JPH04205685A - Mail reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the working rate of a reader by providing a data collection function collecting a corresponding input picture when address information of an inputted mail cannot be read. CONSTITUTION:The mail reader consists of a photoelectric conversion part 1, an A/D conversion part 2, a picture processing part 3, a character recognition part 4, an address recognition part 5, a mail division part 6 and the data collection part 7. When address information based on a character recognition result cannot be recognized, the address recognition part 5 transmits a data collection instruction to the data collection part 7. It collects the corresponding input picture, namely, picture data whose address information outputted from the A/D conversion part 2 at that time cannot be recognized. Thus, processing time for collecting data is shortened and the working rate of the reader can be improved.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Objective of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention uses, for example, an optical character reading method to read address information or postal code written on the surface of a mail piece, and The present invention relates to a mail reading device that sorts mail based on destination address information or postal code.

(Prior Art) Generally, in this type of mail reading device, the format, format, character font, etc. of input mail items change daily. Therefore, in order to improve the reading rate of mail, it is necessary to collect data on new formats, formats, character fonts, etc., and to improve dictionaries for character recognition, address recognition, etc. Conventionally, data collection for such purposes has been done by setting the reading device to data collection mode in advance for postal items that have become unreadable by the reading device, and then passing the postal item whose data is to be collected through the reading device. was collecting data.

In addition, in the development of mail reading devices, image data of mail to be delivered to the post office, that is, mail that all have the same postal code, was collected using a dictionary for character recognition and a dictionary for address recognition when reading recipient address information. It is essential for creating such. Conventionally, data collection for such purposes involves setting the reading device to data collection mode for postal items that have been sorted by postal code using a reading device, and passing the postal items for which data is to be collected through the reading device. Data was collected by.

(Problem to be solved by the invention) However, with such conventional data collection methods,
This method requires a reading device to collect data, and it is also necessary to sort out unreadable mail or mail with the same postal code, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive.

Therefore, the present invention aims to reduce the work process for the person operating the device and improve the processing speed, and is capable of automatically collecting the data necessary to fully demonstrate the effect of reading recipient address information. The purpose is to provide a mail reading device.

In addition, the present invention aims to reduce the work process for the person operating the device and improve processing speed, and automatically collects data necessary for creating a character recognition dictionary, an address recognition dictionary, etc. for reading recipient address information. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a mail reading device that can perform the following tasks.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving the Problems) A mail reading device according to the first invention includes a photoelectric conversion means that performs photoelectric conversion by optically scanning the surface of the mail and outputs an image signal. an image processing means for extracting a destination address area by processing an image signal output from the photoelectric conversion means; and a character recognition means for performing character recognition on the destination address area extracted by the image processing means. , an address recognition means for recognizing the destination address information using the recognition result of the character recognition means; a sorting means for classifying the mail based on the recognition result of the address recognition means; and data collection means for collecting a corresponding image signal output from the photoelectric conversion means when recognition is not possible.

A mail reading device according to a second aspect of the present invention includes a photoelectric conversion means for photoelectrically converting the surface of the mail by optically scanning it and outputting an image signal, and processing the image signal output from the photoelectric conversion means. an image processing means for extracting a postal code area by extracting a postal code area; a character recognition means for performing character recognition on the postal code area extracted by this image processing means; a postal code recognition means for recognizing; a sorting means for classifying the mail based on the recognition result of the postal code recognition means; and data collection means for collecting corresponding image signals output from the photoelectric conversion means.

(Function) According to the mail reading device according to the first invention, when the input address information of the mail cannot be read, it is equipped with a data collection function that collects the corresponding input image. The work process for the person operating the device can be reduced, and the data collection required to fully demonstrate the effectiveness of reading recipient address information can be done automatically at the same time as the mail sorting work. This improves the operating rate of the device, such as by shortening the processing time.

According to the postal item reading device according to the second invention, when the postal code of the inputted postal item is a prespecified postal code, the device is provided with a data collection function that collects a corresponding input image. It is possible to reduce the work process for the person who operates the mailbox, and to automatically collect the data necessary to create a character recognition dictionary, an address recognition dictionary, etc. for reading recipient address information at the same time as the mail sorting work. Therefore, the processing time for data collection is shortened, and the operating rate of the apparatus is improved.

(Example) Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 schematically shows the configuration of a mail reading device according to a first embodiment. This device is, for example, a CCD
A photoelectric conversion unit 1, which consists of a sensor, performs photoelectric conversion by optically scanning the surface of the mail piece, and outputs an image signal; and an A/D converter, which converts the image signal output from the photoelectric conversion unit 1 into a digital signal. a conversion unit 2; an image processing unit 3 that extracts a destination address area by processing the image data output from the A/D conversion unit 2; A character recognition unit 4 performs recognition, an address recognition unit 5 recognizes destination address information using the recognition result of the character recognition unit 4, and the mail is classified based on the recognition result of the address recognition unit 5 and placed in a predetermined classification pocket. data collection for collecting the corresponding input image, that is, the corresponding image data output from the A/D converter 2, when the address information cannot be recognized in the mail sorting unit 6 and the address recognition unit 5; 7.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a mail item that is actually processed, and the surface of the mail item includes a recipient address area E1 where recipient address information is written, a postal code area E2 where a postal code is written, etc. Or exists.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment in such a configuration will be explained. Assuming that a piece of mail is being conveyed, the photoelectric conversion unit 1 performs photoelectric conversion by optically scanning the surface of the piece of mail, and outputs an image signal to the A/D conversion unit 2 . The A/D conversion section 2 digitizes the input image signal and sends it as image data to the image processing section 3 and the data collection section 7.

The image processing section 3 extracts the destination address area E1 on the mail by processing the input image data, and sends it to the character recognition section 4. The character recognition section 4 performs character recognition on the destination address area E1 extracted by the image processing section 3, and sends the recognition result to the address recognition section 5. The address recognition section 5 recognizes destination address information using the input character recognition results, and sends the recognition results to the mail sorting section 6. The mail sorting section 6 sorts the mail based on the input address recognition result and introduces it into a predetermined sorting pocket.

Further, the address recognition unit 5 sends a data collection command to the data collection unit 7 when recognition of the destination address information based on the character recognition result is impossible. Then, the data collection unit 7 collects the corresponding input image at this time, that is, the A/D conversion unit 2 at this time.
Collect image data whose destination address information is unrecognizable.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, when the input address information of the mail piece is unreadable, the data collection function that collects the corresponding input image is provided, so that the person operating the device can We will reduce the work process and collect the data necessary to fully demonstrate the effectiveness of reading recipient address information.
This can be done automatically at the same time as mail sorting.
Therefore, the processing time for data collection is shortened, and the operating rate of the apparatus is improved.

FIG. 2 schematically shows the configuration of a mail reading device according to a second embodiment, and the same parts as in FIG. 1 are given the same reference numerals. This device consists of, for example, a CCD sensor, and includes a photoelectric conversion section 1 that performs photoelectric conversion by optically scanning the surface of a mail piece and outputs an image signal, and a photoelectric conversion section 1 that converts the image signal output from the photoelectric conversion section 1 into a digital signal. Convert A to
/D converter 2 and an image processor 3 that extracts a postal code area by processing the image data output from the A/D converter 2; a character recognition section 4 that performs character recognition using the 7-character recognition section 4; a postal code recognition section 8 that recognizes postal codes using the recognition results of the seven-character recognition section 4; and a postal code recognition section 8 that classifies mail based on the recognition results of the postal code recognition section 8. When the postal code recognized by the postal sorting section 6 and the postal code recognition section 8 to be introduced into a predetermined sorting pocket is a prespecified postal code, the corresponding input image, that is, the output from the A/D converting section 2 and a data collection unit 7 that collects corresponding image data.

Next, the operation of the second embodiment in such a configuration will be explained. Assuming that a piece of mail is being conveyed, the photoelectric conversion unit 1 performs photoelectric conversion by optically scanning the surface of the piece of mail, and outputs an image signal to the A/D conversion unit 2 . The A/D conversion section 2 digitizes the input image signal and sends it as image data to the image processing section 3 and the data collection section 7.

The image processing section 3 extracts the postal code area E2 on the mail by processing the input image data, and sends it to the character recognition section 4. The character recognition section 4 performs character recognition on the postal code area E2 extracted by the image processing section 3, and sends the recognition result to the postal code recognition section 8. Postal code recognition section 8
recognizes the postal code using the input character recognition results and sends the recognition results to the mail sorting section 6. The mail sorting section 6 sorts the mail based on the input postal code recognition result and introduces it into a predetermined sorting pocket.

Additionally, the postal code recognition unit 8 checks whether the recognized postal code matches a pre-designated postal code, and when the recognized postal code matches the pre-designated postal code, it issues a data collection command. is sent to the data collection section 7. Then, the data collecting section 7 collects the corresponding input image at this time, that is, the image data output from the A/D converting section 2 at this time and having the same postal number.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, when the postal code of the inputted mail piece is a prespecified postal code, the present device is equipped with a data collection function that collects the corresponding input image. This reduces the work process for the operator and automatically collects data necessary for creating character recognition dictionaries, address recognition dictionaries, etc. for reading recipient address information at the same time as sorting mail. The operating rate of this device will improve as the processing time for data collection will be shortened.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments.

For example, in the embodiment described above, a CCD sensor was used as the photoelectric conversion section, but an image pickup tube may also be used). Further, data collection may be performed on input images, or may also collect input images as well as character recognition results, address recognition results, or postal code recognition results. As described above, various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

- ] 3 - [Effects of the Invention] As detailed above, according to the present invention, the work process of the person operating the device is reduced and the processing speed is improved, and the effect of reading recipient address information is fully exhibited. It is possible to provide a mail reading device that can automatically collect the data necessary to do so.

Further, according to the present invention, the work process of the person operating the device is reduced and the processing speed is improved, and the data collection necessary for creating a dictionary for character recognition, a dictionary for address recognition, etc. for reading destination address information is possible. It is possible to provide a mail reading device that can do this automatically.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The figures are for explaining the present invention in detail, and FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of a mail reading device according to a first embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram according to a second embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the mail reading device, and is a diagram showing an example of mail that is actually processed. 1...Photoelectric conversion unit, 2...A/D conversion unit, 3...Image processing unit, 4...Character recognition unit, 5... ... Address recognition section, 6 ... Mail sorting section, 7 ... Data collection section, 8 ...
・Postal code recognition section, El... Destination address area, E
2...Postal code area. Applicant's agent Patent attorney Takehiko Suzue

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) A photoelectric conversion means that performs photoelectric conversion by optically scanning the surface of the mail piece and outputs an image signal; A destination address area is extracted by processing the image signal output from this photoelectric conversion means. an image processing means; a character recognition means for performing character recognition on the destination address area extracted by the image processing means; an address recognition means for recognizing destination address information using the recognition result of the character recognition means; a sorting means for sorting the mail based on the recognition result of the address recognition means; and a data collection for collecting a corresponding image signal output from the photoelectric conversion means when the address recognition means cannot recognize the destination address information. A mail reading device characterized by comprising: means. (2) A photoelectric conversion means that performs photoelectric conversion by optically scanning the surface of the mail piece and outputs an image signal, and a postal code area is extracted by processing the image signal output from this photoelectric conversion means. an image processing means; a character recognition means for performing character recognition on a postal code area extracted by the image processing means; a postal code recognition means for recognizing a postal code using a recognition result of the character recognition means; a sorting means for sorting the postal items based on the recognition result of the postal code recognizing means; A mail reading device comprising: data collection means for collecting image signals.