JP2012173750A - Address recognition device, and database update method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an address recognition device which can register correct address information with an address and name database even if an OCR incorrectly reads address information.SOLUTION: An address recognition unit 2 acquires an address code from characters in a read image of a paper sheet, and a customer barcode reading unit 3 acquires an address code from a customer barcode in the read image of the paper sheet. An address code evaluation unit 4 evaluates credibility of address information by comparing both of the address codes. Then, a name recognition unit 5 acquires name information from characters in the read image of the paper sheet and also determines whether the name information is already registered with an address and name database 6. When the name information is not yet registered with the address and name database 6, a database update information evaluation unit 7 evaluates credibility of the read name information with credibility determination conditions, and if the name information meets the credibility determination conditions, an automatic update unit 10 updates the address and name database 6.

Description

  The present invention relates to an address recognition device used for automatic sorting of mail items, a database update method and a program used to update a knowledge processing database of the address recognition device and the like.

  A typical example in which an address and a first and last name corresponding to the address are written on a paper sheet is mail. In addition, the address (postal code, prefecture, municipality, street, address, company name, destination name, etc.) and customer barcode are read from these items, and the classification information derived from the read information (for example, the classification code) ), An automatic mail sorting machine that automatically sorts mails is known.

  The automatic mail sorter acquires mail images, outputs the acquired images to the address recognition unit (OCR) and customer bar code reader (CBCR), and address information. Reading. The address recognition unit derives an address code by referring to the address database using knowledge processing. In addition, as a process when the address code is insufficient to classify mail items, the address name is further read, the address name database is searched, the address corresponding to the address name is read, and the address hierarchy that could not be read is Complementary processing is known.

  However, the address surname database used to complement the address from the name and address is usually maintained manually, and there is a risk of data leakage. For example, in a residence where there are a large number of residents, such as companies and school dormitories, and frequent exits and exits, a list of addresses that could not be sorted can be printed on a form etc. in order to revise these address names and databases. If work such as investigation / registration is performed, there is a risk of data leakage, and further, it takes time and is inefficient. The data leakage of the address surname database reduces the effect of the address hierarchy complementing process and causes the classification rate to decrease.

  In view of this, a method has been proposed in which an OCR is used to automatically or semi-automatically maintain an address family name database. For example, in the address recognition apparatus and method described in Patent Document 1, an address and an address read from a mail image are registered in an address database, the number of reads of the same address and address is counted, and the same address and If it is determined that the address read count is equal to or greater than a predetermined read count reference value, the address and address of the read result are reflected in the address dictionary (address surname database).

JP 2000-279894 A

  However, in the address recognition apparatus and method described in Patent Document 1, there is a possibility that the address information misread by the OCR may be directly registered in the address dictionary (address surname database).

  An object of the present invention is to provide an address recognition device, a database update method, and a program that can solve the above-described problems.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an address recognition apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention is an image of a paper sheet on which a barcode including address information is written together with addresses and surname characters. The scanner unit for reading, the address recognition unit for acquiring address information by character recognition from the read image of the paper sheet from the scanner unit, and the address information from the barcode in the read image of the paper sheet from the scanner unit An address for comparing the address information output from the address recognition unit with the address information output from the bar code reading unit, and evaluating the reliability of the address information read by the scanner unit For character recognition from a code evaluation unit, an address name database in which address information and corresponding first and last name information are stored, and a read image of a paper sheet from the scanner unit First name and last name information, and searches the address first name and last name database to determine whether the address and first name and last name information read by the scanner unit are already registered in the address first name and last name database; If the address information is determined to be reliable based on the reliability evaluation result of the address information by the address code evaluation unit, the address surname database is updated automatically. And a section.

A database update method according to an aspect of the present invention is a database update method for an address recognition apparatus including an address name and first name database in which address information and first and last name information corresponding to the address information are stored. A scanning step of reading an image of a paper sheet on which a barcode including address information is written;
The address from which the address information is acquired by character recognition from the read image of the paper sheet read in the scan step and the address information is acquired from the barcode in the read image of the paper sheet read in the scan step Address information for evaluating the reliability of the address information read in the scanning step by comparing the information acquisition step with the address information output from the address recognition unit and the address information output from the barcode reading unit First name information is obtained by character recognition from the read image of the paper sheet read in the evaluation step and the scanning step, and the address first name and last name database is searched, and the address and first name information read in the scanning step are First name and last name recognition step for determining whether or not registered in the first name and last name database, and the scan When it is determined that the address and first and last name information read in step are not registered in the address first and last name database, based on the reliability evaluation result of the address information, when the address information is determined to be reliable, And an automatic line update step for updating the address first name surname database.

  In addition, a program according to an aspect of the present invention provides a computer as an address recognition apparatus including an address name and first name database in which address information and corresponding first and last name information are stored. A scanning step for reading an image of a paper sheet on which a code is written, and address information is obtained by character recognition from the read image of the paper sheet read in the scanning step, and the paper read in the scanning step Address information acquisition step for acquiring address information from the barcode in the read image of the leaves, comparing the address information output from the address recognition unit and the address information output from the barcode reading unit, An address information evaluation step for evaluating the reliability of the address information read in the scanning step; First name information is obtained by character recognition from the read image of the paper sheet read at the top, and the address first name name database is searched, and the address and first name information read at the scanning step are stored in the address first name name database. First name surname recognition step for determining whether or not registered, and when the address and surname information read in the scan step is determined to be unregistered in the address surname database, based on the reliability evaluation result of the address information, When the address information is determined to be reliable, a program for executing a row automatic updating step for updating the address surname database.

  According to the present invention, even when the OCR makes a mistake in reading the address information, the correct address information can be registered in the address name database.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the address recognition apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the database update procedure of the address recognition apparatus which concerns on the embodiment. It is explanatory drawing of the read image of the paper sheets which concern on the same embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the address surname database which concerns on the embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the address full name information storage part which concerns on the same embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the screen which the database registration information display correction part which concerns on the same embodiment displays.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an address recognition apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
In the figure, an address recognition device 100 includes a scanner unit 1, an address recognition unit 2, a customer barcode reading unit (barcode reading unit) 3, an address code evaluation unit 4, a first and last name recognition unit 5, and an address first and last name. A database (DB) 6, a database update information evaluation unit 7, an address name information storage unit 8, a database update information display correction unit 9, and an automatic update unit 10 are provided.

  The “customer bar code” here is a bar code used to automate the processing of postal items, and is a bar code of information of an address code combining a zip code and an address. . For example, in the case of “1-1-10 Nisshincho Nisshincho, Fuchu-shi, Tokyo 103”, the address code is “183-0036” of “Nisshin-cho, Fuchu-shi, Tokyo” and the address, etc. 18300361-1-10-103 ". A customer bar code can be obtained by performing predetermined processing such as digit adjustment, check digit addition, and encoding on the address code.

  The scanner unit 1 scans and reads an image of a paper sheet on which a customer barcode is written together with characters of an address and a first and last name, converts the read image into digital image data, and converts the image into a digital image data. Output to the code reading unit 3.

  The address recognition unit 2 extracts a portion corresponding to the address character from the read image of the paper sheet from the scanner unit 1, performs character recognition by OCR, and acquires address information. Then, the address recognition unit 2 converts the acquired address information into an address code and outputs it to the address code evaluation unit 4. At this time, the address recognition unit 2 also outputs the read image of the paper sheet from the scanner unit 1 to the address code evaluation unit 4 together with the address code.

  The customer barcode reading unit 3 reads customer barcode information from the read image of the paper sheet from the scanner unit 1, converts it into an address code, and outputs it to the address code evaluation unit 4.

  The address code evaluation unit 4 compares the address code output from the address recognition unit 2 with the address code output from the customer barcode reading unit 3, and evaluates the reliability of the address code. For example, the address code evaluation unit 4 verifies the reliability of the address code by comparing each element (postal code, city block number, and residence number) of the address code. If the address code output from the address recognition unit 2 and the address code output from the customer bar code reading unit 3 match, the address code evaluation unit 4 determines that the address code is highly reliable, The address code is output to the recognition unit 5. At this time, the address code evaluation unit 4 also outputs the read image of the paper sheet from the scanner unit 1 to the first and last name recognition unit 5 together with the address code.

  The first name and last name database 6 stores address information and first and last name information corresponding to the address information. This address first name surname database 6 is used as a knowledge database when performing reading judgment in automatic mail classification.

  The first and last name recognition unit 5 extracts a portion corresponding to the first and last name characters in the read image of the paper sheet from the scanner unit 1 and performs character recognition by OCR to obtain first and last name information. Furthermore, the first and last name recognition unit 5 acquires each character recognition result information (distance value) of the read first and last name information and description feature information (whether or not it is a single line and whether or not there is a keyword such as “sama” or “dono”). . Here, as the distance value, for example, the Euclidean distance between the character to be recognized and the reference pattern when the character recognition process is performed is used. This distance value is used as an index value indicating the likelihood of the character recognition result.

  The surname recognition unit 5 searches the address surname database 6 to determine whether the surname information corresponding to the read address code is already registered in the address surname database 6. When it is determined that the first and last name information corresponding to the read address code is not registered in the address first and last name database 6, the first and last name recognition unit 5 outputs the read first and last name information and the corresponding address code to the database update information evaluation unit 7. To do. At this time, the first and last name recognizing unit 5 together with the read first and last name information and the address code corresponding thereto, the read image of the paper sheet, each character recognition result information (distance value) of the read first and last name information, and the description feature information ( Whether or not it is an independent course and the presence or absence of keywords such as “sama” and “dono” are output to the database update information evaluation unit 7.

  When the database update information evaluation unit 7 receives unregistered first and last name information from the first and last name recognition unit 5 in the address first and last name database 6, each character recognition result information (distance value) at the time of reading the first and last name sent together with this is described. The feature information (whether or not it is a single person and the presence / absence of keywords such as “sama” and “don”) is applied to the reliability determination condition to evaluate the reliability of the first and last name information read by the first and last name recognition unit 5. Here, if the distance value of each character recognition result is below a predetermined threshold value, it can be evaluated that the reliability of character recognition is high. Moreover, if the number of first and last name lines is a single line, it can be evaluated that the first and last names are highly reliable. Further, if there are keywords such as “sama” and “dono”, it can be evaluated that the first and last names are highly reliable. Therefore, the database update information evaluation unit 7 evaluates the reliability of the first and last name information using, for example, the following reliability determination condition.

(1) The distance value of each character recognition result is below a predetermined threshold.
(2) The number of first and last name lines is 1 (single line).
(3) There are keywords such as “sama” and “dono”.

  The reliability determination conditions listed here are merely examples, and the reliability determination conditions are not limited to these. Further, all of these conditions may be used, one of these conditions may be used, or a combination thereof may be used.

  Further, the database update information evaluation unit 7 inquires the address surname information storage unit 8 about the number of appearances of the same address and surname information. That is, if the update information is correct, there is a high possibility that several recognition processes have already been performed with the same address and last name. Therefore, the address name information storage unit 8 inquires the address name information storage unit 8 about the number of appearances of the same address and first name information, and determines the reliability.

  Further, the database update information evaluation unit 7 determines whether or not the number of appearances of the information of the same address and the full name is equal to or less than the specified number based on the information from the full name information storage unit 8. If it is determined that the number is less than the prescribed number, the database update information evaluation unit 7 outputs the address code, the first and last name information, and the read image of the paper sheet to the address first and last name information storage unit 8.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the number of appearances of the same address and first and last name information is greater than or equal to the specified number, the database update information evaluation unit 7 determines whether or not the reliability determination condition described above is satisfied. If it is determined that the reliability determination condition is satisfied, the database update information evaluation unit 7 further determines whether or not there is only one name information corresponding to the address indicated by the address code. If it is determined that there is only one full name information corresponding to the address, the update information of the full name corresponding to the address is uniquely determined. Therefore, the database update information evaluation unit 7 automatically selects the address code and the full name information to be registered. By outputting to the update unit 10, the address name database 6 is automatically updated.

  On the other hand, when there are a plurality of first and last name information corresponding to the address and the update information of the address and the first and last name is not uniquely determined, manual update is performed, and the database update information evaluation unit 7 reads the image information and address of the sheet to be updated. The code and the first and last name information are requested to the address first and last name information storage unit 8, and the data output from the address first and last name information storage unit 8 is output to the database update information display correction unit 9.

  The first name and last name information accumulating unit 8 accumulates the address code, the first and last name information, the read image of the paper sheet, and the number of appearances of the same first name and last name information that the database update information evaluation unit determines to be reliable. In response to a request from the database update information evaluation unit 7, an address code, first and last name information, a read image of paper sheets, and appearance frequency information are output.

  The database update information display correction unit 9 displays the address information, the first and last name information, and the read image of the corresponding paper sheet on the screen using a graphic user interface, and outputs the address information output from the database update information evaluation unit 7. The address surname database 6 is updated (manually) based on the input operation.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an address surname database update procedure in the address recognition process 100.
In the figure, when the address name recognition process starts, the scanner unit 1 scans the paper sheet, converts it into digital image data, and sends it to the address recognition unit 2 and the customer barcode reading unit 3 (step A1). .

  Next, the customer barcode reading unit 3 reads the customer barcode in the read image of the paper sheet sent from the scanner unit 1, converts it into an address code, and outputs it to the address code evaluation unit 4 (step). A2). Further, the address recognition unit 2 recognizes the character information of the address in the read image of the paper sheet sent from the scanner unit 1, converts it into an address code, and combines the address code with the read image of the paper sheet. It outputs to the evaluation part 4 (step A3).

Upon receiving the output of the address code from the address recognition unit 2 and the address code from the customer barcode reading unit 3, the address code evaluation unit 4 reads the address code from the address recognition unit 2 and the address from the customer barcode reading unit 3. It is determined whether or not the code is the same (step A4).
If it is determined in step A4 that the address codes are different (N in step A4), the address code evaluation unit 4 suppresses updating of the address surname database 6 because the reliability of address reading is low. For example, the address code evaluation unit 4 does not output the address code or the like to the first and last name recognition unit 5.
On the other hand, when it is determined in step A4 that the address codes are the same (Y in step A4), the address code evaluation unit 4 outputs the read image of the paper sheet and the address code to the first and last name recognition unit 5.

  The first and last name recognition unit 5 identifies the first and last name description position from the read image of the paper sheet, and performs character recognition of the first and last name (step A5). When reading the first and last name, the first and last name recognizing unit 5 also acquires description feature information (whether or not it is a single line and whether or not there is a keyword such as “sama” or “dono”) and character recognition result information (distance value).

  Moreover, the first name surname recognition unit 5 determines whether first name information corresponding to the address code is registered in the address first name database 6 (step A6). If it is determined in step A6 that the first and last name information corresponding to the address code has already been registered in the address first and last name database 6 (step A6 Y), the processing in FIG.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step A6 that the first and last name information corresponding to the read address code is not registered in the address first and last name database 6 (step A6 N), the first and last name recognition unit 5 reads the address code and the paper sheet. Database update information evaluation section for images, description feature information (whether or not it is a single line, and whether or not there is a keyword such as “sama” and “dono”), and each character recognition result information (distance value) when first name surname characters are recognized 7 is output. The database update information evaluation unit 7 applies the description feature information and each character recognition result to the above-described reliability determination condition (step A7) and determines whether or not the trust destination determination condition is satisfied (step A8). .

  When it is determined that even one reliability determination condition is not satisfied (step A8 N), the database update information evaluation unit 7 does not update the address surname database 6 because the surname reliability is low.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step A8 that all the reliability determination conditions are satisfied (step A8 Y), the database update information evaluation unit 7 sends the number of appearances of the address code to be registered to the address last name information storage unit 8. It is determined whether the number of inquiries and appearances is greater than or equal to the specified number (step A9).

  When it is determined in step A9 that the number of appearances is less than the specified number (step A9 N), the database update information evaluation unit 7 uses the address code, the first and last name information, and the read image of the target paper sheet as the address. It outputs to the full name information storage part 8 (step A10). Then, the address first and last name information accumulating unit 8 newly registers the data output from the database update information evaluation unit 7 if it is not registered, and counts up the number of appearances if it is registered (increase by 1). ).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step A9 that the number of appearances is greater than or equal to the specified number (step A9 Y), the database update information evaluation unit 7 determines that the first and last name information corresponding to the address indicated by the address code is the address first and last name information storage unit 8. It is determined whether only one is stored in (Step A11).

  If it is determined in step A11 that there is only one full name information corresponding to the address (Y in step A11), since the address to be updated and the full name information are uniquely determined, the database update information evaluation unit 7 determines the address full name information. It outputs to the automatic update part 10, and the automatic update part 10 performs the automatic update of the address surname database 6 (step A12).

  On the other hand, when it is determined in step A11 that there are a plurality of first and last name information corresponding to the address (N in step A11), the address and last name information to be updated are not uniquely determined. The storage unit 8 is requested for a registered address code, a plurality of first and last name information corresponding to the registered address code, and a read image of the target paper sheet. Then, the database update information evaluation unit 7 outputs the address code received from the address last name information storage unit 8, a plurality of first and last name information, and the read image of the target paper sheet to the database update information display correction unit 9. To do. The database update information display correction unit 9 displays the read image of the paper sheet and the recognition result output from the DB update information evaluation unit 7 using the graphic user interface provided therein, and corrects the address code or Requests the operator to select or modify a given first and last name candidate. When the processing such as correction by the operator is completed, the database update information display correction unit 9 registers the address and the full name in the address full name database 6 (step A13).

Next, a specific example of updating the address surname database 6 in the address recognition apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.
Here, it is assumed that when the scanner unit 1 reads a paper sheet, a paper sheet read image 51 as shown in FIG. 3 is obtained. In the read image 51 of the paper sheet, “1-1-10 Nisshin Dormitory 103, Nisshincho, Fuchu-shi, Tokyo” is described as the character 52 corresponding to the address, and “Taro Niden” is used as the character 53 corresponding to the first and last name. "Sama" is printed. A customer barcode 54 is described in the read image 51 of the paper sheet.

A paper sheet read image 51 as shown in FIG. 3 is converted into digital image data by the scanner unit 1 and sent to the address recognition unit 2 and the customer barcode reading unit 3.
The customer barcode reading unit 3 reads the customer barcode 54 and converts it into an address code. Here, it is assumed that the customer barcode 54 in FIG. 3 has been converted to an address code “18300011-1-10-103”. This address code is output from the customer barcode reading unit 3 to the address code evaluation unit 4.

  In the address recognition unit 2, the character 52 portion in the read image of the paper sheet is recognized by OCR. Here, it is assumed that the address recognition unit 2 has recognized the address of “1-1-10 Nissincho 103, Nisshincho, Fuchu-shi, Tokyo” from the read image of the paper sheet. Further, the address recognition unit 2 converts the read address characters into address codes. Here, it is assumed that the address code “18300011-1-10-103” is converted from the address “Nisshincho 1-1-10 Nikko Dendoru 103, Fuchu-shi, Tokyo”. This address code is output from the address recognition unit 2 to the address code evaluation unit 4 together with the read image of the paper sheet used in the recognition process.

  The address code evaluation unit 4 compares and evaluates the address code from the address recognition unit 2 and the address code from the customer barcode reading unit 3. In this example, the address code converted from the address information obtained by recognizing the character 52 is “18300011-1-10-103”, and the address code converted from the customer barcode 54 is “18300011-1- 10-103 ", and the address code from the address recognition unit 2 and the address code from the customer barcode reading unit 3 match. Therefore, the address code evaluation unit 4 outputs the address code and the read image 51 of the paper sheet to the first and last name recognition unit 5 on the assumption that the reliability is high. If the address code is different, registration to the address name database 6 is not performed.

  The first and last name recognition unit 5 identifies the position of the first and last name characters 53 from the inputted paper sheet read image 51 and performs character recognition of the first and last names. Further, when reading the first and last names, each character recognition result information (distance value) and description feature information (whether or not it is a single line and whether or not there are keywords such as “sama” and “don”) are acquired. Then, the first and last name recognition unit 5 confirms whether or not the address code and the read first and last name information are already registered in the address first and last name database 6. In this example, it is assumed that “Nichiden Taro” is acquired as first and last name information from the portion of the character 53 in the read image 51 of the paper sheet shown in FIG. In this case, the first and last name recognizing unit 5 inquires of the address first and last name database 6 whether or not the first and last name “Taro Nidden” is registered in the address code “18300011-1-10-103”.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of the address family name database 6. As shown in the figure, in the address surname / name database 6, address surname / name data including a zip code, a chome, a street address, a number, a building number, a room number, a household name, a household name, and an apartment name are registered. In the example of the address surname database 6 shown in the same figure, there is no information corresponding to the address code “18300011-1-10-103” and the surname “Nitden Taro”. Therefore, this information is not registered in the address name database 6.

  When the first and last name recognizing unit 5 determines that the name is not registered in the address first and last name database 6, the first and last name recognizing unit 5 recognizes the first and last name information, the address code, the read image of the paper sheet, the description feature information (whether it is a single line, and , The presence / absence of keywords such as “sama” and “dono”) and the character recognition result information (distance value) of the first and last name recognition are sent to the database update information evaluation unit 7.

  The database update information evaluation unit 7 uses the description feature information sent from the first and last name recognition unit 5 and each character recognition result to confirm whether or not the reliability determination condition is satisfied. That is, the database update information evaluation unit 7 determines whether the distance value of each character recognition result is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value, whether the number of surnames is 1 (single line), It is confirmed whether there is a keyword such as “”. In the example of the read image 51 of the paper sheet shown in FIG. 3, the character 53 corresponding to the first and last name is a single line, and there is a keyword “sama”, which satisfies these reliability determination conditions.

  When it is determined that all the reliability determination conditions are satisfied, the database update information evaluation unit 7 inquires of the address surname information storage unit 8 about the number of appearances of the target address code. If it is determined that the number of appearances is equal to or less than the specified number, the database update information evaluation unit 7 stores the address code, first and last name information, the read image of the paper sheet, and the number of appearances in the address last name information storage unit 8. . When the number of appearances is equal to or more than the specified number and there is one surname registration for the address code, the address code and surname information are output to the automatic update unit 10, and the address surname database 6 is automatically updated by the automatic update unit 10. When there are a plurality of first and last name registrations for the address code, the read image of the paper sheet, the address information, and the first and last name information are sent to the database update information display correction unit 9, and the operator inputs information.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of information stored in the address name information storage unit 8. As shown in the figure, the address name and surname information storage unit 8 is registered with data including the number of appearances, the postal code, the chome, the street address, the number, the building number, the room number, the householder last name, the householder name, and the apartment name. ing. In the information of the address surname information accumulation unit 8 shown in the figure, there are two pieces of information corresponding to the address code “18300011-1-10-103”, one of which is “Taro Nidec” and the number of appearances is 101 times. On the other hand, the surname is “Nippon Dairo” and the number of appearances is 30 times.

  In this example, since there are a plurality of first and last name information whose number of appearances is equal to or greater than the specified number for the address code “18300011-1-10-103”, automatic update is not performed and the database update information evaluation unit 7 Requests the first and last name information storage unit 8 for the first and last name information (two) for the address code “18300011-1-10-103” and the read image of the corresponding paper sheet, and reads the first and last name information and the read image of the paper sheet. Is output to the database update information display correction unit 9.

  The database update information display correction unit 9 includes a display for image display, a mouse and a keyboard for inputting information, and a graphic based on an address code, a plurality of first and last name information corresponding to the address code, and a read image of a paper sheet. Display the user interface screen on the display. Using this graphic user interface screen, operator information is input.

  FIG. 6 shows an image display example in the database update information display correction unit 9. The display screen of the database update information display correction unit 9 shown in the figure includes an address code display unit 101 shown at the top of the screen, a first and last name information display unit 102, an image display unit 103 shown at the second and subsequent levels, And it is divided into the command button part 104 shown at the bottom. The address code display unit 101 indicates the read address code. The full name information display unit 102 displays the full name information corresponding to the address code display unit 101.

  The image display unit 103 displays the original scan image obtained by reading the first and last name information selected in the first and last name information display. By changing the selection of the first and last name candidates in the first and last name information display unit 102 with the mouse, the image displayed on the screen display is also switched to the target image.

  The command button unit 104 includes three buttons “update”, “correct”, and “not update”. The update button 104a can update the address name database by pressing the button (for example, clicking with a mouse). The correction button 104b can correct information using keyboard input after selecting an incorrect address code or first and last name information with a mouse. The button 104c without updating is used when the address or surname in the image is hidden by a window frame or the like and it cannot be determined whether or not it is registered. When the button 104c is pressed without updating, the address last name database 6 is not updated and the process is terminated.

  The operator visually checks the address code, the first and last name information and the image displayed on the screen of the database update information display correction unit 9, and if correction is necessary, the correction button 104b is used for correction. By pushing 104a, the address name database 6 can be updated. In the address recognition device 100, the address code, the first and last name information, and the image are displayed as a set on the screen of the database update information display correction unit 9 at the same time. Thereby, it is possible to appropriately expand the image in the case where automatic registration is difficult to the contents of the address name database 6.

  In the above example, the data registration in the address name database 6 is taken as an example. However, even if it is desired to delete the name data registered in the address name database 6 as in the case of refundable mail, the first name data to be deleted by the scanner. 2 is scanned, and in step A6 of FIG. 2, when the address name database is registered, the processing after step A7 is performed, and the name information is deleted when updating the address name database. First name and last name data can be deleted.

  As described above, in the address recognition device 100, the address code evaluation unit 4 compares the address code recognized by the address recognition unit 2 with the address code recognized by the customer barcode reading unit 3, and the reliability evaluation is performed. By doing so, address information can be correctly extracted.

  For the first and last name information, the database update information evaluation unit 7 can evaluate the reliability of the read first and last names by determining whether or not the reliability determination condition is satisfied, and correctly extract the first and last name information. be able to.

  Further, the database update information evaluation unit 7 determines whether the address recognition result and the full name recognition result are equal to or more than the specified number of appearances (that is, the combination of the address and the full name is the address recognition unit 2 and the full name recognition unit). 6), the reliability of the read address and surname can be more appropriately evaluated, and the surname information can be extracted correctly. .

  Further, the database update information evaluation unit 7 determines whether the address recognition result and the full name recognition result can be uniquely determined (that is, other full names corresponding to the address are registered in the full name information storage unit). If it is determined that it can be determined uniquely, the address name database can be automatically updated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the name information is not uniquely determined for the address recognition result Uses a graphic user interface to accept correct information input by the user and manually update it. As a result, if the address recognition result and the full name recognition result can be determined uniquely, the burden on the user is reduced by automatic update. Can be registered or updated in the database. Thus, in the address recognition device 100, it is possible to achieve both improvement of the reliability of the address surname database and reduction of the burden on the user.

  Further, since the database update information evaluation unit 7 evaluates the reliability of the first and last name information based on whether the distance value in the character recognition performed by the first and last name recognition unit 5 is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, the name read by the scanner unit 1 Can be evaluated as being reliable when the image is similar to a reference pattern in character recognition. That is, the database update information evaluation unit 7 can appropriately evaluate the reliability of the first and last name information. Thereby, the automatic update part 10 can update the address surname database 6 more appropriately.

  Further, the database update information evaluation unit 7 uses the first and last name information in the scanned image read by the scanner unit 1 (whether or not it is a single line and whether or not there is a keyword such as “sama” or “don”). Therefore, it is possible to appropriately evaluate the reliability of the first and last name information. Thereby, the automatic update part 10 can update the address surname database 6 more appropriately.

A program for realizing all or part of the functions of the address recognition apparatus 100 is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on the recording medium is read into a computer system and executed. You may perform the process of each part. Here, the “computer system” includes an OS and hardware such as peripheral devices.
Further, the “computer system” includes a homepage providing environment (or display environment) if a WWW system is used.
The “computer-readable recording medium” refers to a storage device such as a flexible medium, a magneto-optical disk, a portable medium such as a ROM and a CD-ROM, and a hard disk incorporated in a computer system. Furthermore, the “computer-readable recording medium” dynamically holds a program for a short time like a communication line when transmitting a program via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line. In this case, a volatile memory in a computer system serving as a server or a client in that case, and a program that holds a program for a certain period of time are also included. The program may be a program for realizing a part of the functions described above, and may be a program capable of realizing the functions described above in combination with a program already recorded in a computer system.

  The embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and includes design changes and the like without departing from the gist of the present invention.

1: scanner unit 2: address recognition unit 3: customer barcode reading unit 4: address code evaluation unit 5: first and last name recognition unit 6: address first and last name database 7: database update information evaluation unit 8: address first and last name information storage unit 9: database update Information display correction unit 10: automatic update unit 100: address recognition device

Claims (10)

A scanner unit that reads an image of a paper sheet on which a barcode including address information is written together with characters of an address and a first and last name;
An address recognition unit for acquiring address information by character recognition from a read image of paper sheets from the scanner unit;
A barcode reading unit for acquiring address information from a barcode in a read image of paper sheets from the scanner unit;
Comparing the address information output from the address recognition unit with the address information output from the barcode reading unit, and evaluating the reliability of the address information read by the scanner unit;
Address name and surname database in which address information and corresponding first and last name information are accumulated,
First and last name information is obtained by character recognition from the scanned image of the paper sheet from the scanner unit, and the address first and last name database is searched. A first and last name recognition unit for determining whether or not,
When the first and last name recognizing unit determines that the address information is not registered, the address name and last name database is updated when the address information is determined to be reliable based on the reliability evaluation result of the address information by the address code evaluation unit. An automatic update unit that performs
An address recognition device comprising: A database update information evaluation unit for evaluating the reliability of the first and last name information obtained by character recognition by the first and last name recognition unit according to a predetermined reliability determination condition when the first and last name recognition unit determines that it is not registered;
When the database update information evaluation unit determines that the first and last name information is reliable, the automatic update unit updates the address first name and last name database.
The address recognition apparatus according to claim 1. Provided with an address name and name information storage unit for accumulating the number of appearances of address and name information obtained in the past,
If the first and last name information is determined to be reliable according to the reliability determination condition, the database update information evaluation unit further determines whether or not the number of appearances of the same address and first and last name information is greater than or equal to a predetermined value by the address first and last name information storage unit. Judgment,
The automatic update unit, when the database update information evaluation unit determines that the number of appearances of the information of the same address and first and last names is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, updates the first and last name database. 2. The address recognition device according to 2.   The database update information evaluation unit determines whether the first and last name information for the address information can be uniquely determined, and when it is determined that the first and last name information for the address information cannot be uniquely determined, and the target address and first and last name information, 4. The address recognition apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a read image of a target paper sheet is displayed and the address name database is updated based on a user operation.   The database update information evaluation unit evaluates the reliability of the first and last name information based on whether or not a distance value in character recognition performed when the first and last name recognition unit acquires the first and last name information is a predetermined threshold value or less. The address recognition apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the address recognition apparatus is characterized.   The database update information evaluation unit includes information on the number of lines of the first and last name images read by the scanner unit, or information indicating whether or not a predetermined keyword is included in the first and last name images. 6. The address recognition apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the reliability of the first and last name information is evaluated based on the evaluation result. A database update method for an address recognition device comprising an address name database in which address information and first and last name information corresponding to the address information are accumulated,
A scanning step of reading an image of a paper sheet on which a barcode including address information is written together with characters of an address and a first name, and a second name,
The address from which the address information is acquired by character recognition from the read image of the paper sheet read in the scan step and the address information is acquired from the barcode in the read image of the paper sheet read in the scan step An information acquisition step;
Comparing the address information output from the address recognition unit with the address information output from the barcode reading unit, and evaluating the reliability of the address information read in the scanning step;
First and last name information is obtained by character recognition from the read image of the paper sheet read in the scanning step, and the address first name and last name database is searched, and the address and first name and last name information read in the scanning step are the address first name and last name database. A first and last name recognition step for determining whether or not the user has already registered
When it is determined that the address and first and last name information read in the scanning step are not registered in the address first and last name database, when the address information is determined to be reliable based on the reliability evaluation result of the address information. , A row automatic update step for updating the address first name surname database;
A database update method characterized by comprising: When it is determined that the address and first and last name information read in the scanning step are not registered in the address first and last name database, the reliability of the first and last name information acquired by the character recognition is evaluated according to a predetermined reliability determination condition. A database update information evaluation step,
In the automatic update step, when the first and last name information is determined to be reliable in the database update information evaluation step, the address first name and last name database is updated.
The database update method according to claim 7, wherein: In a computer as an address recognition device equipped with an address first name surname database in which address information and corresponding first and last name information are stored,
A scanning step of reading an image of a paper sheet on which a barcode including address information is written together with characters of an address and a first name, and a second name,
The address from which the address information is acquired by character recognition from the read image of the paper sheet read in the scan step and the address information is acquired from the barcode in the read image of the paper sheet read in the scan step An information acquisition step;
Comparing the address information output from the address recognition unit with the address information output from the barcode reading unit, and evaluating the reliability of the address information read in the scanning step;
First and last name information is obtained by character recognition from the read image of the paper sheet read in the scanning step, and the address first name and last name database is searched, and the address and first name and last name information read in the scanning step are the address first name and last name database. A first and last name recognition step for determining whether or not the user has already registered
When it is determined that the address and first and last name information read in the scanning step are not registered in the address first and last name database, when the address information is determined to be reliable based on the reliability evaluation result of the address information. , A row automatic update step for updating the address first name surname database;
A program for running When it is determined that the address and first and last name information read in the scanning step are not registered in the address first and last name database, the reliability of the first and last name information acquired by the character recognition is evaluated according to a predetermined reliability determination condition. A database update information evaluation step,
In the automatic update step, when the first and last name information is determined to be reliable in the database update information evaluation step, the address first name and last name database is updated.
The program according to claim 9.

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