post AG
    Inventor: Usama Gharz
  • Publication number: 20230230017
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method in which trigger information is obtained. The trigger information is associated with at least part of attribute information associated with at least one first consignment unit. It is determined whether or not attribute information associated with at least one second consignment unit is stored in a database that is similar to the attribute information associated with the at least one first consignment unit. If the attribute information associated with at least one second consignment unit is determined to be stored in the database that is determined to be similar to the attribute information associated with the at least one first consignment unit, then alert information is generated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2022
    Publication date: July 20, 2023
    Applicant: Deutsche Post AG
    Inventor: Ali Özyigit
  • Patent number: 11645830
    Abstract: A method performed by at least one apparatus is disclosed in which image data is obtained that represents an image of a surface of a consignment captured by an image sensor. At least partially on the basis of the image data, metadata associated with the image data is determined. The metadata represent a plurality of image features of the image represented by the image data. Each image feature of the image features represented by the metadata is an image component of the image represented by the image data. Distribution and/or sorting information is determined for the automated distribution and/or sorting of the consignment at least partially on the basis of the image features represented by the metadata.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Deutsche Post AG
    Inventor: Bernd Hartmann
  • Publication number: 20230103273
    Abstract: A loading device for loading a container with packages, comprising a transport channel for transport of the packages in the direction of the container. The transport channel has an upper inlet to supply packages into the transport channel and a lower outlet to supply packages into the container. At least one upper, and at least one lower, finger position each with at least one finger element are provided in the transport channel. The at least one of the finger elements of the upper and lower finger positions in each case have at least two flexible flank elements extending from one end to the opposing end of the finger element. In each case, the at least two flexible flank elements are flexibly connected via a plurality of webs. The finger elements in each case may be adjusted from at least one curved position into at least one extended position and back.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2021
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Applicant: Deutsche Post AG
    Inventors: Wolfram Grafe, Bernd Hartmann
  • Patent number: 11613436
    Abstract: A method for loading a container with packages, using a device having at least one guide. At least one hand element is displaceable in the longitudinal direction of the guide, and is provided on the at least one guide. The hand element has a plurality of finger elements. The finger elements have at least two flexible flank elements extending together from one end of the finger element to the opposing end. The at least two flexible flank elements of the finger elements are flexibly connected together via a plurality of webs. The finger elements may be adjusted from at least one curved position into at least one extended position and back. The at least one hand element takes packages one after the other, and deposits the packages into the container in a stack. The hand element is displaced along the guide between the deposit of two successive packages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Deutsche Post AG
    Inventors: Bernd Hartmann, Wolfram Grafe
  • Publication number: 20230093002
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method in which a hash value and a first piece of information are obtained from a second device. The hash value is associated with a compartment of the compartment system, and the first piece of information is associated with a first device. Further, a second piece of information is obtained from the first device. Based on the first piece of information and the hash value, it is determined whether the second piece of information authorizes access to one or more compartments of the compartment system. Three associated methods, one executed by a first device, one executed by a second device, and one executed by a mobile device, are also disclosed. In addition, corresponding devices, systems, and computer programs for the respective execution and/or control of one or more of the disclosed methods are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2022
    Publication date: March 23, 2023
    Applicant: Deutsche Post AG
    Inventors: Frank Helferich, Thilo Kirchheiner, Thomas Baye
  • Patent number: 11609335
    Abstract: A vehicle includes a rotatably mounted sensor designed to produce an image of an environment of the vehicle, a control device designed to process data obtained from the sensor, and a ventilation device that is designed for cooling the control device by a rotatably mounted impeller. An axis of rotation of the impeller is oriented orthogonally to a direction of movement of the vehicle and the ventilation device and the sensor are rotationally coupled in such a way that the impeller rotates the sensor around the axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: Deutsche Post AG
    Inventors: Tobias Augspurger, Felix Orth, Klaus Ening, Bugra Turan, Nick Fiege
  • Publication number: 20230080097
    Abstract: The method disclosed for transshipping load carriers between road and rail including a loading station. The loading station includes a platform, where a series of load carriers are temporarily stored; a road; and a track. Further, to reduce the time and logistics required, a train is provided with load carriers for loading at predetermined points. Before the train drives up, information is provided regarding the points of the train by the load carriers. The truck drives up to the platform and the load carrier is transferred to sections of the platform corresponding to the points of the train. The load carriers are temporarily stored at the sections of the platform until the train drives up. When the train stops, the load carriers are transferred to the train at points of the train provided for loading by load carriers in a direction transverse to the longitudinal extension of the platform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2022
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Applicant: Deutsche Post AG
    Inventor: Jörg Salomon
  • Patent number: 11600130
    Abstract: An apparatus configured to perform or control obtaining or causing obtaining an image of at least a part of a surface of a document. The apparatus deriving or causing the derivation of a representation of the at least a part of the surface from the image. The representation comprising a set of values respectively representing a corresponding set of height levels. The apparatus generates or causes the generating of a string of characters based on the representation of the part of the surface. The string of characters comprising a first portion representative of the set of height levels of the corresponding sections of the part of the surface and a second portion generated based on a function of the representation and/or of the first portion of the string of characters. The apparatus associates or causes the associating of information representing the string of characters with identification information of the document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: Deutsche Post AG
    Inventors: Ali Özyigit, Baris Cem Sal
  • Patent number: 11579330
    Abstract: Embodiments of a method for examining shipments are disclosed herein. In the method, at least one shipment is arranged in an examination area. Radiation is emitted into the examination area for examining the at least one shipment by means of a radiation source. Radiation from the examination area is captured by means of a sensor device. The radiation source emits terahertz radiation, and the radiation source covers substantially the entire terahertz frequency spectrum from 1 terahertz to 6 terahertz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Deutsche Post AG
    Inventors: Holger Schneebeck, Dirk Hagemann