JP2001312695A - Device and method for detecting label area and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device/method for detecting a label area and a recording medium which is constituted simply and capable of detecting a label area even when a complicated marking or a pattern is on a paper surface or when a label is enclosed in a plastics seal. SOLUTION: The label area detector 1 has a color scanner part 2 for fetching the whole picture of the addressee's name of a detecting object K, whose label area has to be detected, and a picture processing part 3 for processing the picture fetched by the part 2. The part 3 has a picture memory 4 storing picture data of the object K, a label color storing part 5 for storing the color component of the label, a picture comparing part 6 for comparing the picture data stored in the memory 4 with the color component of the label stored in the part 5 and preparing picture data of only the color component of the label, and a label area detecting part 7 for detecting the label area based on picture data of only the color component of the label prepared by the part 6.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a label area detecting apparatus for detecting an address label or an address window area (hereinafter referred to as a label area) affixed to an object to be detected such as a sealed letter, a postcard, a magazine, a newspaper, a parcel or the like. And a label area detecting method and a recording medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, when a postal code or address written on a sealed letter, postcard, magazine, newspaper, parcel, or the like is read and classified by an OCR (optical character reader), the postal code or address to be read is labeled. Since many of the labels are described in the window or in the window, detecting the label or the label area of the window is effective as preprocessing for character recognition.

For example, Japanese Patent No. 3001019 discloses an address position detecting device for detecting the address position of an address on a mail, which detects an output level of a window or a label on the mail where the address is described. Means, a means for detecting the output level of the paper surface on the mail, a means for detecting the level difference between the output level of the window or label and the paper surface, and a window based on the level difference obtained by the means. Alternatively, there is disclosed an apparatus for detecting a destination address of a postal matter, comprising a means for selecting label information.

[0004] According to the conventional mail position detecting device, the difference between the voltage level of the paper and the window / label portion of the mail is obtained, and accurate detection of the mail position can be performed based on this value, that is, the magnitude of the level difference. Judgment is made between mail that is being performed and mail that has not been accurately detected due to noise, etc., and the position information from the window / label detector is discarded. It is possible to prevent erroneous detection of the address description position of an object (hereinafter, this technique is referred to as Conventional Example 1).

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-50487 discloses that
Means for capturing a multicolor image of the surface of a sheet, means for extracting a specified color image consisting of only one color component from the multicolor image, means for converting the multicolor image into a monochrome image, and Based on the color image and the monochrome image, a character reading device including a unit that determines an area in which characters written on the sheet is to be read, and a unit that reads characters written in the determined region. It has been disclosed.

According to the conventional character reading apparatus, a reading area on a sheet is determined based on a color image of a designated color component obtained from a multicolor image and a monochrome image obtained from the multicolor image. Therefore, it is possible to read a postal code or address written on a multicolor printed mail at high speed (hereinafter, this technique is referred to as Conventional Example 2).

[0007]

In the prior art 1, since the video signal from the image input unit is binarized and detected, the label is searched from a state where a lot of information other than the label is included. It is difficult to detect a label area in the case of a simple pattern or design.

[0008] Further, since the reflected light of the object to be detected is input to the image input unit, if the label is in a vinyl seal (a mail or the like put in vinyl) or the like that reflects light well, Region detection is difficult.

On the other hand, in the second conventional example, since a designated color image and a monochrome image must be taken out, a large memory capacity is required and the configuration becomes complicated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problem, and it is an object of the present invention to detect a label area even when the paper surface has a complicated pattern or pattern, or when there is a label in a vinyl seal or the like. It is an object of the present invention to provide a label region detecting device, a label region detecting method, and a recording medium having a simple structure.

[0011]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a label area detecting apparatus for storing image data of an object to be detected from which a label area is to be detected, and a label color storing a color component of the label. Storage means, image comparison means for comparing the image data stored in the image storage means and the color component of the label stored in the label color storage means, to create image data of only the color component of the label, And a label area detecting means for detecting a label area based on the image data of only the color component of the label created by the image comparing means.

According to a second label area detecting device of the present invention, an image storage means for storing image data of an object to be detected for detecting a label area, and a plurality of label color storage means for storing color components of a plurality of labels. And a plurality of image comparing means for comparing the image data stored in the image storage means with the color components of the labels stored in the respective label color storage means, and creating image data of only the color components of the label. And a label area detecting means for detecting a label area based on the image data of only the color component of the label created by the image comparing means.

The label color storage means stores ranges of respective color components of a red pixel, a green pixel, and a blue pixel indicating a color of a label, and the image comparison means stores each color component stored in the label color storage means. Create image data that is within the range of pixel color components.

The label area detecting means generates a histogram by counting the presence or absence of pixels of the image data of only the color component of the label generated by the image comparing means in each of the vertical and horizontal directions of the image. Regions in which values in the vertical and horizontal directions are equal to or larger than a certain threshold value are set as candidates, and a label region is detected based on the size and position of the candidates.

According to the label area detecting method of the present invention, a step of storing image data of a detection target from which a label area is to be detected, a step of storing a label color component, a step of storing the stored image data and a label color component And generating image data of only the color components of the label, and detecting a label region based on the image data of only the generated color components of the label. It is.

A recording medium according to the present invention includes a process for storing image data of an object to be detected in which a label area is to be detected, a process for storing a color component of a label, and a process for storing the stored image data and the color component of a label. A program for causing a computer to execute a process of comparing and creating image data of only the label color component and a process of detecting a label region based on the created image data of only the color component of the label are recorded. It is characterized by having done.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, a label area detecting apparatus 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes a detection target K (a sealed letter, a postcard, a magazine, a newspaper, a parcel, etc.) from which a label area is to be detected. And an image processing unit 3 for processing the image captured by the color scanner unit 2.

The image processing unit 3 includes an image memory 4 for storing image data of the detection target K, a label color storage unit 5 for storing label color components, and image data and label colors stored in the image memory 4. An image comparing unit 6 that compares the label color components stored in the storage unit 5 to create image data of only the label color components, and an image data of only the label color components created by the image comparing unit 6 And a label area detection unit 7 for detecting a label area based on

The image memory 4 stores image data captured by the color scanner unit 2.

The label color storage unit 5 stores R (red pixel), G (green pixel), and G (green pixel) indicating preset label colors.
The range of each color component of B (blue pixel) is stored as, for example, the following equation.

Α1 <R <α2− (1) β1 <G <β2− (2) γ1 <B <γ2− (3) The image comparing unit 6 stores the color component of each pixel stored in the label color storage unit 5. Create image data within the range of.

The label area detecting section 7 determines a predetermined RG from the image data including only the color components of the label.
A histogram is created by a combination based on the range of each pixel value of B, and a label area is detected from a predetermined threshold and size.

Next, the procedure of the label area detecting method of the present invention will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the operation, and FIGS. 3 and 4 are explanatory diagrams for explaining the label area detecting method of the present invention.

First, an image of the entire destination surface of the detection target K transported on a transport path (not shown) is captured by the color scanner 2 (step S1). Detection target K
As shown in FIG. 3A, for example, a label L is affixed to the surface of a postal matter. Here, the white part is the label L
Area (however, characters such as address and address are omitted),
The hatched portion serving as the background of the label L indicates a complicated pattern or pattern area.

On the other hand, the range of each color component of R (red pixel), G (green pixel) and B (blue pixel) indicating the color of the label L is set and stored in the label color storage unit 5 (step S2). .

Next, the image data read by the color scanner unit 2 is stored in the image memory 4 (step S3).

Next, the stored image data is sent to the image comparing section 6, where it is expressed by the above equations (1), (2) and (3) stored in the label color storing section 5. RGB
3B, only the color of the label L is extracted, the pattern or pattern on the surface of the magazine, which is the background of the label L, is removed, and only the color components of the label shown in FIG. Data is created (step S4).

Next, as shown in FIG. 4, the label area detection unit creates a histogram by counting the presence or absence of one pixel represented by RGB in each of the vertical and horizontal directions of the image. An area in which each value in the horizontal direction is equal to or larger than a certain threshold value is set as a candidate. If the size and position of the candidate are considered to be valid, the area is determined to be a label area, and the label area is detected (step S
5).

According to the first embodiment, only the color components of the label are extracted from the color image data and the other color components are removed. Alternatively, the label area of the address window can be detected.

Further, since the color block of the label is detected instead of detecting the reflected light of the detection object K, it is possible to detect the label area even if the entire address surface is made of a material such as vinyl which reflects. it can.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, two label color storage units 5 and two image comparison units 6 are provided, and a first label color storage unit 5a and a second label color storage unit that store color components of two labels respectively. A color storage unit 5b compares the image data stored in the image memory 4 with the label color components stored in the first label color storage unit 5a, and creates image data of only the label color components. And the image data stored in the image memory 4 and the second
And a second image comparison unit 6b that compares the color components of the label stored in the label color storage unit 5b with each other and creates image data of only the color components of the label.

The first label color storage section 5a and the second label color storage section 5b store R labels of different colors, respectively.
Having a GB value makes it possible to extract labels of a plurality of colors. Other processes are the same as those of the first embodiment.

According to the second embodiment, instead of extracting a label of one color as in the first embodiment,
By simultaneously extracting labels of two colors, two label areas can be detected. Therefore, for example, it is possible to cope with a case where a label of an address and a sender exists or a label of a private handling company is attached.

The label color storage unit 5 and the image comparison unit 6
Is provided, it is possible to detect three or more label areas by simultaneously extracting labels of three or more colors.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the third embodiment of the present invention. The third embodiment has a recording medium 8 on which a program (label area detection program) for causing a computer to execute the above-described label area detection processing is recorded. The recording medium 8 may be a magnetic disk, a CD-ROM, a semiconductor memory, or another recording medium.

The label area detecting program is stored in the recording medium 8
The image processing unit 3 reads the image data of the detection target K from which the label area is to be detected according to the label area detection program, stores the color data of the label, A process of comparing the stored image data with the label color component to create image data of only the label color component, and a process of detecting a label area based on the created image data of only the label color component. , Run.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various changes can be made within the scope of the technical matters described in the claims.

The label area detecting apparatus 1 according to the present invention is a part of components of an apparatus for reading and sorting a postal code or an address, for example. In addition, the label area cannot be detected (for example, an address printed directly on an envelope without using a label, or a white label attached to a white envelope)
Can not be detected by the label area detecting apparatus of the present invention, so that the address is detected by a character reading apparatus or the like.

[0040]

According to the present invention, only the color components of the label are taken out from the color image data and the other color components are removed, so that the address label or the address label attached on the complicated pattern or design is removed. The label area of the address window can be detected.

Since the color block of the label is detected instead of detecting the reflected light of the object to be detected, the label area can be detected even if the entire address surface is made of a material that reflects light such as vinyl. Can be.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a label area detection method according to the present invention.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are explanatory diagrams for explaining a label area detection method according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a label area detection method according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1: Label area detection device 2: Color scanner section 3: Image processing section 4: Image memory 5: Label color storage section 6: Image comparison section 7: Label area detection section 5a: First label color storage section 5b: Second Label color storage section 6a: first image comparison section 6b: second image comparison section 8: recording medium

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Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An image storage means for storing image data of a detection target from which a label area is to be detected, a label color storage means for storing a color component of a label, and the image data stored in the image storage means. Image comparing means for comparing the color components of the label stored in the label color storage means to generate image data of only the color components of the label, and image data of only the color components of the label generated by the image comparing means And a label region detecting means for detecting a label region based on the label region. 2. An image storage means for storing image data of an object to be detected in which a label area is to be detected; a plurality of label color storage means for storing a plurality of label color components; Comparing the image data with the color components of the labels stored in the label color storage means,
A plurality of image comparing means for creating image data of only the color components of the label, and a label area detecting means for detecting a label area based on the image data of only the color components of the label created by the image comparing means. A label region detecting device comprising: 3. The label color storage means stores a range of each color component of a red pixel, a green pixel, and a blue pixel indicating a label color, and the image comparison means stores the label color storage means. 3. The label area detecting device according to claim 1, wherein image data within the range of the color component of each pixel is created. 4. The label area detecting means creates a histogram by counting the presence or absence of pixels of image data of only the color component of the label created by the image comparing means in each of the vertical and horizontal directions of the image. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein regions in which values in the vertical and horizontal directions are equal to or greater than a certain threshold value are set as candidates, and a label region is detected based on the size and position of the candidates.
The label area detecting device according to any one of the above items. 5. A step of storing image data of an object to be detected in which a label area is to be detected, a step of storing a color component of a label, and comparing the stored image data with a color component of the label. A label area detecting method, comprising: a step of generating image data of only the color component of the label; and a step of detecting a label area based on the generated image data of only the color component of the label. 6. A process for storing image data of an object to be detected in which a label area is to be detected, a process for storing a color component of a label, and comparing the stored image data with a color component of the label. A recording medium which records a program for causing a computer to execute: a process of creating image data of only the color component of the label; and a process of detecting a label region based on the image data of only the color component of the created label.