JP2000262985A - Automatic baggage sorting method and system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform sorting work of high throughput by extracting letter information on the outer surface of baggage in the case bar codes cannot be read, retrieving a sorting code to reissue a sorting label on which the bar code is printed, and sticking it on the baggage to perform the sorting work again. SOLUTION: Baggage whose bar code could not be read is transferred to a reject line, and a sorting control part 7 controls an image scanner 3 to take the picture thereof, and an image treating part 4 performs letter recognition treatment for a letter like part of the outer surface of the baggage to extract letter information. A sorting code retrieval part 5 has access to a sorting code dictionary to retrieve the sorting code on the basis of the letter information, and a bar code printer 8 prints the bar code on a sorting label. The reissued classifying label is stuck on the outer surface of the baggage by an automatic label sticking machine 9, and the baggage is carried to a baggage feeding port of an automatic sorting system again to resume sorting work by a bar code reader.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic baggage sorting method and system used in a distribution center, a distribution center, and the like, and more particularly, to a method for sorting a bar code on a sorting label attached to a baggage. The present invention relates to an automatic baggage sorting method and system capable of performing sorting work again and automatically sorting to a predetermined destination or classification destination.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An example of this kind of automatic baggage sorting system is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-206148. In the automatic baggage sorting system according to the prior application, a barcode attached to a baggage is read by a data reading device (barcode reader). If the barcode cannot be read, an operator temporarily conveys the barcode. After stopping and checking the sorting code with a surveillance camera,
The necessary sorting data is input from the data input device to sort.

As another example, there is a method of automatically sorting all packages whose barcodes could not be read to a reject line, and later sorting the packages manually.

[0004]

However, the above-mentioned conventional system has the following problems.

That is, in the case of the former method, the conveyor must be stopped every time the bar code is unread, so that the sorting throughput is low. In addition, it is necessary to keep staff at all times in case of misreading,
Extra labor costs.

In the latter method, the baggage whose barcode could not be read is automatically sorted to the reject line, so that the throughput is good and there is no need to keep personnel at all times. In such a case, the reject line may be saturated.

[0007] As a common problem between the two, a person for inputting data read by the surveillance camera by key input or a person for manually sorting luggage sorted on the reject line is necessarily required.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problem, and enables automatic re-sorting even when a bar code cannot be read, thereby enabling efficient sorting with high throughput. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and system for automatically sorting packages.

[0009]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an automatic baggage sorting method, comprising: reading a barcode of a sorting label attached to an outer surface of a baggage to sort the barcode at a predetermined destination or classification destination; If the bar code cannot be read in the automatic baggage sorting method that sorts the baggage to the reject line if the baggage cannot be read, the baggage is photographed by the photographing means, the image is taken in, and the baggage Character information other than the bar code written on the outer surface of the package is extracted by character recognition by image processing, and a sorting code dictionary prepared in advance is accessed based on the extracted character information, and a sorting code of the package is obtained. Searching, re-issue a sorting label printed with a corresponding bar code based on the searched sorting code, After pasting the sorting labels row at a predetermined position of the outer surface of the package, in which to carry out the re-conveyance again sorted by working 該荷 product to cargo loading opening of an automatic sorting system.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the automatic baggage sorting method according to the first aspect, different surfaces of the outer surface of the baggage are photographed by a plurality of photographing means and extracted from each photographed image. The sorting code is searched based on the character information.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an automatic baggage sorting method according to the first or second embodiment, wherein all the sorting codes retrieved from each of the plurality of character information match. This is determined as a valid sorting code.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an automatic baggage sorting system which reads a barcode on a sorting label attached to an outer surface of a baggage and sorts the baggage at a predetermined destination or classification destination. In a baggage automatic sorting system for sorting the baggage into a reject line, a baggage detecting unit for detecting the position and the size of the baggage carried by the baggage carrying the baggage sorted by the reject line, and A luggage photographing means for photographing the luggage carried by the carrying means using the position and size of the luggage detected by the luggage detecting means; and capturing a photographed image of the luggage photographed by the luggage photographing means. Character information written on the outer surface of the luggage shown in the captured image is extracted by character recognition using image processing An image processing unit, a sorting code dictionary storing character information and corresponding sorting codes as a reference table, and accessing the sorting code dictionary based on the character information obtained by the image processing unit to correspond to the character information. A sorting code search unit for searching for a sorting code, a label reissuing unit for printing a barcode based on the sorting code searched by the sorting code searching unit and reissuing a sorting label, and the label reissuing unit And an automatic label sticking machine for automatically sticking the re-issued sorting label to a predetermined position on the outer surface of the package.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an automatic baggage sorting system according to the fourth aspect, wherein a plurality of the baggage photographing means are provided to photograph a plurality of different outer surface images of one baggage. The plurality of photographed images are read into the image processing means.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the automatic baggage sorting system according to the fourth or fifth aspect, the sorting code search unit searches all the sorting codes retrieved from each of the plurality of character information. Only when they match, it is determined that the code is valid.

According to the automatic baggage sorting method according to the first aspect and the automatic baggage sorting system according to the fourth aspect,
The sorting code is searched based on the character information extracted from the photographed image of the luggage, the sorting label is reissued, the luggage with the label is re-transported to the luggage entrance of the automatic sorting system, and the sorting operation is performed again. Therefore, the sorting work on the reject line, which has been conventionally performed manually, can be omitted, and labor can be saved.

According to the automatic baggage sorting method according to the second aspect and the automatic baggage sorting system according to the fifth aspect, different surfaces of the outer surface of the baggage are photographed by a plurality of photographing means and extracted from each photographed image. Since the sorting code is searched based on the character information, the sorting code search rate is improved.

According to the automatic baggage sorting method according to the third aspect and the automatic baggage sorting system according to the sixth aspect, only when all the sorting codes retrieved from each of the plurality of character information match each other is valid. Since it is determined as a sorting code, more accurate sorting can be realized.

[0018]

Next, a specific example of an embodiment of an automatic baggage sorting method and system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of an automatic baggage sorting system according to the present invention. FIG. 1 shows only the configuration of a reject line portion in the automatic baggage sorting system, and the illustration of a normal sorting process using a barcode reader is omitted.

The conveyor 1 constitutes a transport means for transporting packages sorted on a reject line. The photoelectric sensor 2 constitutes a baggage detecting means for detecting a position and a size of the baggage conveyed on the conveyor 1, and is installed at a predetermined position on the conveyor 1.
The image scanner 3 composed of a CCD or the like constitutes a luggage photographing means for photographing luggage carried on the conveyor 1, and is installed at a predetermined position on the conveyor 1.

The image processing section 4 takes in an image of the luggage photographed by the image scanner 3 and uses character information other than bar codes (for example, an address) that can be used for searching for a sorting code appearing in the photographed image. , Postal code, telephone number, etc.) by character recognition by image processing.

A sorting code search unit 5 accesses a sorting code dictionary 6 prepared in advance based on the character information extracted by the image processing unit 4 and searches for a sorting code corresponding to the information using the character information as a search key. Circuit.
In the sorting code dictionary 6 used in the present invention, a table of various character information and corresponding sorting codes is stored in advance as a database.

The sorting control unit 7 is a circuit that controls the operation of the conveyor 1, and controls the operations of the image scanner 3, the image processing unit 4, the sorting code search unit 5, and the like in synchronization with the transport of the load.

The bar code printer 8 constitutes a label reissuing means for printing a bar code based on the sorting code searched by the sorting code searching section 5 and reissuing the sorting label. The automatic label sticking machine 8 is a device for automatically sticking the sorting label reissued by the bar code printer 7 to a predetermined position on the outer surface of the package.

The image processing unit 4, the sorting code search unit 5, and the sorting control unit 7, which are enclosed by dotted lines in FIG. 1, can be individually configured as independent hardware circuits, but usually, they are usually used. , A software such as a personal computer or a workstation on a processing program.

Next, the processing operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

The baggage whose bar code cannot be read by the bar code reader is sent out to a reject line by a sorter (not shown). When a load is loaded on the conveyor 1 of the reject line (step S1), a photoelectric sensor (not shown) for detecting loading of the load, which is installed on the conveyor 1, is blocked.

When the loaded package blocks the photoelectric sensor for detecting the loading, the sorting control unit 7 drives the conveyor 1 so that the image scanner 3 takes a picture of the package and takes a transport speed and a transport interval enough to capture the image. , The transport of the luggage loaded into the reject line is started (step S2).

When a load conveyed by the conveyor 1 passes in front of the photoelectric sensor 2 and interrupts the optical path of the photoelectric sensor 2,
The sorting control unit 7 detects the position of the package, and at the same time, measures the size of the package passing from the light blocking time and the conveyor conveyance speed (step S3), and adjusts the focus of the image scanner 3 if necessary.

After the measurement of the package size, the package to be conveyed blocks a photoelectric sensor (not shown) for starting image capture. The sorting control unit 7 controls the image scanner 3 to photograph the package based on the input signal from the image capturing start photoelectric sensor and the package size measured by the photoelectric sensor 2, and photographs the package. To the image processing unit 4
(Step S4).

After the capture of the photographed image is completed, the image processing unit 4
Extracts a character-like portion existing on the outer surface of the baggage in the photographed image by image processing, performs character recognition processing on the portion, and extracts character information of each cut-out portion (step S5). This character recognition process is performed for all the parts that can be extracted and are to be recognized. As a result, the address, telephone number, postal code, and other character information written on the outer surface of the package are extracted.

The sorting code search unit 5 sorts the sorting code dictionary 6 based on the character information sent from the image recognizing unit 4.
And searches for a sorting code corresponding to the character information (steps S6 and S7). If a sort code is not found in certain character information (step S
No. 7) and selects other character information (step S1).
1, S12), and a sorting code is searched based on the newly selected character information (steps S6, S7).
When the sorting code corresponding to the character information is searched (YES in step S7), the data of the searched sorting code is output to the barcode printer 8.

The barcode printer 8 prints a barcode on the sorting label based on the sorting code data sent from the sorting code search unit 5 (step S).
8) Reissue the sorting label. Then, the re-issued sorting label is attached to a predetermined position on the outer surface of the baggage whose bar code could not be read by the automatic label attaching machine 8 (step S9).

The luggage to which the reissue label has been attached in this way is again conveyed to the luggage slot of the automatic sorting system by a conveyor or the like (not shown) (step S10).
The sorting operation by the barcode reader is repeated again. Therefore, even if the baggage cannot be read and the baggage is once sorted on the reject line, the baggage can be sorted to the original sorting destination by the sorting operation again.

On the other hand, if the sorting code cannot be obtained by searching using all the extracted character information (NO in step S12), the parcel conveyed by the conveyor 1 is re-used. It is determined that sorting is impossible,
Sorting is performed by a conventional manual operation (step S
13).

FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the automatic baggage sorting system according to the present invention.

The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that a plurality of image scanners are provided, and the plurality of image scanners 3 _{1 to} 3 _n are used to transport a different number of packages conveyed by the conveyor 1. Outer surface (for example,
Left and right side surfaces, a top surface, a front and rear surface, etc.) captured by the image scanner 3 ₁ to 3 _n, captures the plurality of captured images to the image processing unit 4, requires from each of the plurality of captured images In addition to extracting character information, the sorting code searched from each piece of character information is checked for consistency to determine whether or not they match each other, thereby further improving the search accuracy of the sorting code. Since the basic system configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the same or equivalent parts as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description of those parts is omitted. I do.

FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of the processing operation of the second embodiment.

In the flow chart of FIG. 4, the same processing parts as those in the flow chart of the first embodiment (FIG. 2) are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the flowchart of FIG.
Only the processing operation different from that of the flowchart of FIG. 2 will be described.

In step S 4 ′, N images captured by the plurality of image scanners 3 _{1 to} 3 _n are read into the image processing unit 4. Then, in step S5 ′,
Various character information for searching a sorting code is extracted from each of these N photographed images.

In step S7 ', the consistency of the sorting code searched from each character information is checked, and only when all the sorting codes match, it is determined that the sorting code is correct, and the sorting code is determined. Is sent to the next label printing process (step S8).

By increasing the number of image scanners and adding the above processing operations, it is possible to improve the sorting code recognition rate and retrieval accuracy.

[0043]

As described above, according to the automatic baggage sorting method and system of the present invention, the following excellent effects can be obtained. (1) Even if a bar code cannot be read, automatic sorting can be performed again, and efficient sorting with high throughput can be realized. (2) Manual work on the reject line can be greatly reduced, and labor can be saved. (3) In the case of a delivery business such as a distribution center, where it is necessary to carry out sorting twice at the time of collection and delivery, the package whose barcode is unread at the time of collection is again unread at the time of delivery. Can be prevented, and extremely efficient and efficient delivery can be performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of an automatic baggage sorting system according to the present invention.
It is a block diagram showing an example.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the automatic baggage sorting system of FIG.

FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the automatic baggage sorting system according to the present invention.
It is a block diagram showing an example.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the automatic baggage sorting system of FIG. 3;

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Conveyor (transportation means) 2 Photoelectric sensor (baggage detecting means) 3 Image scanner (baggage photographing means) 3 _{1 to} 3 _n Image scanner (baggage photographing means) 4 Image processing unit 5 Sorting code search unit 6 Sorting code dictionary 7 Sorting control Part 8 Barcode printer (label reissuing means) 9 Automatic labeling machine

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A package for reading a barcode on a sorting label attached to the outer surface of a package and sorting the package for each predetermined destination or classification destination. If the barcode cannot be read, the package for sorting the package to a reject line. In the automatic sorting method, when the barcode cannot be read, the luggage is photographed by photographing means to capture the image, and characters other than the barcode written on the outer surface of the luggage appearing in the photographed image. Information is extracted by character recognition by image processing, a sorting code dictionary prepared in advance is accessed based on the extracted character information to search for a sorting code of the package, and a bar corresponding to the searched sorting code is retrieved. Reissue the sorting label on which the code is printed, and attach the reissued sorting label to a predetermined position on the outer surface of the package. After applying, baggage automatic sorting method characterized by performing the re-conveying again sorted by working 該荷 product to cargo loading opening of an automatic sorting system. 2. The automatic baggage sorting method according to claim 1, wherein different surfaces of the outer surface of the baggage are photographed by a plurality of photographing means, and a classification code is searched based on character information extracted from each photographed image. A method for automatically sorting luggage, characterized in that: 3. The automatic baggage sorting method according to claim 1, wherein all of the plurality of pieces of character information retrieved from each of the plurality of character codes are determined to be valid assortment codes only when they match. Automatic baggage sorting method characterized by the following. 4. A package for reading a barcode on a sorting label attached to the outer surface of the package and sorting the package for each predetermined destination or classification destination, and for sorting the package to a reject line when the barcode cannot be read. In the automatic sorting system, a transport unit that transports the packages that have been sorted to the reject line, a package detection unit that detects a position and a size of the package that is carried by the transport unit, and a package that is detected by the package detection unit. Baggage photographing means for photographing the baggage carried by the carrying means using the position and size of the baggage; capturing a photographed image of the baggage photographed by the baggage photographing means; An image processing unit for extracting character information written on the outer surface by character recognition by image processing; A sorting code dictionary storing the sorting code as a reference table, and a sorting code search unit that accesses the sorting code dictionary based on the character information obtained by the image processing unit and searches for a sorting code corresponding to the character information. A label reissuing means for printing a barcode based on the assortment code searched by the assortment code search unit and reissuing the assortment label; and applying the assortment label reissued by the label reissue means to the outer surface of the package. An automatic baggage sorting system comprising: an automatic labeling machine for automatically affixing a label to a predetermined position. 5. The automatic baggage sorting system according to claim 4, wherein a plurality of said baggage photographing means are provided, a plurality of images of different outer surfaces are photographed for one baggage, and said plurality of photographed images are subjected to said image processing. An automatic baggage sorting system characterized by loading into a means. 6. The automatic baggage sorting system according to claim 4, wherein the sorting code search unit determines a valid sorting only when all sorting codes searched from each of the plurality of character information match. An automatic baggage sorting system characterized by determining that the code is a code.