JPH10296190A - Video coding system - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] A video coding system (VC) for coding image data that cannot be recognized by a mail sorting machine
In S), in order to train an operator who inputs code data corresponding to the image data, the number of steps required for preparing image data and correct answer data as teaching materials is reduced. SOLUTION: A management terminal 2 classifies an operator of an input terminal 3 into an operator who performs an input operation of a production coding or an operator who performs an input operation of a training. When receiving the image data from the mail sorting machine 10, the operator in charge is assigned and the image data is transmitted to the input terminal 3. When the operator in charge is a teacher operator, the code data is stored in correspondence with the image data. The stored image data is transmitted to the input terminal 3 of the training operator, and the received code data is compared with the corresponding teacher's code data to determine whether they match.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a video coding system which is connected to a mail sorting machine and performs coding of image data which cannot be recognized by the mail sorting machine. The present invention relates to a video coding system for training an operator.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A new postal processing system reads a postal code and an address display number written on a mail using a new mail sorting machine, converts the read code into a barcode, prints the barcode on the mail, and prints the barcode on the mail. Scan the barcode to sort mail. When a postal item describing a postal code or an address display number that cannot be recognized by the postal sorting machine appears, these image data are transmitted to a video coding system and displayed on a display device of a terminal device operated by an operator. By inputting the postal code and address display number corresponding to this image data from the keyboard, the input code information is sent to the postal sorting machine, converted into a barcode, and the barcode is printed on the mail. it can.

[0003] As a technique related to this kind, there is, for example, a technique described in JP-A-6-121967.

[0004]

In order to train the operator who performs the above-mentioned video coding input operation,
Image data to be used as teaching materials and coding results to be the correct answer are required. Conventionally, collect and accumulate many image data,
Creating the correct answer data corresponding to each image data required a lot of manpower and was a man-hour.

An object of the present invention is to provide a system and an apparatus which reduce the number of steps required for collecting image data and creating correct data.

[0006]

The present invention provides a management terminal,
A video coding system having a plurality of input terminals connected to a management terminal via a transmission line, wherein the management terminal is configured such that an operator operating the input terminal performs an input operation of a production coding or an input of a training coding. Means for classifying the operator as an operator and registering it in a table; table storage means for storing the coding result of the operator as a teacher corresponding to the received image data; The image data obtained by referring to the table for storing the coding result is transmitted to the input terminal of the operator performing the training coding input, and the received coding result is compared with the coding result of the operator serving as the corresponding teacher to determine whether or not they match. The input terminal receives Display image data to the display device, and wherein the video coding system to be transmitted to the management terminal corresponding code data input from the input device.

[0007] Instead of the management terminal managing the input terminal of the operator who performs the training coding input operation online, the management terminal saves the coding result of the operator who is the teacher as a teacher in the storage device in association with the image data.
By utilizing the stored image data and the corresponding coding results, it is possible to train the coding input of the operator off-line.

In a case where it is difficult to determine an operator to be a teacher, the management terminal transmits the same image data redundantly to input terminals operated by a plurality of operators.
By providing means for determining one coding result by majority decision by comparing a plurality of received coding results, correct data corresponding to image data can be determined, and more accurate correct data can be obtained.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

(1) First Embodiment FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a system according to this embodiment. The mail sorting machine 10 is a device that reads a zip code and an address display number written on a mail and sorts the mail. VC
An S (video coding system) 1 is driven when the postal code or address display number of the postal matter input by the postal sorting machine 10 cannot be recognized, and an image of the face on which the address input from the postal sorting machine 10 is described. This system receives data, creates coding data corresponding to the image data through an input operation of an operator, and transmits the coding data to the mail sorting machine 10. The VCS 1 includes a management terminal 2, a plurality of input terminals 3, and an LA connecting the management terminal 2 and the input terminal 3.
It comprises a transmission line 6 such as N (local area network). Between the mail sorting machine 10 and the management terminal 2,
They are connected by a transmission line 6. The management terminal 2 is an information processing device that manages the input terminal 3, receives image data of the postal code and the address display number from the postal sorting machine 10, determines the input terminal 3 that codes the received image data, The image data is transmitted to the determined input terminal 3 via the transmission path 6, the coding result is received from the input terminal 3,
It has an application program (AP) for transmitting it to the mail sorting machine 10 via the transmission line 6. Input terminal 3
Is an information processing device that performs video coding, and connects the display device 4 and an input device 5 such as a keyboard. The AP running on the input terminal 3 displays the image data received from the management terminal 2 on the display device 4. When a zip code and an address display number are input via the input device 5, the AP transmits the input coding result to the management terminal 2. One or a plurality of input terminals 3 among the plurality of input terminals 3 may be used for training input operations by an operator. When the training operator is logged in to the management terminal 2, the management terminal 2 registers as the training operator and transmits the same image data transmitted to the teacher operator to the input terminal 3 used by the training operator. Then, the coding result is evaluated by comparing it with the coding result of the teacher operator.

FIG. 2A is a diagram showing a data format of a message transmitted from the mail sorting machine 10 to the management terminal 2. The message has an image ID 11 and image data 12. The image ID 11 is an identifier for specifying the image data 12. The image data 12 is image data, and its contents are a postal code and an address display number. It should be noted that, in addition to the message, code data of a portion where the postal code and the address display number can be recognized may be added.

FIG. 2B is a diagram showing a data format of a message transmitted from the management terminal 2 to the mail sorting machine 10. The message is composed of an image ID 11 and code data 13. The image ID 11 is an identifier corresponding to the image data 12. The code data 13 is a coding result, and its contents are a postal code and an address display number.

FIG. 3A is a diagram showing a data configuration of the operator table 20 held by the management terminal 2 in its storage device. The input terminal number 21 is an identifier of the input terminal 3. The operator ID 22 is an identifier of an operator using the input terminal 3. The input mode 23 is a mode for distinguishing whether the operator performs an input operation for a production operation or an input operation during training. The in-process flag 24 is a flag that is set to ON when the operator is assigned image data and is performing an input operation, and is set to OFF when the input operation is completed. The teacher flag 25 is a flag that is turned on for any one of the teachers whose input mode 23 is the actual one and is turned off for the other operators.

FIG. 3B is a diagram showing a data structure of the coding result table 30 held by the management terminal 2 in its storage device. Each record of the coding result table 30 includes an image ID 11, an operator ID 22, and code data 13. The image ID 11 is an identifier of the image data received from the mail sorting machine 10. The operator ID 22 is an identifier of any one of the operators whose input mode 23 registered in the operator table 20 is a real one. The code data 13 is a coding result and is composed of a postal code and an address display number. When the record of the coding result table 30 is written to the end of the storage area allocated to the coding result table 30, the next record is wrapped from the head of this storage area and written in order. The image I of each record
The image data 12 received from the mail sorting machine 10 is stored in another storage area corresponding to D11.

FIG. 3C is a diagram showing the data structure of the operator level table 40 held by the management terminal 2 in its storage device. The operator ID 22 is an identifier of the operator. The level 41 indicates the input level of the operator, and is represented by several levels of numbers or symbols. Level 41 is ranked by the speed of entering the coding result of the operator or the accuracy rate indicating whether or not the correct coding result was inputted.

FIG. 4 shows a postal code table 51 and an address display number table 5 stored in the storage device of the input terminal 3.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a data configuration of No. 2; Postal code table 51
Is a table in which real postal codes are arranged. The address display number table 52 is a table in which actual address display numbers are arranged.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of a program for receiving and processing a login request from the input terminal 3 among the APs of the management terminal 2. When a login request is received from the input terminal 3 (step 61), the login message is examined to determine whether or not it is a real coding operation (step 62). If it is a production (YES in step 62), the input mode 23 is set to a production mode (step 63). The teacher flag 25 in the operator table 20 is searched to determine whether a teacher has already been determined (step 64). If the operator whose teacher flag 25 is ON is registered in the operator table 20 (step 64 YES), the operator ID 22 and the set input mode 23 and the teacher flag 25 are registered in the operator table 20 (step 65). If the teacher has not been determined (NO in step 64), it is determined whether or not the operator who has made the login request has an appropriate level 41 as a teacher by referring to the operator level table 40 (step 66). If the operator is not to be a teacher (step 66 NO), the procedure goes to step 65. If it is determined to be a teacher (step 66 YES), the teacher flag 25 is turned on and the routine goes to step 65. If the login message is a training coding operation (step 62 NO),
The input mode 23 is set to the training mode (step 6).
8) Go to step 65.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of a program for performing a real coding process in the AP of the management terminal 2. Image ID 11 from postal sorting machine 10
When the image data 12 is received (step 71), the pointer indicating the record to be written in the coding result table 30 is positioned at the next record, and the received image ID 11 is registered in the next record.
Is stored in the storage device (step 72). Next, referring to the operator table 20, the operator in charge is selected from the operators whose input mode 23 is the production mode and the processing flag 24 is off, and the operator ID 22 is set to the operator ID 22 in the writing record of the coding result table 30. Register (step 73). In step 73, only when the teacher flag 25 is the operator who is a teacher, the operator may be registered in the coding result table 30. Next, the in-process flag 24 of the operator
Is turned on (step 74), and the input terminal number 21
The image ID 11 and the image data 12 are transmitted to the input terminal 3 indicated by (step 75). And the transmission time,
The history information including the operator ID and the image ID 11 is recorded in a log file (step 76). When the image ID 11 and the coding result are received from the input terminal 3 (step 77), history information including the reception time, the operator ID, and the image ID 11 is recorded in a log file (step 78). Next, the coding result table 30
Is searched for a record having the received image ID 11 and the code data 13
Is registered (step 79). In step 79,
Only when the teacher flag 25 is an operator who is a teacher, it may be registered in the coding result table 30. Next, the in-process flag 24 of the operator is updated to off (step 80). Last received image ID 11
And the code data 13 are transmitted to the mail sorting machine 10 (step 81), and the coding process for the image data is terminated. Input terminal 3 for image data in log file
Since the time of transmission and the time of reception of the coding result are recorded, the difference between the two times can be regarded as the input time of the operator, and can be used as data for determining the level 41 of the operator level table 40.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing flow of a program for performing a training coding process in the AP of the management terminal 2. This program is executed by a process having a lower priority than the process of performing the actual coding process. First, the input mode 23 and the processing flag 24 of the operator table 20 are searched, and the input mode 2 is searched.
3 is training, and it is determined whether or not any operator has the processing flag 24 turned off (step 91). If there is no corresponding operator (step 91 NO), the process ends. If there is a corresponding operator (step 91Y
ES), select one of them. Next, the pointer pointing to the record of the coding result table 30 relating to the selected operator is positioned at the next record, and records corresponding to the image data to be used as teaching materials are searched in order from that record (step 92). If it is the first training coding of the operator, the search is performed by moving the pointer sequentially from the first record of the coding result table 30. The target record is the operator ID 2
Reference numeral 2 denotes a record in which the teacher flag 25 is set to ON on the operator table 20. If the coding result table 30 includes only the record relating to the operator to be a teacher, it is simply positioned at the next record. If no corresponding record is found, the process waits in step 92. Next, the processing flag 24 of the selected training operator is set to ON, and the image ID 11 and the image data 12 corresponding to the determined record are transmitted to the input terminal 3 indicated by the input terminal number 21 (step 94). The transmission history is recorded (step 9)
5) The reception of the coding result (step 96) and the recording of the reception history (step 97) are performed in step 7 respectively.
Same as 6,77 and 78. Next, the coding result input by the training operator is compared with the code data 13 in the record determined by the pointer (step 98), and the comparison result (match / mismatch) is compared with the time, the operator ID, and the target image ID11. Is recorded in a log file (step 99). Finally, the in-process flag 24 of the training operator is turned off, and the process ends. By analyzing the history information of the training operator recorded in the log file offline, the skill of the operator can be evaluated.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a case where a code is input to the input terminal 3 by A.
It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of P. The processing of this program is common to both the production operator and the training operator. When receiving the image ID 11 and the image data 12 from the management terminal 2 (step 111), the program displays the received image data 12 on the display device 4 (step 112). Next, when a zip code and an address display number are input via the input device 5 (step 113).
And 114), respectively, against the actual postal code and address display number in the postal code table 51 and the address display number table 52 to determine whether they match the actual postal code and address display number (step 116). If they do not match (NO in step 116), a message is displayed on the display device 4, and the process returns to step 113. If they match (step 116 YES), the input coding result is transmitted to the management terminal 2 (step 11).
7). When the code data of the portion recognized by the mail sorting machine 10 is received via the management terminal 2, the code data can be displayed in the input area of the display device 4 and be a part of the coding result.

According to the first embodiment, since the actual image data and the coding result input by the operator serving as a teacher are used as training materials, there is no work load for creating training materials. By utilizing the CPU free time of the management terminal 2 and sharing the resources such as the storage device with the actual processing, there is an effect that the training of the operator can be efficiently performed.

(2) Second Embodiment In the second embodiment, training in which image data handled by an operator serving as a teacher and input coding results are stored as history information, and this history information is implemented offline as teaching materials It is used for the training coding process of the operator.

In the second embodiment, there is no change in the system configuration diagram of FIG. 1 and the message format of FIG. Further, since the operator table 20 in FIG. 3 targets only the actual operator, there is no classification of the input mode 23. Further, the code data 13 of the coding result table 30 is not always necessary. There is no change in the data structure of the operator level table 40. There is no change in the postal code table 51 and the address display number table 52 in FIG. Steps 62, 63 and 68 of the login process in FIG. 5 are unnecessary.

In the actual coding processing of FIG. 6, steps 71 to 78 are the same as the above-described processing procedures. In step 79, it is not always necessary to register the code data 13 in the coding result table 30. Further, in step 79, it is determined whether or not the operator is a teacher by referring to the teacher flag 25 of the operator table 20 with respect to the operator ID 22 of the operator who has received the coding result. Image ID 11,
The image data 12 and the code data 13 are recorded in another history file for teaching materials. Steps 80 and 81 are as described above. It is possible to edit the history file for teaching materials and separate it into a coding result table in which the image ID 11 and the code data 13 are one record, and an image file pointed by the image ID 11.

The training coding process shown in FIG. 7 is executed by the management terminal 2 which is off-line from the production coding process. The offline management terminal 2 is a device different from the online management terminal 2 or the same device used in another time zone. Instead of the processing in step 92, the records on the coding result table for the teaching material are read in order, and the processing in steps 93 to 100 is performed on the image data pointed from each record. There is no change in the processing of the AP of the input terminal 3 shown in FIG.

According to the second embodiment, the coding process of training is separated from the management terminal 2 that performs the actual coding process, so that the load on the management terminal 2 that performs the actual coding process can be reduced. Further, there is an effect that a teaching material can be created by a simple processing sequence.

(3) Third Embodiment The third embodiment also stores image data handled by a production operator and input coding results as history information,
This history information is used as a training material for training coding processing of a training operator to be performed offline. However, the coding result to be used is determined by majority decision by comparing the results of coding the same image data by a plurality of operators.

In the third embodiment, there is no change in the system configuration diagram of FIG. 1 and the message format of FIG. The operator table 20 of FIG. 3 has no data items of the input mode 23 and the teacher flag 25. There is no change in the coding result table 30. Further, the operator level table 40 is unnecessary. There is no change in the postal code table 51 and the address display number table 52 in FIG. Steps 62 to 64, 66, 67 and 68 of the login process in FIG. 5 are unnecessary. Step 65 simply registers the operator ID 22 in the operator table 20.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are flow charts showing the flow of the actual coding process in place of FIG. Image ID 11 and image data 12 from postal sorting machine 10
Is received (step 121), the pointer indicating the record to be written in the coding result table 30 is positioned at the next record, and the received image ID
11 is registered, and the corresponding image data 12 is stored in the storage device (step 122). Next, 1 is added to the record number counter held by the program to count up (step 123). If the record number counter does not exceed a certain value (step 124 NO), the same processing as steps 73 to 81 is executed (step 125).
When the record number counter has exceeded the predetermined number (step 124 YES), it is determined whether or not three or more operators have the processing-in-progress flag 24 turned off with reference to the operator table 20 (step 126). If the number of ready operators is less than three (NO in step 126), the flow proceeds to step 125, and the processing in steps 73 to 81 is performed.
When there are three or more ready operators (step 126)
9B, the process proceeds to FIG. 9B, where three or more odd operators are determined, and the operator IDs 22 are registered in the coding result table 30 (step 131). That is, after registering the first image ID 11 and the operator ID 22 for the first operator, the write pointer is positioned at the next record, the same image ID 11 and the next operator ID 22 are registered, and the same processing is repeated for the third operator. The same image ID 11 and each operator ID are stored in records for the number of selected operators.
Register 22. Next, each processing flag 24 is set on for all the selected operators (step 13).
2), the record number counter is cleared to 0 (step 133). Next, referring to the operator table 20, the same image ID 11 and image data 12 are transmitted to the input terminal 3 of the input terminal number 21 corresponding to each operator ID 22 (step 134). The transmission history is recorded for each operator (step 135). When the image ID 11 and the coding result are received from the input terminal 3 (step 136), the reception history is recorded (step 13).
7) The received coding result is stored in the code data 13 of the record corresponding to the image ID 11 and the operator ID 22 of the coding result table 30 (step 138). Wait until all coding results for the same image data are received (step 13).
9) When all the coding results have been prepared, the code data 13 thus prepared are compared, and the coding result is determined by majority decision (step 140). When the code data 13 is determined, the image ID 11, the image data 12, and the determined code data 13 are recorded in a history file for teaching materials (step 141). Next, the processing flags 24 of all the selected operators are updated to off (step 142),
The determined code data 13 is transmitted to the mail sorting machine 10 (step 143).

When the record number counter exceeds a predetermined number instead of step 126 (step 12).
4YES), the ready operators may be selected one by one, and the processes of steps 131 to 138 may be performed for each operator. In this case as well, wait until all the coding results are obtained in step 139, and then step 1
The processing of steps 40 to 143 is executed.

Regarding the coding process of training,
This is the same as the embodiment. AP of input terminal 3 shown in FIG.
There is no change in the processing of.

According to the third embodiment, since the coding result determined by majority decision by comparing the coding results of three or more operators is the correct answer, this is an effective method when it is difficult to determine the operator to be a teacher. .

[0033]

According to the present invention, video coding
While the system is performing normal coding processing, it can acquire image data and correct answer data as training materials for training, reducing the man-hours required to collect image data and create correct answer data .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a format of a message transmitted between a management terminal 2 and a mail sorting machine 10 according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an operator table 20, a coding result table 30, and an operator level table 4 of the embodiment.
It is a figure showing the data structure of 0.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a data configuration of a postal code table 51 and an address display number table 52 of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a login process of the management terminal 2 according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a real coding process of the management terminal 2 according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a training coding process of the management terminal 2 according to the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a flow of the input terminal 3 of the embodiment.

FIG. 9A is a flowchart illustrating a flow of another production coding process of the management terminal 2 according to the embodiment.

FIG. 9B is a flowchart (continued) showing the flow of another production coding process of the management terminal 2 of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

2: management terminal, 3: input terminal, 12: image data, 1
3: code data, 23: input mode, 25: teacher flag

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A video coding system having a management terminal and a plurality of input terminals connected to the management terminal via a transmission path, wherein the management terminal is configured to postal mail via a transmission path. Determining an input terminal device for performing coding input on image data received from the input terminal device, transmitting the image data to the determined input terminal device, transmitting a coding result received from the input terminal device to a postal sorting machine, In a video coding system in which a terminal device displays received image data on a display device and transmits corresponding code data input from an input device to the management terminal device, the management terminal device operates the input terminal device The operator distinguishes between operators who perform input operations for production coding and operators who perform input operations for training coding. Table, storing the coding result of the operator as the teacher corresponding to the received image data, and the table for storing the coding result for the operator who performs the input operation of the training coding. Means for transmitting the acquired image data to the input terminal device of the operator performing the training coding input, and comparing the received coding result with the coding result of the operator serving as the corresponding teacher to determine whether or not they match. A video coding system, characterized in that: 2. A video coding system having a management terminal and a plurality of input terminals connected to the management terminal via a transmission line, wherein the management terminal is configured to postal mail via a transmission line. Determining an input terminal device for performing coding input on image data received from the input terminal device, transmitting the image data to the determined input terminal device, transmitting a coding result received from the input terminal device to a postal sorting machine, The terminal device displays the received image data on a display device, and transmits corresponding code data input from an input device to the management terminal device. In the management terminal device in the video coding system, the management terminal device includes an input terminal. The operator who operates the terminal device performs the input operation of the actual coding or the operator who performs the input operation of the training coding Means for registering data in a table by classifying the data, table storage means for storing a coding result of an operator serving as a teacher corresponding to the received image data, and a coding result for an operator who inputs training coding. Is transmitted to the input terminal device of the operator who performs the training coding input by referring to the table for storing the received coding result, and the received coding result is compared with the coding result of the operator as the corresponding teacher to determine whether or not they match. A terminal device for managing video coding, comprising: a determination unit. 3. A video coding system having a management terminal device and a plurality of input terminal devices connected to the management terminal device via a transmission line, wherein the management terminal device has a mail sorting system via a transmission line. Determining an input terminal device for performing coding input on image data received from the input terminal device, transmitting the image data to the determined input terminal device, transmitting a coding result received from the input terminal device to a postal sorting machine, A video coding system in which a terminal device displays received image data on a display device and transmits corresponding code data input from an input device to the management terminal device, wherein the system includes the mail sorting machine and a production coding input. A first management terminal connected to a first input terminal operated by an operating operator, and input of training coding A second management terminal device connected to a second input terminal device operated by an operator who operates the first management terminal device, wherein the first management terminal device serves as a teacher corresponding to image data received from the postal sorting machine. Means for storing the coding result of the operator in the storage device, wherein the second management terminal device inputs the image data stored in the storage device and transmits the image data to the second input terminal device; Means for comparing with a teacher's coding result to determine whether they match. 4. A video coding system having a management terminal device and a plurality of input terminal devices connected to the management terminal device via a transmission path, wherein the management terminal apparatus has a postal division via a transmission path. Determining an input terminal device for performing coding input on image data received from the input terminal device, transmitting the image data to the determined input terminal device, transmitting a coding result received from the input terminal device to a postal sorting machine, A video coding system in which a terminal device displays received image data on a display device and transmits corresponding code data input from an input device to the management terminal device, wherein the system includes the mail sorting machine and a production coding input. A first management terminal connected to a first input terminal operated by an operating operator, and input of training coding A second management terminal device connected to a second input terminal device operated by an operator who operates the first input terminal device. The first management terminal device allows a plurality of operators to read the same image data received from the mail sorting machine. A plurality of coding results that are transmitted redundantly to the first input terminal device to be operated, received are compared with each other, one coding result is determined by majority decision, and the determined coding result corresponding to the image data is stored in the storage device. Means, the second management terminal device inputs the image data stored in the storage device,
A video coding system comprising: means for transmitting a coding result transmitted to an input terminal device and comparing the received coding result with a stored coding result to determine whether or not the coding result matches. 5. A video coding system having a management terminal device and a plurality of input terminal devices connected to the management terminal device via a transmission line, wherein the management terminal device is configured to postal mail via a transmission line. Determining an input terminal device for performing coding input on image data received from the input terminal device, transmitting the image data to the determined input terminal device, transmitting a coding result received from the input terminal device to a postal sorting machine, The terminal device displays the received image data on a display device, and transmits corresponding code data input from an input device to the management terminal device. A management terminal device in a video coding system, wherein the management terminal device is The same image data received from the sorting machine is redundantly transmitted to the first input terminal device operated by a plurality of operators, and the received plurality of A terminal apparatus for managing video coding, comprising: means for determining one coding result by majority decision by matching the coding results and storing the determined coding result in correspondence with image data in a storage device.