JP2000093898A - Mail treating device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To discover image abnormality at an early stage and to urge a mail supplier or a maintenance staff to solve the abnormality. SOLUTION: When a reject image in a read-out classifier 1 is treated and abnormality of a mail image (stain, mis-positioning, pickup or two mails, on the like) is detected in an abnormality detecting part 5a, or when an operator of a VCS 2 notices the abnormality of the mail image indicated in a VCD 6, the contacts a mail supplier or a maintenance staff on the read-out classifier 1 side. In this way, the abnormality of the image impeding read-out of postal code numbers or addresses is found to inform the mail supplier or maintenance staff of it.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a reading / sorting machine for sorting mails, and a video coding system for inputting a code corresponding to a mail whose address or zip code could not be read by the reading / sorting machine. Mail processing device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, video coding systems (V
A postal matter processing apparatus that uses CS) has been developed. This type of mail processing apparatus reads, for example, an address or zip code written on a mail set in a reading / sorting machine by a scanner unit, and sorts the mail by zip code or delivery area according to the corresponding sorting information. The postal items whose address or postal code could not be read are collectively classified as rejected postal items.

[0003] The mail (reject letter) whose address or postal code could not be read is
The whole image is temporarily stored in a large-capacity storage device, and a plurality of video coding desks (V
CD), and at each video coding desk, the distributed image is displayed on a display unit, and the operator inputs (codes) a code corresponding to the address or postal code while visually observing the display screen. By setting the rejected postal matter in the reading / sorting machine again, the sorting process is performed using the correspondingly input code.

In the mail processing apparatus described above, one of the causes of rejection or misreading is an abnormality in an input image (image picked up by a scanner unit). For example, if noise is superimposed due to dirt (scraps, rubber bands, or the like) on the imaging window of the scanner unit that captures mail, the postal code or address (address)
May be partially or completely hidden, in which case they may be rejected without reading, or read elsewhere and read incorrectly.

[0005] Further, if the position of the mail is shifted and the image is picked up due to a change over time or an improper adjustment of the transport belt or the sensor, the postal code or the address is shifted to a position where there should not be. However, if you read another character, it will be misread or rejected without being able to read it.

Further, if a plurality of mails are taken out at the same time due to a temporal change or poor adjustment of the mail take-out parts of the supply unit and the overlapped mails are imaged with a shift, the same as the above-described positional shift. It will be.

Heretofore, in order to prevent these abnormalities from occurring, the apparatus has been relied on periodic maintenance, such as cleaning the scanner section before starting the apparatus, and adjusting the transport section at the time of periodic inspection.

In such a conventional method, even if an abnormality occurs during operation, the supplier or the maintenance staff does not always monitor the captured image, so that it is difficult to detect the abnormality and the reading rate is reduced. Often, you will not notice unless rejects increase.

[0009] Further, when these abnormalities are detected online, there is a time restriction that the address information must be read before the mail arrives at the sorting port. There is no. In addition, in the case of a slight abnormality, the zip code and the address are often readable, and it is not practical to detect the abnormality and notify the user frequently in such a case. Since an abnormality in a captured image is often noticed after rejection or misreading increases, the reading performance is reduced until noticed.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a reading / sorting machine for sorting mail, and a video coding system for inputting a code corresponding to a mail whose address or zip code could not be read by the reading / sorting machine. A mail processing apparatus capable of reliably and early detecting an abnormality in a read image and reducing rejection due to the error in the read image, thereby reducing a workload of an operator of the video coding system. It is an object.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a mail processing apparatus capable of effectively and early detecting an abnormality in a read image and shortening the time required for lowering the read performance.

[0012]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A mail sorting apparatus according to the present invention includes a reading / sorting machine for sorting mails and an image corresponding to a mail whose name or zip code cannot be read by the reading / sorting machine. A video coding system having a video coding terminal comprising a display unit for displaying and an input unit for inputting a code corresponding to the displayed image, wherein the input unit of the video coding terminal is based on the displayed image. Instruction means for instructing an image abnormality by the instruction means, and transmission means for transmitting an image abnormality by the instruction means to the reading / separating machine. And guiding means for guiding the user.

A mail processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a reading / sorting machine for sorting mails, a display unit for displaying an image corresponding to a mail whose name or zip code cannot be read by the reading / sorting machine, and a display unit for displaying the image. A video coding system having a video coding terminal comprising an input unit for inputting a code corresponding to a displayed image, wherein said video coding system cannot read an address or a zip code in said reading sorting machine. Detecting means for detecting an abnormality in the image based on the image corresponding to the postal matter, and transmitting means for transmitting the abnormality in the image by the detecting means to the reading / separating machine. It comprises a guide means for guiding an image abnormality from the system.

The mail processing apparatus of the present invention displays and displays an image corresponding to a mail sorting machine which sorts mail and a mail whose address or zip code could not be read by the reading sorting machine. A video coding system having a video coding terminal for inputting a code corresponding to an image, wherein the video coding system has an image corresponding to a postal matter whose address or zip code could not be read by the reading sorting machine. A display unit for displaying, an input unit for inputting a code corresponding to the displayed image, an instruction unit for instructing an abnormality of the image based on the image displayed on the display unit,
A video coding terminal comprising first transmitting means for transmitting the abnormality of the image caused by the instruction means to the reading / sorting machine, and an image corresponding to a postal matter whose address or zip code could not be read by the reading / sorting machine. Detecting means for detecting an abnormality of the image based on the image data, and second transmitting means for transmitting the abnormality of the image by the detecting means to the reading and sorting machine. A guide means for guiding an abnormality or an image abnormality from the video coding system.

A mail processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a reading / sorting machine for sorting mails, a display unit for displaying an image corresponding to a mail whose name or zip code could not be read by the reading / sorting machine, and a display unit for displaying the image. A video coding system having a video coding terminal consisting of an input unit for inputting a code corresponding to the displayed image, wherein the video coding system comprises:
A display unit for displaying an image corresponding to a postal matter whose address or zip code could not be read in the reading sorting machine; an input unit for inputting a code corresponding to the displayed image; and a display unit for displaying on the display means. Instruction means for instructing an image abnormality based on the received image, transmission means for transmitting the image abnormality by the instruction means to the reading / sorting machine, and display means when the instruction means instructs an image abnormality. And a control means for controlling the display means so as to display that the image abnormality has been instructed, and the reading and sorting machine comprises a guidance means for guiding the image abnormality from the video coding system.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A mail processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. This mail processing apparatus includes a reading sorting machine 1 and a video coding system (VCS) 2.

The reading / sorting machine 1 reads the address and the postal code on the postal matter P, recognizes the address and the postal code from the read contents, and recognizes the address, the postal code recognition result or the address from the video coding system 2. This is a sorting machine that sorts postal items P by postal code, and prints a bar code corresponding to the recognition result on each postal item P.

In the reading / sorting machine 1, for example, a plurality of mails are set in batches (lots) or in mails rejected for the batches, and the set mails P,. A supply unit 10 for supplying, a scanner unit 11 for reading the entire image on each mail P supplied by the supply unit 10, a scanner unit 1,
1, an ID barcode reading unit 12 serving as a photoelectric conversion unit for reading a barcode corresponding to an image number assigned to the postal matter P passing through the mail item P, and an address on the postal matter P passing through the ID barcode reading unit 12 A barcode printer unit 13 for printing a barcode corresponding to a zip code or a barcode corresponding to an image number; a postal matter P passing through the barcode printer unit 13; The sorting unit 14 and the scanner unit 11 sort the mail P based on the predetermined sorting information (sort box number) corresponding to the code from, or sort the postal matter whose address and zip code could not be recognized to the reject storage. Online recognition unit 15 that recognizes the address and postal code from the image of It is constituted by the abnormality notifying unit 21 and the control unit 16 for controlling the respective sections, and instructs removal.

As shown in FIG. 3, the abnormality notifying section 21 has a display section 21a for displaying a message for guiding the contents of the abnormality.
And a release button 21b for instructing release of an abnormality, and a transmission / reception unit 21c.

The abnormality notifying unit 21 includes a transmitting and receiving unit 21.
c is provided. This transmission / reception unit 21c is connected to the transmission / reception unit 5b of the abnormality detection unit 5a and the transmission / reception unit 6c of the VCD 6 via the line 7, receives an abnormality notification from the abnormality detection unit 5a or the VCD 6, and detects abnormality release of the abnormality. The data is transmitted to the unit 5a or the VCD 6.

The supply section 10, the scanner section 11, the ID bar code reading section 12, the bar code printer section 13, and the section section 14 are provided in the transport section main body 1a. The scanner unit 11 has an image sensor (not shown) as a photoelectric conversion element, and this image sensor captures an image of a mail P via an image window (not shown).

The video coding system 2 uses a VCS
It comprises a control unit 3, a mass storage device 4, an offline recognition unit 5 having an abnormality detection unit 5a and a transmission / reception unit 5b, a video coding desk (VCD) 6,.

The abnormality detecting section 5a detects abnormalities such as dirt, deviation, pluralities, etc. with respect to the captured image by using the projection of the binary image of the rejected image in the off-line recognition section 5.

The transmission / reception section 5b is connected to the transmission / reception section 21c of the abnormality notification section 21 via the line 7, and is connected to the abnormality detection section 5a.
Sends a notification of abnormality detection to the abnormality notification unit 21,
For example, it receives an abnormality release from the abnormality notification unit 21.

Video coding desk (VCD) 6,
Are composed of an image display unit 6a such as a CRT and an input unit 6b such as a keyboard as shown in FIG. 2, and an image from the mass storage device 4 is displayed on the image display unit 6a.
The operator inputs a code corresponding to the destination name and postal code of the displayed image through the input unit 6b. The codes corresponding to the destination name and postal code input from the input unit 6b are output to the control unit 16 via the VCS control unit 3 together with the image numbers.

Video coding desk (VCD) 6,
Are provided with a transmission / reception unit 6c. The transmission / reception unit 6c is connected to the transmission / reception unit 21 of the abnormality notification unit 21 via the line 7.
c and connected to the abnormality notification unit 21 to transmit abnormality notification using a “dirt” button, a “displacement” button, and a “plurality” button, which will be described later.
, Or receives an error release from the error notification unit 21.

Next, the flow of processing will be described. In this mail processing apparatus, the same mail is divided twice by this mail processing apparatus in order to print the destination information code as a bar code on all mails.

At the first time, the mail P is supplied from the supply unit 10, and the mail P is imaged by the scanner unit 11 one by one.
The image is read by the online recognition unit 15, and a bar code of the destination information is printed only by the postal matter P which can be read by the bar code printer unit 13, and then the sorting unit 14.
Is divided into destination ports for each destination.

After printing the barcode (ID barcode) of the management number on the rejected postal matter P, the postal matter P is sorted by the sorting section 14 into a sorting port for rejection. The captured image of the rejected postal matter is sent to the VCS control unit together with the destination information up to the point read from the online recognition unit 15, the intermediate result (subordinate information) generated during the recognition process, and the management number printed on the rejected postal matter. 3 and stored in the mass storage device 4. The control unit 16 performs overall control from supply to division.

Mail P rejected at the time of the first sorting
Before the second sorting, the destination information of the rejected mail is input in the VCS 2, a table for extracting the destination information from the management number is created in the VCS control unit 3, and the table is transferred to the control unit 16 of the reading sorting machine 1. You.

In the second division, the supplied postal matter P reads the ID barcode by the ID barcode reading unit 12, retrieves the destination information as the management number from the table, and reads the barcode by the barcode printer unit 13. After printing, the printing paper is sorted into predetermined sorting ports in the sorting unit 14.

In the VCS 2, after the first supply is completed or in parallel with the first supply, destination information of the reject image is input. At this time, the VCS control unit 3 reads the rejected image, its subordinate information, and the management number from the large-capacity storage device 4, and stores the VCD waiting for the rejected image.
6 or the off-line recognition unit 5.

In the VCD 6 receiving the reject image, the image is displayed on the image display section 6a, and the operator inputs part or all of the destination information that could not be read by the online recognition section 15 while watching the image. When one input is completed, the destination information is transferred to the VCS control unit 3, and the VCS control unit 3 adds the correspondence between the management number and the destination information to the table.

On the other hand, the off-line recognizing section 5 performs re-reading processing of the received reject image, and returns the same to the VCS control section 3. The VCS control unit 3 adds the correspondence between the management number and the destination information to the table in the same manner as in the case of the VCD 6 for the read out of the returned ones.

For those which could not be read, VCD6
And the same processing as described above is performed by the VCD 6. In the re-reading process, the reading process is performed using a different parameter or algorithm from those used in the online recognition unit 15 or using the same parameter or algorithm for a deeper and longer time.

In a mail processing apparatus not equipped with VCS2, rejected mail was manually sorted by a staff member. In an apparatus equipped with VCS2, destination information was input using VCS2 and re-sorting was performed using the information. are doing.

By the way, the number of mails rejected by the normally operating online recognition unit 15 depends on the performance of the reading algorithm, the adjustment of the parameters used therein, the eye control time for reading in real time, and the captured image. Increase or decrease depending on the quality of the product. The former three are not changed during operation, but the latter (quality of captured image) is irregularly deteriorated during operation due to contamination of the imaging unit in the scanner unit 11 and rejects are increased. Let it. When the number of rejects increases, the number of mails P sent to the VCS 2 increases, and it is necessary to prepare a VCD 6 capable of processing them, an operator thereof, and an off-line recognition unit 5.

Abnormalities in the image of the postal matter P, such as deterioration of the image, may occur irregularly, and the supplier or the maintenance person of the postal matter P does not always monitor the image, so that it is difficult to notice. It is noticed that the rejection has increased and the image is finally found by checking the image. Further, when a device for detecting and notifying an abnormality in real time is added, it is not practical because the detection is notified more than necessary even though it is read with a slight abnormality. Conversely, if the detection conditions are strict, it is difficult to set the detection conditions, such as overlooking the abnormality.

The present invention utilizes the fact that the operator of the VCD 6 inputs address information while viewing the rejected image in the VCS 2 to detect abnormalities in the picked-up image reliably and early, and to provide the postal matter P supplier or maintenance personnel. Notify,
The solution (such as cleaning of the imaging window) is prompted.

As shown in FIG. 8A, a vertical line may be picked up among abnormalities in a picked-up image. This occurs because dirt (due to dust or glue adhering to the window) partially obscures the image sensor, which is imaged as a straight line parallel to the transport direction.

This line varies in thickness and number depending on the degree of dirt. However, if the line overlaps with a postal code or a destination address, it cannot be read and is often rejected. So VC
A “dirt” button as shown in FIG. 2 is attached to the input unit 6b of D6. When the operator presses the button when he / she notices, a message indicating that the button is pressed is displayed on the image display unit 6a, and at the same time, the abnormality is transmitted to the abnormality notification unit 21 via the transmission / reception unit 6c and the line 7, A similar message is displayed on the abnormality notification unit 21 as shown in FIG. This message will be displayed until the dirt is resolved.

In response to the message from the abnormality notifying section 21, the supplier or the maintenance staff cleans the imaging window of the scanner section 11 at a convenient place and presses the release button 21b of the abnormality notifying section 21. Then, the message on the display unit 21a of the abnormality notification unit 21 disappears. This release is performed by the transmission / reception unit 2 of the abnormality notification unit 21.
1c is also transmitted to the VCD 6 via the line 7, the "dirt" message on the image display unit 6a disappears, and the operator of the VCD 6 is notified that the abnormality has been resolved.

As shown in FIGS. 9 (a), 10 (a), and 11 (a), the postal matter P may be picked up from a predetermined position. This is because a sensor for detecting whether or not the sheet has passed through the transport path is installed. In particular, the sensor immediately before the scanner unit 11 generates the length of the mail P and the timing of image pickup, so that the sensor is abnormal. There is
If there is an abnormality in the transport path near the sensor, FIG.
A front-back position shift occurs as shown in FIG.

The direction perpendicular to the transport direction, that is,
Although the transport is performed with the horizontal position as viewed in the image being adjusted, it is not adjusted due to the aging of the transport unit or insufficient adjustment, and the left and right are vacant or inclined as shown in FIG. 11A. Image. If these positional deviations are extremely displaced, they are imaged at a place different from the original position of the address or postal code, and cannot be detected by the online recognition unit 15 and rejected. This is because a reading process is preferentially performed from a figure at a position where a postal code or a destination name is easily written.

In this case as well, a "deviation" button indicating a positional shift is attached to the input section 6b of the VCD 6 as shown in FIG. When the operator presses the button when he / she notices, a message indicating that the button is pressed is displayed on the image display unit 6a, and at the same time, the abnormality is transmitted to the abnormality notification unit 21 via the transmission / reception unit 6c and the line 7, A similar message is displayed on the abnormality notification unit 21 as shown in FIG. This message continues to be displayed until the gap is resolved.

According to the message of the abnormality notifying unit 21, the supplier or the maintenance staff inspects and adjusts the transport unit or the image sensor.
Press the release button 21b of the abnormality notification unit 21. Then, the message on the display unit 21a of the abnormality notification unit 21 disappears. This release is performed by the transmission / reception unit 21c of the abnormality notification unit 21 through the line 7
Is also transmitted to the VCD 6 via the VCD, and the message of "displacement" on the image display section 6a disappears.
6 is notified.

As shown in FIG. 12 (a), a plurality of mail items P may be picked up and superimposed on the image. This is because a plurality of mail items P are simultaneously conveyed and imaged due to a change with time or insufficient adjustment of the components of the supply unit 10. In this case, if the positions are extremely displaced and overlap, similarly to the above-described position displacement, the written position may be displaced and reading may not be performed properly, resulting in rejection.

In this case as well, the "plurality" button indicating the plural number of sheets is pressed by the input unit 6b of the VCD 6 as shown in FIG.
Attached to When the operator presses the button when he / she notices, a message indicating that the button is pressed is displayed on the image display unit 6a, and at the same time, the abnormality is transmitted to the abnormality notification unit 21 via the transmission / reception unit 6c and the line 7, A similar message is displayed on the abnormality notification unit 21 as shown in FIG. This message will continue to be displayed until several are resolved.

According to the message of the abnormality notifying unit 21, the supplier or the maintenance staff inspects and adjusts the supply unit 10, and the abnormality notifying unit 2
Press the 1 release button 21b. Then, the abnormality notification unit 21
Disappears from the display unit 21a. This release is performed by the transmission / reception unit 21c of the abnormality notification unit 21 via the VC
Also transmitted to D6, the "plurality" messages on the image display section 6a disappear, and the operator of the VCD 6 is notified that the abnormality has been resolved.

In the above three embodiments, one VCD 6 has been described. However, since the VCD 6 is actually composed of a plurality of VCDs, the other VCDs 6 can be notified so that the contents notified by any VCD 6 are not duplicated. Is also displayed.

In addition, since the above-described abnormalities can occur in a complex manner, each button may be attached to one VCD 6. Next, if there is no operator in VCD6, VCD
Abnormality detection unit 5a provided in offline recognition unit 5 provided in CS2 detects the above abnormality,
The transmission / reception unit 5b notifies the abnormality notification unit 21 via the line 7. Originally, the offline recognizing unit 5 uses the rejected image for longer reading time than when it is online. However, since the rejected image is transferred similarly to the VCD 6, the abnormality detecting unit 5a recognizes the rejected image. Use.

Even if there is an abnormality in the picked-up image, the readable one is classified as usual, and the unreadable one is sent to the VCS 6 as a reject, so that the abnormality causing the reject can be easily detected.

In the case of "dirt" as shown in FIG. 2, a line parallel to the transport direction in the reject image is used. The reject image ((a) in FIG. 8) is binarized and projected in the vertical direction (FIG. 8).
(B)). The maximum value (circled portion) substantially matches the vertical length of the mail P. For example, the maximum vertical projection value is
Abnormality is detected when dirt is detected in the reject image of 90% or more of the number of vertical pixels.

For example, an abnormality is detected when dirt is detected in more than 50% of rejected images per unit number of mails supplied. Then, a message indicating that there is a possibility of "dirt" is displayed on the display unit 21a of the abnormality notification unit 21, and the supplier or the maintenance person of the mail P is notified and urged to solve the problem. Here, the displayed message is expressed in a manner that is less noticeable than the message notified from the VCD 6.

For example, in the abnormality notification unit 21 of FIG.
When it is from VCD6, the color of the message is displayed in red,
Those from the abnormality detection unit 5a are displayed in yellow. This is because the abnormality detection unit 5a cannot detect the VCD 6 as accurately as the operator of the VCD 6 can visually detect, and thus only notifies that the abnormality is suspected.

In the case of "shift" as shown in FIG. 9A and FIG. 10A, a gap is formed above and below the postal matter P due to a shift in the imaging timing, and that portion has a dark background. Are imaged, so that the upper and lower ends of the image become black. The abnormality detection unit 5a uses this to detect "vertical displacement". The rejected image is binarized and laterally projected (FIG. 9B, FIG. 10).
(B)). In the case of vertical misalignment, a projection value (circled portion) substantially coincident with the horizontal length of the postal matter P appears continuously from the upper and lower ends of the image, and this is detected.

However, shadows due to the thickness of the postal matter P may appear at the upper and lower ends, and in order to prevent this from being erroneously determined to be a vertical shift, when the continuous range of projection is larger than the width of the shadow, the vertical shift may occur. You have to judge. For example, if the maximum width that can be shaded is 5 mm, double it to 10 mm in consideration of the margin.
As described above, in the imaging system in which 1 mm is represented by 10 pixels, 100 mm is used.
A black portion of pixels or more (for example, the projected value is 90% of the width)
As in the case of "dirt", it is determined to be abnormal when the detection frequency is high.

When a vertical displacement abnormality is detected as described above, a suspicion of "vertical displacement" is notified as in the case of "dirt". As described above, since there is often an abnormality in the passage sensor of the postal matter P installed in the transport path and the transport path as described above, the maintenance person who has been notified checks and adjusts the vicinity.

In the case of a "shift" as shown in FIG. 11A, the paper is transported with its position perpendicular to the transport direction shifted, and when viewed in the image of the mail P, a gap is formed on the left and right. Since a dark background is imaged at that portion, the left and right edges of the image become black. The abnormality detection unit 5a uses this to detect “lateral deviation”.

The projection in the horizontal direction ((b) in FIG. 11) is taken in the opposite direction to the case of "vertical displacement". Detection of a continuous black portion from the left and right ends is performed in consideration of the shadow due to the thickness as in the case of “vertical displacement”. Also, when the detection frequency is high, it is regarded as abnormal. Also in the case of such detection, a suspicion of “lateral deviation” is similarly notified. Since the lateral displacement is often an abnormality in a portion that is transported by adjusting the position perpendicular to the transport direction, the maintenance person who receives the notification inspects and adjusts the vicinity.

In the case of “multiple” picking as shown in FIG. 12A, a plurality of mails P are simultaneously taken out by the supply unit 10, conveyed as it is, and imaged by the scanner unit 11. In this case, depending on the thickness of the postal matter P, a shadow as shown in the figure may be reflected at the place where the postal matter P overlaps. To detect this, the abnormality detector 5a binarizes the image, takes a horizontal projection (FIG. 12 (b)), and substantially matches the horizontal width of the postal matter P with the projection near the postal code frame. Check if there is something (circle). When reject images with such projections are frequently detected,
Notify that there is a suspicion of "multiple" taking.

Here, the projection near the postal code frame is examined even if there is a peak of projection due to the postal code frame.
Is not as large as the width of the postal matter P, and an advertisement or the like having the full width of the postal matter P is unlikely to exist in the vicinity. further,
If the first sheet has a large vertical displacement, the length of the postal matter P that is overlapped as a single piece is too long immediately after being taken out of the supply unit 10, and is often removed. Therefore, it is possible to detect multiple cases by checking the projection near the postal code frame.

In the above description of the embodiment, it has been explained that the projection value coincides with the length of the postal matter P. This is because the number of black pixels included in one column or one row of the binary image is counted. The projection value of the horizontal line is equal to the horizontal length of the mail P, that is, the number of horizontal pixels, and the projection value of the vertical line is the vertical length of the mail P, that is, the vertical pixels. Because it matches the number.

As described above, when the displayed picked-up image of the postal matter is dirty, the operator of the VCD checks the dirt of the image pickup window of the scanner unit, the positional deviation, and taking a plurality of sheets, by a mail supplier or a maintenance person. Is to be notified.

When the rejected image in which the value of the vertical projection of the binary image that is not in contact with both ends is substantially equal to the vertical size of the postal matter is continuous to some extent, the contamination of the imaging window of the scanner unit may occur. This is to notify the mail supplier and maintenance personnel that there is suspicion.

Further, when the rejected image in which the upper value not in contact with the upper end of the horizontal projection of the binary image almost coincides with the horizontal size of the mail is continuous to some extent, it is suspected that a plurality of sheets are suspected. This is to notify the mail supplier and maintenance personnel.

When a plurality of rejected images in which a plurality of consecutive values in contact with the left end or the right end of the vertical projection of the binary image substantially match the vertical size of the postal matter continue to some extent, it is suspected that the transport unit is abnormal. Is notified to the mail supplier and maintenance personnel.

Further, when a plurality of rejected images in which a plurality of values that are continuous in contact with the upper end or lower end of the horizontal projection of the binary image substantially match the horizontal size of the postal matter continue to some extent, it is suspected that the detection sensor is abnormal. Is notified to the mail supplier and maintenance personnel.

As a result, the operator of the VCD directly looks at the rejected image and notifies the operator of the abnormality, so that the abnormality of the captured image can be reliably and early detected. In addition, since rejection due to abnormality in a captured image is reduced, VC
The workload of the operator of D also decreases.

Further, when an abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection unit of the off-line recognition unit, only severe mails whose names cannot be read by the on-line recognition unit are rejected among postal images having abnormal images. An abnormality can be detected quickly and at an early stage. Further, by detecting and resolving an abnormality in a captured image at an early stage, it is possible to reduce the time required for lowering the reading performance.

[0071]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, a reading / sorting machine for sorting mails and a code corresponding to a mail whose name or zip code could not be read by the reading / sorting machine are provided. A mail processing system comprising a video coding system for inputting, which can detect abnormalities in the read image reliably and early, and reduce the rejection due to the abnormalities in the read image, thereby reducing the workload of the video coding system operator. Equipment can be provided.

Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a mail processing apparatus capable of effectively and early detecting an abnormality in a read image and shortening a time period during which the read performance is deteriorated.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a mail processing apparatus for describing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image display unit.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an abnormality notification unit and a display example of a message.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for describing a configuration example of an image display unit.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a display example of a message of the abnormality notification unit.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image display unit.

FIG. 7 is a view for explaining a display example of a message of the abnormality notification unit.

FIG. 8 is a view for explaining an example of a captured image and a projection of a postal matter.

FIG. 9 is a view for explaining an example of a captured image and a projection of a postal matter.

FIG. 10 is a view for explaining an example of a captured image and a projection of a postal matter.

FIG. 11 is a view for explaining an example of a captured image and a projection of a postal matter.

FIG. 12 is a view for explaining an example of a captured image and a projection of a postal matter.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Reading sorting machine 2 ... Video coding system (VCS) 3 ... VCS control part 4 ... Mass storage device 5 ... Offline recognition part 5a ... Abnormality detection part 6 ... Video coding desk (VCD) 6a ... Image display part 6b ... Input Unit 7: Line 10: Supply unit 11: Scanner unit 12: ID barcode reading unit 13: Barcode printer unit 14: Classification unit 15: Online recognition unit 16: Control unit 21: Abnormality notification unit 21a: Display unit 21b: Release Button P: Mail

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A reading / sorting machine for sorting mail, a display unit for displaying an image corresponding to a mail whose address or zip code could not be read by the reading / sorting machine, and a display corresponding to the displayed image. A mail coding system having a video coding terminal having a video coding terminal having an input section for inputting a code, wherein the input section of the video coding terminal has an instruction means for instructing an abnormality of an image based on a displayed image. And transmitting means for transmitting an image abnormality caused by the instruction means to the reading / separating machine, wherein the reading / separating apparatus comprises guiding means for guiding an image abnormality from an input unit of the video coding terminal. Characterized mail processing equipment. 2. A reading / sorting machine for sorting mail, a display unit for displaying an image corresponding to a mail whose address or zip code could not be read by the reading / sorting machine, and a display corresponding to the displayed image. A video coding system having a video coding terminal having an input unit for inputting a code, wherein the video coding system is adapted to read a postal matter whose address or zip code could not be read by the reading / sorting machine. Detecting means for detecting an abnormality in the image based on the corresponding image; and transmitting means for transmitting the abnormality in the image by the detecting means to the reading / separating machine, wherein the reading / separating machine includes an image from the video coding system. A mail processing apparatus, comprising: a guide unit for guiding an abnormality of a mail. 3. A reading / sorting machine for sorting mails, an image corresponding to a mail whose name or zip code could not be read by the reading / sorting machine is displayed, and a code corresponding to the displayed image is input. A mail coding system having a video coding terminal having a video coding terminal, wherein the video coding system displays an image corresponding to a mail whose address or zip code could not be read by the reading / sorting machine. Unit, an input unit for inputting a code corresponding to the displayed image, an instruction unit for instructing an image abnormality based on the image displayed on the display unit, and reading the image abnormality by the instruction unit. A video coding terminal comprising first transmitting means for transmitting to the sorting machine; Detecting means for detecting an image abnormality based on an image corresponding to a postal matter whose address or zip code could not be read, and second transmitting means for transmitting an image abnormality by the detecting means to the reading / sorting machine. A mail sorting apparatus, wherein the reading / sorting device comprises guide means for guiding an image error from the video coding terminal or an image error from the video coding system. 4. The mail processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reading / sorting machine has a release unit for releasing abnormal guidance of an image guided by the guidance unit. 5. A reading / sorting machine for sorting mail, a display unit for displaying an image corresponding to a mail whose address or zip code could not be read in the reading / sorting machine, and a display corresponding to the displayed image. A mail processing apparatus comprising: a video coding system having a video coding terminal having an input section for inputting a code; wherein the video coding system does not allow the reading / sorting machine to read an address or a zip code. A display unit for displaying an image corresponding to an object, an input unit for inputting a code corresponding to the displayed image, an instruction unit for instructing abnormality of the image based on the image displayed on the display unit, A transmitting unit for transmitting an image abnormality by the instruction unit to the reading / sorting machine; and an image abnormality by the instruction unit. Control means for controlling the display means so as to indicate that an image abnormality has been instructed on the display means, wherein the reading / separating machine guides the image abnormality from the video coding system. A mail processing apparatus characterized by comprising means. 6. The video coding system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the display unit to display a message indicating that the image abnormality has been instructed until the image abnormality is resolved. 5. The mail processing apparatus according to 5. 7. The mail processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the reading / sorting machine has a release unit that releases abnormal guidance of the image guided by the guidance unit. 8. The video coding system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit of the video coding system stops displaying an image indicating that an abnormality has been indicated on the display unit when the abnormality guidance of the image is released by the release unit of the reading and sorting machine. 8. The mail processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said display means is controlled. 9. The detecting means includes a binarizing means for binarizing an image corresponding to a postal matter whose address or postal code could not be read by the reading / sorting machine. Based on the binarized image binarized by (1), when the projection value of a portion not in contact with the end of the image is continuously substantially the same as the width of the mail, an image abnormality is detected. 4. The mail processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: 10. The detecting means includes a binarizing means for binarizing an image corresponding to a postal matter whose address or postal code could not be read by the reading / sorting machine. When the projected value of the end portion of the image is continuously substantially the same as the width of the postal matter based on the binarized image binarized by (1), the conveyance abnormality of the postal matter is detected. The mail processing apparatus according to claim 2.