JP2001129488A - Apparatus and method for issuing and sticking delivery management label - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an apparatus for issuing and sticking delivery management labels which is capable of printing the delivery management labels with the characters or images of the arrival branch assignment codes obtained by automatic retrieval and automatically sticking these labels to respective delivery items and is suitable for the exact and rapid processing of large amount of delivery items in, for example, a home delivery service of a system to throw the delivery items into mailboxes. SOLUTION: This apparatus has a detecting section (3) for detecting the images of the information relating to addresses for delivery of the delivery items (1), a control section (5) for retrieving the assignment codes of arrival branches in accordance with the image information, a printer section (7) for printing the delivery management labels with the characters or images of the arrival branch assignment codes, and a sticking section (8)) for sticking the delivery management labels to the delivery items.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for issuing and attaching a delivery management label, and more particularly, to an apparatus and method for issuing and attaching a delivery management label to a delivery to be thrown into a mail box.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As one type of courier service, a courier service that is thrown into a mailbox is known. With this type of courier,
By referring to the delivery destination address and the like described in the delivery, the designation code of the destination branch where delivery of the delivery is to be finally performed is handwritten in Arabic numerals (arithmetic numerals) on the delivery. Also, a delivery management label printed with a delivery management number unique to each delivery and a barcode corresponding to the delivery management number is attached to each delivery.

[0003] The above courier service is called, for example, a post-in or mail service by a delivery company. The above-mentioned arrival / branch designation code is called, for example, a sorting code, a arrival store code, or the like. Furthermore, the above-mentioned delivery management number is usually a serial number from a default value,
For example, they are called original form numbers and form numbers.

[0004] A delivery with a destination / branch designation code handwritten and a delivery management label affixed thereto is transported along a predetermined physical distribution route and thrown into a destination mailbox. The delivery is individually specified by a delivery management number printed on the attached delivery management label, and delivery is managed based on the delivery management number.

[0005]

As described above, in the throw-in type courier service according to the prior art, the destination / branch designation code is delivered in Arabic numerals with reference to the delivery address or the like described in the delivery. I'm handwriting on things. Therefore,
There is a possibility that writing and reading errors of the destination / branch designation code may occur, in which case there is a disadvantage that the delivery of the delivery is significantly delayed.

Further, since the destination / branch designation code is handwritten, not only takes a long time to process a large amount of deliverables, but also the handwritten destination / branch designation code is used as it is for the delivery center at the distribution center. There was a disadvantage that the sorting process could not be automated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems. For example, in a home delivery service that is thrown into a mail box, the destination / branch designation code obtained by automatic search is printed or printed on a delivery management label. It is an object of the present invention to provide a delivery management label issuing / applying apparatus and method which can be automatically attached to a delivery, and are suitable for accurate and prompt processing of a large amount of delivery.

[0008]

In order to solve the above problems, according to the present invention, a detecting section for detecting information on a delivery destination of a delivery from an outer surface of the delivery, and detecting the information by the detection section. A control unit for retrieving a designated code of a destination branch where delivery of the delivery is to be performed based on the obtained image information, and printing or printing the designated destination branch code retrieved by the control unit on a delivery management label. A printer unit and an attaching unit for attaching a delivery management label printed or printed with a destination / branch designation code by the printer unit to the delivery. Provide equipment.

According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the control section has a storage section in which a database for associating at least one of a postal code, an address and a telephone number with a destination / branch designation code is formed, and The postal code of the delivery destination, the address of the delivery destination, and the telephone number of the delivery destination, which are character-recognized from the image information detected by the section, are used as at least one of the search keys as a search key. It is preferable to search the destination branch designation code by referring to a database. According to a preferred aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the printer section prints and prints a designation code of a destination branch to which the delivery is to be delivered on each delivery management label by using Arabic numerals and bar codes.

Further, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention,
The control unit sequentially issues a delivery management number unique to each delivery management label, and the printer unit sends a delivery management number sequentially assigned by the control unit or a delivery management code corresponding to the delivery management number. It is preferable to print or print on each delivery management label. In this case, the control unit includes a reading unit for reading a delivery management code printed or printed on a delivery management label attached to the delivery, and the delivery management code read by the reading unit and the control unit. It is preferable to compare and match the delivery management number issued by the unit, and to store and store the image information detected by the detection unit based on the result of the comparison and comparison.

In this case, the printer unit prints a barcode-formed delivery management number as the delivery management code on each delivery management label, and the reading unit uses a barcode for reading the delivery management code. It is preferable to have a reader. Further, according to a preferred aspect of the present invention, the detection unit has a CCD camera for collectively image-detecting information on a delivery destination of the delivery, and the control unit collectively detects the information by the CCD camera. It is preferable to have a monitor for displaying the detected image information.

[0012] According to another aspect of the present invention, a detection step of detecting information on a delivery destination of the delivery from the surface of the delivery, and the delivery based on the image information detected in the detection step. A search step of searching for a designated code of a destination branch to which a product is to be delivered; a printing step of printing or printing the designated destination branch code searched in the search step on a delivery management label; and a destination designation code in the printing step. Affixing a delivery management label printed or printed on the delivery to the delivery.

In this case, in the searching step, at least one of the postal code of the delivery destination, the address of the delivery destination, and the telephone number of the delivery destination is character-recognized from the image information detected in the detection step. In addition, it is preferable to search for the destination branch specifying code by referring to a database that associates at least one of a postal code, an address, and a telephone number with the destination branch specifying code as a character-recognized search key.

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the present invention, for example, information on a delivery destination of a delivery according to a home delivery service of a throw-in type in a mail box is detected from the surface of the delivery. In this case, for example, a postal code, an address, a name (name), a telephone number, and the like are collectively image-detected as information on a delivery destination by a CCD camera. Alternatively, information on a delivery destination can be image-detected in accordance with a scanning method using a CCD camera.

Next, based on the detected image information,
Retrieve the designated code of the destination branch to deliver the delivery. In this case, for example, a database that associates at least one of a postal code, an address, and a telephone number with a destination / branch designation code is formed in advance in, for example, a storage unit of the computer. Then, from the detected image information,
Recognize at least one of the destination postal code, destination address, and destination telephone number (OCR recognition,
OMR recognition, barcode recognition, etc.). Thus, the destination branch designation code is automatically searched for, for example, by referring to the database formed in the storage unit using the postal code whose character has been recognized as a search key.

The destination branch designation code automatically retrieved is printed or printed on a delivery management label. At this time, a delivery management number sequentially assigned or a delivery management code corresponding to the delivery management number is also printed or printed on the delivery management label. The delivery management label printed or printed with the destination / branch designation code is attached to the delivery. In this case, it is preferable that the destination / branch designation code be represented not only by Arabic numerals but also by a bar code in order to improve the reliability and speed of reading the destination / branch designation code in the sorting process of the delivery.

As described above, in the present invention, for example, in a home delivery service of a throw-in type in a mail box, a destination / branch designation code is automatically and quickly and automatically retrieved from information on a delivery destination of a delivery. Then, the destination / branch designation code accurately and quickly obtained by the automatic search is printed or printed on the delivery management label, and the destination / branch designation code printed or printed delivery management label is automatically attached to each delivery. . Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to realize a delivery management label issuance / attachment apparatus and method suitable for accurate and prompt processing of a large number of deliveries.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of a delivery management label issuance / sticking apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of a delivery processed by the apparatus shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, as an example of the present invention, a case is assumed in which a publishing company, which is a shipping source, delivers a large amount of deliveries stored in envelopes of a predetermined size to respective destinations, which are its customers. .

The apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is provided with a manual guide 2 for guiding the collected goods 1 to be processed and positioning them at a predetermined position. The hand guide 2 is, for example, 9
The delivery 1 is positioned at a predetermined position by having a pair of guide members that intersect at 0 degrees, and bringing the two sides forming the corners of the delivery 1 into contact with the pair of guide members. Here, each delivery 1 to be processed is a delivery related to a home delivery service of a throw-in type in a mail box, and as shown in FIG. And a content 22 (shown by a broken line in the figure).

In the upper region of the envelope 21, a rectangular transparent window 23 is formed. Then, information on the delivery destination printed on the contents 22, that is, the delivery postal code 24, the delivery destination address 25, the delivery destination name 26, the delivery destination telephone number 27, and the delivery destination customer code 28
Are configured to be visible from outside through the transparent window 23. On the other hand, in the lower area of the envelope 21, information on the sender, that is, the name 29 of the sender, the address 3 of the sender,
0, the sender's telephone number 31 is printed. In FIG. 2, the transparent window 23 is formed in the envelope 21, but an address label on which information on a delivery destination is printed may be attached to the envelope without forming the transparent window.

Referring again to FIG. 1, below the manual guide 2, a CCD camera 3 with the lens directed upward is positioned. Image information picked up by the CCD camera 3 is supplied to a computer 5, and a monitor 5a of the computer 5
The imaging screen of the D camera 3 is configured to be displayed. The image information captured by the CCD camera 3 is set to be stored in the storage unit via the control unit of the computer main body 5b. The computer main body 5b is connected to a foot switch 4 for sending a character recognition command from the image information captured by the CCD camera 3 to the control unit.

The apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is provided with a label printer / adhering section 7 for printing or printing required information on the delivery management label and attaching the delivery management label to the delivery 1. The label printer / adhering section 7 is supplied with a large number of rectangular delivery management labels 7c continuously attached to a mount wound many times. The label printer / adhering unit 7 includes, for example, a printer 7a of a thermal transfer system as a printer for printing or printing required information on each supplied delivery management label. The label printer / adhering section 7 includes an adhering section 7b for pressing and adhering a delivery management label, on which required information is printed or printed, to a predetermined position of the delivery 1.

Further, the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 reads a predetermined bar code printed on a delivery management label attached to the delivery 1 and supplies the read bar code information to a control unit of the computer main body 5b. A code reader 9 is provided. Further, the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 includes a stacker 10 for stacking the processed products 1 (accommodating them in a stacked state). The apparatus shown in FIG. 1 includes a first conveyor 6 for transporting the delivery 1 from above the CCD camera 3 to above the label printer / sticker 7, and the delivery 1 from above the label printer / sticker 7. And a second conveyor 8 for transferring the bar code reader 9 to a position above the bar code reader 9.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the processing flow of the apparatus according to the present embodiment. Hereinafter, focusing on one delivery to be processed, an operation of the apparatus of the present embodiment having the above-described configuration will be described with reference to FIG. The operator supplies the delivery 1 to the apparatus along the manual guide 2 so that the transparent window 23 of the envelope 21 faces downward.
As a result, the delivery 1 supplied along the manual guide 2
Is positioned at a predetermined position with respect to the CCD camera 3 (S101).

That is, the delivery item 1 is arranged such that the information on the delivery destination of the delivery item 1 falls within the imaging range of the CCD camera 3.
Is positioned. At this time, information on the delivery destination image detected by the CCD camera 3, that is, the delivery postal code 24, delivery destination address 25, delivery destination name 26,
Delivery destination telephone number 27 and delivery destination customer code 28
Is displayed on the monitor 5a. The operator refers to the image displayed on the monitor 5a, confirms that the information on the delivery destination of the delivery 1 is included in the imaging range of the CCD camera 3, and then presses the foot switch 4 with a foot (S
102).

In this way, the control section of the computer main body 5b starts a character recognition process from the image information on the delivery destination detected by the CCD camera 3. That is, the control unit of the computer main body 5b reads the image information on the detected delivery destination, and recognizes the postal code 24 of the delivery destination as characters from the read image information (S103). In this case, the control unit of the computer main body 5b also recognizes information such as the customer code 28 of the delivery destination from the detected image information on the delivery destination, as necessary.

By the way, in the storage section of the computer main body 5b, a database for associating postal codes with destination / branch designation codes is formed. Then, the control unit of the computer main body 5b refers to the database formed in the storage unit using the postal code 24 of the delivery destination character-recognized from the image information on the detected delivery destination as a search key, and obtains the destination branch designation code. Is automatically searched (S104).
When the automatic search process is completed, the delivery 1 is transferred to a position above the label printer / sticker 7 via the first conveyor 6.

On the other hand, the control unit of the computer main body 5b
A delivery management number unique to each delivery management label is sequentially issued (S105). Here, the delivery management number is formed, for example, as a serial number (serial number) from a predetermined value (that is, a predetermined start number). At this time, the monitor 5a of the computer 5 displays, as shown in FIG. 4, the postal code and the customer code that have been character-recognized, the automatically searched destination branch designation code, the automatically numbered delivery management number, and the automatically numbered delivery management number. A starting number as a base value, an image detected by the CCD camera 3, a predetermined operation menu, and the like are displayed.

As shown in FIG. 5, the label printer / adhering section 7 stores a delivery management number 42 automatically assigned by the control section of the computer main body 5b and a bar code 41 corresponding to the delivery management number 42 as a delivery management code. Is printed and printed on each delivery management label 40 (S106). Also,
The label printer / adhering unit 7 prints and prints the destination / branch designation code automatically searched for by the control unit of the computer main unit 5b on each delivery management label 40 using the Arabic numeral 44 and the barcode 43 (S107).

Next, the label printer / adhering section 7 places the delivery management label 40 on which the delivery management code (41, 42) and the destination / branch designation code (43, 44) are printed or printed at a predetermined position of the delivery 1. Press and paste (S
108). As shown in FIG. 5, the name 45 and the telephone number 46 of the delivery company that delivers each delivery 1 are printed on each delivery management label 40 in advance.

As described above, the delivery management codes (41, 4
2) and the delivery 1 to which the delivery management label 40 printed or printed with the destination / branch designation code (43, 44) is attached.
(See FIG. 6) is transported via a second conveyor 8 to a position above a bar code reader 9 for verification. The barcode reader 9 reads the delivery management number from the delivery management barcode 41 printed on the delivery management label 40 attached to the delivery 1 (S109), and sends the read delivery management number information to the control unit of the computer main body 5b. Supply.

The control unit of the computer main unit 5b compares and compares the automatically assigned delivery management number with the delivery management number read from the delivery management label 40 attached to the delivery 1 (S110). Thus, the control unit of the computer main unit 5b confirms that the delivery management label 40 on which the issued delivery management number is printed is actually attached to the delivery 1. That is, the control unit of the computer main body 5b confirms that no labeling error or data shift has occurred in the label printer and labeling unit 7.

When it is confirmed that the desired delivery management label 40 is actually attached, the control unit of the computer main body 5b stores the image information on the delivery destination in the storage unit in association with the automatically assigned delivery management number. Save and save (S11
1). After that, the delivery 1 after the comparison and collation processing is stored in a stacked state on the stacker 10 (S11).
2). In this way, the above-described processing operation is similarly repeated for a large number of sequentially supplied deliveries. As a result, in the storage unit of the computer main body 5b, a database that associates the delivery management number with the image information on the delivery destination is formed for each processed delivery. This database is used in searching for a response to an inquiry about a delivery.

By the way, when various processing errors including the pasting error and the data deviation occur, the method of temporarily stopping the operation of the apparatus and restarting the processing for the delivery having the processing error can be adopted. In this case, without generating a missing number in the delivery management number to be formed as a serial number,
Each delivery can be processed sequentially. Or,
When various processing errors occur, a method of rejecting and collecting a delivery related to the processing error without stopping the operation of the apparatus can be adopted. In this case, a missing number occurs in the delivery management number to be formed as a serial number.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the control section of the computer main body 5b automatically and quickly searches for the destination / branch designation code from the information on the delivery destination of the delivery 1. Then, the label / printing / attaching unit 7 prints or prints on the delivery management label 40 the destination / branch designation code obtained accurately and quickly by the automatic search.
Also, in the label printer / adhering section 7, the delivery management label 4 on which the destination / branch designation code is printed or printed.
0 is automatically attached to each delivery 1. Therefore, the apparatus according to the present embodiment can accurately and quickly process a large amount of deliveries.

In the above-described embodiment, the postal code of the delivery destination is character-recognized from the image information relating to the delivery destination, and the destination branch / branch designation code is searched using the postal code with the character recognition as a search key. However, the address or telephone number of the delivery destination can be character-recognized from the image information on the delivery destination, and the destination / branch designation code can be searched using the address or the telephone number recognized as a search key. In this case, it is necessary to previously form a database that associates the address or telephone number with the destination / branch designation code. Further, if necessary, for example, the postal code and the address can be character-recognized, and the destination / branch designation code can be searched using the plurality of search keys.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the information regarding the delivery destination of the delivery is image-detected according to the batch method, but the information regarding the delivery destination of the delivery may be image-detected according to the scanning method. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the present invention has been described with respect to a large amount of deliveries accommodated in an envelope having a predetermined size, but a large amount of envelopes accommodated in envelopes having various sizes within a predetermined range. It is clear that the invention can be applied to the processing of deliveries.

[0038]

As described above, according to the present invention, a destination / branch designation code is accurately and quickly automatically retrieved from information on a delivery destination of a delivery, and the destination / branch obtained accurately and quickly by the automatic retrieval. The designated code is printed or printed on the delivery management label, and the printed or printed delivery management label with the destination / branch designation code is automatically attached to each delivery. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to realize a delivery management label issuance / attachment apparatus and method suitable for accurate and prompt processing of a large number of deliveries.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of a delivery management label issuing / sticking apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of a delivery processed by the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a processing flow of the apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a screen displayed on a computer monitor during processing of a delivery.

FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of a delivery management label on which required information is printed or printed.

FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of a delivery to which a delivery management label has been attached by the apparatus of FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Delivery 2 Hand guide 3 CCD camera 4 Foot switch 5a Monitor 5b Computer main body 6, 8 conveyor 7 Label printer and sticking part 9 Barcode reader 10 Stacker

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A detection unit for detecting information on a delivery destination of a delivery from the surface of the delivery, and a destination to deliver the delivery based on the image information detected by the detection unit. A control unit for retrieving a branch designation code; a printer unit for printing or printing the destination branch designation code retrieved by the control unit on a delivery management label; and And a sticking unit for sticking the printed delivery management label to the delivery. 2. The control unit has a storage unit in which a database that associates at least one of a postal code, an address, and a telephone number with a destination / branch designation code is formed, and the image information detected by the detection unit As a search key, at least one of the postal code of the delivery destination, the address of the delivery destination, and the telephone number of the delivery destination character-recognized from,
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the destination branch designation code is searched by referring to the database formed in the storage unit. 3. The printer according to claim 1, wherein the printer unit prints and prints a designation code of a destination branch to which the delivery is to be delivered on each delivery management label in Arabic numerals and a bar code. The described device. 4. The control unit sequentially issues a delivery management number unique to each delivery management label, and the printer unit corresponds to the delivery management number sequentially issued by the control unit or the delivery management number. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the delivery management code is printed or printed on each delivery management label. 5. The control unit has a reading unit for reading a delivery management code printed or printed on a delivery management label affixed to the delivery, and the delivery management code read by the reading unit. 5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the control unit compares and matches the delivery management number issued, and stores and stores the image information detected by the detection unit based on a result of the comparison and comparison. 6. 6. The printer unit prints a delivery management number converted into a bar code as the delivery management code on each delivery management label, and the reading unit has a barcode reader for reading the delivery management code. The apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that: 7. The detection unit has a CCD camera for collectively detecting information on a delivery destination of the delivery, and the control unit includes an image information detected by the CCD camera collectively. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a monitor configured to display the display. 8. A detection step of detecting information on a delivery destination of a delivery from the surface of the delivery, and specifying a destination branch to deliver the delivery based on the image information detected in the detection. A search step of searching for a code; a printing step of printing or printing the destination / branch designation code found in the search step on a delivery management label; and a printing / printing of the destination / branch designation code printed or printed in the printing step. Attaching a delivery management label to the delivery. 9. In the search step, at least one of the postal code of the delivery destination, the address of the delivery destination, and the telephone number of the delivery destination is character-recognized from the image information detected in the detection step. The destination branching code is searched by referring to a database that associates at least one of a postal code, an address, and a telephone number with a destination branching specifying code as a character-recognized search key. 9. The method according to 8.