JP2005049941A - Form creation device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the reduction of work efficiency when an area of recipient information and an area inscribed with a bar code are not simultaneously entered in an image pickup effective range for picking up an image of a prescribed delivery object, and to eliminate wastefulness for creating a form to reduce a time even when failing in first image pickup. <P>SOLUTION: The first image pickup for picking up an image of the area inscribed with the recipient information is performed, a video signal obtained by the image pickup is converted into a digital signal and is stored in an image memory 74, second image pickup for picking up an image of the area inscribed with the bar code is performed, a signal corresponding to the bar code is retrieved from a video signal obtained by the image pickup to read bar code information and to store it into the image memory, and a form to which the area inscribed with the recipient information and the bar code information are copied is output by a print part 8. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a form creation device for clarifying transfer and streamlining management in a series of operations from underwriting to delivery of distributed items such as registered mail.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when delivering a distribution item such as registered mail, a delivery certificate is created to manage the delivery operation. The distribution business of the goods for which the delivery certificate is used will be described with reference to FIG. The delivery certificate is used to receive the receipt stamp of the recipient when delivering the registered mail A, and the form creation device B creates two copies of primary and secondary. One copy is affixed to the registered mail in order to obtain a receipt in the receipt stamp column certifying that the registered mail has been received by the recipient as a delivery certificate C1. After the receipt is stamped by the recipient, it is taken back to the post office and stored. In FIG. 4, this receipt stamp column is a perfect circle in the upper right part of the delivery certificate C1. The other is left in the office as a copy of the post office as a delivery note C2. Then, the delivery certificate C1 that has been delivered and has been stamped with a receipt stamp is checked against the original delivery certificate C2 to confirm whether the delivery has been completed. The contents to be included in the delivery certificate used to manage the delivery service in this way are the address and name of the recipient, the underwriting symbol, the underwriting number, special handling characters, the date and time of preparation, the receipt stamp. Field and letter of delivery. In addition, since registered IDs have a unique ID number written in a bar code to manage where they are in the distribution process, for example, bar code information such as numbers indicating the contents of the bar code Also need to be shown on the delivery card.
[0003]
The delivery certificate is created in the post office by the above-described form creation device B as follows. The form creation device B captures the flow A within the effective imaging range B1, outputs the captured image, and automatically extracts and reads the barcode information from the captured image data. A form is created by hard copying a copy image on the surface of a registered mail or the like to which a serial number or other information necessary for the form or the read code information is added. If the form creation apparatus B cannot automatically read and read the barcode information from the captured image data in this process, the form creation apparatus B captures the image for reading the barcode information again while retaining the image data. And retry reading barcode information from the image data. By creating a form in this way, it is possible to create a form with good workability even when good image data as a copy image of a distribution does not match good image data for reading barcode information (for example, Patent Document 1).
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent No. 2568750 [0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, there are various sizes of the distribution items, and there are also various areas where the address and name of the recipient are written, and where the barcode for delivery management is written. For example, the size of the registered mail may be larger than the effective imaging range of the form creation device, and the above two areas may not fit within the effective imaging range at the same time. In addition, there are cases where the above-mentioned two areas are marked on the opposite side of the product and cannot be imaged at once. In this way, there is a registered mail that does not allow two areas to enter the effective imaging range at the same time. Among the senders who apply for a large number of registered mail, there are labels that indicate the address and address of the recipient, In addition, when a label with a barcode is affixed to a registered mail piece and sent to the post office, the sender does not know the circumstances for creating the registered mail form in the office, so that the sender does not know each label. This is because, when affixed to a registered mail, it will be affixed to a place convenient for the work itself. In this way, when the distribution items that cannot be imaged at a time are mixed in a large number of distribution items, the above-described form creation device cannot cope with it and the processing efficiency is lowered.
[0006]
In general, an operator who handles distribution items is required to perform processing quickly. For this reason, the above-described form creation apparatus is configured to automatically capture the distribution item twice and create the form. However, in the above-described form creation device, for example, when an operator rushes to create a form, the first image is taken before taking the hand off the circulation, and when an imaging mistake occurs, The next imaging is automatically performed. Therefore, after that, it is necessary to perform imaging twice to create a form. In this case, when a mistake occurs in the first imaging, it is not possible to immediately create a delivery certificate, and the time for performing the second imaging is wasted.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an area of recipient information related to recipients of distribution items and delivery management within an imaging effective range for imaging distribution items that are defined in advance. To provide a form creation device that prevents a reduction in work efficiency when an area where a bar code is written does not enter at the same time, and saves time and waste in creating a form even when the first imaging fails. It is in.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention performs first imaging for imaging an area in which recipient information is written, converts a video signal obtained by the imaging into a digital signal and stores it, and images an area in which a barcode is written. The second imaging is performed, a signal corresponding to the barcode is searched from the video signal obtained by the imaging, the barcode information is read and stored, and the area where the recipient information is written and the barcode information are stored in hardware. The copied form is output.
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a front view showing a schematic mechanism of the form creation device 1, and FIG. 2 is a side view showing a schematic mechanism of the form creation device 1.
[0010]
In the form creation apparatus 1, a copy table 3 for placing the distribution item 2 to be copied, information necessary for processing the distribution item 2, an operation unit 4 for monitoring the contents, and the copy table 3 are copied. A light source 5 that illuminates at a necessary brightness, an image pickup unit 6 positioned above the copy table 3, a control unit 7 that controls the entire form creation device 1 and temporarily stores image data, etc. A printing unit 8 is provided for outputting necessary delivery management information and read barcode information to a hard copy. The distribution item 2 arranged on the copy table 3 is illustrated so as to substantially coincide with the effective imaging range of the imaging unit 6.
[0011]
The distribution item 2 is, for example, a parcel, a postal item, a parcel, or the like, and is registered or handled as a delivery record. The distribution item 2 shows the recipient's name and address, underwriting station symbol, underwriting number, recipient information including specially treated characters, etc., and a unique ID number for managing where in the distribution process. Bar code is displayed. The distribution 2 size is not limited to the one shown in the figure, and there are various sizes. In addition, an area in which the address and name of the recipient are written and a bar code for delivery management are written. There are various places.
[0012]
The imaging unit 6 reflects the incident light from the circulation 2 that is the subject, the imaging lens 6b that images the reflected light from the reflection mirror 6a, and the circulation 2 that is imaged by the imaging lens 6b. An image sensor 6c such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) that captures an image is included.
[0013]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical system of the form creation device 1.
The operation unit 4 is provided with a display for displaying information necessary for the operator, a keyboard on which various keys such as numeric keys and function keys are arranged, and switches. Among these function keys, there are a start key for starting the imaging of the article 2 placed on the copy table 3, and a double-shooting mode setting key for setting a double-shooting mode to be described later in detail. (Two-time shooting mode setting means), a cancel key for canceling the operation, and the like are provided.
[0014]
The imaging unit 6 includes a reflection mirror 6a, an imaging lens 6b, an imaging element 6c, a CCD unit 61 having an analog-digital (AD) conversion unit (signal conversion means), a scale control circuit 62, a shading correction circuit 63, and density correction. A circuit 64, a pseudo halftone binarization reproduction circuit 65, and a CPU 66 for controlling the imaging unit for controlling these circuits are provided (imaging means).
[0015]
The control unit 7 is provided with a master CPU 71, a density measurement circuit 72, an imaging unit / output interface (I / F) circuit 73, an image memory 74, an operation unit interface (I / F) circuit 75, and a bus line 76 connecting them. It has been.
[0016]
The printing unit 8 is a laser printer, for example, and includes an output control CPU 81 for controlling each unit in the printing unit 8, a laser scanner unit control circuit 82, a laser scanner unit 83 including a polygon motor driving circuit and a laser oscillation circuit, and various positions. A sensor 84, a drive system control circuit 85 for driving the printing unit 8, a surface potential sensor 86, a high voltage system control circuit 87 for charging, developing and transferring, and a print test circuit 88 are provided (print output means). ). Since the printing control of the printing unit 8 is known, detailed description thereof is omitted.
[0017]
The barcode information reading unit 9 is provided with a slave CPU 91 used exclusively for barcode information reading processing and a barcode detection circuit 92 for detecting barcodes (barcode information reading means).
[0018]
Next, the operation when the form creation device 1 accepts the input of the double shooting mode setting key by the operator and creates a form in the double shooting mode will be described.
[0019]
First, when the master CPU 71 receives delivery management information settings such as a delivery date and a reference number based on the keyboard operation of the operation unit 4, the master CPU 71 displays the set delivery management information as the operation unit I / F. The data is sent and stored in the RAM of the master CPU 71 via the circuit 75.
[0020]
Subsequently, when receiving the start key input, the CPU 66 of the image pickup unit 6 controls each part in the image pickup unit 6 to pick up an image of the distribution item 2 placed on the copy table 3 (first image pickup). That is, the distribution item 2 receives light from the light source 5, passes the reflection mirror 6 a of the CCD unit 61, and forms a copy image on the image sensor 6 c by the imaging lens 6 b. Next, the image pickup device 6c receives the control from the CPU 66 for controlling the image pickup unit, sequentially converts light energy into electric energy, and further converts the analog amount into a digital amount by the A-D conversion unit to the subsequent circuit. Send imaging data. The sent image data is reduced by a scale control circuit 62, a shading correction circuit 63, a density correction circuit 64, and a binarization reproduction circuit 65 by pipeline processing, respectively, and scale control, shading correction, image density correction, and pseudo halftone binarization reproduction. Is done. Prior to the density correction, the imaging data that has undergone the shading correction is sent to the density measurement circuit 72 of the control unit 7 to determine the density level of the imaging target circulation, and the imaging data is based on that. Density correction. When the distribution item 2 is imaged by the first imaging, the distribution item 2 is stored in the copy table 3 so that at least an area in which the recipient information of the distribution item 2 is included in the imaging effective range of the imaging unit 6. Is placed.
[0021]
The imaging data binarized by the binarization reproduction circuit in this way, that is, the copy image data of the area where the recipient information of the distribution item 2 is described, is passed through the imaging unit / output unit I / F circuit 73. The image data is sent out and stored in the image memory 74 under the control of the master CPU 71 (first storage means). When this imaged data is stored in the image memory 74, the delivery management information stored in the RAM of the master CPU 71 is also stored in the image memory 74.
[0022]
Then, when the CPU 66 of the imaging unit 6 detects the input of the start key again, the CPU 66 controls each part in the imaging unit 6 and images the distribution item 2 placed on the copy table 3 (second imaging). In other words, the above-described imaging operation is performed, the circulation object 2 placed on the copy table 3 is imaged, and this imaging data is sent to the barcode information reading unit 9 via the imaging unit / output unit I / F 73.
[0023]
The barcode information reading unit 9 reads barcode information from the transmitted imaging data. That is, the barcode detection circuit 92 cuts out a barcode portion from the imaged data, and the slave CPU 91 decodes the content of the cut-out barcode portion, and for example, a 13-digit number indicating the content indicated by the barcode portion is barcoded. Information is stored in the image memory 74 (second storage means).
[0024]
Subsequently, the master CPU 71 performs a process of adding the second imaging data to a predetermined position of the imaging data by the first imaging stored in the image memory 74 together with the delivery management information. As a result, the copy image data of the area in which the recipient information to which the delivery management information and the barcode information are given at a predetermined position is written is created in the image memory 74 as one image data. Note that the process of assigning the second imaging data to the first imaging data is for performing, for example, printing output from the operation unit 4 after barcode information indicating the content of the barcode is stored in the image memory 74. It may be performed when the operation is accepted, or may be performed immediately after the barcode information indicating the content of the barcode is stored in the image memory 74.
[0025]
Next, the master CPU 71 sends the contents of the image memory 74 to the printing unit 8 via the imaging unit / output unit I / F circuit 73. The output control CPU 81 controls each part in the printing unit 8 and performs hard copy twice based on the contents of the image memory 74 sent out via the imaging unit / output unit I / F circuit 73. That is, the contents of the image memory 74 sent to the printing unit 8 are written on the photosensitive member under the control of the LSU control circuit 82 to modulate the laser beam from the laser scanner, and the form is output as a hard copy. The printing unit 8 is configured by a so-called indirect electrophotographic method, and a hard copy is created by each process of charging, exposure, development, transfer, separation, static elimination, craning, and fixing. Further, in the printing unit 8, control for image formation is performed by a surface potential sensor 86 for detecting the charging potential of the photosensitive member and a high voltage system control circuit 87 for controlling a charging device applied voltage and a developing bias voltage, and the sheet position is set. The position sensor 84 to detect and the drive system control circuit 85 control the drive for conveying the paper. The print test circuit 22 is for performing a test print when adjusting the device.
[0026]
Next, a description will be given of a case where a delivery certificate is created in the above-described double-shooting mode when an operator creates a delivery certificate for a large amount of the circulation 2 using the above-described form creation device 1. In addition, among senders who apply for a large number of distribution items 2 such as registered mail, a label indicating the address and address of the recipient and a label indicating a barcode are affixed to the distribution item 2. Since the sender does not know the circumstances when creating the forms of circulation 2 in the office, when the sender attaches each label to the circulation 2, the sender himself / herself does the work. It may stick to a convenient place. A delivery certificate for such a distribution 2 that is sent from such a sender, and in which the area where the recipient information is written and the area where the barcode is written are not included in the effective imaging range of the imaging unit 6 This will be described in the case of creating.
[0027]
The operator first presses the twice shooting mode setting key when creating a form of a group of the circulation 2 that does not fall within the effective imaging range of the imaging unit 6. By pressing the double shooting mode setting key, the above-described double shooting mode is set in the form creation apparatus 1. Then, the operator operates the keyboard of the operation unit 4 to input delivery management information such as a creation date and a time zone so that the area where the recipient information is written is included in the imaging effective range of the imaging unit 6. After placing the item 2 on the copy table 3, the start key is pressed. Thereby, the area where the recipient information of the distribution item 2 is written is stored as a copy image. In addition, when imaging of this distribution item 2 fails, the operator can input a cancel key and immediately perform re-imaging.
[0028]
Subsequently, the operator places the article 2 on the copy table 3 so that the area where the bar code is written enters the effective imaging range of the imaging unit 6, and then presses the start key. Thereby, the content of the bar code written in the distribution item 2 is stored. Finally, the operator inputs a switch for performing printout. When the form creation apparatus 1 accepts the input of this key, it prints out two delivery certificates printed with delivery management information, recipient information, and barcode contents.
[0029]
According to the form creation device 1 of this embodiment, the area where the recipient information related to the recipient of the distribution item 2 and the area where the barcode is written do not enter the effective imaging range of the imaging unit 6 at the same time. In addition, by setting a double-shooting mode in which the area where the recipient information of the circulation item 2 is imaged at the first time and the area where the barcode of the circulation object 2 is imaged at the second time is set, the circulation object is set. It is possible to output a hard copy in which barcode information is added to the copy image of the portion where the recipient information 2 is described as a form. In this way, the operator can easily set the double-shooting mode when desired, so even in the case of a very large size distribution 2 or a distribution 2 in which barcodes are indicated at various positions. It is possible to prevent a decrease in work efficiency for creating a form.
[0030]
In addition, when the twice shooting mode is set in the form creation device 1, the imaging of the area where the recipient information of the first distribution item is written and the imaging of the area where the barcode is written the second time are 2. Take images in batches. Thereby, when an imaging mistake occurs when the operator performs imaging of the area where the recipient information is written, the image obtained by the first imaging can be canceled immediately. Therefore, when a mistake occurs in the first imaging, the waste of the second imaging is eliminated as compared with the configuration of the conventional form creation apparatus that automatically performs the second imaging. Can save time.
[0031]
(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described. Note that the same reference numerals are given to the same portions as those of the above-described embodiment, and detailed description thereof is omitted.
In the form creation device 1 according to the second embodiment, the barcode information reading unit 9 processes the second imaging data for imaging the area where the barcode is written in the two-time shooting mode as follows. It has become.
[0032]
The barcode information reading unit 9 detects the position (coordinates) of the barcode from the imaging data obtained by imaging the area where the barcode is sent from the imaging unit 6 via the imaging unit / output unit I / F circuit 73. Then, the imaging data corresponding to the position of the barcode and the vicinity of the barcode position is cut out as barcode image data. The cut out barcode image data is stored in the image memory 74 from the barcode information reading unit 9 via the bus line 76 (second storage means).
[0033]
In addition, the extent to which the vicinity of the barcode is cut out is set in advance according to a specified value, for example, several centimeters around the barcode, but the operator can freely set by operating the keyboard of the operation unit 4 or the like. It can be changed. The print position for printing the cut barcode image data is also set to a position such as one of the four corners according to a specified value. The operator can freely set the print position by operating the operation unit 4. Settings can be changed.
[0034]
According to the form creation device 1 of the second embodiment, the area where the recipient information related to the recipient of the distribution item 2 and the area where the barcode is written are simultaneously displayed in the imaging effective range of the imaging unit 6. If it does not enter, the recipient of the distribution item 2 is imaged in the first time and the area in which the barcode of the distribution item 2 is imaged in the second time. A hard copy in which barcode image data is added to a specified position of a copy image of a portion where information is written can be output as a form. Accordingly, the copied image of the distribution 2 recipient information area and the image in the vicinity of the barcode show similar patterns and shades, and the two images are obtained from the same distribution 2 The identity of the image can be confirmed. As a result, when creating a large amount of distribution 2 forms quickly, the operator may take a second image with a distribution 2 different from the distribution 2 for which the first image was captured. The situation of creation can be avoided.
[0035]
In addition, by setting so that the handwriting and the font written in the distribution item 2 are included in the barcode image data, the identity of the two images can be reliably confirmed. Further, by setting the print position for printing the barcode image data so that the barcode image data is arranged in an area where the recipient information of the distribution item 2 obtained by the first imaging is not described. It is possible to prevent the image information of the image obtained by the first imaging from being damaged.
[0036]
In each of the above-described embodiments, the first imaging in the twice shooting mode is an area in which recipient information of the distribution item 2 is described, and the second imaging is an area in which the barcode of the distribution item 2 is described. Of course, the order is not limited to this, and the first imaging may be an area in which the barcode of the distribution item 2 is written, and the second imaging may be an order in which the recipient information of the distribution item 2 is written. For example, the order is changed so that the former order is set in the default state, and the setting is changed by operating the operation unit 4 according to the situation in which the operator uses the form creation device 1. To do.
[0037]
Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. Further, various inventions can be modified by appropriately combining a plurality of components disclosed in the embodiment.
[0038]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the area of the recipient information related to the recipient of the distribution and the bar code for delivery management are indicated in the imaging effective range for imaging the distribution in advance. If they do not enter at the same time, work efficiency will not be reduced, the waste of creating a form will be saved if the first imaging fails, and barcodes will be detected for areas without barcodes in the second imaging. It is possible to provide a form creation device that can reduce the time required to complete the process.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a form creation device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the form creation device according to the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical system of the form creation device in the embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a diagram for illustrating an example of delivery management work in a conventional example.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Form preparation apparatus, 2 ... Distribution, 3 ... Copying table, 4 ... Operation part, 6 ... Imaging part, 7 ... Printing part, 8 ... Printing part

Claims (2)

Imaging means for imaging a distribution object, barcode information reading means for searching for a signal corresponding to a barcode from video signals obtained by the imaging means, and reading barcode information, and video obtained by the imaging means Signal converting means for converting a signal into a digital signal, first imaging for imaging an area in which the recipient information is written by the imaging means, and second imaging for imaging an area in which the barcode is written Double shooting mode setting means for setting a double shooting mode to be performed; first storage means for converting a video signal obtained based on the first imaging into a digital signal by the signal conversion means; Second storage means for storing bar code information obtained based on the second imaging, and recipient information stored as a digital signal in the first storage means Form generation apparatus characterized by comprising a print outputting means to a the area and the barcode information stored in the second storage means for outputting a hard copy was form. An imaging means for imaging a distribution product, a barcode reading means for searching for a signal corresponding to a barcode from the video signals obtained by the imaging means, and reading a barcode and an image in the vicinity of the barcode, and the imaging means Signal converting means for converting the obtained video signal into a digital signal; first imaging for imaging the area where the recipient information is written by the imaging means; and first imaging for imaging the barcode and the area near the barcode. A double-shot mode setting means for setting a double-shooting mode for performing two imaging, and a video signal obtained based on the first imaging is converted into a digital signal by the signal converting means and then stored. And a second memory for storing the video signal obtained based on the second imaging after being converted into a digital signal by the signal converting means. And a hard copy of the area in which the recipient information stored as a digital signal is stored in the first storage means and the bar code stored in the second storage means and the area near the bar code are output. A form creation apparatus comprising: a print output means for performing

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