WO2006011746A1

WO2006011746A1 - Mail processing system having automatic mail classifying device

Info

Publication number: WO2006011746A1
Application number: PCT/KR2005/002428
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yong-Soo Seo
Original assignee: Sp Systec, Ltd.
Priority date: 2004-07-28
Filing date: 2005-07-26
Publication date: 2006-02-02
Also published as: KR100531974B1; KR20040103798A

Abstract

Disclosed is a mail processing system for reading a peculiar code printed on a mail to automatically process mail-related works such as sending back at high speed. The system includes a mail envelope supply unit; a conveyor means for carrying a mail envelope from the mail envelope supply unit toward a loader; a reading means installed at a predetermined region of a mail envelope carrying path so as to read a peculiar code printed on a mail envelope; a bypass means for selectively bypassing the mail envelope, having passed through the reading means, from the conveyor means; and a control means for receiving an output signal of the reading means and classifying an envelope to be bypassed, the control means selectively operating the bypass means according to the classifying result.

Description

MAIL PROCESSING SYSTEM HAVING AUTOMATIC MAIL

CLASSIFYING DEVICE

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a mail processing system, and more particularly to a mail processing system for reading a peculiar code printed on a mail to automatically process mail-related works such as sending back at high speed. Background Art

[2] Generally, a peculiar code printed on an individual mail should be read and stored as a database so as to process mail-related works such as sending back. For this purpose, manual and automatic barcode systems are conventionally widely used.

[3] The manual barcode system is configured so that a peculiar code may be read when mail envelopes are manually arranged in any direction and then a barcode reader is positioned above any mail envelope. Data read one by one in such a manner is then stored and managed in PC.

[4] The automatic barcode system is an improvement of the manual barcode system.

The automatic barcode system is configured to execute a process of loading a suitable amount of mail envelopes in a feed stacker after mail envelopes are manually arranged in one direction, a process of carrying each mail envelope using a conveyor device to pass through a fixed barcode reader, and a process of reading a barcode when the mail envelope passes by the barcode reader and then storing the barcode in PC.

[5] However, the conventional barcode systems require much time and human power to prepare for the reading process since mail envelopes should be manually arranged in any direction in advance, and there are also various problems.

[6] The manual barcode system is very slow to conduct its work, and many equipments and persons are needed for a lot of works since a barcode reader and a PC should be given to each worker. In addition, since persons should conduct the above procedures one by one, its efficiency is deteriorated as the working time goes.

[7] In case of the automatic barcode system, it is disadvantageous that an object to be read is limited to a one-dimensional barcode. In addition, a barcode may be read only when mail envelopes are carried at regular intervals or timing. Thus, if envelopes have different shapes or thicknesses to make several envelopes be adhered to each other and carried together, mail envelopes may be advanced at different speeds or a barcode may be hidden. Moreover, if a mail envelope is turned over or damaged by mistake in the arranging process, the mail envelope is piled in a loading box without its barcode read, resulting in error of calculating a total or causing a non-processed mail. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[8] The present invention is designed to solve the problems of the prior art, and therefore it is an object of the invention to provide a mail processing system capable of conducting a sending-back work at high speed by automatically bypassing a unread mail envelope from a conveyor.

[9] Another object of the invention is to provide a mail processing system capable of reading barcodes having various shapes, and storing an unread code image for further management.

[10] Still another object of the invention is to provide a mail processing system capable of conducting a reading process for both sides of a mail envelope so that prear- rangement is not needed.

[11] Further another object of the invention is to provide a mail processing system capable of classifying mail envelopes not treated in the mail envelope sealing or printing works for further actions.

[12] Still further another object of the invention is to provide a mail processing system that may store read data as a database and allow integrated management by sending the database to a corresponding host server through a network. Technical Solution

[13] In order to accomplish the above object, the present invention provides a mail processing system, which includes a mail envelope supply unit; a conveyor means for carrying a mail envelope from the mail envelope supply unit toward a loader; a reading means installed at a predetermined region of a mail envelope carrying path so as to read a peculiar code printed on a mail envelope; a bypass means for selectively bypassing the mail envelope, having passed through the reading means, from the conveyor means; and a control means for receiving an output signal of the reading means and classifying an envelope to be bypassed, the control means selectively operating the bypass means according to the classifying result.

[14] Preferably, the mail processing system of the present invention may further include a database for storing and managing read data; and an interface connected to a cor¬ responding network so as to transmit the read result to an external host server.

[15] Additionally, the mail processing system of the present invention may further include a sealer provided at a front end of the reading means to seal an envelope; and a printer for printing mail-related information with respect to a mail envelope being carried.

[16] The mail envelope supply unit preferably includes a carrying belt rotatably installed to supply a mail envelope to the conveyor means; a guide member for guiding the mail envelope to be loaded, the guide member having a lower edge spaced apart from an upper surface of the carrying belt by a predetermined gap; and an elastic member extended from the guide member toward the carrying belt so as to limit mail envelopes to be discharged one by one.

[17] Preferably, the reading means is a camera unit for photographing a peculiar code of an envelope.

[18] Preferably, there are provided a pair of reading means with a carrying surface being positioned therebetween in correspondence to both sides of a mail envelope being carried.

[19] The mail processing system of the present invention may further include a first sensor for sensing introduction of a mail envelope into a region corresponding to the reading means; and a second sensor for sensing a carrying state of an envelope.

[20] The bypass member preferably includes a flip member interposed into the carrying path of the mail envelope and selectively pivoted to open a lower discharge hole; and a solenoid for providing a pivoting force to the flip member.

[21] The conveyor means preferably includes a belt having inhalation holes formed therein at regular intervals in a length direction thereof, and the mail processing system may further include a support block supporting a lower surface of the belt over a pre¬ determined range and having an elongated hole corresponding to the row of inhalation holes; a chamber member having an inner space communicated with the elongated hole; and a suction means for providing a suction force into the chamber member so that a mail envelope is absorbed and fixed over the inhalation holes of the belt. Brief Description of the Drawings

[22] The following drawings depict preferred embodiments of the present invention for better understanding of the technical spirit of the present invention together with the detailed description of the invention set forth later, so the present invention should not be interpreted as limited to the drawings. In the drawings:

[23] FlG. 1 is a side view showing a mail processing system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[24] FlG. 2 is a side view showing a mail envelope supply unit of FlG. 1 in detail;

[25] FlG. 3 is a plane view showing a belt provided to a conveyor means of FlG. 1 ;

[26] FlG. 4 is a partial sectional view showing the conveyor means of FlG. 1 ;

[27] FlG. 5 is a side view showing a bypass member of FlG. 1 in detail; and

[28] FlG. 6 is a block diagram showing configuration for reading and processing code data. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[29] The present invention will be described in detail referring to the drawings. the terms used should not be construed as limited to general and dictionary meanings but based on the meanings and concepts of the invention on the basis of the principle that the inventor is allowed to define terms appropriate for the best explanation. Therefore, the descriptionherein the scope of the inventiont be understood that other and modi¬ fications could be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[30] FlG. 1 is a side view schematically showing a mail processing system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[31] Referring to FlG. 1, the mail processing system includes a mail envelope supply unit 10, a conveyor means 20 for carrying a mail envelope toward a loader 50, and a reading means 30 and a bypass member 40 installed in a certain region of the mail envelope carrying path.

[32] The mail envelope supply unit 10 gives a loading space of mail envelopes to be classified and treated, and also subsequently feeds mail envelopes to the conveyor means 20 one by one. Preferably, the mail envelope supply unit 10 includes a carrying belt 12 installed to rotate by means of the conveyor means 20, a guide member 11 installed above the carrying belt 12 at a predetermined height, and an elastic member 13 for limiting the number of mail envelopes 1 to be fed, as shown in FlG. 2.

[33] The guide member 11 for guiding sides of mail envelopes 1 to be loaded is installed so that its lower edge is spaced from the upper surface of the carrying belt 12 by a pre¬ determined gap, thereby forming an outlet for feeding.

[34] In addition, the elastic member 13, made of rubber plate as an example, includes a first elastic member 13a vertically extended from the guide member 11 toward the carrying belt 12, and a second elastic member 13b extended from the guide member 11 and bent along an advancing direction of the carrying belt 12. In this case, the first elastic member 13a primarily holds mail envelopes except a mail envelope loaded at a lowest position until the lowest mail envelope completely gets out of the outlet, and the second elastic member 13b secondarily blocks mail envelopes advanced against the first elastic member 13a so that mail envelopes are fed one by one. Here, the second elastic member 13b is preferably elastically biased toward the upper surface of the carrying belt 12 by means of a predetermined elastic member 15, in view of operation reliability.

[35] The conveyor means 20 is used for carrying mail envelopes, fed from the mail envelope supply unit 10 one by one, toward the loader 50 at a constant speed, and it preferably adopts a belt conveyor structure. This conveyor means 20 is preferably provided in plural and arranged at regular intervals, but it may be provided in single, not limited to the above case. In addition, the conveyor means 20 is not limited to the belt conveyor but may be modified in various ways. [36] Additionally, a predetermined roller unit (not shown) may be installed above the conveyor means 20 so that mail envelopes may be carried with being pressed on the belt.

[37] More preferably, inhalation holes 21a are formed in a belt 21 (see FlG. 3) of the conveyor means at regular intervals in a length direction, and a support block 22 having an elongated hole 22a corresponding to the inhalation holes 21a and a chamber member 23 connected to a predetermined suction means (not shown) corresponding to a vacuum device are provided to the lower surface of the belt 21 as shown in FlG. 4 so that mail envelopes are absorbed and fixed on the belt 21 by means of air suction.

[38] The support block 22 is installed to support the lower surface of the belt 21 over a predetermined range of the conveyor means 20, and the elongated hole 22a is formed in correspondence to the row of inhalation holes 21a in a length direction thereof. In addition, the chamber member 23 fixed to a lower portion of the support block 22 has an inner space 23a communicated with the elongated hole 22a and the inhalation holes 21a, and an inhalation tube 24 of the suction means is connected to its one side. According to the above configuration, air above the belt 21 is discharged through the inhalation holes 21a, the elongated hole 22a, the inner space 23a and the inhalation tube 24 in order by means of the inhaling force provided by the suction means, so that mail envelopes are absorbed and fixed on the belt 21.

[39] The reading means 30 is installed in a predetermined region of the mail envelope carrying path so as to read a peculiar code (e.g., a barcode) printed on the mail envelope. This reading means 30 preferably adopts a common digital camera unit, but it may adopt a common barcode reader, not limitedly. In particular, the digital camera unit may read not only a one-dimensional barcode but also a two-dimensional barcode, and it may also work even when OMR, OCR, Text, ICR or the like is printed on the mail envelope, so the digital camera unit is preferable as the reading means 30.

[40] Preferably, a pair of reading means 30 are arranged at both sides with a carrying surface of mail envelope being interposed between them so that a code of a mail envelope turned over may also be read. In this case, a predetermined transparent glass plate 31 is preferably provided between the pair of reading means 30 so as to give a carrying surface of mail envelopes.

[41] As an alternative, in case mail envelopes are fed with their front and rear surfaces being arranged, the reading means 30 may be arranged to only one of the carrying surfaces of mail envelopes.

[42] In particular, in case a digital camera unit is used as the reading means 30, a pho¬ tographing signal output from the camera unit is transmitted to a control means (not shown) provided with predetermined hardware and software, so that a code may be read through digital image processing. Here, in order to read a photographed peculiar code, a well-known barcode vision system executing image division, noise removal and decoding processing may be preferably used.

[43] Preferably, a first sensor 35, which is an optical sensor for sensing introduction of a mail envelope into a region corresponding to the reading means 30, may be provided adjacent to the reading means 30. The first sensor 35 senses that a mail envelope advances into a photographing area of the reading means 30 and transmits a sensing signal to the control means so as to determine an operating point of the reading means 30.

[44] Additionally, a second sensor 36, which is an optical sensor for sensing a carrying state of mail envelopes, may be further provided at the rear of the first sensor 35. The second sensor 36 senses length of mail envelopes or a carrying interval of mail envelopes so as to detect an error state such as an overlap of mail envelopes.

[45] Any mail envelope passing through the reading means 30 is selectively bypassed from the conveyor means 20 by means of the bypass member 40 interposed into its path. The bypass member 40 selectively opens a bypass inlet according to a command of the control means. Here, the control means selects a mail envelope to be bypassed through the above reading process, and then selectively operates the bypass member 40 according to the selection result.

[46] FlG. 5 shows a preferred example of the bypass member 40. Referring to FlG. 5, the bypass member 40 includes a flip member 40a interposed into a carrying path of mail envelopes and installed to pivot on its one side, and a solenoid 40b connected to a lower portion of the flip member 40a to give a pivoting force thereto. In this bypass member 40, when a bypass command is sent from the control means, a shaft of the solenoid 40b is advanced, and at this time the flip member 40a is pivoted upward to open a discharge hole at its lower portion so that a corresponding mail envelope is bypassed.

[47] Meanwhile, FlG. 6 shows configuration provided for reading both sides of a mail envelope, bypassing and succeeding data procedures according to the present invention.

[48] Referring to FlG. 6, the mail processing system of the present invention includes a first controller 55 and a second controller 56 corresponding to the pair of reading means 30 so that a peculiar code may be read regardless of turnover of mail envelopes. The first and second controllers 55, 56 corresponding to the aforementioned control means operate the corresponding reading means when the first sensor 35 senses in¬ troduction of a mail envelope.

[49] When a peculiar code is not properly read by both of the first and second controllers

55, 56, a bypass control signal is generated and transmitted to a driving unit 57 so that a driving signal is applied to the solenoid 40b of the bypass means 40. At this same time, read-related data processed in the first and second controllers 55, 56 is input into a monitoring PC 60 through a hub 58. Here, the monitoring PC 60 includes a database 60a for making read/unread related data input for each mail envelope in order into a database, and an interface 60b connected to a network to transmit read data to a cor¬ responding host server (e.g., a call center server).

[50] Hereinafter, operation of the mail processing system according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention is described on the basis of an example applied to a sending-back procedure.

[51] First, mail envelopes to be sent back are loaded in the mail envelope supply unit 10 in order. Then, if the carrying roller 12 is operated in this state, mail envelopes are fed to the conveyor means 20 one by one with limiting discharge of mail envelopes except a lowest mail envelope by means of the elastic member 13.

[52] While mail envelopes are subsequently carried toward the loader 50 by the conveyor means 20, the reading means 30 such as a camera unit photographs image of their peculiar codes. At this time, a pair of reading means 30 are installed to upper and lower positions with the transparent glass plate 31 being interposed between them so that images for both front and rear sides of the mail envelope may be photographed, and this photographing work is conducted in line with a sensing signal of the first sensor 35, generated when the mail envelope advances into a photographing area.

[53] The control means processes the photographed data transmitted from the camera unit and selectively operates the bypass member 40. In addition, the control means stores the read data in the monitoring PC 60. Here, in case a code is not read by both of the pair of camera units and it is determined as an error state, the control means outputs a signal for bypass operation selectively.

[54] The bypass driving signal output from the control means is transmitted to the solenoid 40b of the bypass member 40. When a driving signal is applied, the solenoid 40b advances its shaft so that the flip member 40a is pivot upward from the carrying surface of the mail envelope to open the discharge hole, thereby selectively bypassing the corresponding mail envelope.

[55] Such code reading, bypassing and succeeding data processing are subsequently and successively executed for each sending-back mail envelope.

[56] Additionally, the mail processing system of the present invention may be further provided with a sealer 70 installed to a front end of the reading means 30 to seal a mail envelope, and a printer 80 for printing mail-related information with respect to a mail envelope being carried so that various mail-related works are automated. The sealer 70 and the printer 80 may adopt ones used in common mail-related automated equipments, so they are described below in brief.

[57] The sealer 70 is used for pasting and sealing a cap of an envelope, and it executes the following behaviors. If an empty mail envelope is supplied from the mail envelope supply unit 10, the sealer 70 pulls the envelope using a predetermined pulling roller and then opens a cap of the envelope using a cap opening device, and then pastes the cap by operating a brush tool and closes the cap of the envelope by operating a closing tool, which is called a first adhering behavior. Then, the sealer 70 presses the envelope using a press roller, which is called a secondary adhering behavior.

[58] The printer 80 is used for printing a one-dimensional barcode, a two-dimensional barcode, OMR, OCR, Text, ICR and so on to a mail envelope. The printer 80 carries a mail envelope supplied via the sealer 70 with the use of roller or belt structure and at the same time measures a carrying speed using an encoder or the like, and then operates an inkjet device with a solution and an ink injection rate determined suitably for the speed so as to print mail-related information.

[59] The present invention has been described in detail. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. Industrial Applicability

[60] The mail processing system of the present invention as described above gives the following effects.

[61] First, since a mail envelope without its peculiar code being read may be auto¬ matically bypassed, it is possible to prevent generation of a non-treated mail during the mail printing work or the sending-back mail classifying work.

[62] Second, since the reading work may be conducted to both sides of a mail envelope, it may solve the inconvenience for arranging mail envelopes to be supplied.

[63] Third, since a code image unread may be stored as it is, it allows easy analysis of errors.

[64] Fourth, since read data may be made into a database and transmitted to a cor¬ responding host server via a network, it is possible to integrally check and manage mail processing status in real time.

[65] Fifth, since the mail reading and classifying work may be conducted at high speed and a large amount of mails may be successively processed, it is possible to improve work efficiency related to mails.

Claims

[1] A mail processing system, comprising: a mail envelope supply unit; a conveyor means for carrying a mail envelope from the mail envelope supply unit toward a loader; a reading means installed at a predetermined region of a mail envelope carrying path so as to read a peculiar code printed on a mail envelope; a bypass means for selectively bypassing the mail envelope, having passed through the reading means, from the conveyor means; and a control means for receiving an output signal of the reading means and classifying an envelope to be bypassed, the control means selectively operating the bypass means according to the classifying result.

[2] The mail processing system according to claim 1, further comprising: a database for storing and managing read data; and an interface connected to a corresponding network so as to transmit the read result to an external host server.

[3] The mail processing system according to claim 1, further comprising: a sealer provided at a front end of the reading means to seal an envelope; and a printer for printing mail-related information with respect to a mail envelope being carried.

[4] The mail processing system according to claim 1, wherein the mail envelope supply unit includes: a carrying belt rotatably installed to supply a mail envelope to the conveyor means; a guide member for guiding the mail envelope to be loaded, the guide member having a lower edge spaced apart from an upper surface of the carrying belt by a predetermined gap; and an elastic member extended from the guide member toward the carrying belt so as to limit mail envelopes to be discharged one by one.

[5] The mail processing system according to claim 1, wherein the reading means is a camera unit for photographing a peculiar code of an envelope.

[6] The mail processing system according to claim 1 or 5, wherein there are provided a pair of reading means with a carrying surface being positioned therebetween in correspondence to both sides of a mail envelope being carried.

[7] The mail processing system according to claim 1 or 5, further comprising: a first sensor for sensing introduction of a mail envelope into a region cor¬ responding to the reading means; and a second sensor for sensing a carrying state of an envelope.

[8] The mail processing system according to claim 1, wherein the conveyor means includes a belt having inhalation holes formed therein at regular intervals in a length direction thereof, wherein the mail processing system further includes: a support block supporting a lower surface of the belt over a predetermined range and having an elongated hole corresponding to the row of inhalation holes; a chamber member having an inner space communicated with the elongated hole; and a suction means for providing a suction force into the chamber member so that a mail envelope is absorbed and fixed over the inhalation holes of the belt.

[9] The mail processing system according to claim 1, wherein the bypass member includes: a flip member interposed into the carrying path of the mail envelope and se¬ lectively pivoted to open a lower discharge hole; and a solenoid for providing a pivoting force to the flip member.