A device for monitoring a mobile object having a sensor unit, which has at least one sensor for monitoring the mobile object. The device additionally has a processing unit, which is designed to record measured values from a sensor unit within a time span. The processing unit is designed to determine, as a function of the recorded measured values, in what kind of process in a transport chain the object is involved. A method for monitoring a mobile object is also described.

In an embodiment, an apparatus comprises one or more processors and one or more memories communicatively coupled to the one or more processors and storing instructions which, when processed by the one or more processors, cause: receiving a digital image of a particular item of mail and storing the digital image; causing data to be extracted from the digital image using Optical Character Recognition (OCR) or by processing encoded data; based on the extracted data, matching the particular item of mail to particular mailing data from the data stream; determining, based, at least in part, on the extracted data and the particular mailing data, one or more actions to take with respect to the particular item of mail and, in response, causing performance of the one or more actions.

The present disclosure provides methods and systems for the collection and delivery of physical items. Implementations consistent with the present disclosure provide a method including receiving, by a user interface device, a request from a user to deliver an item to a destination using a digital stamp, wherein the item includes destination information. The method also includes receiving, by the user interface device, a destination address from the user. The method also includes providing, by the user interface device, the delivery fee for the item. The method also includes generating the digital stamp using the destination address received from the user, the delivery fee for the item, and user account information. The method also includes collecting the item, wherein the item lacks any physical indicia that the delivery fee for the item has been paid or will be paid.

Apparatus and methods for tracking or otherwise accounting for chattel (e.g., personal property such as keys, pocket knives, and the like) at a point of departure such as an airport, bus station, train station, etc., or areas where people congregate (e.g., sporting events, concerts, etc.). In one exemplary embodiment, the apparatus comprises a kiosk adapted for use near a security checkpoint, wherein passengers or patrons can efficiently deposit their items for shipment to their home, travel destination, or third party.

Systems, methods, interface devices, and media for the delivery of physical items using a digital stamp. Various implementations include operations such as receiving a request from a user to deliver an item to a destination using a digital stamp, wherein the item includes destination information and lacks any physical indicator that the delivery fee for the item has been paid or will be paid; receiving a destination address from the user; presenting a delivery fee for the item; and causing the generation of a digital stamp using the destination address and the delivery fee, which may be correlated with the item.

A mail item sortation system and method that includes an external controller for culling candidate letters in a mailing job to produce groupings of letters based on industry average weights and/or thicknesses in order to place all the candidate letters going to a single address adjacent to each other, an internal controller, interfaced with the external controller, that utilizes the groupings of letters to manage multiple letter sorters, wherein a specific letter sorter is selected to pair a calculated number of pockets to accommodate the groupings with an actual number of pockets in the selected letter sorter, and a transfer process for moving letters within the letter sorter pockets to a StatementPack machine.

A computer-implemented robot pickup method including receiving a request from a user to pick up an article at a first location. A robot having a closeable transport container is navigated to the first location. The robot opens the closeable transport container and moves the article inside the closeable transport container at the first location, and navigates over an outdoor transportation network from the first location to the second location to deliver the article to the second location.

A computer-implemented robot pickup method including receiving a request from a user to pick up an article at a first location. A robot having a closeable transport container is navigated to the first location. The robot opens the closeable transport container and moves the article inside the closeable transport container at the first location, and navigates over an outdoor transportation network from the first location to the second location to deliver the article to the second location.

The invention relates to the logistical linking of package flows with goods flows by positioning common package acceptance stations (gPAS) at or in goods-sales-branches (WVF) where the goods (W) aresold.

In one aspect, a computerized method useful for dynamic location-based virtualized mail services includes the step of determining an identity of a user receiving a physical mail. The method includes the step of determining a location of the user. The method includes the step of determining a set of delivery locations within a specified distance of the user's current location. The method includes the step of communicating, via an electronic message, the delivery location to the user's mobile device.