JP3930192B2 - Frame detection apparatus and frame detection method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a frame detection device and a frame detection method for detecting a zip code frame written on a mail piece.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, postal items have been sorted by an automatic address reading sorter. This automatic address reading and sorting machine includes a sorting machine, an OCR (Optical Character Reader), and a VCS (Video Coding System). The OCR recognizes the destination recorded in the mail piece, and the sorting machine sorts the mail piece based on the recognition result of the OCR. The VCS displays an image of a mail piece that has not been recognized by the OCR and accepts input of destination information of the mail piece, and the sorting machine sorts the mail piece based on the destination information input from the VCS.
[0003]
In the above address recognition by OCR, postal code recognition is performed. In this zip code recognition, the zip code frame is first detected, and then the zip code written in the zip code frame is recognized.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the following problems occurred with the introduction of the new postal code system. In the new postal code system, the number of postal codes has been increased from the previous 5 digits to 7 digits. This resulted in the appearance of a new postal code frame county containing seven postal code frames. However, the postal code frames included in this new postal code frame group may be in contact with each other due to the increase in the number of digits. Number recognition accuracy has decreased. This tendency is particularly strong in the case of black postal code frames (because black frames are difficult to distinguish from postal codes).
[0005]
In the algorithm for detecting a black postal code frame, first, label detection is performed in a fixed area where a postal code is written. At this time, there is no problem when a specified number (5 or 7) of labels of a specified size (postcode frame size) is detected, but when an unspecified number of labels is detected, It is determined that the frames are in contact with each other, and the detected labels having a non-standard size are divided into a predetermined number. At this time, if the postal code frame and the postal code described in the frame are the same color (black), or the postal code is described in the frame, the postal code frame cannot be accurately detected.
[0006]
An object of the present invention is to provide a frame detection device and a frame detection method that are made in view of the circumstances as described above and that can accurately detect a zip code frame.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems and achieve the object, a frame detection device and a frame detection method of the present invention are configured as follows.
[0008]
The frame detection apparatus according to the present invention includes a first detection unit that detects two or more defined frames of the same size from a group of frames including a plurality of frames, and detects a different frame having a size different from the defined frames. Detecting by the first detection means based on the second detection means for detecting the size of the defined frame detected by the first detection means and the size of the defined frame detected by the second detection means And a third detecting means for detecting a plurality of defined frames from the different frames.
[0009]
The frame detection device according to the present invention is a first detection means for detecting a predetermined frame having the same size from a postal code frame group including seven postal code frames and detecting a different frame having a size different from the predetermined frame. A second detection unit that detects the size of the defined frame detected by the first detection unit, and three defined frames are detected by the first detection unit, and one different frame is detected. The different frame detected by the first detection unit based on the size of the defined frame detected by the second detection unit and the short direction projection of the different frame detected by the first detection unit And third detecting means for detecting four defined frames.
[0010]
The frame detection device according to the present invention is a first detection means for detecting a predetermined frame having the same size from a postal code frame group including seven postal code frames and detecting a different frame having a size different from the predetermined frame. A second detection means for detecting the size of the prescribed frame detected by the first detection means in the short direction and the longitudinal direction, and three prescribed frames are detected by the first detection means. Is detected from one end in the longitudinal direction of the different frame detected by the first detection means based on the size in the short direction and the longitudinal direction of the defined frame detected by the second detection means. A third detecting means for detecting one prescribed frame, and one prescribed frame detected by the third detecting means is separated from the different frame, and the remaining different frames remaining after the one prescribed frame is separated. Take a projection in the short direction, and based on this projection, the length of the remaining frame A residual detection frame detected by the fourth detection means based on a short detection direction and a longitudinal size of the regulation frame detected by the second detection means; A fifth detecting means for detecting three defined frames from the remaining different frames, and three defined frames detected by the fifth detecting means. Sixth determining means for taking the projections in the short direction and the longitudinal direction of each and determining the three defined frames detected by the fifth detecting means based on the projections.
[0011]
The frame detection device according to the present invention is a first detection means for detecting a predetermined frame having the same size from a postal code frame group including seven postal code frames and detecting a different frame having a size different from the predetermined frame. A second detection unit that detects the size of the defined frame detected by the first detection unit, and when five defined frames are detected by the first detection unit and one different frame is detected. And a third detecting means for detecting two prescribed frames from the different frames detected by the first detecting means based on the size of the prescribed frames detected by the second detecting means. Yes.
[0012]
The frame detection device according to the present invention is a first detection means for detecting a predetermined frame having the same size from a postal code frame group including seven postal code frames and detecting a different frame having a size different from the predetermined frame. A second detection means for detecting the size in the short direction and the longitudinal direction of the prescribed frame detected by the first detection means, and five prescribed frames are detected by the first detection means. Is detected from both ends in the longitudinal direction of the different frame detected by the first detection means, based on the short-side and long-side sizes of the defined frame detected by the second detection means. A third detection means for detecting two defined frames and a short direction projection and a longitudinal direction projection of each of the two defined frames detected by the third detection unit are taken, and the third detection unit is based on the projection. Fourth determining means for determining two defined frames detected by the detecting means; It is provided.
[0013]
The frame detection method of the present invention includes a first step of detecting two or more defined frames of the same size from among a group of frames including a plurality of frames, and detecting a different frame of a size different from the defined frames; Based on the second step of detecting the size of the defined frame detected in the first step and the size of the defined frame detected in the second step, the different frame detected in the first step And a third step of detecting a plurality of defined frames from the inside.
[0014]
The frame detection method according to the present invention includes a first step of detecting a specified frame having the same size from a postal code frame group including seven postal code frames and detecting a different frame having a size different from the specified frame. A second step of detecting the size in the short and long directions of the defined frame detected in the first step, and three defined frames are detected by the first step, and one different frame is detected. When the first frame is detected, one predetermined frame is detected from one end in the longitudinal direction of the different frame detected in the first step based on the short-side and long-side sizes of the predetermined frame detected in the second step. Separating the one defined frame detected in the third step from the different frame, taking a projection in the short direction of the remaining different frame remaining after the one defined frame is separated, Based on this projection, the length of the remaining frame A fourth step of detecting both ends of the direction, and a longitudinal direction of the remaining different frame detected by the fourth step based on a short side direction and a longitudinal direction size of the defined frame detected by the second step A fifth step of detecting three defined frames from among the remaining different frames by dividing the space between both ends of the frame, and a short direction of each of the three defined frames detected in the fifth step And a sixth step of taking a projection in the longitudinal direction and determining the three defined frames detected in the fifth step based on the projection.
[0015]
The frame frame detection method of the present invention is a first step of detecting a specified frame of the same size from a group of postal code frames including seven postal code frames and detecting a different frame of a size different from the specified frame. A second step of detecting the size in the short direction and the longitudinal direction of the defined frame detected in the first step, and 5 defined frames are detected by the first step, and 1 different frame is detected. When detected, two defined frames from both ends in the longitudinal direction of the different frame detected in the first step based on the short and long size of the defined frame detected in the second step The projection of the short direction and the longitudinal direction of each of the two defined frames detected in the third step is taken, and 2 detected in the third step based on this projection. 4th step to determine the number of rules It is equipped with a.
[0016]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
[0017]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a mail processing apparatus.
[0018]
The mail processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 reads an image of a mail piece, detects address information from mail image data obtained by this reading, recognizes the address, and classifies the mail based on the recognition result of the address. As shown in FIG. 1, the mail processing apparatus includes a main control unit 1, a sorter 2, an image reading unit 3, an OCR 4, and a VCS 5.
[0019]
The main control unit 1 controls the entire mail processing apparatus. The sorter 2 provides postal items one by one to the image reading unit 3. The image reading unit 3 reads an image of a postal matter provided by the sorting machine 2 and provides postal matter image data obtained by this reading to the OCR 4. The OCR 4 recognizes the destination by detecting the destination information from the postal matter image data provided by the image reading unit 3. The VCS 5 is provided with a storage unit 5a, and mail image data and destination recognition data provided from the online OCR 4 are stored in the storage unit 5a. The VCS 5 performs video coding processing on mail pieces that have not been recognized by the OCR 4 based on the mail piece image data and destination recognition data accumulated in the storage unit 5a. The VCS 5 is provided with a display 5b and a keyboard 5c. On the display 5b, a postal matter (postal matter image data) not recognized by the OCR 4 is displayed, and address information of the postal matter displayed on this display Input is accepted by the keyboard 5c. The destination information is input through the keyboard 5c by the operator.
[0020]
The sorter 2 sorts mails corresponding to the recognized destination based on the destination recognized by the OCR 4, and also inputs the input destination information based on the destination information received by the keyboard 5c of the VCS 5. Sort mail items corresponding to.
[0021]
In the mail processing apparatus described above, for example, an ID code (bar code or the like) is recorded on the mail, and the mail is managed by this ID code. That is, an ID code is assigned to the mail image data and address recognition data related to one mail, and the mail image data and address recognition data related to one mail are stored together with the ID code in the storage unit 5a. . The ID code maintains the relationship with the actual mail. In the mail processing apparatus described above, a destination code (bar code or the like) indicating a destination recognized by the OCR 4 for the mail piece or a destination code (bar code or the like) indicating a destination received by the keyboard 5c of the VCS 5 is used. ) Is recorded, and the mail is classified by this destination code.
[0022]
Next, postcode frame detection in the destination recognition process by the OCR 4 (frame detection device) will be described.
[0023]
As shown in FIG. 2, the OCR 4 includes a labeling processing unit 41, a frame detection unit 42, a size detection unit 43, a first specified frame detection unit 44, a different frame both ends detection unit 45, and a second specified frame detection unit 46. , And a frame determining unit 47 are provided. The description of each of these parts will be made sequentially thereafter.
[0024]
With the introduction of the new postal code system, the postal code was changed from 5 digits to 7 digits. As a result, one postal code frame is narrower or the postal code frames are in contact with each other in the new postal code frame group (seven-digit frame) than in the old postal code frame group (five-digit frame). Many cases are seen. In particular, in the black new postal code frame group, assume the first case where the first three digits are in contact with the hyphen, and the second case where the third digit is in contact with the hyphen and the fourth digit. The detection of the zip code frame in the first and second cases will be described. FIG. 3 shows the first case, and FIG. 4 shows the second case. In general, the format of the new postal code frame group is a thick frame at the top 3 digits and a thin frame at the bottom 4 digits. In other words, the lower 4-digit postal code frame is less likely to come into contact than the upper 3-digit postal code frame. In the present invention, the postal code frame is detected by utilizing this fact.
[0025]
Since the postal code frame group is written in the upper right part of the postal matter (letter), the labeling processing unit 41 performs the labeling process in the fixed area in the upper right part. From the size and positional relationship of the label (frame) detected by this labeling process, the frame detection unit 42 checks whether or not the detected label corresponds to the specified frame (specified postal code frame). At the time of checking, as shown in FIG. 9, in order to accurately detect the frame coordinates, projections are taken from both ends in the X and Y directions, and those exceeding a predetermined threshold are detected as the prescribed frames. If 5 labels (old postal code frame, 5 digits) or 7 (new postal code frame, 7 digits) corresponding to the regulation frame are detected from the postal code frame group, It is recognized that all included postal code frames have been detected.
[0026]
However, in the first case described above, the leftmost frame of the upper 3 digit frame, the hyphen, and the lower 4 digit frame come into contact with each other from the position coordinates and size of the label to form one label, and there are a total of 4 labels that appear to be frames. Be recognized. That is, the frame detection unit 42 detects three defined frames and one different frame. The different frame is a frame having a size different from the specified frame. In this first case, the leftmost frame of the upper 3 digit frame, the hyphen, and the lower 4 digit frame is detected as one different frame. The
[0027]
Here, when detecting the lower four-digit frame, as shown in FIG. 5, the short direction (H1) and the long direction (W1) of the labels 2, 3, and 4 satisfy the conditions of the specified frame, Since the sizes are almost the same, H1 and W1 are detected by the size detection unit 43.
[0028]
Then, by removing H1 and W1 from the upper right coordinates (one end in the longitudinal direction) of the label 1 (different frame), the lower four digits are detected. That is, one defined frame is detected by the first defined frame detection unit 44 from the upper right coordinates (one end in the longitudinal direction) of the label 1 (different frame). At this time, the defined frame detected by the defined frame detection unit 44 is projected from both ends in the X and Y directions as shown in FIG. 9, and is confirmed to be equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value.
[0029]
At this time, the lower four-digit frame has been detected, and one specified frame detected by the first specified frame detection unit 44 is separated from the different frame, and the remaining different frames remaining after this separation are the upper 3 frames. It is expected that the girder and the hyphen are in contact. For this reason, the hyphen is removed from the upper three-digit frame. Note that the remaining different frame refers to a frame in the state shown in FIG.
[0030]
Hyphen removal is performed as follows. First, the projection is obtained from the short side direction (Y direction) of the remaining different frame (label 1) shown in FIG. To detect. This detection is performed by the different frame both ends detection unit 45. Since the size of the upper three-digit frame is equal to each other, the remaining three different frames (label 1 from which the hyphen has been removed) are divided into three for detection of the three defined frames. This detection is performed by the second prescribed frame detection unit 46.
[0031]
3 It is necessary to check whether the allocated frames (labels) are true defined frames, respectively. As shown in FIG. 9, projections are taken from both ends in the X and Y directions to determine whether they are true defined frames. Whether it is finalized. This confirmation process is performed by the frame confirmation unit 47.
[0032]
As described above, when the specified frame is fixed by the frame determining unit 47, the detection of the 7-digit postal code frame is completed.
[0033]
Next, the above-described second case will be described. As a result of processing by the labeling processing unit 41 and the first frame detection unit 42, in the second case, the third digit frame, the hyphen, and the fourth digit frame come into contact with each other based on the position coordinates and size of the label. Thus, a total of six labels are recognized. That is, the frame detection unit 42 detects five defined frames and one different frame. In the second case, the third digit frame, the hyphen, and the fourth digit frame are detected as one different frame.
[0034]
Here, the defined frames (labels 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6 shown in FIG. 7) detected by the frame detection unit 42 are checked. That is, as shown in FIG. 9, the projection is taken from both ends in the X and Y directions, and the frame is recognized. The labels 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6 are detected as defined frames, and the size detection unit 43 detects the longitudinal direction (W2, W3) and the short direction (H2, H3) of the label 1 and label 6. . Then, W2 and H2 are removed from the upper left end of the label 3 that is expected to be a different frame, and W3 and H3 are removed from the upper right end. That is, two defined frames are detected from both ends of the different frames in the longitudinal direction. This detection is performed by the second prescribed frame detection unit 46. As a result, the hyphen is removed. It is necessary to check whether the two frames detected by the second defined frame detection unit 46 are defined frames, respectively. As shown in FIG. Is determined. This confirmation process is performed by the frame confirmation unit 47.
[0035]
As described above, when the specified frame is fixed by the frame determining unit 47, the detection of the 7-digit postal code frame is completed.
[0036]
By detecting projections from both ends of the contacted label as shown in FIG. 8, the characters written in the border (zip code) and the characters protruding from the frame (zip code) are also mistaken for the vertical character of the character as a frame line. There is no detection. Further, since it is possible to recognize how many frames are in contact with each other based on the label size and positional relationship, it is possible to accurately detect the frame coordinates for the black frame that has contacted.
[0037]
Next, the outline of the frame detection processing of the present invention will be described as a summary with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
[0038]
As shown in FIG. 10, first, labeling processing is performed on the image in the fixed area (ST1). When 5 labels (old postal code frame, 5 digits) or 7 (new postal code frame, 7 digits) are detected (ST2, YES), and the detected label satisfies the conditions of the specified frame ( (ST3, YES) A 5-digit or 7-digit frame detection process is performed (ST14).
[0039]
When four labels are detected (ST2, NO) (ST4, YES), the lateral direction (W1) and the longitudinal direction (H1) of labels 2, 3, and 4 shown in FIG. 5 are detected (ST5). ). W1 and H1 are removed from the label 1 shown in FIG. 5 (ST6). Both ends of the upper three-digit frame are detected from the shading of the remaining label 1 remaining after processing in ST6 (ST7). The remaining label 1 shown in FIG. 6 is divided into three based on W1 (ST8). If the divided label satisfies the conditions of the specified frame (ST9, YES), a 7-digit frame detection process is performed (ST14).
[0040]
When six labels are detected (ST2, NO) (ST4, NO) (ST10, YES), the lateral direction (W2, W3) and the longitudinal direction (H2) of each of the label 1 and the label 6 shown in FIG. , H3) are detected (ST11). W2 and H2, W3 and H3 are removed from label 3 shown in FIG. 7 (ST12). If the two labels removed in ST12 satisfy the conditions of the specified frame (ST13, YES), a 7-digit frame detection process is performed (ST14).
[0041]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a frame detection device and a frame detection method capable of accurately detecting a zip code frame.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a mail processing apparatus.
2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an OCR (frame detection device) of the mail processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a first case where the first three digits are in contact with a hyphen in a postal code frame group;
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a second case where the third digit, the hyphen, and the fourth digit are in contact with each other in the postal code frame group.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state in which the size (W1, H1) of the specified frame is detected in the first case shown in FIG. 3;
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which a hyphen is removed from a label 1 and an oblique view in the Y direction of the label 1 from which a hyphen has been removed.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the size (W2, W3, H2, H3) of the specified frame is detected in the second case illustrated in FIG.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a state in which characters (postal codes) are just written on a postal code frame, and a Y-direction bevel at that time.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the X direction and the Y direction of the postal code frame, and the X direction and Y direction of the postal code frame.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a frame detection process.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Main control part 2 ... Sorting machine 3 ... Image reading part 4 ... Online OCR
5 ... VCS
5a ... Storage unit 5b ... Display 5c ... Keyboard 41 ... Labeling processing unit 42 ... Frame detection unit 43 ... Size detection unit 44 ... First prescribed frame detection unit 45 ... Different frame both ends detection unit 46 ... Second prescribed frame detection unit 47. Frame determination part

Claims (2)

A first detecting means for detecting a prescription frame of the same size from among a postal code frame group including seven postcode frames, and detecting a different frame of a size different from the prescription frame ;
Second detection means for detecting the size in the short and long directions of the defined frame detected by the first detection means;
When three defined frames are detected by the first detecting means and one different frame is detected, the size of the defined frames detected by the second detecting means is determined based on the short-side and long-side sizes. Third detection means for detecting one defined frame from one end in the longitudinal direction of the different frame detected by the first detection means;
One prescribed frame detected by the third detecting means is separated from the different frame, and a short direction projection of the remaining different frame remaining after the one prescribed frame is separated is taken. A fourth detection means for detecting both ends in the longitudinal direction of the frame;
Based on the short-side and long-side sizes of the defined frame detected by the second detection unit, the space between both ends of the remaining different frame detected by the fourth detection unit is divided into three, A fifth detection means for detecting three defined frames from the remaining different frames;
The projections in the lateral direction and the longitudinal direction of the three defined frames detected by the fifth detection unit are taken, and the three defined frames detected by the fifth detection unit are determined based on the projection. A confirmation means;
A frame detection device comprising:   A first step of detecting a specified frame of the same size from among a set of postal code frames including seven postal code frames, and detecting a different frame of a size different from the specified frame;
  A second step of detecting the lateral and longitudinal sizes of the defined frame detected in the first step;
  When three defined frames are detected in the first step and one different frame is detected, the first frame is determined based on the short-side and long-side sizes of the defined frame detected in the second step. A third step of detecting one defined frame from one end in the longitudinal direction of the different frame detected in the step;
  One prescribed frame detected in the third step is separated from the different frame, and a short direction projection of the remaining different frame remaining after the one prescribed frame is separated is taken. A fourth step of detecting both longitudinal ends of
  Based on the short-side and long-side sizes of the defined frame detected in the second step, the length of the remaining different frame detected in the fourth step is divided into three parts, and the remaining frame is divided into three. A fifth step of detecting three defined frames from among the different frames;
  Taking a projection in the lateral direction and the longitudinal direction of each of the three defined frames detected in the fifth step, and determining the three defined frames detected in the fifth step based on this projection And the steps
  A frame detection method comprising:

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