JPH06121967A - Address inputting and classifying device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the reliability and efficiency of keying input by having the keying input of address information shared by skilled persons and unskilled persons. CONSTITUTION:An address scanning section 2 forms image data D1 by scanning the respective address entry surfaces of postal matter 101. An image storage section 3 stores the image data D1. An identification number attaching section 4 codes and prints identification numbers to respective pieces of the postal matter. An identification number reading section 5 reads the identification numbers printed on the respective pieces of the postal matter. Input terminal devices 81 to 8n respectively have display sections and key input sections and respective operators input the address information from the key input sections while viewing the screen of the image data displayed in the display sections. An input order setting section 6 allots the input operation corresponding to the degrees of skill of the operators by operator identification codes K1 to Kn inputted from the key input sections. An entire part control section 7 controls the respective parts in the device. A classifying and stacking section 9 classifies and stacks the postal matter into the classification boxes by each delivery classification by receiving the classification control signals C2 from the entire part control section 7.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an address input sorting apparatus, and more particularly to an address input sorting apparatus for inputting address information entered in forms such as mail and sorting the forms for each delivery category.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, OCR has been used as a means for mechanically inputting address information entered in forms, but it is often impossible for the general public to read the address etc. written freely. , A method of efficiently inputting address information is being studied.

An example of this type of address input / sorting device is a postal code keying type sorting device that sorts by inputting a postal code written on a postal matter from a keyboard. However, the classification by postal code is limited to the city or prefecture level.

[0004] In recent years, with the progress of mechanization of mail delivery classification, even up to delivery classification that cannot be represented by a zip code, that is,
There is a movement to expand to the town, chome, and street level all over the world, including Japan. Therefore, a method of efficiently inputting the address itself as the address information is being studied. Overseas, a method called "address extraction code method" is used in which input rules such as inputting the first and last characters of an address word in alphabetical notation are predetermined and input.

According to this method, if the input rule is, for example, "the first and last characters of an address word are up to five characters, and the address is directly input as a numeral.", The address is "1402 Sci".
In the case of “ense Museum Road”, the keystroke input is “S, E, M, M, R, 1, 4, 0, 2”.

[0006] However, in such an input method, although there is a portion where a simple input can be made such as an address, there is also a portion where an input error is likely to occur such as an address word. Is.

[0007]

As described above, in order to prevent a typing error, a skilled person who has undergone predetermined training is used to enter the address information. But,
The difficulty of securing a labor force is increasing year by year, and it is difficult to train a large number of skilled workers. Therefore, it is desired to reduce the portion requiring skill and to allow the unskilled person to share the place where simple work is required to improve the efficiency of keystroke input as a whole.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an address input classification device which allows a skilled person and an unskilled person to share the keystroke input of address information, thereby improving the reliability and efficiency of keystroke input as a whole.

[0009]

The address input classification device of the present invention is an address input classification device for inputting information of an address entered in a form and classifying it for each delivery classification. A means for scanning to generate image data of an address, a means for displaying an identification number on the surface of the form, a means for reading the displayed identification number, and a storage of the image data in association with the identification number. Image storage means for
A plurality of input terminals each provided with a display section for displaying the image data stored in the image storage means on the screen and a key input section for inputting the address information and provided corresponding to a plurality of operators for inputting the address information. And means for allocating the plurality of input terminals according to the skill levels of the plurality of operators to control distribution of the image data, and the address information sent from the key input unit of the plurality of input terminals. It comprises a unit for registering each identification number in the address information file, and a unit for classifying the forms on the basis of the information registered in the address information file. Further, the distribution control means is configured so that an input part of the address information that requires skill is assigned to an input terminal of a skilled operator, and a simple input part of the address information is assigned to an input terminal of an inexperienced operator. To be done. Furthermore, the first
As the second processing, the identification number is displayed on the surface of the form, the image data corresponding to the displayed identification number is stored in the image storage means in association with the identification number, and the address information keyed in is stored. A process of registering in the address information file for each corresponding identification number is executed, and as the second process, the identification number displayed on the front surface of the form is read and the information registered in the address information file is read. It is configured to execute a process of classifying the forms according to the information corresponding to the internally read identification number.

[0010]

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

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, in which postal items 101 are conveyed from a supply unit 1 to a sorting and accumulating unit 9 twice so as to be sorted according to delivery segments.

The address scanning unit 2 scans the address entry surface of the mail to generate image data D1 and sends it to the image storage unit 3. The image storage unit 3 stores the image data D1. The identification number assigning unit 4 encodes and prints a serial number identification number on each mail item. The identification number reading unit 5
The identification number printed on each mail is read and sent to the overall control unit 7. The input terminals 81 to 8n are arranged for each keying operator and each have a display section and a key input section. The image data D2 read from the image storage unit 3, that is, the address image of the mail is displayed on the screen of this display unit. Each operator inputs the address information from the key input unit while looking at the address image. Input order setting unit 6
Is the operator identification code K entered from the key input section.
The assignment of input work for each operator is automatically programmed according to 1 to Kn. The overall control unit 7 controls each unit in the device. The sorting and accumulating unit 9 sorts and accumulates the postal matter into sorting boxes according to delivery categories in accordance with the sorting control signal C2 from the overall control unit 7.

Next, the operation will be described.

In the first processing, the mail 101 is conveyed from the supply unit 1 to the sorting and accumulating unit 9, and the address scanning unit 2 scans the address entry surface of the mail to store the image data D1 in the image storage unit 3. At the same time as storing, the identification number assigning unit 4 prints the identification number on each mail item. In addition, the image data is read from the image storage unit 3 and displayed on the input terminal to prompt the operator to input the address information.

In the case of the first processing, since the identification number is not printed on the postal matter passing through the identification number reading unit 5, the identification number reading unit 5 outputs the identification number signal S1 indicating that there is no identification number. It is sent to the overall control unit 7. The overall control unit 7 sets a new identification number, generates an identification number signal S2, and sends it to the image storage unit 3 and the identification number assigning unit 4. The image storage unit 3 stores the image data D1 in one-to-one correspondence with the identification number. The identification number assigning section 4 encodes the identification number signal S2 and prints it on the mail. The mail items conveyed to the sorting / collecting unit 9 are collected in one place without being sorted.

By the way, the input work of the address information is carried out by using the input terminals 81 to 8n arranged for each operator. As an initial setting at the start of input work, each operator has an operator identification code K1 assigned in advance.
To Kn are input from the key input units of the input terminals 81 to 8n and sent to the input order setting unit 6. Input order setting unit 6
Collates with an input work assignment table that is predetermined according to the ability and skill of each operator and automatically rearranges the input work assignment for each input terminal.

When the initial setting of the input terminal is completed, it is possible to enter the address information by keying. The overall control unit 7 sequentially selects one of the input terminals on standby from the plurality of input terminals, sends the display permission signal C1 to the image storage unit 3, reads out the image data D2 in the order of the identification number of the mail, and reads the input data. And display it on the display of. The operator looks at the image of the image data D2, that is, the address written on the mail, and inputs the corresponding address information to the key input unit. The input address information A1 to An is the local area network (L
It is transmitted to the overall control unit 7 via (AN) or the like. The overall control unit 7 registers and stores the address information in a file in association with the identification number of the corresponding mail item.

The inputting work can be performed in parallel with the image storing process of the mail, or after the image storing process is completed,
It is also possible to carry out by batch processing. When performing a keystroke input operation in batch processing, the storage capacity of the image storage unit 3 needs to be sufficient to store the image data of all mail. The second process is executed after the input of the address information is completed.

Mail items 1 temporarily accumulated in the sorting and accumulating section 9
Is again conveyed from the supply unit 1 to the sorting and stacking unit 9. This time, the identification number reading unit 5 reads the coded identification number printed on the postal matter, and sends the identification number signal S1 to the overall control unit 7. The overall control unit 7 controls the identification number signal S
By referring to the inputted address information corresponding to the identification number indicated by 1, the division control signal C2 is generated and sent to the division stacking unit 9. The sorting / collecting unit 9 sorts and collects the postal matter in the sorting box indicated by the sorting control signal C2.

Next, the input of address information will be described in more detail.

As described above, there is an address extraction code method as a method for inputting address information quickly and efficiently. However, when this method is applied to a Japanese address, for example, as shown in FIG. The extraction code is set in advance for the town name in accordance with the extraction rule, and the numbers are input as they are for the Ding, No., and No.

As an example, "CD (division) KGS (division) 1 (division) 3 (division) 2" can be entered for the address "1-3, Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku".

Note that (delimiter) is a special function key indicating a delimiter. In addition, the extraction codes of "Kojimachi" and "Kojimachi" are both the same as "KJ", but at this time, the two extraction codes are given candidate numbers and displayed on the display unit. To select.

As described above, in order to input the "ward / town name portion", it is necessary to be familiar with the code extraction rules, so that only a skilled person can surely and efficiently input. Meanwhile, "Ding,
No., No. is a simple numeral input, so even unskilled people can input it.

Therefore, in this embodiment, when inputting the address information, paying attention to the fact that there is a portion that requires skill and a portion that can be performed by an unskilled person, and the input portion of the address information is divided according to the level of the key input person. It realizes the method of sharing the input. Here, the information input of the ward / town name portion that requires skill is the work A, and the information input of the “Ding, number, number” part that even an unskilled person can enter is the work B.

Here, for example, when there are seven operators (key input persons), three of them are skilled and four are unskilled, that is, for operator identification codes K1 to K7 of each operator. Operator identification code K1
The operation will be described for the case where K3 to K3 are skilled and the operator identification codes K4 to K7 are unskilled.

First, when each operator inputs the operator identification codes K1 to K7 from the key input sections of the input terminals 81 to 87 at the start of the input work, the input order setting section 6 is set as shown in FIG. 2 (a). It should be noted that the predetermined work allocation table is referred to and an input work allocation table as shown in FIG. 2B is created according to the ability and skill of the operator. That is, the input terminal 81 operated by an expert
To 83 are assigned to work A, and input terminals 84 to 87 operated by unskilled persons are assigned to work B. When the allocation of the input terminals is completed in this way, the address information can be input.

When the image data of the mail is stored in the image storage unit 3, the general control unit 7 selects one of the input terminals 81 to 83 assigned for the job A, For example, by selecting the input terminal 81, the display permission signal C1
Is sent to the image storage unit 3. The image storage unit 3 reads the stored image data in the order of oldness and sends it as image data D2 to the display unit of the selected input terminal 81. The skilled operator looks at the address displayed on the display unit of the input terminal 81 and inputs the extraction code corresponding to the ward name into the key input unit. The key input unit sends the input extraction code as the address information A1 to the overall control unit 7.

Next, the overall control unit 7 registers it in the address information file as shown in FIG. 3, for example, in association with the identification number of the corresponding mail item. Then, the address information column of the address information file is checked to see if the address information input of the corresponding identification number is completed. Here, "Ding,
If the input in the “No., No.” column has not been completed, one of the input terminals 84 to 87 assigned for the job B is selected, for example, the input terminal 83 is selected and the display permission signal is selected. C1 is sent to the image storage unit 3, the image data is read again from the image storage unit 3 and displayed on the input terminal device 83, and an unskilled operator is allowed to input the numbers corresponding to the Ding, Number, and No. "Ding, number, number" of the corresponding identification number in the information column
Register in the field. As a result, the input of the address information of one piece of mail is completed.

When the registration of the address information in the address information file is completed, the overall control unit 7 refers to the dictionary file to convert the address information into the classification code and register it in the classification code column of the address information file. This division code is assigned to the division control signal C
By sending it to the sorting and accumulating unit 9 as 2, the sorting and accumulating unit 9 sorts the mail pieces according to the delivery classification.

[0031]

As described above, according to the present invention, when the address information is input, there is an extraction code input portion that requires skill and a simple number input portion that even an unskilled person can input, and the operator By sharing the input of the address information according to the level, it is possible to perform the input work reliably and efficiently.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an allocation table referenced by an input order setting unit 6 shown in FIG. 1, where (a) is a business allocation table and (b) is an input work allocation table.

3 is a diagram showing an example of an address information file used in the overall control unit 7 shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of extraction codes corresponding to ward names.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Supply Unit 2 Address Scanning Unit 3 Image Storage Unit 4 Identification Number Assigning Unit 5 Identification Number Reading Unit 6 Input Order Setting Unit 7 Overall Control Unit 9 Sorting Collection Unit 81 to 8n Input Terminal 101 Mailing Items A1 to An Address Information C1 Display permission signal C2 Classification control signal D1, D2 Image data K1-Kn Operator identification code S1, S2 Identification number signal

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. An address input / sorting device for inputting address information entered in a form and sorting for each delivery category, means for scanning the surface of the form and generating image data of the address, A means for displaying an identification number on the surface of the forms, a means for reading the displayed identification number, an image storing means for storing the image data in association with the identification number, and an image storing means stored in the image storing means. A plurality of input terminals each having a display unit for displaying the image data on the screen and a key input unit for inputting the address information and provided for a plurality of operators for inputting the address information, and the plurality of input terminals. Means for controlling the distribution of the image data by allocating to the plurality of operators according to their skill levels, and for identifying the address information sent from the key input unit of the plurality of input terminals. An address input / sorting device comprising: a unit for registering an address information file for each number; and a unit for classifying the forms based on the information registered in the address information file. 2. The address input sorting device according to claim 1, wherein said distribution control means allocates an input part of said address information that requires skill to an input terminal of a skilled operator, and selects a simple part of said address information. An address input classification device characterized in that the input part is assigned to the input terminal of an unskilled operator. 3. The address input sorting device according to claim 1, wherein the identification number is displayed on the front surface of the form as the first processing, and the image data corresponding to the displayed identification number is associated with the identification number. Stored in the image storage means,
A process of registering the keyed-in address information in the address information file for each corresponding identification number is executed, and as the second process, the identification number displayed on the surface of the form is read, An address input / sorting device, which executes a process of sorting the forms according to the information corresponding to the read identification number of the information registered in the information file.