The invention relates to a method and a system for data transmission between a parcel compartment system and at least one central data processing unit in a logistic system for the operation of one or more parcel compartment systems.
The use of logistic systems is known for the distribution of goods. The goods to be distributed can be a wide array of products, materials and articles. Logistic systems serve to organize and monitor the distribution of the goods in question, for example, between warehouses, intermediate storage facilities, containers, vehicles, senders and recipients via various routes of transportation. The functions of logistic systems are advantageously adapted to the requirements in such a way that the distribution of the goods can be optimized, for example, in terms of the routes of the transportation, the capacity utilization, the storage periods and the data transmission.
The applicant uses logistic systems especially for the distribution of letters and goods shipments (packages, parcels), transportation receptacles, pallets and containers. Here, the appertaining logistic systems preferably serve to distribute shipments between a sender and a recipient, whereby, for example, important criteria are those having to do with the transportation speed, the use of warehouses and vehicles as well as the transmission of shipment data.
In order to operate a logistic system involving multiple users, machines and one or more logistics providers, certain information has to be transmitted to the various components of the system. This includes the notification of users about events within the logistic system as well as the communication between machines and data processing centers of the system.
In particular, the operation of parcel compartment systems for registered users by one or more transportation or delivery companies calls for a logistic system with various notification and communication routes. Such parcel compartment systems or machines are operated, for example, by a postal service provider for registered users for whom a delivery agent deposits parcels or other shipments into a compartment of the system. Drop-off as well as pick-up procedures can be carried out not only by the postal service provider that operates the logistic system, but also by other companies that are granted access to components of the logistic system, including the filling of the parcel compartments.
After a parcel has been deposited for the user, he has to be notified to this effect. Moreover, the logistic system has to be informed, for example, whether a user has picked up his parcel. Moreover, information about the registration of new customers, customer data, pick-up deadlines and COD amounts has to be exchanged within the logistic system.
In addition to notifications of the users of the system, there also has to be communication between the parcel compartment systems and other components of the logistic system. This includes, for example, communication with data processing centers of the postal service provider that operates the parcel compartment systems.
The communication between one or more parcel compartment systems and at least one data processing center encompasses the transmission of information about certain events. These events include, for instance, drop-off and pick-up procedures by different groups of people. This communication also comprises the transmission of information that is needed for the operation of the machines. This includes, for example, filling states, user data, identification codes, compartment data and payment information.
German Utility Model 201 03 564 U1, for example, discloses a system for delivering and receiving shipments which is particularly suitable for e-commerce. The system comprises several automatic delivery machines (ADM) into which shipments are deposited and from which they are picked up. The system also comprises a LAMIS server-computer program for handling the operations of the system.
The objective of the invention is to provide a method for data transmission between a parcel compartment system and at least one central data processing unit within a logistic system for the operation of one or more parcel compartment systems that ensures effective communication between the components.
Moreover, it is the objective of the invention to provide a system for carrying out the method.
According to the invention, this objective is achieved in that events at the parcel compartment system are evaluated by means of a communication device, after which said communication device transmits function messages associated with the events to the data processing unit, whereby the data processing unit carries out the corresponding functions and, if applicable, sends data back to the communication device of the parcel compartment system.
The objective is also achieved by a system for carrying out the method.
A description will be given below of especially preferred embodiments of method sequences of the communication procedure, which can be implemented particularly advantageously in such a logistic system comprising one or more parcel compartment systems and at least one data processing unit.
Advantages, special features and advantageous embodiments of the invention ensue from the subordinate claims and from the presentation below of preferred embodiments making reference to the figures.
The figures show the following:
Especially preferred embodiments of the invention will be described on the basis of the figures and description.
The invention relates to the communication sequences during the exchange of information between a parcel compartment system and at least one central data processing unit of a logistic provider. Such parcel compartment systems or machines are operated, for example, by a postal service provider for registered users for whom a delivery agent deposits parcels or other shipments into a compartment of the system. Drop-off as well as pick-up procedures can be carried out not only by the postal service provider that operates the logistic system but also by other affiliated companies that are granted access to components of the logistic system, including the filling of the parcel compartments.
The central data processing unit is designated as P24B in the drawings of the figures, whereas the parcel compartment system is marked as M. These parcel compartments of the system can have different configurations. They preferably have one or more areas for depositing shipments, whereby the areas can be configured as individual lockable compartments or as continuous elevator cages that can be positioned by a transport mechanism in front of at least one lockable opening.
Basically, the communication sequences according to the invention look like this:
1. Activities by delivery agents, customers or a timer at the parcel compartment system are events that trigger the transmission of function messages to the central data processing unit. A communication device of the parcel compartment system evaluates the events and associates them with the appertaining function messages. A function message is present, for example, in the form of an XML file that is transmitted via an http post request. However, other formats can also be used. In an especially preferred embodiment of the invention, the function message consists of a function name and a set of parameters.
2. The central data processing unit responds with an XML file. This XML file contains the result of the function message. The result of the function message is a status code that indicates the success or failure of the execution of the function. If the parcel compartment system expects to receive data in return, the data processing unit transmits the requested data (only if the execution of the function was successful).
3. If necessary, the parcel compartment system stores the data that is sent back by the data processing unit.
It has proven to be advantageous for the communication device of the parcel compartment system to collect events and data for later transmission to the data processing unit. Several function messages are then combined into one single request. A request can contain one or more function messages.
The following table shows examples of various user roles within a logistic system. Each user of a parcel compartment system can assume one of these roles. The role determines the access rights to the system (parcel compartment systems and central data processing unit). The system according to the invention uses role identifiers (role ID) when it provides the parcel compartment system with user profiles. The designation DPAG, which stands for Deutsche Post AG, describes an example of a provider that operates a logistic system with parcel compartment systems. The designation B2B refers to a business-to-business system in which companies have access to compartments of the parcel compartment systems of the system operator. The designation Post24 stands for an example of a central data processing unit of the operating company.
The communication sequences between the parcel compartment systems and the central data processing unit are explained with reference to FIGS. 1 to 20.
The drawing in
When the central data processing unit 30 receives the function message, an appertaining status code to confirm receipt is sent to the communication device 21. It also carries out the appertaining function and, if applicable, sends data back to the communication device. In some cases, it is necessary to provide a registered user with information about the event at the parcel compartment system. For example, if a parcel is deposited for him, the central data processing unit triggers a notification containing, for example, the location of the parcel compartment system, access codes or other information.
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Preferably, data located on the parcel is read in during this procedure. Such data includes, for example, an Identcode of the system operator that is assigned to the parcel and which is scanned in. Moreover, a CustomerID can be read in. Through this event of depositing, communication is triggered back and forth between the communication device of the parcel compartment system and the central data processing unit.
The communication device 21 evaluates the event and associates a function message with it. The function message is transmitted to the central data processing unit and on this basis, the central data processing unit carries out the appropriate functions and, if applicable, sends data back to the communication device. The function messages can be transmitted individually or in batches. For example, the communication device transmits data such as the MachineID, the point in time of the depositing, the ParcelID, the parcel type, an Identcode, a CustomerID, various modes, the compartment type and the sender. Moreover, a company type can be transmitted. This is advantageous if the parcel compartment system is used by several transportation and delivery companies that have access to certain compartments of the parcel compartment system.
The central data processing unit receives the data with the function message and sends, for example, the maximum storage period back to the parcel compartment system. The latter can then store the ParcelID, the Identcode and the maximum storage period.
The communication device of the parcel compartment system requests a profile from the central data processing unit which then transmits a customer profile.
This profile preferably contains at least a CustomerID, a release status, a PIN and the role of the customer. If more than one recipient is transmitted with this profile, then the parcel can be picked up by all of the specified persons. The parcel compartment system assigns the profile to the ParcelID and sends confirmation to the central data processing unit that the profile has been received. If the request for the customer profile is not successful, the communication device of the machine advantageously attempts another request. Only once the transmission of the profile has succeeded does the communication device send a confirmation on the basis of which, at the end of the communication, the central data processing unit sends the user a notification that a parcel has been deposited.
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The delivery agent logs in, whereby the ParcelID, the compartment number, the CustomerID and/or the Identcode of the parcel are read in. He removes the parcel in question, all of the customer-related and parcel-related data is deleted and the communication device 21 sends a function message to the central data processing unit to the effect that a parcel has been removed. Then the mode is set to 3 in order to indicate that there was an unscheduled removal of a parcel from the machine.
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The expiration of the individual time intervals, in addition to the drop-off and pick-up procedures, likewise constitutes an event that the communication device 21 of the parcel compartment system evaluates, on the basis of which it sends a corresponding function message to the central data processing unit.
Various errors can occur during the communication between the parcel compartment system and the central data processing unit. These include especially connection errors, data processing errors or problems in executing the business logic. A function message always comprises a sending component and a receiving component. Each of these components can be a communication device 21 of a parcel compartment system 20 or a central data processing unit 30. Several function messages with parameters are preferably combined to form one single request. In order to reliably execute the communication, each request that is transmitted by a parcel compartment system or by the central data processing unit should be confirmed. It has proven to be advantageous that, as a response to a function message, a status code is sent that represents either an error code or a code for the success of the request for each function message. If the function message requires the receipt of data in return, this data can be transmitted together with the status code.
If a function message is not answered within a certain period of time, the sender has to send the request once again. In order to ensure the correct execution of repeated requests on the sender and recipient side, an unambiguous RequestID is associated with each request. This identification is sent, for instance, with the XML file. The same identification then has to be sent with the response XML file of the original recipient. The RequestID gives the sender and the recipient of a request various checking possibilities. For one thing, it can check whether the same function was requested several times. Secondly, a response can be associated with a function message.
List of Reference Numerals:
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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102 38 344.8 | Aug 2002 | DE | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
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PCT/DE03/02693 | 8/7/2003 | WO | 2/15/2005 |