Method, processor and mail transport system for associating information with a mail item

Abstract

In a method, data processor and mail transport system for a mail item, the mail item has an electronic memory device physically associated therewith that contains electronically stored information that is relevant for the transport of the mail item.

1 . A method for transporting a mail item having an electronic memory device physically associated therewith, comprising the steps of:
 in a transport step, passing said mail item through a transport station; and   in a storage step, electronically entering transport station information, relating to the passage of said mail item through said transport station, into said first memory device.   
     
     
         2 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  comprising entering transport station information into said memory device selected from the group consisting of information relating to a location of transport station, information relating to an operator of said transport station, and information relating to a point-in-time of the passage of said mail item through said transport station. 
     
     
         3 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said transport station is a first transport station and wherein said transport information is first transport information and wherein said storage step is a first storage step, and comprising:
 passing mail item through a second transport station after passage of said mail item through said first transport station; and 
 in a second storage step, electronically entering second transport station information into said memory device relating to passage of said mail item through said second transport station. 
 
     
     
         4 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  comprising employing at least one RFID unit as said memory device. 
     
     
         5 . A method for transporting a mail item having an electronic memory device physically associated therewith, said memory device having information stored therein, comprising the steps of:
 in a read step, electronically reading said information from said memory device; and   executing at least one subsequent step following said read step, selected from the group consisting of a transport step wherein said mail item is transported dependent on a result of said read step, and an acknowledgement step wherein acknowledgement information is generated dependent on a result of said read step.   
     
     
         6 . A method as claimed in  claim 5  wherein said subsequent step is said transport step, and comprising initiating said transport step dependent on said result of said read step. 
     
     
         7 . A method as claimed in  claim 5  wherein said mail item is deposited in a mail item storage device, and comprising executing said read step to electronically read said information from said memory device at said mail item storage device, and wherein said subsequent step is said transport step and said transport step comprises initiating forwarding of said mail item from said mail item storage device to a different location upon an occurrence of an event selected from the group consisting of a predetermined number of mail pieces in said mail item storage device being detected in said read step for the respective mail items, and elapsing of a predetermined time span following a detection in said read step of entry of said mail item into said mail item storage device. 
     
     
         8 . A method as claimed in  claim 5  comprising calculating a transport fee for transporting said mail item dependent on at least one of a presence of said memory device physically associated with said mail item and said information stored in said memory device. 
     
     
         9 . A system for transporting a mail item having a memory device physically associated therewith, said memory device having information electronically stored therein, said system comprising:
 a first system component comprising a reader that electronically reads said information from said memory device;   a second system component in communication with said first system component, said second system component influencing transport of said mail item dependent on a result of the information read from said memory device by said reader; and   at least one of said first system component and said second system component comprising an acknowledgement generator that generates acknowledgement information dependent on said result of said information read by said reader from said memory device.   
     
     
         10 . A system as claimed in  claim 9  wherein said second system component initiates said transport of said mail item triggered by said result of said information read from said memory device by said reader. 
     
     
         11 . A system as claimed in  claim 9  wherein said second system component is a data center in wireless communication with said first system component. 
     
     
         12 . A system as claimed in  claim 9  wherein said first system component is a mail item storage device, and wherein said second system component initiates forwarding of said mail item from said mail item storage device upon an occurrence of an event selected from the group consisting of a predetermined number of mail items being contained in said mail item storage device as detected by said reader that reads information from respective memory devices physically associated with said mail items, and passage of a predetermined time span following detection by said reader, by reading said information from said memory device, of entry of said mail item into said mail item storage device. 
     
     
         13 . A system as claimed in  claim 9  wherein said memory device comprises at least one RFID memory unit, and wherein said reader is a reader is an RFID reader that reads said information from said at least one RFID memory unit. 
     
     
         14 . A system as claimed in  claim 9  wherein said reader wirelessly reads said information from said memory device. 
     
     
         15 . A system as claimed in  claim 9  comprising a third system component comprising a data processing device supplied with said mail item that executes a processing procedure on said mail item. 
     
     
         16 . A system as claimed in  claim 9  comprising:
 a plurality of further system components each comprising a reader that electronically reads said information in said memory device; and 
 a plurality of additional system components, respectively in communication with said plurality of further system components, each of said plurality of additional system components comprising a progress information generator that generates progress information, from a result of the information read by said reader from said memory device in the further system component in communication therewith, said progress information relating to progressive transport of said mail item. 
 
     
     
         17 . A mail item storage device for storing a mail item having an electronic memory device physically associated therewith, said memory device having information stored therein, said mail item storage device comprising:
 a receptacle for said mail item; and   an electronic reader that electronically reads said information from said memory device when said mail item enters said receptacle.