JP2007083156A - Mail reading sorting machine and preference sticker treatment method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mail reading sorting machine and a preference sticker treatment method which increase the reliability of the whole recognition treatment by carrying out a treatment of high reliability for a mail stuck with a preference sticker which is a part of mails of high preference. <P>SOLUTION: When the preference sticker is detected (YES of S12), if VCS treatment is necessary (YES of S13), off-line OCR or VCD input is carried out (S14) and a verification is carried out to increase the reliability. As the result of this verification, the treatment is finished if error is not present (NO of S16). Also, as the result of this verification, an error is informed to an apparatus (S17) if the error is present (YES of S16). Then, when the preference sticker is not detected (NO of S12), if VCS treatment is necessary (YES of S18), off-line OCR or VCD input is carried out (S19) to finish the treatment. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a postal matter sorting unit that recognizes and classifies delivery classification information such as postal items, and in particular, a postal matter sorting unit and preferential sticker processing that sorts postal items to which priority stickers are attached. Regarding the method.

  In the mail reading sorting machine that sorts mail, the mail address or postal code image is read by the scanner unit, and the mail is based on the delivery classification information consisting of the address or postal code recognized by the recognition unit. Are accumulated. Hereinafter, the processing of the scanner unit and the recognition unit will be collectively referred to as OCR processing.

  Further, when the postal matter reading / sorting machine cannot read the postal address or postal code, the read image of the postal matter is transmitted to a video coding system (hereinafter referred to as VCS), and the distribution and distribution of the VCS is performed. Accumulated in the device. The storage / distribution device distributes the received read image to video coding terminals (hereinafter referred to as VCD). An operator who operates the VCD inputs (keystrokes) delivery classification information including an address or a zip code while viewing the read image distributed to the VCD. The above-mentioned mail reading sorting machine sorts mails according to the inputted delivery sorting information.

On the other hand, as a priority sticker, there are registered mail and parcel mail, and as a method of sorting the consignment delivery items such as registered mail and parcel mail, an RFID label having a wireless communication function for the registered mail or parcel mail is used. A method is known in which a receptionist is pasted and managed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-175621 (first page, FIG. 1)

  However, in the case of a mail piece that requires VCS processing without completing the recognition by the above-described OCR processing, the read image of the mail piece is distributed to a plurality of VCD terminals, and the operator inputs the delivery classification information. However, the operator may make an input error. In order to prevent this, the mail reading sorting machine is provided with a function in which a plurality of operators input from a plurality of VCD terminals to the same mail piece and determine delivery classification information by majority vote. Therefore, it was rarely used.

  In addition, there is a case where an overseas mail has a destination in the lower left area of the mail, and the mail reading sorting machine sometimes makes a mistake in the judgment of the destination and the sender.

  Furthermore, the method described in Patent Document 1 is a method of attaching an RFID tag to a postal item, and has a drawback in that the attaching operation must be performed manually.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and improves the reliability of the overall recognition process by performing a highly reliable process on a mail object with a priority sticker attached thereto. An object is to provide a reading sorter and a priority sticker processing method.

  In order to achieve the above object, a postal matter reading / sorting machine according to claim 1 of the present invention is a takeout unit that takes out postal items one by one, and a reading unit that reads an image of the postal matter taken out by the takeout unit. A mail having a recognizing means for recognizing the mail delivery classification information from the image read by the reading means, and a stacking means for sorting and collecting the mail goods based on the delivery classification information recognized by the recognition means. A label reading unit for detecting a label from an image read by the reading unit, and a priority sticker detecting unit for detecting that the label detected by the label detection unit is a priority sticker; As a result of the detection by the priority sticker detection means, when the label is a priority sticker, the confirmation processing of the delivery classification information and priority sticker processing means And normal processing means for performing normal processing when the label is not a priority sticker as a result of detection by the priority sticker detection means.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a priority sticker processing method that includes a takeout unit that takes out mail pieces one by one, a reading unit that reads an image of the postal matter taken out by the takeout unit, and a reading unit that reads the image. Priority sticker for a mail-reading sorter having a recognition means for recognizing delivery classification information of a mail piece from the received image and an accumulation means for sorting and collecting the mail piece based on the delivery classification information recognized by the recognition means A processing method comprising: a label detection step for detecting a label from the image read by the reading means; and a priority sticker detection step for detecting that the label detected in the label detection step is a priority sticker; As a result of the detection by the priority sticker detection step, when the label is a priority sticker, the priority classification for confirming the delivery classification information is performed. And a normal processing step of performing normal processing when the label is not a priority sticker as a result of detection by the priority sticker detection step.

  According to the present invention, since the improvement in the reliability of the recognition process for all mail items is inefficient, a highly reliable process is performed for mail items to which priority stickers that are high priority mail items are attached. Thus, the reliability of the entire recognition process can be improved.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a mail reading and sorting machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. This mail piece reading / sorting machine is a reading / sorting machine body 1 for recognizing and sorting the delivery classification information (character information) of the postal matter P, and a mail piece P whose delivery sorting destination cannot be recognized by the reading / sorting machine body 1. The video coding system (coding device (hereinafter referred to as VCS)) 2 is inputted by the operator based on the image of the postal matter P.

  First, the reading sorter main body 1 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the reading sorter main body 1 has a transport sorter main body 1 a. In this transport sorting machine main body 1a, a plurality of postal items P on which numbers or letters as delivery classification information are written or printed on the first surface are arranged so that the first surface faces the same direction. And a supply unit 10 for sequentially supplying these mail items P to a predetermined take-out position. The supply unit 10 is provided with an extraction unit (not shown) for taking out the postal matter P one by one along the main conveyance path 17 at a predetermined interval.

  The postal matter P supplied to the supply unit 10 includes a customer code predetermined as a large delivery category destination as a machine code in addition to the first page having only characters corresponding to the delivery category information described therein. Corresponding to the delivery classification destination of the code or mail P, the intra-office bar code determined in the reading sorter main body 1 or the mail P for which the delivery classification information cannot be recognized by the recognition unit 15 (recognition means). There are those in which an ID code or the like is given. Each of these codes is given to the first surface of the postal matter P as bar code information. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a priority sticker is pasted.

  The postal matter P supplied to the supply unit 10 is taken out at a constant interval and is conveyed at a constant conveyance interval (pitch) by the main conveyance path 17 that conveys it at a constant speed. The postal matter P transported on the main transport path 17 is excluded in the case of foreign matter that cannot be machined, and only the postal matter P that can be machined is transported.

  A scanner unit (reading unit) 11, an ID code reading unit 12, a barcode printer unit 13, and a sorting unit 14 are provided on the main conveyance path 17. The scanner unit 11 reads the delivery category information of the postal matter P on the main conveyance path 17 and the surface on which the priority sticker is pasted, and transmits the read image to the image buffer (storage means) 19. Then, this image is transmitted to the recognition unit (recognition means) 15 for recognizing the delivery classification information and the priority sticker. The ID code reading unit 12 reads the ID code or the machine code when the ID code or the machine code is given to the first surface of the postal matter P conveyed on the main conveyance path 17. .

  The barcode printer unit 13 prints an ID code or a machine code on the first surface of the postal matter P as necessary. This is because when the recognition section 15 recognizes the delivery classification information, the delivery classification information is converted into a bar code and a machine code is printed on the mail, and the recognition section 15 cannot recognize the delivery classification information. The ID code is printed.

  On the downstream side of the bar code printer unit 13 in the conveyance direction of the postal matter, a sorting unit 14 is provided that sorts the postal matter P transported on the main transport path 17 according to the delivery sorting destination. This division part 14 is comprised from the several division | segmentation pocket divided into several steps and several rows. Each pocket is set corresponding to each delivery classification destination, and the postal matter P sorted based on the delivery classification information or the machine code is sequentially accumulated in each pocket. Further, the sorting unit 14 is provided with a VCS exclusion pocket (a VCS reject sorting box) in which the postal matter P whose delivery sorting destination cannot be recognized is accumulated. The postal matter P collected in the VCS exclusion pocket is re-supplied to the supply unit 10 after delivery classification information is input by the operator at the VCS 2.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, each part of the reading sorter main body 1 is controlled by a control unit 16. Connected to the control unit 16 are a supply unit 10, a scanner unit 11, an ID code reading unit 12, a barcode printer unit 13, a sorting unit 14, a recognition unit 15, an image buffer 19, and the like.

  The scanner unit 11 transmits to the image buffer 19 an image obtained by optically reading the first surface on which the mail delivery category information is described. In addition, when the priority sticker is affixed to this image as described above, the image is also transmitted.

  The recognizing unit 15 cuts out characters as delivery classification information from the images controlled by the control unit 16 and sequentially stored in the image buffer 19, performs character recognition, and compares them with a character dictionary and an address dictionary (not shown) for matching. Recognize delivery classification information by law. This recognition possibility is returned to the control unit 16.

  Further, when the delivery classification information cannot be recognized, the recognition unit 15 displays OCR information (accompanying information) attached to the read image, that is, the size of the mail, the size of the character, the direction of the character, and the delivery classification information. A means for creating an image header including a method, a character type, a recognition depth, and information indicating a place where VCS processing is necessary;

  Further, the recognizing unit 15 detects a specific label from the images sequentially stored in the image buffer 19, and determines whether or not the label detected by the label detecting unit is a priority sticker. A sticker detection means and a priority sticker processing means for confirming delivery classification information of the mail piece when the priority sticker is attached to the mail piece.

  Next, VCS2 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the VCS 2 includes a storage / distribution device 20, a plurality of video coding terminals (hereinafter referred to as VCDs) 30 </ b> A, 30 </ b> B... 30 </ b> B, and a recognition unit 50.

  The storage / distribution device 20 receives the image header and read image of the postal matter P that could not be recognized by the recognizing unit 15 from the reject data control unit 18, recognizes the read image of the postal matter P, Detect address area candidates.

  30B can display the read image of the area indicated by the postal code area candidate and the address area candidate of the postal matter P distributed from the storage / distribution device 20 on the display unit 33. Further, the operator can input information indicating the classification destination based on the displayed image. The input process from the VCD is executed as a basic process for complementing the delivery classification information regardless of whether or not the priority sticker is attached to the postal matter P of this embodiment.

  The storage / distribution device 20 includes a memory control unit 21, a mass storage device 22, an image memory 23, a video distribution control unit 24, a timing control unit 25, an input / output control unit 27, and a dedicated recognition unit 28.

  The memory control unit 21 receives the processing data including the image header and the read image of the unrecognized postal matter P transmitted from the reading sorter main body 1 (reading device), and stores it in the mass storage device (storage means) 22. It is something to remember.

  The mass storage device 22 is constituted by a hard disk drive (HDD) or the like, and stores processing data including an image header and a read image received from the reading sorter main body 1 based on the control of the memory control unit 21. The processing data stored in the mass storage device 22 is read onto the image memory 23 in response to a transmission request from the memory control unit 21.

  The dedicated recognition unit (detection means) 28 detects the zip code area candidate and the address area candidate by recognizing the read image of the processing data stored in the mass storage device 22. These detected area candidates are added to the image header.

  The recognition unit (offline OCR) 50 is also referred to as automatic VC (video coding), and the recognition unit 15 performs recognition processing with a time limit in order to perform recognition during mail transport processing. Further, since it is an off-line process that removes the time limit and performs the recognition process, the recognition accuracy is improved, and there is a case where a mail piece that cannot be recognized by the recognition unit 15 can be recognized.

  Here, the processing data will be described. The processing data has the image header and the read image as described above. The image header includes the image ID assigned to the read image in which the postal matter P could not be recognized, the start position / size of the postal code area candidate, the start position / size of the address area candidate, and the compression when the read image is used after being compressed. It has parameters. As described above, a compressed image is often used to increase the transmission efficiency as described above. However, since the content of the compression is not the gist of the present invention, a detailed description thereof is omitted, and the name of the read image is here. Used.

  The video distribution control unit 24 is connected to the memory control unit 21 and the timing control unit 25. The video distribution control unit 24 transmits the processing data transmission destination (distribution destination) VCD 30A based on the contents of a distribution request table (not shown) created in accordance with the distribution request transmitted from each VCD 30A, 30B,. , 30B... 30B. In other words, the video distribution control unit 24 can perform coding (key input at the sorting destination) using the distribution request table. Further, the VCDs 30A, 30B,... 30B waiting for input of processing data are determined, and the memory control unit 21 is controlled to control the priority distribution processing means (described later) and the input maintaining means (described later). Processing data is transmitted to each VCD 30A, 30B,... 30B.

  Also, the coding information input by each of the VCDs 30A, 30B,... 30B is received by the input / output control unit 27. The input / output control unit 27 transmits the coding information received from each VCD 30A, 30B,... 30B to the control unit 16 of the reading sorter main body 1 via the timing control unit 25.

  The VCD 30A, 30B,... 30B includes a control unit 31, a storage unit 32, a display unit 33, an input unit 34, and the like. The control unit 31 controls the entire VCD 30A, 30B,... 30B, receives the processing data for the postal matter P from the storage / distribution device 20, and inputs the input result (coding information) from the input unit 34 to the above input. It has a function of transmitting to the output control unit 27.

  The storage unit 32 stores the processing data of the postal matter P supplied from the accumulation / distribution device 20. The storage unit 32 can store a plurality of pieces of processing data such as an image that is currently being coded (first) and an image that is to be coded next.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the form of the postal matter P used in this embodiment. In the illustrated postal matter P, a normal destination P01 and a sender P02 are described, and a postage stamp P03 such as a stamp determined by the type of postal matter and the destination is pasted. The illustrated example further shows a state in which a priority sticker P04 is pasted in the vicinity of this fee amount mark.

  The priority sticker P04 is printed in a conspicuous color such as red as a background color, and a code for distinguishing the type of the priority sticker may be printed or entered. In the illustrated example, the case where “priority 1” is printed as this code is shown.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining priority sticker detection means for detecting a priority sticker. First, as a label detection means, it is detected whether there is a label of a predetermined size in the read image read by the scanner unit 11 (label detection step, S01).

  If a label is detected as a result of this detection (YES in S01), it is checked whether there is an unchecked label (S02). When the label is not detected (NO in S01), the process proceeds to the normal processing step (S05).

  If the result of this inspection is an unchecked label (YES in S02), it is detected whether the detected label is a priority sticker (priority sticker detection step S03). If there is no unchecked label (NO in S02), the process proceeds to a normal processing step (S05).

  In this embodiment, “red” having good visibility is used as the background color of the priority sticker, and “priority 1” is used as a code indicating the type of the priority sticker.

  In this background color detection, whether the label image obtained by extracting the red component of the scanner unit 11 constituted by a color sensor is a designated color component is detected by the background color detection means.

  Further, it is detected by the code detection means whether the code indicating the type of the priority sticker printed on the label is of the designated type. This code detection is performed by the recognition unit 15 described above.

  If the detected label is not a priority sticker (NO in S03), the process returns to the beginning to check whether there is another label, and the same process is repeated (NO in S01 to S03). As a result of this inspection, when the label is not detected (NO in S01), or when the detected label is an already inspected label and there is no unchecked label (NO in S02), the sorting machine normally The process proceeds (S05).

  On the other hand, if a priority sticker is detected in step S03 (YES in S03), the sorting machine proceeds to priority sticker processing step S04.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the priority sticker processing step and the normal processing step when the priority sticker is pasted. First, an OCR process is performed on the postal matter P (S11).

  Next, when a priority sticker is detected as a result of the priority sticker detection means shown in FIG. 3 (YES in S12), it is determined whether or not a VCS process is necessary as a video coding system process necessity determination step (S13). . As a result of this determination, if VCS processing is necessary (YES in S13), offline OCR processing or VCD input is performed as a step of generating delivery classification information (S14). If the result of this determination is that VCS processing is not necessary, the delivery classification destination is entered, and the process proceeds to the verification processing step described below.

  As a result of step S14, it is confirmed in the verification processing step whether the generated delivery classification information is correct (S15).

  If there is no error as a result of this verification processing step (NO in S16), the processing is terminated. On the other hand, if there is an error as a result of the verify process (YES in S16), the error is notified to the apparatus (S17). The postal matter P that has received the error notification is stored in a reject stacker.

  If no priority sticker is detected in step S12 (NO in S12), it is determined whether VCS processing is necessary. If VCS processing is necessary (YES in S18), offline OCR processing is performed as a process for generating delivery classification information. Alternatively, VCD input is performed (S19). As a result of this determination, if the VCS process is not necessary, the delivery classification destination is entered, and the process ends.

  In the above description, if there is a priority sticker, a verify process is performed to prevent delay due to misdelivery, but if there is no priority sticker, a verify process is not performed to reduce the priority. .

  As described above, according to the present invention, when a priority sticker is attached to a mail piece, when this priority sticker is detected by the OCR process of the sorting machine, the verify process is performed regardless of the necessity of the VCS process. By doing so, it is possible to perform highly reliable processing on high-priority mail pieces. As a result, it is possible to efficiently prevent late delivery due to incorrect delivery of high-priority mail, and thus the reliability of the recognition processing of the entire sorting machine can be improved.

The block diagram of the mail reading sorter by the Example of this invention. The form of mail used in this example. The flowchart explaining a priority sticker detection means. The flowchart explaining a priority sticker process and a normal process.

Explanation of symbols

P Mail 1a Conveyance sorting machine body 10 Supply unit 11 Scanner unit 12 ID code reading unit 13 Bar code printer unit 14 Sorting unit 15 Recognition unit 16 Control unit 17 Main transport path 18 Reject data control unit 19 Image buffer 2 Video coding system 20 Storage / distribution device 21 Memory control unit 22 Mass storage device 23 Image memory 28 Dedicated recognition unit 30 Video coding terminal 33 Display unit 34 Input unit

Claims (5)

A take-out unit for picking up postal items one by one; a reading unit for reading an image of the postal matter taken out by the take-out unit; , A postal matter reading and sorting machine having a stacking means for sorting and collecting the postal items based on the delivery classification information recognized by the recognition means,
Label detection means for detecting a label from the image read by the reading means;
Priority sticker detection means for detecting that the label detected by the label detection means is a priority sticker;
As a result of the detection by the priority sticker detection means, when the label is a priority sticker, the confirmation processing of the delivery classification information, priority sticker processing means,
As a result of detection by the priority sticker detection means, normal processing means for normally processing when the label is not a priority sticker,
A mail-reading / sorting machine characterized by comprising: The label detection means includes
Detect the shape including the vertical size and horizontal size of the label,
The priority sticker detection means is
Background color detection means for detecting a predetermined background color;
Code detecting means for detecting a code indicating the type of priority sticker printed on the background color;
2. A postal mail reading and sorting machine according to claim 1, further comprising: A take-out unit for taking out the postal items one by one; a reading unit for reading the image of the postal matter taken out by the take-out unit; , A priority sticker processing method for a postal matter reading and sorting machine comprising a stacking means for sorting and collecting the postal items based on the delivery class information recognized by the recognition unit,
A label detection step of detecting a label from the image read by the reading unit;
A priority sticker detection step for detecting that the label detected in this label detection step is a priority sticker;
As a result of detection by the priority sticker detection step, a priority sticker processing step of confirming the delivery classification information when the label is a priority sticker,
As a result of detection by the priority sticker detection step, a normal processing step for normal processing when the label is not a priority sticker,
A priority sticker processing method for a mail reading sorter characterized by comprising: The priority sticker processing step includes:
A video coding system processing necessity determination step for determining whether or not a video coding system process for generating and inputting the delivery category information when the delivery category information cannot be recognized by the recognition means;
As a result of the video coating system necessity determination step, if the video coding system processing is necessary, the step of generating the delivery classification information by an offline OCR or a video coding terminal;
After the process of generating the delivery category information is completed, a verification processing step for confirming the generated delivery category information,
If an error occurs as a result of the verification in the verification processing step, an error notification step for notifying this error,
The priority sticker processing method for a postal mail reading and sorting machine according to claim 3, wherein: The normal processing step is:
A video coating system processing necessity determination step for determining whether or not a video coating system process for generating and inputting the delivery category information when the delivery category information cannot be recognized by the recognition means;
As a result of the video coating system necessity determination step, if the video coding system processing is necessary, the step of generating the delivery classification information by an offline OCR or a video coding terminal;
4. The priority sticker processing method for a mail piece sorting machine according to claim 3, wherein the verification processing step and the error notification step are not used.

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