WO2009027018A1

WO2009027018A1 - Method for creating a label, computer program product and logistics system

Info

Publication number: WO2009027018A1
Application number: PCT/EP2008/006662
Authority: WO
Inventors: Bob Berg
Original assignee: Deutsche Post Ag
Priority date: 2007-08-31
Filing date: 2008-08-13
Publication date: 2009-03-05

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for creating a label. This method is characterized in that an original shipper creates an allowance information which allows an original receiver to enter shipment information and to activate an option for a creation of a label, that the digital label is transmitted to an original receiver of an item and that the original receiver of the item is enabled to print the label. The invention furthermore includes a computer program product for carrying out the method and a logistics system with means for carrying out the method.

Description

Method for creating a Label, Computer Program Product and Logistics

System

Technical area

The present invention relates to a method for delivering items. The invention furthermore concerns a system for carrying out the method.

Background and state of the art

It is known, to attach labels to items - especially to postal deliveries.

Description of the invention

It is desirable to provide a procedure for producing a label which allows a flexible production of the label. It is therefore an objective of the present invention, to present a method for producing label respectively to present a system for producing label in a way that a high comfort is combined with a high protection against manipulation. According to the invention this objective is solved by a method according to claim 1 , a computer program product according to claim 9 and a logistics system according to claim 10.

The invention proposes a method for carrying out the transport and/or handling of at least one item, wherein the item is transported from an original shipper to an original receiver.

The invention is carried out in a way, that shipment information is printed on a label, that the shipment information printed on the label is read during an acceptance of the item to a logistics system and that the read shipment information is transmitted to a central server. The central server is capable of carrying out processes according to the received shipment information.

This shipment information is attached to the item in a graphically readable format, that during a hand-over of the item to a logistics system an optical reader of a reading unit reads a graphical representation of the shipment information, that through an optical character recognition the shipment information is restored at the basis of the graphical representation and that the shipment information is transmitted to a data store and that the data store returns a routing code.

An implementation of the invention is characterized in that a printer connected to the reading unit prints the routing code.

An implementation of the invention is characterized in that the printer prints the routing code on the item.

An implementation of the invention is characterized in that the printer prints the routing code on a label which is attachable to the item.

According to one implementation of the invention it is analyzed if the shipment information has a predefined level of accuracy and that in the case, that the shipment information does not possess this predefined accuracy level, the shipment information is transmitted to a data entry correction facility, wherein the data entry correction facility is equipped in a way, that it is capable of improving the accuracy of the shipment information.

An implementation of the invention is characterized in that the routing code is utilized for tracking and/or tracing of the item.

According to one implementation of the invention the graphical representation of the shipment information is stored. An implementation of the invention is characterized in that the stored graphical information is made available to a user of the logistics system.

The invention includes a computer program product, that contains program means for implementing the method according to any of the previous claims.

The invention furthermore includes a logistics system with means for carrying out the transport/or handling of at least one item, where in the item is transported from an original shipper to an original receiver.

This logistics system contains an optical reader capable of reading shipment information which is attached to the item in a graphically readable format, with an optical character recognition unit and means for transmitting the shipment information to a data store, wherein the data store is capable of generating a routing code based on the shipment information and to transmit the routing unit to a reading unit.

A further object of the invention is that it contains a user interface which allows creating allowance information which permits an original receiver to enter shipment information and to activate an option for a creation of a label, and that it contains a user interface which allows an original receiver to print and/or modify the label.

The invention includes a method, a system and a computer program product, which is characterized in that it contains a user interface which enables an original shipper to create an allowance information which allows the original receiver to enter shipment information and to activate an option for a creation of a label and that a user interface which enables the original receiver to print and/or to modify the label.

Advantages, further aspects and advantageous improvements of the invention are afterwards explained by examples with reference to the figures. It is especially advantageous to utilize the invention for a production of labels. These labels are attachable to items - especially to postal deliveries as letters or parcels - and facilitate their handling in a logistics system. The invention includes a reader which is capable of reading the graphical information contained in the label.

At the basis of the optical information which is obtained by the optical reader, an optical character recognition is carried out.

The optical character recognition yields the shipment information.

The shipment information is transmitted to a central server.

In one embodiment of the invention the central server which receives the shipment information is the same server which has originally created the shipment information and has transmitted it to user equipment.

The current invention increases the flexibility of a handling of items. It is possible, that a user creates shipment information or obtains shipment information already created, e.g. by a central computer and adds this information to an item or a label which is attachable to the item.

As soon as the item is handed over to a logistics system, e.g. through a pick-up by a courier, a graphical representation of the shipment information is read by an optical reader and can be carried by the courier.

It is however also possible, to carry out the invention by other ways of handing over the item to the logistics system.

E.g. it is possible to integrate the optical reader in a drop-box or in an electronic parcel compartment. However, it is also possible, to integrate the optical reader at a shelf for accepting items for a handling in the logistics system. Brief description of the figures

Fig. 1 shows a flow chart for process steps carried out by an original shipper to produce a label and/or a message enabling an original receiver to produce the label.

Fig. 2 shows a flow chart for process steps which enable an original receiver to produce a label.

Fig. 3 shows a process overview for creating and handling one or more labels.

Fig. 4 shows a reading of the graphical information during an acceptance of the item in a logistics system.

Detailed description of the invention according to the figures

The invention is afterwards described in detail according to the figures.

The current invention includes logistics systems in their broadest sense. This especially includes systems, which contain means and/or arrangements for carrying out the transport and/or handling of items. This especially encompasses a transport of items - especially of postal deliveries - from a starting point to a destination along a transport route.

The starting point is especially a storage point or a drop point of the item which is transported later on.

The destination is preferably selected by a customer. In a preferred process the destination is for example a warehouse of a merchant or a producer. It is especially advantageous to use the labels according to the invention as return labels.

An especially preferred embodiment of a label according to the invention is afterwards called premium e-mail label.

With a service a logistics system provider sends a label via e-mail to the recipient who specifies and allows the shipper to define what parts of the label can be modified. As an example the shipper may allow the receiver to change the service type from Ground to Express. This option will also allow the shipper to lock the shipment details such as weight and dimensions or leave them open for the shipper to modify. Once the recipient has modified the shipment details then the waybill can be printed and attached to the package for a receiver. This option allows the shipper to reach any receiver and the receiver is not required to be an existing customer of the logistic system provider.

To allow the receiver to access the label, a link is provided to the receiver.

The link can be provided in different ways, e.g. as an e-mail by a push based web service.

A hyperlink is a preferred embodiment of a link according to the invention. It is a reference or navigation element in a document to another section of the same document, another document, or a specified section of another document, that automatically brings the referred information to the user when the navigation element is selected by the user. As such it is similar to a citation in literature, but with the distinction of automatic instant access. Combined with a data network and suitable access protocol, a computer can be instructed to fetch the resource referenced. Hyperlinks are not limited to HTML or the web. Hyperlinks may be used in almost any electronic media.

There is a number of ways to format and present hyperlinks in hypermedia. What distinguishes the various formats of links are the various ways in which links are accessed. Most links are accessed via selecting (pointing and clicking) hypertext or a graphical user interface element (widget) such as a button.

A link has two ends, called anchors, and a direction. The link starts at the source anchor and points to the destination anchor. However, the term link is often used for the source anchor, while the destination anchor is called the link target.

Such links are implemented in different ways. The invention includes all ways to transmit the links to the receiver. Especially advantageous are links which are supplied per e-mail or by a call of a webpage.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is carried out with an internet based system as web ship/corporate ship.

The internet comprises a high number of computers and network links between the computers. Preferably applicable protocols and standards apply to allow a communication. The World Wide Web ("WWW") allows an interphase for carrying out operations on the internet. The World Wide Web allows a server computer - referred as a website - to send web pages of information to a remote computer and allows the remote representatives computer to display the web pages on a display. The web pages may contain control regions. These control regions allow an acquisition and display of additional information, especially in form of related web pages, especially in a hypertext mode. The internet allows an information exchange from servers to clients. Each client and server has an internet address called a uniform resource locator ("URL"). A web page according to the invention is especially designed in hypertext mark up language ("HTML") or in extended hypertext mark up language ("XTML"). The HTML or XTML file defines the web page. In a preferred embodiment servers are used, which are stateless with respect to a client transactions. This means, that each transaction is separate from other transactions. Alternatively a client might initialize a connection to the server, conduct a series of requests from the server and receive information for each request, and then terminate the connection from the server and the entire exchange from the initialization to the termination of the connection would be considered a transaction.

The scope of this invention includes modifications to Web/Corporate Ship, and define the internal processes and technical specifications necessary to support a labeling process for domestic shipments on Web/Corporate Ship. Users have the ability to create online labels and either mail or e-mail the completed label to the shipper. The label creator has the ability to bill the freight charges to the sender, receiver or third party account.

To allow a flexible creation and handling of the label, it is advantageous to include at least one link in a handling process.

Links pointing to the full content may also be included in the label. One or more links may be included in the preview information. According to another embodiment, the device may automatically configure the links based on their personalized information. The device could fill in the parts of the link relevant to the user of the device. For example, the device may place the user's zip code in a link to retrieve the full address information for the user.

A preferred method for producing labels to the invention is for example supported in a web based system, for example in Web Ship or Corporate Ship. Preferably a first user - original shipper - is authenticated and navigates to prepare a shipment page and selects an appropriate destination.

5 The authentication of the original shipper and the preparation of the shipment page processes are carried out to allow a product and/or a preparation of the label.

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Figure 1 shows a process for preparing a shipment. The original shipper is a user, who enters required information for a shipment.

Afterwards the user selects a printing option for the label. This leads to an opening5 of a Waybill preview page. Afterwards the user prints the Waybill. It is of course alternatively possible to create a digital Waybill.

A waybill is a document issued by a carrier giving details and instructions relating to the shipment of an item or a consignment of items. Typically it will show the o names of the consignor and consignee, the point of origin of the consignment, its destination, route, and method of shipment, and the amount charged for carriage.

The waybill may also be a bill of lading, which includes much of the same information. A bill of lading (also referred to as a BOL or B/L) is a document issued5 by a carrier, e.g. a ship's master or by a company's shipping department, acknowledging that specified goods have been received on board as cargo for conveyance to a named place for delivery to the consignee who is usually identified. A through bill of lading involves the use of at least two different modes of transport from road, rail, air, and sea. The term derives from the noun "bill", a o schedule of costs for services supplied or to be supplied, and from the verb "to lade" which means to load a cargo onto a ship or other forms of transport. A digital waybill is an electronic version of a waybill, which is especially appropriate if shipments are ordered through the internet.

5 A preferred embodiment of the waybill is an Airway Bill (AWB) or an air consignment note or airway bill of lading. It refers to a receipt issued by an international courier company for goods and an evidence of the contract of carriage, but it is not a document of title to the goods. o The AWB has a tracking number which can be used to check the status of delivery, and current position of the item.

The AWB should indicate that the goods have been accepted for carriage, and it must be signed or authenticated by the carrier or the named agent for or on behalf5 of the carrier. The signature or authentication of the carrier can be identified as carrier, and in the case of agent signing or authenticating, the name and the capacity of the carrier on whose behalf the agent signs or authenticates must be indicated.

o International AWBs that contain consolidated cargo are called Master Air Waybills

(MAWB). MAWBs have additional papers called House Air Waybills (HAWB). Each HAWB contains information of each individual shipment (consignee, contents, etc.) within the consolidation. International AWBs that is not consolidated (only one shipment in one bill) are called Simple AWBs. 5

A House Air Waybill can also be created by a freight forwarder. When the shipment is booked, the airline issues a MAWB to the forwarder, who in turn issues their own House Airwaybill to the customer.

o After the production of the Waybill a label is created based on the shipment information. Of course, the label does not need to contain all of the shipment information. It is alternatively possible, that the label contains only a part of the shipment information. For creating the label it is advantageous that a user selects a program option which allows the creation of the label based on shipment information.

5 Afterwards a label page with shipment information is pre-populated.

Afterwards the user enters the required information.

Afterwards a selection menu is presented to this user (original shipper). He cano decide whether he prints a label or whether he creates an electronic label.

If the user decides the option "printed label" he enters required information and then clicks option "print label" preferably the user afterwards to a Waybill preview page and initializes a print of the Waybill. 5

If the user decides to create a digital label, then he enters the required information and afterwards clicks "submit option".

Afterwards the user returns to a confirmation page. In the case, that a digital label o has been created, it is furthermore advantageous that the user has furthermore created a Waybill.

Preferably the label - especially together with the Waybill - are transmitted to the receiver of the item. It is especially preferably to carry out this transmission in 5 digital form, e.g. as e-mail or through push web-service.

Fig. 2 shows a flow chart for process steps which enable an original receiver to produce a label or a waybill.

o Figure 2 shows three alternatives for producing a label or a waybill.

For those skilled in the art, it is clear, that at any place, where waybill is described, alternatively a label can be used. This is also true vice versa. The left column of fig. 2 shows the most simple way of producing a label or a waybill. This way of producing a label is afterwards called DHL. With this service the provider of the logistics system allows a user to create a label and send it to an original receiver of an item. The transmission of the label can be carried out together with the shipment or separately.

In this embodiment the original shipper directly prints the label/or the waybill and attaches it to an item delivered to the original receiver.

A more advanced way of producing a label and/or a waybill is described in the right column of fig. 2. This way of producing a label is afterwards called DHL e- mail label. With this service, the provider of the logistics system enables an original shipper to send a completed label to a recipient. It is possible to specify this recipient. The recipient prints the label and preferably attaches it to an item or a package containing the item to be returned.

This column describes a flow chart for a process in which the original shipper has created a label digitally and has transmitted it to the original receiver of the item.

The transmission can occur preferably in digital form, e.g. we are a web push service or as an e-mail.

The user receives the information - e.g. in form of an e-mail - with a link to the label.

If the user clicks on a link a label preview page opens. The user has afterwards the chance of printing the waybill.

Optionally a confirmation page is shown.

The right column of fig. 3 shows an alternative solution for producing a digital label waybill. This way of producing a digital label is afterwards called DHL - premium e-mail label. With this service the provider of the logistics system allows an original shipper to transmit a label to a recipient. Also in this case the recipient can be specified by the original shipper. With the premium e-mail solution, the recipient has the ability to modify the shipment details prior to printing the label.

In advanced embodiment it is possible that once the recipient has modified the shipment details a waybill can be printed and attached to the item respectively package for a return.

The first process steps are the same as previously described.

Also in this case the user receives a link to the label.

Also in the preferred embodiment the user is not required to log in.

The advancement of this implementation is that the original receiver is a user who is enabled to add the label.

The user can e.g. add information - for example for changing transport parameters, e.g. the destination and/or the number of items sent back. This is especially advantageous if the receiver of items is interested in returning only a part of the received items.

Preferably a waybill preview page enables the user to view a preview of the intended waybill/label. Afterwards the user prints the label/ waybill.

It is furthermore possible to implement a confirmation page.

A process overview for back and processes for creating labels is described in figure 3

Back-end Process Overview

WebShip users who print a label using Web/CorporateShip could have the shipment details stored up to a definable period of time, e.g. several days, preferably between 30 days and a year, e.g. 90 days, ss currently implemented. Labels prepared by a user will have label details stored in a label history at least a determinable period of time, e.g. between 30 days and a year, e.g. at least 90 days.

A preferred user interface and functional requirements for a preferred embodiment are afterwards described in a web based solution. This web based solution is called WebShip/CorporateShip.

The waybill preview page could have a link that reads "Create a label based on this shipment"

Users WebShip users with an account successfully creating a domestic shipment who's CA has not disabled label processing Inputs

User fills in all required information for a domestic shipment and clicks charge me and print my label on the Prepare shipment page. Outputs

Create a label based on this shipment link on the waybill preview page. The user is enabled to create a label, especially by following a link. For example this link is named "create a label based on this shipment".

A User that processes a shipment can follow the link directly. The link leads to a webpage which allows the creation of the label. Especially the creation of the label is carried out with pre-populated with information previously entered, e.g. in webpage called "prepare shipment page".

This shows, that address information for a receiver and/or a sender and/or information about items to be transported and other shipment information is transferred from the user page for entering the shipment information to the user page for creating the label.

Of course the invention includes different ways for payment processes, for example by credit card. It is possible, to include different payment options, e.g. by credit card. An especially advantageous implementation of the invention includes a confirmation page which can optionally be combined with a further link for creating another label.

The "create another label" link allows a user to go back to the label page without using the module on the confirmation page.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention the pick up and drop off location pages are displayed in separate windows at a graphical user interface (GUI).

It is furthermore advantageous to include a dynamic in the representations on the graphical user interface, e.g. based on whether or not the user is allowed to create labels.

It is furthermore advantageous to add labels to a pending shipments page. According to an advantageous implementation to the invention the user will not be billed unless the shipment is scanned. This implementation includes the idea, that a scanning or another handling of the shipment initiates the billing process.

It is furthermore advantageous to implement a shipment history.

A communication module comprised by the computer system may comprise tools that allow the system to communicate with multiple devices using multiple message formats, e.g. voice mail, text message, etc., that are streamed through multiple communication means. For example, the system may automatically generate a voice message that is communicated to a courier by telephone, in which case the system utilizes the tools of the communication module to communicate with the courier.

Fig. 4 shows that the graphical representation of the shipment information is read by a reading unit.

The graphical information is afterwards transferred to a data store - central computer unit -.

The shipment information in the data store can be used for different purposes.

E.g. it is possible to use this shipment information for billing functions and/or for improving a routing of the item.

The reading unit described in Figure 4 contains an integrated printer for printing the routing information.

However, it is also possible to utilize a separate printer for printing the routing information on an item or a label which can be attached to the item.

The routing information can be used for handling processes of the item, e.g. for tracking and tracing of the item and/or for routing purposes as e.g. assertation of the item. It is especially advantageous, that the item is a package, a parcel or a letter, e.g. an express letter.

The invention includes a high reliability of the shipment information. This improves the effectiveness of the transport of the items. It is furthermore possible to implement flexible routing routines. Misforts and miscodes are reduced.

A further advantage of the invention is that it assists in making route prediction and allows for dynamic routing of items.

Furthermore, the data entry required is reduced.

The computer system may further comprise means for automatically sending an e- mail draft message or an instant draft message to a user, for example the original shipper creates and/or the original receiver of an item.

In another preferred embodiment the computer system comprises means for retrieving shipping information and/or for validating shipping.

The invention described herein is set forth in terms of methods and computer systems implementing those methods. It will be apparent, however, to one with ordinary skill in the art that the invention may be implemented as computer software, e.g. computer program code, capable of being stored in a computer memory and executed by a microprocessor.

Each component or module of the computer system may be implemented as part of a larger infrastructure, e.g. within an application server, or as one or more plug- in programs, applets, dynamically loaded libraries, or any other configuration that allows programs to run on one or more computers in order to provide shipping information management. The programs may be embedded within, or interfaced with third party applications. Although described in modular terms for purposes of illustration, embodiments of the invention need not be limited to modular implementations. The functionality described herein may be implemented in software and/or hardware as a single process or as a combination of multiple processes and/or applications.

Additional components of the computer system may reside in a server that customers are able to access remotely using, for example, web browser software such as Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator. Embodiments of such computer systems may also include a client application that executes on the customer's computer. The client application may execute as a separate process, or as a helper application that extends a web browser's capabilities and enables the latter to communicate with the computer system. The client application may collect certain data related to shipping transactions from the customer's computer, and detect such transactions when the customer fills in a shipping bill form.

The customer may register with the computer system to provide information such as the customer's address, customer billing information, e.g. credit card information, and customer shipping preferences. Subsequently to registration, the customer may access the system using authentication methods, e.g. user identification and password parameters.

One or more embodiments of the invention work with and/or in support of third party shipping and mailing software tools. For example, the client application may be automatically activated when the customer prints a shipping bill form. As part of the shipping bill form printing process, the customer provides transaction-specific information about the shipment, such as the selected class of shipping, the destination address, the weight and/or size of the package(s), etc. Further transaction-specific information, e.g. value, corrected address, etc. may be derived by the back-end of the computer system based on the customer's information.

While example embodiments are described herein, the various aspects of the present invention may be used with various types of computer systems, generally including all system designs which link together disparate processing units such as computers, servers, peripherals, storage devices, and devices for data communications. Examples of such computer systems may include a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), and a global area network (GAN).

5 The example embodiments concentrate mainly on an Internet/XML solution, although the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto. A wide variety of implementations, arrangements and configurations of terminals, switches and links in all types of data networks may be utilized. o The computer system according to the invention may include a plurality of component modules. These software component modules may be either commercially available off-the-shelf software, customized software or independently developed software. For example, freight rate databases are commercially available. If they are robust and capable of integration with other5 software components to accomplish the workflows described below, then they can be utilized in the computer system.

The computer system may be centralized in one or relatively few locations or may be distributed throughout a relative large number of locations. As will be made o clear below, each physical shipment represents a plurality of different related work process flows, such as a shipment offer, a shipment acceptance, a custom's clearance, in the system. Furthermore, the duty to be paid for a shipment may be calculated in various phases of the plurality of different related work process flows.

5 Other features of the invention may be apparent to those skilled in the art from the detailed description of the example embodiments and claims when read in connection with the accompanying drawings. While the foregoing and following written and illustrated disclosure focuses on disclosing example embodiments of the invention, it should be understood that the same is by way of illustration and o example only, is not to be taken by way of limitation and may be modified in learned practice of the invention. While the foregoing has described what are considered to be example embodiments of the invention, it is understood that various modifications may be made therein and that the invention may be implemented in various forms. The invention encompasses the claims and their full scope of equivalents.

Reference herein to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment can be included in at least one implementation of the invention. The appearances of the phrase "in one embodiment" in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments necessarily mutually exclusive of other embodiments.

While the invention may be susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shewn by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following appended claims.

One or more specific embodiments of the present invention will be described below. In an effort to provide a concise description of these embodiments, not all features of an actual implementation are described in the specification. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers' specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it should be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure.

Certain aspects commensurate in scope with the disclosed embodiments are set forth below. It should be understood that these aspects are presented merely to provide the reader with a brief summary of certain forms the invention might take and that these aspects are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Indeed, the invention may encompass a variety of aspects that may not be set forth below.

Claims

Patent Claims:

1. Method for carrying out the transport and/or handling of at least one item, wherein the item is transported from an original shipper to an original receiver, characterized in, that shipment information is attached to the item in a graphically readable format, that during a hand-over of the item to a logistics system an optica! reader of a reading unit reads a graphical representation of the shipment information, that through an optical character recognition the shipment information is restored at the basis of the graphical representation and that the shipment information is transmitted to a data store and that the data store returns a routing code.

2. The method according to claim 1 , c h a ra c te r i z e d i n , that a printer connected to the reading unit prints the routing code.

3. The method according to claim 2, c h a ra c te r i z e d i n , that the printer prints the routing code on the item.

4. The method according to claim 2, c h a ra c te r i z e d i n , that the printer prints the routing code on a label which is attachable to the item.

5. The method according to any of the preceding claims, c h a ra c te r i z e d i n that it is analyzed if the shipment information has a predefined level of accuracy and that in the case, that the shipment information does not possess this predefined accuracy level, the shipment information is transmitted to a data entry correction facility, wherein the data entry correction facility is equipped in a way, that it is capable of improving the accuracy of the shipment information.

5 6. The method according to any of the preceding claims, c h a ra c t e r i z e d i n , that the routing code is utilized for tracking and/or tracing of the item.

7. The method according to any of the preceding claims, o c h a ra c t e r i ze d i n , the graphical representation of the shipment information is stored.

8. The method according to claim 7. c h a ra c te r i z e d i n 5 that the stored graphical information is made available to a user of the logistics system.

9. Computer program product, c h a ra c t e r i ze d i n o that it contains program means for implementing the method according to any of the previous claims.

10. Logistics system with means for carrying out the transport/or handling of at least one item, wherein the item is transported from an original shipper to5 an original receiver, c h a ra c te r i z e d i n that it contains an optical reader capable of reading shipment information which is attached to the item in a graphically readable format, with an optical character recognition unit and means for transmitting the shipment o information to a data store, wherein the data store is capable of generating a routing code based on the shipment information and to transmit the routing unit to a reading unit.