JPH0910696A

JPH0910696A - Mail handling equipment

Info

Publication number: JPH0910696A
Application number: JP7159275A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Tomohisa Hashimoto; 友久橋本; Yoshikatsu Nakamura; 好勝中村
Original assignee: Toshiba Corp
Current assignee: Toshiba Corp
Priority date: 1995-06-26
Filing date: 1995-06-26
Publication date: 1997-01-14

Abstract

(57)【要約】【目的】郵便物への押印、郵便物上の宛名情報の認識、
郵便物の仕分け等の郵便物に対する一連の処理が効率よ
く行える郵便物処理装置を提供する。【構成】自局発信の郵便物は、押印部５で消印を押す前
に、画像取り込み部４で郵便物上の全画像を取り込み、
その際、その郵便物に識別番号を付与し、郵便物の画像
はその識別番号とともに画像記憶部１０に記憶し、郵便
物そのものにはバーコードプリンタ６に搬送されたとき
に、その識別番号をコード化したバーコードを印刷し、
認識部１１では画像記憶部１０に記憶された画像をもと
に郵便物上の宛名情報の文字認識処理を行い、その認識
結果は認識コードファイル１４に記憶し、バーコードリ
ーダ７で郵便物上のバーコードを読み取って得られた識
別番号をもとに、認識コードファイル１４に記憶された
宛名情報等を検索して、その識別番号に対応した宛名情
報に基づき区分部８で対応の郵便物を仕分けする。 (57) [Summary] [Purpose] Stamping of mail, recognition of address information on mail,
(EN) Provided is a mail processing device capable of efficiently performing a series of processing on mail such as sorting of mail. [Structure] For postal matter sent by the local station, before stamping the postmark on the stamp section 5, the image capturing section 4 captures all images on the postal matter.
At that time, an identification number is given to the postal matter, and the image of the postal matter is stored in the image storage unit 10 together with the identification number, and when the postal matter itself is conveyed to the barcode printer 6, the identification number is given. Print the coded barcode,
The recognition unit 11 performs character recognition processing of the address information on the mail based on the image stored in the image storage unit 10, stores the recognition result in the recognition code file 14, and the bar code reader 7 detects the mail on the mail. On the basis of the identification number obtained by reading the barcode, the address information and the like stored in the identification code file 14 is searched, and the mail corresponding to the identification information corresponding to the identification number is sent by the sorting unit 8 Sort.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

【０００１】[0001]

【産業上の利用分野】本発明は、例えば、郵便物の所定
の位置に押印を行うとともに、その郵便物上の宛名情報
を読取って認識し、その認識結果をもとに仕分け区分を
行う郵便物処理装置に関する。BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is, for example, a mail for imprinting a predetermined position on a mail item, reading address information on the mail item for recognition, and sorting according to the recognition result. The present invention relates to a material processing device.

【０００２】[0002]

【従来の技術】郵便物の処理分野においては、連日大量
に送られてくる郵便物を限られた時間内に処理しなけれ
ばならない。そこで、郵便物の機械化が進められ、郵便
局員の負担の軽減が図られている。その一例として、次
のような郵便物処理装置がある。すなわち、従来の郵便
物処理装置では、まず、取り揃え押印機にて、郵便物上
の一部を光学的に画像として読取り、その読み取った部
分画像に基づき、その郵便物を一方向に取り揃え、所定
の位置に押印を行う。その後、さらに、自動読取区分機
において、郵便物上の全面画像を同様にして読取り、そ
の読み取った画像に対し、所定の画像処理を施し宛名の
記載領域を抽出し、その抽出された宛名記載領域の宛名
文字の認識を行って、その認識結果をもとに、郵便物を
複数の配達区分毎に区分するようになっている。2. Description of the Related Art In the field of processing mail, a large amount of mail sent every day must be processed within a limited time. Therefore, the mechanization of mail has been promoted, and the burden on post office staff has been reduced. As an example, there is the following mail processing device. That is, in the conventional mail processing apparatus, first, a sorting stamping machine optically reads a part of the mail as an image, and based on the read partial image, the mail is sorted in one direction and a predetermined size is set. Imprint the position of. After that, in the automatic reading and sorting machine, the entire image on the postal matter is read in the same manner, the read image is subjected to predetermined image processing to extract the address description area, and the extracted address description area is extracted. The mail address character is recognized, and the postal matter is classified into a plurality of delivery classifications based on the recognition result.

【０００３】[0003]

【発明が解決しようとする課題】このように、従来の郵
便物処理装置では、自動読取区分機における郵便物の宛
名情報の認識を行う前に、取り揃え押印機でその郵便物
に押印を行うため、例えば、取り揃え押印機で押印され
た消印が郵便物上に記載された宛名に重なると、自動読
取区分機における宛名情報の文字認識の際に、誤認識や
文字認識が不可能となる場合があった。As described above, in the conventional mail processing apparatus, before the automatic reading / sorting machine recognizes the address information of the mail, the sorting stamping machine stamps the mail. , For example, if the postmark stamped by the assortment stamping machine overlaps the address written on the postal matter, there may be a case in which erroneous recognition or character recognition becomes impossible at the time of character recognition of the address information in the automatic reading sorting machine. there were.

【０００４】また、自動読取区分機では、郵便物の搬送
とその郵便物上の画像認識とが同期的に行われるため、
郵便物処理装置の処理の低速化、高コストかつ大型にな
りやすいという問題点があった。Further, in the automatic reading / sorting machine, since the conveyance of the mail and the image recognition on the mail are performed in synchronization,
There are problems that the processing speed of the mail processing apparatus becomes slow, the cost is high, and the size tends to be large.

【０００５】さらに、従来の郵便物処理装置では、個々
の郵便物を同定する手段がないため、郵便物が取り揃え
押印機から自動読取区分機に送られる毎に、その郵便物
上の画像の読取り、画像処理をそれぞれ行う必要があっ
た。Further, in the conventional mail processing apparatus, since there is no means for identifying each mail, the image on the mail is read every time the mail is sent from the sorting and stamping machine to the automatic reading / sorting machine. It was necessary to perform image processing respectively.

【０００６】そこで、本発明は、郵便物への押印、郵便
物上の宛名情報の認識、郵便物の仕分け等の郵便物に対
する一連の処理が効率よく行える郵便物処理装置を提供
することを目的とする。Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a mail processing apparatus capable of efficiently performing a series of processing on mail such as stamping on mail, recognition of address information on mail, sorting of mail, and the like. And

【０００７】[0007]

【課題を解決するための手段】本発明の郵便物処理装置
は、郵便物を供給する供給手段と、この供給手段で供給
された郵便物の宛名情報の記載面の画像を取り込む画像
取込手段と、この画像取込手段でその宛名情報の記載面
の画像が取り込まれた郵便物に消印する消印手段と、前
記画像取込手段で取り込まれた画像をもとに、前記供給
された郵便物の宛名情報を認識する認識手段と、この認
識手段で認識された宛名情報をその郵便物固有の識別情
報に対応させて記憶する記憶手段と、前記供給手段で供
給された郵便物固有の識別情報をもとに、前記記憶手段
で記憶された宛名情報を検索する検索手段と、この検索
手段で検索された宛名情報に基づき、その宛名情報に対
応する郵便物を区分する区分手段とを具備している。SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A mail processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises a supply means for supplying mail and an image capturing means for capturing an image of a face on which address information of the mail supplied by the supply means is written. And a postmarking means for postmarking the mail on which the image of the address information description surface is captured by this image capturing means, and the supplied mailpiece based on the image captured by the image capturing means. Recognition means for recognizing the address information of the mail, storage means for storing the address information recognized by the recognition means in correspondence with the identification information unique to the mail piece, and identification information unique to the mail piece supplied by the supply means. A search means for searching the address information stored in the storage means on the basis of the address information, and a sorting means for sorting the mail corresponding to the address information based on the address information searched by the search means. ing.

【０００８】また、本発明の郵便物処理装置は、郵便物
を供給する供給手段と、この供給手段で供給された郵便
物の宛名情報の記載面の画像を取り込む画像取込手段
と、この画像取込手段でその宛名情報の記載面の画像が
取り込まれた郵便物に消印する消印手段と、前記画像取
込手段で取り込まれた画像をもとに、前記供給された郵
便物の宛名情報を認識する認識手段と、この認識手段で
認識された前記宛名情報をその郵便物固有の識別情報に
対応させて記憶する記憶手段と、前記供給手段で供給さ
れた郵便物の識別情報をもとに、前記記憶手段で記憶さ
れた宛名情報を検索する検索手段と、この検索手段で検
索された宛名情報に基づき、その宛名情報に対応する郵
便物を区分する区分手段と、前記検索手段で検索された
宛名情報をもとに、その宛名情報に対応する郵便物が他
局の管轄宛てのものと判断されたとき、前記記憶手段に
記憶されたその郵便物の宛名情報および識別情報を、そ
の宛名情報に対応する他局に送信する送信手段とを具備
している。Further, the mail processing apparatus of the present invention includes a supplying means for supplying the mail, an image capturing means for capturing an image of the address information description surface of the mail supplied by the supplying means, and this image. Postmark means for postmarking the postal matter in which the image of the address information description surface is captured by the capturing means, and the address information of the supplied postal matter based on the image captured by the image capturing means. Based on the recognition means for recognizing, the storage means for storing the address information recognized by the recognition means in association with the identification information unique to the mail piece, and the identification information of the mail piece supplied by the supply means. , Searching means for searching the address information stored in the storage means, sorting means for sorting the mail corresponding to the address information based on the address information searched by the searching means, and the searching means for searching Based on the address information When it is determined that the postal item corresponding to the address information of the postal item is destined for the jurisdiction of another station, the address information and the identification information of the postal item stored in the storage means are transmitted to the other station corresponding to the address information. And a transmission means for

【０００９】また、本発明の郵便物処理装置は、郵便物
を供給する供給手段と、この供給手段で供給された郵便
物の宛名情報の記載面の画像を取り込む画像取込手段
と、この画像取込手段でその宛名情報の記載面の画像が
取り込まれた郵便物に押印する押印手段と、前記画像取
込手段でその宛名情報の記載面の画像が取り込まれた郵
便物に、その郵便物の識別情報をコード化して記録する
コード記録手段と、前記画像取込手段で取り込まれた画
像をもとに、前記供給された郵便物の宛名情報を認識す
る認識手段と、この認識手段で認識された前記宛名情報
をその郵便物の識別情報に対応させて記憶する記憶手段
と、前記供給手段で供給された郵便物から、前記コード
記録手段でその郵便物上に記録されたコードを読み取っ
て、その郵便物の識別情報を獲得する識別情報獲得手段
と、この識別情報獲得手段で獲得された識別情報をもと
に、前記記憶手段で記憶された宛名情報を検索する検索
手段と、この検索手段で検索された宛名情報に基づき、
その宛名情報に対応する郵便物を区分する区分手段とを
具備している。Further, the mail processing apparatus of the present invention includes a supply means for supplying the mail, an image capturing means for capturing an image of the address information description surface of the mail supplied by the supplying means, and this image. The stamping means for imprinting the image of the address information description surface by the capturing means, and the mail matter in which the image of the address information description surface is captured by the image capturing means Code recording means for coding and recording the identification information of the mail, recognition means for recognizing the address information of the supplied mail based on the image captured by the image capturing means, and recognition by this recognition means. The storage means for storing the addressed information that has been stored in association with the identification information of the mail, and the code recorded on the mail by the code recording means from the mail supplied by the supply means. , The knowledge of the mail Identification information acquisition means for acquiring information, search means for searching the address information stored in the storage means based on the identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition means, and address searched by the search means Based on the information
And a sorting means for sorting the mail corresponding to the address information.

【００１０】また、本発明の郵便物処理装置は、郵便物
を供給する供給手段と、この供給手段で供給された郵便
物の宛名情報の記載面の画像を取り込む画像取込手段
と、この画像取込手段でその宛名情報の記載面の画像が
取り込まれた郵便物に押印する押印手段と、前記画像取
込手段でその宛名情報の記載面の画像が取り込まれた郵
便物に、その郵便物の識別情報をコード化して記録する
コード記録手段と、前記画像取込手段で取り込まれた画
像をもとに、前記供給された郵便物の宛名情報を認識す
る認識手段と、この認識手段で認識された前記宛名情報
をその郵便物の識別情報に対応させて記憶する記憶手段
と、前記供給手段で供給された郵便物から、前記コード
記録手段でその郵便物上に記録されたコードを読み取っ
て、その郵便物の識別情報を獲得する識別情報獲得手段
と、この識別情報獲得手段で獲得された識別情報をもと
に、前記記憶手段で記憶された宛名情報を検索する検索
手段と、この検索手段で検索された宛名情報に基づき、
その宛名情報に対応する郵便物を区分する区分手段と、
前記検索手段で検索された宛名情報をもとに、その宛名
情報に対応する郵便物が他局の管轄宛てのものと判断さ
れたとき、前記記憶手段に記憶されたその郵便物の宛名
情報および識別情報を、その宛名情報に対応する他局に
送信する送信手段とを具備している。Further, the mail processing apparatus of the present invention includes a supply means for supplying the mail, an image capturing means for capturing an image of the address information description face of the mail supplied by the supplying means, and this image. The stamping means for imprinting the image of the address information description surface by the capturing means, and the mail matter in which the image of the address information description surface is captured by the image capturing means Code recording means for coding and recording the identification information of the mail, recognition means for recognizing the address information of the supplied mail based on the image captured by the image capturing means, and recognition by this recognition means. The storage means for storing the addressed information that has been stored in association with the identification information of the mail, and the code recorded on the mail by the code recording means from the mail supplied by the supply means. , The knowledge of the mail Identification information acquisition means for acquiring information, search means for searching the address information stored in the storage means based on the identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition means, and address searched by the search means Based on the information
A sorting means for sorting the mail items corresponding to the address information,
Based on the address information retrieved by the retrieval means, when the mail item corresponding to the address information is determined to be for the jurisdiction of another station, the address information of the mail item stored in the storage means and And a transmitting means for transmitting the identification information to another station corresponding to the address information.

【００１１】また、本発明の郵便物処理装置は、郵便物
を供給する供給手段と、この供給手段により供給された
郵便物に郵便物固有の識別情報の有無を検出する識別情
報検出手段と、この識別情報検出手段により識別情報が
ないことが検出されたとき、郵便物の宛名情報の記載面
の画像を取り込む画像取込手段と、この画像取込手段で
その宛名情報が取り込まれた郵便物に対して消印する消
印手段と、前記画像取込手段でその宛名情報記載面の画
像が取り込まれた郵便物に、その郵便物固有の識別情報
をコード化して記録するコード記録手段と、前記画像取
込手段で取り込まれた画像をもとに、前記供給された郵
便物の宛名情報を認識する認識手段と、この認識手段で
認識された宛名情報をその郵便物固有の識別情報と対応
付けて記憶する記憶手段と、前記郵便物から前記コード
記録手段で記録されたコードを読みとって、その郵便物
固有の識別情報を獲得する識別情報獲得手段と、この識
別情報獲得手段で獲得された識別情報をもとに、前記記
憶手段で記憶された宛名情報を検索する検索手段と、こ
の検索手段で検索された宛名情報に基づき、その宛名情
報に対応する郵便物を区分する区分手段とを具備してい
る。Further, the mail processing apparatus of the present invention includes a supply means for supplying the mail, and an identification information detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of the identification information unique to the mail supplied by the supply means. When the identification information detecting unit detects that there is no identification information, the image capturing unit that captures an image of the face on which the address information of the mail is written, and the mail item whose address information is captured by the image capturing unit A postmarking means for postmarking, a code recording means for coding and recording identification information unique to the mail piece on the mail piece in which the image of the address information writing surface is taken in by the image taking means, and the image. Based on the image captured by the capturing means, the recognition means for recognizing the address information of the supplied mail, and the address information recognized by this recognition means are associated with the identification information unique to the mail. Memorize Means, identification information acquisition means for reading the code recorded by the code recording means from the mail, and acquiring identification information unique to the mail, and identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition means. Further, there is provided a searching means for searching the address information stored in the storage means, and a sorting means for sorting the mail corresponding to the address information based on the address information searched by the searching means.

【００１２】また、本発明の郵便物処理装置は、郵便物
を供給する供給手段と、この供給手段により供給された
郵便物に郵便物固有の識別情報の有無を検出する識別情
報検出手段と、この識別情報検出手段により識別情報が
ないことが検出されたとき、郵便物の宛名情報の記載面
の画像を取り込む画像取込手段と、この画像取込手段で
その宛名情報が取り込まれた郵便物を、消印の有無に応
じて振り分ける振分け手段と、この振分け手段により振
り分けられた消印のない郵便物に対して消印する消印手
段と、前記画像取込手段でその宛名情報記載面の画像が
取り込まれた郵便物に、その郵便物固有の識別情報をコ
ード化して記録するコード記録手段と、前記画像取込手
段で取り込まれた画像をもとに、前記供給された郵便物
の宛名情報を認識する認識手段と、この認識手段で認識
された宛名情報をその郵便物固有の識別情報と対応付け
て記憶する記憶手段と、前記郵便物から前記コード記録
手段で記録されたコードを読み取って、その郵便物固有
の識別情報を獲得する識別情報獲得手段と、この識別情
報獲得手段で獲得された識別情報をもとに、前記記憶手
段で記憶された宛名情報検索する検索手段と、この検索
手段で検索された宛名情報に基づき、その宛名情報に対
応する郵便物を区分する区分手段とを具備している。Further, the mail processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises a supply means for supplying the mail, and an identification information detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of the identification information unique to the mail supplied by the supply means. When the identification information detecting unit detects that there is no identification information, the image capturing unit that captures an image of the face on which the address information of the mail is written, and the mail item whose address information is captured by the image capturing unit A sorting means for sorting according to the presence or absence of a postmark, a postmarking means for postmarking unpostmarked mail items sorted by this sorting means, and an image of the address information description surface is captured by the image capturing means. Code recording means for coding and recording the identification information unique to the mail piece on the mail piece, and the address information of the supplied mail piece is recognized based on the image captured by the image capturing means. Recognizing means, storage means for storing address information recognized by the recognizing means in association with identification information unique to the mail piece, and reading the code recorded by the code recording means from the mail piece, Identification information acquisition means for acquiring identification information unique to mail, search means for searching the address information stored in the storage means based on the identification information acquired by this identification information acquisition means, and this search means Based on the retrieved address information, there is provided a sorting means for sorting the mail corresponding to the addressed information.

【００１３】また、本発明の郵便物処理装置は、外部装
置から郵便物の宛名情報と郵便物固有の識別情報とを受
信し、記憶しておく記憶手段と、郵便物を供給する供給
手段と、この供給手段により供給された郵便物に郵便物
固有の識別情報の有無を検出する識別情報検出手段と、
この識別情報検出手段により識別情報があることが検出
されたとき、郵便物からその郵便物固有の識別情報を獲
得する識別情報獲得手段と、この識別情報獲得手段で獲
得された識別情報をもとに、前記記憶手段で記憶された
宛名情報を検索する検索手段と、この検索手段で検索さ
れた宛名情報に基づき、その宛名情報に対応する郵便物
を区分する区分手段とを具備している。Further, the mail processing apparatus of the present invention includes a storage means for receiving and storing the address information of the mail and the identification information unique to the mail from an external device, and a supply means for supplying the mail. , Identification information detection means for detecting the presence or absence of identification information unique to the mail piece in the mail piece supplied by this supply means,
When the identification information detecting means detects that there is the identification information, the identification information acquiring means for acquiring the identification information unique to the mail piece from the mail piece and the identification information acquired by the identification information acquiring means are used. Further, there is provided a searching means for searching the address information stored in the storage means, and a sorting means for sorting the mail corresponding to the address information based on the address information searched by the searching means.

【００１４】また、本発明の郵便物処理装置は、郵便物
を供給する供給手段と、この供給手段により供給された
郵便物の宛名情報記載面の画像を取り込む画像取込手段
と、この画像取込手段でその宛名情報が取り込まれた郵
便物を自局発信の郵便物と他局発信の郵便物とに振り分
ける振分け手段と、この振分け手段により振り分けられ
た消印のない郵便物に対して消印する消印手段と、前記
画像取込手段でその宛名情報記載面の画像が取り込まれ
た郵便物に、その郵便物固有の識別情報をコード化して
記録するコード記録手段と、前記画像取込手段で取り込
まれた画像をもとに、前記供給された郵便物の宛名情報
を認識する認識手段と、この認識手段で認識された宛名
情報をその郵便物固有の識別情報と対応付けて記憶する
記憶手段と、前記郵便物から前記コード記録手段で記録
さえたコードを読み取って、その郵便物固有の識別情報
を獲得する識別情報獲得手段と、この識別情報獲得手段
で獲得された識別情報をもとに、前記記憶手段に記憶さ
れた宛名情報を検索する検索手段と、この検索手段で検
索された宛名情報に基づき、その宛名情報に対応する郵
便物を区分する区分手段とを具備している。Further, the mail processing apparatus of the present invention includes a supply means for supplying the mail, an image capturing means for capturing the image of the address information face of the mail supplied by the supplying means, and an image capturing means for capturing the image. The postal means that sorts the mail whose address information has been taken in by the inserting means is divided into the mail originating from its own station and the mail originating from other stations, and the postmarks for the non-postmarked mail distributed by this sorting means. Postmarking means, code recording means for coding and recording identification information unique to the postal matter on the postal matter in which the image of the address information description surface is taken in by the image capturing means, and the image capturing means for taking in the coded information. Recognition means for recognizing the address information of the supplied mail piece based on the received image, and storage means for storing the address information recognized by the recognition means in association with the identification information unique to the mail piece. , The above Identification information acquisition means for acquiring the identification information peculiar to the mail by reading the code recorded by the code recording means from the article, and the storage based on the identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition means It is provided with a searching means for searching the address information stored in the means, and a sorting means for sorting the mail corresponding to the address information based on the address information searched by the searching means.

【００１５】また、本発明の郵便物処理装置は、郵便物
を供給する供給手段と、この供給手段により供給された
郵便物の宛名情報記載面の画像を取り込む画像取込手段
と、この画像取込手段でその宛名情報が取り込まれた郵
便物を自局発信の郵便物と他局発信の郵便物とに振り分
ける振分け手段と、この振分け手段により振り分けられ
た消印のない郵便物に対して消印する消印手段と、前記
画像取込手段で取り込まれた画像をもとに、前記供給さ
れた郵便物の宛名情報を認識する認識手段と、この認識
手段で認識された宛名情報をその郵便物固有の識別情報
と対応付けて記憶する記憶手段と、前記供給手段により
供給された郵便物の識別情報をもとに、前記記憶手段で
記憶された宛名情報を検索する検索手段と、この検索手
段で検索された宛名情報に基づき、その宛名情報に対応
する郵便物を区分する区分手段とを具備している。Further, the mail processing apparatus of the present invention includes a supply means for supplying the mail, an image capturing means for capturing the image of the address information describing surface of the mail supplied by the supplying means, and this image capturing. The postal means that sorts the mail whose address information has been taken in by the inserting means is divided into the mail originating from its own station and the mail originating from other stations, and the postmarks for the non-postmarked mail distributed by this sorting means. The postmark means, the recognition means for recognizing the address information of the supplied mail item based on the image captured by the image capturing means, and the address information recognized by this recognition means for the mail item specific to the mail item. Storage means for storing the identification information in association with each other; search means for searching the address information stored in the storage means based on the identification information of the mail piece supplied by the supply means; Addressed to Based on the information, and a dividing means for dividing the mailpiece corresponding to the address information.

【００１６】また、本発明の郵便物処理装置は、郵便物
を供給する供給手段と、この供給手段で供給された郵便
物に郵便物固有の識別情報の有無を検出する識別情報検
出手段と、この識別情報検出手段により識別情報がない
ことが検出されたとき、郵便物の宛名情報の記載面の画
像を取り込む画像取込手段と、この画像取込手段でその
宛名情報が取り込まれた郵便物を、消印の有無に応じて
振り分ける振分け手段と、この振分け手段により振り分
けられた消印のない郵便物に対して消印する消印手段
と、前記画像取込手段でその宛名情報記載面の画像が取
り込まれた郵便物に、その郵便物固有の識別情報をコー
ド化して記録するコード記録手段と、前記画像取込手段
で取り込まれた画像をもとに、前記供給された郵便物の
宛名情報を認識する認識手段と、この認識手段で認識さ
れた宛名情報をその郵便物固有の識別情報と対応付けて
記憶する記憶手段と、前記郵便物から前記コード記録手
段で記録されたコードを読み取って、その郵便物固有の
識別情報を獲得する識別情報獲得手段と、この識別情報
獲得手段で獲得された識別情報をもとに、前記記憶手段
で記憶された宛名情報検索する検索手段と、この検索手
段で検索された宛名情報に基づき、その宛名情報に対応
する郵便物を区分する区分手段と、前記検索手段で検索
された宛名情報をもとに、その宛名情報に対応する郵便
物が他局の管轄宛てのものであるか否かを判別する判別
手段と、この判別手段で他局の管轄であると判別された
とき、前記記憶手段に記憶されたその郵便物の宛名情報
および識別情報を、その宛名情報に対応する他局に送信
する送信手段とを具備している。Further, the mail processing apparatus of the present invention comprises a supply means for supplying the mail, and an identification information detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of the identification information unique to the mail supplied by the supply means. When the identification information detecting unit detects that there is no identification information, the image capturing unit that captures an image of the face on which the address information of the mail is written, and the mail item whose address information is captured by the image capturing unit A sorting means for sorting according to the presence or absence of a postmark, a postmarking means for postmarking unpostmarked mail items sorted by this sorting means, and an image of the address information description surface is captured by the image capturing means. Code recording means for encoding and recording identification information unique to the mail piece on the mail piece and the address information of the supplied mail piece based on the image captured by the image capturing means Identification means, storage means for storing the address information recognized by the recognition means in association with identification information unique to the mail piece, and the code recorded by the code recording means from the mail piece, and reading the mail. Identification information acquisition means for acquiring identification information unique to an object, search means for searching the address information stored in the storage means based on the identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition means, and search by this search means Based on the address information obtained, the sorting means for sorting the mail item corresponding to the address information, and the address information searched by the searching means, the mail item corresponding to the address information is addressed to the jurisdiction of another station. And a discrimination means for discriminating whether or not it is the one of the mail, and when the discrimination means discriminates the jurisdiction of another station, the address information and the identification information of the postal matter stored in the storage means To information And a transmitting means for transmitting to the other station.

【００１７】[0017]

【作用】供給された郵便物の宛名情報の記載面の画像を
取り込み、その後、その郵便物が自局発信の郵便物のと
き、その郵便物に押印し、先に取り込まれた宛名情報の
記載面の画像に対しては、必要に応じて郵便物の宛名情
報を認識する処理を行い、その結果得られた前記郵便物
の宛名情報をその郵便物の識別情報に対応させて所定の
記憶手段に記憶しておき、さらに、通信回線を介して他
局から送信された前記郵便物の宛名情報も、その郵便物
の識別情報に対応させて前記記憶手段に記憶するよう制
御され、前記供給さらた郵便物の識別番号を獲得したと
きに、前記記憶手段に記憶された宛名情報を検索し、そ
の検索された宛名情報に基づき、その宛名情報に対応す
る郵便物を区分し、その宛名情報に対応する郵便物が他
局の管轄宛てのものと判断されたときは、さらに、前記
記憶手段に記憶されたその郵便物の宛名情報を、その宛
名情報に対応する他局に前記通信回線を介して送信する
ことにより、郵便物への押印、郵便物上の宛名情報の認
識、郵便物の仕分け等の郵便物に対する一連の処理が効
率よく行える。[Operation] When an image of the face on which the address information of the supplied postal matter is written is taken in, and when the postal item is a postal matter originated by the own station, the stamp is applied to the postal item and the address information previously taken in is described The image of the surface is subjected to a process for recognizing the address information of the postal matter as necessary, and the address information of the postal item obtained as a result is associated with the identification information of the postal item, and a predetermined storage means is provided. Further, the address information of the mail sent from another station via the communication line is controlled to be stored in the storage means in correspondence with the identification information of the mail, and the supply unit When the identification number of the mail item is acquired, the address information stored in the storage means is searched, and the mail item corresponding to the address information is classified based on the searched address information. Corresponding mail items addressed to the jurisdiction of other stations If it is determined that the address information of the mail stored in the storage means is further transmitted to another station corresponding to the address information via the communication line, a seal on the mail, It is possible to efficiently perform a series of processing for mail such as recognition of address information on mail and sorting of mail.

【００１８】[0018]

【実施例】以下、本発明の一実施例について図面を参照
して説明する。図１は、本実施例に係る郵便物処理装置
の構成を概略的に示したものである。図１の郵便物処理
装置は、例えば、郵便物をその配達区分の郵便局毎に区
分する郵便物処理を行う郵便局（受取局）において用い
られるもので、理想的には全国に散在する受取局に設置
されることが望ましい。また、各局に設置された図１の
郵便物処理装置は、適当な通信回線により接続され、そ
れらは、互いに通信可能となっている。An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 schematically shows the configuration of a mail processing apparatus according to this embodiment. The mail processing apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is used, for example, at a post office (reception office) that performs mail processing for classifying mail by the post office of the delivery section, and ideally, the mail is scattered all over the country. It is desirable to be installed in the station. Further, the mail processing apparatus of FIG. 1 installed in each station is connected by an appropriate communication line so that they can communicate with each other.

【００１９】各郵便局に収集された郵便物の束は、図１
の郵便物供給部１に供給されるようになっている。この
郵便物供給部１に供給される郵便物としては、例えば、
図２に示すように、郵便物Ａ、Ｂ、Ｃが考えられる。The bundle of mail items collected at each post office is shown in FIG.
The mail is supplied to the postal matter supply unit 1. Examples of the mail items supplied to the mail item supply unit 1 include:
As shown in FIG. 2, mail items A, B, and C can be considered.

【００２０】郵便物Ａは、郵便番号、宛名情報としての
住所氏名が記載され、切手が貼られているだけのもの
で、この郵便物Ａには、まだ消印されておらず、また、
後述するバーコードも印刷されていない。すなわち、自
局発信の郵便物である。The postal matter A is merely a postal code, an address and name as address information, and a stamp attached. The postal matter A has not been postmarked yet, and
The bar code described below is not printed either. That is, it is the mail sent from the own station.

【００２１】郵便物Ｂは、他の郵便局から発信された郵
便物で、消印されているが、後述のバーコードは印刷さ
れていない。郵便物Ｃは、他の郵便局から発信された郵
便物で、消印が押印され、しかも後述のバーコードも印
刷されている。The postal matter B is a postal matter sent from another post office and is postmarked, but the bar code described later is not printed. The postal matter C is a postal matter sent from another post office, and is stamped with a postmark, and a bar code described later is also printed.

【００２２】さて、郵便物供給部１に供給された郵便物
は、１枚ずつ取り揃え部２に送られ、ここで、その郵便
物上の部分的な画像を読み取って、所定の画像処理を行
い、郵便物の向きを修正するようになっている。その
際、その郵便物上の部分的な画像をもとに消印の有無も
検出できる。従って、消印が検出されたときは、その郵
便物は他局から発信の郵便物（図２の郵便物Ｂ、Ｃ）と
判断し、消印がないときは自局発信の郵便物（図２の郵
便物Ａ）と判断することができる。The postal matter supplied to the postal matter supply unit 1 is sent to the sorting unit 2 one by one, where a partial image on the postal matter is read and predetermined image processing is performed. , The direction of mail is corrected. At that time, the presence or absence of the postmark can also be detected based on the partial image on the mail. Therefore, when the postmark is detected, the postal matter is judged to be the postal matter sent from another station (postal items B and C in FIG. 2). It can be judged as the postal matter A).

【００２３】取り揃え部２で向きの修正が行われた郵便
物は、その後、バーコード検知部３あるいは画像取り込
み部４に搬送される。バーコード検知部３では、郵便物
からの反射光をもとに光学的にバーコードの検知を行う
ようになっている。ここで、バーコードが印刷されてい
ない郵便物、すなわち、自局発信の郵便物（図２の郵便
物Ａ）と他局発信の郵便物であるが、バーコードが印刷
されていない郵便物（図２の郵便物Ｂ）は、画像取り込
み部４に搬送され、バーコードの印刷された他局発信の
郵便物（図２の郵便物Ｃ）は、バーコードリーダ７に送
られるようになっている。The postal matter whose orientation has been corrected by the sorting section 2 is then conveyed to the bar code detecting section 3 or the image capturing section 4. The barcode detection unit 3 is adapted to optically detect the barcode based on the reflected light from the postal matter. Here, the postal items with no barcode printed, that is, the postal items sent by the local station (Postal item A in FIG. 2) and the postal items sent by other stations, but with no printed bar code ( The postal matter B) in FIG. 2 is conveyed to the image capturing unit 4, and the postal matter sent from another station (postal matter C in FIG. 2) on which the bar code is printed is sent to the bar code reader 7. There is.

【００２４】画像取り込み部４では、例えば、光学的読
取装置を用いて郵便物の宛名情報の記載面の画像を光学
的に取り込み、その際、その郵便物に識別番号（ＩＤ番
号）を与える。そして、識別番号が与えられた郵便物の
画像情報は、その識別番号と対応して画像記憶部１０に
記憶されるようになっている。The image capturing section 4 optically captures an image of the surface on which the address information of the mail is written by using an optical reading device, and gives an identification number (ID number) to the mail at that time. Then, the image information of the mail piece to which the identification number is given is stored in the image storage unit 10 in correspondence with the identification number.

【００２５】郵便物の宛名情報の記載面の画像を取り込
む際に各郵便物に対し付与される識別番号は、例えば、
その画像取込時に自動発番されるシルアル番号であって
もよい。その際、例えば、日本国内の郵便局で、本実施
例に係る画像処理装置により処理される対象の全ての郵
便物には、それぞれ異なる識別番号が付される。The identification number given to each mail when the image of the surface on which the address information of the mail is written is captured is, for example,
It may be a serial number automatically issued when the image is captured. At this time, for example, at a post office in Japan, all identification items to be processed by the image processing apparatus according to the present embodiment are given different identification numbers.

【００２６】さらに、識別番号が与えられた郵便物のう
ち、消印が押されている他局発信の郵便物（図２の郵便
物Ｂ）はバーコードプリンタ６に搬送され、消印が押さ
れていない自局発信の郵便物（図２の郵便物Ａ）は押印
部５に搬送されるようになっている。Further, among the postal items given the identification numbers, the postal items sent by other stations (Postal items B in FIG. 2) that have been postmarked are conveyed to the bar code printer 6 and are postmarked. An undelivered postal item (postal item A in FIG. 2) that has been sent to the station itself is conveyed to the stamp unit 5.

【００２７】押印部５で、郵便物の所定の位置に押印さ
れた郵便物は、バーコードプリンタ６に搬送される。バ
ーコードプリンタ６では、送られてきた郵便物に対し、
その郵便物につき与えられたＩＤ番号等の情報をコード
化したバーコードが印刷されるようになっている。尚、
バーコードプリンタ６では、バーコードを郵便物に対し
直接印刷するようにしてもよいし、またバーコードが印
刷されたシートを郵便物上に貼付するようにしてもよ
い。その後、その郵便物はバーコードリーダ７に搬送さ
れる。The postal matter stamped on the predetermined position of the postal matter by the stamping section 5 is conveyed to the bar code printer 6. With the bar code printer 6,
A bar code that encodes information such as an ID number given to the mail is printed. still,
In the barcode printer 6, the barcode may be directly printed on the mail item, or the sheet on which the barcode is printed may be attached to the mail item. Then, the mail is conveyed to the bar code reader 7.

【００２８】バーコードリーダ７では、バーコード検知
部３、バーコードプリンタ６から搬送されてきた郵便物
に印刷されたバーコードを読み取り、その後郵便物は、
区分部８に搬送されるようになっている。The bar code reader 7 reads the bar code printed on the postal matter conveyed from the bar code detecting section 3 and the bar code printer 6, and thereafter the postal matter is
It is adapted to be conveyed to the sorting section 8.

【００２９】尚、上記各部１〜８は、郵便物供給部１に
供給された郵便物に対して一連の処理が施されるよう、
その郵便物の搬送経路に沿って設けられている。一方、
画像取り込み部４で取り込まれた郵便物の画像は、前述
したように、画像記憶部１０に、その郵便物の識別番号
に対応させて記憶されているが、次に、その画像記憶部
１０に記憶されている郵便物の画像に対して処理を行う
各構成部について説明する。It should be noted that the above-mentioned respective units 1 to 8 are arranged so that a series of processing is performed on the postal matter supplied to the postal matter supply section 1.
It is provided along the transportation route of the mail. on the other hand,
The image of the mail item captured by the image capturing unit 4 is stored in the image storage unit 10 in association with the identification number of the mail item as described above. Each component that processes the stored image of the mail will be described.

【００３０】画像記憶部１０に記憶された郵便物の全面
画像は、まず、認識部１１に送信され、ここで、その画
像に対し所定の画像処理を施して、宛名知識辞書１２を
参照しながら、郵便物上に記載された郵便番号、宛名情
報の文字認識処理が行われる。その結果、宛名情報等の
認識が成功した郵便物の画像は、その郵便物に与えられ
た識別番号とともに、認識コードファイル１４に記憶さ
れる。一方、宛名情報等の認識が失敗した郵便物の画像
は、その郵便物に与えられた識別番号とともに、ビデオ
コーディング部１３に送信される。The entire image of the mail stored in the image storage unit 10 is first transmitted to the recognition unit 11, where the image is subjected to predetermined image processing and the address knowledge dictionary 12 is referred to. Character recognition processing of the postal code and address information written on the postal matter is performed. As a result, the image of the postal item whose address information or the like has been successfully recognized is stored in the recognition code file 14 together with the identification number given to the postal item. On the other hand, the image of the postal item whose address information or the like has failed to be recognized is transmitted to the video coding unit 13 together with the identification number given to the postal item.

【００３１】ビデオコーディング部１３では、認識部１
１から送信された画像をディスプレイ装置に表示して、
係員が、その表示された画像を目視して確認しながら、
キーボード等から正しい認識結果、すなわち、その郵便
物の宛名情報等を入力するようになっている。その入力
した宛名情報等は、認識コードファイル１４に、その郵
便物に与えられた識別番号とともに記憶されるようにな
っている。In the video coding unit 13, the recognition unit 1
Display the image sent from 1 on the display device,
While the clerk visually confirms the displayed image,
The correct recognition result, that is, the address information of the postal matter is input from the keyboard or the like. The input address information and the like are stored in the recognition code file 14 together with the identification number given to the mail piece.

【００３２】認識コードファイル１４では、前述のバー
コードリーダ７で郵便物上に印刷されたバーコードを読
み取った結果得られた郵便物の識別番号をもとに、その
識別番号に対応する宛名情報等の検索を行い、その検索
結果、すなわち、バーコードリーダ７から識別番号が提
示されて指示された郵便物の宛名情報が得られる。In the recognition code file 14, based on the identification number of the mail obtained as a result of reading the bar code printed on the mail by the above-mentioned bar code reader 7, the address information corresponding to the identification number is obtained. Etc., the search result, that is, the address information of the postal matter in which the identification number is presented by the barcode reader 7 and which is instructed is obtained.

【００３３】認識コードファイル１４における検索の結
果得られた郵便物の宛名情報をもとに、配達・道順情報
データベース１５に記憶された住所の町区、丁目といっ
た宛名情報に対応した配達の道順区分を検索して、その
検索結果を区分部８に通知するようになっている。Based on the address information of the mail obtained as a result of the search in the recognition code file 14, the delivery route classification corresponding to the address information such as the town district and the chome address stored in the delivery / route information database 15. And the search result is notified to the sorting unit 8.

【００３４】区分部８では、認識コードファイル１４か
ら通知された区分に基づき、バーコードリーダ７から搬
送されてきた郵便物を仕分けするようになっている。一
方、認識コードファイル１４における検索の結果得られ
た郵便物の宛名情報をもとに、配達・道順情報データベ
ース１５に記憶された住所の町区、丁目といった宛名情
報に対応した配達の道順区分を検索して、その検索結果
から、その郵便物が他局の管轄内宛てのものであると判
断されたときは、その他局の管轄宛てであると判断され
た郵便物の識別番号と、その郵便物の宛名情報等は認識
コードファイル１４から読み出され、通信部１６に送信
するよう制御されるようになっている。The sorting unit 8 sorts the mail items conveyed from the bar code reader 7 based on the classification notified from the recognition code file 14. On the other hand, based on the address information of the mail obtained as a result of the search in the recognition code file 14, the delivery route classification corresponding to the address information such as the town block and the chome address stored in the delivery / route information database 15 is determined. If it is determined that the postal matter is addressed to the jurisdiction of another station based on the search results, the identification number of the postal item that is determined to be addressed to the jurisdiction of the other station, and the mail The address information of the object is read from the recognition code file 14 and is controlled to be transmitted to the communication unit 16.

【００３５】通信部１６では、他局の管轄宛てであると
判断された郵便物の情報、すなわち、その郵便物の識別
番号と宛名情報等を、適当な通信回線を介して、その管
轄となる他局の郵便物処理装置の通信部１６に伝送する
ものである。In the communication section 16, the information of the postal item which is determined to be under the jurisdiction of another station, that is, the identification number and the address information of the postal item, is put under the jurisdiction over an appropriate communication line. It is transmitted to the communication unit 16 of the mail processing device of another station.

【００３６】通信部１６を介して受信された郵便物の情
報は、認識コードファイル１４に前述同様記憶されるよ
うになっている。次に、図３、図４に示すフローチャー
トを参照して、図１の郵便物処理装置の処理動作につい
て説明する。The information of the postal matter received via the communication unit 16 is stored in the recognition code file 14 as described above. Next, the processing operation of the mail processing apparatus of FIG. 1 will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

【００３７】まず、自局発信の郵便物、すなわち、図２
の郵便物Ａが処理対象の郵便物である場合について説明
する。その場合、まず、郵便物Ａの束を郵便物供給部１
に供給し（ステップＳ１）、そこから１枚ずつ取り揃え
部２に搬送され、ここで、その郵便物Ａ上の部分的な画
像を読み取って、所定の画像処理を行い、郵便物Ａの向
きを修正する（ステップＳ２）。その後、郵便物Ａは、
バーコード検知部３に搬送され、ここで、郵便物Ａ上に
印刷されたバーコードを検知するようになっているが、
郵便物Ａにはバーコードは印刷されていないので、その
まま画像取り込み部４に搬送される。First, the mail sent from the self station, that is, FIG.
The case where the postal matter A is a postal matter to be processed will be described. In that case, first, the bundle of the postal matter A is fed into the postal matter supply unit 1
(Step S1), and the sheets are conveyed one by one to the sorting section 2, where a partial image on the postal matter A is read, predetermined image processing is performed, and the orientation of the postal matter A is changed. It is corrected (step S2). After that, the mail A is
The bar code is conveyed to the bar code detecting section 3 and the bar code printed on the mail A is detected here.
Since the bar code is not printed on the postal matter A, the postal matter A is conveyed to the image capturing section 4 as it is.

【００３８】画像取り込み部４で、郵便物Ａ上の全面画
像を取り込むと、その郵便物Ａに識別番号を与える（ス
テップＳ３）。郵便物Ａの取り込まれた画像は、その識
別番号とともに、画像記憶部１０に記憶され、郵便物Ａ
そのものは、押印部５に搬送される。When the image capturing unit 4 captures the entire image on the mail A, the mail A is given an identification number (step S3). The captured image of the mail A is stored in the image storage unit 10 together with the identification number of the mail A.
The sheet itself is conveyed to the stamp unit 5.

【００３９】押印部５に搬送された郵便物Ａには、その
所定の位置に消印が押され（ステップＳ４）、さらに、
バーコードプリンタ６に搬送され、ここで、先にその郵
便物Ａに与えられた識別番号、その他の情報をコード化
したバーコードが印刷される（ステップＳ５）。The postal matter A conveyed to the stamp section 5 is stamped with a postmark at a predetermined position (step S4).
The barcode is conveyed to the barcode printer 6, where a barcode obtained by previously coding the identification number given to the mail A and other information is printed (step S5).

【００４０】バーコードが印刷された郵便物Ａは、次
に、バーコードリーダ７に搬送され、ここで、その郵便
物Ａに印刷されたバーコードを読み取る（ステップＳ
６）。さて、ステップＳ３で郵便物Ａ上の画像が取り込
まれた後は、郵便物Ａそのものに対する処理、すなわ
ち、ステップＳ４〜ステップＳ６の処理と、ステップＳ
３で取り込まれた郵便物Ａ上の画像に対する処理とは、
非同期に行われる。The postal matter A on which the bar code is printed is then conveyed to the bar code reader 7, where the bar code printed on the postal matter A is read (step S).
6). After the image on the mail A is captured in step S3, the process for the mail A itself, that is, the processes of steps S4 to S6 and step S6 are performed.
The processing for the image on the postal matter A captured in 3 is
It is done asynchronously.

【００４１】ここで、ステップＳ３で取り込まれた郵便
物Ａ上の画像に対する処理手順について説明する。ステ
ップＳ３で取り込まれた郵便物Ａ上の画像は、その識別
番号とともに画像記憶部１０に記憶されるが、その後、
まず、図４のステップＳ７に進み、必要に応じて、認識
部１１に送られ、ここで、その画像に対し所定の画像処
理を施して、宛名知識辞書１２を参照しながら、郵便物
Ａ上に記載された郵便番号、宛名情報の文字認識処理を
行う。Here, a processing procedure for the image on the mail A captured in step S3 will be described. The image on the mail A captured in step S3 is stored in the image storage unit 10 together with its identification number.
First, in step S7 of FIG. 4, the image is sent to the recognizing unit 11 if necessary, where the image is subjected to predetermined image processing, and the address knowledge dictionary 12 is referred to while the mail A is being sent. Character recognition processing of the postal code and address information described in is performed.

【００４２】宛名情報等の認識が成功した郵便物Ａの画
像は、その郵便物Ａに与えられた識別番号とともに、認
識コードファイル１４に記憶される（ステップＳ８、ス
テップＳ１０）。The image of the mail A for which the address information and the like have been successfully recognized is stored in the recognition code file 14 together with the identification number given to the mail A (steps S8 and S10).

【００４３】一方、宛名情報等の認識が失敗した郵便物
Ａの画像は、その郵便物に与えられた識別番号ととも
に、ビデオコーディング部１３に送られ、ここで、係員
により、その画像をもとに、郵便物Ａの宛名情報等の入
力が行われ（ステップＳ８〜ステップＳ９）、その入力
した宛名情報等は、認識コードファイル１４に、その郵
便物Ａに与えられた識別番号とともに記憶される（ステ
ップＳ１０）。On the other hand, the image of the mail A for which the recognition of the address information and the like has failed is sent to the video coding section 13 together with the identification number given to the mail, and the image is picked up by the attendant. The address information and the like of the postal matter A is input to (step S8 to step S9), and the input addressing information and the like are stored in the recognition code file 14 together with the identification number given to the postal matter A. (Step S10).

【００４４】ステップＳ７〜ステップＳ１０までの郵便
物Ａの画像に対する処理と、ステップＳ６までの郵便物
Ａそのものに対する処理が終了した後、ステップＳ６
で、郵便物Ａに印刷されたバーコードから読み取られた
郵便物Ａの識別番号をもとに、ステップＳ１１におい
て、認識コードファイル１４から、その識別番号に対応
する宛名情報を検索する（ステップＳ１１）。After the processing for the image of the postal matter A at steps S7 to S10 and the processing for the postal matter A itself at step S6 are completed, step S6
Then, based on the identification number of the postal matter A read from the bar code printed on the postal matter A, the address code information corresponding to the identification number is retrieved from the identification code file 14 in step S11 (step S11). ).

【００４５】ステップＳ１１での検索の結果得られた郵
便物Ａの宛名情報をもとに、配達・道順情報データベー
ス１５に記憶された内容から郵便物Ａの宛名情報に対応
する配達の道順区分を検索し、郵便物Ａが自局の管轄内
宛てのものか、他局宛てのものかの判断を行う（ステッ
プＳ１２）。Based on the address information of the postal matter A obtained as a result of the search in step S11, the route of delivery corresponding to the addressing information of the postal item A is determined from the contents stored in the delivery / direction information database 15. A search is performed to determine whether the mail A is for the own station's jurisdiction or another station (step S12).

【００４６】郵便物Ａが自局の管轄内宛てのものである
と判断されたときは、ステップＳ１３に進み、配達の道
順区分を検索した結果を区分部８に通知し、ここで、そ
の通知された区分に基づき、郵便物Ａを仕分けする。When it is determined that the postal matter A is to be delivered within the jurisdiction of its own station, the process proceeds to step S13, and the result of the retrieval of the delivery route segment is notified to the segmenting unit 8, where the notification is given. The mail A is sorted based on the sorted categories.

【００４７】一方、郵便物Ａが他局の管轄宛てのもので
あると判断されたときは、ステップＳ１４に進み、郵便
物Ａの宛名情報が区分部８に通知され、ここで、その通
知された宛名情報に基づき、郵便物Ａを仕分けする。こ
の場合、さらに、ステップＳ１５に進む。On the other hand, when it is determined that the postal matter A is destined for the jurisdiction of another station, the process proceeds to step S14, where the address information of the postal matter A is notified to the sorting section 8 and the notice is sent here. The mail A is sorted based on the address information. In this case, the process further proceeds to step S15.

【００４８】ステップＳ１５では、他局の管轄宛てであ
ると判断された郵便物Ａの識別番号と、その郵便物Ａの
宛名情報等は、通信部１６に送信され、それらを適当な
通信回線を介して、その管轄となる他局の郵便物処理装
置の通信部１６に伝送する。In step S15, the identification number of the mail A determined to be under the jurisdiction of another station, the address information of the mail A, and the like are transmitted to the communication unit 16 and are sent to an appropriate communication line. It is transmitted to the communication unit 16 of the mail processing apparatus of another station under its control.

【００４９】伝送先の郵便局内における郵便物処理装置
では、通信部１６を介して、ステップＳ１５で伝送され
た郵便物Ａの宛名情報等を受信すると、それらを認識コ
ードファイル１４に記憶する。In the mail processing apparatus in the post office of the transmission destination, when the address information of the mail A transmitted in step S15 is received via the communication unit 16, the information is stored in the recognition code file 14.

【００５０】次に、他局から発信された郵便物、すなわ
ち、図２の郵便物Ｂ、Ｃが処理対象の郵便物である場合
について説明する。その場合、自局発信の郵便物Ａの場
合と同様、郵便物の束を郵便物供給部１に供給し（ステ
ップＳ２０）、郵便物の向きを修正する（ステップＳ２
１）。Next, a case will be described in which the mail sent from another station, that is, the mails B and C in FIG. 2 are mails to be processed. In that case, as in the case of the mail A sent from the own station, the bundle of mail is supplied to the mail supply unit 1 (step S20), and the orientation of the mail is corrected (step S2).
1).

【００５１】その後、郵便物は、バーコード検知部３に
搬送され、ここで、郵便物上に印刷されたバーコードを
検知する（ステップＳ２２）。ここで、郵便物Ｂの場合
は、バーコードが印刷されていないので、その郵便物Ｂ
上に記載された宛名情報の文字認識処理を行う必要があ
り、従って、ステップＳ２３に進み、前述の郵便物Ａの
場合と同様に、画像取り込み部４で、郵便物上の全面画
像を取り込み、その郵便物に識別番号が与えられる。さ
らに、郵便物Ｂそのものは、他局発信の郵便物で消印が
押されているので、押印部５をスキップしてバーコード
プリンタ６に搬送され、ここで、先にその郵便物Ｂに与
えられた識別番号、その他の情報をコード化したバーコ
ードが印刷され（ステップＳ５）、ステップＳ６に進
む。Thereafter, the postal matter is conveyed to the bar code detecting section 3, where the bar code printed on the postal matter is detected (step S22). Here, in the case of the postal matter B, since the bar code is not printed, the postal matter B is
It is necessary to perform the character recognition processing of the address information described above. Therefore, the process proceeds to step S23, and the image capturing unit 4 captures the entire image on the mail item as in the case of the mail item A described above. An identification number is given to the mail piece. Further, since the postal matter B itself is postmarked by the postal matter transmitted from another station, the postal matter B is skipped over the stamp portion 5 and conveyed to the bar code printer 6, where it is given to the postal matter B first. A barcode obtained by coding the identification number and other information is printed (step S5), and the process proceeds to step S6.

【００５２】一方、ステップＳ２３で郵便物Ｂ上の画像
が取り込まれた後は、郵便物Ａの場合と同様、郵便物Ｂ
そのものに対する処理、すなわち、ステップＳ５〜ステ
ップＳ６の処理と、ステップＳ２３で取り込まれた郵便
物Ｂ上の画像に対する処理とは、非同期に行われる。On the other hand, after the image on the postal matter B is captured in step S23, the postal matter B is the same as the case of the postal matter A.
The processing for itself, that is, the processing of steps S5 to S6 and the processing for the image on the postal matter B captured in step S23 are performed asynchronously.

【００５３】ステップＳ２３で取り込まれた郵便物Ｂ上
の画像に対する処理手順は、郵便物Ａの場合と同様であ
る（図４のステップＳ７〜ステップＳ１０）。郵便物Ｃ
の場合は、他局発信でバーコードが印刷されているの
で、バーコード検知部３において、そのバーコードが検
知されると（ステップＳ２２）、そのままバーコードリ
ーダ７まで搬送されてステップＳ６に進む。The processing procedure for the image on the postal matter B captured in step S23 is the same as that for the postal matter A (steps S7 to S10 in FIG. 4). Mail C
In the case of, since the bar code is printed by the transmission from another station, when the bar code is detected by the bar code detecting section 3 (step S22), it is conveyed to the bar code reader 7 as it is and proceeds to step S6. .

【００５４】他局発信の郵便物Ｂ、Ｃの場合の以下の処
理は、自局発信の郵便物Ａの場合と同様である。特に、
他局発信で、しかも他局における郵便物処理装置により
処理された結果、バーコードの印刷されている郵便物Ｃ
の場合、認識コードファイル１４に記憶されている、郵
便物Ｃに関する情報は、その郵便物Ｃの発信元の郵便物
処理装置において施された前述のステップＳ７〜Ｓ１０
までの処理結果が、通信部１６を介して伝送されたもの
である。The following processing in the case of the mails B and C originated from other stations is the same as that in the case of the mail A originated from the own station. Especially,
As a result of being sent from another station and processed by the mail processing device at another station, the mail C with the barcode printed on it
In the case of, the information on the postal matter C stored in the recognition code file 14 is the above-mentioned steps S7 to S10 performed in the postal matter processing device of the sender of the postal matter C.
The processing results up to are transmitted through the communication unit 16.

【００５５】以上、説明したように、上記実施例によれ
ば、郵便物供給部１に供給された郵便物が自局発信の郵
便物Ａの場合、押印部５で消印を押す以前の過程で、画
像取り込み部４で郵便物Ａ上の全画像を取り込み、その
際、その取り込んだ郵便物Ａの画像と郵便物Ａそのもの
を同定するために、識別番号を付与して、郵便物Ａの画
像はその識別番号とともに、画像記憶部１０に記憶し、
郵便物Ａそのものには、バーコードプリンタ６に搬送さ
れたときに、その付与された識別番号をコード化したバ
ーコードを印刷し、郵便物Ａ上の宛名情報の文字認識処
理は、画像記憶部１０に記憶された画像をもとに、認識
部１１において行われ、その認識結果は認識コードファ
イル１４に記憶しておき、一方、画像取り込み部４でそ
の画像を取り込んだ後は、郵便物Ａそのものに対する処
理は、宛名情報の文字認識処理と非同期に行われ、バー
コードリーダ７で郵便物Ａに印刷されたバーコードを読
み取って郵便物Ａの識別番号を獲得したときに、その識
別番号をもとに認識コードファイル１４に記憶された宛
名情報等を検索して、その識別番号に対応した宛名情報
に基づき区分部８で対応の郵便物Ａを仕分けすることに
より、消印が宛名情報の文字認識の妨げとなることがな
くなり、また、各郵便物Ａに付与された識別番号によ
り、宛名文字認識処理と郵便物の区分処理が効率よく行
える。As described above, according to the above embodiment, in the case where the postal matter supplied to the postal matter supply section 1 is the postal matter A originated from the own station, in the process before the postmark is pushed by the stamp section 5. The image capturing unit 4 captures all the images on the postal matter A, and at that time, in order to identify the captured image of the postal matter A and the postal matter A itself, an identification number is added to the image of the postal matter A. Is stored in the image storage unit 10 together with its identification number,
When the mail A is conveyed to the bar code printer 6, a bar code that encodes the assigned identification number is printed, and the character recognition processing of the address information on the mail A is performed by the image storage unit. The recognition result is stored in the recognition code file 14 based on the image stored in the recognition unit 11, and the recognition result is stored in the recognition code file 14. The processing for itself is performed asynchronously with the character recognition processing of the address information, and when the bar code reader 7 reads the bar code printed on the postal matter A and obtains the identification number of the postal matter A, the identification number is set. Originally, the address information stored in the recognition code file 14 is searched, and the corresponding postal matter A is sorted by the sorting unit 8 based on the address information corresponding to the identification number. Prevents that would prevent character recognition of broadcast, and by the identification number assigned to each mailpiece A, bifurcation of the address character recognition processing and mail piece can be performed efficiently.

【００５６】また、郵便物供給部１に供給された郵便物
が他局発信でバーコードの印刷されていない郵便物Ｂの
場合、画像取り込み部４で郵便物Ｂ上の全画像を取り込
み、その際、その取り込んだ郵便物Ｂの画像と郵便物Ａ
そのものを同定するために、識別番号を付与して、郵便
物Ｂの画像はその識別番号とともに、画像記憶部１０に
記憶し、以後、郵便物Ｂそのものに対する処理は、宛名
情報の文字認識処理と非同期に行われ、バーコードリー
ダ７で郵便物Ｂに印刷されたバーコードを読み取って郵
便物Ｂの識別番号を獲得したときに、その郵便物Ｂの識
別番号をもとに、認識コードファイル１４に記憶された
宛名情報等を検索して、その識別番号に対応した宛名情
報に基づき区分部８で対応の郵便物Ｂを仕分けすること
により、宛名文字認識処理と郵便物の区分処理が効率よ
く行える。If the postal matter supplied to the postal matter supply section 1 is the postal matter B which is transmitted from another station and has no barcode printed, the image capturing section 4 captures all the images on the postal matter B, and At the time, the captured image of the postal item B and the postal item A
In order to identify itself, the identification number is given, and the image of the postal matter B is stored together with the identification number in the image storage unit 10. Thereafter, the processing for the postal matter B itself is the character recognition processing of the address information. When the identification number of the postal matter B is acquired by reading the barcode printed on the postal matter B by the barcode reader 7 performed asynchronously, the identification code file 14 based on the identification number of the postal matter B. By retrieving the address information stored in, and sorting the corresponding postal matter B in the sorting unit 8 based on the addressing information corresponding to the identification number, the address character recognition process and the postal item sorting process are efficiently performed. You can do it.

【００５７】また、郵便物供給部１に供給された郵便物
が、他局発信でバーコードの印刷されている郵便物Ｃの
場合、郵便物Ｃの発信元である他局から伝送されたその
郵便物Ｃの宛名情報等があらかじめ通信部１６を介して
受信されて認識コードファイル１４に記憶されていて、
バーコードリーダ７で郵便物Ｃに印刷されたバーコード
を読み取って郵便物Ｃの識別番号を獲得したときに、そ
の郵便物Ｃの識別番号をもとに、認識コードファイル１
４に記憶された宛名情報等を検索して、その識別番号に
対応した宛名情報に基づき区分部８で対応の郵便物Ｃを
仕分けすることにより、宛名文字認識処理と郵便物の区
分処理が効率よく行える。When the postal matter supplied to the postal matter supply unit 1 is the postal matter C having a bar code printed by the other station, the postal matter transmitted from the other station which is the originator of the postal matter C is transmitted. The address information and the like of the postal matter C is previously received through the communication unit 16 and stored in the recognition code file 14,
When the barcode printed on the postal matter C is read by the bar code reader 7 to obtain the identification number of the postal matter C, the identification code file 1 is obtained based on the identification number of the postal matter C.
By searching the address information stored in 4 and sorting the corresponding postal matter C in the sorting unit 8 based on the addressing information corresponding to the identification number, the address character recognition process and the postal item sorting process are efficient. You can do it well.

【００５８】さらに、郵便物の搬送とその郵便物上の宛
名情報の文字認識とが非同期的に行われるため、画像認
識処理の高速化さらに郵便物処理装置自体の小型化、低
コスト化が図れる。Further, since the conveyance of the mail piece and the character recognition of the address information on the mail piece are performed asynchronously, the image recognition processing can be speeded up, and the mail piece processing apparatus itself can be miniaturized and reduced in cost. .

【００５９】[0059]

【発明の効果】以上説明したように、本発明によれば、
郵便物への押印、郵便物上の宛名情報の認識、郵便物の
仕分け等の郵便物に対する一連の処理が効率よく行える
郵便物処理装置を提供できる。As described above, according to the present invention,
It is possible to provide a mail processing device capable of efficiently performing a series of processing on mail such as stamping on mail, recognition of address information on mail, sorting of mail.

[Brief description of the drawings]

【図１】本発明の一実施例に係る郵便物処理装置の構成
を概略的に示した図。FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of a mail processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

【図２】処理対象としての郵便物の具体例を示した図。FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a specific example of a mail piece to be processed.

【図３】処理動作を説明するためのフローチャート。FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a processing operation.

【図４】処理動作を説明するためのフローチャート。FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a processing operation.

[Explanation of symbols]

１…郵便物供給部、２…取り揃え部、３…バーコード検
知部、４…画像取り込み部、５…押印部、６…バーコー
ドプリンタ、７…バーコードプリンタ、８…区分部、１
０…画像記憶部、１１…認識部、１２…宛名知識辞書、
１３…ビデオコーディング、１４…認識コードファイ
ル、１５…配達・道順情報データベース、１６…通信
部。DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Mail supply section, 2 ... Sorting section, 3 ... Bar code detecting section, 4 ... Image capturing section, 5 ... Imprint section, 6 ... Bar code printer, 7 ... Bar code printer, 8 ... Sorting section, 1
0 ... Image storage unit, 11 ... Recognition unit, 12 ... Address knowledge dictionary,
13 ... Video coding, 14 ... Recognition code file, 15 ... Delivery / direction information database, 16 ... Communication section.

Claims

[Claims]

1. A supply means for supplying a mail item, an image capturing means for capturing an image of a surface of the mail address information written by the supplying means, and a description of the address information by the image capturing means. A postmarking means for postmarking the postal matter in which the image of the surface is captured, a recognition means for recognizing the address information of the supplied postal matter based on the image captured by the image capturing means, and this recognizing means. The storage means for storing the address information recognized in step 1 in correspondence with the identification information unique to the mail piece, and the address stored in the storage means based on the identification information unique to the mail piece supplied by the supply means. A mail processing apparatus comprising: a search means for searching information and a sorting means for sorting the mail corresponding to the address information based on the address information searched by the search means.

2. A supply means for supplying a mail item, an image capturing means for capturing an image of a surface of the mail address information described by the supplying means, and a description of the address information by the image capturing means. A postmarking means for postmarking the postal matter in which the image of the surface is captured, a recognition means for recognizing the address information of the supplied postal matter based on the image captured by the image capturing means, and this recognizing means. Based on the identification information of the postal matter supplied by the supply means, storage means for storing the address information recognized in
Searching means for searching the address information stored in the storage means; sorting means for sorting the mail corresponding to the address information based on the address information searched by the searching means; and the searching means for searching Based on the address information, when it is determined that the mail item corresponding to the address information is addressed to the jurisdiction of another station, the address information and identification information of the mail item stored in the storage means are changed to the address information. A mail processing device, comprising: a transmitting unit that transmits to another station corresponding to.

3. A supply means for supplying postal matter, an image capturing means for capturing an image of a surface of the postal information of the postal matter supplied by the supplying means, and a description of the address information by the image capturing means. A stamping means for imprinting the image of the surface on the mail piece, and a code for recording the identification information of the mail piece on the mail piece for which the image of the address information is written by the image capturing means. Code recording means, recognizing means for recognizing the address information of the supplied mail based on the image captured by the image capturing means, and the address information recognized by the recognizing means for the mail. Storage means for storing in correspondence with the identification information of, from the mail piece supplied by the supply means, by reading the code recorded on the mail piece by the code recording means,
Based on the identification information acquisition means for acquiring the identification information of the mail item and the identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition means,
A search means for searching the address information stored in the storage means; and a sorting means for sorting the mail corresponding to the address information based on the address information searched by the search means. Postal processing equipment.

4. A supply means for supplying postal matter, an image capturing means for capturing an image of a surface on which address information of the postal matter supplied by the supplying means is captured, and a description of the address information by the image capturing means. A stamping means for imprinting the image of the surface on the mail piece, and a code for recording the identification information of the mail piece on the mail piece for which the image of the address information is written by the image capturing means. Code recording means, recognizing means for recognizing the address information of the supplied mail based on the image captured by the image capturing means, and the address information recognized by the recognizing means for the mail. Storage means for storing in correspondence with the identification information of, from the mail piece supplied by the supply means, by reading the code recorded on the mail piece by the code recording means,
Based on the identification information acquisition means for acquiring the identification information of the mail item and the identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition means,
Searching means for searching the address information stored in the storage means; sorting means for sorting the mail corresponding to the address information based on the address information searched by the searching means; and the searching means for searching Based on the address information, when it is determined that the mail item corresponding to the address information is addressed to the jurisdiction of another station, the address information and identification information of the mail item stored in the storage means are changed to the address information. A mail processing device, comprising: a transmitting unit that transmits to another station corresponding to.

5. A supply means for supplying a mail piece, an identification information detection means for detecting the presence or absence of identification information unique to the mail piece on the mail piece supplied by the supply means, and the identification information by the identification information detection means. When it is detected that there is no mail, the image capturing means for capturing the image of the surface on which the address information of the mail is written, and the postmarking means for postmarking the mail for which the address information is captured by this image capturing means, Code recording means for encoding and recording identification information peculiar to the postal matter on the postal matter in which the image of the address information description surface is captured by the image capturing means, and the image captured by the image capturing means. Originally, a recognition means for recognizing the address information of the supplied postal matter, a storage means for storing the address information recognized by the recognition means in association with identification information unique to the postal matter, and the postal matter. From before Reading the recorded code in the code recording means, and identification information acquiring means for acquiring the mail piece identification information unique identification information obtained by the identification information acquisition means on the basis,
A search means for searching the address information stored in the storage means; and a sorting means for sorting the mail corresponding to the address information based on the address information searched by the search means. Postal processing equipment.

6. A supply means for supplying a mail piece, an identification information detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of identification information unique to the mail piece on the mail piece supplied by the supplying means, and the identification information by the identification information detecting means. When it is detected that there is no mail, the image capturing means for capturing the image of the face on which the address information of the mail is written and the mail for which the address information is captured by this image capturing means are sorted according to the presence or absence of the postmark. Sorting means, a postmark means for postmarking unpostmarked mail items sorted by this sorting means, and a mail matter in which the image of the address information description surface is captured by the image capturing means is unique to the mail matter. Code recording means for encoding and recording the identification information of the mail, recognition means for recognizing the address information of the supplied mail based on the image captured by the image capturing means, The storage means for storing the address information recognized in step 1 in correspondence with the identification information peculiar to the mail piece, and the code recorded by the code recording means from the mail piece to read the identification information peculiar to the mail piece. Based on the identification information acquired by the identification information acquisition means and the identification information acquisition means
A search means for searching the address information stored in the storage means; and a sorting means for sorting the mail corresponding to the address information based on the address information searched by the search means. Mail processing equipment.

7. A storage means for receiving and storing address information and identification information unique to a mail piece from an external device, a supply means for supplying the mail piece, and a mail supplied by this supply means. Identification information detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of identification information unique to a postal matter, and identification for obtaining identification information unique to the postal matter from the postal matter when the presence of the identification information is detected by the identification information detecting means Based on the information acquisition means and the identification information acquired by this identification information acquisition means,
A search means for searching the address information stored in the storage means; and a sorting means for sorting the mail corresponding to the address information based on the address information searched by the search means. Postal processing equipment.

8. A supply means for supplying a mail item, an image capturing means for capturing an image of a mail address information description surface supplied by the supply means, and this image capturing means for capturing the address information. Sorting means for sorting the postal matter into a postal matter originating from the own station and a postal matter originating from another station, a postmarking means for postmarking the non-postmarked postal matter sorted by the sorting means, and the image capturing means In the mail piece in which the image of the address information description surface is taken in, code recording means for coding and recording identification information unique to the mail piece, and based on the image taken in by the image taking means, Recognizing means for recognizing the address information of the supplied postal matter, storage means for storing the addressing information recognized by the recognizing means in association with identification information unique to the postal matter, and from the postal matter to the code recorder. In reading it was even recorded code, based on the identification information acquiring means for acquiring the mail piece identification information unique identification information obtained by the identification information acquiring means,
And a sorting means for sorting the mail information corresponding to the address information based on the address information searched by the searching means. Postal processing equipment.

9. A supply means for supplying postal matter, an image capturing means for capturing an image of the address information describing surface of the postal matter supplied by the supply means, and the address information for capturing by the image capturing means. Sorting means for sorting the postal matter into a postal matter originating from the own station and a postal matter originating from another station, a postmarking means for postmarking the non-postmarked postal matter sorted by the sorting means, and the image capturing means A recognizing means for recognizing the address information of the supplied postal matter based on the image captured in step (1), and a memory for storing the addressing information recognized by the recognizing means in association with identification information unique to the postal matter. Means, a searching means for searching the address information stored in the storage means based on the identification information of the mail piece supplied by the supplying means, and the address based on the address information searched by the searching means. Emotion Mail processing apparatus being characterized in that anda dividing means for dividing the mailpiece corresponding to.

10. A supply means for supplying a mail piece, an identification information detection means for detecting the presence or absence of identification information unique to the mail piece in the mail piece supplied by the supply means, and the identification information by the identification information detection means. When it is detected that there is no mail, the image capturing means for capturing the image of the face on which the address information of the mail is written and the mail for which the address information is captured by this image capturing means are sorted according to the presence or absence of the postmark. Sorting means, a postmark means for postmarking unpostmarked mail items sorted by this sorting means, and a mail matter in which the image of the address information description surface is captured by the image capturing means is unique to the mail matter. Code recording means for encoding and recording the identification information of the mail, recognition means for recognizing the address information of the supplied mail based on the image captured by the image capturing means, and the recognition means A storage unit that stores the recognized address information in association with the identification information unique to the mail item, and a code recorded by the code recording unit from the mail item to obtain the identification information unique to the mail item. Based on the identification information acquisition means and the identification information acquired by this identification information acquisition means,
Search means for searching the address information stored in the storage means, sorting means for sorting the mail corresponding to the address information based on the address information searched by the search means, and the address searched by the search means Based on the information, the determination means for determining whether or not the postal matter corresponding to the address information is addressed to the jurisdiction of another station, and the determination means determines that the postal authority is under the jurisdiction of another station, A mail processing apparatus, comprising: a sending unit that sends the address information and identification information of the mail stored in the storage unit to another station corresponding to the address information.