JPH0910698A - Mail processing system and image distribution method of mail processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Object] The present invention performs a coding process on an image on a postal matter P whose address or zip code cannot be recognized at least by giving priority to a work break over the category of the image. You can According to the present invention, an image is distributed to a video coding terminal by prioritizing a division (batch processing unit) of processing in a sorting machine.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a postal item whose address or postal code cannot be read by, for example, reading the address or postal code of the postal item, classifying the postal item based on the read address or postal code. While watching the image displayed by the video coding terminal, the operator inputs an address or a zip code, and a mail processing system including a coding terminal for classifying and processing the mail according to the input contents. The present invention relates to an image distribution method for a mail processing system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, a mail processing system using a video coding terminal in combination with a sorting machine has been developed. This kind of postal matter processing system, for example, reads the address or postal code written on the postal matter set in the sorting machine by the recognition unit of the optical character reader, and sorts the postal matter into the postal code according to the corresponding sorting information. The mail items whose address or zip code cannot be read are grouped as reject mail items.

For the mail (reject letter) whose address or zip code could not be read, the entire image is temporarily stored in the storage / distribution device, and a plurality of video codings for various categories are performed by the storage / distribution device. Each video coding terminal displays the distributed image on the display unit, and the operator inputs the code corresponding to the address or zip code while visually observing the display screen (coding process). By setting the rejected mail item again in the sorting machine, the sorting process is performed using the code correspondingly input.

As a result, it is possible to supplement the limit of machine division by the optical character reader. However, in the mail processing system as described above, the sorting machine performs sorting processing in batch units (actual mail sorting work units) made up of multiple pieces of mail, but each video coding terminal , The coding processing is performed on the image of the mail item corresponding to a predetermined category from the storage and distribution device, not on a batch basis. Therefore, the coding process by each video coding terminal cannot be divided into batch units.

[0005]

As described above, the disadvantage of not being able to perform the coding processing by a plurality of video coding terminals in batch units is eliminated, and the coding processing by a plurality of video coding terminals is batched. An object of the present invention is to provide a mail processing system that can be divided into units and an image distribution method of the mail processing system.

[0006]

In the mail processing system of the present invention, a plurality of pieces of mail are treated as one processing unit, and an address or postal code is recognized for each piece of mail.
By this recognition processing, the image of the mail whose at least part of the address or the postal code cannot be recognized is managed according to various categories of the image, and the managed mail image is managed by each of the plurality of video coding terminals. In the video coding terminal to which the image is distributed according to the category and the code corresponding to the address or the postal code is input in the video coding terminal, one category in the one processing unit is given to the predetermined video coding terminal. When all the images of the postal item are distributed, the image of the other category of the postal item in the same processing unit is distributed to the video coding terminal by the distribution unit.

In the mail processing system of the present invention, a plurality of pieces of mail are treated as one processing unit, an address or a postal code is recognized for each piece of mail, and the above-mentioned processing is performed according to the recognized address or postal code. At the same time as sorting the mail items, at least part of the address or postal code cannot be recognized by the above recognition process, the mail item is managed by the processing number and rejected by the reject unit, and at least part of the address or postal code will be rejected by the recognition process. Distributing an image of an unrecognizable mail piece to a plurality of video coding terminals according to various categories of the image by distributing means, and inputting a code corresponding to an address or a zip code at the video coding terminal to which the image is distributed, In the one that sorts the rejected mail items according to this entered code, In video coding terminal, the above-mentioned 1
When all the images of one category of postal matter in one processing unit are distributed, the image of the other category of postal matter in the same processing unit is distributed to the video coding terminal by the distribution means. ing.

In the mail processing system of the present invention, a plurality of pieces of mail are treated as one processing unit, and an address or postal code is recognized for each piece of mail, and at least a part of the address or the postal code is recognized by this recognition processing. Manages images of unrecognized mail according to various categories of the images, distributes the managed mail images to a plurality of video coding terminals, and addresses the distributed video coding terminals at the video coding terminals. Alternatively, when inputting a code corresponding to a postal code, the image numbers for the images of postal items whose at least a part of the address or the postal code cannot be recognized are divided into regions for each category and sequentially stored, and the plurality of sheets are recorded. A memorizer for storing data indicating the division of the processing corresponding to the division of one processing unit by the postal matter of Read-out means for sequentially reading out the image number for each category stored in the storage means or data indicating a break in processing in the order in which they are stored, and an image corresponding to the image number read by the read-out means for the category. In response to the output means for outputting to a predetermined video coding terminal, and when the data indicating the break of the processing is read by the reading means, another category of another category in the same processing unit stored in the storage means is read. It is composed of processing means for reading the image number by the reading means and outputting it by the output means to the video coding terminal.

According to the image distribution method of the mail processing system of the present invention, a plurality of pieces of mail are treated as one processing unit, an address or a postal code is recognized for each piece of mail, and the address or the postal code is recognized by this recognition processing. Images of at least some of which are unrecognizable are managed according to different categories of the images, and the managed images of the mail are distributed according to the individual categories of a plurality of video coding terminals, In the video coding terminal to which the image is distributed, in which the code corresponding to the address or the postal code is input, to the predetermined video coding terminal,
When all the images of one category of postal matter in the one processing unit are distributed, the images of other categories of postal matter in the same processing unit are distributed to the video coding terminal.

According to the image distribution method of the mail processing system of the present invention, a plurality of pieces of mail are treated as one processing unit, an address or a postal code is recognized for each piece of mail, and the recognized address or postal code is recognized. According to the above, the above-mentioned postal items are classified, and the postal items whose at least a part of the address or postal code cannot be recognized by the above recognition processing are managed by the processing number and rejected by the reject section, and the above-mentioned recognition processing causes the postal address or postal code Distributing an image of at least some unrecognized mail to multiple video coding terminals according to different categories of that image and entering the code corresponding to the address or zip code at the video coding terminals to which the image was distributed. , In the one that sorts the rejected mail items according to the entered code, In video coding terminal, the above-mentioned 1
When all the images of one category of mail items in one processing unit are distributed, the images of other category mail items in the same processing unit are distributed to the video coding terminal.

In the image distribution method of the mail processing system according to the present invention, a plurality of pieces of mail are treated as one processing unit, and an address or postal code is recognized for each piece of mail, and the address or the postal code is recognized by this recognition processing. Images of at least some of which are unrecognizable are managed according to different categories of the images, and the managed images of the mail are distributed to a plurality of video coding terminals, and the images to which the images are distributed are distributed. When inputting a code corresponding to an address or postal code at a coding terminal, the image numbers for the images of postal items whose at least part of the address or postal code cannot be recognized are divided into areas for each category and stored sequentially. , The data indicating the division of the processing corresponding to the division of one processing unit by the plurality of pieces of mail The stored image number of each category or the data indicating the division of processing is sequentially read in the stored order, and the image corresponding to the read image number is read in a predetermined video according to the category. When the data is output to the coding terminal and the data indicating the division of the processing is read, the image numbers of other categories in the same processing unit stored are read out and output to the video coding terminal.

In the mail processing system of the present invention, a plurality of pieces of mail are treated as one processing unit, and an address or a postal code is recognized for each piece of mail, and at least a part of the address or the postal code is recognized by this recognition. Manages images of unrecognized mail according to various categories of the images, distributes the managed mail images to a plurality of video coding terminals, and addresses the distributed video coding terminals at the video coding terminals. Alternatively, in the case of inputting a code corresponding to a zip code, a first storage means for assigning an image number to an image of a postal matter in which at least a part of the address or the zip code cannot be recognized and storing it, for each video coding terminal A second storage means for storing the category to be processed, recognizing at least a part of the address or postal code The image number for the image of the postal matter is divided into areas for each category and stored in sequence, and data indicating the division of the processing corresponding to the division of one processing unit by the plurality of pieces of postal matter is stored. Third storing means for storing, first reading means for reading the category processed by the video coding terminal from the second storing means in response to an image distribution request from the video coding terminal, and the first reading means. The second reading means for reading the image number at the head of the area of the third storage means corresponding to the category read by or the data indicating the division of the processing, and the image number is read by the second reading means. At this time, the image corresponding to this image number is read from the first storage means,
The output means for outputting to the video coding terminal that has made the image distribution request and the same data stored in the third storage means when the data indicating the break of the processing are read by the second reading means. The second reading means reads the image numbers of other categories in the processing unit, and the output means outputs the image numbers to the video coding terminals that have made the image distribution request.

In the mail processing system of the present invention, a plurality of pieces of mail are treated as one processing unit, and an address or a postal code is recognized for each piece of mail, and at least a part of the address or the postal code is recognized by this recognition. Images of unidentified mail items are managed according to various categories of the images, and the managed mail image is distributed by distribution means according to individual categories of a plurality of video coding terminals, and the images are distributed. In a video coding terminal that is distributed by inputting a code corresponding to an address or a postal code, to a predetermined video coding terminal,
When all the images of one category of mail items in the one processing unit are distributed, processing means for distributing the images of mail items of other categories in the same processing unit to the video coding terminal by the distribution unit, And a changing means for changing the category processed by the video coding terminal according to the category instructed by each video coding terminal when the distribution means is powered on.

The postal matter processing system of the present invention uses a plurality of pieces of postal matter as one processing unit, recognizes an address or a postal code for each piece of postal matter, and executes the above-mentioned processing according to the recognized address or postal code. At the same time as sorting the mail items, at least part of the address or postal code cannot be recognized by the above recognition process, the mail item is managed by the processing number and rejected by the reject unit, and at least part of the address or postal code will be rejected by the recognition process. Distributing an image of an unrecognizable mail piece to a plurality of video coding terminals according to various categories of the image by distributing means, and inputting a code corresponding to an address or a zip code at the video coding terminal to which the image is distributed, In the one that sorts the rejected mail items according to this entered code, In video coding terminal, the above-mentioned 1
When all the images of one category of mail in one processing unit are distributed, the images of the mail of other categories in the same processing unit are distributed to the video coding terminal by the distribution means, and When the distribution means is turned on, it comprises changing means for changing the category processed by the video coding terminal in accordance with the category instructed by each video coding terminal.

[0015]

According to the present invention, a plurality of pieces of postal matter are used as one processing unit, an address or postal code is recognized for each piece of postal matter, and at least part of the address or postal code cannot be recognized by this recognition processing. Image of the mail is managed according to various categories of the image, and the managed mail image is distributed by distribution means according to each category of a plurality of video coding terminals. When a code corresponding to an address or a postal code is input at a coding terminal, when all the images of one category of mail in the one processing unit are distributed to a predetermined video coding terminal, the same processing unit is used. To distribute images of other categories of mail in the above to the video coding terminal by the distribution means. Those were.

[0016]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a mail processing system according to the present invention. This mail processing system
It is composed of a reading sorting machine 1 and a video coding system 2.

The reading / sorting machine 1 reads the address and the zip code on the postal matter P, recognizes the address and the zip code from the read contents, and recognizes the address and the zip code, or the address from the video coding system 2. The sorting machine sorts the postal matter P according to the postal code, and prints a bar code corresponding to the recognition result on each postal matter P.

The reading / sorting machine 1 is set, for example, in a batch (lot) unit or in a mail unit rejected for this batch in a state in which handwritten and printed type mail items are mixed, and this set item is set. Mail P, ... 1
Photoelectric conversion for reading the entire image on the postal matter P, which is supplied by the feeding section 10, and the bar code corresponding to the image number given to the postal matter. Scanner unit 1 having unit 11a
1. Address on the postal matter P that has passed through the scanner unit 11,
Bar code print unit 1 for printing a bar code corresponding to a zip code or a bar code corresponding to an image number
3. The postal matter P that has passed through the barcode print unit 13
The mail P is classified based on the recognition result of the address, the postal code or the predetermined classification information (classification box number) corresponding to the code from the video coding system 2,
A sorting unit 14 that sorts postal items whose postal codes cannot be recognized into a reject box, a recognition unit 15 that recognizes an address, a postal code or a bar code from an image from the photoelectric conversion unit 11a, and a control unit 16 that controls the above units. It is composed by.

When the control section 16 is supplied with an image number (serial number) as a barcode recognition result from the recognition section 15, the control section 16 outputs the image number to the coding content storage control section 34 to transmit the code. Alternatively, the code corresponding to the address or the postal code from the recognition unit 15 is output to the barcode printing unit 13.

The control unit 16 outputs a batch processing end signal indicating a batch delimiter to the video distribution processing unit 33 when the batch unit sorting processing set in the supply unit 10 is performed. .

The transport sorting section body 1a has a mechanism including a supply section 10, a scanner section 11, a bar code printing section 13 and a sorting section 14. As shown in FIG. 2, the recognition unit 15 detects a region in which an address and a postal code are described in the image supplied from the photoelectric conversion unit 11a, based on the shape, position, etc. of the region. , This area detector 2
1, a character line detection unit 22 for detecting a character line in which an address and a zip code in the area detected by 1 are detected, and characters of the character line detected by the character line detection unit 22 are detected and cut out character by character. That is, the character detection unit 23 that detects and cuts out the character information corresponding to the address (postal code), and the characters that are detected and cut out supplied from the character detection unit 23 are predetermined in the character / address dictionary 25 for each character. There are two types of reference patterns, namely, a reference pattern in different directions and a reference pattern in a direction rotated 90 degrees to that direction, and a matching method with these reference patterns. A character / address recognition unit that generates reject data according to the recognition result, as well as reject attributes (discrimination between handwritten or printed type / rejected character information / recognition result of readable characters / words) 4, the image memory 26 in which the image supplied from the photoelectric conversion unit 11a is stored, and the reject attribute from the character / address recognition unit 24 (discrimination of handwritten or printed type / rejected character information / readable characters / words (Recognition result), reject data according to the recognition result, and a reject data control unit 27 that outputs the image from the image memory 26 to the video coding system 2. The character / address recognizing unit 24 further distinguishes between handwriting and printed characters, and distinguishes the writing direction of the address or zip code. As a method for distinguishing between handwritten characters and printed characters, there is, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 64-146.
No. 82 publication. That is, a parameter that is a characteristic of the read character is extracted, and this parameter is compared with a reference value to distinguish between a handwritten character and a printed character.

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

As for the writing direction of the address and the postal code, the writing direction is determined by which of the two reference patterns for each character in the character / address dictionary 25 is used for recognition. For example, if a character is recognized by a reference pattern in a predetermined direction among the above two types of reference patterns, the character line detection unit 22 already knows the direction of the line. And the direction of the line determine the writing direction. The reject data control unit 27 determines reject attributes, reject data corresponding to the recognition result (partially recognized address and zip code as recognition contents up to the middle of the recognition unit 15), and mail whose address or zip code cannot be recognized. The image of the object P is output.

The reject attribute is, for example, whether the address and the postal code are written by hand, whether the address and the postal code are printed in print type, and the direction in which the address and the postal code are written.

The recognition unit 15 also has a bar code recognition unit (not shown) that recognizes a bar code (image number: serial number) from the image supplied from the photoelectric conversion unit 11a. The content recognized by the barcode recognition unit is output to the control unit 16.

The video coding system 2 is composed of an image distribution server 3 and video coding terminals 4, .... The image distribution server 3 receives the reject attributes supplied from the reject data control unit 27 (discrimination between handwritten characters and printed characters / rejected character information / readable characters /
A category is determined according to the word recognition result) and reject data according to the recognition result, and the category is distributed (delivered) to the video coding terminals 4, ... Corresponding to this category, as shown in FIG. , A memory control unit 31, an image memory 32, a video distribution control unit 33, a coding content storage control unit 34, and a desk input / output control unit 35.

The above categories include (a) to (a) of FIG.
As shown in (g), zip code vertical writing, postal code reverse horizontal writing, postal code horizontal writing, address vertical writing, address reverse vertical writing, address vertical writing, address It is written horizontally.

The memory control unit 31 rejects the reject attribute from the reject data control unit 27 and the recognition result (a partially recognized address and postal code as recognition contents up to the middle of the image recognition unit 15). The data and the read image of the mail P are supplied, and the reject attribute and the reject data are output to the video distribution control unit 33,
The image is output to the image memory 26. Further, the memory control unit 31 outputs the image stored in the image memory 32 to the corresponding video coding terminal 4 according to the distribution content from the video distribution control unit 33. The image memory 32 sequentially stores images supplied from the memory control unit 31 in the order of image numbers (serial numbers). The video distribution control unit 33 includes a memory control unit 31.
The category is determined based on the reject attribute and the reject data supplied from the device, the corresponding category number is classified, the image number (serial number) assigned to each image is stored and managed, and the control of the reading classifier 1 is performed. Data indicating the batch separation for each category number by the batch processing end signal supplied from the unit 16 indicating the batch separation (○
(Displayed with) is stored and managed.

The video distribution control unit 33 has a category classification table 33a and a terminal category table 33b. As shown in FIG. 4, the category classification table 33a classifies each category determined above, that is, each category number, stores and manages the image number (serial number) assigned to each image, and separates the batch for each category number. Data (indicated by a circle) indicating a break is stored for each.

As a result, the video distribution control unit 33 determines the category based on the reject attributes and reject data supplied when the video distribution control unit 33 stores the images in the storage area of the corresponding category number in the category classification table 33a. The image numbers assigned to each are sequentially stored, and when the images are distributed, the image numbers are deleted from the storage area of the corresponding category number.

In the terminal category table 33b, the processing categories of the video coding terminals 4, ... Are stored in advance in the order of priority. For example, when the power is turned on (not shown) in response to an instruction from each video coding terminal 4. It is designed to be stored in advance.

The coding content storage control unit 34 is
The code and image number from the desk input / output control unit 35 are stored, and an image distribution request wait signal (a similar signal is obtained when the power of the video coding terminal 4 is turned on) due to the code input corresponding to the image number. Is output to the video distribution control unit 33, and the code stored in response to the inquiry by the image number from the control unit 16 in the reading and sorting machine 1 is stored in the control unit 1
6 is output. The desk input / output control unit 35
It receives an input from the input unit 4b of each video coding terminal 4, and outputs the code and image number corresponding to the address and the postal code from the input unit 4b to the coding content storage control unit 34.

Each of the video coding terminals 4, ... Has an image display unit 4a such as a CRT and an input unit 4 such as a keyboard.
b, which is displayed on the image display unit 4a in a state where the image from the image memory 32, that is, the part where the address and zip code are recognized and the part where the zip code is not recognized can be distinguished by the underline and the like. The operator inputs a code corresponding to the address and zip code of the displayed image using the input unit 4b. The code corresponding to the address and the postal code input by the input unit 4b is output to the desk input / output control unit 35 together with the image number.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described. That is, handwritten and print type mail items are mixed and set in the reading / sorting machine 1 in batch units,
The set mail items P, ... Are supplied one by one by the supply unit 10, and the entire image on the supplied mail items P is read by the photoelectric conversion unit 11a of the scanner unit 11. The reading content of the photoelectric conversion unit 11a is recognized by the recognition unit 15
The recognition unit 15 recognizes the address and the postal code, and the recognition result is supplied to the control unit 16. Thereby, the control unit 16 outputs the code corresponding to the address and the postal code to the barcode printing unit 13 when the address and the postal code are recognized, and when the address and the postal code are not recognized, A code indicating the image number corresponding to the image is output to the barcode printing unit 13. This allows
The bar code printing unit 13 prints a bar code corresponding to an address, a postal code, or a bar code corresponding to an image number on the postal matter P that has passed through the scanner unit 11.
Then, the sorting unit 14 addresses the postal matter P that has passed through the barcode printing unit 13 and sorts the postal matter P based on predetermined sorting information (sorting box number) corresponding to the recognition result of the postal code, and Sort the mail items whose postal code could not be recognized into the reject box.

Then, when the batch-type mail P, ... Set in the reading / sorting machine 1 is sorted by the sorting section 14, the control section 16 indicates to the video distribution processing section 33 the batch division. Output the batch processing end signal.

Thereafter, similarly, the reading / sorting machine 1 sorts the postal matter P, ... In batch units. Then, the postal matter P, ... Rejected in the reject box is set in the reading / sorting machine 1, and the set postal matter P ,.
Are supplied one by one by the supply unit 10, and the supplied barcodes on the postal matter P are recognized by the barcode recognition unit of the scanner unit 11, and the recognition result is obtained by the control unit 1.
6. As a result, the control unit 16 is supplied with the image number (serial number) as the barcode recognition result, and outputs the image number to the coding content storage control unit 34 to send the transmitted code to the barcode printing unit 13. Output.

As a result, the bar code print section 13
Prints a bar code corresponding to the above code on the postal matter P that has passed through the scanner section 11. Then, the sorting unit 14 sorts the mail P passing through the barcode printing unit 13 based on predetermined sorting information (sorting box number) corresponding to the code.

When the recognition unit 15 of the reading / sorting machine 1 can only partially recognize the address and the postal code, the reject data control unit 27 rejects the attribute and the recognition result (recognition up to the middle of the recognition unit 15). Reject data corresponding to the partially recognized address and zip code) as contents, and the read image of the postal matter P from the image memory 26 are supplied to the memory control unit 31 in the image distribution server 3.

The memory control unit 31 outputs the supplied reject attribute and reject data to the video distribution control unit 33, outputs the read image to the image memory 32, and stores the read image in the image memory 32 corresponding to the image number.

Further, the video distribution control unit 33 judges a category from the reject attributes and reject data sequentially supplied, and the image number assigned to each image in the storage area of the corresponding category number of the category classification table 33a. Are stored in order.

Further, the video distribution control unit 33 receives the batch processing end signal indicating the batch division supplied from the control unit 16 of the reading / sorting machine 1, and the category classification table 3 is generated.
Data (indicated by a circle) indicating a batch delimiter is stored for each corresponding category number of 3a.

In such a state, the processing of the image distribution server 3 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. That is, the video distribution control unit 33 responds to the image distribution request signal from the video coding terminal 4 (ST
1) referring to the terminal category table 33b to check the highest priority category of the video coding terminal 4 (ST
2), category classification table 3 corresponding to this category
The image number is read from the beginning of the area 3a (ST3), and the image number and data indicating the video coding terminal 4 to be distributed are output to the memory control unit 31 as distribution contents (ST5). When this distribution content is output, the video distribution control unit 33 assigns the image number to the category classification table 3
It is deleted from 3a (ST6). In addition, the memory control unit 31
Is the video coding terminal 4 that corresponds the image number and the image stored in the image memory 32 according to the distribution contents.
(ST7).

Also, when the image distribution request signal from another video coding terminal 4 is obtained, the same operation is performed. In step 3, the video distribution controller 33
When referring to the category classification table 33a, if the data indicating the delimiter instead of the image number is stored at the beginning of the area of the corresponding category (ST4), the distribution of the image to this category is stopped and the image of the category is stopped. Is searched for by referring to the terminal category table 33b for the category next to the video coding terminal 4 that has been distributed (ST8), and the image number is stored at the beginning of the storage area of the category by referring to the category classification table 33a. It is checked whether or not data is stored or data indicating a break is stored (ST9). As a result of this check, if the image number is stored, the video distribution control unit 33 outputs the distribution content including the image number and the data indicating the video coding terminal 4 to be distributed to the memory control unit 31 (S).
T10). When this distribution content is output, the video distribution control unit 33 assigns the image number to the category classification table 33.
It is deleted from a (ST11). As a result, the memory control unit 31 outputs the image and the image number stored in the image memory 32 to the corresponding video coding terminal 4 according to the distribution contents (ST12).

If the result of the check in step 9 is that data indicating a break is stored, the process returns to step 8, and the video distribution control unit 33 checks the next priority category and performs the same processing as above.

Further, the video distribution control unit 33 deletes the data when the data indicating the break is stored at the beginning of all the areas of each category of the category classification table 33a (ST13). , The image number for the next batch is stored at the beginning (ST1
4).

By distributing the images as described above, the image of the mail supplied by the image display unit 4a of the video coding terminal 4 is displayed. In response to this display, the operator inputs a code corresponding to the unrecognized address or postal code using the input unit 25. Then, the code corresponding to the address or the postal code input by the input unit 25 of the video coding terminal 4 and the image number are output to the coding content storage control unit 34 via the desk input / output control unit 35. As a result, the coding content storage control unit 34 stores the code and the image number, and outputs to the video distribution control unit 33 that the code input for the image number has been made, that is, the image distribution request signal.

Further, a code corresponding to an address and a postal code which cannot be recognized by another video coding terminal 4 is input, and the same operation is performed. As described above, a plurality of pieces of mail are treated as one processing (batch processing) unit, and the processing of recognizing the address or zip code for each piece of mail is performed, and the mail is categorized according to the recognized address or zip code. In addition to classifying, at least part of the address or postal code cannot be recognized by the above recognition process. The postal matter is managed by the processing number and rejected by the reject section, and at least part of the address or postal code cannot be recognized by the above recognition process. An image of an object is distributed by a distribution means to a plurality of video coding terminals according to various categories of the image, and a code corresponding to an address or a postal code is input at the video coding terminals to which the image is distributed. When sorting the rejected mail items according to the code, It is obtained so as to distribute the image to the video coding device with precedence over the (batch processing unit).

In other words, by setting the data representing the work breaks for each category of the category classification table in the actual work separating the mails, the work breaks are given priority over the categories. .

As a result, it is possible to sort the mail pieces in processing units according to the actual mail sorting work. Therefore, it is possible to divide the coding processing by a plurality of video coding terminals into batch units.

[0050]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, there is provided a mail processing system and an image distribution method for the mail processing system capable of performing coding processing by a plurality of video coding terminals in batch units. Can be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

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

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a description example of a mail item.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a storage example of a category classification table.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining processing of the image distribution server.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Reading / sorting machine 2 ... Video coding system 3 ... Image distribution server 10 ... Supplying section 11 ... Scanner section 13 ... Bar code printing section 14 ... Sorting section 15 ... Recognition section 16 ... Control section 31 ... Memory control section 32 ... Image memory 33 ... Video distribution control unit 33a ... Category classification table 33b ... Terminal category table 34 ... Coding content storage control unit 35 ... Desk input / output control unit

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of pieces of mail are treated as one processing unit,
The address or postal code is recognized for each mail item, and the image of the postal item whose at least part of the address or postal code cannot be recognized by this recognition process is managed according to various categories of the image. In a mail processing system in which an image of a postal matter is distributed by distribution means according to individual categories of a plurality of video coding terminals, and a code corresponding to an address or a postal code is input at the video coding terminal to which the image is distributed. When all the images of one category of mail in the one processing unit are distributed to a predetermined video coding terminal, the images of other categories of mail in the same processing unit are distributed to the video by the distribution means. A mail processing facility, comprising: a processing means for distributing to a coding terminal. System. 2. A plurality of pieces of mail are treated as one processing unit,
An address or zip code recognition process is performed on each mail item, and the above-mentioned mail items are classified according to the recognized address or zip code, and at least part of the address or zip code cannot be recognized by the recognition process. Is managed by a processing number and rejected by a rejecting unit, and an image of a mail whose at least a part of the address or the postal code cannot be recognized by the recognition processing is distributed to a plurality of video coding terminals according to various categories of the image. In the mail processing system, the code corresponding to the address or zip code is input at the video coding terminal to which the image is distributed, and the rejected mail is sorted according to the input code. The video coding terminal of the When all the images of the postal mail are distributed, the processing means for distributing the images of the mails of other categories in the same processing unit to the video coding terminal by the distributing means, is provided. Mail processing system. 3. A plurality of pieces of mail are treated as one processing unit,
The address or postal code is recognized for each mail item, and the image of the postal item whose at least part of the address or postal code cannot be recognized by this recognition process is managed according to various categories of the image. In a mail processing system in which an image of a postal matter is distributed to a plurality of video coding terminals, and a code corresponding to an address or a postal code is input at the video coding terminals to which the image is distributed, at least one of the address or the postal code is input. The image number of the image of the mail that cannot be recognized by the department is divided into areas for each category and sequentially stored, and the division of the processing is performed in correspondence with the division of one processing unit by the plurality of pieces of mail described above. Storage means for storing the data shown, and the image number for each category stored in this storage means A reading means for sequentially reading the data indicating the division of processing in the order in which they are stored; and an output means for outputting the image corresponding to the image number read by the reading means to a predetermined video coding terminal according to its category. When the reading means reads the data indicating the division of processing, the reading means reads the image numbers of other categories in the same processing unit stored in the storage means, and the output means outputs the video data. A mail processing system, comprising: a processing means for outputting to a coding terminal. 4. A plurality of pieces of mail are treated as one processing unit,
The address or postal code is recognized for each mail item, and the image of the postal item whose at least part of the address or postal code cannot be recognized by this recognition process is managed according to various categories of the image. A video coding terminal that distributes the image of the postal matter according to each category of a plurality of video coding terminals and inputs the code corresponding to the address or the postal code at the video coding terminal to which the image is distributed. When all the images of one category of postal matter in the one processing unit are distributed, the images of other categories of postal matter in the same processing unit are distributed to the video coding terminal. Image distribution method for postal processing system. 5. A plurality of pieces of mail are treated as one processing unit,
An address or zip code recognition process is performed on each mail item, and the above-mentioned mail items are classified according to the recognized address or zip code, and at least part of the address or zip code cannot be recognized by the recognition process. Is managed by the processing number and rejected by the reject unit, and the image of the mail whose at least a part of the address or the postal code cannot be recognized by the above recognition processing is distributed to a plurality of video coding terminals according to various categories of the image. ,
In the video coding terminal to which the image is distributed, enter the code corresponding to the address or the postal code, and sort the rejected mail according to the entered code. When all the images of one category of mail items in one processing unit are distributed, the images of other category mail items in the same processing unit are distributed to the video coding terminal. Image distribution method for processing system. 6. A plurality of pieces of mail are treated as one processing unit,
The address or postal code is recognized for each mail item, and the image of the postal item whose at least part of the address or postal code cannot be recognized by this recognition process is managed according to various categories of the image. Distributing an image of a postal matter to multiple video coding terminals and inputting a code corresponding to the address or postal code at the video coding terminal to which the image is distributed, at least a part of the address or postal code is recognized. The image number for the image of the mail that cannot be stored is divided into areas for each category and stored sequentially, and data indicating the division of the processing corresponding to the division of one processing unit by the plurality of pieces of postal matter described above is stored. The stored image number for each category or the data indicating the division of processing is stored. In that order, the images corresponding to the read image numbers are output to a predetermined video coding terminal according to the category, and when the data indicating the processing break is read, the same stored data is stored. An image distribution method for a mail processing system, wherein image numbers of other categories in a processing unit are read out and output to the video coding terminal. 7. A plurality of pieces of mail are treated as one processing unit,
The address or postal code is recognized for each mail item, and the image of the postal item whose at least part of the address or postal code cannot be recognized by this recognition process is managed according to various categories of the image. In a mail processing system in which an image of a postal matter is distributed to a plurality of video coding terminals, and a code corresponding to an address or a postal code is input at the video coding terminals to which the image is distributed, at least one of the address or the postal code is input. First storage means for storing an image number of an image of a postal matter that cannot be recognized by a section and storing the same, second storage means for storing a category to be processed for each video coding terminal, and the above-mentioned address or postal code The image number for the image of the mail that cannot be recognized at least in part is divided into areas for each category. Image storage from the video coding terminal, and third storage means for sequentially storing data indicating the division of the processing corresponding to the division of one processing unit by the plurality of pieces of mail. An area of first reading means for reading the category processed by the video coding terminal from the second storage means in response to a request, and an area of the third storage means corresponding to the category read by the first reading means. Second reading means for reading the image number at the head of the or the data indicating the division of processing, and, when the image number is read by the second reading means, the image corresponding to this image number is read from the first storing means. When the output means for reading out and outputting to the video coding terminal which has made the image distribution request and the data indicating the break of processing are read out by the second reading means, And a processing means for reading the image numbers of other categories in the same processing unit stored in the storage means of No. 3 by the second reading means and outputting them to the video coding terminal which has made the image distribution request by the output means. A postal matter processing system comprising: 8. A plurality of pieces of mail are treated as one processing unit,
The address or postal code is recognized for each mail item, and the image of the postal item whose at least part of the address or postal code cannot be recognized by this recognition process is managed according to various categories of the image. In a mail processing system in which an image of a postal matter is distributed by distribution means according to individual categories of a plurality of video coding terminals, and a code corresponding to an address or a postal code is input at the video coding terminal to which the image is distributed. When all the images of one category of mail in the one processing unit are distributed to a predetermined video coding terminal, the images of other categories of mail in the same processing unit are distributed to the video by the distribution means. Processing means for distributing to the coding terminal, and each video when the distributing means is turned on. Mail processing system characterized by comprising changing means for changing the category to be processed video coding device corresponding to the category is indicated by over loading terminal. 9. A plurality of pieces of mail are treated as one processing unit,
An address or zip code recognition process is performed on each mail item, and the above-mentioned mail items are classified according to the recognized address or zip code, and at least part of the address or zip code cannot be recognized by the recognition process. Is managed by a processing number and rejected by a rejecting unit, and an image of a mail whose at least a part of the address or the postal code cannot be recognized by the recognition processing is distributed to a plurality of video coding terminals according to various categories of the image. In the mail processing system, the code corresponding to the address or zip code is input at the video coding terminal to which the image is distributed, and the rejected mail is sorted according to the input code. The video coding terminal of the When all the images of the postal mail are distributed, the processing means for distributing the images of the mails of other categories in the same processing unit to the video coding terminal by the distributing means, and when the power of the distributing means is turned on. A mail processing system, comprising: changing means for changing the category processed by the video coding terminal in accordance with the category designated by each video coding terminal.