JPH09314067A - Postal item processor and method for specifying addressee's addressee's code thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To process postal items which are incorrect in formed addressee's code as well with a postal item processor which executes processing, such as sorting processing, by reading the addressee information on the postal items and forming the addressee codes. SOLUTION: An addressee code forming section 101 forms the addressee codes by reading the addressee information on the postal items 100. An addressee information data base 103 stores the correspondence of the incorrect differently designated addressee codes and the correct normally designated addressee codes. An addressee code specifying processing section 102 outputs the correct addressee codes in either of the cases the formed addressee codes are the differently designated addressee codes and the normally designated addressee codes by referencing the addressee information data base 103. A postal item processing section 105 executes the processing, such as sorting processing, of the specified postal items 100.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a mail processing apparatus for reading address information described in a mail and performing a predetermined process, and particularly to a mail processing for specifying a correct address code from generated address codes. Regarding the device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A system for supporting mail sorting work in a post office has been put into practical use. This system
This is to mechanically recognize a part of the postal code or address written on the mail and automatically sort the mail based on this recognition information. However, the system currently put into practical use sorts only up to the delivery post office or delivery person, and the sorting work after that is still done manually. On the other hand, a system for automatically performing the final sorting work is being considered. Here, the final sorting work refers to the work of rearranging the postal items in the order of delivery for each delivery person.

As a method for implementing the above system, not only the zip code but also the entire address information including the chome, street address, number, apartment / condominium name, and ridge room number is coded, and classification processing is performed based on this code. Is being considered. Hereinafter, this code is called a destination code. As the processing flow of the entire system, first, a bar code indicating an address or a preprinted destination code written on a postal matter to be processed is read and a destination code is generated. If it cannot be read mechanically, enter the destination code manually. Next, identify the sorting process information corresponding to the destination code read from the mail (or manually entered) based on the prepared "sorting information corresponding to the destination code", and sort based on this information. I do. The sorting process information referred to here is a number for identifying the sorting box of the sorting machine, information indicating the delivery order, and the like.

[0004]

If a system for automatically sorting even the final sorting work as described above is realized, the destination code generated from the information (address, bar code) on the mail is incorrect. There are cases. The "incorrect destination code" referred to here is one that does not exist in the above "division processing information corresponding to the destination code". For example, the subtitles and building numbers are omitted, and the hyphen between the building number and room number is omitted. Hereinafter, this "incorrect destination code" will be referred to as a different notation destination code. A correct destination code is called a correct notation destination code. As for the address described in the mail, there is a possibility that omissions and mistakes such as in the above example occur, and the destination code generated from the mail encodes the information written in the mail, so the above It is possible that a differently written destination code such as When the different notation destination code is generated, the sorting process cannot be performed because the sorting process information cannot be specified from the “sorting process information corresponding to the destination code”.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-325098 discloses a method of preliminarily registering address information corresponding to the different notation destination code by a plurality of expressions in order to solve the above problem. There is. However, in this method, there may be a case where a single correct notation destination code cannot be specified from different notation destination codes. For example, in contrast to the correct notation destination code "1-2 prefecture A-City x town 1-2A-305 (Room A 305 room)", the different notation destination code "O prefecture-City X town" is omitted. 1-2-305 ”exists. On the other hand, the correct address code "○ prefecture △ city × town 1-2-B-
305 (building B, room 305) ", the building number" B "is omitted, and a different notation destination code" ○ prefecture △ city × town 1-2-3
05 ”exists. In this case, when a different notation destination code "○ prefecture △ city × town 1-2305" is given as the search key, the corresponding notation destination code is "○ prefecture △
"City x town 1-2 A-305" or "○ prefecture △ city x town 1-
2-B-305 ”cannot be automatically specified.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a mail processing device for specifying a normal notation destination code from different notation destination codes.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention reads address information on a mail item to generate an address code, correct address code and incorrect address code with missing characters, and correct address code to compensate for missing characters. And a destination code generated by referring to a destination information database that stores the correspondence between the mail address and the incorrect destination code. Further, it is characterized by the method of specifying the destination code by such a mail processing device.

[0008]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the mail processing apparatus of the first embodiment. The destination code generation unit 101 reads the destination information from the postal matter 100 by the image reading unit 104 and generates a destination code. Destination code identification processing unit 102
Performs destination code identification processing for the generated destination code. The destination code identification processing unit 102 refers to the destination information database 103 and uses the destination information read by the image reading unit 104 to perform the destination code identification process. The postal matter processing unit 105 determines the postal matter 100 according to the processing result.
Appropriate processing such as dividing

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a processing flow of the mail processing apparatus shown in FIG. In process 201, the destination code generating unit 101 causes the image reading unit 104 to read the postal matter 100.
A destination code is generated from the above destination information. Specifically, there are the following three cases. (1) Corresponding to the destination information represented by characters on the postal matter 100, a machine-readable coded destination information such as a bar code is attached and read and recognized. (2) Character recognition is performed on the destination information (address, address character) written on the postal matter 100 using the technique of optical character recognition. (3) A person reads the address information (address, address letter) written on the postal matter 100 and inputs it manually. As the processing method of the destination code generation unit 101, it is possible to combine the above three methods. For example, first, the method of (1) is applied, if the recognition fails, the method of (2) is applied, and if the recognition is still unsuccessful, the destination code is generated by the method of (3). Is.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the input information of the process 201 and the output information of the processed result. The destination code generator 101 uses the destination information 301 on the postal matter 100 or the destination information 302 converted into a bar code to generate the destination code 3
03 is generated and output. In this example, “○ prefecture △ city ×
From the character string "town" and the following information, the chome, street number,
The destination code 303 is generated by combining the code "1-2-305", which is the extracted number and the building / room information. The beginning part of the address information 303, “○ prefecture Δ city × town”, indicates the area name by a character string, but a code such as a postal code corresponding to this area may be generated. In the process 201, it is not necessary to generate all the destination codes 303. For example, if only the information up to the chome could be generated, the destination code 30
3 becomes “○ prefecture Δ city × town 1”, and in this case as well, the subsequent processing is advanced.

In the process 202 of FIG. 2, the destination code identification processing unit 102 determines whether the information corresponding to the destination code generated in the process 201 is the target of the destination code identification process. If the determination result is true (process 202Y), process 203
Is executed, and if it is false (process 202N), process 204 is executed.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the processing of the processing 202. Destination information database 103 used in this process
Stores a record having an orthographic and differently written destination code, and stores a notated record as a candidate of the notational destination code for the differently written destination code. The record is 103
It consists of 5 items a to 103e. 103a is ID information for specifying a record. 103b is a destination code. In 103c, related information corresponding to the destination code 103 is recorded. In the example of the record 103w, the character string of the resident representative name “xx xx” is described. In addition to the name, information such as company name or apartment name that supplements the destination code may be described. 103d is
The type of the corresponding destination code 103b (regular notation destination code or different notation destination code) is shown. If the destination code 103b of the record is a different notation destination code 103e,
It is information indicating a candidate of the corresponding correct notation destination code. In the example of the record 103y, the destination code 103b is "○ prefecture Δ city × town 1-2305", and since the letter A or B is missing, the destination code type 103d is different. This destination code "1-2 prefecture, city, town, 1-2-30
"5" is the correct notation destination code "1-2 prefectures, cities, cities, ○"
-A-305 "(record 103w), the part (building information) called" A- "is missing, or is also the notation destination code" ○ prefecture △ city × town 1-2-B-305 "
"B-" in (record 103x) (building information)
Is considered to be missing. Therefore, the IDs "112" (IDs indicating the records 103w) and "11" indicating the records indicating the two correct notation destination code information.
3 "(ID indicating the record 103x) is the candidate ID 103
e.

In process 202, the destination code 303 generated in process 201 is compared with the destination code 103b in the destination information database 103 to find a matching record in the destination information database 103. If the destination code type 103d of the record of the destination information database 103 obtained here is “different notation”, the determination result is true as the processing 202 is the destination code identification processing target, and otherwise, the determination result Becomes false. In the example of FIG. 4, the destination code 103b of the record 103y of the destination information database 103 matches the destination code 303, and the record 1
Since the destination code type 103d of 03y is "different", the result of processing 202 is true.

In step 203, destination code identification processing is performed. As a result, a destination code for processing the postal matter 100 is determined.

In process 204, the mail processing unit 105
The postal matter 100 is processed based on the destination code. The destination code is the destination code generated in process 201 if the determination result of process 202 is false, and the destination code determined in process 203 if the determination result of process 202 is true. The following is a specific example of the processing on the postal matter 100. (1) Perform classification processing. (2) The destination code is converted into a machine-readable format such as a bar code and attached to the postal matter 100.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the process 203 (destination code specifying process) in a further expanded form. In process 501, it is determined whether or not only one correct notation destination code can be determined. If the determination result is true, the process 203 is ended, and if false, the process 502 is executed. In the example of FIG. 4, looking at the record 103y corresponding to the destination code 303 in the destination information database 103, the candidate ID 103e is 1
Since there are two numbers, 12, 113, only one cannot be determined and the determination result is false. If the content of the destination code 303 generated in the process 201 is missing the character "-prefecture * city * town 1
-2-B305 ", the corresponding information is the record 103z, and the candidate ID 103e is 1
Since it is one of 13, the determination result is true. If the judgment result is true, process based on the confirmed destination code 2
04 is performed. In process 502, the image reading unit 104 acquires image information of the address description surface of the postal matter 100. However, if the destination information read by the destination code generation unit 101 in the process 201 is the destination information 301 expressed in characters, the destination information 301 has already been read, so the process 5 is performed.
Skip 02. Barcoded destination information 30
In the case of 2, processing 502 is executed to read the destination information 301. In process 503, the image of the postal matter 100, the destination code, and the destination code candidate are displayed on the display device.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of the destination code identification processing unit 102 in the first embodiment. The destination code identification processing unit 102 uses the display device 102a.
And input device 102b and control device 102 for controlling them
c.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the processing of the processing 503. The following three pieces of information are displayed on the display device 102a. (1) Postal image area 701: processing 502 or processing 20
Image of destination description surface of postal matter 100 acquired in 1 (2) Destination code area 702: Destination code 303 generated in processing 201 (3) Destination code candidate area 703: Differently written destination code obtained from destination information database 103 Ordinal destination code candidate corresponding to 303.

In the example of FIG. 7, the destination code 30 shown in FIG.
From the contents “112” and “113” of the candidate ID 103e of the record 103y corresponding to 3, information of the record 103w (○ prefecture Δ city × town 1-2-A-305 XX XX),
Information of record 103x (○ prefecture △ city × town 1-2B-3
05 YY YYY) is displayed in the destination code candidate area 703. In the destination code candidate area 703, not only the destination code but also the contents of the related information 103c are displayed together. The related information in FIG. 7 is “XX in 103w”.
XX (addressee's name) "and" YY YYY in 103x "
(Recipient name) ”. By displaying this related information together with the destination code candidates, it is easy to select the correct destination code.

In step 504, the destination code candidate area 703 is displayed.
Information corresponding to the postal matter 100 is selected from. The operator looks at the postal image area 701 and the destination code area 702 on the display device 102a and selects the corresponding information from the destination code candidate areas 703. The selection is made via the input device 102b. In the example of FIG. 7, the third line (103x) in the destination code candidate area 703 is the relevant information, so this is selected. If applicable, the destination code candidate area 703
If not, select “Not applicable”. If “Not applicable” is selected, the process 204 is performed based on the destination code not present or the destination code 303 generated in the process 201.
If a value other than "Not applicable" is selected, the process 20 is performed based on the destination code 103b corresponding to the selected destination code candidate.
4 is performed. If “N / A” is selected, the process 204 is performed with no destination code, or the process 201
Whether to perform the process 204 based on the destination code 303 generated in step 1 depends on the operation mode of the entire system. Figure 7
In the destination code candidate area 703, the third line (103
When x) is selected, destination code 103 in 103x
b, that is, “○ prefecture Δ city × town 1-2-B-305” is the destination code for performing the process 204.

In the first embodiment, the destination code generation processing is performed after the destination code generation unit 101 generates the destination code. In addition to this, the destination code generation unit 10
The destination code specifying process may be performed during the process of 1. The second embodiment will be described below in which the destination code identifying process is performed during the process of the destination code generating unit 101.

FIG. 8 is an expanded block diagram showing the destination code generator 101 in the second embodiment. The image reading unit 104 reads the image of the postal matter 100, and the destination recognition unit 802 recognizes the destination based on the image. If it cannot be recognized, the destination is input manually in the destination input unit 803. The destination code identification processing unit 102a is provided in the destination input unit 803, and the destination code identification process is performed when the destination is input.

FIG. 9 shows the destination code generator 10 shown in FIG.
It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process of 1. This is a process in which the destination code generation process 201 of the first embodiment is expanded and shown. In process 901, the image reading unit 104 acquires the image information of the address description surface of the postal matter 100.
In process 902, the destination is recognized from the postal image acquired in process 901 and a destination code is generated. In this embodiment, a destination code such as the destination code 303 shown in FIG. 3 is generated. In process 903, it is determined whether the recognition of the destination has succeeded. If the result is true (process 903Y), process 201
Is terminated, and if it is false (process 903N), process 904 is executed. The criteria for this processing may vary depending on the processing policy of the mail processing system as a whole. Examples of true criteria are shown below. (1) Recognize all addresses and destinations (2) Recognize addresses and surnames of recipients (3) Recognize even addresses (4) Recognize even town names of addresses To be true. In process 904, the destination input unit 803
Performs address input processing.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the destination input unit 803 in the second embodiment. The destination input unit 803 includes a display device 803a, an input device 803b, and a control device 803c that controls them.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the process 904 (destination input process) in further expanded form. Process 110
In step 1, the image of the address information of the postal matter 100 acquired in step 901 is displayed on the display device 803a. In process 1102, the operator looks at the postal image displayed on the display device 803a and inputs the destination code from the input device 803b. Processing 20
In 3a, the destination code identification processing unit 102a performs the destination code identification processing. The contents of this process are basically the same as the above-mentioned processes 202 and 203, but the destination input process 904.
It differs in that it is executed in. For example, in process 1102, the destination code is “○ prefecture Δ city × town 1-2-305”
If the input is, the process 202 and the destination code identification process 203 are performed immediately after the input, and the destination code cannot be determined in the process 501. Therefore, in the process 503, the destination code candidates are displayed on the display device 803a. That is, the device (803a to 803c) used in the destination input process 904 performs the destination code identification process as it is.

The destination code generation unit 101 in the first embodiment may also perform the destination input process when the read destination information cannot be recognized. In that case, the destination input shown in FIG. The hardware of the unit 803 is required. The hardware that implements the destination code identification processing unit 102 shown in FIG. 6 and the hardware that implements the destination input unit 803 shown in FIG. 10 of the first embodiment may be performed by the same device. In this case, the display device 102a is the same as the display device 803a, the input device 102b is the same as the input device 803b, the control device 102c is the same as the control device 803c, and the destination is set by the hardware or the program in the control device 102c. Code identification processing unit 10
2 and the destination input unit 803 may be separated. Alternatively, the hardware of the destination code identification processing unit 102 and the destination input unit 80
The hardware of 3 may be separated. If the destination code identification processing unit 102 and the destination input unit 803 are the same device, there is one input device and one display device, which is advantageous in terms of operability for the operator. Further, when the hardware of the destination code identification processing unit 102 and the hardware of the destination input unit 803 are separated, there is a merit in the processing capability of the control device 102c and the control device 803c.

According to the first and second embodiments, the process 2
If the destination code generated in 01 is found to be a different notation destination code and there are a plurality of corresponding correct notation destination code candidates, by manually selecting the destination code that is considered to be correct through processing 502-504. The destination code is specified. According to this method, if the proportion of mail items that generate different address codes among the mail items that must be processed increases, the time required for manual selection increases, and it is possible that the desired mail processing speed cannot be achieved. To be Therefore, when there are a plurality of correct notation destination code candidates corresponding to the different notation destination code, the process may proceed as if the correct destination code could not be identified.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the processing of the processing 203 according to this method. In process 501, the process 5
Similar to 01, it determines whether or not only one correct notation destination code can be determined. If the determination result is true (Process 5
01Y) Process 1201 is executed, and if false (Process 501
N) The process 1202 is executed. Process 5 in process 1201
The destination code identified by 01 is used as the destination code used in the postal processing of process 204. In process 1202, the destination code used in the postal matter process of process 204 is “none” or “destination code 3 generated in process 201.
03 ". The process 204 is advanced based on the destination code specified here. For example, when it is specified that there is no destination code and the content of the process 204 is classification processing, processing such as classification into a classification port called reject is performed. Whether the destination code is “none” or “destination code 303 generated in step 201” in the process 1202 depends on the operation mode of the entire system.

[0030]

According to the present invention, the correct notation destination code can be specified from the different notation destination code by referring to the destination information database, and it is possible to perform advanced mail processing such as sorting processing.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a mail processing device according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a processing flow of the mail processing apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of input information of a process 201 and output information of a processed result.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating processing of processing 202 according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a further development of processing 203 (destination code identification processing).

FIG. 6 is a destination code identification processing unit 102 according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a process 503 (destination code identification process).

FIG. 8 is a destination code generation unit 10 according to the second embodiment.
It is a block diagram which expands and shows 1.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of a destination code generation unit 101 according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a hardware configuration diagram of a destination input unit 803 of the second embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a further expanded process 904 (destination input process).

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a destination code identification process according to the third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

101: Destination code generation unit, 102: Destination code identification processing unit, 103: Destination information database, 105: Mail processing unit

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Tomohiro Kumazawa 1-6-27 Shinsuna, Koto-ku, Tokyo Public information division, Hitachi, Ltd.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A device for processing postal matter, comprising: a destination code generator for reading destination information on the postal matter to generate a destination code; and a correct destination code and an incorrect destination code with missing characters. A destination information database that stores the correspondence with the correct destination code that makes up for the missing characters, and the destination code generated by referring to the destination information database is correct regardless of whether the destination code is the correct destination code or the incorrect destination code. A postal matter processing apparatus, comprising: a destination code specifying processing unit that outputs a destination code. 2. A device for processing postal matter, comprising: a destination code generator for reading the destination information on the postal matter to generate a destination code; and a correct destination code and an incorrect destination code with missing characters. Reference is made to a destination information database that stores correspondences with a plurality of correct destination code candidates that compensate for a missing character and stores related information that supplements the destination code for each of the plurality of correct destination code candidates. When the generated destination code is the incorrect destination code, the image information of the destination information, the destination code candidate and corresponding related information are displayed on the display device, and an input for selecting one of the destination code candidates is made. A postal code processing apparatus comprising: a destination code identification processing unit that outputs a selected destination code in response to an operation. 3. An apparatus for processing postal matter, comprising a destination code generator for reading the destination information on the postal matter to generate a destination code, and a correct destination code and an incorrect destination code with missing characters. A destination information database that stores correspondences with a plurality of correct destination code candidates that make up for the missing characters, and a destination code that corresponds when the destination code generated by referring to the destination information database is the incorrect destination code A postal matter processing apparatus having a destination code identification processing unit that is not provided. 4. A method of identifying a destination code by a mail processing device, wherein address information on a mail is read to generate a destination code, an incorrect destination code and a missing character and a missing character are missing. The destination code generated by referring to the destination information database that stores the correspondence with the correct destination code that complements the correct destination code outputs the correct destination code regardless of whether the destination code is the correct destination code or the incorrect destination code. How to specify the destination code. 5. A method for identifying a destination code by a mail processing device, wherein the destination information is read by reading the destination information on the mail, and the correct destination code and the missing character are incorrect and the missing character. The destination code generated by referring to the destination information database that stores the correspondence with a plurality of correct destination code candidates that complements each other and stores the related information that supplements the destination code for each of the plurality of correct destination code candidates is correct. If there is no destination code, the destination information, the destination code candidate and the corresponding related information are displayed on the display device, and the selected destination code is output in response to the input operation of selecting one of the destination code candidates. A method for identifying a destination code, characterized by: