Abstract: Pieces of luggage are sorted which each carries an identification element with a set of information in the form of plaintext. In order to sort pieces of luggage efficiently, at least a portion of the set of information on the identification element is detected automatically and recognized automatically. During an examination, it is automatically verified whether the recognized portion of the set of information matches at least one set of data stored in a database.

Abstract: Pieces of luggage are sorted which each carries an identification element with a set of information in the form of plaintext. In order to sort pieces of luggage efficiently, at least a portion of the set of information on the identification element is detected automatically and recognized automatically. During an examination, it is automatically verified whether the recognized portion of the set of information matches at least one set of data stored in a database.

Abstract: Assignment device for the sorting of luggage pieces according to a sorting criterion includes a coding station and a processing station. A non-machine readable sorting criterion can be assigned at the processing station. The assignment is effected in that an image of the luggage enabling the assignment can be transmitted to the processing station. A method for sorting luggage pieces according to a sorting criterion includes a step of relaying an image of a luggage piece to the processing.

Abstract: An examination apparatus examines an item including a person or a container and has a determination unit for determining a relevance level which can be assigned to the item under examination, in particular a hazard level, and an image capture unit for capturing an image of the item under examination. The examination apparatus has a database, an automated evaluation unit for automatically evaluating at least one section of the image using the database, an evaluation unit operated by a user for the visual evaluation of a section of the image by the user, and an input unit for inputting at least one evaluation input by the user, and a database processing unit for processing the database. The database processing unit processes a database entry using the evaluation input in conjunction with the determination of the relevance level.

Abstract: Systems and methods for container analysis and tracking. A method includes scanning a plurality of items by a first data processing system to generate x-ray image data of the items, each of the plurality of items having a unique identifier. The method includes performing a computer implemented image recognition process on the x-ray image data to identify the items. The method includes interactively reviewing the x-ray image data with a human operator by a second data processing system, including displaying the x-ray image data to the human operator. The method includes recording the result of the human operator's review. The method includes determining, for each item, if the results from the computer implemented image recognition process and interactive review meet criteria for items that are exceptions that should not be shipped, and storing an exception indicator for each item using the respective unique identifier.

Abstract: A method identifies lost or non-assignable luggage, in particular air travel luggage, which is subjected to a security inspection after check-in by being channeled through an x-ray scanner and the x-ray images being analyzed. In order to improve and simplify the method for identifying lost or non-assignable luggage without mechanized effort, the x-ray images taken in the x-ray scanner, which contain details about the contents of the luggage, as well as assigned optically or electronically output information about the luggage are saved in a computer for later evaluation.

Abstract: An examination apparatus examines an item including a person or a container and has a determination unit for determining a relevance level which can be assigned to the item under examination, in particular a hazard level, and an image capture unit for capturing an image of the item under examination. The examination apparatus has a database, an automated evaluation unit for automatically evaluating at least one section of the image using the database, an evaluation unit operated by a user for the visual evaluation of a section of the image by the user, and an input unit for inputting at least one evaluation input by the user, and a database processing unit for processing the database. The database processing unit processes a database entry using the evaluation input in conjunction with the determination of the relevance level.

Abstract: A data processing device for use with a decentralized transport unit checking device is provided. The data processing devices includes a central data processing unit, remote from the transport unit checking device, and a first interface, which creates a data communication between the central data processing unit and the decentralized transport unit checking device. The central data processing unit processes a data record captured by the decentralized transport unit checking device in respect of a transport procedure of the transport unit. At least one second interface makes available the data record processed by the central data processing unit for calling up by a decentralized organization, wherein the organization initiates a security measure depending on data record.

Abstract: Systems and methods for container analysis and tracking. A method includes scanning a plurality of items by a first data processing system to generate x-ray image data of the items, each of the plurality of items having a unique identifier. The method includes performing a computer implemented image recognition process on the x-ray image data to identify the items. The method includes interactively reviewing the x-ray image data with a human operator by a second data processing system, including displaying the x-ray image data to the human operator. The method includes recording the result of the human operator's review. The method includes determining, for each item, if the results from the computer implemented image recognition process and interactive review meet criteria for items that are exceptions that should not be shipped, and storing an exception indicator for each item using the respective unique identifier.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for transporting a plurality of articles, particularly, mail items. For each article a measurement is taken regarding what value a prescribed feature and what value a prescribed transportation attribute assume for the article. A data record for this article with the measured transportation attribute value and the measured feature value is produced. This data record is stored in a mobile data memory of a means of a transport. The articles are put into the means of transport and transported in the means of transport to an intermediate point. Following this transportation, for each article another measurement is taken regarding what value the feature assumes for this article. The mobile data memory is searched for that data record for the article for which the feature value ascertained during the fresh measurement is used. Further transportation of the article is initiated on the basis of the transportation attribute value of the ascertained data record.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting overlapping flat objects, wherein each object has flat sides and narrow sides, includes a doubles detector configured to derive at least one feature of an object, a first imaging unit configured to produce an electronic image of a first flat side of the object, and a second imaging unit configured to produce an electronic image of a second flat side of the object. A determination facility of the apparatus is coupled to the first imaging unit and the second imaging unit to receive the electronic images, and to derive at least one further feature of the object. Further, a decision facility of the apparatus is coupled to the doubles detector and the determination facility to receive the least one feature and the at least one further feature of the object, and to determine whether the object is a single object or a number of objects.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting overlapping flat objects, wherein each object has flat sides and narrow sides, includes a doubles detector configured to derive at least one feature of an object, a first imaging unit configured to produce an electronic image of a first flat side of the object, and a second imaging unit configured to produce an electronic image of a second flat side of the object. A determination facility of the apparatus is coupled to the first imaging unit and the second imaging unit to receive the electronic images, and to derive at least one further feature of the object. Further, a decision facility of the apparatus is coupled to the doubles detector and the determination facility to receive the least one feature and the at least one further feature of the object, and to determine whether the object is a single object or a number of objects.

Abstract: A value document, in particular a postage stamp, which contains an optically recognizable security element in the form of a two-dimensional structure. Accordingly, the security element has a resolution of at least 300 dpi which makes it difficult to electronically reproduce the security element and therefore protect against the production of counterfeit postage stamps.

Abstract: A forgery-proof value document, in particular a postage stamp, is examined for its authenticity. The value document contains a two-dimensional area with a security element in the form of a two-dimensional structure. The two-dimensional area is provided with, for example printed with, at least one first and at least one other substance. When illuminated with light that is visible to the human eye, the two substances have the same hue and different hues when illuminated with infrared light. The security element is placed on the value document by use the first substance, the remaining part of the area by use of the at least one other substance. When illuminated with visible light the entire two-dimensional area appears in the same hue. When illuminated with infrared light the security element is optically distinguished from the remaining area.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for recognizing objects in mail items and an arrangement for carrying out the method. In the method, the color image produced in the relevant color camera is converted into a gray level image having a resolution higher than that of the color camera and suitable for reading the postal information in the automatic reading devices; the color image produced in the relevant color camera is converted into a color image having a resolution lower than the camera resolution but sufficient far recognizing objects and their positions; the objects and their position present in the relevant lower resolution color image are determined and identified, the assignment of the objects to postal information categories being performed on the basis of structural rules established in an upstream teaching phase, and the required postal information in the gray level images of the relevant identified objects are automatically read.

Abstract: Method and arrangement for recognizing objects in mail item images, their position and reading their postal information The following operations are performed: Converting the color image produced in the relevant color camera (11) into a gray level image having a resolution higher than that of the color camera (11) and suitable for reading the postal information in the automatic reading devices, Converting the color image produced in the relevant color camera (11) into a color image having a resolution lower than the camera resolution but sufficient for recognizing objects and their positions, Determining and identifying the objects present in the relevant lower resolution color image including their position, the assignment of the objects to postal information categories being performed on the basis of structural rules established in an upstream teaching phase, Automatic reading of the required postal information in the gray level images of the relevant identified objects.