Information management device, delivery processing system, and information management method

Abstract

We propose an information management device, a delivery processing system, and an information management method that can centrally manage information identified through processing by multiple sorting devices located in multiple regions. [Solution] According to the embodiment, the information management device has a communication unit, a storage unit, and a processor. The communication unit communicates with sorting devices located in each region. The storage unit stores a delivery database that stores information about delivered items. The processor associates sender information with delivery IDs for each delivery item ID and stores it in the delivery database based on sender information corresponding to the delivery item ID obtained from the first sorting device by the communication unit and destination information corresponding to the delivery item ID obtained from the second sorting device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to an information management device, a delivery item processing system, and an information management method.

Background Art

[0002] In a conventional delivery item processing system, delivery items such as postal items are delivered to a destination by being processed by a plurality of sorting devices installed in each region. Since it is difficult in terms of data volume for the sorting device in each region to have an address database storing destination information (name and destination address) for all regions that can be a delivery destination, it has an address database for each region storing destination information (name, address) within the region it manages and information indicating delivery routes within the region.

[0003] In a delivery item processing system having sorting devices installed for each region that becomes a management area as described above, the sorting device in the region that receives a postal item sorts (separates) the postal item for each delivery area divided by the management area, and the sorting devices in each region receive and sort the postal items having their own management area as the delivery area. However, in the conventional delivery item processing system, there is a problem that although the sorting devices in each region perform different sorting processes using different address databases, they cannot comprehensively manage the information regarding one delivery item obtained in the sorting process.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The problem that this invention aims to solve is to propose an information management device, a delivery processing system, and an information management method that can comprehensively manage information identified through processing by multiple sorting devices located in multiple regions. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to one embodiment, the information management device comprises a communication unit, a storage unit, and a processor. The communication unit communicates with sorting devices located in each region. The storage unit stores a delivery database that stores information about delivered items. The processor associates sender information with delivery IDs for each delivery item ID, based on sender information corresponding to the delivery item ID obtained from a first sorting device by the communication unit, and destination information corresponding to the delivery item ID obtained from a second sorting device, and stores this information in the delivery database. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows an example of the overall configuration of a delivery processing system including an information management device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating the processing flow from the time a delivery item is delivered until it is delivered, in a delivery item processing system including an information management device according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a sorting device in a delivery processing system including an information management device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows an example of a delivery item processed by a sorting device in a delivery item processing system including an information management device according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an information management device in a delivery processing system according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows a first example of the configuration of a delivery item database generated by an information management device, including an information management device according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows a second example of the configuration of the delivery item database generated by the information management device according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the process by which the information management device creates a delivery item database in the delivery item processing system according to the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] The embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, the overall configuration of the delivery processing system 1, including the information management device 5 according to this embodiment, will be described. Figure 1 shows an example of the overall configuration of the delivery item processing system 1, including the information management device 5 according to the embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, the delivery processing system 1 according to this embodiment has a plurality of sorting devices 3 and an information management device 5. Each sorting device 3 (3A, 3B, ..., 3N, ...) is located in a region that is its respective management area. The sorting devices 3 located in each region (office) are connected to the information management device 5 via a network 4.

[0009] Each sorting device 3 sorts the delivered items based on the destination information (sorting information) assigned to the delivered items, such as paper sheets or articles. In this embodiment, the delivered items processed by the sorting device 3 are assumed to contain destination information including the recipient's name and address, and sender information including the sender's name and sender information.

[0010] Each sorting device 3 has functions such as identifying the recipient information of a delivery, identifying the sender information of a delivery, assigning identification information (ID) to a delivery, reading the ID assigned to a delivery, and communicating with the information management device 5. In the sorting process for sorting delivery items, the sorting device 3 identifies the recipient information or sender information of a delivery item, associates the identified recipient information or sender information with the ID assigned to the delivery item or the ID read from the delivery item, and transmits it to the information management device 5.

[0011] The information management device 5 acquires destination information or sender information associated with the ID of the sorted delivery item from each sorting device 3. By aggregating the information acquired from each sorting device 3 for each delivery item ID, the information management device 5 generates a delivery item database 61 (see Figure 5) as a delivery item list showing the destination information and sender information for each delivery item ID. Based on the information stored in the delivery item database 61 generated by the information management device 5, it is possible to detect when the recipient has moved, or to statistically estimate the volume of deliveries based on conditions such as time and region.

[0012] Next, we will briefly explain the flow of each process in the delivery processing system 1 according to the embodiment, from the time the delivery is made until the delivery is completed. Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating the flow of each process in the delivery processing system 1 according to the embodiment, from the time the delivery is made until the delivery is made. In the delivery processing system 1, each sorting device 3 is installed at a base (office) established for each delivery area (management area) it is responsible for. The information management device 5 is located at the central management office and is connected to the sorting devices 3 at each office.

[0013] Figure 2 schematically illustrates the flow of various processes in the delivery processing system 1, from the dispatch of a delivery item within area A to its destination within area B. In the example shown in Figure 2, post office A, equipped with sorting device 3A, is designated as the management area for area A, and post office B, equipped with sorting device 3B, is designated as the management area for area B.

[0014] Sorting device 3A has an address database 19b (see Figure 3) that stores information about destinations (names and addresses) in area A, which is a managed area, and sorting device 3B has an address database 19b that stores information about destinations in area B, which is a managed area. For example, each address database 19b records not only destinations (names and addresses) within the managed area, but also information such as the destination for change of address notifications.

[0015] The sender in Region A posts the delivery addressed to a destination in Region B to the post installed in Region A or brings it to a predetermined collection location. Also, the sender may bring the delivery to Office A. The deliveries posted to the post in Region A and those brought to the predetermined collection location are collected by Office A in Region A. The sorting device 3A of Office A is supplied with the deliveries collected in Region A. The sorting device 3A performs sorting (separation sorting) that sorts the deliveries collected in Region A for each region that is the management area of each office. Here, the office that performs the separation sorting is also referred to as the separation office.

[0016] The sorting device (first sorting device) 3A of Office A, which becomes the separation office, as separation sorting, identifies the delivery area (delivery region) to which the delivery is to be delivered from the destination information described in the delivery, and sorts the deliveries for each management area of each office based on the identified delivery region. The sorting device 3A identifies the delivery region of the delivery by recognition processing or video coding processing of the information indicating the delivery region in the destination information described in the delivery, and identifies which office's management area the delivery region of the delivery is.

[0017] For example, the destination information in the destination information includes information indicated by a predetermined number of digits of number information (for example, postal code) and information consisting of a plurality of hierarchies after the number information (for example, block, address, number, room number). The predetermined number of digits of number information includes information indicating a region, and the delivery region of the delivery is identified by the number information. The sorting device 3A identifies which office's management area the delivery region of the delivery is by identifying the number information described in the delivery in the separation sorting, and sorts the deliveries for each delivery region.

[0018] The deliveries sorted for each delivery region by the sorting device 3 of the separation office are transported to the offices in their respective delivery regions. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the deliveries with the delivery region being Region B are sorted into Region B by the separation sorting of the sorting device 3A. The deliveries sorted into Region B are transported from Office A to the office (Office B) in Region B. Note that the deliveries for which their own office's management area is identified as the delivery region by the separation sorting are resupplied to the sorting device 3 of their own office.

[0019] The sorting device 3B at station B receives deliveries destined for area B, which have been sorted by the sorting device 3A at station A. When the sorting device 3B receives deliveries destined for area B, it performs sorting (delivery sorting) of the supplied deliveries according to the delivery person within area B, the order of delivery, etc. Here, the station that performs delivery sorting will also be referred to as the delivery station.

[0020] The sorting device (second sorting device) 3B identifies the destination information (name and destination address) written on each delivery item as a delivery classification by recognition processing using the address database 19b for area B or by video coding processing. Once the sorting device 3B identifies the destination information written on the delivery item, it sorts the delivery item by delivery person based on the identified destination information. In the example shown in Figure 2, the delivery items sorted by the sorting device 3B according to the delivery classification are delivered to their respective destinations within area B. Furthermore, if the destination information of a delivery item is for a destination where a change of address notification has been made (forwarding to the new address has been set up due to a change of address notification), the sorting device 3B sorts the delivery item into a forwarding collection unit. The delivery items collected in the forwarding collection unit are assigned destination information for the forwarding destination and transported to the forwarding destination area.

[0021] Furthermore, the delivery processing system 1 according to this embodiment not only sorts the delivery items as described above, but also has the function of comprehensively managing the information obtained from the sorting process of dispatch and delivery of the delivery items using the information management device 5. That is, as shown in Figure 2, the information management device 5 acquires the information obtained from the sorting device (first sorting device) 3A at the dispatching post office and the sorting device (second sorting device) 3B at the delivery post office, respectively, and stores the acquired information as information for each delivery item in the delivery item database (delivery item list) 61 (see Figure 5).

[0022] The sorting device 3 at the dispatching post office identifies not only information indicating the delivery area of ​​the delivered item, but also the sender information written on the delivered item, and transmits the identified sender information to the information management device 5, associating it with the ID of the delivered item. In the example shown in Figure 2, the sorting device 3A at post office A, which is the dispatching post office, identifies the sender information by recognizing the sender information written on the delivered item using the address database 19b for area A during the dispatching sorting process. Once the sorting device 3A identifies the sender information of the delivered item, it transmits information indicating part or all of the identified sender information (for example, the sender's name, or the sender's name and sender's address) as an ID assigned to the delivered item, and transmits it to the information management device 5.

[0023] Furthermore, the sorting device 3 at the delivery office identifies all of the destination information written on each delivery item during the delivery sorting process and supplies the identified destination information to the information management device 5. In the example shown in Figure 2, the sorting device 3B at delivery office B identifies the destination information of a delivery item by recognizing the destination information written on the delivery item (e.g., the recipient's name, or the recipient's name and destination address) using the address database 19b for the B area during the delivery sorting process. Once the sorting device 3B identifies the destination information of a delivery item, it transmits part or all of the identified destination information (e.g., the recipient's name, or the recipient's name and destination address) to the information management device 5, associating it with the ID assigned to the delivery item. In addition, if the destination information is for an address where a change of address has already been reported, the sorting device 3B transmits information indicating that the destination information is for an address where a change of address has already been reported along with the destination information to the information management device 5.

[0024] The information management device 5 communicates with the sorting devices 3A, 3B, ... in each region and obtains sender information or recipient information corresponding to the ID of each delivery item from each sorting device 3. The information management device 5 aggregates the sender information and recipient information associated with the IDs obtained from each sorting device 3 for each ID and creates a delivery item database 61 as a list (delivery item list) that associates sender information and recipient information for each delivery item ID.

[0025] In the example shown in Figure 2, the information management device 5 obtains the sender (sender name) as sender information corresponding to the ID from the sorting device 3A of the dispatching post office, and the recipient name as recipient information corresponding to the ID from the sorting device 3B of the delivery post office. In this case, the information management device 5 creates a delivery item database 61 that associates the sender and recipient name for each ID. Alternatively, the information management device 5 may obtain the sender name and sender address as sender information corresponding to the ID from the sorting device 3A of the dispatching post office, and the recipient name and recipient address as recipient information corresponding to the ID from the sorting device 3B of the delivery post office. In this case, the information management device 5 creates a delivery item database 61 that associates the sender name, sender address, recipient name, and recipient address for each ID.

[0026] According to the delivery processing system 1 illustrated in Figure 2, the information management device 5 can store the sender and recipient information of each delivery processed by the sorting devices 3 in the delivery database 61 as information associated with each ID. Furthermore, the information management device 5 can perform analytical processing using the information accumulated in the delivery database 61 to list deliveries to addresses for which a change of address has been notified for each sender, to detect (estimate) people who have moved, and to predict the volume of deliveries under various conditions.

[0027] Next, the configuration of each sorting device 3 in the delivery processing system 1 according to the embodiment will be described. Figure 3 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the sorting device 3 in the delivery processing system 1 according to this embodiment. Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of a delivery item 40 processed by the sorting device 3. As shown in Figure 3, the sorting device (sorting system) 3 is broadly composed of a sorting processing unit 10, an information processing unit 20, and an information input unit 30. The sorting device 3 also communicates with the information management device 5 via the network 4.

[0028] As shown in Figure 3, the sorting processing unit 10 includes a control unit 11, a drive unit 12, a supply unit 13, a transport path 14, a reading unit 15, a code reading unit 16, a code printing unit 17, a sorting unit 18, and a discrimination unit 19. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, an ID code is assigned to an area 43 on the surface of the delivered item 40 that has an area 41 on which destination information is written and an area 42 on which sender information is written.

[0029] The control unit 11 is responsible for controlling the entire sorting processing unit 10. The control unit 11 is equipped with a processor, memory, and various interfaces, and performs various controls by executing programs stored in memory by the processor. For example, the control unit 11 performs dispatch sorting or delivery sorting according to the processing mode specified by the operator by an operation unit (not shown).

[0030] The drive unit 12 is controlled by the control unit 11 and drives each unit within the sorting processing unit 10. The supply unit 13 takes out the items to be sorted (e.g., mail) one by one, set by the operator, and supplies them to the transport path 14. The transport path 14 transports the items taken out by the supply unit 13 to the subsequent sections.

[0031] The reading unit (scanner) 15 is installed downstream of the supply unit 13 in the direction of transport of the delivered items by the transport path 14. The reading unit 15 reads an image of the side of the delivered item that is picked up by the supply unit 13 and transported by the transport path 14, on which the recipient information and sender information are written. For example, the reading unit 15 reads an image of the side of the delivered item 40 shown in Figure 4 that includes the area 41 on which the recipient information is written and the area 42 on which the sender information is written.

[0032] The code reading unit 16 reads the ID (ID information) as identification information printed on the delivered item. The code reading unit 16 reads the image of the barcode (ID code) which is an encoded ID attached to the delivered item being transported on the transport path 14, and reads the ID by decoding the read barcode. The code reading unit 16 scans the delivered item 40 as shown in Figure 4 to detect the area 43 on which the ID code is printed, and reads the ID indicated by the ID code in the area 43. In the delivered item processing system 1 according to this embodiment, the code reading unit 16 reads the ID code printed on the delivered item according to the dispatch category in the delivery category.

[0033] The code printing unit 17 prints an ID code on the delivery item, indicating an ID as identification information. For delivery items that do not have an ID code assigned, the code printing unit 17 prints an ID code that encodes the ID, which is the identification information of the delivery item. As shown in Figure 4, the code printing unit 17 prints the ID code on area 43 on the surface of the delivery item 40 where areas 41 and 42, which contain the recipient information and sender information, are located. In the delivery item processing system 1 according to this embodiment, the code printing unit 17 prints an ID code that encodes the ID issued by the control unit 11 on delivery items that do not have an ID code assigned in the dispatch classification.

[0034] The code printing unit 17 may also print an ID code on the delivery item using special ink. For example, the code printing unit 17 may print an ID code on the delivery item using special ink that becomes readable when illuminated with a black light. In this case, the code reading unit 16 is configured to read the special ink on which the code printing unit 17 has printed the ID code. In other words, the code printing unit 17 should be configured to print an ID code on the delivery item using an image-forming material that can be read by the code reading unit 16.

[0035] The sorting unit 18 sorts (categorizes) the delivered items into sorting destinations identified by the discrimination unit 19 based on the destination information (or part of the destination information) of the delivered items. The sorting unit 18 is equipped with multiple collection units (collection warehouses) that serve as sorting destinations for the delivered items, and collects the delivered items transported by the transport path 14 into the collection units that the discrimination unit 19 has identified as sorting destinations.

[0036] The discrimination unit 19 identifies the sorting destination for the delivered item. The discrimination unit 19 has a recognition unit 19a and an address database (DB) 19b. The recognition unit 19a recognizes the recipient information and sender information written on the delivered item based on the image of the delivered item read by the reading unit 15. The address database 19b stores the recipients (names and addresses) in the area (management area) that the sorting device 3 is responsible for. The recognition unit 19a recognizes the recipient information or sender information written on the delivered item by referring to the address information stored in the address database 19b.

[0037] Furthermore, the address database 19b stores information indicating that a change of address has been submitted for destinations (names and addresses) within the management area. The information indicating a change of address may also include information indicating the new address (the destination for forwarding deliveries).

[0038] Furthermore, the address database 19b may also store information for determining the sorting destination for deliveries within the management area. For example, the information for determining the sorting destination in the order of delivery may include information indicating the delivery route for deliveries within the management area.

[0039] The discrimination unit 19 identifies destination information (or a part of destination information) as classification information for classifying deliveries based on the recognition result of the destination information by the recognition unit 19a, and the classification unit 18 classifies the deliveries based on the identified destination information. Furthermore, if the classification information of the deliveries cannot be recognized by the recognition unit 19a, the discrimination unit 19 identifies destination information as classification information for deliveries based on coding information input by the information input unit 30, which will be described later.

[0040] In the dispatch classification, the discrimination unit 19 identifies information indicating the delivery area of ​​the delivered item as classification information by having the recognition unit 19a recognize the number information in the destination information. The discrimination unit 19 identifies information indicating the delivery area of ​​the delivered item in the dispatch classification and also recognizes the sender information written on the delivered item by the recognition unit 19a. If the discrimination unit 19 identifies the sender information of the delivered item, it transmits the ID of the delivered item and the sender information to the information management device 5 via the communication interface 25 of the information processing unit 20.

[0041] In the delivery classification process, the discrimination unit 19 identifies the destination information of a delivery item as classification information by having the recognition unit 19a recognize the entire destination information (name and address) of the delivery item using the address database 19b. The discrimination unit 19 identifies the entire destination information of a delivery item as classification information in the delivery classification process and classifies the delivery item based on the identified destination information. When the discrimination unit 19 identifies the destination information of a delivery item, it transmits the ID of the delivery item and the destination information to the information management device 5 via the communication interface 25 of the information processing unit 20.

[0042] The information processing unit 20 consists of a control unit 22, an image information storage unit 23, a data storage unit 24, a communication interface (I / F) 25, and the like. The control unit 22 is responsible for controlling the entire information processing unit 20. The control unit 22 has the function of distributing information such as images stored in the image information storage unit 23 to the information input unit 30. The control unit 22 also has the function of supplying data stored in the data storage unit 24 to the discrimination unit 19.

[0043] The image information storage unit 23 stores information that associates the ID information assigned to an item with an image of an item whose destination information could not be recognized by the recognition unit 19a of the discrimination unit 19, as video coding information (VCD information) for inputting destination information. The VCD information stored in the image information storage unit 23 is distributed to each information input unit 30 under the control of the control unit 22.

[0044] The data storage unit 24 stores information entered by the information input unit 30. For example, the data storage unit 24 has an input information database 24a that stores information entered as delivery address information in each information input unit 30.

[0045] The communication interface 25 is an interface for communicating with the information management device 5. For example, the communication interface 25 includes a network interface for communicating with the information management device 5 via the network 4. The sorting device 3 transmits destination information or sender information, associated with the ID of the delivered item sorted by the sorting processing unit 10, to the information management device 5 via the communication interface 25.

[0046] The information input unit 30 is a device that allows an operator to input destination information based on video coding information, such as images of the delivered items, distributed from the information processing unit 20. For example, multiple information input units 30 are connected to one information processing unit 20 in the sorting device 3. Each information input unit 30 notifies the information processing unit 20 of its processing status, and the operator inputs destination information based on the video coding information distributed from the information processing unit 20 according to the processing status.

[0047] For example, each information input unit 30 consists of a control unit, a storage unit, a display unit, and an operation unit. Each information input unit 30 displays an image of the delivery item in the video coding information received from the information processing unit 20 on the display unit, and accepts destination information (category information) from the operator while the image of the delivery item is displayed on the display unit.

[0048] Each information input unit 30 transmits the input information entered by the operator while viewing an image of the delivery item to the information processing unit 20 as destination information associated with an ID. The information processing unit 20 stores the destination information associated with the ID from the information input unit 30 in the input information database 24a of the data storage unit 24. In the sorting processing unit 10, the code reading unit 16 reads the ID indicated by the ID code from the delivery item, and the discrimination unit 19 identifies the destination information of the delivery item with the read ID using the destination information corresponding to the ID stored in the input information database 24a of the information processing unit 20, thereby sorting the delivery item.

[0049] Next, we will explain the sorting of delivery items using the sorting device 3, which has the configuration shown in Figure 3. In the delivery processing system 1 according to this embodiment, the sorting device 3 performs sorting for dispatch, as illustrated in Figure 2, by sorting the delivery items collected in its own management area according to the management area (delivery area) of each post office. For example, in response to an instruction from an operator to start sorting for dispatch to an operation unit (not shown), the sorting device 3 performs sorting for dispatch items supplied to the supply unit 13.

[0050] When the sorting device 3 is instructed to start sorting, the control unit 11 transports the items supplied from the supply unit 13 along the transport path 14, the reading unit 15 reads an image of the side of the items transported along the transport path 14 that contains the recipient information and sender information, and the code printing unit 17 prints an ID code, which is an encoded ID used as identification information for the items, onto the items.

[0051] The discrimination unit 19 recognizes information indicating the delivery area (management area for each post office) of the delivered item (e.g., number information) and sender information based on the image of the delivered item read by the reading unit 15 using the recognition unit 19a. When the discrimination unit 19 recognizes the information indicating the delivery area of ​​the delivered item using the recognition unit 19a, it identifies the sorting destination (collection area) in the sorting unit 18 according to the delivery area. However, if the recognition unit 19a cannot recognize the delivery area of ​​the delivered item, the discrimination unit 19 prompts the information input unit 30 to input information indicating the delivery area of ​​the delivered item, and identifies the sorting destination of the delivered item based on the information input unit 30. The control unit 11 sorts the delivered item into the sorting destination identified by the discrimination unit 19 using the sorting unit 18.

[0052] Furthermore, the discrimination unit 19 extracts the area containing sender information from the image of the delivery item read by the reading unit 15 using the recognition unit 19a, and recognizes the sender information (sender name and sender address) by referring to the address database 19b. However, if the sender name is to be recorded as sender information in the delivery item database 61, the recognition unit 19a only needs to recognize the sender name. The sender information identified by the discrimination unit 19 is transmitted to the information management device 5 via the communication interface 25, associated with the ID assigned to the delivery item.

[0053] Furthermore, when the control unit 11 sorts a delivery item, it transmits sender information (sender name, or sender name and address) associated with the ID of the delivery item to the information management device 5 via the communication interface 25. In addition, the control unit 11 transmits the processing (sorting) date and time, and information such as the sorting post office, along with the sender information associated with the ID as the sorting result, to the information management device 5. As a result, the information management device 5 obtains sender information associated with the ID of each delivery item and sorting results from the sorting device that performed the sorting, and updates the delivery item database 61 with the obtained information.

[0054] Next, we will explain the delivery sorting of delivered items using the sorting device 3, which has the configuration shown in Figure 3. In the delivery processing system 1 according to this embodiment, the sorting device 3 performs delivery sorting (delivery sorting processing) as a process of sorting delivery items that are delivered within the management area of ​​its own station, such as delivery items transported from sorting devices of each station, as illustrated in Figure 2. For example, the sorting device 3 performs delivery sorting on delivery items supplied to the supply unit 13 in response to an instruction from an operator to start delivery sorting to an operation unit (not shown).

[0055] When the sorting device 3 is instructed to start sorting deliveries, the control unit 11 transports the deliveries supplied from the supply unit 13 along the transport path 14, reads an image of the side of the deliveries on which the recipient and sender information are written using the reading unit 15, and reads the ID code assigned to the deliveries using the code reading unit 16.

[0056] In the delivery classification, the discrimination unit 19 recognizes the entire destination information (recipient name and destination address) from the image of the delivery item read by the reading unit 15 using the recognition unit 19a. The recognition unit 19a extracts the area 41 in which the destination information is written from the image of the delivery item and recognizes the destination information (recipient name and destination address) written in the area 41 by referring to the address database 19b. If the recognition unit 19a is unable to recognize the entire destination information of the delivery item, the discrimination unit 19 prompts the information input unit 30 to input the destination information of the delivery item, and identifies the classification destination of the delivery item based on the destination information entered by the information input unit 30.

[0057] When the discrimination unit 19 identifies the destination information of the delivery item, it identifies a sorting destination (accumulation unit) for sorting the delivery item by delivery person or in the order of delivery, based on the information for determining the sorting destination registered in the address database 19b. Furthermore, if the destination information of the delivery item is registered in the address database 19b as having already received a change of address notification, the discrimination unit 19 sets the sorting destination of the delivery item to an accumulation unit for forwarding. The control unit 11 sorts the delivery item to the sorting destination identified by the discrimination unit 19 using the sorting unit 18.

[0058] Furthermore, when the control unit 11 sorts a delivery item, it transmits destination information associated with the ID of the delivery item to the information management device 5 via the communication interface 25. In addition, the control unit 11 transmits information such as the processing (sorting) date and time, the sorting station, and whether or not a change of address notification has been filed, along with the destination information associated with the ID, to the information management device 5 as the sorting result. As a result, the information management device 5 obtains information such as destination information associated with the ID of each delivery item and the sorting result from the sorting device that performed the sorting, and updates the delivery item database 61 with the obtained information.

[0059] Next, the configuration of the information management device 5 in the delivery processing system 1 according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the information management device 5 in the delivery processing system 1 according to this embodiment. In the configuration example shown in Figure 5, the information management device 5 includes a processor 51, ROM 52, RAM 53, data memory (storage unit) 54, and a communication interface (communication unit) 55.

[0060] The processor 51, ROM 52, and RAM 53 constitute the control unit. The processor 51 performs various processes such as controlling each part and processing data by executing a program. The processor 51 is, for example, a CPU. The processor 51 realizes various processing functions by executing a program stored in the ROM 52 or data memory 54. However, some or all of the various functions performed by the processor 51, as described later, may be realized by hardware circuits.

[0061] ROM52 is a non-volatile memory that functions as program memory. ROM52 stores control programs and control data, among other things. RAM 53 is a volatile memory that functions as working memory. RAM 53 also functions as a buffer for temporarily storing data being processed by the processor 51. For example, RAM 53 functions as a communication buffer for temporarily storing data transmitted and received via the communication interface 55.

[0062] The data memory 54 is a non-volatile memory that allows data to be written to and rewritten. The data memory 54 is comprised of a storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD). The data memory 54 may store operating system programs, various application programs, and various types of data.

[0063] Furthermore, the data memory 54 stores a delivery item database (DB) 61, which serves as a list of delivery items and stores sender information and recipient information for each delivery item. The delivery item database 61 stores information including sender information and recipient information for each ID assigned to each delivery item. The delivery item database 61 may also be stored in a storage unit located in a device outside the information management device 5. In this case, the information management device 5 should be configured to include an interface for accessing the delivery item database 61.

[0064] The communication interface 55 includes an interface for communicating with each partition device 3. For example, the communication interface 55 includes a network interface for communicating with each partition device 3 via the network 4. The communication interface 55 may be connected to the network 4 by a wired line or by wireless communication.

[0065] Furthermore, the information management device 5 may also be provided with a display unit for displaying information and an operation unit for receiving operation instructions. For example, the information management device 5 may display information obtained as a result of the analysis process of the information stored in the delivery item database 61 (such as a moving list, moving detection results, or predicted volume values) on the display unit. Alternatively, the information management device 5 may perform the analysis process of the information stored in the delivery item database 61 in response to instructions from the operation unit.

[0066] Next, we will describe an example of the configuration of the delivery item database 61 created by the information management device 5 according to this embodiment. Figure 6 shows a first example of the configuration of the delivery item database 61 created by the information management device 5 according to this embodiment. As described above, the delivery item database 61 in the information management device 5 stores information about the delivery items that have been sorted by the sorting device 3. In the first configuration example shown in Figure 6, the delivery item database 61 stores information such as the ID, sender (sender name), recipient, and sorting result for each delivery item.

[0067] The ID is the identification information (ID information) indicated by the ID code printed on the delivered item. For example, in the sorting process, sorting device 3 prints an ID code, which is an encoded version of the issued ID, on delivered items that do not have an ID code printed on them. In addition, sorting device 3 obtains the ID as a result of reading the ID code printed on the delivered item during the delivery sorting process.

[0068] "Sender (Sender Name)" is information that sorting device 3 obtains from the delivered item during sorting. Sorting device 3 obtains the sender name of the delivered item during sorting and transmits the sender name, associated with the ID of the delivered item, to information management device 5. When information management device 5 receives the ID and sender name from sorting device 3, it stores the sender name in the delivered item database 61, associated with the ID.

[0069] "Addressee" is information that sorting device 3 obtains from the delivered item during delivery sorting. Sorting device 3 obtains the addressee included in the destination information of the delivered item during delivery sorting and transmits the addressee, which is associated with the ID of the delivered item, to information management device 5. When information management device 5 receives the ID and addressee from sorting device 3, it stores the addressee in association with the ID in the delivered item database 61.

[0070] The "classification result" is information indicating the result (or status) of the classification process performed by the classification device 3. For example, when the classification device 3 transmits the sender name or recipient name associated with the ID, it adds information indicating the result of the classification process for the delivery item (e.g., processing date and time) and transmits it to the information management device 5. When the information management device 5 receives the ID along with the information indicating the processing status from the classification device 3, it stores it in the delivery item database 61 as the classification result corresponding to the ID.

[0071] Furthermore, sorting device 3 may have information indicating the new address registered in the address database 19b for recipient information (combination of recipient name and address information) for which a change of address notification has been submitted. In the delivery sorting, sorting device 3 sorts deliveries for recipient information for which a new address has been set to be forwarded to the new address. In this case, sorting device 3 transmits information indicating forwarding to the new address as the sorting result of the deliveries to the information management device 5. As a result, the information management device 5 can store information indicating forwarding to the new address in the delivery database 61 as the sorting result corresponding to the ID of the deliveries forwarded to the new address.

[0072] Figure 7 shows a second example of the configuration of the delivery item database 61 created by the information management device 5 according to this embodiment. In the second configuration example shown in Figure 7, the delivery item database 61 stores information such as ID, sender information, recipient information, and classification result for each delivery item. The sender information includes the sender's name and the sender's address (sender address). The recipient information includes the recipient's name and the recipient's address (recipient address). In other words, the delivery item database 61 in the second configuration example differs from the first configuration example in that the sender information includes the sender's address and the recipient information includes the recipient address.

[0073] When creating the delivery item database 61 in the second configuration example shown in Figure 7, the information management device 5 receives sender information (sender name and sender address) associated with the ID from the sorting device 3 that performed the dispatch sorting, and destination information (recipient name and destination address) associated with the ID from the sorting device 3 that performed the delivery sorting. As a result, the information management device 5 can create a delivery item database 61 that stores the sender name, sender address, recipient name, destination information, and sorting results, associated with the ID of the delivery item, as shown in Figure 7.

[0074] The configuration of the delivery item database 61 created by the information management device 5 is set appropriately according to the operating mode of the delivery item processing system 1. For example, to reduce the data capacity of the delivery item database 61, the delivery item database 61 is configured to reduce the amount of sender information and recipient information data, as shown in the first configuration example. Also, when processing is performed using the sender's address and recipient's address, the delivery item database 61 is configured to register the sender's address and recipient's address, as shown in the second configuration example.

[0075] The delivery item database 61 created by the information management device 5 only needs to record sender information and recipient information corresponding to the delivery item ID, and is not limited to the first configuration example shown in Figure 6 or the second configuration example shown in Figure 7. For example, the delivery item database 61 may store the sender name as sender information as shown in Figure 6, and the recipient name and recipient address as recipient information as shown in Figure 7. In addition, the delivery item database 61 may set the contents to be stored as classification results according to the operational mode, or it may omit the classification results altogether.

[0076] Next, the process for creating the delivery item database 61 in the information management device 5 of the delivery item processing system 1 according to the embodiment will be described. Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the process for creating the delivery item database 61 in the information management device 5 in the delivery item processing system 1 according to the embodiment. First, the information management device 5 is in a state of waiting to receive information (data) regarding sorted deliveries from the sorting devices 3 in each region, which can communicate via the network 4 through the communication interface 55. In response, the sorting devices 3 in each region (office) transmit information regarding sorted deliveries (information such as sender information or recipient information associated with the ID, sorting results, etc.) to the information management device 5, as described above.

[0077] When the processor 51 of the information management device 5 receives information about sorted deliveries from the sorting device 3 (step ST11, YES), it determines whether the ID of the deliveries included in the received data is already registered in the deliveries database 61 (step ST12). If the processor 51 determines that the ID of the deliveries included in the data received from the sorting device 3 is not registered in the deliveries database 61 (step ST12, NO), it adds the ID to the deliveries database 61 (step ST13).

[0078] The processor 51 of the information management device 5 determines whether the information associated with the ID included in the data received from the sorting device 3 is sender information or recipient information (sender information or recipient information) if the ID of the delivery item included in the received data is already registered in the delivery item database 61 (step ST12, YES), or if the ID of the received delivery item has been added to the delivery item database 61 (step ST14).

[0079] If the received data contains sender information (step ST14, YES), the processor 51 of the information management device 5 obtains the information to be registered in the delivery item database 61 as sender information from the received data (step ST15). For example, as in the first configuration example shown in Figure 6, when registering the sender name as sender information in the delivery item database 61, the processor 51 obtains the sender name from the received data. Also, as in the second configuration example shown in Figure 7, when registering the sender name and sender address as sender information in the delivery item database 61, the processor 51 obtains the sender name and sender address from the received data.

[0080] When the processor 51 of the information management device 5 obtains information to be registered as sender information from the received data, it updates the database 61 with the information obtained as sender information corresponding to that ID (step ST16). In addition, when the processor 51 receives information indicating the sorting result, such as the time of sorting (dispatch sorting) and the sorting station, it registers (records) the information indicating the received sorting result as the sorting result corresponding to that ID in the delivery item database 61.

[0081] Furthermore, if the received data contains destination information (step ST14, NO), the processor 51 of the information management device 5 obtains information from the received data to be registered in the delivery database 61 as destination information (step ST17). For example, as in the first configuration example shown in Figure 6, when registering a recipient's name as destination information in the delivery database 61, the processor 51 obtains the recipient's name from the received data. Also, as in the second configuration example shown in Figure 7, when registering both the recipient's name and the recipient's address as destination information in the delivery database 61, the processor 51 obtains the recipient's name and the recipient's address from the received data.

[0082] When the processor 51 of the information management device 5 obtains information to be registered as destination information from the received data, it updates the information obtained as destination information corresponding to the ID in the delivery item database 61 (step ST18). In addition, when the processor 51 receives information indicating the sorting result, such as the sorting processing time, the sorting office that processed the sorting, and whether a change of address has been notified, it registers (updates) the information indicating the received sorting result as the sorting result corresponding to the ID in the delivery item database 61. For example, the processor 51 obtains information indicating that a change of address has been notified for a delivery item that has been determined to have destination information for which a change of address has been notified. In this case, the processor 51 registers information indicating that a change of address has been notified in the delivery item database 61, associated with the ID and destination information of the delivery item.

[0083] According to the process in step ST11-18 described above, the information management device 5 obtains sender information corresponding to the delivery item ID from the sorting device 3 at the dispatching post office, obtains destination information corresponding to the delivery item ID from the sorting device 3 at the delivery post office, and registers the sender information and destination information in the delivery item database 61 in association with the ID of each individual delivery item. This allows the information management device 5 to manage sender information and destination information in association with each individual delivery item, even if the same delivery item is sorted by different sorting devices. Furthermore, for delivery items that are determined in the delivery sorting process to have destination information for which a change of address has been reported, the information management device 5 obtains information indicating that the destination information has been changed and registers the information indicating that the change of address has been reported in the delivery item database 61.

[0084] The information management device 5 has the function of performing various analysis processes on the information registered in the delivery item database 61 as described above. The processes in steps ST19, 20, and 21 shown in Figure 8 are examples of analysis processes on the information registered in the delivery item database 61. The analysis process of the information registered in the delivery item database 61 may be performed at any time according to the instructions of the administrator, or it may be performed at predetermined times (for example, periodically). Here, we will describe an example of operation in which each of the processes in steps ST19, 20, and 21 is performed in order, as shown in Figure 8.

[0085] First, the processor 51 of the information management device 5 performs a database analysis process, which involves creating a list of recipient information determined to have been reported as having moved for each sender (creation of a moving list) (step ST19). In this case, the delivery item database 61 registers information indicating that the recipient information has been determined to have been reported as having moved, associated with the ID of the delivery item. For example, in the delivery item database 61, the classification result corresponding to the ID of the delivery item determined to have received a moving notification will record that the recipient information has been reported as having moved.

[0086] The processor 51 of the information management device 5 extracts information on deliveries that have been determined to have received a change of address notification (combination of sender information and recipient information) from the delivery database 61, and creates a list of deliveries that have been determined to have received a change of address notification (change list) for each sender by listing the recipient information of deliveries that have been determined to have received a change of address notification for each sender.

[0087] This process of creating a moving list allows the information management device 5 to present each sender with a list of address information for which a change of address has been reported. As a result, even if the sender has not been notified of a change of address, the information management device 5 can notify the sender of the address information for which a change of address has been reported. Specifically, the process of creating a moving list allows for the compilation of a list of deliveries (address information) for large-volume senders with many deliveries, and enables the sender to be notified to stop sending to addresses that have already moved.

[0088] Furthermore, the processor 51 of the information management device 5 performs a process to detect people who have moved from the information registered in the delivery item database 61 as part of the database analysis process (step ST20). In this move detection process, at least the destination address and recipient name are registered in the delivery item database 61 as destination information. Here, it is assumed that a delivery item database 61 as shown in Figure 7 has been created.

[0089] For example, the processor 51 extracts information from the delivery database 61 about deliveries with the same sender name and recipient name combination (deliveries from the same sender to the same recipient), and if there are multiple deliveries from the same sender to the same recipient, it determines whether or not there has been a change in the recipient address corresponding to those identical recipients. If the processor 51 detects that there has been a change in the recipient address for multiple deliveries from the same sender to the same recipient since a certain point in time, it estimates (detects) that the person on the recipient's address has moved (the person on the recipient's address has changed).

[0090] As a concrete example, suppose the delivery database 61 contains information on multiple deliveries from sender "Mr. A" to recipient "Mr. B". If, in the information on these multiple deliveries from the same sender "Mr. A" to the same recipient "Mr. B", the destination address for the deliveries from sender "Mr. A" to recipient "Mr. B" changes from "City X" (first address) to "City Y" (second address) on a certain day, the processor 51 detects that recipient "Mr. B" has moved from "City X", which is presumed to be his original address, to "City Y", which is presumed to be his new address.

[0091] Here, we assume that a change in the recipient address for deliveries from the same sender to the same recipient means that the sender is aware that the recipient's address has changed (i.e., the recipient has moved). Based on this assumption, changes in the recipient address for multiple deliveries from the same sender to the same recipient can be used to detect (presumably) that the recipient has moved.

[0092] Furthermore, the processor 51 may also detect a person's relocation not only when the recipient's address has been changed once, but also when it detects that the recipient's address for multiple deliveries addressed to the same person has been continuously changed to a different address from a certain point in time. In addition, the processor 51 may also detect a person's relocation when it detects that the recipient's address for multiple deliveries from multiple senders addressed to a single person has been changed to a different address from a certain point in time.

[0093] According to the relocation detection process described above, the information management device 5 in the embodiment can estimate that the recipient has moved, even if a relocation notification has not been submitted to the delivery processing system 1 (i.e., if a relocation notification has not been registered in the address database).

[0094] Furthermore, the processor 51 of the information management device 5 performs a process (volume prediction process) to predict the volume of deliveries under various conditions from the information registered in the delivery database 61 as part of the database analysis process (step ST21). For example, the processor 51 predicts the volume of deliveries under conditions specified by the administrator or an external device, or under pre-set conditions.

[0095] As a concrete example, if the information management device 5 is set to send an item from the first region to the second region, it can predict the volume of items sent from the first region to the second region based on the information stored in the delivery item database 61. Furthermore, if the information management device 5 stores long-term information (for example, several years' worth) in the delivery item database 61, it can also predict the volume of items sent from the first region to the second region at a specific time (for example, a month, week, or season) based on past performance. In addition, the information management device 5 can also predict the volume of items sent from a specific sender to a specific region (or a specific destination).

[0096] According to the volume forecasting process described above, the information management device 5 can not only aggregate and forecast the volume of deliveries for each region indicated by the destination information, but can also aggregate and forecast the volume of deliveries by specifying conditions related to the sender and conditions related to the destination. As a result, it is possible to grasp the volume of deliveries in the logistics process in detail, and to realize efficient personnel allocation at each location.

[0097] As described above, the information management device according to the embodiment obtains sender information corresponding to the ID of a delivery item from a sorting device that sorts items for dispatch, obtains destination information corresponding to the ID of a delivery item from a sorting device that sorts items for delivery, and creates a delivery item database that stores the sender information and destination information in association with the ID of a delivery item.

[0098] As a result, according to the information management device of this embodiment, information obtained from processing performed on a single delivery item by sorting devices located in each region can be aggregated and managed, and a database can be created in which sender information and recipient information are associated and stored for each individual delivery item.

[0099] While several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be carried out in a variety of other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims of the invention and its equivalents. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0100] 1...Delivery processing system, 3...Sorting device, 3A...Sorting device (first sorting device), 3B...Sorting device (second sorting device), 4...Network, 5...Information management device, 10...Sorting processing unit, 11...Control unit, 12...Drive unit, 13...Supply unit, 14...Transport path, 15...Reading unit, 16...Code reading unit, 17...Code printing unit, 18...Sorting unit, 19...Discrimination unit, 19a...Recognition unit, 19b...Address database, 20...Information processing unit, 22...Control unit, 23...Image information storage unit, 24...Data storage unit, 24a...Input information database, 25...Communication interface, 30...Information input unit, 51...Processor, 54...Data memory (storage unit), 55...Communication interface (communication unit), 61...Delivery database (delivery list).

Claims

1. A communication unit that communicates with the sorting devices located in each region, A storage unit that stores a delivery database containing information about delivered items, A processor that associates sender information and destination information for each delivery item ID with the delivery item ID obtained by the communication unit from the first sorting device and destination information obtained from the second sorting device, and stores this association in the delivery item database. An information management device having the following features.

2. The first sorting device described above is a sorting device that performs the process of sorting delivered items according to their delivery area. The aforementioned second sorting device is a sorting device that performs delivery sorting processing for delivered items within a delivery area. The information management device according to claim 1.

3. The processor stores the sender's name as the sender information and the recipient's name as the recipient information in the delivery database. The information management device according to claim 1.

4. The processor stores the recipient's name and recipient's address as recipient information in the delivery database. The information management device according to claim 1.

5. When the processor obtains destination information corresponding to the ID of a delivery item along with information indicating that the recipient has filed a change of address from the second sorting device, it stores the destination information and the information indicating that the recipient has filed a change of address in the delivery item database in association with the ID, and creates a list showing destination information including recipients who have filed a change of address for each sender based on the information recorded in the delivery item database. The information management device according to claim 1.

6. The processor, when there are multiple delivery entries in the delivery database where the sender name and recipient name are the same, detects a change in the recipient address in the information of multiple delivery entries where the sender name and recipient name are the same, if there has been a change in the recipient address since a certain point in time. The information management device according to claim 4.

7. The processor predicts the quantity of deliveries under specific conditions based on the information stored in the delivery database. The information management device according to claim 1.

8. In a delivery processing system having a first sorting device, a second sorting device, and an information management device, The first sorting device is A first communication unit that communicates with the aforementioned information management device, A first discrimination unit that identifies information indicating the delivery area of ​​the delivered item and sender information, A first sorting processing unit that sorts the deliveries according to the delivery area, The system includes a first control unit that transmits the ID and sender information of the delivered items sorted by the first sorting processing unit to an information management device, The second sorting device described above is A second communication unit that communicates with the aforementioned information management device, A second discrimination unit for identifying the recipient information of the delivery, A second sorting processing unit that sorts the aforementioned deliveries based on destination information, The system includes a second control unit that transmits the ID and destination information of the delivered items sorted by the second sorting processing unit to the information management device, The aforementioned information management device is A first communication unit that communicates with the first and second sorting devices, A storage unit that stores a delivery database containing information about delivered items, The system includes a processor that associates sender information and destination information for each individual delivery item ID with the ID of the delivery item, based on sender information corresponding to the ID obtained from the first sorting device by the communication unit and destination information corresponding to the ID obtained from the second sorting device, and stores this association in the delivery item database. Delivery processing system.

9. It communicates with the sorting devices located in each region. From the first sorting device, which sorts the delivered items by delivery area, sender information corresponding to the ID of the delivered item is obtained. From a second sorting device that has divided the aforementioned deliveries into delivery areas, destination information corresponding to the ID of the delivered item is obtained. A delivery item database is created in which sender information obtained from the first sorting device and destination information obtained from the second sorting device are stored in association with the ID of the delivery item. A method for managing information.

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