Shipping charge calculation system and program thereof

Abstract

To provide a shipping charge calculation system and a shipping charge calculation program that can easily and accurately calculate shipping charges for mail, parcels, and other shipping objects, even when such charges vary depending on a thickness and external dimensions of a shipping object, including a vertical dimension, a horizontal direction and a thickness dimension.SOLUTION: A shipping charge calculation system 1 includes: an imaging device 11 that photographs an address printing face of a shipping object; a distance measurement sensor 12 that measures a distance to the address printing face of the shipping object; a weighing device 13 that measures a weight of the shipping object; and an analysis device 21 that analyzes an outline of the address printing face from an image taken by the imaging device 11, analyzes external dimensions of the shipping object including its outline and thickness from the analyzed outline and the distance measured by the distance measurement sensor 12, and calculates the shipping charge of the shipping object from the external dimensions and the weight.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a shipping fee calculation system and program for calculating shipping fees for shipped items such as mail and deliveries.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, many devices for determining postal fees have been invented. For example, in Patent Document 1, there is an invention named "fee determination device using a scale", which has an inclined table with a guide part for positioning two sides of a mail item perpendicular to each other on the weighing pan of an electronic scale. The mail item is placed leaning against the guide part, and a plurality of holes are formed at multiple locations on the inclined table to transmit light from a light emitting element to a light receiving element. Whether the shape of the mail item is regular or irregular is determined by the combination of whether the light is blocked by the mail item in these multiple holes. At the same time, the weight of the mail item is measured by an electronic scale, and the fee determination of the mail item is performed based on the result. Also, in Patent Document 2, there is an invention named "delivery system", which is equipped with a measuring means and a gravity sensor in a portable terminal. The length of a package is measured using the portable terminal, and the gravity on the four sides of the bottom surface of the package is measured by installing a weight sensor at the tip of the portable terminal. By using a piezoelectric cable sensor for the gravity sensor, a voltage corresponding to the deformation can be output, and the weight can be measured at any part of the cable. In this invention, it is possible to download the fee data of a shipping company to the portable terminal and calculate the fee required for delivery from the measured length and weight of the package by a fee calculation means.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1 does not measure the thickness of the postal item, and there is a problem that it cannot determine the postal fee or the home delivery fee that varies depending on the outer dimensions including the thickness and the vertical dimension, horizontal dimension, and thickness dimension of the package. In addition, the invention disclosed in Patent Document 2 has a problem that since it is premised on using a mobile terminal, it is highly likely that high accuracy cannot be required during the measurement of the dimensions or weight of the package. In addition, the inventions disclosed in these documents also have a problem that they cannot cope with the shipping fee that varies depending on the destination address or the postal fee that varies depending on the postal type. Furthermore, there are problems that it is impossible to collate whether the area code such as the postal code described in the shipped item such as a postal item or a home delivery item matches the address, and also impossible to collate whether the address and destination described in the shipped item match the customer data.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of such conventional circumstances, and even when the shipping fee of a shipped item such as a postal item or a home delivery item varies depending on the thickness or the outer dimensions including the vertical dimension, horizontal dimension, and thickness dimension of the shipped item, it is an object to provide a shipping fee calculation system and a shipping fee calculation program that can be calculated easily and with high accuracy. It is also an object to provide a shipping fee calculation system and a shipping fee calculation program that can easily cope with the shipping fee that varies depending on the destination address or the shipping type. In addition, it is also an object to provide a shipping fee calculation system and a shipping fee calculation program that can collate whether the area code and address described in the shipped item, or the address and destination described in the shipped item match the customer data.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To achieve the above object, a shipping fee calculation system according to a first invention is a shipping fee calculation system for calculating the shipping fee of a shipped item, comprising an imaging device for photographing the address description surface of the shipped item, a distance measuring sensor for measuring the distance to the address description surface of the shipped item, a weight measuring device for measuring the weight of the shipped item, an analysis device that analyzes the contour of the address description surface from the image photographed by the imaging device, analyzes the outer dimensions including the length and thickness of the contour of the shipped item from the analyzed contour and the distance measured by the distance measuring sensor, and calculates the shipping fee of the shipped item from the outer dimensions and the weight.

[0007] In addition, a shipping fee calculation system according to a second invention is the shipping fee calculation system according to the first invention, wherein the analysis device analyzes an area code that is predefined by a delivery operator and attached to the shipped item from the image, and calculates the shipping fee of the shipped item from the analyzed area code, the outer dimensions, and the weight.

[0008] A shipping fee calculation system according to a third invention is the shipping fee calculation system according to the first invention, wherein the analysis device analyzes an area code and an address that are predefined by a delivery operator and attached to the shipped item from the image, and a collation device that collates the address and the destination address via the area code by referring to area code data in which the area code and the destination address are associated, or a collation device that collates the area code attached to the shipped item via the address and the area code in the area code data.

[0009] A shipping fee calculation system according to a fourth invention is the shipping fee calculation system according to the second invention, wherein the analysis device analyzes an address from the image, and a collation device that collates the address and the destination address via the area code by referring to area code data in which the area code and the destination address are associated, or a collation device that collates the area code attached to the shipped item via the address and the area code in the area code data.

[0010] The shipping fee calculation system according to the fifth invention, in the first or second invention, includes the analysis device that analyzes the name and address from the image, and refers to a customer list in which a customer address is associated with a customer name or customer title, and collates the address with the customer address via the name attached to the shipment, or a collation device that collates the name with the customer name or customer title via the address attached to the shipment, and is characterized by having the same.

[0011] The shipping fee calculation system according to the sixth invention, in any one of the first to fourth inventions, is characterized in that the analysis device analyzes the shipping type attached to the shipment from the image, and calculates the shipping fee of the shipment in consideration of this shipping type.

[0012] The shipping fee calculation program according to the seventh invention is a shipping fee calculation program executed by a computer to calculate the shipping fee of a shipment, and includes an imaging step of photographing the name description surface of the shipment, a distance measurement step of measuring the distance to the name description surface of the shipment, a weight measurement step of measuring the weight of the shipment, an outer dimension analysis step of extracting the contour of the name description surface from the image photographed in the imaging step, and analyzing the outer dimensions including the length and thickness of the contour of the shipment from the extracted contour and the distance measured in the distance measurement step, and a shipping fee calculation step of calculating the shipping fee of the shipment from the outer dimensions and the weight, and is characterized by executing the same.

[0013] The shipping fee calculation program according to the eighth invention, in the seventh invention, includes an area code analysis step of analyzing an area code that is predetermined by a delivery company and attached to the shipment from the image, and the shipping fee calculation step is characterized by calculating the shipping fee of the shipment from the analyzed area code, the outer dimensions, and the weight.

[0014] The shipping fee calculation program, which is the ninth invention, in the seventh invention, has an area code analysis step of analyzing, from the said image, an area code that is predetermined by a delivery company and attached to the said shipment, and an address analysis step of analyzing the address attached to the said shipment from the said image, and referring to area code data in which the said area code and the landing address are associated, collates the said address and the said landing address via the said area code, or collates the said area code attached to the said shipment via the said address and the area code of the said area code data, in an area code-address collation step. It is characterized by having this.

[0015] The shipping fee calculation program, which is the tenth invention, in the eighth invention, has an address analysis step of analyzing the address attached to the said shipment from the said image, and referring to area code data in which the said area code and the landing address are associated, collates the said address and the said landing address via the said area code, or collates the said area code attached to the said shipment via the said address and the area code of the said area code data, in an area code-address collation step. It is characterized by having this.

[0016] The shipping fee calculation program, which is the eleventh invention, in the seventh or eighth invention, has a name analysis step of analyzing the name attached to the said shipment from the said image, and an address analysis step of analyzing the address attached to the said shipment from the said image, and referring to a customer list in which a customer address and a customer name or customer title are associated, collates the said address and the said customer address via the said name attached to the said shipment, or collates the said name and the said customer name or customer title via the said address attached to the said shipment, in a customer collation step. It is characterized by having this.

[0017] The shipping fee calculation program, which is the twelfth invention, in any one of the seventh to tenth inventions, has a shipping type analysis step of analyzing the shipping type attached to the said shipment from the said image, and the shipping fee calculation step calculates the shipping fee of the said shipment taking this shipping type into account. It is characterized by this.

Advantages of the Invention

[0018] In the shipping fee calculation system which is the first invention, not only the image of the address-written surface but also the distance to the address-written surface is measured, so that even if the thickness of the shipped item varies, the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the image contour can be analyzed with high precision. Also, it is possible to calculate the thickness of the shipped item by obtaining in advance the distance in the state where there is no shipped item, and it is possible to obtain the vertical dimension, horizontal dimension, and thickness dimension of the shipped item, that is, the outer dimensions. And it is possible to calculate the shipping fee of the fee system in which the weight is measured by the weight measuring device and the shipping fee is determined based on the outer dimensions including the thickness dimension as well as the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the shipped item and the weight.

[0019] In the shipping fee calculation system which is the second invention, in the first invention, since the analysis device further analyzes the area code attached to the shipped item from the image, it is also possible to apply it to the fee system in which the shipping fee is determined by the area code.

[0020] In the shipping fee calculation system which is the third invention, in the first invention, the analysis device further analyzes the area code and address attached to the shipped item from the image, and referring to the area code data in which the area code and the landing address are associated, it is possible to collate the address and the landing address via the area code, or the area code attached to the shipped item and the area code of the area code data via the address. That is, it is possible to determine whether the area code and address attached to the shipped item are consistent with the area code and landing address predetermined by the delivery operator.

[0021] In the shipping fee calculation system which is the fourth invention, in the second invention, since the analysis device further analyzes the address attached to the shipped item from the image, it is possible to exhibit the same effect as the third invention.

[0022] In the shipping fee calculation system which is the fifth invention, in the first or second invention, the analysis device further analyzes the name and address attached to the shipped item from the image, refers to the customer list, and can match the address and the customer address via the name, or the name and the customer name or customer designation via the address. That is, it is possible to determine whether or not the name and address attached to the shipped item are consistent with the customer name or customer designation shown in the customer list.

[0023] In the shipping fee calculation system which is the sixth invention, in any one of the first to fourth inventions, the analysis device further analyzes the shipping type attached to the shipped item from the image, and can calculate the shipping fee taking this shipping type into consideration. For example, for a shipped item that receives a service such as being delivered faster than normal or a service that records the delivery process, by displaying the shipping type on the name description surface, it is possible to easily calculate the shipping fee taking the additional fee into consideration.

[0024] Since the shipping fee calculation programs which are the seventh to twelfth inventions respectively capture the shipping fee calculation systems which are the first to sixth inventions as program inventions, their effects are the same as those of the first to sixth shipping fee calculation systems respectively.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0025]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0026] Hereinafter, a shipping fee calculation system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8. In this embodiment, mainly the case of using a postal item as a shipment and the case of using a delivery item will be described, but the shipment is not limited. FIG. 1 is a conceptual configuration diagram of a shipping fee calculation system according to this embodiment with a postal item as an example of a shipment, and FIG. 2 is a conceptual configuration diagram with a delivery item as an example in the same way. As shown in FIG. 1, the shipping fee calculation system 1 has a pedestal 3 provided with a measurement surface 2, and a support plate 9 installed via a column 8 fixed to the pedestal 3 is provided. Further, an imaging device 11 and a distance measuring sensor 12 are provided on the lower surface of the support plate 9 via a port 10. As the imaging device 11, those using elements such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or a COMS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) can be considered. Further, as the distance measuring sensor 12, a sensor adopting a general principle such as one using the phase difference of light or one using the time difference (time of flight) of transmission and reception of radio waves or ultrasonic waves can be adopted. Furthermore, a device or sensor having both the imaging device 11 and the distance measuring sensor 12 may be used. In that case, the imaging device 11 can be regarded as the imaging function part of the device or sensor, and the distance measuring sensor 12 can be regarded as the distance measuring function part of the device or sensor.

[0027] In FIG. 1, the postal item 15a as the item to be sent is placed on the measurement surface 2 with the address side 19 facing up. On the postal item 15a, the postal code is displayed as the area code 16, and depending on the purpose of sending the item to be sent, the postal service type such as express delivery, simple registered mail, or registered mail is displayed as the sending type 17. In addition, the address 18 or residence of the recipient such as a customer, as well as the address 19 such as the name of a corporation, organization, or individual name is displayed. Note that the "customer" in the present application is a concept including individuals, corporations, and various organizations at the destination of the item to be sent. Further, on the pedestal 3, a power switch 4, a postal mode switch 5, a courier mode switch 6, and a display device 7 are provided. The postal mode switch 5 is used for cases of items to be sent delivered by a postal operator, and the courier mode switch 6 is a switch used for cases of items to be sent delivered by a courier operator. This is for corresponding to delivery operators with different fee systems. Furthermore, inside the pedestal 3, although it will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 3, a weight measuring device, an analysis device, a collation device, and various databases for calculating the shipping fee (delivery fee) in the shipping fee calculation system 1 are stored.

[0028] In FIG. 1, the distance measuring sensor 12 can measure the distance H between the distance measuring sensor 12 and the measurement surface 2 in a state where the postal item 15a is not placed, and can measure the distance h between the distance measuring sensor 12 and the address side 19 of the postal item 15a when the postal item 15a is placed. Therefore, the thickness T of this postal item 15a can be obtained by the following formula (1). T = H - h (1) Note that the distance H can be automatically measured when the power switch 4 is turned on before placing the postal item 15a on the measurement surface 2, or without measuring each time the shipping fee calculation system 1 is used, measure the distance H when first used, and then use that distance H automatically from the next time to obtain the distance h. And the display device 7 displays the distance H and distance h measured by the distance measuring sensor 12, the weight of the postal item 15a measured by the weight measuring device, the analysis result analyzed by the analysis device, the calculated shipping fee, and the like.

[0029] Next, with reference to FIG. 2, the configuration of the shipping fee calculation system 1 using a home delivery item as an example will be further described. Note that the same components as those in FIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted. In FIG. 2, instead of the postal item 15a in FIG. 1, a home delivery item 15b is placed on the measurement surface 2. Since the home delivery item 15b generally involves handling of a package rather than a sealed letter, it is often protected by a packing string 20 or a tape for packing. Also, an area code 16 using a postal code, an address 18 of the recipient such as a customer, and a name 19 are similarly displayed. However, in the case of the home delivery item 15b, there are often no types corresponding to the shipping purpose such as the shipping type 17, so although not shown in the home delivery item 15b shown in FIG. 2, even if the home delivery item 15b has a display representing a type such as the shipping type 17, it is possible to use the shipping fee calculation system 1 in the same manner as the postal item 15a.

[0030] Next, with reference to FIGS. 3 to 7, the shipping fee calculation system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the shipping fee calculation system according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the shipping fee calculation executed by the shipping fee calculation system according to the embodiment of the present invention. This FIG. 4 also represents the execution process of the shipping fee calculation program of the present invention. Explaining the various analyses, the flow of the shipping fee calculation, and the flow of verification in the shipping fee calculation system with reference to this figure is equivalent to explaining the embodiment of the shipping fee calculation program using a computer. Note that in FIG. 4, the figures connected with lead lines with reference numerals provided so as to cover the descriptions of the reference numerals and processes indicated by lead lines from the descriptions of the processes indicated by "S" are the components of the shipping fee calculation system shown in FIG. 1, and their reference numerals are the same.

[0031] In FIG. 3, the shipping fee calculation system 1 is composed of a weighing device 13, an input device 14a, an output device 14b, an analysis device 21, a verification device 29, and a database group, in addition to the imaging device 11, the distance measuring sensor 12, and the display device 7 described in FIG. 1. Components other than those described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, for example, the weighing device 13, the input device 14a, the output device 14b, the analysis device 21, the verification device 29, and the database group are stored inside the pedestal 3. This shipping fee calculation system 1 can be assumed to be a system equipped with arithmetic circuits and storage devices capable of performing respective functions within a computer server. The input device 14a functions as a data receiving unit, and corresponds to a keyboard, a mouse, a tablet, an optical reading device, etc. used when a user or administrator of the shipping fee calculation system 1 inputs data into the database group in advance. The weighing device 13 has a function of measuring the weight of the postal item 15a or the delivery item 15b, which is the item to be shipped, when it is placed on the measurement surface 2. A general load cell can be used for the weighing device 13. Also, as the output device 14b, a display device different from the display device 7, a transmission device to an information communication network, or a transmitter that transfers data to another device as a data transmission unit can be considered. That is, even if the components in FIG. 3 are not integrated, it is also possible to separate the input device 14a and the output device 14b and provide them separately, and configure a system to transmit and receive data and information to and from the analysis device 21, the verification device 29, or the database group by wire or wireless.

[0032] Next, the analysis device 21 includes an analysis mode switching unit 22, an outer dimension analysis unit 23, an area code analysis unit 24, an address analysis unit 25, a name analysis unit 26, a shipping type analysis unit 27, and a shipping fee calculation unit 28. It is a device that captures an image of the description surface of the name 19 of a shipped item such as a postal item 15a or a delivery item 15b with the imaging device 11, analyzes the obtained image, or calculates the shipping fee of the shipped item using the image and the weight of the shipped item measured by the weight measuring device 13. In the embodiment of the present invention, components including the term "unit" such as the analysis mode switching unit 22, the outer dimension analysis unit 23, or the area code analysis unit 24 are adopted. This "unit" means a means or a function. As specific components, they are "elements", "electronic circuits" for executing specific operations, or "units of components" or "devices formed by aggregating them", and these are conceptualized and shown as "units".

[0033] The verification device 29 includes an area code - address verification unit 30, a customer verification unit 31, and a delivery destination verification unit 32. It is a device that verifies whether there is consistency in the description of the area code 16 and the address 18, whether there is consistency with the customer list, whether there is consistency with the delivery destination list, etc., for the content displayed on the name description surface of the shipped item.

[0034] As the database group, there is a measurement database 35 that stores in a readable manner the imaging data 36 of the name description surface of the shipped item captured by the imaging device 11, the ranging data 37 regarding the distance H to the measurement surface 2 and the distance h to the name description surface of the shipped item measured by the ranging sensor 12, and the weight data 38 of the shipped item measured by the weight measuring device 13. There is also a fee database 39 that stores in a readable manner the postal fee data 40 for the postal item 15a and the delivery fee data 41 for the delivery item 15b. The fee database 39 and the measurement database 35 are connected to the analysis device 21.

[0035] In addition, a logistics database 42 that stores area code data 43 that can be read out by a delivery company for each delivery area in advance for sorting during the delivery of the shipment, such as a postal code, and a customer database 44 that stores a customer list 45 of users of the shipping fee calculation system 1 in a readable manner are connected to the collation device 29. Furthermore, a shipment database 46 that stores a destination list 47 of destinations of shipments compiled in advance and shipment data 48 obtained by analyzing the name description surface and weight of the shipment in a readable manner is connected to both the analysis device 21 and the collation device 29. Since the collation device 29 and the analysis device 21 are connected to each other, the database group may be connected in any way other than the connection state shown in FIG. 3. Also, data stored in these database groups, such as postal fee data 40, courier fee data 41, and area code data 43, and lists, such as customer list 45 and destination list 47, can be input from the analysis device 21 and the collation device 29 via the input device 14a and output to an external device or network via the output device 14b.

[0036] Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 4 as well, while explaining the flow of analysis and calculation in the shipping fee calculation system 1, the components of the shipping fee calculation system 1 will also be described in detail. In FIG. 4, turning on the power switch 4 of the shipping fee calculation system 1 results in "START". Step S1 is a step of measuring the distance H to the measurement surface 2 by the distance measuring sensor 12. The distance measuring sensor 12 displays the measured distance H via the display device 7 and stores it in the measurement database 35 as distance measurement data 37 in a readable manner. Note that this step S1 is not necessary if the distance H is already stored in the measurement database 35 as known distance measurement data 37 in advance or is stored in the outer dimension analysis unit 23 or the like. Step S2 is a step in which the user places the shipment on the measurement surface 2 of the pedestal 3. Thereafter, step S3 is a step of selecting an analysis mode. When the delivery carrier of the shipment such as the postal item 15a or the home delivery item 15b is different, it is necessary to calculate the shipping fee according to the fee system used by the delivery carrier. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the analysis mode switching unit 22 of the analysis device 21 has a function of switching between the postal mode and the home delivery mode in response to signal inputs from the postal mode switch 5 and the home delivery mode switch 6. The postal mode is a mode in which the shipping fee of the postal item 15a is calculated while referring to the postal fee data 40 in the fee database 39, and the home delivery mode is a mode in which the shipping fee of the home delivery item 15b is calculated while referring to the home delivery fee data 41. Note that when the postal mode switch 5 and the home delivery mode switch 6 are each pressed, they may be colored by a liquid crystal, a lamp, or the like, or the mode selected by the analysis mode switching unit 22 may be displayed on the display device 7 to clarify that it is selected.

[0037] Here, while referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, an explanation of the postal item 15a and the home delivery item 15b will be added. FIGS. 5 and 6 are conceptual diagrams showing a postal item and a home delivery item as shipments, respectively. In FIG. 5, the postal item 15a generally has a document or the like enclosed in an envelope, displays the postal code as the area code 16, and the shipping type 17 such as "express delivery", "registered mail", or "simple registered mail" as required, and the address 18 or residence of various organizations or individual customers including corporations, and its name 19, and is then shipped. In the present embodiment, for the purpose of calculating the shipping fee, for convenience, the vertical dimension of the envelope is described as L and the horizontal dimension is described as W. Similarly, in the home delivery item 15b of FIG. 6, the area code 16, the address 18, and the name 19 are also displayed. Generally, the shipping type 17 is not displayed in the home delivery item 15b, so it is omitted in this figure, but it may be displayed. In addition, since the home delivery item 15b is generally a thick package, it is protected by packaging such as a packing string 20. The vertical dimension is L and the horizontal dimension is W, the same as the postal item 15a.

[0038] Returning to FIG. 4, step S4 is a step in which the imaging device 11 captures an image of the address description surface of the shipment such as the postal item 15a or the delivery item 15b, that is, an imaging step. Step S5 is a step in which the distance measuring sensor 12 measures the distance to the address description surface, that is, a distance measuring step. The imaging device 11 stores the image obtained by imaging as imaging data 36, and the distance measuring sensor 12 stores the measured distance h as distance measuring data 37 in the measurement database 35 so that they can be read out. Further, the imaging device 11 causes the display device 7 to display the obtained image, and the distance measuring sensor 12 causes the display device 7 to display the measured distance h. Also, step S6 is a weight measuring step in which the weight measuring device 13 measures the weight of the shipment. The weight measuring device 13 causes the display device 7 to display the weight value obtained by measurement, and stores the weight value as weight data 38 in the measurement database 35 so that it can be read out.

[0039] Next, in step S7, the outer dimension analysis unit 23 reads out the imaging data 36 and the distance measuring data 37 of the address description surface of the shipment captured by the imaging device 11 from the measurement database 35, extracts the contour of the image that is the imaging data 36, and uses the distance H and the distance h that are the distance measuring data 37 to analyze the outer dimensions including the length of the contour and the thickness of the shipment. This is an outer dimension analysis step. The outer dimension analysis unit 23 has a function of extracting the contour of the shipment from the image of the address description surface and analyzing its length (dimension), and a function of analyzing the thickness T of the shipment. In this case, the distance h from the address description surface of the shipment measured by the distance measuring sensor 12 and the distance H to the measurement surface 2 are referred to. Referring to FIG. 7, the analysis of the outer dimensions by the outer dimension analysis unit 23 will be specifically described. FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the use of a distance measuring sensor when an imaging device of a shipping fee calculation system captures an image of the address description surface of a shipment.

[0040] In FIG. 7, the postal item 15a or the delivery item 15b, which is the item to be shipped photographed by the imaging device 11, has a thickness T, and since this thickness T varies depending on the item to be shipped, when analyzing the image photographed by the imaging device 11 that always exists at the same position, the distance of the image from the imaging device 11 must be taken into account in order to accurately analyze the dimensions of the contour, that is, the vertical dimension L and the horizontal dimension W. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, the actual vertical dimension L of the postal item 15a or the delivery item 15b may be grasped as the length Lv on the apparent measurement surface 2 if the thickness T of the item to be shipped is not considered with respect to the image photographed by the imaging device 11. That is, in order to accurately analyze the dimensions of the contour of the item to be shipped, it is necessary to accurately measure the distance H and the distance h by the distance measuring sensor 12. In the outer dimension analysis unit 23, the measurement surface 2 at the distance H is photographed in advance by the imaging device 11, and the length f on the measurement surface 2 corresponding to one pixel of the imaging device 11 in the photographed image is obtained through analysis and calculation. While using the distance h measured in advance by the distance measuring sensor 12 in step S5, for the number of pixels constituting the contour of the item to be shipped that constitutes the contour in the image, the vertical dimension L and the horizontal dimension W are analyzed as the contour dimensions through conversion such as multiplying the ratio of the distance h to the distance H and the length f. The analyzed vertical dimension L and horizontal dimension W are stored in the item data database 46 in a readable manner as item data 48 by the outer dimension analysis unit 23 and are displayed on the display device 7. Note that the length f is stored in the measurement database 35 in a readable manner as distance measurement data 37 by the distance measuring sensor 12 via the input device 14a.

[0041] Then, the outer dimension analysis unit 23 reads the distance measurement data 37 regarding the distance H and the distance h from the measurement database 35 and calculates the thickness T of the item to be shipped based on the formula (1). However, when there is about one sheet of document in the envelope, the thickness is about 1.2 mm, and since it is not considered that this thickness has a great influence on the shipping fee, it may be handled as 0 mm if the thickness is below a certain level. The outer dimension analysis unit 23 also stores this thickness T in the item data database 46 in a readable manner as item data 48 and displays it on the display device 7. Furthermore, the outer dimension analysis unit 23 can also analyze the type of the envelope of the shipped item as the outer diameter dimension. For example, data regarding the sizes (standards) of envelopes generally used in the country, such as the regular envelope, the long-size No. 3 (120 mm × 235 mm), and the non-regular envelope, the square No. 2 (240 mm × 332 mm), are stored in the outer dimension analysis unit 23 itself. While referring to this envelope size data, the standard of the envelope is analyzed, and this is also stored in the shipment item database 46 as part of the outer dimension data in a readable manner as shipment item data 48 and displayed on the display device 7. Also, in the case of the delivery item 15b, the sum of the vertical, horizontal, and thickness dimensions is stored in the shipment item database 46 as part of the outer diameter dimension data in a readable manner as shipment item data 48 and displayed on the display device 7.

[0042] Next, step S8 is an area code analysis process in which the area code analysis unit 24 reads the imaging data 36 of the address description surface of the shipped item photographed by the imaging device 11 from the measurement database 35 and analyzes the characters of the area code 16. The analyzed area code 16 is stored in the shipment item database 46 in a readable manner as shipment item data 48 by the area code analysis unit 24 and displayed on the display device 7. Step S9 is an address analysis process in which the address analysis unit 25 reads the imaging data 36 of the address description surface of the shipped item photographed by the imaging device 11 from the measurement database 35 and analyzes the characters of the address 18. The analyzed address 18 is stored in the shipment item database 46 in a readable manner as shipment item data 48 by the address analysis unit 25 and displayed on the display device 7. Step S10 is a name analysis process in which the name analysis unit 26 reads the imaging data 36 of the address description surface of the shipped item photographed by the imaging device 11 from the measurement database 35 and analyzes the characters of the name 19. The analyzed name 19 is stored in the shipment item database 46 in a readable manner as shipment item data 48 by the name analysis unit 26 and displayed on the display device 7.

[0043] Step S11 is a shipping type analysis step in which the shipping type analysis unit 27 reads the imaging data 36 of the address description surface of the shipped item captured by the imaging device 11 from the measurement database 35 and analyzes the characters of the shipping type 17. The analyzed shipping type 17 is stored in the shipped item database 46 as the shipped item data 48 so that it can be read by the shipping type analysis unit 27 and is displayed on the display device 7. Furthermore, the shipping type analysis unit 27 reads the shipped item data 48 regarding the outer dimensions (L, W, T) from the shipped item database 46 and the weight data 38 from the measurement database 35, and analyzes the shipping types other than the shipping type 17 displayed on the address description surface of the shipped item. Specifically, it includes within the regular size, within the non-regular size but within the specified range, outside the non-regular size range, etc. in the postal mode. In this analysis, the postal fee data 40 as shown in Table 1 is read from the fee database 39 for reference and analysis. For the shipping types other than the shipping type 17, they are also stored in the shipped item database 46 as the shipped item data 48 by the shipping type analysis unit 27 and are displayed on the display device 7. Note that the regular size means a length (long side) of 14 to 23.5 cm, a width (short side) of 9 to 12 cm, a thickness of 1 cm, and a weight of 50 g. Within the non-regular size range means a length (long side) within 34 cm, a width (short side) within 25 cm, a thickness within 3 cm, and a weight within 1 kg. Deviating from these values, with the length (long side) within 60 cm and the sum of the length, width, and thickness within 90 cm is outside the non-regular size range. Therefore, these data are also included in the postal fee data 40. These dimensions are current values and may change due to changes in laws and regulations. In that case, the postal fee data 40 should be corrected as appropriate. Note that in the case of the courier mode, it is considered that the shipping type 17 is rarely displayed. Therefore, step S11 may be skipped. Or in the case where there is a shipping type even in the courier mode, the shipping type analysis unit 27 may analyze it accordingly.

[0044] Step S12 is a shipping fee calculation process in which the shipping fee calculation unit 28 reads out the weight data 38 measured by the weight measuring device 13 from the measurement database 35 and the outer dimensions stored as the shipping item data 48 by the outer dimension analysis unit 23 from the shipping item database 46, that is, the vertical dimension L, the horizontal dimension W, and the thickness T, and calculates the shipping fee of the shipping item using these. When calculating, postal fee data 40 as shown in Table 1 is read out when the shipping item is a postal item 15a, and delivery fee data 41 as shown in Table 2 is read out when it is a delivery item 15b, and it is calculated as the shipping fee corresponding to the weight and outer dimensions. In addition, the shipping fee calculation unit 28 can also read out the shipping item data 48 regarding the shipping type 17 analyzed by the shipping type analysis unit 27 in step S11 and the shipping types other than the shipping type 17 from the shipping item database 46, and calculate the shipping fee taking this into account. That is, although the postal fee data 40 shown in Table 1 does not show the shipping fee related to the shipping type 17 or other shipping types, since it includes those related to the current postal fee, it is possible to calculate the shipping fee taking these into account. The calculated shipping fee is stored in the shipping item database 46 as the shipping item data 48 by the shipping fee calculation unit 28, and is displayed on the display device 7 together with the data such as the weight and outer dimensions or the shipping type on which it is based. At this time, the shipping fee calculation unit 28 also includes the weight data 38 read out from the measurement database 35 in the shipping item data 48 and stores it.

[0045]

Table 1

[0046]

Table 2

[0047] Here, the shipping item data 48 will be described with reference to FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram showing the content of the shipping item data 48 obtained by the shipping fee calculation system 1. In FIG. 8, "No." and "Shipping Date" are the numbers assigned in the order analyzed using the shipping fee calculation system 1, and the shipping date or the analyzed date, both of which are assigned to each shipping item analyzed by the outer dimension analysis unit 23, and stored in the shipping item database 46 as shipping item data 48. Also, the area code 16 is analyzed and stored by the area code analysis unit 24, the shipping type 17 is analyzed by the shipping type analysis unit 27, and the name 19 and address 18 are analyzed and stored by the name analysis unit 26 and the address analysis unit 25, respectively. And the outer dimensions (L, W, T, sum of dimensions, and envelope specifications, etc.) are also analyzed and stored by the outer dimension analysis unit 23 and the shipping type analysis unit 27. In addition, the weight data 38 measured by the weight measuring device 13 and the shipping fee are stored in the shipping item database 46 as shipping item data 48 by the shipping fee calculation unit 28. Furthermore, the shipping item data 48 has a remarks column, enabling the user to make notes. Specifically, looking at the shipping item No. 1, the vertical dimension L is 235 mm, the horizontal dimension W is 120 mm, and the thickness T is 0 mm, which can be ignored, so it is considered a No. 3 long shape. Also, since the weight is 20 g, it is analyzed as "within the fixed form" by the shipping type analysis unit 27, and also analyzed as "express delivery" from the image of the name description surface of the postal item 15a. And the final shipping fee is 344 yen, which is obtained by adding the express delivery fee of 260 yen to the shipping fee of 84 yen for fixed-form postal items within 25 g in Table 1.

[0048] Returning to FIG. 4, the process of verification using the verification device 29 will be described. Step S13 is an area code and address verification process in which the area code and address verification unit 30 of the verification device 29 reads the area code 16 or address 18 stored in the shipping item database 46 as shipping item data 48, and reads the area code data 43 from the logistics database 42 for verification. First, the area code data 43 will be described. The area code data 43 is data predetermined by a delivery carrier like a postal code or the like, and is a data set in which a code for specifying a region and a landing address are paired and associated. Specifically, it is as shown in Table 3.

[0049]

Table 3

[0050] The area code-address verification unit 30 reads the area code 16 from the shipment data 48 in the shipment database 46, and through this, that is, as a key, detects the matching area code in the area code data 43, and verifies the landing address paired with that area code and the address 18 of the shipment data 48. If they match, the area code-address verification unit 30 stores the characters, symbols, etc. of the area code-address verified as the shipment data 48 in the shipment database 46 so as to be displayed in a remarks column or the like, displays the verification result indicating a match on the display device 7, ends step S13, and proceeds to step S14. If they cannot be verified, first, if the area code in the area code data 43 that matches the area code 16 is not detected, there may be an error in the area code 16, so the area code-address verification unit 30 displays that fact on the display device 7 to prompt the user's attention. Also, if the area code that matches the area code 16 is detected but the landing address in the area code data 43 and the address 18 of the shipment data 48 cannot be verified, there may be an error in the address 18 or the area code 16 may not correctly correspond to the address 18, so the area code-address verification unit 30 similarly displays that fact on the display device 7 to prompt the user's attention.

[0051] Also, the area code-address verification unit 30 reads the address 18 from the shipment data 48, and through this, that is, as a key, detects the destination address that matches in the area code data 43, and may verify the area code associated with the destination address and the area code 16 of the shipment data 48. Also in this case, if they match, the process proceeds to step S14 after finishing step S13 through the same process. If they cannot be verified, first, if the destination address of the area code data 43 that matches the address 18 is not detected, there is a possibility that the address 18 is incorrect. Therefore, the area code-address verification unit 30 displays this fact on the display device 7 to prompt the user. Also, if the area code of the area code data 43 that matches the address 18 is detected but the area code of the area code data 43 and the area code 16 of the shipment data 48 cannot be verified, there is a possibility that the area code 16 is incorrect or the address 18 does not correctly correspond to the area code 16. Therefore, the area code-address verification unit 30 similarly displays this fact on the display device 7 to prompt the user.

[0052] Step S14 is a customer verification process in which the customer verification unit 31 of the verification device 29 reads the name 19 or address 18 stored in the shipment database 46 as the shipment data 48, and for these, reads the customer list 45 from the customer database 44 and verifies them. First, the customer list 45 will be described. The customer list 45 is a list created by the user of the shipping fee calculation system 1, and is a data set regarding at least the "name / title" of the customer and the "address or residence" of the customer associated with the "customer ID" assigned to each customer. Specifically, it is as shown in Table 4. Although not shown in this Table 4, the area code may be associated with the "customer ID" and included in the customer list 45.

[0053]

Table 4

[0054] The customer verification unit 31 reads the addressee name 19 from the shipment data 48 in the shipment database 46, and through this, that is, it detects the matching "name / company name" in the customer list 45 as a key, and collates the "address or domicile" corresponding to that "name / company name" with the address 18 of the shipment data 48. When the area code is included in the customer list 45, the area code corresponding to the "name / company name" and the area code 16 of the shipment data 48 may also be collated together. If they match, the customer verification unit 31 stores the characters, symbols, etc. of the verified customer in the shipment database 46 so as to be displayed in the remarks column or the like as the shipment data 48, displays the collation result indicating the match on the display device 7, ends step S14, and proceeds to the next step S15. If the collation cannot be performed, first, if the "name / company name" in the customer list 45 that matches the addressee name 19 is not detected, there may be an error in the addressee name 19. Therefore, the customer verification unit 31 displays that fact on the display device 7 to prompt the user's attention. Also, even if the "name / company name" that matches the addressee name 19 is detected, if the "address or domicile" in the customer list 45 and the address 18 of the shipment data 48 cannot be collated, there may be an error in the address 18. Therefore, the customer verification unit 31 similarly displays that fact on the display device 7 to prompt the user's attention.

[0055] Also, the customer verification unit 31 may read the address 18 from the shipment data 48, and through this, that is, it detects the matching "address or domicile" in the customer list 45 as a key, and collates the "name / company name" corresponding to that "address or domicile" with the addressee name 19 of the shipment data 48. Also in this case, if they match, after going through the same process, step S14 is ended and the next step S15 is proceeded to. If the matching fails, first, if the "address or dwelling" in the customer list 45 where the address 18 matches is not detected, there may be an error in the address 18. Therefore, the customer matching unit 31 displays a message to that effect on the display device 7 to prompt the user's attention. Also, even if the "address or dwelling" that matches the address 18 is detected but the "name / title" in the customer list 45 and the consignee name 19 in the shipment data 48 cannot be matched, there may be an error in the consignee name 19. Therefore, the customer matching unit 31 similarly displays a message to that effect on the display device 7 to prompt the user's attention.

[0056] Step S15 is a destination matching process in which the destination matching unit 32 of the matching device 29 reads the destination list 47 stored in the shipment database 46 as the shipment data 48, and for these, reads the shipment data 48 from the shipment database 46 and performs a match. First, the destination list 47 will be described. The destination list 47 is assumed to be a list created by the user before using the shipping fee calculation system 1, and is a data set including at least "scheduled shipping date", "shipping type", "consignee name", and "address". However, the "shipping type" in this destination list 47 is only what is assumed in advance, that is, it is limited to the distinction between "mail" and "courier service", and things like "express delivery" and "registered mail". Specifically, it is as shown in Table 5. Although not shown in this Table 5, an area code may be included in the destination list 47.

[0057]

Table 5

[0058] The destination verification unit 32 reads the recipient name 19 from the shipment data 48 in the shipment database 46, and through this, that is, as a key, detects the matching "recipient name" in the destination list 47, and verifies the "address" corresponding to that "recipient name" with the address 18 of the shipment data 48. When the area code is included in the destination list 47, the area code corresponding to the "recipient name" and the area code 16 of the shipment data 48 may also be verified together. Further, the destination verification unit 32 reads and verifies the "shipment type" corresponding to the "recipient name" in the destination list 47 with the shipment type 17 read from the shipment data 48. If they match, the destination verification unit 32 stores the verified characters, symbols, etc. in the shipment database 46 so as to be displayed in the remarks column or the like as the shipment data 48, displays on the display device 7 that they have matched, ends step S15, ends all processes, and becomes "END". If the verification fails, it is considered that there is an analysis omission of the shipment, so the destination verification unit 32 displays this fact on the display device 7 to prompt the user's attention. Note that what can be confirmed by this verification is the pre-planned content such as whether it is postal delivery or home delivery, and if it is postal delivery, whether it is express or registered mail. It is not possible for the shipment type 17 that can only be analyzed for the first time using the shipping fee calculation system 1. However, if it is included in the pre-listed shipment types such as "within the standard form", "outside the standard form", "non-standard", etc., the verification is possible. By performing this verification, it is possible to confirm whether the actual shipment type 17 of the shipment is as expected in the "shipment type", and it is possible to detect omissions in the description such as "express" or "registered mail" in the shipment. Note that the verification device 29 and the verification process are always optional and do not necessarily have to be provided in the shipping fee calculation system 1 or the shipping fee calculation program according to this embodiment. If the option is not provided, it may be set to "END" in step S12.

[0059] As described above, in the shipping fee calculation system 1 according to this embodiment, even when the shipping fee for shipments such as postal items and home delivery items varies depending on the thickness and the outer dimensions including the vertical dimension, horizontal dimension, and thickness dimension of the shipment, the calculation can be performed easily and with high accuracy. In addition to the imaging device 11, by providing the distance measuring sensor 12, it is also possible to previously obtain the distance H in the state where there is no shipped item as well as the image of the address description surface, and analyze the thickness T of the shipped item by measuring the distance h to the address description surface. Even if the thickness of the shipped item fluctuates, the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the image contour can be analyzed with higher precision. As a result, the shipping fee can also be calculated with higher precision. Furthermore, the outer dimension analysis unit 23 analyzes the address 18 and the shipping type 17 of the name 19 from the image of the address description surface of the shipped item, stores the postal fee data 40 and the courier fee data 41 related to the shipping fee that vary depending on these in the fee database 39, and the shipping fee calculation unit 28 calculates the shipping fee using these data. Therefore, it is possible to easily and accurately respond to fluctuations in the shipping fee based on the address 18 and the shipping type 17 of the name 19. In addition, since the area code analysis unit 24 analyzes the area code 16 attached to the shipped item from the image, it is possible to easily adapt even if a fee system in which the shipping fee is determined by the area code 16 is adopted.

[0060] In addition, the area code - address verification unit 30 can determine whether the area code 16 and the address 18 attached to the shipped item match the area code and the destination address predetermined by the delivery company, or whether either the area code 16 or the address 18 described on the shipped item is misrecorded. Also, the customer verification unit 31 can determine whether the address 18 and the name 19 described on the shipped item match the address or residence, name, and title in the customer list 45, or whether either the address 18 or the name 19 described on the shipped item is misrecorded. Furthermore, the delivery destination verification unit 32 can determine whether the shipped item data 48 related to the shipped item matches the content of the delivery destination list 47, or whether there is an unanalyzed shipped item.

Industrial Applicability

[0061] The invention of the present application can be used in a shipping fee calculation system and its program that can easily and accurately calculate the shipping fees of shipped items such as postal items and delivery items.

Explanation of reference numerals

[0062] 1... Shipping fee calculation system 2... Measuring surface 3... Pedestal 4... Power switch 5... Postal mode switch 6... Delivery mode switch 7... Display device 8... Support column 9... Support plate 10... Port 11... Imaging device 12... Distance measuring sensor 13... Weight measuring device 14a... Input device 14b... Output device 15a... Postal item 15b... Delivery item 16... Area code 17... Shipping type 18... Address 19... Name of addressee 20... Strapping for packing 21... Analysis device 22... Analysis mode switching section 23... Outer dimension analysis section 24... Area code analysis section 25... Address analysis section 26... Name of addressee analysis section 27... Shipping type analysis section 28... Shipping fee calculation section 29... Verification device 30... Area code - address verification section 31... Customer verification section 32... Destination verification section 35... Measurement database 36... Imaging data 37... Distance measurement data 38... Weight data 39... Fee database 40... Postal fee data 41... Delivery fee data 42... Logistics database 43... Area code data 44... Customer database 45... Customer list 46... Shipped item database 47... Destination list 48... Shipped item data

Claims

1. A shipping fee calculation system for calculating the shipping fee of a shipment, comprising: an imaging device for photographing the address description surface of the shipment; a distance measuring sensor for measuring the distance to the address description surface of the shipment; a weight measuring device for measuring the weight of the shipment; an analysis device for analyzing the contour of the address description surface from the image photographed by the imaging device, analyzing the outer dimensions including the length and thickness of the contour of the shipment from the analyzed contour and the distance measured by the distance measuring sensor, and calculating the shipping fee of the shipment from the outer dimensions and the weight. A shipping fee calculation system characterized by the above.

2. The analysis device analyzes an area code that is predetermined by a shipping company and attached to the shipment from the image, and calculates the shipping fee of the shipment from the analyzed area code, the outer dimensions, and the weight. The shipping fee calculation system according to Claim 1, characterized by the above.

3. The analysis device for analyzing an area code and an address that are predetermined by a shipping company and attached to the shipment from the image, and a collation device for collating the address and the destination address via the area code with reference to area code data in which the area code and the destination address are associated, or a collation device for collating the area code attached to the shipment via the address with the area code of the area code data. The shipping fee calculation system according to Claim 1, characterized by the above.

4. The analysis device for analyzing an address from the image, and a collation device for collating the address and the destination address via the area code with reference to area code data in which the area code and the destination address are associated, or a collation device for collating the area code attached to the shipment via the address with the area code of the area code data. The shipping fee calculation system according to Claim 2, characterized by the above.

5. The analysis device for analyzing a name and an address from the image, and a collation device for collating the address and the customer address via the name attached to the shipment with reference to a customer list in which the customer address and the customer name or customer name are associated, or a collation device for collating the name and the customer name or customer name via the address attached to the shipment. The shipping fee calculation system according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, characterized by the above.

6. The shipping fee calculation system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the analysis device analyzes the shipping type attached to the shipped item from the image and calculates the shipping fee of the shipped item in consideration of this shipping type.

7. A shipping fee calculation program executed by a computer to calculate the shipping fee of a shipped item, the program comprising: an imaging step of photographing the address-written surface of the shipped item; a distance measurement step of measuring the distance to the address-written surface of the shipped item; a weight measurement step of measuring the weight of the shipped item; an outer dimension analysis step of extracting the contour of the address-written surface from the image photographed in the imaging step and analyzing the outer dimensions including the length and thickness of the contour of the shipped item from the extracted contour and the distance measured in the distance measurement step; and a shipping fee calculation step of calculating the shipping fee of the shipped item from the outer dimensions and the weight.

8. The shipping fee calculation program according to claim 7, further comprising an area code analysis step of analyzing an area code that is predetermined by a shipping company and attached to the shipped item from the image, wherein the shipping fee calculation step calculates the shipping fee of the shipped item from the analyzed area code, the outer dimensions, and the weight.

9. The shipping fee calculation program according to claim 7, further comprising: an area code analysis step of analyzing an area code that is predetermined by a shipping company and attached to the shipped item from the image; and an address analysis step of analyzing the address attached to the shipped item from the image, and further comprising an area code / address verification step of verifying the address and the destination address via the area code by referring to area code data in which the area code and the destination address are associated, or an area code / address verification step of verifying the area code attached to the shipped item and the area code in the area code data via the address.

10. It has an address analysis step of analyzing the address attached to the shipment from the image, and referring to area code data in which the area code and the landing address are associated, collates the address and the landing address via the area code in an area code-address collation step, or collates the area code attached to the shipment via the address with the area code in the area code data in an area code-address collation step. The shipping fee calculation program according to claim 8, characterized by having this.

11. It has a name analysis step of analyzing the name attached to the shipment from the image and an address analysis step of analyzing the address attached to the shipment from the image, and referring to a customer list in which a customer address and a customer name or customer title are associated, collates the address and the customer address via the name attached to the shipment in a customer collation step, or collates the name and the customer name or customer title via the address attached to the shipment in a customer collation step. The shipping fee calculation program according to claim 7 or claim 8, characterized by having this.

12. It has a shipping type analysis step of analyzing the shipping type attached to the shipment from the image, and the shipping fee calculation step calculates the shipping fee of the shipment in consideration of this shipping type. The shipping fee calculation program according to any one of claims 7 to 10, characterized by this.

Images