Form processing system, form processing method and program

Abstract

A business sheet processing system according to the present disclosure comprises: a recognition means that recognizes a business sheet placed in a first area of a basket; a control means that controls, on the basis of the recognition result, extraction of the business sheet from the first area of the basket by a robot; and a determination means that determines whether the business sheet can be sorted. The control means controls the robot on the basis of the determination result so as to cause, among the business sheets extracted by the robot, business sheets that can be sorted to proceed to a sorting process, and business sheets that cannot be sorted to move to a second area of the basket.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a form processing system and the like. [Background technology]

[0002] Convenience stores and other stores handle documents including agent collection forms, slips, gift certificates, and receipts. These documents are collected from each store at the accounting center and classified by type. The contents of the classified documents are registered in the system.

[0003] Patent document 1 discloses a method for identifying documents and bindings and removing the bindings using a robotic arm, in which information on the documents is digitally extracted and stored. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Special Publication No. 2019-505893 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] If a document is folded, curled, or stapled together, it becomes difficult for the system to sort the documents or register the document contents. Therefore, when a document that is difficult to process is detected during processing by the system, the system smooths out the wrinkles in the document or removes the staples to make it easier for the system to process. However, stopping the system every time a difficult document is detected slows down the system's processing speed.

[0006] The present disclosure aims to provide a form processing system and the like that can prevent a decrease in processing speed even when there is a form that is difficult to process. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The document processing system of the present disclosure comprises a recognition means for recognizing documents placed in a first area of ​​a basket, a control means for controlling the robot's removal of the documents from the first area of ​​the basket based on the recognition results, and a judgment means for determining whether the documents can be sorted, and the control means controls the robot based on the judgment results to proceed with sortable documents among the documents removed by the robot to sorting processing and move unsortable documents to the second area of ​​the basket.

[0008] The document processing method disclosed herein recognizes documents placed in a first area of ​​a basket, controls a robot to remove the documents from the first area of ​​the basket based on the recognition results, determines whether the documents can be sorted, and controls the robot based on the determination results to proceed with sorting processing for documents that can be sorted among the documents removed by the robot and to move documents that cannot be sorted to a second area of ​​the basket.

[0009] A program according to the present disclosure causes a computer to execute the following process: recognize documents placed in a first area of ​​a basket; based on the recognition result, control removal of the documents by a robot from the first area of ​​the basket; determine whether the documents can be sorted; and based on the determination result, control the robot to proceed with sortable documents to a sorting process among the documents removed by the robot and move unsortable documents to a second area of ​​the basket. The program may be stored in a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the present disclosure, even when there are forms that are difficult to process, it is possible to suppress a decrease in processing speed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a form processing system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a basket containing forms. [Figure 3] 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the form processing system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a document sorting system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of device layout. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a document sorting system according to a third embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of data managed in a database. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a document sorting system according to a modified example. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a computer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, embodiments of a form processing system, a form processing method, a program, and a recording medium for non-temporarily recording the program according to the present disclosure will be described. Forms include, for example, but are not limited to, agency collection forms, slips, gift certificates, or receipts, and may also include other documents.

[0013] [First embodiment] The form processing system 100 according to the first embodiment is a system that sends forms placed in a basket to a sorting process. The forms are sorted to each sorting destination according to the type of form (contents and size). FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the form processing system 100 according to the first embodiment. The form processing system 100 includes a recognition unit 101, a control unit 102, and a determination unit 103.

[0014] In the first embodiment, documents to be sorted are placed in the first area of ​​a basket having a first area and a second area. Here, the first area is an area where documents to be sorted are placed. The second area is an area where documents determined by the form processing system to be unsortable are placed. The form processing system 100 according to the first embodiment advances sortable documents from among the documents placed in the first area to the sorting process and moves unsortable documents to the second area. The basket containing the documents is placed at a pick-up position where the robot can pick up the documents. Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of a basket containing documents. The first area and the second area may be partitioned. The basket is not limited to the form shown in the figure, as long as it is capable of transporting the documents placed therein.

[0015] The recognition unit 101 recognizes the forms placed in the first area of ​​the basket. The control unit 102 controls the robot to remove the forms from the first area of ​​the basket based on the recognition result by the recognition unit 101. The determination unit 103 determines whether the forms can be sorted. The control unit 102 further controls the robot based on the determination result to proceed with sortable forms among the forms removed by the robot to sorting processing and to move unsortable forms to the second area of ​​the basket.

[0016] Each component will be described in more detail below.

[0017] The recognition unit 101 recognizes the form placed in the first area of ​​the basket. For example, the recognition unit 101 recognizes the form based on an image captured of the form placed in the first area of ​​the basket. In this case, the recognition unit 101 acquires the image captured by a camera. Alternatively, the recognition unit 101 may receive the result of the camera recognizing the form.

[0018] The recognition unit 101, for example, recognizes whether or not a form is placed in the first area. The recognition unit 101 may also recognize the position and size of the form by recognizing, for example, the sides or corners of the form placed in the first area. The recognition unit 101 may also recognize the position and size of the form by recognizing the positions of characters or codes printed on the form.

[0019] When multiple forms are stacked, the recognition unit 101 recognizes the topmost form that has no forms stacked on top of it. For example, the recognition unit 101 recognizes a form whose edges or printed characters or codes are not hidden by other forms.

[0020] The control unit 102 controls the robot's operation of removing a document from the first area of ​​the basket based on the recognition result by the recognition unit 101. The robot holds the document and removes it from the basket. The robot may hold the topmost document among multiple stacked documents. The robot may hold the document by using static electricity or air suction or ejection to attract the document to a flat plate or multiple contacts provided on the robot arm. Alternatively, the robot may hold the document by grasping the edges of the document. The control unit 102 controls the position of the robot arm according to, for example, the position and size of the recognized topmost document. The control unit 102 also controls the position on the flat plate provided on the robot arm to attract the document.

[0021] If the determination unit 103 (described later) determines that the forms can be sorted, the control unit 102 further controls the operation of the robot to advance the forms to the sorting process. To advance the forms to the sorting process, the control unit 102 controls the robot, for example, to place the removed forms on a conveying device. The forms placed on the conveying device are then subjected to the sorting process. Alternatively, the control unit 102 may control the robot to sort the forms picked up by the robot into multiple boxes by type.

[0022] Furthermore, when the determination unit 103 (described later) determines that the form can be sorted, the control unit 102 controls the robot to move the form to the second area of ​​the basket. The control unit 102 controls the robot to place the form taken out from the first area in the second area.

[0023] The determination unit 103 determines whether the form can be sorted. The determination unit 103 may determine whether the form can be sorted based on an image of the form taken before it is removed from the basket. Alternatively, the determination unit 103 may determine whether the form can be sorted based on an image of the form taken after it has been removed and is being held up. A form that can be sorted is, for example, a form that can be processed by a machine that performs sorting processing. The method for determining whether a form can be sorted can be selected as appropriate.

[0024] If multiple forms are bound together using a fastener, the contents of the forms may not be read during the sorting process. Therefore, forms that cannot be sorted include, for example, forms that have a fastener attached to them. Fasteners include, for example, staples, clips, tape, and files. Forms without fasteners are an example of forms that can be sorted. The determination unit 103 determines, for example, whether a fastener is attached to the photographed form.

[0025] Furthermore, if a document is folded, the contents inside may not be read. Therefore, documents that cannot be sorted may include documents in which one or more sheets are folded. A flat document is an example of a document that can be sorted. The determination unit 103 may determine whether a document is folded based on the shape of the photographed document.

[0026] Furthermore, when documents are stacked, it may be difficult to read their contents. A stack of documents may include cases where the documents are glued together or where static electricity makes them difficult to separate. Therefore, documents that cannot be sorted may include stacked documents. Documents that are not stacked and are separated one by one are an example of documents that can be sorted. For example, when a robot holds documents by suction, the robot only picks up the topmost document of a stack, leaving the other documents hanging down. The determination unit 103 may recognize stacked documents by recognizing hanging documents from an image of a document being held up.

[0027] As described above, if it is determined that the documents placed in the first area of ​​the basket can be sorted, they are advanced to the sorting process if they can be sorted, and if they cannot be sorted, they are placed in the second area of ​​the basket.

[0028] The recognition unit 101 may recognize the shape of the form from the image and thereby determine whether the recognized form can be removed by the robot. A removable form is a form that the robot can hold from the state where it is placed in the first area. A form that does not have a specified shape may be impossible to remove. For example, a rolled form may not be attracted to the robot arm and may be impossible to remove. Also, a form that has other forms stacked on top of it may be impossible to remove. Therefore, for example, a form placed below a form that does not have a specified shape cannot be removed. The control unit 102 controls the robot to remove forms that are recognized as removable.

[0029] After the robot performs the action of removing the recognized form, if the form remaining in the top layer of the basket is recognized as the same form as the previously recognized form, the recognition unit 101 may recognize that the remaining form cannot be removed.

[0030] Forms that cannot be removed from the basket by the robot are left in the first area. Forms that are not recognized are also left in the first area because they cannot be removed. Forms that cannot be removed are included in forms that cannot be sorted.

[0031] When there are no more forms in the first area of ​​the basket, or when there are no more forms that can be taken out from the first area, the basket is removed from the pick-up position from which the robot takes out forms.Then, the next basket is placed at the pick-up position for the robot.The recognition unit 101 starts recognizing the forms in, for example, the next basket.

[0032] Documents may remain in the first or second area of ​​the basket that has been removed from the pick-up position. The remaining documents are processed by a robot or a worker to make them ready for sorting. For example, processes are performed to remove fasteners and smooth out wrinkles so that the documents can be sorted. Once processed, the documents are placed back into the first area of ​​the basket. The basket is then placed back into the pick-up position.

[0033] Any objects other than the documents to be sorted, such as garbage, remaining in the removed basket are removed from the basket. Also, if it is difficult to process the documents remaining in the removed basket so that they can be sorted, they may be removed without being returned to the basket.

[0034] 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the form processing system 100 according to the first embodiment. The form processing system 100 may start the operation of the flowchart in response to a basket being placed in a position where a form can be retrieved by a robot.

[0035] First, the recognition unit 101 recognizes the form placed in the first area of ​​the basket (step S1). The recognition unit 101 transmits the recognition result to the control unit 102. Based on the recognition result, the control unit 102 controls the robot to remove the form from the first area of ​​the basket (step S2).

[0036] Next, the determination unit 103 determines whether the retrieved forms can be sorted (step S3). The determination unit 103 transmits the determination result to the control unit 102. Note that step S3 may be executed before step S2. In other words, the determination whether the forms can be sorted may be made before or after the forms are retrieved.

[0037] If the form can be sorted (step S3: Yes), the control unit 102 controls the robot to proceed to the sorting process for the sortable form picked up by the robot (step S4). If the form cannot be sorted (step S3: No), the control unit 102 controls the robot to move the unsortable form picked up by the robot to the second area of ​​the basket (step S5).

[0038] According to the first embodiment, documents placed in the first area of ​​the basket are removed, and documents that can be sorted are sent to the sorting process, while documents that cannot be sorted are moved to the second area of ​​the basket. Therefore, for example, it is possible to remove documents that were placed below the removed documents. Furthermore, for example, when there are no more documents that can be removed from the first area, it is possible to start removing documents placed in the first area of ​​the next basket. Therefore, even when there are documents that cannot be sorted, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the processing speed of the documents.

[0039] [Second embodiment] Next, as a second embodiment, another example of the form processing system 100 will be described. In the second embodiment, the form processing system 100 is included in the form sorting system 1. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the form sorting system 1 according to the second embodiment. The configuration of the form processing system 100 according to the second embodiment is the same as the configuration according to the first embodiment, so a description thereof will be omitted. That is, the form processing system 100 according to this embodiment performs processing to move, of the forms placed in the first area of ​​the basket, those that can be sorted to the sorting process and those that cannot be sorted to the second area of ​​the basket.

[0040] The document sorting system 1 according to the second embodiment includes a robot 10, a conveying device 20, a camera 30, and a sorting mechanism 40.

[0041] The robot 10 operates under the control of the control unit 102. For example, the robot 10 picks up a form placed in the first area of ​​the basket and sends it to the sorting process. For example, the robot 10 places the form on the conveying device 20 to send it to the sorting process. Furthermore, if it is determined that the form cannot be sorted, the robot 10 stops the operation of sending the form to the sorting process. Then, the robot 10 moves the unsortable form taken out of the first area of ​​the basket to the second area.

[0042] The conveying device 20 conveys the forms to the sorting mechanism 40. The conveying device 20 is, for example, a roller conveyor that conveys the forms by rotating each of rollers arranged in parallel. The conveying device 20 may also be equipped with a conveyor belt.

[0043] The camera 30 photographs the form placed in the basket. For example, the camera 30 photographs the form placed in the first area of ​​the basket.

[0044] The sorting mechanism 40 uses existing sorting technology to sort documents into multiple destinations according to their type. The type of document is recognized by a camera, scanner, or other sensor. The type of document to be sorted into each destination is set in advance by an administrator, etc.

[0045] The sorting mechanism 40 sorts documents into destinations based on their type (contents and size). For example, the sorting mechanism 40 may sort documents by paper size. Documents may also be sorted by their content, such as agency collection forms, slips, gift certificates, receipts, and other documents. Documents may also be sorted based on subsequent processing steps, such as whether or not they are subject to data input, whether or not they are subject to storage, and whether or not they are subject to return to a store. Documents may also be sorted by document name. If the document is a gift certificate, the gift certificate may be further sorted based on whether or not they are subject to cashing. Note that multiple different types of documents may be sorted to the same destination.

[0046] 5 is a diagram showing an example of the arrangement of the robot 10, the conveying device 20, the camera 30, and the sorting mechanism 40. In FIG. 5, the forms are stacked in the first area of ​​the basket.

[0047] When the basket containing the forms is placed in a predetermined position for removing the forms, the camera 30 photographs the forms in the basket. The robot 10 removes the forms that can be sorted from the basket and places them on the transport device 20. The robot 10 also moves the forms that cannot be sorted from the first area of ​​the basket to the second area. The transport device 20 transports the forms that have been placed on it to the sorting mechanism 40. The sorting mechanism 40 sorts the forms into each sorting destination (box X, box Y, box Z) according to their type.

[0048] According to the second embodiment, the documents removed from the basket are sorted. Also, according to the second embodiment, the documents placed in the first area of ​​the basket are removed, and the documents that can be sorted are advanced to the sorting process, and the documents that cannot be sorted are moved to the second area of ​​the basket. Therefore, even if there are documents that cannot be sorted, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the speed of the document sorting process.

[0049] [Third embodiment] Next, another example of the document sorting system 1 will be described as a third embodiment. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the document sorting system 1 according to the third embodiment. The document sorting system 1 according to the third embodiment differs from the document sorting system 1 according to the second embodiment in that it includes a camera 41 and a database 50. The document processing system 100 according to the third embodiment includes a recognition unit 101, a control unit 102, a determination unit 103, a management unit 104, and a registration unit 105. Regarding the configuration according to the third embodiment, the same configuration as that of the second embodiment will not be described. Note that the document sorting system 1 according to the third embodiment is a system that sorts documents collected from convenience stores, for example, but the documents to be sorted may be other documents and are not particularly limited.

[0050] The forms collected from convenience stores are transported in groups by store. The transported forms are placed in baskets for sorting. In the third embodiment, the forms may be managed in association with information for identifying the store. In this case, for example, a store identifier for identifying the store may be attached to a bag for transporting the forms grouped by store. Alternatively, a piece of paper with a store identifier printed on it may be placed in the bag for transporting the forms. The store identifier is represented by characters, a barcode, or a two-dimensional code.

[0051] In the third embodiment, each basket may be assigned a basket identifier for identifying the basket. The basket identifier may be represented by characters, a barcode, a two-dimensional code, or any pattern. The slip is placed in a different basket for each store.

[0052] The registration unit 105 registers the association between the store identifier of the store where the form was collected and the basket identifier attached to the basket in which the form collected from the store is placed. In other words, the form placed in the basket is treated as a form collected at the store represented by the store identifier associated with the basket identifier by the registration unit 105.

[0053] To register the association of the store identifier, the store identifier printed on the bag carrying the form or on the paper placed in the bag is read by an arbitrary scanner. The registration unit 105 acquires the store identifier read by the scanner. The registration unit 105 may also acquire the store identifier input by the worker using an arbitrary input device such as a keyboard.

[0054] Furthermore, the registration unit 105 acquires a basket identifier of a basket containing the form collected from the store corresponding to the store identifier. The registration unit 105 may acquire the basket identifier from the same scanner that acquired the store identifier. Alternatively, the registration unit 105 may acquire the basket identifier based on an image of the basket captured by the camera 30.

[0055] The registration unit 105 registers the association between the acquired basket identifier and the store identifier. The registration unit 105 may register consecutively acquired basket identifiers and store identifiers as corresponding items.

[0056] When recognizing a form placed in the first area of ​​the basket, the recognition unit 101 recognizes the basket identifier attached to the basket from the image. The recognition unit 101 may attach a form identifier to the recognized form. The recognition unit 101 associates the form identifier with the recognized basket identifier and transmits them to the management unit 104. The recognition unit 101 associates the same basket identifier with forms placed in the same basket and transmits them. If the basket is replaced, the recognition unit 101 recognizes the basket identifier attached to the basket again.

[0057] The management unit 104 manages the form in association with the store identifier associated with the basket identifier of the basket from which the form was taken out.

[0058] The management unit 104 manages, for example, a store identifier and information written on the form in association with each other. To manage the information, the management unit 104 first receives the basket identifier of the basket from which the form was taken from the recognition unit 101. The management unit 104 then acquires the store identifier registered in association with the basket identifier. Furthermore, the management unit 104 acquires the information written on the form based on an image of the form captured by the camera 41.

[0059] The camera 41 captures an image from which information written on the form can be read. The camera 41 may be a scanner. The camera 41 may capture images of both the front and back sides of the form.

[0060] For example, the camera 41 photographs the forms that have been determined to be sortable. The camera 41 may photograph the forms placed on the conveying device 20. The camera 41 may also photograph the forms before, during, or after sorting by the sorting mechanism 40.

[0061] The management unit 104 manages that the form recognized by the recognition unit 101 and the form photographed by the camera 41 are the same. This allows the management unit 104 to manage which basket the form was taken from. There are cases where the camera 41 photographs the forms in the order in which they were recognized and taken by the recognition unit 101. In this case, the management unit 104 associates the form identifiers received in order from the recognition unit 101 with the photographed forms in the order in which they were photographed by the camera 41, for example.

[0062] The management unit 104 may, for example, use character recognition technology to extract information written on the form from the image captured by the camera 41. Alternatively, the management unit 104 may acquire from the camera 41 the results of the camera 41 extracting the information written on the form from the image. Note that the management unit 104 may also acquire an image of the page of the form as the information written on the form.

[0063] For example, the management unit 104 manages information by associating a store identifier with information written on a form and storing the associated information in the database 50. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of form data stored in the database 50. The form data includes a store identifier, a form identifier, item data, and a storage destination.

[0064] The item data is data indicating the matters recorded for each item included in the form. The management unit 104 may acquire data for each item included in the form using existing recognition technology. For example, the management unit 104 acquires that for a form with form identifier A001, data xxx is recorded in item A1 and data yyy is recorded in item A2, and manages the information. Note that the database 50 may store an image of the form page instead of data for each item.

[0065] The storage destination is, for example, the identifier of the box placed at the sorting destination. The storage destination may also be an identifier identifying the storage location where the form is stored. The storage destination may also be a combination of an identifier identifying the storage location where the form is stored and an identifier of the storage means.

[0066] The management unit 104 may also instruct the printer to print, on the form, a store identifier associated with the basket identifier of the basket in which the form was placed. The management unit 104 may also instruct the printer to print a form identifier on the form. Once the form identifier is printed, it becomes possible to determine the store identifier of the store where the form was collected by referencing the database 50. For example, the printer prints the identifier on the form before it is sorted by the sorting mechanism 40.

[0067] The registration unit 105 maintains the association between the basket identifier and the store identifier while a form remains in at least one of the first and second areas of the basket. For example, the registration unit 105 maintains the association between the basket identifier and the store identifier even while a process is being performed to remove fasteners or smooth out wrinkles on a form placed in the second area of ​​the basket so that it can be sorted. In this case, the form that has been processed so that it can be sorted is placed in the first area of ​​the same basket. Furthermore, the registration unit 105 may cancel the association between the basket identifier and the store identifier when it is recognized that there are no forms in the first and second areas of the basket. There are no particular limitations on the means for recognizing that there are no forms in the first and second areas of the basket and that the basket is empty. For example, when a worker confirms that the basket is empty, the registration unit 105 may cancel the association in response to a user operation by the worker.

[0068] Furthermore, in order to perform the process of canceling the association, the camera 30 may further capture an image of the form placed in the second area of ​​the basket. The recognition unit 101 may recognize the form placed in the second area of ​​the basket from the captured image. The registration unit 105 obtains from the recognition unit 101 the recognition result as to whether or not there is a form in the first area and the second area.

[0069] In the basket where no form is placed, a form collected from the next store is placed, and the registration unit 105 then registers the association between the basket identifier and the store identifier of the next store.

[0070] In the third embodiment, the management unit 104, the registration unit 105, the camera 41, and the database 50 may be provided as needed.

[0071] In the third embodiment, an example is shown in which camera 30 and camera 41 are realized by separate cameras. However, camera 30 and camera 41 may be realized by a single camera depending on conditions such as the type of form. In this case, information written on the form is read based on an image captured of the form placed in the basket.

[0072] In the third embodiment, the determination unit 103 may determine the reason why the forms cannot be sorted. The determination of the reason why the forms cannot be sorted may be performed using known image recognition technology. The reason why the forms cannot be sorted may then be output to a display. For example, the recognition unit 101 transmits the recognized basket identifier to the determination unit 103. The determination unit 103 then determines, for each basket identifier, the reason why the forms placed in the basket cannot be sorted. After that, in response to the basket identifier being read by the scanner, the reason why the forms remaining in the basket cannot be sorted is output to a display. By displaying the reason why the forms cannot be sorted on the display, the worker can understand what process they need to perform to make the forms ready for sorting.

[0073] In the third embodiment, if there is a form that cannot be sorted, the form is returned to the second area of ​​the same basket. Then, the form is processed so that it can be sorted, for example, by manual work. Forms that can be processed are returned to the first area of ​​the basket again and sent for retrieval by a robot. Therefore, the basket can proceed to processing that makes the form sortable while maintaining the association between the store where the form was collected. Therefore, according to the third embodiment, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the form processing speed while maintaining the association between the store and the form.

[0074] [Variations] The above-described embodiments can be modified in various ways, and modifications will now be described.

[0075] 8 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a document sorting system 1 according to a modified example. The document sorting system 1 according to the modified example differs from the document sorting system 1 according to the second embodiment in that it includes a basket exchange mechanism 60 and an alarm device 61. The basket exchange mechanism 60 and the alarm device 61 may be provided as needed. Furthermore, the document processing system 100 according to the modified example differs from the first and second embodiments in that it includes a basket exchange instruction unit 106.

[0076] When there are no more slips that can be removed from the first area, the basket exchange instruction unit 106 instructs the removal of the basket from the robot's removal position. The basket exchange instruction unit 106 receives a message from the recognition unit 101 that there are no more slips that can be removed. Then, the basket exchange instruction unit 106, for example, causes the basket exchange mechanism 60 to remove the basket. Alternatively, the basket exchange instruction unit 106 causes the notification device 61 to notify that a basket exchange is necessary.

[0077] The basket exchange mechanism 60 removes baskets from which there are no more forms that can be removed. The basket exchange mechanism 60 is, for example, a roller conveyor. Alternatively, the basket exchange mechanism 60 may be a robot that transports baskets. The basket exchange mechanism 60 may transport baskets to a position where processing is performed to make the unsortable forms sortable.

[0078] The notification device 61 notifies the worker that the basket needs to be replaced. The notification device 61 is, for example, a display, a lamp, or a speaker. In response to the notification, the worker removes the basket and places the next basket in the removal position.

[0079] By having the basket exchange instruction unit 106 exclude a basket that does not have any forms that can be taken out, the robot 10 can quickly start taking out the forms in the next basket. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a decrease in processing speed.

[0080] [Hardware configuration] In each of the above-described embodiments, each component of the form processing system 100 represents a functional block. Some or all of the components of the form processing system 100 may be realized by any combination of a computer 500 and a program.

[0081] 9 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a computer 500. Referring to Fig. 9, the computer 500 includes, for example, a processor 501, a read only memory (ROM) 502, a random access memory (RAM) 503, a program 504, a storage device 505, a drive device 507, a communication interface 508, an input device 509, an input / output interface 511, and a bus 512.

[0082] The processor 501 controls the entire computer 500. The processor 501 may be, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The number of processors 501 is not particularly limited, and there may be one or more processors 501.

[0083] The program 504 includes instructions for realizing each function of the form processing system 100. The program 504 is stored in advance in the ROM 502, RAM 503, or storage device 505. The processor 501 executes the instructions included in the program 504 to realize each function of the form processing system 100. The RAM 503 may also store data to be processed in each function of the form processing system 100.

[0084] The drive device 507 reads and writes data from and to the recording medium 506. The communication interface 508 provides an interface with a communication network. The input device 509 is, for example, a mouse or a keyboard, and receives information input from an administrator or the like. The output device 510 is, for example, a display, and outputs (displays) information to an administrator or the like. The input / output interface 511 provides an interface with peripheral devices. The bus 512 connects these hardware components. The program 504 may be supplied to the processor 501 via a communication network, or may be stored in advance on the recording medium 506, read by the drive device 507, and supplied to the processor 501.

[0085] It should be noted that the hardware configuration shown in FIG. 9 is an example, and other components may be added, or some components may not be included.

[0086] There are various variations in the method of realizing the form processing system 100. For example, the form processing system 100 may be realized by any combination of different computers and programs for each component. Furthermore, multiple components included in the form processing system 100 may be realized by any combination of a single computer and program.

[0087] Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments. Various modifications that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present disclosure within the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the configurations in the respective embodiments can be combined with each other without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0088] Some or all of the above embodiments may be described as, but are not limited to, the following supplementary notes.

[0089] [Appendix 1] recognition means for recognizing a document placed in the first area of ​​the basket; a control means for controlling the robot to remove the document from the first area of ​​the basket based on the recognition result; a determination means for determining whether the form can be sorted; Equipped with The control means controls the robot based on the determination result to advance sortable forms among the forms taken out by the robot to a sorting process and to move unsortable forms to a second area of ​​the basket. Report processing system.

[0090] [Appendix 2] a management means for managing the form in association with a store identifier associated with the basket identifier of the basket from which the form was taken out; The document processing system according to claim 1, further comprising:

[0091] [Appendix 3] a registration means for registering the correspondence between a store identifier of the store where the slips are collected and a basket identifier attached to the basket in which the slips collected from the store are placed; 3. A document processing system according to claim 2, further comprising:

[0092] [Appendix 4] The registration means cancels the association between the basket identifier and the store identifier when it is recognized that there is no document in the first area and the second area of ​​the basket. A document processing system as described in Appendix 3.

[0093] [Appendix 5] a basket exchange instruction means for instructing removal of the basket from a position where the robot takes out the documents when there are no more documents that can be taken out from the first area; 5. A form processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising:

[0094] [Appendix 6] The unsortable documents are documents with fasteners or documents that are unreadable. A document processing system according to any one of appendices 1 to 5.

[0095] [Appendix 7] The determining means determines whether the document can be sorted based on an image of the inside of the basket. A document processing system according to any one of appendices 1 to 6.

[0096] [Appendix 8] The determining means determines whether the document can be sorted based on an image of the document picked up from the basket. A document processing system according to any one of appendices 1 to 7.

[0097] [Appendix 9] Recognizes the document placed in the first area of ​​the basket, Based on the recognition result, controlling the robot to remove the form from the first area of ​​the basket; determining whether the form can be sorted; Based on the determination result, the robot is controlled so that, of the documents taken out by the robot, documents that can be sorted are advanced to a sorting process, and documents that cannot be sorted are moved to a second area of ​​the basket. How to process documents.

[0098] [Appendix 10] Recognizes the document placed in the first area of ​​the basket, Based on the recognition result, controlling the robot to remove the form from the first area of ​​the basket; determining whether the form can be sorted; Based on the determination result, the robot is controlled so that, of the documents taken out by the robot, documents that can be sorted are advanced to a sorting process, and documents that cannot be sorted are moved to a second area of ​​the basket. A recording medium that temporarily records a program that causes a computer to execute a process. [Explanation of symbols]

[0099] 1. Document sorting system 100 Report Processing System 101 Recognition part 102 Control section 103 Judgment section 104 Management Department 105 Registration Department 106 Basket exchange instruction unit 10. Robot 20. Conveyor 30 Camera 40 Sorting mechanism 50 databases 60 Basket exchange mechanism 61 Alarm device

Claims

1. recognition means for recognizing a document placed in the first area of ​​the basket; a control means for controlling the robot to remove the document from the first area of ​​the basket based on the recognition result; a determination means for determining whether the form can be sorted; a management means for managing a store identifier associated with the basket identifier of the basket from which the report was taken out, in association with the report; The control means controls the robot based on the determination result to advance sortable forms to a sorting process among the forms taken out by the robot and to move unsortable forms to a second area of ​​the basket. Report processing system.

2. a registration means for registering the correspondence between a store identifier of the store where the slips are collected and a basket identifier attached to the basket in which the slips collected from the store are placed; The form processing system according to claim 1 , further comprising:

3. When it is recognized that there is no document in the first area and the second area of ​​the basket, the registration means cancels the association between the basket identifier and the store identifier. The document processing system according to claim 2.

4. a basket exchange instruction means for instructing removal of the basket from a position where the robot takes out the documents when there are no more documents that can be taken out from the first area; The form processing system according to claim 1 , further comprising:

5. The unsortable document is a document with a fastener or an unreadable document. The form processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The determination means determines whether the document can be sorted based on an image of the inside of the basket. The form processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The determination means determines whether the document can be sorted based on an image of the document picked up from the basket. The form processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. Recognizing the document placed in the first area of ​​the basket, Based on the recognition result, control is performed to remove the document from the first area of ​​the basket by the robot; determining whether the form can be sorted; Based on the determination result, the robot is controlled so that, of the documents taken out by the robot, those that can be sorted are advanced to a sorting process, and those that cannot be sorted are moved to a second area of ​​the basket. managing the form in association with a store identifier associated with the basket identifier of the basket from which the form was taken out; How to process documents.

9. Recognizing the document placed in the first area of ​​the basket, Based on the recognition result, control is performed to remove the document from the first area of ​​the basket by the robot; determining whether the form can be sorted; Based on the determination result, the robot is controlled so that, of the documents taken out by the robot, those that can be sorted are advanced to a sorting process, and those that cannot be sorted are moved to a second area of ​​the basket. managing the form in association with a store identifier associated with the basket identifier of the basket from which the form was taken out; A program that causes a computer to perform a process.

Images