WO2007124948A1

WO2007124948A1 - Method and device for contingent-based reading and encoding of consignment and document labels

Info

Publication number: WO2007124948A1
Application number: PCT/EP2007/003824
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ingolf Rauh
Original assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
Priority date: 2006-04-29
Filing date: 2007-04-30
Publication date: 2007-11-08
Also published as: DE102006020060A1

Abstract

In a method for contingent-based processing of goods, the latter's surfaces have information statements which can be identified and read by a machine. In this context, a check is performed to determine whether a contingent of service types which is stored on a data storage medium is sufficient to carry out an order for processing a goods item. If the contingent is sufficient, an image of the goods item and image-accompanying data are processed in order to generate a processing result. The processing result is taken as a basis for assigning a service type to the processing. This assigned service type is deducted from the contingent of service types which is stored on the data storage medium.

Description

description

Method and device for quota-based reading and coding of consignment and document inscriptions

For automatic processing, e.g. Sorting of goods has on their surfaces information that can be read and read by a machine. Examples of goods are mail or postal documents. For the sorting of these programs or documents, it is necessary, for example, whose information, i. to read their inscriptions. In particular, in the post office automation this is used. In the case of broadcasts, for example, first the image recording of the program surface or the targeted image recording of the address excerpt of a program takes place. The image data is then transferred to a first optical reading system for address recognition, optionally to further optical reading systems for alternative address recognition and to a video coding system if the upstream reading systems can not recognize and encode the address. An optical reading system is, for example, an OCR system (Optical Character Recognition). When the address has been read, the OCR or video coding system sends sorting information to the sorting machine so that it can sort the mailpiece accordingly.

In the field of postal automation there is a trend to use OCR systems for special tasks, for example to read the last percent of the broadcast stream that the primary reader has not read, or to read special mailing attributes, eg stamps. The read rates and thus the performance of an OCR system for these tasks are therefore less and less predictable. There is thus a need for a performance-based billing of the performance of OCR systems. From the field of software applications, solutions are known in which a permitted number of specific uses of a software on a USB connector or a serial interface connector is stored. Such connectors are commonly referred to as dongle. If, for example, a user calls up a certain software function, the allowed number of this function call is reduced by one. If the number is "zero", the function can no longer be called and the dongle must be renewed or "charged". Furthermore, dongle solutions are known in which a software only works if it has detected that a dongle is inserted. This solution is usually used as copy protection. Dongle solutions are also used in interactive applications where a human user works interactively with software. The dongle status is checked after calling a function. It is then decided if this function is executed.

EP 1 432 531 describes a method by which image data from different clients (e.g., postal companies) of a reading and encoding device can be transmitted. The reading and coding device determines from the image data as a function of defined image attributes, the master data of the client and the processing information from the OCR and

Videokodierbetrieb according to a cost model, the costs incurred. The reading and coding device stores the costs sorted according to the types of benefits and outputs them.

This system described in EP 1 432 531 may be too complicated, for example if the client is known and unambiguous and only an OCR reading task tailored to a client is to be provided without video coding. For example, it is not necessary for the order to the OCR system to be customer-specific in one Database is researched because the OCR system specifically solves specific orders for the customer, such as reading the house number or recognize the stamp value. Furthermore, this system is based on a method of subsequent billing of the video coding tasks. For the supplier, however, a prepayment after development is necessary in order to minimize risks and interest losses and to be able to operate more cost-effectively in the market. There is a need, therefore, for a method and apparatus for reading consignment or document inscriptions that enables an improved way of billing the performance of OCR systems.

One aspect of the present invention therefore relates to a method for the contingent-based processing of goods that are provided with information that can be recognized and read by a machine. It checks whether a quota of activity types stored on a data medium is sufficient to execute an order to process a good. With sufficient contingent a picture of the goods and image accompanying data are processed to generate a processing result. From the processing result, processing is assigned a benefit type. This allocated activity type is debited from the activity-type quota stored on the data medium.

Advantageous embodiments of the method are specified in subclaims. For example, data stored on the data carrier after the debit is saved and the processing result and the debit are saved. In addition, it is checked after processing whether there are still sufficient quotas for further orders, and if there are insufficient quotas, it is signaled that no further orders can be executed. However, as soon as the volume has at least one quota, is signaled that orders can be executed again.

Another aspect relates to a system for processing goods that are provided with information that can be recognized and read by a machine. A communication unit can be coupled to a control system of a processing system. A process device is coupled to the communication unit to receive an order for a service and to send a job result. A volume stores quotas of types of benefits that the process facility can provide. A device for determining performance is coupled to the process device, the communication unit and the data carrier. The process organization executes a commissioned activity type if the stored quota of this activity type has at least a defined value. The facility for determining the benefits adjusts the contingent of this activity type after the order has been executed.

An additional aspect concerns a data carrier for said method or system. In one embodiment of such a data carrier, an electronic key for encrypting all data is stored in a first memory cell. Current quotas per quota type are stored in second memory cells, wherein supercharging quotas can be added to the current quotas in the second memory cells.

The embodiments described here use the dongle technology in order to enable a predetermined quota of services and adapted calculations of the types of services, whereby the customer acquires from the outset a specific quota of reading services, which is stored on a dongle. This quota can then always be recharged. Since it is a high-quality industrial good, it must be ensured that the information is redundant and failsafe, as a fault in the dongle immediately leads to massive productivity losses. Furthermore, the quota checks must not influence the responsiveness of the system, since, for example, the consignment is read and coded in a sorting machine while the consignment is still being transported in the machine. All performance provisions and contingent considerations are therefore made a posteriori.

Since this is not an interactive system, it is advantageous to ensure that the integration of such a system, e.g. as an additional OCR system, in an overall system does not affect the performance of the remaining system components when the quotas are exhausted. Since the reading services mentioned here require a high level of investment, the system allows the quota information to be dealt with fail-safe. For the same reason, for the purpose of control, some or all of the donor activities may be transparently displayed and researched. This includes not only recording and counting the positive results, but also the negative results (such as rejections) to measure and, if necessary, continuously improve the performance of the software. Since the dongles are not purchased once with a contingent in one embodiment, it can be ensured that the dongles are rechargeable, without any remaining quotas are deleted.

Further embodiments, advantages, novel features and applications of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, like elements have the same reference numerals. In the drawings show

1 shows a schematic overview of an embodiment of a contingent processing system,

2 shows an example process flow for quota processing in a contingent processing system,

3 shows an exemplary process for checking a dongle, and

4 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a memory structure of a dongle.

Figure 1 shows a schematic overview of an embodiment of a system 1 for the automatic processing of goods, on the surfaces of which information is provided which can be recognized and read by a machine. The various embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to items or documents that are processed in the system 1, for example, a mail processing system, for example, sorted according to their address information for subsequent delivery to the addressee in a sorting machine. However, the invention is not limited to the processing of mail or documents in a mail processing system.

The system 1 shown has a processing system (eg, sorting machine) to which a contingent processing system is coupled. The processing system has a control system 2, a video coding system 6, a sorting machine controller 8, an image pickup system 10 of the sorting machine, a reader 12 (referred to as a primary reader in Figure 1), and An evaluation system 14. The quota processing system 4 has a communication unit 4a, a processing unit 4b, a capacity determination unit 4c, storage units 4e, 4f, and a quota storing unit 4d. The interactions of these system components are described below in connection with a functional description of system 1.

The device 4d for storing a contingent, also called a data carrier 4d, can be plugged in one exemplary embodiment. The device 4d can be designed for this purpose, for example, as a chip card, data carrier with a USB plug (USB data carrier) or interface connector. In some embodiments, such a device 4d can store software programs or electronic authorization coding in addition to a quota. As an alternative to a plug-in device 4d, a permanently installed device 4d may be provided, which may be programmed and loaded with a contingent, for example by means of a radio link (for example using a transponder) or a network connection (for example using the internet). Such devices 4d, pluggable or not, are referred to below as dongle 4d.

The components of the system 1 are shown schematically in Figure 1 for ease of illustration as separate blocks. However, it is understood that the division into these blocks is only an example, and that in a concrete implementation, a different or even no division into these blocks is possible.

The quota processing system 4 is connected in one embodiment via the control system 2 with the sorting machine. The image capturing system 10 of the sorting machine captures an image of a program or document and generates a Image accompanying record, which is now populated after each processing step. The imaging system 10, in one embodiment, is a camera that captures images of mail. These images can first be fed to a primary reader 12.

On the dongle 4d there are encrypted quotas of service types which the process device 4b can provide. In one embodiment, the process device 4b performs reading and encoding tasks. The process device 4b is therefore also referred to as a reading device 4b. Based on the data of the connected control system 2, transmission or document images with the image accompanying data with an order for a specific coding task are supplied via the communication unit 4a, provided e.g. the primary reader 12 has come to no or only insufficient result. The coding order may e.g. be: "encode street names" since the postal code has already been read by the primary reader 12. In contrast to the aforementioned EP 1 432 531, the coding job is assigned by the prior art video coding system control system and no further checking of the encoding job takes place. Here, the fact is taken into account that the reading tasks in a sorting machine are very time-critical and all processes that serve to calculate the performance should be performed after the fulfilled coding task.

The order will now be executed. Every reading and coding result, including possible rejections, is logged. Only after the coding has been completed does the system determine from the image accompanying data and the coding result the coding performance provided. The image accompanying data preserve the entire history of the solution process so that the order can also be determined from this data. Picture accompanying data contain eg: - previously determined parts of the document or consignment print,

Identification of the image acquisition unit 10 (and the sorting machine resulting therefrom), information about a shipment type (large letter, small letter, etc.),

- Document and mailing properties (exposure insufficient, window envelope, etc.).

Thus, e.g. As an exemplary embodiment, a performance calculation looks like this:

A consignment with the address: Beispielstrasse 7 99999 Beispielstadt has already received the so-called exit result "Postcode 99999" from the first reading unit 12. This result is stored in the accompanying image data The dongle-equipped secondary reader 4b now determines the input result "example street 7". This results in the performance "Large Letter - Previous Knowledge Outflow - Receipt Determined." The quota for this service category is now reduced by "1". All other quotas (e.g., small letters) are retained. The calculation rule for determining the power type is stored in a database 4f as an initial configuration. After the contingents are updated on the encrypted dongle 4d, the dongle content is also encrypted and stored for redundancy reasons on a data carrier of the contingent processing system 4.

Based on the quota information, it is determined whether the order in question can still be executed, or whether the quota has been used up, that is, a defined value. has progressed. Should the contingent be exhausted, the communication unit 4a of the system 4 is informed that it no longer receives orders from the control system 2 and signals the status "ready, but quota used up." The communication protocol between the image acquisition and control system ensures It is also ensured that as soon as the quota is refilled, the processing system 4 again fully participates in the process flow Performance determination continuously the Donglestatus and the quota information and controls the communication unit 4a again in the way that orders are accepted again.

To prevent system failures, all information is stored not only on the dongle 4d but also encrypted on the disk of the contingent processing system 4. Based on this redundant information, the data can be restored manually or automatically after exchanging the quota processing system 4 or dongles.

All read results are stored in the log database 4e. If the reading device 12 can not determine a result and therefore reject the transmission, this rejection is likewise stored so that the reading rate can be determined later on the basis of the stored data. The information of the log database 4e for processing and for rejecting mailings is made accessible to the user by known methods, eg by copying to a web server or sending by electronic mail. The manufacturer of the OCR system and operator of the contingent processing system 4 can also rely on this. He can This data can be used to optimize reading performance and thus enable faster quota consumption. The Postkünde is interested in the fact that the costs for the automatic reading and thus the costs for a debit from the contingent are lower than a manual video coding performance, which would otherwise be necessary.

The control system 2 receives the image and the image accompanying data record (indicated by an arrow A) and controls the further workflow on the basis of the image accompanying data. So it can be e.g. Send the program or document image with the image accompanying data of the reading device 12 (indicated by an arrow B), which undertakes the first reading attempt. The reading results are returned to the control system 2 (indicated by an arrow C). If the reading result is sufficient, it can be fed directly to the controller 8 of the sorting machine (indicated by an arrow H). If the result is insufficient, a second reader is requested. In the exemplary embodiment shown, it is the reading device 4b in the quota processing system 4.

The images and image accompanying data are transmitted to the communication unit 4a (indicated by an arrow D). If there is sufficient contingent on the dongle 4d, the communication unit 4a is switched to receive processing jobs from the control system 2. Otherwise, it signals the control system 2 that it is not ready for processing. Due to the logic in the control system 2, the communication (indicated by arrows D, E) is then no longer carried out with the contingent processing system 4 and the transmission is fed directly to the video coding system 6 (indicated by an arrow F).

If the quota on the dongle 4d is not exhausted, the communication unit 4a takes the order with mailing or document image and image accompanying data and transmits them to the reader 4b for determining the coding result. The coding result is logged in the log database of the memory device 4e. A positive coding result is communicated with the image accompanying data of the power detection device 4c. The latter determines the type of service on the basis of a calculation instruction stored in the storage device 4f and accordingly books on the dongle 4d from the corresponding service type quota and saves the dongle contents on the hard disk of the quota processing system 4.

Parallel to the determination of the power, the reader 4b transmits the determined result via the communication unit 4a to the control system 2. If the result is sufficient, the control unit 2 will forward this result to the controller 8 of the sorting machine (indicated by an arrow H). If the result is still insufficient, then the program or document image and the image accompanying data are transmitted to the video coding system 6 (indicated by an arrow F), which then notifies the coding result to the control system 2 (indicated by an arrow G).

If the quota on the dongle 4d is used up, this is communicated to the communication unit 4a. This informs the control system 2 (indicated by an arrow E) that the contingent processing system 4 is no longer available for further orders. Due to this status, the internal logic of the control system 2 will no longer request the quota processing system 4 until the status changes again.

The used contingent on the dongle 4d can be replaced in one embodiment by a donated with a sufficient quota dongle. In another embodiment, the dongle 4d may be replaced by a corresponding the program on the contingent processing system 4, or by the above-mentioned types, are recharged.

The performance determination means 4c recognizes the new donglestatus. If the quota for the further processing is sufficient, the communication unit 4a is informed to change the status in the control system 2. The communication unit 4a notifies the control system 2 that it is again available for further processing. Due to the control logic in the control system 2, the contingent processing system 4 is now re-integrated into the workflow.

A local or via a network, such as a WAN, connected evaluation system 14 allows insight and evaluation of the log database 4e and the quotas on the dongle 4d with known database and evaluation algorithms. The data obtained from this gives the operator of the quota processing system 4 the opportunity to point out that quotas will soon expire or to make improvements to the reading device 12. The user of the quota processing system 4, however, can inform himself about the reliability of the reading device 12 and also determine the status of the quotas.

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates this process in a flow chart. Due to the status of the quota processing system 4, the control system 2 decides in a step S1 whether the quota is sufficient and, if so, orders can be issued or, if not, the images in one Step S2 are passed to the video coding system 6.

If the status is positive, ie there is sufficient contingent, the image and the image accompanying data are communicated to the contingent processing system 4 in a step S. In a step S4, the images are processed by the OCR system. tet. From the results and the image accompanying data, the quota type is determined in a step S5 and the corresponding debiting and securing of the dongle content is carried out. In parallel, in a step S6, the result is sent back to the control system 2. The results of the OCR system and the debiting are logged in the log database 4e in a step S7.

In a step S8 it is checked whether there are still sufficient contingents for further reading tasks. If this is not the case, the control system 2 is signaled in a step S9 that the contingent processing system 4 including the OCR system is no longer available for further orders. This is followed by the check-up process described in FIG. If there are still sufficient contingents available, the system remains ready for new orders in a step S10.

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary embodiment of a process for checking the dongles 4d, if this is no longer sufficient

Has contingents available. The quota status of the dongle is continuously checked in a step Sil. Once the dongle 4d again has contingents in a step S12, e.g. by charging (overwriting the memory cells with new contingent numbers), or by replacing the dongle 4 d by a dongle with filled memory cells, the status of the contingent processing system 4 in the control system 3 is switched back to ready for operation and processing in a step S14. Otherwise, the status remains unchanged, step S13.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of a structure of the memory structure of a dongle 4d. In the illustrated embodiment, the dongle has 4d memory cells Zl - Z7. In a memory cell Z1 is a key to the closure all data, so that they can not be manipulated. The supplier has a duplicate key if the key is no longer legible. The copy of the dongles is also encrypted with this key.

The current quotas per quota type are encoded in the memory cells Z5 - Z7, which are designated in FIG. 4 as processing quota 1, processing quota 2, processing quota n. If the dongle is charged, first the cells Z2 - Z4, which are designated in FIG. 4 as charge quota 1, charge quota 2, charge quota n, are filled in encrypted form. Subsequently, these charging quotas 1, 2, n are added to the already existing quotas in the processing contingent storage cells Z5-Z7. The charging quotas 1, 2, n are then set back to "0." Work continues then in the debiting process on the processing quotas 1, 2, n. In other embodiments, it is also possible to dispense with implicit addition during charging to the explicit charging-quota cells and the new contingents will be written directly into the processing quotas.

It should be noted that the above detailed process may vary within the scope of the invention. For example, for performance reasons, the debit can not be done after each encoding process, but it can also be done some coding on the then collected. The message and document feature recognition is not limited to address elements, but may also include the recognition of form data, stamps or other visible features. The dongles can also be more easily equipped with fewer memory cells. There is then no quota per service type but only one quota with one any unit. From this also fractions can be deducted.

The quota-based reading is not limited to secondary reading tasks but can also be used at the reading device 12 (primary reader) or other readers. This derogation, however, does not call into question the inventive core of the system, which is to provide service-related reading tasks on a contingent-dependent basis.

Claims

claims

1. A method for the contingent-based processing of goods provided with information that can be recognized and read by a machine, in which:

a check is made as to whether a quota of types of benefits stored on a data carrier (4d) is sufficient to execute an order for processing a good,

- if the quota is sufficient, an image of the goods and image accompanying data are processed in order to generate a processing result,

- an activity type is allocated from the processing result of the processing, and

- This allocated activity type is debited from the quota of activity types stored on the data carrier (4d).

2. The method of claim 1, wherein after the debiting on the data carrier (4d) stored data are saved.

3. Method according to one of the preceding claims, in which the processing result is sent to a control system (2).

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the processing result and the debit are stored.

5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, in which it is checked after processing, if there are still sufficient quotas for other orders.

6. The method of claim 5, is signaled in the case of insufficient quotas that no further orders can be executed.

7. The method according to any one of claims 5-6, is checked in the case of insufficient quotas continuously, if the quota changes.

8. The method according to claim 7, in which, as soon as the data carrier (4d) again has at least one contingent, it is signaled that orders can be executed again.

9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the data carrier (4d) is charged with new contingent numbers.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the data carrier (4d) is charged by means of a radio link or a network connection.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1-8, wherein the data carrier (4d) is replaced with insufficient quota by a loaded with quotas volume.

12. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the processing comprises a read and encode.

13. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the image of a mailpiece is read and encoded.

14. System for processing goods with

Information that can be recognized and read by a machine, with: a communication unit (4a) which can be coupled to a control system (2) of a processing system (6, 8, 10, 12),

a process device (4b) which is coupled to the communication unit (4a) in order to receive an order for a service and to send a job result,

a data carrier (4d) on which quotas of types of services that the processing device (4b) can provide are stored, and

- A device (4c) for determining performance, the process device (4b), the communication unit

(4a) and the data carrier (4d) is coupled,

- wherein the process device (4b) executes an ordered activity type if the stored contingent of this activity type has at least a defined value, and

- wherein the means (4c) for determining the capacity adapts the quota of this type of service after an order has been carried out.

15. The system of claim 14, further comprising first storage means (4e) coupled to the process means (4b) for storing the order result.

A system according to claim 15, further comprising a second memory means (4f) coupled to said power detection means (4c) for storing a power determination rule by which said power determination means (4c) determines the power type.

17. System according to any one of claims 14-16, wherein the data carrier (4d) pluggable with the means (4c) for Performance determination is connectable.

18. System according to claim 17, wherein the data carrier (4d) is a chip card, a USB data carrier or an interface plug.

19. System according to any one of claims 14-16, wherein the data carrier (4d) is connected to the device (4c) for power determination.

A data carrier (4d) for a method according to any one of claims 1-13 or for a system according to any one of claims 14-19, in which:

- In a first memory cell (Zl) an electronic key for encrypting all data is stored, and

- current quotas per quota type are stored in second memory cells (Z5 - Z7), wherein charging contingents can be added to the current contingents in the second memory cells (Z5 - Z7).

21. The data carrier (4d) according to claim 20, wherein the charging contingents are stored in third memory cells (Z2 - Z4) and can be added to the current contingents in the second memory cells (Z5 - Z1).