Abstract: A method makes a description of a piece of luggage. In order to detect a plurality of features of a piece of luggage, the piece of luggage is detected by a visual detection device, by which an image of the piece of luggage is produced. The visual features of the piece of luggage can be extracted from the image of the piece of luggage, and a description of the piece of luggage can be generated from the extracted visual features of the piece of luggage.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus transport an article of mail. During a first decision-making process, an image of the article is generated and evaluated to generate a first vector. Further, a transport attribute is measured and stored together with the first vector. The transport of the article is continued on the basis of the measured transport attribute value. During a further decision-making process, an image of the article is generated and evaluated to generate a second vector. The transport attribute value is determined with the aid of the second vector. The transport of the article is continued on the basis of the stored and determined transport attribute value. The article is provided with an optically detectable element. The first vector is generated such that it contains that value assumed by the feature for the article if the surface of the article had already been provided with the optically detectable element.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus transport an article of mail. During a first decision-making process, an image of the article is generated and evaluated to generate a first vector. Further, a transport attribute is measured and stored together with the first vector. The transport of the article is continued on the basis of the measured transport attribute value. During a further decision-making process, an image of the article is generated and evaluated to generate a second vector. The transport attribute value is determined with the aid of the second vector. The transport of the article is continued on the basis of the stored and determined transport attribute value. The article is provided with an optically detectable element. The first vector is generated such that it contains that value assumed by the feature for the article if the surface of the article had already been provided with the optically detectable element.

Abstract: A method and device are provided for transporting items, in particular postal consignments. A transport process is performed from an intermediate store to a continuation point. Each item that was conveyed to the intermediate store before generation of a start signal is removed from the intermediate store. The items transported are transferred from the intermediate store into a transport device. A record is stored of which items were conveyed to the intermediate store between generation of the start signal and generation of an end signal. The items transported in the transport device are removed from the transport device. For each item that was transported, a data record that has been stored for the item is determined. The stored data record is determined exclusively from the data records generated for those items that were conveyed to the intermediate store between generation of the start signal and generation of the end signal.