Abstract: The subject innovation relates to a system for optimizing collection trips and/or delivery trips of a courier service, comprising a computer system with a database for storing address data records and for providing the address data records for a navigation system which can at least be read in at least one of the courier vehicles belonging to the courier service, has a display screen for navigation information and comprises an input system in the courier vehicle, which input system is connected to the computer system and is intended for the input of at least one item of additional information relating to at least one address data record, wherein the computer system is suitable for inserting the additional information into the stored address data records. The subject innovation also relates to a method for using this system.

Abstract: The subject innovation relates to a method for planning routes which each run along a plurality of locations and for each of which a sequence of locations is determined according to distances between the locations. The distances between first locations on a first route are stored in a memory in conjunction with the determination of the first route, and a subsequent, second tour is determined according to distances between locations on the second route which are stored in the memory and according to further distances between locations on the second route, wherein the further distances are supplemented in the memory. The subject innovation also relates to an apparatus which is suitable for carrying out the method. The subject innovation can be used, in particular, to plan routes for delivering and/or collecting items of mail.

Abstract: The subject innovation relates to a system for optimizing collection trips and/or delivery trips of a courier service, comprising a computer system with a database for storing address data records and for providing the address data records for a navigation system which can at least be read in at least one of the courier vehicles belonging to the courier service, has a display screen for navigation information and comprises an input system in the courier vehicle, which input system is connected to the computer system and is intended for the input of at least one item of additional information relating to at least one address data record, wherein the computer system is suitable for inserting the additional information into the stored address data records. The subject innovation also relates to a method for using this system.

Abstract: A method is provided for treating the decorative face of a panel to simulate the visual effect of a distressed panel. The decorative face may include at least a layer of wood or the like. The method may involve passing the panel with respect to two or more distressing tools. The passing may be performed in an automated way by first driving means. The method may also involve advancing the distressing tools intermittently toward the moving panel to apply distress marks. The intermittently advancing may be performed in an automated way by second, third and optional further driving means. At least one of the passing of the panel and the advancing of the distressing tools toward the moving panel may be performed according to an irregular rhythm in order to obtain irregularly spaced distress marks. At least one of the first driving means, the second driving means, the third driving means, and the optional further driving means is steered by and therefore coupled to program means.

Abstract: There is provided a method for planning the travel route of a transport vehicle by which a plurality of transported items are transported. The method comprises providing an RFID tag for each transported item, wherein RFID antennas on the transport vehicle determine the load of the transport vehicle in that the individual RFID tags of the transported items are scanned inside the transport vehicle. The method also comprises scanning the RFID tags belonging to the transported items before the transport vehicle is loaded, via a reading process on an RFID packing bench. The route is planned at least on a basis of destination addresses for the transported items. The route may be changed dynamically on the basis of current traffic conditions and on the basis of items that have been newly loaded into the transport vehicle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for transporting physical objects, wherein at least one physical object is transported from a sending station to a receiving station, wherein the transport occurs through at least one physical router, wherein the physical router executes a decision about further parameters of transport to another physical router or to the receiving station. The method is carried out in that a central control computer receives information for handling and moving the physical objects and that the central control computer influences supplies for transport means and/or the transport means according to environmental data.

Abstract: A method is provided for treating the decorative face of a panel to simulate the visual effect of a distressed panel. The decorative face may include at least a layer of wood or the like. The method may involve passing the panel with respect to two or more distressing tools. The passing may be performed in an automated way by first driving means. The method may also involve advancing the distressing tools intermittently toward the moving panel to apply distress marks. The intermittently advancing may be performed in an automated way by second, third and optional further driving means. At least one of the passing of the panel and the advancing of the distressing tools toward the moving panel may be performed according to an irregular rhythm in order to obtain irregularly spaced distress marks. At least one of the first driving means, the second driving means, the third driving means, and the optional further driving means is steered by and therefore coupled to program means.

Abstract: There is provided a method for accepting an object that is to be transported, for purposes of being processed in a logistics system. An exemplary method comprises acquiring graphic information via optical image recognition. The exemplary method also comprises evaluating the graphic information to ascertain mailing data about the object, and transmitting and/or storing the mailing data.

Abstract: There is provided a method for monitoring a container for holding at least one object. An exemplary method comprises acquiring measured data about an object with a sensor and transmitting the measured data to a transponder, the transponder being separated from the sensor by an interlayer that absorbs or reflects electromagnetic radiation. The exemplary method also comprises transmitting status information from the transponder to a reading unit as a function of the measured data. The exemplary method additionally comprises supplying energy to the transponder from the reading unit, and relaying the energy from the transponder to the sensor.

Abstract: There is provided a sensor-transponder unit. An exemplary sensor-transponder unit comprises a sensor. The exemplary sensor-transponder unit also comprises a transponder connected to the sensor by a connection element. The sensor and the transponder are configured as components that are physically separated from each other. The exemplary sensor-transponder unit additionally comprises an interlayer that absorbs or reflects electromagnetic radiation arranged between the sensor and the transponder.

Abstract: There is provided a deposit box facility for depositing objects into and/or picking up objects from the deposit box facility. An exemplary deposit box facility comprises an audio playback device and a processor that is adapted to process audio data played back by the audio playback device. The processor may also be adapted to identify an object present in the deposit box facility on the basis of the information acquired from the audio data. The exemplary deposit box facility also comprises a device that is adapted to ascertain compartments of the deposit box facility in which there are no objects and to make a comparison of dimensions of the ascertained free compartments of the deposit box facility with object dimensions that have been received as part of the information acquired from the audio data.

Abstract: There is provided a method for receiving mailpieces in a container. An exemplary method comprises receiving a mailpiece in the container, storing the mailpiece in the container, and removing the mailpiece from the container. The exemplary method also comprises recording a removal procedure. The exemplary method additionally comprises storing and/or transmitting removal data about the removal procedure using an interaction device associated with the container, the interaction device comprising a transponder located in a Faraday cage.

Abstract: There is provided a container for transporting objects. The container has an interior to hold at least one object. An exemplary container comprises an inner box and an outer box. The exemplary container also comprises at least one sensor for detecting measured data relating to the object, the at least one sensor being located between the inner box and the outer box. The exemplary container additionally comprises at least one transponder connected to the at least one sensor.

Abstract: A system for sending an information carrier to a recipient is disclosed. An exemplary system comprises an editing component that enables editing mailing address data of the recipient in order to create a printing job and an interface to transmit the mailing address data to a printing component that is adapted to print at least information about one or more dispatch points onto a mailing and/or onto a communication that can be enclosed with the mailing. The exemplary system also comprises a database containing information about goods to be delivered and about at least one dispatch point intended for the delivery of the goods, a linking element that is adapted to link information about the goods to be delivered to the mailing address data of the recipient and an interface to transmit information about the dispatch points to the printing component.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for transporting physical objects, wherein at least one physical object is transported from a sending station to a receiving station, wherein the transport occurs through at least one physical router, wherein the physical router executes a decision about further parameters of transport to another physical router or to the receiving station. The method is carried out in that a central control computer receives information for handling and moving the physical objects and that the central control computer influences supplies for transport means and/or the transport means according to environmental data.

Abstract: A sieving device includes a sieve having a base, a drum and a main rim. A screen assembly having a mesh screen and a screen frame extending around a periphery of the mesh screen is resiliently mounted within the main rim. A low frequency vibrational drive vibrates the sieve at low frequencies. An ultrasonic vibrational probe rests on the screen frame free of rigid attachment thereto and vibrates the mesh screen around a periphery thereof. The ultrasonic vibrational drive includes an ultrasonic processor which drives the ultrasonic probe. A probe tip of the probe extends through a side wall of the main rim and rests on a top surface of the screen frame vibrating the screen from the periphery of the screen inwardly to sieve a particulate material. An alternative embodiment has a tab which extends outwardly from the screen frame. The probe tip extends through the sidewall of the main rim and through a sidewall of the drum to abut the tab.