JP2007188297A - Postal matter sorter, and address reading method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a postal matter sorter capable of reducing labors and times for an operator when an address is failed to be read. <P>SOLUTION: A display part displays an image of the postal object when an address reading part 2 fails to read the address from an address reading image. The address reading part 2 regulates a density of the address reading image in response to a density regulation indication, when an input part receives thereafter the density regulation indication, and reads the address from the density-regulated address reading image. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a mail sorting machine and an address reading method.

  There is a mail sorting machine that reads the mail address and automatically sorts mail according to the read mail address, and displays an image of the mail when the mail address reading fails. To do. The operator of this mail sorting machine visually checks the displayed image and confirms the address. Thereafter, the operator inputs the confirmed address to the mail sorting machine. Thereby, even if the mail sorting machine fails to read the address, it is possible to sort the mail. However, it takes time for the operator to input all addresses.

  There is also a mail sorting machine in which an operator inputs a part of an address and reads another part of the address based on the input part of the address. However, even if a part of the address is input, if the mail sorting machine fails to read the address, the operator must input all the addresses.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 08-101890 discloses a video coding system in which a mail address is read again using another method when the mail address reading fails in a specific method. . Thereby, after the mail sorting machine fails to read the address, it is possible to reduce the amount of mail that the operator inputs the address.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 08-101890

  However, in the video coding system described in Patent Document 1, if the reading of the address fails both times, the operator must input the address. For this reason, it takes time and effort.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a postal matter sorting machine and an address reading method capable of reducing the trouble of an operator when reading of an address fails.

  In order to achieve the object, the mail sorting machine of the present invention generates an address reading image from an acquisition unit that acquires an image of a mail item in which an address is described, and an image acquired by the acquisition unit. An address reading unit that reads the address from the image for reading, a display unit that displays the address reading image when the address reading unit fails to read the address, and an address that the address reading unit failed to read. A postal sorting machine including an input unit that receives the input unit, the input unit receives a density adjustment instruction for adjusting the density of the address reading image, and the address reading unit receives the density adjustment instruction received by the input unit. The address reading image is adjusted in accordance with the density, and the address is read from the address reading image in which the density is adjusted.

  The address reading method of the present invention is an address reading method performed by a mail sorting machine, an acquisition step of acquiring an image of a postal matter in which the address is described, and an address reading image is generated from the acquired image A generation step for reading, the reading step for reading the address from the generated address reading image, and a display step for displaying the address reading image when reading of the address fails in the reading step; A reception step for receiving a light / dark adjustment instruction for adjusting the light / dark of the address reading image, an adjustment step for adjusting the light / dark of the address reading image in accordance with the received light / dark adjustment instruction, and the light / dark adjustment A rereading step of reading the address from the addressed read image.

  According to the above-described invention, when reading of the address from the address reading image fails, a density adjustment instruction for adjusting the density of the address reading image is accepted. Thereafter, the address is read from the address reading image whose density has been adjusted in accordance with the density adjustment instruction.

  For this reason, even if reading of the address fails once, it is possible to read the address only by the operator inputting a density adjustment instruction. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the labor of the operator when the mail reading fails.

  The display unit further includes a control unit that adjusts the shading of the address reading image according to the shading adjustment instruction received by the input unit, and the display unit is an address reading image that the control unit has adjusted the shading. It is desirable to display.

  According to the above-described invention, the address reading image whose density is adjusted is displayed. For this reason, the operator can confirm whether or not an appropriate shade adjustment instruction has been input.

  Further, the control unit tests whether or not the address reading unit can read a part of the address from the address reading image with the shade adjusted, and the display unit is controlled by the control unit. It is desirable to display the test results.

  It takes time to read the address from the address reading image. For this reason, it takes time for the operator to check whether or not the address can be read from the address reading image whose density has been adjusted according to the density adjustment instruction after inputting the density adjustment instruction.

  According to the above invention, it is tested whether or not a part of the address can be read from the address reading image whose density has been adjusted according to the received density adjustment instruction, and the test result is displayed.

  For this reason, the test time is shorter than the time for reading all addresses from the address reading image. Therefore, it is possible for the operator to shorten the time from the input of the density adjustment instruction to the confirmation of whether or not the address can be read from the address reading image whose density is adjusted according to the density adjustment instruction. become.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, it becomes possible to reduce an operator's effort when reading of an address fails.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a mail sorting machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the mail sorting machine includes a main body unit 1, an address reading unit 2, and a processing unit 3.

  The main body 1 acquires an image of a mail item. In addition, the main body 1 sorts mail according to a sorting code for sorting mail.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the main body 1. In FIG. 2, the main body unit 1 includes an image collection unit 10 and a management unit 11.

  The image collection unit 10 is a scanner, for example, and acquires an image of a mail piece. The mail image is a grayscale image (for example, a grayscale image having 256 gradations).

  When the image collection unit 10 acquires an image of a postal matter, the management unit 11 outputs the postal matter image to the address reading unit 2.

  In addition, when the management unit 11 receives a final result indicating a classification code for classifying mail items from the address reading unit 2 or the processing unit 3, the management unit 11 classifies the mail items based on the final result. The classification code is associated with the address written on the mail.

  The address reading unit 2 reads an address from the mail image acquired by the main unit 1 and creates a final result indicating a classification code corresponding to the read address. Specifically, the address reading unit 2 generates an address reading image from the mail image, and reads the address from the address reading image. Note that the address reading unit 2 generates an address reading image having a predetermined shading as the address reading image.

  The address reading image is, for example, a binarized image. The address reading image is not limited to the binarized image, and can be changed as appropriate. When the address reading image is a binarized image, the address reading unit 2 generates a binarized image from the mail image using a predetermined threshold, and reads the address from the binarized image.

  The address reading unit 2 includes a reading unit 4 and a rereading unit 5.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the reading unit 4. In FIG. 3, the reading unit 4 includes an image recognition unit 20 and a classification creation unit 21. The image recognition unit 20 includes, for example, an optical character reader (OCR) or a barcode reader, When the collection unit 10 acquires the image of the mail piece, the address is read from the image of the mail piece. Specifically, the image recognition unit 20 generates an address reading image from an image of a postal matter, and reads the address from the address reading image.

  The image recognition unit 20 reads each address hierarchy as an address. The address hierarchy is, for example, a postal code, a prefecture, a municipality, a chome, an address, a company name, a destination name, or the like. In addition, the image recognition unit 20 desirably reads an address hierarchy that can identify the classification code as an address. However, for example, when the address described in the mail is thin, the image recognition unit 20 may not be able to read all address hierarchies that can specify the classification code as the address.

  When the image recognition unit 20 reads the address, the category creating unit 21 executes a creation process for creating a final result indicating the category code corresponding to the address. Even if the category creation unit 21 executes the creation process, if the image recognition unit 20 fails to read the address, it cannot create the final result.

  When the creation of the final result is successful in the creation process, the classification creating unit 21 outputs the final result to the main body unit 1. On the other hand, when the creation of the final result fails in the creation process, in other words, when the image recognizing unit 20 fails to read the address, the category creating unit 21 reads the postal image acquired by the image collecting unit 10. The data is output to the reread unit 5.

  The rereading unit 5 reads the address from the mail image by a method different from that of the reading unit 4.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the reread unit 5. In FIG. 4, the reread unit 5 includes a reimage recognition unit 30 and a segment generation unit 31.

  When the classification creating unit 21 cannot create the final result, the re-image recognizing unit 30 generates an address reading image having a predetermined shading, and the address is determined from the address read image by a method different from the image recognizing unit 20. read. Specifically, different methods include changing an algorithm for reading an address, applying image processing to a mail image, and changing a processing time. The image recognition unit 20 includes, for example, an optical character reading device or a barcode reader.

  In addition, the re-image recognition unit 30 receives an execution request for reading the address from the processing unit 4. The execution request includes a postal matter image and a density adjustment instruction for adjusting the density of the address reading image generated from the postal image.

  When the re-image recognition unit 30 receives an execution request from the processing unit 4, the re-image recognition unit 30 adjusts the shade of the address reading image in accordance with the shade adjustment instruction included in the execution request, and reads the address from the image whose shade is adjusted. Specifically, the re-image recognizing unit 30 generates a shaded address reading image corresponding to the shade adjustment instruction included in the execution request from the postal image included in the execution request, and uses the address reading image. Read the address.

  When the address reading image is a binarized image, the execution request includes a postal image and a threshold value for binarizing the postal image. In this case, the re-image recognizing unit 30 generates a binarized image from the postal image using the threshold value, and reads the address from the binarized image.

  The execution request may include an image of the mail piece and a part of the mail address. In this case, the re-image recognizing unit 30 generates a predetermined grayscale address reading image from the mail image included in the execution request, and uses a part of the address included in the execution request from the address reading image. Read other parts of the address.

  When the re-image recognizing unit 30 reads the address, the category generation unit 31 executes a creation process for creating a final result indicating the category code corresponding to the address.

  When the final result can be created, the classification generation unit 31 outputs the final result to the main body unit 1. On the other hand, if the final result cannot be created, the category generation unit 31 outputs an image of the postal matter to the processing unit 4. If the re-image recognizing unit 30 reads a part of the address and fails to create the final result, the classification generating unit 31 outputs the read part of the address and the mail image to the processing unit 4. To do.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the processing unit 4. In FIG. 5, the processing unit 4 includes a display unit 40, an input unit 41, and a control unit 42.

  The input unit 41 is, for example, a mouse and a keyboard, and receives a density adjustment instruction, an address, a re-read instruction for executing the address reading again, and unusable information indicating that the address cannot be read from the user. Accept.

  When the division generation unit 31 cannot create the final result, the control unit 42 generates an address reading image having a predetermined shading from the postal image. When the address reading image is generated, the control unit 42 displays support information for supporting input by the operator on the display unit 40. The support information includes, for example, a mail image, an address reading image, an address, and the like.

  FIG. 6 is a plan view showing an example of support information displayed on the display unit. Specifically, it is a plan view showing an example of support information when the address reading image is a binarized image. In FIG. 6, as support information, a binarization threshold 60, a 256 gradation gray scale image 61, a re-read binarized image 62, an operator input count 63, a re-read instruction input button 64, an unusable information input button 65 are shown. And an address box 66 are displayed.

  The binarization threshold 60 is a threshold for binarizing the mail image. The 256 gray scale image 61 is a postal image. The reread binarized image 62 is an address reading image, and is an image obtained by binarizing the 256 gradation gray scale image 61 with the binarization threshold 60.

  The operator input count 63 is the number of times the input unit 41 has received a reread instruction from the operator.

  The reread instruction input button 64 is a button for the operator to input a reread instruction. The impossibility information input button 65 is a button for the operator to input impossibility information. The operator inputs a reread instruction or unusable information by pressing the reread instruction input button 64 or the unusable information input button 65 using a mouse.

  The reread instruction input button 64 or the unusable information input button 65 is associated with a specific key on the keyboard, and the operator can input the reread instruction and the unusable information by pressing the specific key. desirable. For example, when the ENTER key is pressed, a reread instruction is input, and when the ESC key is pressed, invalid information is input.

  In the address box 66, the address read by the reread unit 5 or the address received by the input unit 41 from the operator is displayed.

  The operator visually checks the 256 gradation gray scale image 61 and determines whether or not the address reading unit 2 could not read the address because of the shade of the address described in the 256 gradation gray scale image 61. To do.

  When the address reading unit 2 cannot read the address because of the shading of the address, the operator uses the input unit 41 to input a threshold value for newly reading the address. Note that a threshold value for newly reading the address is used as the density adjustment instruction. The operator inputs the threshold value by, for example, rotating the scroll wheel at the center of the mouse.

  Note that the number of gradations that can be input as the threshold is 4, 8, 16 or the like. For example, when the number of gradations that can be input as the threshold value is 4, the input threshold values are 50, 100, 150, and 200 each time the operator rotates the scroll wheel.

  On the other hand, when the reason why the address reading unit 2 cannot read the address is not because of the shading of the address, the operator uses the input unit 41 (for example, a keyboard) in the address box 66 to send the address (part of the address). But it ’s okay).

  When the input unit 41 accepts the shade adjustment instruction, the control unit 42 adjusts the shade of the address reading image in accordance with the shade adjustment instruction, and performs the address reading test from the address read image whose shade is adjusted. Do. Specifically, the control unit 42 tests whether it is possible to read a part of the address (for example, a zip code) from the address reading image whose density is adjusted. Note that the method by which the control unit 42 reads the address from the address reading image is the same as the method by which the reread unit 5 reads the address.

  When the address reading test is performed, the control unit 42 displays the address reading image on which the test result and the density are adjusted on the display unit 40. The test result indicates the read address or an error message indicating that the address could not be read. Further, the control unit 42 displays the address reading image on the display unit 40 as an image in which the position of the read address is surrounded by a red frame.

  In addition, when the input unit 41 receives an address, the control unit 42 displays the address on the display unit 40.

  When the input unit 41 receives the re-reading instruction after the input unit 41 receives the density adjustment instruction, the control unit 42 creates an execution request including the density adjustment instruction and the image of the mail piece, and sends the execution request to the address reading unit 2 (specifically Specifically, the data is output to the reread unit 5). When the input unit 41 receives a reread instruction, the control unit 42 increases the number of operator inputs by 1 and displays the number of operator inputs on the display unit 40.

  In addition, when the input unit 41 receives the impossibility information, the control unit 42 outputs a final result indicating a classification code indicating that the mail cannot be classified to the main body unit 1.

  Next, the operation will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the mail sorting machine.

In step S <b> 701, the image collection unit 10 of the main body unit 1 acquires a postal matter image and outputs the postal matter image to the management unit 11. When receiving the mail image, the management unit 11 outputs the mail image to the image recognition unit 20 of the reading unit 4. When the image recognition unit 20 receives the image of the mail, it executes step S702.
In step S <b> 702, the image recognition unit 20 generates a predetermined grayscale address reading image from the mail image, and reads the address from the address reading image. When the image recognition unit 20 reads the address, the image recognition unit 20 outputs the address and the image of the mail to the classification creating unit 21. Upon receiving the address and mail image, the category creating unit 21 executes step S703.

  In step S <b> 703, the category creation unit 21 executes creation processing, and confirms whether or not the final result has been created by the creation processing. The category creating unit 21 executes step S704 when the final result is created, and executes step S705 when the final result is not created.

  In step S <b> 704, the category creation unit 21 outputs the final result to the management unit 11. When the management unit 11 receives the final result, the management unit 11 executes Step S717.

  In step S <b> 705, the category creation unit 21 outputs the postal matter image to the re-image recognition unit 30. When the re-image recognizing unit 30 receives the image of the mail piece, the re-image recognizing unit 30 generates a predetermined grayscale address reading image from the mail image, and uses the address reading image in a different method from the image recognizing unit 20. Read. When the re-image recognizing unit 30 reads the address from the address reading image, the re-image recognizing unit 30 outputs the address and the mail image to the classification generating unit 31. Upon receiving the address and mail image, the category generation unit 31 executes step S706.

  In step S706, the category generation unit 31 executes a creation process, and confirms whether the final result has been created by the creation process. The classification generation unit 31 executes step S707 when the final result is created, and executes step S708 when the final result is not created.

  In step S <b> 707, the category generation unit 31 outputs the final result to the management unit 11. When the management unit 11 receives the final result, the management unit 11 executes Step S717.

  In step S <b> 708, the classification generation unit 31 outputs the address and mail image to the control unit 42. When receiving the address and the mail image, the control unit 42 generates an address reading image having a predetermined shading from the mail image. When the address reading image is generated, the control unit 42 displays support information on the display unit 40. When the control unit 42 ends step S708, the input unit 41 executes step S709.

  In step S709, the input unit 41 confirms whether or not a shading change instruction has been received. The input unit 41 executes step S710 when accepting the density change instruction, and executes step S711 when not accepting the density change instruction.

  In step S <b> 710, the input unit 41 outputs a density change instruction to the control unit 42. Upon receipt of the shade change instruction, the control unit 42 adjusts the shade of the address reading image according to the shade change instruction, and performs a reading test of the address from the address read image with the shade adjusted. When performing the reading test, the control unit 42 displays the test result and the address reading image on the display unit 40. When the control unit 42 ends step S710, the input unit 41 executes step S709.

  In step S711, the input unit 41 confirms whether an address is accepted. The input unit 41 executes step S712 when the address is accepted, and executes step S713 when the address is not accepted.

  In step S <b> 712, the input unit 41 outputs the address to the control unit 42. When receiving the address, the control unit 42 displays the address on the display unit 40. When the control unit 42 ends step S712, the input unit 41 executes step S709.

  In step S713, the input unit 41 confirms whether or not a reread instruction has been accepted. The input unit 41 executes step S714 when receiving the reread instruction, and executes step S715 when not receiving the reread instruction.

  In step S <b> 714, the input unit 41 outputs a reread instruction to the control unit 42. When receiving the rereading instruction, the control unit 42 creates an execution request and outputs the execution request to the reimage recognition unit 30 of the rereading unit 3. When the re-image recognition unit 30 receives the execution request, the re-image recognition unit 30 reads the address from the mail image included in the execution request in accordance with the received execution request. When the re-image recognizing unit 30 reads the address, the re-image recognizing unit 30 outputs the address and the mail image to the classification generating unit 31. Upon receiving the address and mail image, the category generation unit 31 executes step S706.

  In step S715, the input unit 41 confirms whether or not disallowed information has been received. The input unit 41 executes step S716 when the disabling information is received, and executes step S709 when the disabling information is not received.

  In step S <b> 716, the input unit 41 outputs impossibility information to the control unit 42. When the control unit 42 accepts the unacceptable information, the control unit 42 creates a final result indicating a classification code indicating that the mail cannot be classified, and outputs the final result to the management unit 11 of the main body unit 1. When the management unit 11 receives the final result, the management unit 11 executes Step S717.

  In step S717, the management unit 11 sorts mail items based on the final result.

  According to the present embodiment, when the address reading unit 2 fails to read the address from the address reading image, the display unit 40 displays an image of the postal matter. After that, when the input unit 41 receives the density adjustment instruction, the address reading unit 2 adjusts the density of the address read image according to the density adjustment instruction, and reads the address from the address read image whose density is adjusted.

  For this reason, if reading of the address from the address reading image fails, a density adjustment instruction is accepted, and the address is read from the address reading image whose density has been adjusted according to the density adjustment instruction.

  For this reason, even if reading of the address fails once, it is possible to read the address only by the operator inputting a density adjustment instruction. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the labor of the operator when the mail reading fails.

  In this embodiment, the control unit 42 adjusts the density of the address reading image in accordance with the density adjustment instruction. The display unit 40 displays the address read image whose density is adjusted.

  In this case, the operator can confirm whether or not an appropriate shade adjustment instruction has been input.

  In this embodiment, the control unit 42 tests whether it is possible to read a part of the address from the address reading image whose density is adjusted according to the density adjustment instruction. The display unit 40 displays the test result.

  It takes time to read the address from the address reading image. For this reason, it takes time for the operator to check whether or not the address can be read from the address reading image whose density has been adjusted according to the density adjustment instruction after inputting the density adjustment instruction.

  In the case of the present embodiment, it is tested whether or not a part of the address can be read from the address reading image whose density has been adjusted according to the density adjustment instruction, and the test result is displayed.

  For this reason, the test time is shorter than the time for reading all addresses from the address reading image. Therefore, it is possible for the operator to shorten the time from the input of the density adjustment instruction to the confirmation of whether or not the address can be read from the address reading image whose density is adjusted according to the density adjustment instruction. become.

  In the embodiment described above, the illustrated configuration is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to the configuration.

  For example, the processing performed by the segment creation unit 21 and the segment generation unit 31 may be performed by one creation unit. Specifically, the address reading unit 2 may further include a creation unit, and the creation unit may perform creation processing for creating a final result.

  In this case, when the image recognition unit 20 reads the address from the mail image, the creation unit executes a creation process for creating a final result indicating the classification code corresponding to the address. If the creation unit succeeds in creating the final result, the creation unit outputs the final result to the main body unit 1. If the creation of the final result fails, the creation unit outputs an image of the postal matter to the re-image recognition unit.

  When the re-image recognizing unit 30 reads the address from the mail image, the creating unit executes a creation process for creating a final result indicating the classification code corresponding to the address. If the creation unit succeeds in creating the final result, the final result is output to the main body unit 1, and if the creation unit fails to create the final result, the postal image is output to the processing unit 2.

It is the block diagram which showed the structure of the mail sorting machine of one Example of this invention. It is the block diagram which showed an example of the structure of the main-body part. It is the block diagram which showed an example of the structure of the reading part. It is the figure which showed an example of the structure of the re-reading part. It is the figure which showed an example of the structure of a process part. It is the figure which showed an example of support information. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of a mail sorting machine.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main-body part 2 Address reading part 3 Processing part 4 Reading part 5 Rereading part 10 Image collection part 11 Management part 20 Image recognition part 21 Classification creation part 30 Re-image recognition part 31 Classification generation part 40 Display part 41 Input part 42 Control part 60 Binary threshold 61 Gray scale grayscale image 62 Binary image for re-reading 63 Number of operator inputs 64 Re-reading instruction input button 65 Impossible information input button 66 Address box

Claims (6)

An acquisition unit that acquires an image of a mail piece in which an address is described, an address reading unit that generates an address reading image from the image acquired by the acquisition unit and reads the address from the address reading image, and the address reading unit In a postal sorting machine including a display unit that displays the address reading image when the address reading fails, and an input unit that receives the address that the address reading unit failed to read,
The input unit accepts a light and shade adjustment instruction for adjusting the light and shade of the address reading image,
The address reading unit adjusts the density of the address reading image in accordance with the density adjustment instruction received by the input unit, and reads the address from the address read image in which the density is adjusted. Postal sorting machine. In the mail sorting machine according to claim 1,
A control unit that adjusts the shading of the address reading image according to the shading adjustment instruction received by the input unit;
The said display part is a mail classification machine which displays the address reading image which the said control part adjusted the said light and shade. In the mail sorting machine according to claim 2,
The control unit tests whether or not the address reading unit can read a part of the address from the address reading image whose density is adjusted,
The display unit is a mail sorting machine that displays a test result tested by the control unit. A mail address reading method performed by a mail sorting machine,
An acquisition step for acquiring an image of the mailed item with the address;
A generation step of generating an address reading image from the acquired image;
A reading step of reading the address from the generated address reading image;
A display step of displaying the address reading image when the reading of the address fails in the reading step;
A reception step of receiving a light and shade adjustment instruction for adjusting the light and shade of the address reading image;
An adjustment step of adjusting the shade of the address reading image in accordance with the accepted shade adjustment instruction;
A re-reading step of reading the address from the address-read image whose density is adjusted. In the address reading method according to claim 4,
An address reading method, further comprising an image display step of displaying the address reading image with the light and shade adjusted. In the address reading method according to claim 4 or 5,
A test step for testing whether or not a part of the address can be read from the address reading image with the shade adjusted;
An address reading method further comprising: a test display step for displaying a test result tested in the test step.

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