JPH0957210A - Postal matter processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a postal matter processor capable of efficiently executing coding processing with decreased key inputs. SOLUTION: This postal matter processor has a classifying machine which reads the images of the prescribed regions of postal matter, a discriminating section 20 which specifies the numerals of the images read by an optical character reader 12 of this classifying machine and a video coding system which is capable of displaying the numerals existing as the numeral strings including a prescribed number of the numerals and correcting and inputting the displayed numerals. As a result, the efficient coding processing of the rejected postal matter coinciding with the postal code numbers of the specific upper digits is made possible. Then, the efficiency of the coding processing is improved and the operator's fatigue is lessened.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention includes a video coding terminal device capable of displaying image information on a display device, additionally inputting predetermined image information, and printing the additionally input image information. When reading the address or zip code of the mail, and sorting the mail based on the classification information corresponding to the read address or zip code, the mail for which the address or zip code could not be read was displayed on the display device. The present invention relates to a mail processing device for an operator to input an address or a zip code while visually observing the entire image and to classify the mail based on the corresponding classification information.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Today, there is a mail processing apparatus that displays image information on a display device and can additionally input predetermined image information, and further uses a video coding terminal device capable of printing the additionally input image information. Being developed.

In this type of postal matter processing apparatus, for example, an address or postal code written on the postal matter is read by an optical character reader, and the postal matter is mailed by classification information corresponding to the read address or postal code. Sort by number or delivery area.

For a postal item whose address or postal code cannot be read, the entire image of the postal item read by the optical character reader is displayed on the display unit of the video coding terminal, and then displayed by the operator. The address or postal code is input, that is, coded, and the postal matter is classified according to the classification information corresponding to the postal code input by the coding. This coding process can be supplemented by the limitations of machine segmentation via the optical character reader.

[0005]

By the way, in a mail processing apparatus combined with a video coding system,
The data given to the mail rejected by the video coding terminal is only the zip code when sorting by the sending post office, but the delivery order or delivery area when sorting by the delivery post office. It will be the house display number subdivided based on the division.

This means that although the same video coding system is used, the input at the video coding terminal used in the delivery post office, that is, the number of keystrokes of each key of the keyboard, is different from the post office in the dispatch side. It is shown that it is increased several times to several tens of times as compared with that of the video coding terminal.

In this case, there is a problem that not only the number of processes per unit time is reduced but also the fatigue of the operator is increased. In addition, there is a problem that only a specific key of the keyboard is worn and causes an undesired phenomenon such as a local malfunction.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a mail processing apparatus with a video coding system which enables efficient coding processing and can reduce operator fatigue.

[0009]

The present invention has been made based on the above-mentioned problems, and specifies a reading means for reading an image of a predetermined area of a mail and a numeral of the image read by the reading means. However, the present invention provides a mail processing apparatus characterized by having display means for displaying numbers existing as a number string including a predetermined number of numbers.

Further, according to the present invention, the reading / reading means for reading the postal code written on the postal matter and the numeral of the postal code read by the reading means are specified and displayed as a numerical string as the postal code. There is provided a mail processing apparatus having display means and input means for inputting a change instruction for changing the number of digits displayed on the display means.

Further, according to the present invention, the reading means for reading the postal code written on the postal matter and the numeral of the postal code read by the reading means are specified and displayed as a numerical string as the postal code. Means, input means for inputting a change instruction for changing the number of digits displayed on the display means, and setting means for setting a change mode enabling the instruction for changing the number of digits by the input means. There is provided a mail processing apparatus characterized by the above.

Further, according to the mail processing apparatus of the present invention, there is provided a display means for displaying a predetermined number of numeral strings corresponding to the house display numbers subdivided on the basis of the delivery order or the delivery zone division of the mail. Provided.

Further, according to the mail processing apparatus of the present invention, a display means for displaying a predetermined number of number strings including a fixed-digit number string subdivided on the basis of the delivery order or delivery zone classification of the mail. Will be provided.

[0014]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a mail processing apparatus of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, a post office including a well-known optical character reading device described later, based on an address and a zip code written on a mail P read by the optical character reading device. Sorting machine 10 for sorting the postal matter P into a plurality of sorting pockets,
Each of the letters and numbers included in the address and the postal code of the postal matter P read by the optical character reading device described later of the sorting machine 10 is specified, and the postal matter P in which the respective letters and numbers are specified is For the rejected mail for which it is not possible to identify either the address or the postal code in the discrimination by the discriminating unit 20 which designates the classification pocket corresponding to the address and the postal code by referring to a dictionary not described in detail, and the discriminating unit 20 It is composed of a video coding system (VCS) 30 which is used for inputting an address or zip code by an operator, that is, a coding process.

The sorting machine 10 supplies a bar code or a management code given by the supply unit 11, the discrimination unit 20 or the video coding system 30, which supplies the arrived mail items to the optical character reading device 12 one by one. A well-known bar code printer unit 13 which is not described in detail, which is printed on the target mail item, and a plurality of compartment pockets 14a, 14b ... Corresponding to the house display numbers subdivided based on the delivery order or the delivery zone division Pocket 14
It has a sorting unit 14 including a plurality of transport mechanisms (not shown) for transporting postal items, and a control unit 16 for controlling each unit of the sorting machine 10. In addition, between the optical character reading device 12 and the bar code printer unit 13, the mail processing rejected by the discrimination unit 20 could not be specified by the coding process, that is, the discrimination unit 20 by the video coding system 30 described later. By inputting the postal code into the video coding terminal 31 which will be described later, the bar code printer unit 13 is guided to print the bar code corresponding to the house display number subdivided based on the delivery order or delivery zone classification. A conveyance delay unit 17 that delays mail items is arranged.

The discriminating unit 20 identifies the image information input by the optical character reading device 12 of the sorting machine 10 as a character or a number according to a predetermined routine, and from various characters and numbers. A well-known dictionary 22 in which the address and the postal code corresponding to the character string and the numeral string are stored, when there are characters or numbers that cannot be specified by the character specifying unit 21, and the characters or numbers specified by the character specifying unit 21. That is, the address and zip code are compared with the address or zip code stored in the dictionary 22, and if at least one of the numbers cannot be read, and the corresponding address or number does not exist in the dictionary, the optical type It has a reject instruction unit 23 or the like for instructing to reject mail items that have passed through the character reading device. There.

The video coding system 30 is a video coding system interface (VC) which receives reject information from the sorting machine 10 and the discriminator 20.
Storage device 3 for storing reject data supplied from the sorting machine 10 and the discrimination unit 20 via the S.I / F) 31 and the VCS I / F 31 while comparing the reject data with corresponding mail items.
2. The management code corresponding to the reject data accumulated in the accumulating device 32 or the bar code corresponding to the classification process data given to each reject mail by the input, that is, the coding process by the video coding terminal, which will be described later, is the target mail. A well-known bar code system interface (BCS / I / F) 35 for transmitting a predetermined instruction to the bar code printer unit 13 for printing on an object,
In order to perform a coding process on the rejected mail, the display includes a display device 36D that displays the entire image of the rejected mail that is rejected by the rejecting instruction part 23 of the determination part 20 and an input device 36E that can input characters or numbers. Multiple video coding terminals 36
.., and from the control unit 37 used for control of data transfer between the sorting machine 10 and the discrimination unit 20 or interruption from the video coding terminal 36, that is, setting of the effective digit number of the postal code, which will be described later. Composed.

The storage device 32 stores the reject data supplied from the sorter 10 and the reject instruction unit 23 of the discriminating unit 20 via the VCS I / F 31 in the video coding terminals 36 ... And the bar code system interface 35. It includes a storage / distribution device 33 and a video coding terminal 36 for distributing to each, and a disk array 34 for storing and comparing the reject data supplied to any one of the corresponding mail items.

The video coding system 30 is also typified by a control unit (for example, a control element such as SuperSPARC) via an internal bus 39 used for passing signals between the sorting machine 10 and the discriminating unit 20. C
PU) 37 and a main memory 38a and a display memory 38b interconnected with each other. Main memory 38a
Has a storage capacity of 112 megabytes, for example, and is used for storing a program for control described later with reference to FIG. 3 and temporarily storing data as the program is effective. The display memory 38b is
For example, the image data from the optical character reading device 12 corresponding to the address and the postal code of the postal matter rejected by the reject instruction section 23 of the discriminating section 20 or FIG.
And a video coding terminal 36 as shown in FIG.
The display screen data to be displayed on the image display unit 36D is temporarily stored.

Each of the video coding terminals 36, etc. is composed of an image display section 36D such as a CRT or a liquid crystal monitor and an input device 36E including a keyboard and a mouse, as will be described later with reference to FIG. The address and postal code of the rejected mail item supplied by the discrimination unit 20 are displayed.

At this time, the address and the postal code of the corresponding postal matter P are read by the optical character reading device 12 of the sorting machine 10 in the entire image display area 36a secured at a predetermined position of the image display section 36D. The read result is displayed.

Further, the postal code is fetched by the control of the control section 37 as a house display number subdivided based on the order of delivery or the division of delivery area, and the postal code display secured at a predetermined position of the image display section 36D. In the area 36b, at least the upper significant digit set by the digit number setting mode described later with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 is recognized in a state of being fixed to the designated digit number when the processing is started. Is displayed in a state in which it can be distinguished from the part that has not been recognized.
Therefore, the sorting machine 1 is displayed in the postal code display area 36b.
The zip code including the fixed upper significant digit is displayed regardless of the reading result read by the optical character reader 12 of 0. The postal code displayed in the postal code display area 36b is the input device 3 including the keyboard and the mouse.
Needless to say, 6E can correct any digit at any time.

The operation of the mail processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 will be described below. An "arrival mail" from another station, that is, a post office, is usually delivered to the delivery post office in a state in which a predetermined high-order digit of the postal code, for example, the high-order 3 digits is matched.

The arrived postal matter P is set in the sorting machine 10 and is supplied to the optical character reading device 12 one by one through the feeding part 11 of the sorting machine 10 to be sent to the optical character reading device 12.
The image of the area including the address and the postal code is read via and is transferred to the determination unit 20 as image data.

Next, the discriminating unit 20 identifies the character or character string and the numeral or numeral sequence corresponding to the address and the postal code from the image data transferred to the discriminating unit 20. Here, at least one numeral in the numeral string that can be distinguished from the postal code is unidentifiable, and is rejected as rejected mail by the instruction of the reject instruction unit 23, and is not shown in the figure of the sorting machine 10 determined in advance. Transported to the reject sorting pocket. A unique management number set according to a predetermined rule is given to the rejected postal matter. Further, the image data of the rejected mail is sent to the disk array 34 of the storage device 32 of the video coding system 30 via the video coding system interface 31 together with the management number.
It is accumulated in sequence.

On the other hand, the image data of the rejected mail is the video coding system interface 31.
Is output to the image display unit 36D of the video coding terminal 36. Note that, for at least the postal matter in which all the postal codes in the numerical string that can be distinguished from the postal code are specified, the corresponding classification of the classification unit 14 is performed based on the classification information registered in the memory of the determination unit 20 not described in detail. Divided into pockets.

As shown in FIG. 2, the image data output to the image display unit 36D of the video coding terminal 36 is divided into the entire image of the area including the address and the postal code of the postal matter P and the postal code. It is displayed in the state where it was displayed. Here, in the postal code display area 36b, regardless of the reading result read by the optical character reading device 12 of the sorting machine 10, by the control of the control unit 37 based on the input from the operator by the input device 36E including the keyboard. , The postal code including the fixed upper significant digit is displayed, and any digit is corrected at any time, if necessary. The number of upper significant digits and the data input as the significant digits are stored in, for example, an HDD (hard disk device) 40 connected to the control unit 37 via an internal bus 39 and having a storage capacity of 1 gigabyte. It The number of significant digits stored in the HDD 40 and the number corresponding to each digit are read by a known resume function when the power of the mail processing apparatus 1 is turned on, and will be described later with reference to FIG. The image is displayed on the image display unit 36D so that

On the other hand, the rejected mail items are given a management number and are sequentially stored in a reject sorting pocket (not shown) of the sorting machine 10 and, at the same time, a storage device 32.
Since the management number corresponding to the image data of the postal matter is stored in, the coding process for the rejected postal item can be post-processed offline.

FIG. 2 shows a display example of the image display section 36D of the video coding terminals 36 ... Of the video coding system 30 incorporated in the mail processing apparatus shown in FIG.

Referring to FIG. 2, as already explained,
The image of the area including the address and the postal code is read by the optical character reading device 12 of the sorting machine 10, and the mail P is rejected by the reject instruction unit 23 of the determination unit 20.
And the postal code are set in the entire image display area 36a and the postal code display area 36b secured at predetermined positions of the image display section 36D by at least the digit number setting mode described later with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. The upper significant digits are fixed to the designated number when the processing is started, and the recognized portion and the unrecognized portion are displayed in a distinguishable state. Therefore, the optical character reader 1 of the sorting machine 10 is displayed in the postal code display area 36b.
The zip code including the fixed upper significant digit is displayed regardless of the reading result read by 2. The postal code displayed in the postal code display area 36b is formed so that any digit can be corrected at any time under the control of the control unit 37 in response to an instruction from the input device 36E including a keyboard.

FIG. 3 shows steps for changing the number of significant digits in the postal code display area 36b displayed on the image display section 36D of the video coding terminal 36 shown in FIG. .

Referring to FIG. 3, when the video coding system 30 is powered on (not shown), the upper digit of the postal code displayed on the postal matter P, for example,
Initialized with the information of the upper 3 digits fixed. In this case, the effective digit number of the upper digit is initialized in a state in which the digit number corresponding to the upper digit used in the immediately preceding classification process is held by the well-known resume function. As for the postal code data included in the number of significant digits, the data used for the immediately preceding classification process is held by the well-known resume function.

In this state, the postal code input mode, which is one of the functions of the video coding system 30, is set, and the whole image display area 36a and the postal code display area 36b of the input mode screen as shown in FIG. 4 are divided. Machine 10
The address and the postal code are read by an optical character reading device (not shown), and an image including the address and the postal code of the rejected mail rejected by the determination unit 20 and the read postal code are displayed. It As the display mode, for example, either an OCR (optical character reading device 12) information use mode that does not require correction input or a fixed value input display mode can be used, which is indicated by a display area 36α in FIG. Further, it can be arbitrarily changed at any time by a switching input unit described later (STP1), for example, via an input device such as a mouse (not shown).

When a mismatch between the zip code image displayed in the whole image display area 36a and the zip code displayed in the zip code display area 36b is recognized (STP2-YES),
By selecting the fixed value input display mode with the mouse of the input device 36E, the postal code displayed on the postal code display portion 36β is set to be correctable by the numerical keys (not shown) of the keyboard of the input device 36E, and the fixed input ( When a return key (not shown) of a keyboard (not shown) is turned on), rejected mail items are sorted into predetermined sorting pockets corresponding to house display numbers that are subdivided based on the delivery order or delivery division. In this case, since the upper digits of the postal code, for example, the upper 3 digits, are fixed in advance based on the delivery order or the delivery zone classification, as already described, the numerical string actually input by the operator is Taking FIG. 4 as an example, there are four digits of “0015”.
Further, the digit to be input and the fixed number of digits can be arbitrarily changed at any time as described below (STP3). If the operator checks that the postal code of the postal matter P rejected by the discrimination unit 20 and all the digits of the postal code displayed on the postal code display unit 36β match, the postal code The zip code displayed on the display unit 36β is fixedly input, and the normal sorting process is executed (STP2-NO).

By the way, when it is desired to fix up to the fourth digit of the postal code used in step STP3 (STP4-Y)
ES), in the display example shown in FIG.
The numerical value displayed on 6γ can be changed directly with the numerical keys on the keyboard (not shown) (STP5)
. When the number of significant significant digits is not changed (STP4-
NO), the display and classification processing of the postal code including the fixed part with a predetermined number of significant digits is continued.

[0036]

As described in detail above, according to the mail processing apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to perform efficient coding processing of rejected mails in which a specific higher-order postal code matches. This improves the efficiency of the coding process and reduces operator fatigue. Further, it is possible to prevent wear of a specific key of the input device, local malfunction, or the like.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of a mail processing device including a video coding system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a display example of an image display unit of a video coding terminal of the video coding system shown in FIG. 1 and an example of a mail object as an object.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of operation of the mail processing apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of display on an image display unit of the video coding terminal according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 ... Sorting machine 11 ... Supplying section 12 ... Optical character reader 13 ... Bar code printer section 14 ... Sorting section 16 ... Control section 17 ... Transport delay section 20 ... Discrimination section 21 ... Character specifying section 22 ... Dictionary 23 ... Reject instruction Part 30 ... Video coding system 31 ... Video coding system interface 32 ... Storage device 33 ... Storage distribution device 34 ... Disk array 35 ... Bar code system interface 36 ... Video coding terminal 36D ... Image display unit 36E ... Input device 36a ... Whole image display Area 36b ... Postal code display area 36α ... Display area 36β ... Postal code display section 36γ ... Effective digit number display section 37 ... Control section 38a ... Main memory 38b ... Display memory 39 ... Internal bus 40 ... HDD

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. A reading means for reading an image of a predetermined area of a mail piece, and a display means for specifying a numeral of an image read by the reading means and displaying a numeral existing as a numeral string including a predetermined number of numerals. And a mail processing apparatus. 2. The display means displays a predetermined number of numeral strings corresponding to house display numbers subdivided based on the order of delivery of mail or the division of delivery areas. Mail processing equipment. 3. The display means displays a predetermined number of digit strings including a digit string of fixed digits, which is subdivided based on the order of delivery of mails or the division of delivery areas. Postal processing equipment. 4. The mail processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the display means displays a number string of a predetermined number of a plurality of numbers of the mail read by the reading means. 5. The mail processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said display means displays a predetermined number of number strings of a plurality of numbers of the mail read by said reading means. 6. A reading / reading means for reading a postal code written on a postal matter and a numeral of the postal code read by the reading means are specified,
A postal matter processing apparatus, comprising: a display unit for displaying a number string as a postal code, and an input unit for inputting a change instruction for changing the number of digits displayed on the display unit. 7. The display means displays a predetermined number of number strings corresponding to house display numbers subdivided on the basis of the order of delivery of mail or the division of delivery areas. Mail processing equipment. 8. The display means displays a predetermined number of numeral strings including a fixed-digit numeral string that is subdivided based on the order of delivery of mail or the division of delivery areas. Postal processing equipment. 9. The mail processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the display means displays a number string of a predetermined number of a plurality of numbers of the mail read by the reading means. 10. The mail processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said display means displays a predetermined number string of a plurality of numerals read by said reading means. 11. A reading means for reading a postal code written on a postal matter and a numeral of the postal code read by the reading means are specified,
Display means for displaying as a number string as a postal code, input means for inputting a change instruction for changing the number of digits of the numbers displayed on this display means, and enabling the instruction for changing the number of digits by this input means A mail processing apparatus comprising: a setting unit that sets a change mode. 12. The display device according to claim 11, wherein the display device displays a predetermined number of number strings corresponding to the house display numbers subdivided based on the delivery order or delivery zone classification of the mail. Mail processing equipment. 13. The display means displays a predetermined number of digit strings including a fixed digit digit string that is subdivided based on the delivery order or delivery zone classification of mail. Postal processing equipment. 14. The mail processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said display means displays a predetermined number string of a plurality of numerals read by said reading means. 15. The mail processing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the display means displays a number string of a predetermined number of a plurality of numbers of the mail read by the reading means.