JP4436670B2 - Postal inspection equipment for small items - Google Patents

Description

The present invention captures the printed contents printed on the address part of postal items such as postcards, sealed letters, etc. with a CCD camera, recognizes the imaged data with an attached image processing PC, and picks out defective products without address. The present invention relates to a small-sized inspection and sorting apparatus for postal items used for sorting, accumulating by zip code, or checking the continuity of work numbers.
For example, DMs, bank balance notices, card company usage statements, etc. are created in hundreds of thousands of postcards or sealed letters at a time. In such a mass mail production work, a number called a sequence number is added to the address printing section and the process is managed. In other words, a serial number determined in advance is added and the creation process proceeds while checking the continuity. In addition, when sending to a post office, they are bundled for each predetermined number of mails while being classified by number based on the zip code or customer bar code.
The apparatus according to the present invention contributes to automating the work according to the process management by capturing the sequence number, the postal code, or the customer bar code with a CCD camera and recognizing the image.

Conventionally, the following devices are known as this type of device.
For example, it is similar to the postal sorting apparatus of Patent Document 1, Patent Document 2, and Patent Document 3.
Such a conventional apparatus has a mail feeding mechanism similar to the apparatus of the present application and images a destination portion with a CCD camera to recognize an image and achieve a predetermined classification. The image is taken with a CCD camera while being transported by the transport mechanism. Therefore, the sorting process is performed at a position where the time from image capturing to image processing and recognition has elapsed. For this reason, it is necessary to secure a certain distance from the sheet feeding mechanism to the sorting position. There was a limit to miniaturization of.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-225619 JP-A-11-300287 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 08-173913

  The present invention proposes a configuration capable of extremely miniaturizing the device to achieve the same function as the conventional device, aiming to popularize a small device capable of high-speed processing at low cost, and therefore for mail delivery work. Contribute.

  In other words, the small-size inspection sorting apparatus for postal items of the present application includes a paper feeding mechanism that feeds the stacked mail pieces one by one from the lowest layer, a transport mechanism that transports the fed mail pieces, Postal mail addressing part having a CCD camera for imaging a predetermined part of the mail and a PC for image recognition connected to the camera, and sorting and accumulating as predetermined at the end of the transport mechanism based on the printed contents of the mail addressing part In the sorting device, a CCD camera is arranged to take an image of the lower surface of the loaded mail piece, and the lowermost mail piece just before feeding based on the detection signal of the sensor that detects the mail piece being carried by the carrying mechanism. It is characterized by having comprised so that it may image.

  In addition, the small-size inspection sorting device for postal mail of the present application includes a paper feed mechanism that feeds the stacked mail pieces one by one from the lowest layer, a transport mechanism that transports the fed mail pieces, Postal mail addressing part having a CCD camera for imaging a predetermined part of the mail and a PC for image recognition connected to the camera, and sorting and accumulating as predetermined at the end of the transport mechanism based on the printed contents of the mail addressing part In the sorting device, a CCD camera is arranged to take an image of the lower surface of the loaded mail piece, and the lowermost mail piece just before feeding based on the detection signal of the sensor that detects the mail piece being carried by the carrying mechanism. The post-stacking mechanism for stacking upwards by pushing the mail that arrives at the end of the transport mechanism into the lowermost layer, and the stack in relation to the image recognition PC Mail being transported in front of the mechanism It is characterized by comprising a kicker mechanism that shifts the conveying direction in the transverse direction.

Since the postal sorting apparatus according to the present invention is characterized by the position of the CCD camera and is configured to take an image of the postal matter immediately before feeding from the bottom, it is basically in a stopped state or somewhat after starting feeding. However, very stable imaging was possible and the recognition rate was remarkably improved. Also, even if the image processing time required from image input to recognition is the same as before, the position for sorting processing after transport can be close to the paper feed mechanism side, thereby reducing the size of the apparatus, It is important to contribute to cost reduction.
In addition, the kicker mechanism, which is provided with a lower stacking mechanism and has been described in detail, makes it possible to sort and collect postal items in a state where it is easy to visually recognize them. In addition to achieving miniaturization, the work efficiency is also significantly improved.

Hereinafter, the details will be described based on the explanatory view of the embodiment apparatus illustrated in the drawings.
1 and 2 relate to an apparatus for postcards, which is an example of mail. In the figure, 1 is a loaded postcard, 1a is a postcard immediately after being fed, 1c is a postcard immediately before being fed and stacked, and 1d is a stacked postcard.
Next, the paper feed mechanism of the apparatus of this embodiment will be described.
That is, the one shown in the figure is positioned by the stacking guide plate 6, and the feeding action of the paper feeding roller 13 and the paper feeding roller stop 12 of a number of postcards 1 placed on the transparent glass plate 14. This is a known paper feeding mechanism that feeds only the bottom layer one by one with the brake action. Although not described in detail, various known paper feeding mechanisms are used to configure the present invention, such as a structure for ensuring the paper feeding, a suction feed system, a clamp drawer system, and the like. Can be adopted. In addition, after the paper is fed, a known mechanism such as a belt stretched around the conveying belt pulley 8 constitutes a conveying mechanism in order to continue the conveyance. In this example, the motor 11 and the conveying belt pulley 8 are connected to maintain the conveying state, and the sheet feeding roller 13 is connected via the electromagnetic clutch 10 to start feeding. The continuation, interruption, or stop can be controlled manually or automatically.

  On the other hand, the CCD camera 4 connected to the PC is arranged at a position where the postcard immediately before being fed can be imaged, and images a predetermined part of the address printing portion through the transparent glass plate 14. An imaging trigger (shutter timing) of the CCD camera 4 is activated in association with a detection signal when the sensor-2 detects the postcard 1a. That is, when the leading edge of the postcard 1a fed in advance passes the sensor-2 or after some time or distance adjustment, it is activated from the board (control electric board), and at that moment The shutter is released at the speed set in (2), and the image data is transmitted to the PC. In short, it is preferably related to the preceding postcard 1a so that the trigger can be activated at the timing when the entire surface or an area close to it is exposed to the CCD camera 4, in principle, at the timing when the part to be imaged is exposed. The sensor-2 may be arranged. When there is no preceding postcard, that is, for the first sheet, it is sufficient to use an image pickup trigger by supplying a paper feed start signal from the paper feed mechanism.

Next, a stack mechanism for separately stacking will be described.
In the figure, 1b indicates a postcard immediately before being transported and stacked by the transport mechanism. On the other hand, 1d is a postcard that has already been stacked. As is clear from the drawing, the postcard 1b is pushed upward by being pushed into the lowermost layer that is inclined and opened at the end of the transport mechanism.
When the division mark is formed, the kick rod 3 provided near the side end of the postcard 1b being conveyed is kicked in the direction indicated by the arrow 5. That is, by actuating an actuator such as the solenoid 9 to kick the side end of the postcard 1b, the postcard 1b is somewhat shifted and stacked, and as a result, the postcard indicated by 1c is formed to form a mark. For example, when a postcard counting function is provided as a function of the PC to which the CCD camera 4 is connected, a high-visibility division mark can be formed by stacking the kick bar 3 for each set number of sheets. . FIG. 3 illustrates the case where the left and right marks are formed and stacked. In this case, this kind of kicker mechanism including the kick bar 3 and the actuator is provided on both the left and right sides.

  Next, an operation example of the present application device will be described based on FIG. 4 illustrating the address face of the postcard. In the figure, reference numeral 20 denotes a frame for indicating a zip code, which can be classified into zip codes by using the device of the present application. That is, the image pickup object of the CCD camera 4 is set as a zip code indicated by a frame 20, and the image data transmitted each time is subjected to OCR processing to recognize a numerical value, and a 2-digit classification, 3-digit classification, 5-digit classification, etc. When there is a change in the numerical value of the set number of digits, the kicker mechanism is operated to mark the first postcard to form a mark on the stacked postcard. It is also possible to simultaneously record the number of messages in the same category and save the work history. In addition, the customer bar code printed part indicated by the frame 22 in which the postal code is converted into a bar code is imaged, the image data is used for numerical recognition, and the postal code is imaged. The apparatus of the present application can also be operated in the same manner as in the case.

Furthermore, the sequence number printed portion indicated by the frame 21 may be imaged to inspect whether there is a missing number in a series of operations. That is, whether the numbers are in ascending order or descending order is set in advance, and each time a numerical value is recognized, it is automatically checked whether there is an abnormality in the numerical value change. The feeding can be interrupted by releasing the excitation, or the operation can be continued as it is, but the kicker mechanism can be activated to form a mark only for abnormal ones. Note that it is possible to simultaneously recognize a plurality of exemplified imaging targets by performing wide-area imaging, or to operate in parallel with a plurality of CCD cameras. Of course, a mechanism similar to the kicker mechanism exemplified in the sense of preventing confusion of the division mark or a marking mechanism can be substituted.
Further, the device of the present application is not limited to a postcard device, and may provide a device for sealed letters.

It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the structure and operation | movement of a sorting apparatus. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the structure and operation | movement of a sorting apparatus. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the example of a mode of division | segmentation accumulation | aggregation. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating in detail the object imaged with a CCD camera.

Explanation of symbols

  1 (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) ··· Postcards 2 ·· Sensors · 3 · Kick sticks · · · CCD cameras 5 · · Operation direction arrows · · · Loading guide plates 7 · · Stacking Guide plate, 8 ... Conveyor belt pulley, 9 ... Solenoid, 10 ... Electromagnetic clutch, 11 .... Motor, 12 .... Paper feed roller stop, 13 .... Paper feed roller, 14 ... .. Transparent glass plate, 20. Frame for indicating postal code, 21. Frame for indicating sequence number, 22. Frame for indicating customer bar code.

Claims (2)

A paper feed mechanism that feeds the stacked mail pieces one by one from the bottom, one by one, a transport mechanism that transports the fed mail pieces, and a CCD camera that captures a predetermined part of the mail address printing section And a postal piece bottom surface loaded in a postal matter sorting device that sorts and accumulates as predetermined at the end of the transport mechanism based on the printed contents of the postal address part. The postal mail is characterized in that a CCD camera is arranged to take an image of the mail, and a postal mail immediately before feeding is picked up based on a detection signal of a sensor for detecting a mail being carried by the carrying mechanism. Small inspection sorting device for things. A paper feed mechanism that feeds the stacked mail pieces one by one from the bottom, one by one, a transport mechanism that transports the fed mail pieces, and a CCD camera that captures a predetermined part of the mail address printing section And a postal piece bottom surface loaded in a postal matter sorting device that sorts and accumulates as predetermined at the end of the transport mechanism based on the printed contents of the postal address part. The CCD camera is arranged to capture the image, the bottom layer mail just before feeding is imaged based on the detection signal of the sensor that detects the mail being conveyed by the conveyance mechanism, the end of the conveyance mechanism The post-stacking mechanism that stacks upwards by pushing the mail that arrives at the bottom layer is provided, and the mail that is being transported is transported at the position before the stack mechanism in relation to the image recognition PC. A kicker that shifts the direction in the cross direction A small-sized inspection and sorting apparatus for postal items, characterized by comprising a mechanism.

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