JPH0975862A - Video coding system and sorting machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system in which when a wrong user code was input by an operator from a video coding terminal, the code can be corrected, and a sorting machine. SOLUTION: A user code right/wrong judgment part 36 has an address data base 37 which stores address-zip code data and compares a user code corresponding to a zip code or an address which is input from a video coding terminal with the data of the address data base 37 to judge whether the user code is right or wrong. When the user code is judged to be wrong by the judgment part 36, the user code and an image corresponding to the user code are distributed again to the terminal 4.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention, in a mail processing apparatus for reading a mailing address or postal code of a mailing article and classifying and processing the mailing based on the read mailing address or postal code, cannot read the mailing address or the postal code. For postal items, the operator inputs the user code corresponding to the address or postal code while visually observing the image displayed by the video coding terminal, and sorts the postal items according to the input contents. Video coding system and sorting machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional video coding system and sorting machine of this type, an entire image of a mail (reject mail) for which at least a part of an address or a postal code cannot be read is stored in a storage and distribution device. Once accumulated and distributed to each video coding terminal by this accumulation and distribution device, each video coding terminal displays the distributed image on the display screen, and the operator visually recognizes this display screen and responds to the address or zip code The user code is input, and the mail is sorted according to the input contents. This makes it possible to compensate for the limitations of the machine classification by the optical character reader.

[0003]

However, in this type of video coding system and sorting machine, when the user code entered by the operator at the video coding terminal is incorrect, the mail corresponding to this user code is sorted. There is a problem that it may not be possible.

An object of the present invention is to provide a video coding system and a classifier which can correct a user code input by an operator at a video coding terminal if the user code is incorrect.

[0005]

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention receives postal code and address information from a reading means for reading an image on a postal matter, and at least a part of the postal code or address. The image on the rejected mail that cannot be recognized by the distribution means is distributed to a plurality of video coding terminals according to the category of the image by the distribution means, and the user code corresponding to the postal code or address is distributed to the video coding terminals. In a video coding system for inputting and a sorting machine having this video coding system, an address database storing address and postal code data is provided, and the user code input by the video coding terminal is stored in the address database. User code correctness judgment hand to judge correctness by collating with data And a redistribution unit that redistributes this user code and the image corresponding to this user code to the video coding terminal when the user code correctness determination unit determines that the user code is incorrect. It is characterized by having.

[0006]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a mail processing system according to the present invention. This mail processing system comprises a reading / sorting machine 1 and a video coding system 2.

[0008] The reading and sorting machine 1 uses the address on the postal matter P,
This is a sorting machine that reads the postal code, recognizes the address and the postal code from the read contents, and classifies the postal matter P by the address, the postal code recognition result or the address and the postal code from the video coding system 2. A bar code corresponding to the recognition result is printed on the object P.

The reading and sorting machine 1 includes a supply unit 10, a scanner unit 11, a conveyance delay unit 12, a bar code printing unit 13, a sorting unit 14, a recognition unit 15, and a control unit 16.
And a reject data control unit 27.

The supply unit 10 is set, for example, in a state in which handwritten and printed type mail items are mixed, and supplies the set mail items P, ... One by one. The scanner section 11 is a photoelectric conversion section 11a for reading the entire image on the mail P fed by the feeding section 10 one by one.
Having. The conveyance delay unit 12 delays the conveyance of the postal matter P that has passed through the scanner unit 11. The bar code printing unit 13 prints a bar code corresponding to an address and a postal code on the postal matter P that has passed through the conveyance delay unit 12.

The sorting unit 14 addresses the postal matter P that has passed through the barcode printing unit 13 as the address, the postal code recognition result or the address from the video coding system 2 and the predetermined postal information corresponding to the postal code input result. Box number)
The postal matter P is classified based on. The recognition unit 15 recognizes the address and the postal code from the image from the photoelectric conversion unit 11a. The control unit 16 includes the supply unit 10 and the scanner unit 1.
1, the conveyance delay unit 12, the barcode printing unit 13, the sorting unit 14, and the recognition unit 15 are controlled.

The transport delay unit 12 is long enough to secure a time until information is obtained from the video coding system 2 for inputting an address and a zip code for the rejected postal matter P that cannot be recognized by the recognizing unit 15. (E.g., delay conveyance for 8 to 12 seconds). The transport sorting unit body 1a includes a supply unit 10, a scanner unit 11, a transport delay unit 12, a barcode printing unit 13, and a sorting unit 14.
It has a mechanism up to.

As shown in FIG. 2, the recognition section 15 includes an area detection section 21, a character line detection section 22, and a character detection section 23.
And a character / address recognition unit 24.

The area detector 21 includes a photoelectric converter 11a.
From the image supplied from, the shape, position, etc. of the area, address,
Detect the area where the zip code is written. The character line detection unit 22 detects a character line in which an address and a postal code in the area detected by the area detection unit 21 are described.
The character detection unit 23 detects and cuts out the characters of the character line detected by the character line detection unit 22 one by one, that is, detects and cuts out the character information corresponding to the address (postal code).

The character / address recognizing unit 24 converts the characters, which are detected and cut out, supplied from the character detecting unit 23 into characters / characters.
The address dictionary 25 has two types of reference patterns of characters, a reference pattern in a predetermined direction for each character and a reference pattern in a direction rotated 90 degrees with respect to the direction. In addition to recognition by the matching method, etc., reject data (discrimination of handwritten or printed characters / reject character information / recognition result of readable characters / words) and reject data according to the recognition result are generated.

The character / address recognizing section 24 is further adapted to distinguish between handwritten characters and printed characters, and to discriminate the writing direction of an address or a postal code. As a method for distinguishing between handwritten characters and printed characters, there is, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 64-1468.
This is carried out as described in JP-A-2. That is, a parameter that is a characteristic of the read character is extracted, and this parameter is compared with a reference value to distinguish between a handwritten character and a printed character.

The parameters are (1) character height, (2) character bottom position, (3) character width, (4) character pitch, (5) character area, and (6) line. Angle, (7) leftmost character position, and (8) line spacing.

Regarding the writing direction of the address and the postal code, the writing direction is determined by which of the two reference patterns for each character in the character / address dictionary 25 is used for recognition. For example, if a character is recognized by a reference pattern in a predetermined direction among the above two types of reference patterns, the character line detection unit 22 already knows the direction of the line. And the direction of the line determine the writing direction.

The reject data control unit 27 includes an image memory 26 in which an image supplied from the photoelectric conversion unit 11a is stored, and a reject attribute from the character / address recognizing unit 24 (discrimination / rejection of handwriting or print type). Character information / recognition result of readable characters / words), reject data according to the recognition result, and an image from the image memory 26 are output to the video coding system 2.

The video coding system 2 comprises an image distribution server 3 and a plurality of video coding terminals 4.

The image distribution server 3 receives reject attributes (discrimination of handwritten or printed characters / reject character information / recognition result of readable characters / words) supplied from the reject data control unit 27 and reject according to the recognition result. The category is determined according to the data and distributed (distributed) to the video coding terminals 4, ... Corresponding to this category. Examples of the category include handwritten horizontal horizontal writing, handwritten vertical horizontal writing, handwritten vertical vertical writing, print type horizontal horizontal writing, print type vertical horizontal writing, print type vertical vertical writing. ,
One digit of the zip code cannot be read, two or three digits of the zip code cannot be read, the town name can be read, the chome can be read, and the street address can be read.

As shown in FIG. 1, the image distribution server 3 has a memory control unit 31, an image memory 32, a video distribution control unit 33, a timing control unit 34, a desk input / output control unit 35, and a utilization. It is composed of a person code correctness determination unit 36 and an address database 37.

The memory controller 31 rejects the reject data from the reject data controller 27 and rejects data according to the recognition result (partially recognized zip code as recognition contents up to the middle of the image recognition unit 15). Also, the read image of the mail P is supplied, the reject data is output to the video distribution control unit 33, and the image is output to the image memory 26. Further, the memory control unit 31 is
The image stored in the image memory 32 is output to the corresponding video coding terminal 4 according to the distribution contents from the video distribution control unit 33. The image memory 32 is
The image supplied from the memory control unit 31 is sequentially stored.

The video distribution control unit 33 has an image classification management table 33a, a category classification table 33b, a distribution table 33c, and a timer 33d.

The image classification management table 33a manages the images distributed to each of the video coding terminals 4, ... As shown in FIG. 3, it is distributed to each of the video coding terminals 4 ,. The pattern number and category number of the displayed image are stored.

As shown in FIG. 4, the category classification table 33b classifies each category corresponding to each image supplied from the reading classifier 1, that is, each category number,
The pattern number assigned to each image is stored and managed. For each category number, a head index (a pointer for reading an image in the pattern number information section), a final index (a pointer for writing an image in the pattern number information section), and a pattern number assigned to each image are stored. It consists of a pattern number information section.

As a result, the video distribution control unit 33 determines the category based on the reject attribute and the recognition result supplied when the image distribution is stored in the image memory 32, and each image is stored in the storage area of the corresponding category number of the category classification table 33b. The pattern number assigned to each image is stored, the pattern number is deleted from the storage area of the corresponding category number when the image is distributed, and the pattern number read from the image classification management table 33a at the start of the redistribution processing. Is stored in the storage area corresponding to the corresponding category number in the category classification table 33b.

The distribution table 33c is a table in which the processing categories of the respective video coding terminals 4, ... Are stored in advance.
In response to an instruction from, it is stored in advance when the power source (not shown) is turned on.

The timer 33d is used to detect that the input result from each video coding terminal 4, ... Is not individually supplied within a predetermined time (6 seconds).

The timing control section 34 outputs the time-out error signal from the desk input / output control section 35 to the video distribution control section 33 and reads the code corresponding to the address and postal code from the desk input / output control section 35. The data is output to the control unit 16 in the sorting machine 1. The desk input / output control unit 35 receives an input from the input unit 4b of each video coding terminal 4 and receives a time-out error signal from each video coding terminal 4.
The code corresponding to the address and the postal code from the input unit 4b is read via the timing control unit 34 in the control unit 1 in the sorting machine 1.
Output to 6.

The user code correctness determination unit 36 is connected to the video distribution control unit 33 and the address database 37. The address database 37 stores address and postal code data. Is connected to the video coding terminal 4, and the video coding terminal 4 gives a user code corresponding to a zip code or an address. The user code correctness determination unit 36 receives the user code from the video distribution control unit 33, compares the user code with the data in the address database 37, determines the correctness of the user code, and obtains the correctness determination result. It is given to the video distribution control unit 33.

The video coding terminal (VCD)
.., each of which is composed of an image display unit 4a such as a CRT and an input unit 4b such as a keyboard, and recognized by the image from the image memory 32, that is, an underline or the like, as a portion where the address and the postal code are recognized. The image is displayed on the image display unit 4a in a state in which it can be distinguished from the undisplayed portion, and the operator inputs the user code corresponding to the address and the postal code of the displayed image through the input unit 4b.
The user code corresponding to the address and the postal code input by the input unit 4b is given to the desk input / output control unit 35 and the video distribution control unit 33.

Each of the video coding terminals 4, ... Corresponds to an operator whose assigned category is determined, and images of the assigned category are distributed. That is, the video coding terminal 4, ...
, The images corresponding to the category numbers are distributed to each.

Next, the operation of the image distribution server 3 related to the case where the user code is given from the video coding terminal 4 to the video distribution control unit 33 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, it is judged whether or not it is the first distribution of the image information (step S1). If it is not the first distribution of the image information, the distribution destination is selected in step S2 and the image information is transferred to the video coding terminal. Send to (VCD) 4 (Distribution)
I do. If it is the first distribution of image information in step S1, the repeat counter is initialized and the distribution destination terminal map is initialized (step S3), and then the process proceeds to step S2.

Next, in step S4, the user code is received from the video coding terminal (VCD) 4, and the user code correctness determination unit 36 determines whether the user code is correct or not. This is performed by collating with the data of the base 37 (step S5). If the user code is correct, the image information corresponding to this user code is processed (step S6).

If the user code is incorrect in step S5, the distribution destination terminal map is updated and the repeat counter is counted up (step S7), and then it is determined whether the repeat counter value is larger than a predetermined value. Is determined (step S8). In step S8, if the value of the repeat counter is smaller than the predetermined value, the process returns to step S1. If the value of the repeat counter is larger than the predetermined value, the user code and the corresponding image information are discarded. Yes (step S9).

The distribution destination terminal map does not have to be updated in step S7. That is, when the user code is incorrect in step S5, the image information corresponding to this user code is placed in the standby state of the video coding terminal (V
CD) 4 may be redistributed again. Further, in this step S8, when the value of the repeat counter is larger than the predetermined value, the user code and the image information corresponding thereto need not be discarded.

[0039]

According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain a video coding system and a sorting machine which can correct a user code input by an operator at a video coding terminal when the user code is incorrect.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a mail processing system for explaining an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a recognition unit of a reading sorting machine in the mail processing system of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an image classification table of an image distribution server in the mail processing system of FIG.

4 is a diagram for explaining a category classification table of an image distribution server in the mail processing system of FIG.

5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the image distribution server in the mail processing system of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 reading / sorting machine 2 video coding system 3 image distribution server 4 video coding terminal 10 supply unit 11 scanner unit 13 barcode printer 14 sorting unit 15 recognition unit 16 control unit 31 memory control unit 32 image memory 33 video distribution control unit 34 timing control Part 35 Desk input / output control part 36 User code correctness determination part 37 Address database

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. An image on a rejected mail item, in which at least a part of the zip code or address is unrecognized, when the information of the zip code and the address is received from the reading means for reading the image on the mail item, and the image on the rejected mail item is classified into the category of the image. In the video coding system, the address and postal code data are stored in the video coding terminal in which the image is distributed to a plurality of video coding terminals according to the distribution means, and the user code corresponding to the postal code or address is input at the video coding terminal to which the image is distributed. A user code correct / wrong judgment means for checking whether the user code inputted by the video coding terminal with the data of the address database is correct, and the user code correct / wrong judgment means. If it is determined that the user code is incorrect, this user code Beauty video coding system characterized in that it has a re-distribution means for the distribution of the image corresponding to the user code again to the video coding device. 2. The video coding system according to claim 1, wherein the redistribution means sets a predetermined number of times of distributing the user code and an image corresponding to the user code. Coding system. 3. An image on a rejected mail item, in which at least part of the zip code or address is unrecognizable, when the zip code and address information is received from the reading means for reading the image on the mail item, and the image on the rejected mail item is classified into the image category. In the video coding system, the address and postal code data are stored in the video coding terminal in which the image is distributed to a plurality of video coding terminals according to the distribution means, and the user code corresponding to the postal code or address is input at the video coding terminal to which the image is distributed. A user code correct / wrong judgment means for checking whether the user code inputted by the video coding terminal with the data of the address database is correct, and the user code correct / wrong judgment means. When it is determined that the user code is incorrect, it is judged to be this error. Video coding system characterized in that to distribute the user code and the image corresponding to the user code to said video coding terminals other than the video coding terminal said sent the user code. 4. The video coding system according to claim 3, wherein the redistribution means sets a predetermined number of times of distributing the user code and an image corresponding to the user code. Coding system. 5. The video coding system according to claim 2 or 4, wherein the redistribution unit distributes the user code and an image corresponding to the user code when the number of distributions exceeds a predetermined number. A video coding system characterized by discarding a user code and an image corresponding to this user code. 6. A reading means for reading an image on a postal matter,
Recognition means for recognizing the postal code or address from the image read by the reading means, classification means for classifying the postal matter according to the address or postal code recognized by the recognition means, and at least one of the postal code or address A user who distributes an image on rejected mail that cannot be recognized by the department to a plurality of video coding terminals according to the category of the image by distribution means, and the video coding terminal to which the image is distributed corresponds to a zip code or address. In a sorting machine having a video coding system for inputting a code, an address database storing address and zip code data is provided, and the user code input by the video coding terminal is collated with the data in the address database. User code correctness determination means for determining correctness by using this And a redistribution unit for redistributing this user code and the image corresponding to this user code to the video coding terminal when the user code correctness determination unit determines that the user code is incorrect. Characterizing sorting machine. 7. The sorting machine according to claim 6, wherein the redistribution unit sets a predetermined number of times of distributing the user code and an image corresponding to the user code. . 8. A reading means for reading an image on a postal matter,
Recognition means for recognizing the postal code or address from the image read by the reading means, classification means for classifying the postal matter according to the address or postal code recognized by the recognition means, and at least one of the postal code or address A user who distributes an image on rejected mail that cannot be recognized by the department to a plurality of video coding terminals according to the category of the image by a distribution means, and the video coding terminal to which the image is distributed corresponds to a zip code or address. In a sorting machine having a video coding system for inputting a code, an address database storing address and zip code data is provided, and the user code input by the video coding terminal is collated with the data in the address database. User code correctness determination means for determining correctness by using this When the user code correctness determination means determines that the user code is incorrect, the user is sent to the video coding terminal other than the video coding terminal which has sent the user code determined to be incorrect. A sorting machine characterized by distributing a code and an image corresponding to this user code. 9. The sorting machine according to claim 8, wherein the redistribution means sets a predetermined number of times of distributing the user code and an image corresponding to the user code. . 10. The sorting machine according to claim 7, wherein the redistribution means uses the user code and the image corresponding to the user code when the number of times of distribution exceeds a predetermined number of times. A sorting machine characterized by discarding the person code and the image corresponding to this user code.