Abstract: The invention concerns a method of controlling the input station in a letter-sorting installation, the input station having a scanning and reading device and a mechanical letter-storage path in which letters are conveyed after being scanned by the scanner, the position x at which the address of each letter is read along the storage path being controlled so that x remains between specified values x0 and xmax. The invention calls for the number y of uncoded letters along the storage path to be determined in an auxiliary control circuit and the value of y used to generate the control signal u for control of the input station by a control unit.

Abstract: A method for distributing letter-post items, for which the letter-post items are separated and the address information affixed to the items is read, provides that for letter-post items belonging to a predetermined sorting class an identification mechanism is assigned to each letter-post item during the reading of the address information in order to mark the position of the assigned letter-post item in a letter-post item stack and that each identification mechanism is assigned to an element for a predetermined sequence of distribution positions and that the assignment of the identification mechanism to the elements of the sequence for the distribution position is displayed.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and device for binarization of pixel data in which a number of black-and-white binary images each having binarization characteristics of different degrees of sensitivity is formed from a set of grey scale value binary data. A dimension S is calculated for each of these binary images, according to the equation ##EQU1## where FS designates the number of black binary pixels and U designates the number of black-and-white transitions. A selection of the binary image for which the dimension S is at its maximum is optimally carried out.

Abstract: A device for transporting flat articles with a cover belt system consisting of a lower and an upper belt, between which the articles are transported, and a deflection mechanism for deflecting the cover belt run. The deflection mechanism has one or more main cylinder rollers and one or more secondary rollers and the upper belt is guided around the main cylinder roller and the lower belt over the secondary cylinder roller, such that the lower belt is guided past the main cylinder roller in such a way that the articles are transported in the deflection mechanism between the upper belt and the main cylinder roller. A short guide belt may be provided around the main cylinder roller and an additional secondary cylinder roller disposed between the main cylinder roller and the secondary cylinder roller guiding the lower belt at the output of the deflection mechanism.

Abstract: A method of pattern recognition is achieved by processes which comprise recognition algorithms in a multiple-process environment and a distributed data storage whose data model comprises objects, links for connecting objects, and attributes for writing, wherein the writing, reading and clearing of objects, links and attributes as well as the creation, opening, closing and elimination of data storages are effected by means of data access functions, and wherein each process is exclusively allocated a predetermined number of ports for reading input data and writing output data, and the exchange of data between processes is effected implicitly in that data portions are sent to the data storage or received due to the calling of the data access functions.

Abstract: An apparatus for printing on flat items during conveyance thereof in an item advancing direction include a perforated transport belt having a width, an outer face and an inner face. The outer face is oriented toward a first side of the perforated transport belt and the inner face is oriented toward a second side of the perforated transport belt. A cover belt is superposed on the inner face of the perforated transport belt for holding by friction an item sandwiched between the perforated transport belt and the cover belt. A drive moves the perforated transport belt and the cover belt together in the item advancing direction. A vacuum device extends along the outer face of the perforated transport belt on the first side thereof for pressing the item, sandwiched between and advanced by the perforated transport belt and the cover belt, with a pressing force against the inner face of the cover belt in a direction substantially perpendicular to the item advancing direction.

Abstract: A logistical network has nodes and edges, or transport links, which permit mailed articles that are being set from a sender to a receiver to be transferred, processed, and forwarded in a sequence which is predetermined in terms of time and place. The network includes devices for determining differences between nominal data describing the state of the logistical network and actual measured data. A controlled system is provided for minimizing differences in a predetermined period of time by shifting the processing of mailed articles from one node or a plurality of nodes of which the capacity is reduced with respect to the nominal data to one or a plurality of other nodes such that minimal additional expenditure is incurred.

Abstract: A sorting compartment arrangement for flat items includes a conveying section for conveying the flat items successively in a vertical position. Switches are disposed along the conveying section. A plurality of individual stacking compartments are arranged one behind the other along the conveying section and associated with a respective one of the switches. The items are supplied by the switches to the individual stacking compartments. Each stacking compartment includes a stack wall up to which the items are transported, a stack roller and a guide plate for transporting and guiding, respectively, the items from the switch into the stacking compartment up to the stack wall to form a stack of items in the stacking compartment, and a mechanism for pressing the stack of items together until shortly before an arrival of a next item to be stacked.

Abstract: A switching device with a swiveling deflector for delivering goods to be transported from one of at least two delivery channels. The swiveling deflector is positioned at the free end of a leaf spring clamped into a bearing block. The force is introduced into the swiveling deflector, and the surface of the swiveling deflector has a predetermined curvature. The cross section of the swiveling deflector is tapered in the direction counter to the bearing block, and the bearing block has a horn-like shape. The bearing block and the swiveling deflector have respective concave and convex connecting regions in the bearing region of the leaf spring, and wherein the bearing block has a recess that extends along one region of the leaf spring, within which the leaf spring is freely movable during the swiveling movement.

Abstract: An arrangement for identifying a movable object includes a transponder disposed on the movable object and including an electrical memory that can be read out in a wireless manner by an electrical interrogating device which is disposes in proximity of the object. A sensor arrangement is disposed on the object and electrically linked to the transponder for writing a read-out-capable status information into the memory in response to irregular or unauthorized use of the object.

Abstract: An electric motor assembly has a motor housing which includes a generally cylindrical housing shell and a base part closing one end of the shell; a rotor disposed in the motor housing and including a rotor shaft and a commutator mounted on the rotor shaft; a first bearing mounted in the motor housing adjacent a first end thereof and supporting the rotor shaft; a second bearing affixed to the rotor shaft and being situated in a second end of the housing. The motor assembly further has a brush assembly held in the motor housing at the second end thereof. The brush assembly includes a brush carrier plate closing liquid-tight the second end of the motor housing. The brush carrier plate has a bearing seat for centering and supporting the second bearing. The brush carrier plate includes a fitting part push-fitted into the housing shell at the second end thereof.

Abstract: A guide device for moving flat pieces of mail from a conveyor and stacking the mail. The conveyor has a shunt for diverting mail to the guide device. The guide device includes a curved support surface and an outer lateral wall defining a curved deflection surface. The outer lateral wall has an upper portion, a lower portion having an outlet area, and an essentially spherically shaped transition area for moving the pieces of mail from an essentially vertical position into an essentially horizontal position. The upper portion of the outer lateral wall has a height essentially equal to a height of the shunt. The upper portion of the wall adjoins the conveyor, and extends at an acute angle relative to the conveying direction. The upper portion of the wall is level along a length equal to a distance between an inner end point of the outlet area and a vertical line passing through a beginning point of the outer lateral wall.

Abstract: A parallel gripper includes an electric motor; a threaded spindle connected to the motor to be driven thereby about a longitudinal spindle axis; a spindle nut threadedly mounted on the spindle for longitudinal travel therealong upon rotation of the spindle; a support block affixed to the nut; an arrangement for preventing a rotation of the spindle nut about the spindle axis; a mounting plate for accommodating a gripper jaw thereon; and a first, a second, a third and a fourth web coupling the mounting plate to the support block. The first and second webs are parallel to one another and are spaced in a direction parallel to the spindle axis; and also, the third and fourth webs are parallel to one another and are spaced in a direction parallel to the spindle axis. Further, strain gauges are mounted on the webs for emitting signals representing a bending deformation the webs undergo in response to a reaction force generated by a gripping force of the gripper.

Abstract: A transport unit having a shaft for receiving a stack of letters includes a stationary helical slide forming a bottom of the shaft and having an approximately vertical axis. The helical slide has an upper and a lower end each defining a transfer point for selectively feeding in and feeding out the stack of letters. A conveying device is provided operatively acting with the shaft for displacing the stack of letters on the helical slide.

Abstract: A dispenser cathode including a dispenser body formed of a metal matrix and an emission surface formed of emission material impregnated into the dispenser body metal matrix. The metal matrix is a porous sintered metal matrix containing at least one metal frown a first group (W, Mo, Cr) and at least one metal of a second group (Fe, Co, Ni, Ru, Rh, Pd, Re, Os, Ir, Pt) and chromium oxide. The chromium oxide and the metals from the two groups are provided as a powder mixture to form the matrix. The emission material includes at least two alkaline earth metal oxides such as CaO, BaO and at least one oxide of a metal of group IIIa or IIIb of the Periodic Table. The oxide of a metal group is Al.sub.2 O.sub.3.

Abstract: A device for separating flat parcels from a stack of parcels includes a drawing element that travels in a conveying direction and acts by friction on a parcel to be drawn off from the stack of parcels. A guide wall for the stacked parcels forms a gap with the drawing element for a drawn off parcel to pass through. A support surface supports the stack of parcels and generates a stack pressure in a direction of the drawing element. At least one first nozzle disposed in the region of the support surface, and/or the region of the guide wall, blows compressed air between the parcels in the stack. At least one second nozzle, disposed in the region of the gap, between the stack of parcels and the guide wall, blows compressed air having a predetermined inclination counter to the conveying direction of the parcels to be drawn off.

Abstract: An electric motor and drive housing assembly includes a motor housing having an open end and a drive housing. The motor housing is affixed to the drive housing such that the opening of the motor housing faces the outer surface of the drive housing. A rotor accommodated in the motor housing has a rotor shaft supported in the motor housing and extending through the opening. A commutator is mounted on the rotor shaft in a region of the opening. A shaft bearing is mounted on the rotor shaft in a region of the opening. A brush carrier plate is attached to the motor housing and closes the opening. The brush carrier plate forms an end plate of the motor housing and a liquid-tight seal between the motor housing and the drive housing. Brushes are mounted on the brush carrier plate for cooperation with and shifting movement with respect to the commutator. Further, a centering arrangement is provided in the brush carrier plate for centering the shaft bearing.

Abstract: A proximity detonator which derives its firing criterion from reflected beam measurements and thus obtains information about the radial relative velocity of the detonator with respect to its target object by evaluating the Doppler effect, wherein the firing signal is produced by a circuit including a function generator whose output voltage has a time sequence which corresponds to the decrease in radial relative velocity as the detonator approaches its target object (possibly under consideration of a correction value resulting from the firing law), a voltage controlled oscillator whose control input is connected to the output of the function generator, and a phase comparator having two signal inputs, one of which receives a Doppler signal which corresponds to the radial relative velocity and the other of which is connected to the output of the oscillator.

Abstract: A device and a method are disclosed for identifying overlaps of flexible flat items being moved along a conveyance path in a conveyor segment which is configured to move the items sequentially while the items are standing on edge and such that at least one section of each of the items is deflectable perpendicularly with respect to the conveyance path. A deflection element is disposed adjacent the conveyor segment for temporarily deflecting a section of the flat items perpendicularly with respect to the conveyance path by a predetermined amount while the items are being conveyed. Each deflection element is associated with a detection device which detects an overlapping of the items based on a flip-back behavior of the temporarily deflected section of the items.

Abstract: A method for sorting items provided with address information includes passing the items successively through a scanning device for generating a video image of each item, a mechanical storage track and a printing station. The video images are supplied to a device for automatically reading the address information and assigning a corresponding code. The printing station prints the corresponding code on the items for which the address information can be read within a predetermined time. The video images of the items for which the address information cannot be automatically read within the predetermined time is stored in a buffer.