EP1526925A2 - Mail-sorting installation comprising a colour reading head with two cameras - Google Patents

Mail-sorting installation comprising a colour reading head with two cameras

Info

Publication number
EP1526925A2
EP1526925A2 EP03753634A EP03753634A EP1526925A2 EP 1526925 A2 EP1526925 A2 EP 1526925A2 EP 03753634 A EP03753634 A EP 03753634A EP 03753634 A EP03753634 A EP 03753634A EP 1526925 A2 EP1526925 A2 EP 1526925A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
read head
camera
postal
image
cameras
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP03753634A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1526925B1 (en
Inventor
Cyrille Prudhomme
Claude Mitte
Agnès Résidence Quinson GAMEZ CUATZIN
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Solystic SAS
Original Assignee
Solystic SAS
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Solystic SAS filed Critical Solystic SAS
Publication of EP1526925A2 publication Critical patent/EP1526925A2/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1526925B1 publication Critical patent/EP1526925B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B07—SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS; SORTING
    • B07C—POSTAL SORTING; SORTING INDIVIDUAL ARTICLES, OR BULK MATERIAL FIT TO BE SORTED PIECE-MEAL, e.g. BY PICKING
    • B07C3/00—Sorting according to destination
    • B07C3/10—Apparatus characterised by the means used for detection ofthe destination
    • B07C3/14—Apparatus characterised by the means used for detection ofthe destination using light-responsive detecting means

Definitions

  • Postal sorting installation including a color reading head with two cameras
  • the invention relates to a read head for acquiring digital images of postal objects in a postal sorting installation, said read head comprising a high resolution multi-level gray camera.
  • the invention is more particularly intended for a postal sorting installation in which postal objects are processed by video coding so that an operator enters the recipient address from the digital image of the object which is displayed on a screen from his video coding station.
  • Digital images are generally transmitted in real time from a computerized management system of the sorting installation to the video coding station through a computer network. Given the processing rates, the digital images must have a low weight, otherwise it is not possible to video-code postal objects in real time.
  • the weight of images is limited by limiting their resolution and / or their color palette.
  • the images acquired are high resolution multilevel gray images because the size of high resolution color images is not compatible with the transfer rates of current computer networks.
  • the images displayed on the screen of the video coding station are currently in multi-gray levels, which reduces the operator's efficiency and his working comfort.
  • Document US-5912698 discloses a read head for the acquisition of digital images of postal objects in a postal sorting installation, comprising a high-resolution multi-level gray camera and a low-resolution color acquisition camera. The two cameras are arranged in the read head so as to provide two digital images acquired separately and superimposed on each postal object.
  • the object of the invention is to propose a read head as defined above, with which the superimposability of the digital images acquired separately is improved.
  • the subject of the invention is a read head for acquiring digital images of postal objects in a postal sorting installation, said read head comprising a high-resolution multi-level gray camera and a security camera. low resolution color acquisition, said cameras being arranged in said read head so as to simultaneously supply two digital images acquired separately and superimposable of each postal object, an observation window through which the two cameras each capture an image of each object
  • FIBILIE M Bf.ttPi.ACEfl.EMT ⁇ E ⁇ OE 21 ⁇ postal characterized in that it comprises an optical system for separating the light flux coming from the window towards each camera so that the two cameras simultaneously capture the same object points with the same angle of view.
  • a high-resolution multi-level gray image and a low-resolution color image are acquired simultaneously with the same viewing angle for each postal object.
  • the two images are transmitted to the video coding station where a high resolution color image of the postal object is displayed after combining the two images received.
  • the invention thus makes it possible to propose a high resolution color image by limiting the amount of additional data compared to the high resolution multilevel gray grayscale usually carried out.
  • the high resolution color image can also be used to improve the optical recognition of characters by facilitating the recognition of address blocks in the image of a postal object.
  • This high resolution color image can also be used to facilitate automatic recognition of postage marks.
  • the cameras are arranged at a right angle in the read head, and a separating blade is disposed substantially at forty-five degrees relative to each camera, so that the two cameras capture the same point object.
  • the two images can thus be acquired simultaneously by the same read head and through the same observation window, which improves their superimposability.
  • Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a read head according to the invention
  • Figure 2 is a flow diagram representation of the combination of two images to form a high resolution color image.
  • a read head 1 comprises a housing 2 which is a dark room with an observation window 2 'in front of which parade postal objects to be photographed.
  • a multi-level gray digital camera 3 high resolution is fixed to this box by being placed facing the observation window 2 'to acquire a digital image of a postal object visible in this window.
  • the read head 1 comprises another camera 4 which is a low resolution color camera.
  • This low-resolution color camera 4 is arranged so as to simultaneously acquire another digital image of the postal envelope superimposable on the image acquired by the multi-level gray camera 3.
  • the two cameras 3 and 4 can, for example, face the observation window 2 ′ to provide substantially superimposable images.
  • a digital processing of one of the two images may be implemented to correct this offset.
  • the acquisition of two superimposable images in the read head with the same viewing angle according to the invention can be ensured by using an optical system placed between the cameras and the observation window, this system being intended to separate into two the luminous flux coming from the window.
  • the optical separation system used could for example be a separating cube or else a fiber anamorphic agent.
  • the optical separation system chosen is a separating plate 5 arranged substantially at forty-five degrees relative to the plane of the observation window.
  • the luminous flux F1 coming from the observation window is separated by this plate into two fluxes F2 and F3 oriented at right angles to one another. More particularly, a first half F2 of the light flux crosses the separating plate 5 to reach the objective of the high-resolution multilevel gray camera 3 which is placed facing the observation window while being oriented at forty-five degrees relative to the separating blade.
  • a second half F3 of the light flux is reflected by the separating plate 5 so as to be oriented parallel to the plane of the window 2 'towards the low-resolution color camera 4 which is arranged at forty-five degrees relative to the separating plate.
  • the camera 3 faces the observation window 2 ′ and the camera 4 is arranged parallel to the plane of this observation window, the separating blade 5 being disposed at forty-five degrees relative to the plane of the window so as to form an angle of forty-five degrees with the axis of each of the cameras 3 and 4.
  • the mechanical and optical imperfections of the target point that constitutes the postal object thus strictly affect the multilevel gray camera and the color camera.
  • the superimposability of the images from these cameras is thus improved, and the two images can be acquired simultaneously.
  • Such a separating blade which is known per se is generally made of treated glass, and has the advantage of a very low cost compared to other possible optical systems. In the example illustrated in FIG.
  • the intensity of the light fluxes F2 and F3 received by each camera is substantially equal to half the intensity of the light flux F1 leaving the observation window.
  • This reduction in light intensity can advantageously be compensated for by a larger aperture of the diaphragm of each camera.
  • Another way to compensate for this reduction may be to increase the lighting of the postal item.
  • the resolution of the color camera is much lower than the resolution of the multi-level gray camera.
  • the amount of data to be transmitted to form a high resolution color image on the video coding screen is significantly reduced.
  • the resolution of the color camera in number of points per unit of length
  • the weight of the image from the low resolution color camera is worth 18% of the weight of the high-resolution multi-level gray image.
  • the amount of additional data to form a high resolution color image on the video coding screen is small compared to high resolution multi-level grayscale acquisition.
  • the two images are superimposable, to within a factor of size, which means that they represent the same part of the postal object at different resolutions.
  • one point in the low resolution color image corresponds to sixteen points in the high resolution multi-level gray image.
  • FIG 2 a flowchart representative of the processing of combining two images acquired by the read head to display a high resolution color image on the video coding station is shown very schematically.
  • This treatment could for example be implemented by computerized means at the level of a video coding station, or at the level of the computerized management system of the postal sorting installation.
  • the data supplied by the read head 1 includes, for each object, two superimposable images which are subjected to a processing unit which may be a video coding station or else the computerized management system of the postal sorting installation.
  • a low resolution color image is acquired by camera 4 in RGB (Red Green Blue) format which corresponds to the RGB-BR block of FIG. 2.
  • RGB Red Green Blue
  • a multilevel gray image is acquired by camera 3 which corresponds to the block MNG-HR in Figure 2.
  • Two options can then be considered.
  • the RGB-BR image is transmitted to a processing unit in which it is converted into a so-called TSL (Tint Saturation Luminance) representation.
  • TSL Tin Saturation Luminance
  • the luminance layer of this image is not transmitted, which further reduces the amount of data of the color image.
  • the converted color image whose luminance layer is not preserved is represented by the TS-BR block.
  • the luminance component (L) of a point in a TSL representation corresponds to the value of the shade of gray in a multilevel gray image.
  • the multi-level gray image is directly a luminance image, which is represented by the L-HR block.
  • the two images are then combined to form a high resolution image in TSL format, which is represented by the TSL-HR block.
  • this high resolution color image is constructed by combining the luminance layer from the high resolution multi-level gray image, with the T and S layers (hue and saturation) which come from the low resolution image from camera 4.
  • This combination is made possible by the fact that the two images are superimposable. More particularly, it is known that the eye is very sensitive to luminance while it is less sensitive to saturation and hue in an image. Consequently, the subsampling (by acquisition in low resolution) of the layers of saturation and hue is without great loss for the human eye.

Landscapes

  • Sorting Of Articles (AREA)
  • Character Input (AREA)
  • Discharge Of Articles From Conveyors (AREA)
  • Facsimile Heads (AREA)
  • Character Discrimination (AREA)

Abstract

The read head ( 1 ) for a postal sorting installation serves to pick up a digital image of each postal object using a high-resolution camera ( 3 ) providing a multiple level gray scale. The read head also has a low-resolution color camera ( 4 ), the two cameras ( 3, 4 ) being placed in such a manner as to acquire simultaneously two superposable digital images of each postal object. The superposable high-resolution gray scale image and low-resolution color image are intended to be combined in order to provide a high-resolution color image.

Description

Installation de tri postal comprenant une tête de lecture couleur à deux camérasPostal sorting installation including a color reading head with two cameras
L'invention concerne une tête de lecture pour l'acquisition d'images numériques d'objets postaux dans une installation de tri postal, ladite tête de lecture comprenant une caméra multiniveaux de gris haute résolution. L'invention est plus particulièrement destinée à une installation de tri postal dans laquelle des objets postaux sont traités par vidéocodage pour qu'un opérateur saisisse l'adresse de destinataire à partir de l'image numérique de l'objet qui est affichée sur un écran de son poste de vidéocodage. Les images numériques sont généralement transmises en temps réel depuis un système de gestion informatisé de l'installation de tri vers le poste de vidéocodage à travers un réseau informatique. Compte tenu des débits de traitement, les images numériques doivent avoir un poids faible sans quoi il n'est pas possible de vidéocoder les objets postaux en temps réel.The invention relates to a read head for acquiring digital images of postal objects in a postal sorting installation, said read head comprising a high resolution multi-level gray camera. The invention is more particularly intended for a postal sorting installation in which postal objects are processed by video coding so that an operator enters the recipient address from the digital image of the object which is displayed on a screen from his video coding station. Digital images are generally transmitted in real time from a computerized management system of the sorting installation to the video coding station through a computer network. Given the processing rates, the digital images must have a low weight, otherwise it is not possible to video-code postal objects in real time.
Généralement, le poids des images est restreint par limitation de leur résolution et/ou de leur palette de couleurs. Classiquement, les images acquises sont des images multiniveaux de gris haute résolution car la taille d'images couleur haute résolution n'est pas compatible avec les débits de transfert des réseaux informatiques actuels. Les images affichées sur l'écran du poste de vidéocodage sont actuellement en multiniveaux de gris, ce qui réduit l'efficacité de l'opérateur et son confort de travail. Du document US — 5912698, on connaît une tête de lecture pour l'acquisition d'images numériques d'objets postaux dans une installation de tri postal, comprenant une caméra multiniveaux de gris haute résolution et une caméra d'acquisition couleur basse résolution. Les deux caméras sont disposées dans la tête de lecture de manière à fournir deux images numériques acquises séparément et superposables de chaque objet postal. Le but de l'invention est de proposer une tête de lecture comme définie plus haut, avec laquelle on améliore la superposabilité des images numériques acquises séparément.Generally, the weight of images is limited by limiting their resolution and / or their color palette. Conventionally, the images acquired are high resolution multilevel gray images because the size of high resolution color images is not compatible with the transfer rates of current computer networks. The images displayed on the screen of the video coding station are currently in multi-gray levels, which reduces the operator's efficiency and his working comfort. Document US-5912698 discloses a read head for the acquisition of digital images of postal objects in a postal sorting installation, comprising a high-resolution multi-level gray camera and a low-resolution color acquisition camera. The two cameras are arranged in the read head so as to provide two digital images acquired separately and superimposed on each postal object. The object of the invention is to propose a read head as defined above, with which the superimposability of the digital images acquired separately is improved.
A cet effet, l'invention a pour objet une tête de lecture pour l'acquisition d'images numériques d'objets postaux dans une installation de tri postal, ladite tête de lecture comprenant une caméra multiniveaux de gris haute résolution et une caméra d'acquisition couleur basse résolution, lesdites caméras étant disposées dans ladite tête de lecture de manière à fournir simultanément deux images numériques acquises séparément et superposables de chaque objet postal, une fenêtre d'observation à travers laquelle les deux caméras saisissent chacune une image de chaque objetTo this end, the subject of the invention is a read head for acquiring digital images of postal objects in a postal sorting installation, said read head comprising a high-resolution multi-level gray camera and a security camera. low resolution color acquisition, said cameras being arranged in said read head so as to simultaneously supply two digital images acquired separately and superimposable of each postal object, an observation window through which the two cameras each capture an image of each object
FIBILIE M Bf.ttPi.ACEfl.EMT {EÈOE 21} postal, caractérisée en ce qu'elle comprend un système optique de séparation du flux lumineux provenant de la fenêtre vers chaque caméra pour que les deux caméras saisissent simultanément les mêmes points objets avec le même angle de vue. Avec cette construction, une image multiniveaux de gris haute résolution et une image couleur basse résolution sont acquises simultanément avec le même angle de vue pour chaque objet postal. Les deux images sont transmises vers le poste de vidéocodage où une image couleur haute résolution de l'objet postal est affichée après combinaison des deux images reçues. L'invention permet ainsi de proposer une image couleur haute résolution en limitant la quantité de données supplémentaires par rapport à l'acquisition multiniveaux de gris haute résolution habituellement réalisée. Avantageusement, l'image couleur haute résolution pourra aussi être utilisée pour améliorer la reconnaissance optique de caractères en facilitant la reconnaissance de blocs adresse dans l'image d'un objet postal. Cette image couleur haute résolution pourra également être utilisée pour faciliter la reconnaissance automatique de marques d'affranchissement.FIBILIE M Bf.ttPi.ACEfl.EMT {EÈOE 21} postal, characterized in that it comprises an optical system for separating the light flux coming from the window towards each camera so that the two cameras simultaneously capture the same object points with the same angle of view. With this construction, a high-resolution multi-level gray image and a low-resolution color image are acquired simultaneously with the same viewing angle for each postal object. The two images are transmitted to the video coding station where a high resolution color image of the postal object is displayed after combining the two images received. The invention thus makes it possible to propose a high resolution color image by limiting the amount of additional data compared to the high resolution multilevel gray grayscale usually carried out. Advantageously, the high resolution color image can also be used to improve the optical recognition of characters by facilitating the recognition of address blocks in the image of a postal object. This high resolution color image can also be used to facilitate automatic recognition of postage marks.
Selon un mode de réalisation préféré de l'invention les caméras sont disposées à angle droit dans la tête de lecture, et une lame séparatrice est disposée sensiblement à quarante-cinq degrés par rapport à chaque caméra, de sorte que les deux caméras saisissent un même point objet. Les deux images peuvent ainsi être acquises simultanément par la même tête de lecture et à travers une même fenêtre d'observation, ce qui améliore leur superposabilité. L'invention sera maintenant décrite plus en détail, et en référence aux dessins annexés qui en illustrent une forme de réalisation à titre d'exemple non limitatif.According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cameras are arranged at a right angle in the read head, and a separating blade is disposed substantially at forty-five degrees relative to each camera, so that the two cameras capture the same point object. The two images can thus be acquired simultaneously by the same read head and through the same observation window, which improves their superimposability. The invention will now be described in more detail, and with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate an embodiment by way of non-limiting example.
La figure 1 est une représentation schématique d'une tête de lecture selon l'invention ; La figure 2 est une représentation sous forme d'organigramme de la combinaison de deux images pour former une image couleur haute résolution.Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a read head according to the invention; Figure 2 is a flow diagram representation of the combination of two images to form a high resolution color image.
Figure 1 , une tête de lecture 1 comprend un boîtier 2 qui est une chambre noire avec une fenêtre d'observation 2' devant laquelle défilent des objets postaux à photographier. Une caméra numérique multiniveaux de gris 3 haute résolution est fixée à ce boîtier en étant disposée face à la fenêtre d'observation 2' pour acquérir une image numérique d'un objet postal visible dans cette fenêtre. Selon l'invention, la tête de lecture 1 comprend une autre caméra 4 qui est une caméra couleur basse résolution. Cette caméra couleur 4 basse résolution est disposée de manière à acquérir simultanément une autre image numérique du pli postal superposable à l'image acquise par la caméra multiniveaux de gris 3. Ces deux images qui sont acquises séparément sont destinées à être combinées par exemple au niveau du poste de vidéocodage pour former une image couleur haute résolution de l'objet postal, ce qui sera détaillé plus bas. Les deux caméras 3 et 4 pourront par exemple faire face à la fenêtre d'observation 2' pour fournir des images sensiblement superposables. Dans le cas où les deux images acquises présentent un décalage trop important, un traitement numérique de l'une des deux images pourra être mis en oeuvre pour corriger ce décalage. L'acquisition de deux images superposables dans la tête de lecture avec le même angle de vue selon l'invention pourra être assurée par utilisation d'un système optique placé entre les caméras et la fenêtre d'observation, ce système étant destiné à séparer en deux le flux lumineux provenant de la fenêtre. Le système optique de séparation utilisé pourra par exemple être un cube séparateur ou bien un anamorphoseur à fibre.Figure 1, a read head 1 comprises a housing 2 which is a dark room with an observation window 2 'in front of which parade postal objects to be photographed. A multi-level gray digital camera 3 high resolution is fixed to this box by being placed facing the observation window 2 'to acquire a digital image of a postal object visible in this window. According to the invention, the read head 1 comprises another camera 4 which is a low resolution color camera. This low-resolution color camera 4 is arranged so as to simultaneously acquire another digital image of the postal envelope superimposable on the image acquired by the multi-level gray camera 3. These two images which are acquired separately are intended to be combined for example at the level from the video coding station to form a high resolution color image of the postal object, which will be detailed below. The two cameras 3 and 4 can, for example, face the observation window 2 ′ to provide substantially superimposable images. In the case where the two acquired images have too large an offset, a digital processing of one of the two images may be implemented to correct this offset. The acquisition of two superimposable images in the read head with the same viewing angle according to the invention can be ensured by using an optical system placed between the cameras and the observation window, this system being intended to separate into two the luminous flux coming from the window. The optical separation system used could for example be a separating cube or else a fiber anamorphic agent.
Dans un mode de réalisation préféré, le système optique de séparation choisi est une lame séparatrice 5 disposée sensiblement à quarante-cinq degrés par rapport au plan de la fenêtre d'observation. Le flux lumineux F1 provenant de la fenêtre d'observation est séparé par cette lame en deux flux F2 et F3 orientés à angle droit l'un par rapport à l'autre. Plus particulièrement, une première moitié F2 du flux lumineux traverse la lame séparatrice 5 pour atteindre l'objectif de la caméra multiniveaux de gris 3 haute résolution qui est placée face à la fenêtre d'observation en étant orientée à quarante-cinq degré par rapport à la lame séparatrice. Une seconde moitié F3 du flux lumineux est reflétée par la lame séparatrice 5 pour être orientée parallèlement au plan de la fenêtre 2' vers la caméra couleur 4 basse résolution qui est disposée à quarante-cinq degrés par rapport à la lame séparatrice. Comme représenté schématiquement figure 1 , la caméra 3 fait face à la fenêtre d'observation 2' et la caméra 4 est disposée parallèlement au plan de cette fenêtre d'observation, la lame séparatrice 5 étant disposée à quarante-cinq degrés par rapport au plan de la fenêtre de manière à former un angle de quarante-cinq degrés avec l'axe de chacune des caméras 3 et 4. Les imperfections mécaniques et optiques du point cible que constitue l'objet postal affectent ainsi de manière rigoureusement identique la caméra multiniveaux de gris et la caméra couleur. La superposabilité des images issues de ces caméras est ainsi améliorée, et les deux images peuvent être acquises simultanément. Une telle lame séparatrice qui est connue en soi est généralement faite de verre traité, et présente l'intérêt d'un coût très faible par rapport aux autres systèmes optiques possibles. Dans l'exemple illustré sur la figure 1 , l'intensité des flux lumineux F2 et F3 reçus par chaque caméra vaut sensiblement la moitié de l'intensité du flux lumineux F1 sortant de la fenêtre d'observation. Cet abaissement d'intensité lumineuse pourra avantageusement être compensé par une ouverture plus grande du diaphragme de chaque caméra. Une autre façon de compenser cet abaissement peut consister à augmenter l'éclairage de l'objet postal.In a preferred embodiment, the optical separation system chosen is a separating plate 5 arranged substantially at forty-five degrees relative to the plane of the observation window. The luminous flux F1 coming from the observation window is separated by this plate into two fluxes F2 and F3 oriented at right angles to one another. More particularly, a first half F2 of the light flux crosses the separating plate 5 to reach the objective of the high-resolution multilevel gray camera 3 which is placed facing the observation window while being oriented at forty-five degrees relative to the separating blade. A second half F3 of the light flux is reflected by the separating plate 5 so as to be oriented parallel to the plane of the window 2 'towards the low-resolution color camera 4 which is arranged at forty-five degrees relative to the separating plate. As shown diagrammatically in FIG. 1, the camera 3 faces the observation window 2 ′ and the camera 4 is arranged parallel to the plane of this observation window, the separating blade 5 being disposed at forty-five degrees relative to the plane of the window so as to form an angle of forty-five degrees with the axis of each of the cameras 3 and 4. The mechanical and optical imperfections of the target point that constitutes the postal object thus strictly affect the multilevel gray camera and the color camera. The superimposability of the images from these cameras is thus improved, and the two images can be acquired simultaneously. Such a separating blade which is known per se is generally made of treated glass, and has the advantage of a very low cost compared to other possible optical systems. In the example illustrated in FIG. 1, the intensity of the light fluxes F2 and F3 received by each camera is substantially equal to half the intensity of the light flux F1 leaving the observation window. This reduction in light intensity can advantageously be compensated for by a larger aperture of the diaphragm of each camera. Another way to compensate for this reduction may be to increase the lighting of the postal item.
Avantageusement, la résolution de la caméra couleur est très inférieure à la résolution de la caméra multiniveaux de gris. De cette manière la quantité de données à transmettre pour former une image couleur haute résolution sur l'écran de vidéo codage est significativement réduite. A titre d'exemple, si la résolution de la caméra couleur (en nombre de points par unité de longueur) est quatre fois moindre que celle de la caméra multiniveaux de gris, le poids de l'image issue de la caméra couleur basse résolution vaut 18% du poids de l'image multiniveaux de gris haute résolution. Comme le montre cet exemple, la quantité de données supplémentaires pour former une image couleur haute résolution sur l'écran de vidéocodage est faible par rapport à l'acquisition haute résolution multiniveaux de gris.Advantageously, the resolution of the color camera is much lower than the resolution of the multi-level gray camera. In this way the amount of data to be transmitted to form a high resolution color image on the video coding screen is significantly reduced. For example, if the resolution of the color camera (in number of points per unit of length) is four times less than that of the multi-level gray camera, the weight of the image from the low resolution color camera is worth 18% of the weight of the high-resolution multi-level gray image. As this example shows, the amount of additional data to form a high resolution color image on the video coding screen is small compared to high resolution multi-level grayscale acquisition.
Plus particulièrement, les deux images sont superposables, à un facteur de taille près, ce qui signifie qu'elles représentent une même partie de l'objet postal à des résolutions différentes. Dans l'exemple ci-dessus, un point de l'image couleur basse résolution correspond à seize points de l'image multiniveaux de gris haute résolution.More particularly, the two images are superimposable, to within a factor of size, which means that they represent the same part of the postal object at different resolutions. In the example above, one point in the low resolution color image corresponds to sixteen points in the high resolution multi-level gray image.
Figure 2, un organigramme représentatif du traitement de combinaison de deux images acquises par la tête de lecture pour afficher une image couleur haute résolution sur le poste de vidéocodage est représenté très schématiquement. Ce traitement pourra par exemple être mis en oeuvre par des moyens informatisés au niveau d'un poste de vidéocodage, ou au niveau du système de gestion informatisé de l'installation de tri postal.Figure 2, a flowchart representative of the processing of combining two images acquired by the read head to display a high resolution color image on the video coding station is shown very schematically. This treatment could for example be implemented by computerized means at the level of a video coding station, or at the level of the computerized management system of the postal sorting installation.
Les données fournies par la tête de lecture 1 comprennent pour chaque objet deux images superposables qui sont soumises à une unité de traitement qui peut être un poste de vidéocodage ou bien le système de gestion informatisé de l'installation de tri postal. Une image couleur basse résolution est acquise par la caméra 4 au format RVB (Rouge Vert Bleu) ce qui correspond au bloc RVB-BR de la figure 2. Simultanément, une image multiniveaux de gris est acquise par la caméra 3 ce qui correspond au bloc MNG-HR de la figure 2. Deux options peuvent être alors envisagées. Dans un premier cas, l'image RVB-BR est transmise à une unité de traitement dans laquelle elle est convertie dans une représentation dite TSL (Teinte Saturation Luminance). Dans le deuxième cas, l'image RVB-BR est convertie dans une représentation TSL avant transmission. Dans ce cas, la couche de luminance de cette image n'est pas transmise, ce qui permet de réduire encore la quantité de données de l'image couleur. L'image couleur convertie dont la couche de luminance n'est pas conservée est représentée par le bloc TS-BR. Comme connu de l'état de la technique, la composante luminance (L) d'un point dans une représentation TSL correspond à la valeur de la nuance de gris dans une image multiniveaux de gris. L'image multiniveaux de gris est directement une image en luminance, ce qui est représenté par le bloc L-HR. Les deux images sont alors combinées pour former une image haute résolution dans le format TSL, ce qui est représenté par le bloc TSL-HR. Plus particulièrement, cette image haute résolution couleur est construite par combinaison de la couche de luminance issue de l'image haute résolution multiniveaux de gris, avec les couches T et S (teinte et saturation) qui sont issues de l'image basse résolution provenant de la caméra 4. Cette combinaison est rendue possible par le fait que les deux images sont superposables. Plus particulièrement, il est connu que l'œil est très sensible à la luminance alors qu'il est moins sensible à la saturation et à la teinte dans une image. Par conséquent, le sous-échantillonage (par acquisition en basse résolution) des couches de saturation et de teinte est sans grande perte pour l'œil humain. The data supplied by the read head 1 includes, for each object, two superimposable images which are subjected to a processing unit which may be a video coding station or else the computerized management system of the postal sorting installation. A low resolution color image is acquired by camera 4 in RGB (Red Green Blue) format which corresponds to the RGB-BR block of FIG. 2. Simultaneously, a multilevel gray image is acquired by camera 3 which corresponds to the block MNG-HR in Figure 2. Two options can then be considered. In a first case, the RGB-BR image is transmitted to a processing unit in which it is converted into a so-called TSL (Tint Saturation Luminance) representation. In the second case, the RGB-BR image is converted into a TSL representation before transmission. In this case, the luminance layer of this image is not transmitted, which further reduces the amount of data of the color image. The converted color image whose luminance layer is not preserved is represented by the TS-BR block. As known from the state of the art, the luminance component (L) of a point in a TSL representation corresponds to the value of the shade of gray in a multilevel gray image. The multi-level gray image is directly a luminance image, which is represented by the L-HR block. The two images are then combined to form a high resolution image in TSL format, which is represented by the TSL-HR block. More particularly, this high resolution color image is constructed by combining the luminance layer from the high resolution multi-level gray image, with the T and S layers (hue and saturation) which come from the low resolution image from camera 4. This combination is made possible by the fact that the two images are superimposable. More particularly, it is known that the eye is very sensitive to luminance while it is less sensitive to saturation and hue in an image. Consequently, the subsampling (by acquisition in low resolution) of the layers of saturation and hue is without great loss for the human eye.

Claims

REVENDICATIONS
1/ Tête de lecture (1) pour l'acquisition d'images numériques d'objets postaux dans une installation de tri postal, ladite tête de lecture comprenant une caméra multiniveaux de gris haute résolution (3) et une caméra d'acquisition couleur basse résolution (4), lesdites caméras (3, 4) étant disposées dans ladite tête de lecture (1) de manière à fournir simultanément deux images numériques acquises séparément et superposables de chaque objet postal, une fenêtre d'observation (2) à travers laquelle les deux caméras (3, 4) saisissent chacune une image de chaque objet postal, caractérisée en ce qu'elle comprend un système optique (5) de séparation du flux lumineux provenant de la fenêtre vers chaque caméra pour que les deux caméras saisissent simultanément les mêmes points objets avec le même angle de vue.1 / Read head (1) for the acquisition of digital images of postal objects in a postal sorting installation, said read head comprising a high resolution multi-level gray camera (3) and a low color acquisition camera resolution (4), said cameras (3, 4) being arranged in said read head (1) so as to simultaneously supply two digital images acquired separately and superimposable of each postal object, an observation window (2) through which the two cameras (3, 4) each capture an image of each postal object, characterized in that it comprises an optical system (5) for separating the light flux coming from the window towards each camera so that the two cameras simultaneously capture the same object points with the same angle of view.
2/ Tête de lecture selon la revendication 1 , dans laquelle le dispositif séparateur est une lame séparatrice (5) en verre traité.2 / read head according to claim 1, wherein the separating device is a separating blade (5) in treated glass.
3/ Tête de lecture selon la revendication 2, dans laquelle ladite lame séparatrice est disposée à 45° par rapport au plan de la fenêtre (2') et dans lequel chaque caméra (3, 4) est disposée sensiblement à 45° par rapport à ladite lame séparatrice (5).3 / read head according to claim 2, in which said separating blade is arranged at 45 ° relative to the plane of the window (2 ') and in which each camera (3, 4) is arranged substantially at 45 ° with respect to said separating blade (5).
4/ Installation de tri postal comprenant une tête de lecture selon l'une des revendications 1 à 3, et une unité de traitement qui combine pour chaque objet postal l'image multiniveaux de gris haute résolution avec l'image couleur basse résolution issues de la tête de lecture (1) pour former une image couleur haute résolution.4 / Postal sorting installation comprising a read head according to one of claims 1 to 3, and a processing unit which combines for each postal object the high-resolution multi-level gray image with the low-resolution color image from the read head (1) to form a high resolution color image.
5/ Utilisation d'une représentation dite TSL dans une installation selon la revendication 4 pour transmettre lesdites images depuis ladite tête de lecture vers ladite unité de traitement. 5 / Use of a so-called TSL representation in an installation according to claim 4 for transmitting said images from said read head to said processing unit.
EP03753634A 2002-07-11 2003-07-10 Mail-sorting installation comprising a colour reading head with two cameras Expired - Lifetime EP1526925B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR0208740A FR2842383B1 (en) 2002-07-11 2002-07-11 POSTAL SORTING SYSTEM COMPRISING A COLOR READING HEAD WITH TWO CAMERAS
FR0208740 2002-07-11
PCT/FR2003/002182 WO2004007101A2 (en) 2002-07-11 2003-07-10 Mail-sorting installation comprising a colour reading head with two cameras

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DE60309716D1 (en) 2006-12-28
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AU2003271800A1 (en) 2004-02-02
ATE345177T1 (en) 2006-12-15
US7388600B2 (en) 2008-06-17
WO2004007101A2 (en) 2004-01-22
FR2842383A1 (en) 2004-01-16
EP1526925B1 (en) 2006-11-15
US20040233278A1 (en) 2004-11-25
FR2842383B1 (en) 2004-12-03
CA2487374C (en) 2008-12-23
JP2005537123A (en) 2005-12-08
CA2487374A1 (en) 2004-01-22
JP4459809B2 (en) 2010-04-28

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