DE102007038836A1 - Device and method for processing objects with applied information - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (10) and a method for processing articles (20), wherein the articles (20) have optically detectable information on at least one side. The articles are occasionally transported on a conveyor line (30) through the device (10) and to a reading device (40) which detects the information from all sides of the articles (20). The reading device (40) is in communication with a data processing unit (50), which has means for receiving and evaluating the acquired information from all sides of the objects (20). The evaluation of this information in the data processing unit (50) comprises at least the determination of the side of an object (20) on which the information was acquired. The data processing unit (50) duplicates the acquired information and transmits it to a printing unit (60). The printing unit (60) applies the duplicated information on a fixed reading side of the objects (20), the specification of the reading side being stored in the data processing unit (50).

Description

The The invention relates to a device for processing objects, wherein the articles on at least one side of an optical have detectable information. The device includes for isolated Transport of the objects through the device a conveyor line and on the conveyor line is a reading device for non-contact capture of information on all pages the objects provided.

The The invention further relates to a method for processing objects with such a device.

Out In the prior art it is known to use devices To edit items such as postal packages, by being visually scanned while on one Be transported conveyor line. For post packages detecting usually applied target information, to control the further transport of the packages. Also for any other items such as packaged Goods or newspaper bundles can use such devices be used on conveyor lines.

Usually CCD cameras are used, which are the surface of an object. The captured images, for example evaluated by OCR technology, being in an attached data processing unit both handwritten information and machine-readable Information on how to evaluate barcodes. Be handwritten Information evaluated by the data processing unit For example, a barcode generated for the downstream processing and onward transport of the item is applied to a particular page of the article.

In addition, labels can be applied in which routing information is encrypted. For example, the international patent application discloses WO 02/057030 A1 a system for reading and evaluating information on packets, in which packets are stored on a conveyor belt so that their destination information is visible to a camera. The captured images are evaluated by a data processing system, where they are compared with stored customer or Lexikadaten to reduce the error rate. In addition, a routing label is applied to the respective package.

Around to capture graphical information on an object this usually has to be on a conveyor line be aligned that the page on which the information can be visually detected. This can be objects manually placed on the conveyor line from the outset be that they have the required orientation. This requires but a high manual workload. Alternatively you can not correctly aligned objects are detected when their destination information from the optical detection means not could be recorded. These items will then be manually or mechanically rotated so that they have the correct orientation have and fed to the optical detection means again can be. However, this is also high Associated effort and requires multiple conveyor and sorting lines.

The US patent US 3,592,326 for example, discloses such a system in which mail packets are singled out over several conveyor belts and one side of the packets is scanned. If there is no information to capture on the scanned page, the package is ejected and rotated until the information you want to capture is on the correct page.

Further It is known from the prior art, during the transport of an object on a conveyor line all sides of the object visually capture, so that applied target information is always captured, without the object having to have a specific orientation. This is done, for example, with CCD cameras on all sides of a conveyor belt. The information collected in this way can be used for a subsequent routing of the item over more Conveyor and sorting lines of a control of the conveyor system be used. To get an item on other waypoints to be able to recapture a conveyor system is however, at each of these intermediate stations an all-side scan of the item required. If you want to avoid this, you have to turn correct alignment of the objects.

task The invention is therefore an apparatus for processing Objects with information on one To provide conveyor line, which in a simple way the repeated capture of this information allows, without that brought the objects into a specific orientation Need to become.

task The invention further provides a method for Operation of such a device.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by a device having the features of independent claim 1. Advantageous developments of the device will become apparent from the dependent claims 2-9. The object is further achieved by an Ver Drive solved according to claim 10. Advantageous embodiments of the method emerge from the dependent claims 11-18.

The Inventive device for processing Objects that have an optical on at least one side Have detectable information, sees a conveyor line for occasional transport of the objects through the device in front. On the conveyor line is a reading device for non-contact capture of information on all pages the objects provided. According to the invention the reading device in connection with a data processing unit, which means for receiving and evaluating the acquired information from all sides of the objects. The evaluation This information in the data processing unit comprises at least the determination of the side of an item on which information is collected were. The data processing unit further comprises means for Duplication of collected information and means of transmission the duplicated information to a printing unit. The printing unit again, has means for applying the duplicated information on a fixed reading side of the objects, wherein the specification of the read side is stored in the data processing unit.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the reading device at least six detection means, the so are arranged that they are all sides of on the conveyor line can detect objects transported past it. The reading device may comprise, for example, CCD cameras. Preferably has the conveyor line in the area of the reading device a transparent area and in the conveying direction before this transparent area an accelerating device for accelerating of the objects over the transparent area away.

The Detection means are used for the optical detection of information. A preferred example of an optical detection means is one Reading device, such as a camera, a scanner, an optical Scanning device or an image sensor. An image sensor is a device for taking two-dimensional images of light on electric or mechanical ways.

Technical Solutions for taking a picture in the visible area to the infrared are often based on two-dimensional arrangements (arrays) of radiation sensors whose signals are read out electronically. Examples of image sensors are charge-coupled device (CCD) image sensors or CMOS sensors.

The Data processing unit comprises means for reading information from the images of the cameras, duplicating the information read out become. The data processing unit may be means for a have optical character recognition such as OCR and / or ICR recognition.

The Printing unit may have means for printing the duplicated information on a sticker and means for applying the sticker have a fixed reading side of the objects.

The Data processing unit further comprises means for determining the Position and orientation of an object on the conveyor line on, wherein the data processing unit, the image of a camera above used the conveyor line. The data processing unit includes means for transmitting the determined position and alignment of an object to the printing unit, wherein the Printing unit means to implement this information via the position and orientation of an item includes the duplicated item To apply information specifically to an object.

From The invention further comprises a method for processing Objects with the invention Contraption. The reading device transmits the collected information from all sides of the objects to a data processing unit, which evaluates the acquired information, the evaluation of this information in the data processing unit includes at least the determination of the page on which information were recorded. The data processing unit duplicates the detected Information and transmit it to a printing unit, which copies the duplicated information to a specified read page Applying objects.

The Data processing unit can read the information from the pictures read out the cameras, whereby the read out information is duplicated. For this purpose, the data processing unit, the images of the cameras, for example with optical character recognition such as OCR and / or ICR recognition evaluate.

The fixed reading side of the objects is preferably the top of the objects. The data processing unit determined from the information acquired by the reading device the side of an item on which the information is collected and the data processing unit compares this page with the specified read page. Ties this page with the specified Read page does not match the information collected Duplicated as they are already on the reading side of an item located.

The data processing unit determines fer ner the position and orientation of an object on the conveyor line, where it uses the image of a camera above the conveyor line. The data processing unit sends the thus determined position and orientation of an object to the printing unit, which converts this information about the position and orientation of an object and selectively applies the duplicated information to an object.

The Invention has the advantage of repeating information can be detected by an object without the Previously had to be brought into a specific orientation. The items must be on a conveyor line thus only isolated to be recorded individually can. The information is simply duplicated and on the correct read page applied. In this case, the inventive Procedure is a simple procedure that is nevertheless fundamental from previous methods for achieving the object of the invention different.

Further advantages, features and expedient developments of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims and the following description of a possible embodiment of the invention with reference to the figure 1 ,

1 shows an embodiment of the device according to the invention 10 , consisting of a conveyor line 30 , on the objects 20 be transported in the direction of the arrow. The articles are, for example, postal packages, packaged goods or newspaper bundles, which may be provided on one side with a destination address or an identification of the respective article. The destination address, like parcels, can not only be postal addresses, but also destinations within a logistics system. For example, packaged shipments may be provided with information about a destination to which a commodity is to be transported in order, for example, to pick further goods into the packaging or to use the packaged object in a production process. In addition, objects can be provided with unique identifications with which they can be identified at several stations within a transport system.

The Applied information can be both in plain text as well as being applied in encrypted form. When For example, encryption can be barcodes or matrix codes are used. Furthermore, the information printed directly on the item or it will be a label / label used to which the information is applied. Readable Interpretation and encrypted information can also be found in Combination to be present on an object. For example can provide a parcel shipment with a glued-on parcel label be that of a sender with a recipient address in plain text, while the label is further a barcode with an encrypted sequence of numbers over which the consignment is clearly identifiable in the shipping system.

Things 20 are preferably isolated on the conveyor line 20 transported. For the separation, known methods and devices can be used, for example in the form of conveyor belts with different speeds or slides, which move the objects in a targeted manner from one layer to another. The singulation can be carried out with or without the assistance of a sensor which detects the position of objects on the conveyor line.

At the conveyor line 30 there is a reading device 40 , with all the pages of the individually guided by it objects 20 can be scanned. Preferably, at least six optical detection means are used for this all-side scanning, which are arranged so that they can detect all sides of an object guided past them.

One preferred example of the optical detection means is a reading device, For example, a camera, a scanner, an optical scanner or an image sensor. For example, the cameras are to CCD cameras, and the simultaneous capture of information Multiple pages of an item can be made using standard methods and arrangements of cameras are performed which known to those skilled in the art.

It is also convenient, one or more mirrors use. It is possible, for example, that when using a mirror deflected a detecting means over the mirror receives optical signals and so together with the mirror perceives the function of two means of detection.

To the bottom of an object 20 Being able to capture is the area 31 the conveyor line 30 , in which the scanning of the objects takes place, preferably carried out transparently, so that a detection means, for example a camera, can be positioned below the conveying path. This may be, for example, a transparent plate which is arranged between two conveyor belts. In front of this transparent area there is preferably a means for accelerating the objects over the transpa across the board. The objects are, for example, transported by a first conveyor belt to the transparent plate, which is directly in front of the plate another conveyor belt 32 which has a much higher speed than the first conveyor belt. The objects are accelerated by this fast conveyor belt and slide over the transparent plate 31 until they are taken up again by a conveyor belt arranged behind it and transported further.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the conveyor line 30 in the field of reading device 40 Slightly inclined downwards in the conveying direction, so that the objects move over the transparent plate due to gravity 31 slip until they are picked up again by a conveyor belt arranged behind it and transported further.

That of the reading units (cameras) of the reading device 40 taken pictures are a data processing unit 50 supplied, which performs an evaluation of the images. This evaluation involves at least the determination of the page of an item on which information was collected. This can be done on the basis of the image information and the defined arrangement of the reading units (cameras). If only the lower reading unit (camera) could detect information, this means that the searched information is located on the underside of the object.

The data processing unit 50 Now performs a comparison of the page thus determined with information with a fixed read page. The read page is in the data processing unit 50 deposited. The read side is the side of objects on which the information must reside in order to be detected by subsequent reading devices. If it is provided on the further conveyor and distribution line that information is always captured from above, the fixed read side, for example, the top of the items. However, it can also be provided that reading devices are located, for example, in the conveying direction to the right of the conveying path, so that the fixed reading side is the right-hand side of an object.

There according to the invention on the specified read side an imprint or label is applied with a print, However, it has proven to be advantageous that as a reading page the top of the objects is fixed. So can the imprint or a label can be applied without the Subject moves. Further, the position and orientation an object more definable over the top, as this is the case over lateral surfaces, because isolated objects always flat on the conveyor line rest so that their top is substantially parallel to the conveyor line lies well and can be printed well. Side surfaces can however, depending on the location of the article obliquely to a printhead what can reduce the print quality or a print or make the application of a label even impossible can. In a preferred embodiment of the invention this is the fixed read page of the items therefore around the top of the objects.

In this case, located above the conveyor line 30 a printing unit 60 that print directly on items or a label 70 can produce that can be applied to the objects. The printing unit 60 is in connection with the data processing unit 50 showing the pictures of the reading device 40 evaluates and compares with the default for the read page. If only the reading unit (camera) below the conveyor track could capture information, the comparison with the specified read page reveals that the two sides do not match. The data processing unit therefore sends a signal to the printing unit 60 to apply an imprint or label to the top of the next item. If, on the other hand, the top side has been detected as the side on which information is located, the data processing unit does not send a signal for printing to the printing unit, since no additional application of information is required. Rather, the article is already in the correct orientation and the information can be detected by a reading device above the conveyor line.

Sends the data processing unit 50 a signal to print to the printing unit 60 , this is done together with the transmission of a duplicate of the information obtained. The data processing unit duplicates all or only part of the acquired information. If barcode scanning is required for further processing, a captured barcode is duplicated and applied to the top of an item. Furthermore, if the detection of a receiver address is required in order to subsequently generate a sort code for the conveyor line, for example, the receiver address is duplicated. In this case, the detected receiver address of the data processing unit 50 extracted and recreated by OCR and / or ICR techniques. Alternatively, the area with the receiver address is cut out of the image recorded by a reading unit (camera) and applied to the object without further processing.

Even a detected barcode can be recreated or merely as a copy of the recorded image. However, to increase the read rates of downstream processes, it has proven advantageous to extract information from the captured images and to duplicate the information by recreating it. In this way, deficiencies in the original information can be corrected. If a recipient address, for example, handwritten or applied in a pale color, it can now be applied in black print. However, the data processing unit does not add information to the acquired information, but merely duplicates it. In the simplest case, only the relevant information areas are cut out of the recorded image of a reading unit, preferably a camera, and applied in color or black and white to the fixed reading side of the object.

The data processing unit 50 further evaluates the image of the reading unit, preferably the camera, above the conveyor line 30 off to the position and orientation of the object 20 to determine on the conveyor line. This data will also be the printing unit 60 so that they can apply an imprint specifically to an object. Thus, the location of an object between the reading device 40 and the printing unit 60 not changed significantly, the mechanism should be to transport the items over the transparent plate 32 therefore be designed accordingly.

Alternatively, behind the reading device 40 Means be provided for positioning the objects in a certain printing position. This may be, for example, baffles that lead the objects in a central location that allows a print. This procedure is particularly suitable for objects of similar size and shape. In the case of articles of widely varying size and shape, as is the case, for example, with postal parcels, a reliable orientation is difficult to realize, so that it can be supplemented or replaced by the described evaluation of the image of the upper reading unit, preferably the camera.

10

processing device

20

Object, Postal package, packaging, goods

30

Conveyor line, conveyor belt

31

transparent Area

32

Accelerator, acceleration belt

40

reader

50

Data processing unit

60

Printing unit lever

70

label

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• WO 02/057030 A1 [0005]
• US 3592326 [0007]

Claims (18)

Contraption ( 10 ) for processing objects ( 20 ), the objects ( 20 ) have optically detectable information on at least one side, and the device has a conveying path ( 30 ) for the occasional transport of the objects ( 20 ) through the device ( 10 ) and on the conveyor line ( 30 ) a reading device ( 40 ) for contactless acquisition of information on all sides of the objects ( 20 ), characterized in that the reading device ( 40 ) in connection with a data processing unit ( 50 ), which means for receiving and analyzing the collected information from all sides of the objects ( 20 ), wherein the evaluation of this information in the data processing unit ( 50 ) at least the determination of the side of an object ( 20 ) on which information was collected and that the data processing unit ( 50 ) Means for duplicating the collected information and means for transmitting the duplicated information to a printing unit ( 60 ), and that the printing unit ( 60 ) Means for applying the duplicated information to a fixed read side of the objects ( 20 ), wherein the specification of the read side in the data processing unit ( 50 ) is deposited. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the reading device ( 40 ) comprises at least six detection means arranged to cover all sides of the conveyor line ( 30 ) transported past objects ( 20 ). Apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the conveyor line ( 30 ) in the area of the reading device ( 40 ) a transparent area ( 31 ) and in front of this transparent area ( 31 ) an accelerator ( 32 ) for accelerating the objects ( 20 ) over the transparent area ( 31 ). Device according to one of claims 2 and 3, characterized in that the data processing unit ( 50 ) Comprises means for reading information from the images of the detection means, wherein the read information is duplicated. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that the reading device ( 40 ) Includes cameras. Device according to one of claims 4 and 5, characterized in that the data processing unit ( 50 ) Comprises means for optical character recognition. Apparatus according to claim 6, characterized in that the data processing unit ( 50 ) Applies OCR and / or ICR detection. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the printing unit ( 60 ) Means for printing the duplicated information on a sticker ( 70 ) and means for applying the sticker ( 70 ) on a fixed reading side of the objects ( 20 ) having. Device according to one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the data processing unit ( 50 ) Means for determining the position and orientation of an object ( 20 ) on the conveyor line ( 30 ), wherein the data processing unit ( 50 ) the image of a reading unit above the conveyor line ( 30 ), and that the data processing unit ( 50 ) Means for transmitting the determined position and orientation of an object ( 20 ) to the printing unit ( 60 ), wherein the printing unit ( 60 ) Means for implementing this information on the position and orientation of an object ( 20 ) to selectively apply the duplicated information to an object. Method of processing objects ( 20 ), the objects ( 20 ) on at least one side have optically detectable information, and the objects on a conveyor line ( 30 ) separated by the device ( 10 ), and on the conveyor line ( 30 ) by a reading device ( 40 ) Information on all pages of the items ( 20 ) are detected without contact, characterized in that the reading device ( 40 ) the information collected from all sides of the objects ( 20 ) a data processing unit ( 50 ), which evaluates the acquired information, wherein the evaluation of this information in the data processing unit ( 50 ) comprises at least the determination of the page on which information was acquired, and that the data processing unit ( 50 ) duplicates the collected information and sends the duplicated information to a printing unit ( 60 ) and that the printing unit ( 60 ) the duplicated information on a fixed reading side of the objects ( 20 ). Method according to claim 10, characterized in that the information from the reading device ( 40 ) are detected by at least six reading units, wherein the reading units all sides of on the conveyor line ( 30 ) transported past objects ( 20 ) to capture. Method according to claim 11, characterized in that the data processing unit ( 50 ) the information from the pictures of the reading read out the information read out. Method according to claim 12, characterized in that the data processing unit ( 50 ) evaluates the images of the reading units with an optical character recognition. Method according to claim 13, characterized in that the data processing unit ( 50 ) Applies OCR and / or ICR detection. Method according to one of claims 10 to 14, characterized in that the printing unit ( 60 ) the duplicated information on a sticker ( 70 ) prints and the sticker ( 70 ) on a fixed reading side of the objects ( 20 ). Method according to one of claims 10 to 15, characterized in that the fixed read side the top of objects ( 20 ). Method according to one of claims 10 to 16, characterized in that the data processing unit ( 50 ) from the reading device ( 40 ), that page of an item ( 20 ), on which the information was acquired, and that the data processing unit ( 50 ) compares this page with the specified read page and does not duplicate the captured information if that page matches the specified read page. Method according to one of claims 11 to 17, characterized in that the data processing unit ( 50 ) the position and orientation of an object ( 20 ) on the conveyor line ( 30 ), whereby the image of a reading unit above the conveyor line ( 30 ), and that the data processing unit ( 50 ) the position and orientation of an object ( 20 ) to the printing unit ( 60 ) containing this information about the position and orientation of an object ( 20 ) and applies the duplicated information specifically to an object.