JP2015173992A - Delivery matter processing unit, delivery matter processing system, and delivery matter processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a delivery matter processing unit that can enhance the reliability of sender guarantee, a delivery matter processing system, and a delivery matter processing method.SOLUTION: A delivery matter processing unit of the embodiment has an acquisition part, a reading part, and a control part. The acquisition part acquires sender information, which an electronic tag mounted on a delivery matter stores, from the electronic tag by communication. The reading part reads the sender information carried by the delivery matter. The control part differently processes the sender information acquired by the acquisition and acquired by the reading part, depending upon whether they are coincident or not coincident.

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a delivery processing apparatus, a delivery processing system, and a delivery processing method.

  Research is being conducted on mounting electronic tags (IC tags) storing various information on papers (postcards, envelopes, etc.) and parcels. However, with the conventional technology, there is a case where the reliability of the sender guarantee cannot be sufficiently increased.

JP-A-2005-190114

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a delivery processing apparatus, a delivery processing system, and a delivery processing method capable of improving the reliability of sender guarantee.

  The delivery processing apparatus according to the embodiment includes an acquisition unit, a reading unit, and a control unit. The acquisition unit acquires the sender information stored in the electronic tag from the electronic tag attached to the delivery by communication. The reading unit reads the sender information described in the delivery item. The control unit performs different processing depending on whether the sender information acquired by the acquisition unit matches the sender information read by the reading unit.

1 is a diagram conceptually showing a delivery processing system including a delivery processing device 1 and an electronic tag issuing device 100 according to a first embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of a function structure of the delivery processing apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the delivery goods D to which the electronic tag T was attached. It is a figure which shows an example of the delivery D which the sender guarantee object mark M was stamped. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processing executed by a control unit 50. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of the process performed by the control part 50 which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the delivery D with which the password pw was described. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of the process performed by the control part 50 which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows notionally the delivery processing system containing the delivery processing apparatus 1 and the electronic tag issuing apparatus 100 which concern on 4th Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, a delivery processing apparatus, a delivery processing system, and a delivery processing method according to embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a diagram conceptually showing a delivery processing system including a delivery processing device 1 and an electronic tag issuing device 100 according to the first embodiment. The electronic tag issuing device 100 is installed in, for example, a post office, a ward office, or a facility of an electronic tag issuing company. The electronic tag issuing device 100 is operated by the first operator OP1. A user U who wants to deliver a delivery using the electronic tag T submits various proofs (license, health insurance card, resident's card, etc.) to the first operator OP1. The first operator OP1 inputs the name or name, address, or residence of the user U described in the certificate into the electronic tag issuing device 100 as sender information. Note that such input processing may be performed by automatically reading the matter described in the certificate with a camera and reading it, or when the certificate includes an electronic tag, acquiring it from the electronic tag.

  The electronic tag issuing device 100 writes the sender information input by the first operator OP1 to the electronic tag T together with the identification information of the electronic tag T (hereinafter referred to as an electronic tag ID). The electronic tag T includes a communication unit that performs non-contact communication and a storage unit, and can output information written in the storage unit by communication. The electronic tag ID and the sender information are preferably encrypted and written to the electronic tag T. The first operator OP1 gives the electronic tag T in which the sender information is written to the user U for a fee or free of charge.

  The electronic tag issuing device 100 stores the electronic tag ID written in the electronic tag T and the sender information in the electronic tag issuing information database 200 in association with each other. The electronic tag issue information database 200 is constructed on a storage device (for example, NAS; Network Attached Storage) that can communicate with both the delivery processing apparatus 1 and the electronic tag issue apparatus 100.

  The user U who has received the electronic tag T attaches the electronic tag T to the delivery item D. For example, a double-sided tape or the like is attached to the electronic tag T, and the user U can attach the electronic tag T to the delivery item D by removing the cover of the double-sided tape and attaching the electronic tag T to the delivery item D. it can. The delivery item D is a paper sheet such as a postcard or an envelope, or a parcel. In the following description, it is assumed that the delivery item D is a paper sheet. The user U attaches the electronic tag T and posts the delivery D on which the destination information and the sender information are described to a post or brings it to a post office. In this way, the delivery D is delivered to the delivery processing apparatus 1. While executing the processing described below, the delivery processing apparatus 1 searches the electronic tag issue information database 200 using the electronic tag ID, acquires the sender information corresponding to the electronic tag ID, and uses it for the processing. .

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the delivery processing apparatus 1. The delivery processing apparatus 1 includes, for example, a supply unit 10, a scanner unit 20 having a reader / writer unit (acquisition unit) 22 and a reading unit 24, a video coding unit 26, a stamping unit 30, and a transport unit 35. Unit 40, input unit 45, and control unit 50. The supply unit 10 accommodates the delivery D to be introduced into the delivery processing apparatus 1 and transports it toward the scanner unit 20.

  The reader / writer unit 22 communicates with the electronic tag T attached to the delivery item D, acquires the electronic tag ID and the sender information, and outputs them to the control unit 50. Further, the reader / writer unit 22 deletes the electronic tag ID and the sender information stored in the electronic tag T in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 50. The electronic tag T may further store destination information. In this case, the reader / writer unit 22 may further acquire the destination information.

  The reading unit 24 includes, for example, a camera (line sensor) that images the delivery item D, performs OCR (Optical Character Recognition) processing on an image captured by the camera, and receives destination information and sender information of the delivery unit D. Read. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a delivery item D to which an electronic tag T is attached. The electronic tag T is attached, for example, under the stamp PS. The reading unit 24 reads the destination address described in the area A1 of the delivery D and the destination described in the area A2 (hereinafter referred to as destination information), the sender address described in the area A3, and the sender (described in the area A4). The sender information) is read and output to the control unit 50. Note that when the delivery D is horizontally written, the reading unit 24 can read the destination information and the sender information by appropriately changing the recognition area. Regarding the reading process by the reading unit 24, since various techniques are already known, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  When the processing by the reading unit 24 results in reading failure, the video coding unit 26 supplements one or both of the destination information and the sender information. The video coding unit 26 displays on the second operator OP2 an image obtained by capturing the delivery item D that has been read poorly. The second operator OP2 visually confirms the destination information and the sender information by viewing the image, and inputs the destination information and the sender information to the input device of the video coding unit 26. In the control unit 50 described later, when the processing by the reading unit 24 results in reading failure, the destination information and sender information input to the video coding unit 26 are handled as information read by the reading unit 24. The delivery D processed by the scanner unit 20 is conveyed to the stamp unit 30.

  The stamping unit 30 stamps the sender guarantee target mark M on the delivery item D in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 50. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a delivery D on which the sender guarantee target mark M is stamped. The sender guarantee target mark M guarantees that the sender information described in the delivery D is highly likely to match the name or address of the actual sender and the address or residence, at the post office or carrier. It is of a nature to do. The stamping operation by the stamping unit 30 may be performed by a person. In this case, the delivery processing apparatus 1 has a mechanism for notifying the worker that the delivery guarantee target mark is a delivery D to be stamped. Have.

  The transport unit 35 includes a belt, a transport destination switching mechanism, a foreign matter removal mechanism, and the like for sandwiching and transporting the delivery product D, and has a plurality of sorting boxes according to the classification instructed by the control unit 50. The delivery D is transported to a desired sorting box in the sorting section 40.

  The input unit 45 includes, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, and the like. The input unit 45 is operated by the third operator OP3 and outputs the input information to the control unit 50. The third operator OP3 inputs operation setting information to be described later to the input unit 45. The third operator OP3 may be the same person as the second operator OP2. The control unit 50 stores the operation setting information input from the input unit 45 in the memory.

  The control unit 50 is a computer device having, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory for storing data such as programs and operation setting information, a communication interface, and the like. When the delivery processing apparatus 1 and the electronic tag issue information database 200 are connected via a network such as the Internet, the communication interface includes a network card for connecting to the network. As described below, the control unit 50 performs different processing depending on whether the sender information acquired by the reader / writer unit 22 matches the sender information read by the reading unit 24 or not. I do.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processing executed by the control unit 50. First, the control unit 50 reads operation setting information input to the input unit 45 from the memory (step S300). The operation setting information includes the following contents, for example. Note that the reading process in step S300 does not have to be performed every time each routine of the flowchart of FIG. 5 is executed, and may be skipped after being executed once at the time of starting the delivery processing apparatus 1 or the like. .

[Operation setting information]
(A): Whether the sender guarantee function is turned on or off. (B): Whether the delivery item D is subject to sender guarantee or not is determined based on the presence or absence of the electronic tag T, or the sender. (C): Whether to deliver the delivery item D that matches the sender information to a specific box (D): The sender information matches (E): Whether to deliver a delivery D that does not match the sender information to a specific sorting box (F): Whether or not a mark indicating inconsistency is imprinted on the delivery D that does not match (G): whether or not the information stored in the electronic tag T attached to the delivery D that matches the sender information is erased

  Next, the control unit 50 acquires the electronic tag ID and the sender information from the reader / writer unit 22, and the sender information from the reading unit 24 (or the video coding unit 26) (step S302).

  Next, the control unit 50 refers to the operation setting information (A) and determines whether or not the sender guarantee function is set to ON (step S304). If the sender guarantee function is set to ON, it is determined based on (B) of the operation setting information whether or not the delivery item D is a sender guarantee target (step S306). When the sender guarantee function is set to OFF, or when the delivery D is not subject to sender guarantee (for example, when the electronic tag T is not attached), the control unit 50 performs a normal sorting process (step S308). The normal sorting process is a process for instructing the transport unit 35 to transport the delivery D to the sorting box corresponding to the destination without determining whether the sender information matches.

  When the sender guarantee function is set to ON and the delivery item D is a sender guarantee target, the control unit 50 sends the sender information input from the reader / writer unit 22 and the sender information input from the reading unit 24. Is determined to match (step S310). Here, “matching” may mean that both sender information matches completely, and allow notation that address notation and kanji notation have a difference that does not lose identity. It may be. For example, a case where a kanji is changed to a simplified notation, a case where “chome” or the like in a sender address is replaced with a hyphen, or “address” or the like is omitted corresponds to a difference that does not lose the identity.

  When the sender information input from the reader / writer unit 22 matches the sender information input from the reading unit 24, the control unit 50 determines that the combination of the electronic tag ID and the sender information input from the reader / writer unit 22 is It is determined whether or not the combination of the electronic tag ID and the sender information stored in the electronic tag issue information database 200 matches (step S312).

  When a positive determination is obtained in both step S310 and step S312, the control unit 50 performs processing when the sender information matches based on the operation setting information (C) and (D) (step S314). . In the case where the sender information is matched, when the operation setting information (C) is set to “transport to a specific sorting box”, the processing unit 35 is instructed to transport to the specific sorting box. When the processing or operation setting information (D) is set to “send the sender guarantee target mark M to the delivery item D that matches the sender information”, the stamping unit so as to stamp the sender guarantee target mark M. 30 is included.

  As a result, the addressee who received the delivery D with the sender guarantee target mark M stamped on it can place a certain degree of confidence that the actual sender is the sender described in the delivery D. The sender guarantee target mark M includes at least sender information input from the reader / writer unit 22, that is, sender information authenticated by various proofs when the electronic tag T is issued, and the sender input from the reading unit 24. This is because it indicates that the information matches.

  Next, the control unit 50 determines whether or not the operation setting information (G) is set to “delete information stored in the electronic tag T attached to the delivery item D that matches the sender information”. (Step S316). When the setting is “delete the information stored in the electronic tag T attached to the delivery item D with the matching sender information”, the control unit 50 reads the information stored in the electronic tag T so as to delete the information stored in the electronic tag T. The writer unit 22 is instructed (step S318).

  As a result, the recipient who receives the delivery D with the sender guarantee target mark M stamped thereon can be more confident that the actual sender is the sender described in the delivery D. If the electronic tag T is rewritten by the user U or another third party after issuance, the information stored in the electronic tag T is different from the information stored in the electronic tag issue information database 200, and the sender is guaranteed. This is because it will not be handled as the delivery D to be performed.

  On the other hand, when a negative determination is obtained in one of step S310 and step S312, the control unit 50 performs processing when the sender information does not match based on the operation setting information (E) and (F). Is performed (step S320). In the case where the sender information does not match, the operation setting information (E) is set to “convey delivery D that does not match the sender information to a specific sorting box”. Processing for instructing the transport unit 35 to transport to a specific sorting box, or the operation setting information (F) is set to “imprint a mark indicating mismatch on the delivery item D whose sender information does not match”. In the case where there is, a process of instructing the stamping unit 30 to stamp a mark indicating a mismatch is included.

  According to the delivery processing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment described above, the sender information acquired by the reader / writer 22 and the sender information read by the reading unit 24 do not match. By having a function for performing different processing depending on the case, the reliability of the sender guarantee can be enhanced.

  Here, in the electronic tag issuing device 100, a method of writing the sender information on the electronic tag T and automatically printing the sender information on the delivery D can be considered. However, in that case, it becomes difficult for the user U to issue only the electronic tag T, and then the delivery item D is prepared, and convenience is lowered. Even when the sender information is automatically printed, reliability can be further improved by confirming the match of the sender information with the delivery processing apparatus 1.

(Second Embodiment)
Hereinafter, the delivery processing apparatus 1 and the electronic tag issuing apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment will be described. The electronic tag issuing device 100 according to the second embodiment writes the expiration date of the electronic tag T to the electronic tag T in addition to the electronic tag ID and the sender information. The expiration date is set to, for example, the date and time when a predetermined period has elapsed from the time when the electronic tag T is issued.

  Then, the delivery processing apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment determines whether or not the electronic tag T has expired (the determination date is after the expiration date), and the electronic tag T has expired. In some cases, processing is performed when the sender information does not match regardless of whether the sender information input from the reader / writer unit 22 matches the sender information input from the reading unit 24.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processing executed by the control unit 50 according to the second embodiment. Steps S300 to S312 are the same as those in FIG.

  When a positive determination is obtained in both step S310 and step S312, the control unit 50 determines whether or not the electronic tag T has expired (step S313-1). The control unit 50 performs processing when the sender information is matched when the positive determination is obtained in both step S310 and step S312 and the electronic tag T is not expired (step S314). On the other hand, when a negative determination is obtained in any one of Step S310 and Step S312, or when a positive determination is obtained in Step S313-1, the control unit 50 performs a case where the sender information does not match. Processing is performed (step S320). Steps S316 and S318 are the same as those in FIG.

  As a result, when the user U loses the electronic tag T or is stolen, the electronic tag is automatically unnecessary when time elapses, so that the possibility of spoofing of the sender is reduced. can do. As a result, the reliability of the sender guarantee can be further enhanced.

(Third embodiment)
Hereinafter, the delivery processing apparatus 1 and the electronic tag issuing apparatus 100 according to the third embodiment will be described. The electronic tag issuing device 100 according to the third embodiment writes a password to the electronic tag T in addition to the electronic tag ID and the sender information. The password may be specified by the user U, or may be selected by the electronic tag issuing device 100 and presented to the user U. The user U writes the password on the delivery item D and posts it on a post or brings it to a post office. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a delivery item D in which the password pw is described.

And the delivery processing apparatus 1 which concerns on 3rd Embodiment determines whether the password which the reader / writer 22 acquired from the electronic tag T corresponds with the password which the reading part 24 read from the delivery D, If they do not match, the sender information input from the reader / writer unit 22 and the sender information input from the reading unit 24 are matched, regardless of whether the sender information does not match. .
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of processing executed by the control unit 50 according to the second embodiment. Steps S300 to S312 are the same as those in FIG.

  When a positive determination is obtained in both step S310 and step S312, the control unit 50 determines whether the password acquired from the electronic tag T by the reader / writer 22 matches the password read from the delivery D by the reading unit 24. It is determined whether or not (step S313-2). The control unit 50 performs processing when the sender information matches when the passwords match in the case where a positive determination is obtained in both step S310 and step S312 (step S314). On the other hand, when a negative determination is obtained in any one of step S310 and step S312, or when a negative determination is obtained in step S313-1, the control unit 50 performs a case where the sender information does not match. Processing is performed (step S320). Steps S316 and S318 are the same as those in FIG.

  As a result, the sender is confirmed with information that only the user U who is at the issuing site of the electronic tag T can know, so when the user U loses the electronic tag T or is stolen, etc. The possibility of being made can be reduced. As a result, the reliability of the sender guarantee can be further enhanced.

(Fourth embodiment)
Hereinafter, the delivery processing apparatus 1 and the electronic tag issuing apparatus 100 according to the fourth embodiment will be described. FIG. 9 is a diagram conceptually showing a delivery processing system including the delivery processing device 1 and the electronic tag issuing device 100 according to the fourth embodiment. The delivery processing apparatus 1 according to the fourth embodiment refers to a specific destination database 250 constructed on a storage device that can communicate with the delivery processing apparatus 1, and the destination indicated by the destination information is guaranteed to be the sender. It is determined whether or not it corresponds to a specific destination for receiving only the delivery item D. The specific destination is registered in the specific destination database 250 by, for example, registering on the recipient's side to receive only the delivery D for which the sender is guaranteed. For example, it is assumed that a recipient such as a government agency who requires high security performs such registration.

  The delivery processing device 1 according to the second embodiment, when the sender information does not match, the processing (step S320 in FIG. 6), when the destination of the delivery D corresponds to a specific destination, Processing for returning the delivery item D to the sender without delivering it to the destination is performed.

  As a result, it is possible to prevent delivery of deliverables D with low reliability of sender guarantees, particularly for addressees with high security requirements. As a result, it is possible to perform delivery according to the user's needs.

  In each of the above embodiments, the electronic tag issuing device 100 writes the electronic tag ID into the electronic tag T, and the delivery processing device 1 determines whether or not the combination of the electronic tag ID and the sender information matches the electronic tag issuing information database 200. The determination process may be omitted. In this case, the electronic tag issue information database 200 is not an essential configuration.

  According to at least one embodiment described above, different processing is performed depending on whether the sender information acquired by the reader / writer 22 matches the sender information read by the reading unit 24 or not. By having the function, the reliability of the sender guarantee can be improved.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Delivery processing apparatus, 10 ... Supply part, 20 ... Scanner part, 22 ... Reader / writer part, 24 ... Reading part, 26 ... Video coding part, 30 ... Stamping part, 35 ... Conveying part, 40 ... Sorting part, 45 ... Input unit, 50 ... Control unit, 100 ... Electronic tag issuing device, 200 ... Electronic tag issuing information database, 250 ... Specific destination database

Claims (10)

An acquisition unit that acquires, from the electronic tag attached to the delivery item, sender information stored in the electronic tag by communication;
A reading unit for reading the sender information described in the delivery;
A control unit that performs different processing between when the sender information acquired by the acquisition unit and the sender information read by the reading unit match, and when they do not match,
A delivery processing apparatus comprising: The control unit performs processing to handle the delivery as a delivery guaranteeing the sender when the sender information acquired by the acquisition unit matches the sender information read by the reading unit.
The delivery processing apparatus according to claim 1. The reading unit further reads the destination information described in the delivery,
When the sender information acquired by the acquiring unit and the sender information read by the reading unit do not match, the control unit is configured such that the destination information read by the reading unit is only a delivery that guarantees the sender. It is determined whether or not it matches a specific destination to be received, and when the sender information acquired by the acquisition unit does not match the sender information read by the reading unit and the destination information does not match the specific destination, To process the delivery back to the sender,
The delivery processing apparatus according to claim 2. The control unit performs a process of erasing the sender information stored in the electronic tag when the sender information acquired by the acquisition unit matches the sender information read by the reading unit.
The delivery processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The electronic tag stores its identification information,
The acquisition unit acquires the identification information stored in the electronic tag by communication,
The control unit refers to correspondence information that associates the identification information of the electronic tag and the sender information, and when the sender information and the identification information acquired by the acquisition unit do not match the correspondence information, the control unit acquired by the acquisition unit Regardless of whether the sender information matches the sender information read by the reading unit, the same as the case where the sender information acquired by the acquiring unit does not match the sender information read by the reading unit Process
The delivery processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The electronic tag stores its expiration date,
The acquisition unit acquires an expiration date stored in the electronic tag by communication,
The control unit determines whether or not the electronic tag has expired based on the expiration date acquired by the acquisition unit, and when the electronic tag has expired, is acquired by the acquisition unit Regardless of whether the sender information matches the sender information read by the reading unit, the same as the case where the sender information acquired by the acquiring unit does not match the sender information read by the reading unit Process
The delivery processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The electronic tag stores a password,
The acquisition unit acquires a password stored in the electronic tag by communication,
The reading unit reads the password described in the delivery item,
When the password acquired by the acquisition unit and the password read by the reading unit do not match, the control unit matches the sender information acquired by the acquisition unit and the sender information read by the reading unit. Regardless of whether or not the sender information acquired by the acquisition unit and the sender information read by the reading unit does not match,
The delivery processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6. A delivery processing apparatus according to claim 5;
An electronic tag issuing device that writes the identification information and sender information of the electronic tag to the electronic tag, associates the written identification information with sender information, and stores them in the storage unit as the correspondence information;
Delivery processing system comprising. Delivery processing equipment
From the electronic tag attached to the delivery, the sender information stored in the electronic tag is acquired by communication,
Read the sender information on the delivery,
When the acquired sender information and the read sender information match, different processing is performed depending on whether or not the acquired sender information matches.
Delivery processing method. The electronic tag issuing device
Write the identification information of the electronic tag and the sender information to the electronic tag, and store correspondence information that associates the written identification information with the sender information in the storage unit,
Delivery processing equipment
From the electronic tag attached to the delivery item, the identification information stored in the electronic tag and the sender information are acquired by communication,
Read the sender information on the delivery,
When the acquired sender information and the read sender information are matched and different processing is performed,
If the combination of the sender information and identification information acquired by the acquisition unit does not match the correspondence information, whether the sender information acquired by the acquisition unit and the sender information read by the reading unit match Regardless, the sender information acquired by the acquisition unit and the sender information read by the reading unit do the same processing,
Delivery processing method.

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