Overhead Camera Postal Sorting with Optical Mark Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current postal sorting systems rely heavily on manual labor and require significant expertise, as they struggle to efficiently process and sort mail items using automation, especially in situations with limited space and volume, and existing automated methods are inflexible and costly.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing an overhead camera to capture images of postal items, with image recognition software extracting address information and assigning sorting instructions, employing optical marks for reliable detection of new items on a stack, allowing for efficient sorting by non-trained personnel with reduced labor and training needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual labor and highly trained personnel are used to sort mail items rejected by automation, then sorting accuracy is maintained, but labor costs and training requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual inspection and cognitive processing with an automated optical recognition system. An overhead camera captures images of mail items, and recognition software automatically identifies address information and triggers sorting actions, eliminating the need for trained personnel to visually examine and sort mail manually.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service sorting where the mail sorting process automatically identifies items requiring attention through optical recognition of address information. The system self-triggers sorting actions based on recognized patterns without requiring human operators to continuously monitor and decision-making.
2Productivity
If fully automatic methods of processing postal items are implemented, then productivity increases, but system size and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of implementing a fully automatic sorting system for all mail items, the patent applies partial automation selectively. The overhead camera and recognition software automatically identify and trigger sorting only for items that need attention, while other items continue through standard processes, providing productivity enhancement without the full cost and complexity of complete automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the mail processing workflow into automated recognition components and manual sorting components. The overhead camera system handles identification and triggering, while human operators or simpler mechanisms handle the physical sorting execution, dividing the complex automatic sorting function into manageable segments.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If traditional manual scanning methods are used to detect new postal items, then item detection is achieved, but complex methods and systems are required to determine when scanning should occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses optical recognition of address information and associated visual patterns on mail items to trigger scanning operations. The system detects changes in the visual appearance of items on the conveyor belt, using color and pattern recognition to automatically determine when a new item requires scanning without complex timing or position-based triggering mechanisms.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach significantly reduces manual labor and training requirements, enabling high-throughput sorting of mail items to their final destinations with increased productivity and reduced costs, while being flexible and adaptable to various environments and operations.
Implementation Method 1
The scanning equipment captures an image of a postal item
Implementation Method 2
detecting that the at least one optical mask has been disappeared temporarily by an evaluation of the images taken by the camera
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The present invention discloses a method for providing sorting information (6) for postal items (2), such as letters, brochures, parcels and the like, each postal item (2, 2a, 2b, 2c) comprising an address information (4), comprising the steps of: a) providing an overhead positioned camera (8); said camera (8) being capable of taking images of the postal items (2, 2a, 2b); b) providing an image recognition means (14) in order to extract the address information (4) from the postal item (2, 2a, 2b); c) providing a process control (16) being enabled to assign the sorting information (6) to the postal item (2, 2a, 2b) in response to the extracted address information (4); d) forming a stack (20) of postal items (2, 2a, 2b) wherein the postal items (2, 2a, 2b) are oriented to allow reading the respective address information (4) from the overhead positioned camera (8) wherein the stack (20) of postal items (2, 2a, 2b) is positioned in a determined area of view (24) with respect to the camera (8); e) disposing at least one optical mark (28) adjacent to the determined area of view (24); f) removing the postal item (2a) on top of the stack (20) and occlude the at least one optical mark (28) temporarily for the camera (8) during the movement for removing; g) detecting that the at least one optical mark (28) has been occluded temporarily by an evaluation of the images taken by the cam- era (8); and h) in response to the detection deducting that the successive postal item (2b) is now present on the top of the stack (20), taking a newimage of the successive postal item (2b) and extracting the address information (4) from this new image and assigning the respective sorting information (6) to the successive postal item (2b).