Abstract: A method associates objects with object classes. In order to render an association efficient, an object is optically captured, object characteristics describing the object are created from the optical data obtained there from, and the object characteristics are compared with a plurality of class characteristics, each of which is characteristic of one of a plurality of object classes. The object is then associated with an object class in accordance with the result of the comparison.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and a transit time tester for monitoring the transit time of an item to be conveyed, particularly a mail consignment, wherein the movements of a consignment are registered and stored in a transit time tester for later evaluation of the sequence of transportation. The transit time tester is equipped with sensors, satellite-based positioning system (GPS) receiver and storage media, corresponding in its dimensions and characteristics to the item to be conveyed to be monitored and determined from the sensor data the current type of conveyance with the aid of a microprocessor. To be monitored, the transit time and the routes of transportation of standard letters and similar mail consignments over a number of days. The receiver for the GPS is selectively switched on and off as a function of the changing conditions of reception and the current type of conveyance of the item to be conveyed.

Abstract: In the multistage sorting method, the mail items read in the first step are re-identified in the subsequent steps on the basis of characteristic features determined. If unambiguous assignment to a plurality of candidates is not possible, reading steps are additionally carried out in the subsequent sorting steps and the partial reading results of the candidates are compared with the corresponding partial reading results of the first steps until unambiguous assignment is produced.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and a transit time tester for monitoring the transit time of an item to be conveyed, particularly a mail consignment, wherein the movements of a consignment are registered and stored in a transit time tester for later evaluation of the sequence of transportation. The transit time tester is equipped with sensors, satellite-based positioning system (GPS) receiver and storage media, corresponding in its dimensions and characteristics to the item to be conveyed to be monitored and determined from the sensor data the current type of conveyance with the aid of a microprocessor. To be monitored, the transit time and the routes of transportation of standard letters and similar mail consignments over a number of days. The receiver for the GPS is selectively switched on and off as a function of the changing conditions of reception and the current type of conveyance of the item to be conveyed.

Abstract: In a network using quality test letters (QTL), transport courses are automatically analyzed and physical characteristics are recorded over time during the transport and subsequently read out and classified. The method identifies each QTL message in a node, and determines spatiotemporal relations with respect to nodes passed through. The logistical process chain passed through by each message is automatically determined with process elements from the spatiotemporal relations. All possible required transport courses of each QTL message sent are automatically generated, starting from a respective point of network entry and point of network exit, with associated times as well as selected transport conditions from defined transport rules between the nodes of the logistics network and from a description of execution sequences in the nodes and the relationships between the nodes.