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History and current state of postal mechanization in Japan
Pancrn Recognition l.etters 14 (1993) 277-280 Norlh ttolland
April 1993
PATRE(' II 10
History and current state of postal mechanization in Japan Yukinobu
Tokunaga
('omplltcr ,S'vv/cnl Phmning, Ofh'cu. Poslu/ Bllr('~/ll..'tlimstrv q/ Po~t~ ,rot l?h'c,,mmuHicatioJ> 3-2. [X't;slltlliq~llSd/xl" /-(tlOItld. ( 7~n~da-I
Rcccixcd 28 February 1992 Rcxised 24 November 1992
/~VD'tI{ [
Tokunaga, Y.. ttistorx and current state of postal mechanization in .lapan. Panern Recognition Letter,, 14 I1993) 277 2S0. This paper presents the history of systclns and postal machines expressly designed t'or postal mechanizatam, and summarizes the installation status o1" a range of postal machines, mechanization of postal counter service, and. tmall 5, aspects oF l'tllurc mechanization now being planned.
Kcvu,,&. Zip code, postal mechanization.
1. Introduction
2. Hislory of postal mechanizalion
This year marks the 30th anniversary since the Postal Mechanization Planning Office, the predecessor of the present Computer System Planning Oft'ice, was established within the Postal Bureau of the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications in September 1961. The history of postal mechanization in Japan can be regarded as the history spanning these thirty years. As the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications sponsored the 10th International Conference on Postal Mechanization in May of this year, this year marks a memorable one regarding postal mechanization. Appropriate then is a review of the history, current state and future course of postal mechanization in this country.
2.1. Standardization of envelope.~ apzd introduction of the postal code syslem
Corrc,~p,mdcncc to: Yukinobu Tokunaga, Computer System Planning Office, Postal Bureau, Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, 3-2, Kasumigascki 1-chome. Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100. Japan. 0167-8655 93.$06.00
During the tell years from 1955 to 1964, the number of postal items increased greatly in line with the growth of the economy, registering an average yearly increase rate of 6.8%. As a result, the number of postal items nearly doubled in the 10-year period. If stabilized service is to be continually provided under such conditions, it is considered necessary to mechanize the ordinary mailhandling process. Based on this view, the entire Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications has been exerting every effort since around 1960 to prepare conditions for mechanization and develop related machinery. In order to ensure postal item harmonization with mechanization, the J IS standard for envelopes was initially instituted in 1962, with eight such standards being formulated as recommended stan-
1993 - - Elsevier Science Publishers B.V. All right ~, rc~,cr',ed
277
Volume 14, Number 4
PATTERN RECOGNITION LETTERS
dards by the Ministry. Furthermore, standardization of postal items, the premise underlying postal mechanization, was made part of the revision of the Postal Law in 1962. Specifically, a system of standard-sized items was created, with the next step being the introduction of the postal code system. We at the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications began a study of the introduction in 1964 for the joint purposes of achieving efficiency improvement and mechanization of the dispatch sorting work, which accounts for most of the innerpost office work, as well as to accelerate the mailhandling speed through rationalization of the related processes. Based on the results, the Ministry introduced the actual system in July 1968. Postal code entry requires a certain amount of labor on the part of the users. The entry ratio was only 56% at first. As greater understanding was obtained concerning the need for postal code entry, the ratio rose every year. After 1975 it surpassed 95%, testifying to the acceptance of the system by the public.
2.2. Development of the automatic postal code reading and sorting machine (OCR sorteO and the automatic culling, facing, and cancelling machine (CFC) There was a push for the development of the automatic postal code reading and sorting machine (OCR sorter) and the automatic culling, facing, and cancelling machine (CFC) along with the preparation of the conditions essential to postal mechanization. The first automatic postal code reading and sorting machine was installed at Tokyo Central Post Office in line with introduction of the postal code system. It was the world's first machine that could directly read 3-digit numerals handwritten within red postal code frames through OCR equipment and sort them to the designated sections (delivery post offices). To raise efficiency in the culling, facing, and cancelling work, the Ministry strove to develop the machinery to perform such work automatically. Consequently, the first automatic, culling, facing, and cancelling machine (CFC) was put into operation at Shinjuku Post Office in October 1968. 278
April 1993
In 1971, the Ministry made it possible to interconnect the OCR sorter and the CFC, thus allowing integrated processing from selection to sorting.
2.3. Functional advance and improvement o f machinery We have thus been endeavoring to seek functional advancement and improvement of OCR sorters and CFCs as the major means of enhancing efficiency and promoting mechanization of the intra-post office work. Efforts have also been directed to their increased installation. An explanation is relevant here concerning our efforts to functionally advance and improve these machines. First, in 1976, OCR sorters were given added functions to enable them to read printed postal codes outside the red number frames by shifting the mode to that for exclusively reading printed characters as well as reading three lower digits and sorting postal items based on the read information. In 1980, their performance was improved so as to enable them to distinguish postal items even when they are provided in a mixed condition, that is, when postal items with handwritten letters and those with printed characters are mixed in together. The OCR sorters introduced after 1987 have functions that enable them to read 5-digit postal code numbers and sort them simultaneously. To prevent jamming or damage during the transporting and stacking of postal items, the mail stacking method was altered form short- to long-lenght. Second, with regard to CFCs, we developed in 1974 a small-sized, easy-to-operate automatic facing and cancelling machine with a manual culling table. This paved the way for dramatic expansion of the post offices equipped with this machinery. Moreover, another improvement in the form of the addition of fluorescent detection and bar code detection functions was made in 1988.
2.4. Recent machinery development Our most recently developed machines are the automatic postal address-reading and sorting machine and the automatic large-sized, flat reading and sorting machine.
Volume 14, Number 4
PATTERN RECOGNITION I_ETTERS
Mechanization of the delivery sorting process was previously considered impossible since the machinery concerned was unable to read addresses written in Chinese characters or Japanese ' k a n a ' syllabary letters. In line with the progress made in letter recognition technology, however, we commenced research on reading and sorting through OCR equipment in 1985. As a result, we were able to develop the automatic postal address-reading and sorting machine in March 1989, and then installed two units in Ueno and Adachi Post Offices for operation on a trial basis. Subsequently, we increased the number of trial installation post offices by two in March 1990 and three in March 1991, while striving to raise the letter-recognition speed and the reading rate. Because the results of such trial-and-error cases proved generally good, we began full-fledged installation of the machine in post offices in May 1991. This address-reading and sorting machine also has the same dispatch sorting function as possessed by OCR sorters. Accordingly, efforts are being made 1o utilize it more effectively. In connection with mechanization of the dispatch sorting of large-sized, flat letter-post items, we also undertook in 1987 the research and development of machinery capable of discerning and reading various postal codes on mail items. As a result, we developed an automatic large-sized, flat reading and sorting m a c h i n e - - t h e world's first--in May
April 1993
1991. This kind of machine is now in trial use at Shin-Tokyo Post Office and Tokyo Tama Post Office.
3. Installation state of various kinds of postal machines As of the end of 1991, there were a total of 214 automatic postal code reading and sorting machines (OCR sorters) at 173 post offices, 30 automatic postal address-reading and sorting machines (see Figure 1.) at 30 postal offices, 122 automatic culling, facing, and cancelling machines (CFCs) at 102 stations, and 121 automatic facing and cancelling machines with manual culling tables at 121 post ofrices. Of these, there are 118 units comprising combinations of sorting and cancelling machines, which enable an integration of work from selection to sorting, at 96 post offices. Concerning the operating state of sorting machines, they process about 40°70 of the total postal items handled at the post offices equipped with such machines during normal times. On a daily basis, one machine processes approximately 100.000 pieces of mail. During the year-end and New Year period, which is the busiest mailing season in Japan, New Year's cards are processed collectively. Thus, these machines process about 70% of all New Year's
Figure 1. Automatic postal address-reading and sorting machine. The OCR of thi,, machine is capable or"directl? reading handx~ritten or printed characters--such as the name and the 'cho' numbers in letter addresses. This enables the machine to sort letters by postman's roule. The processing speed is approximately 22,000 items per hour. By simply pushing a s',~itch, the OCR is also capable ol: reading handwritten and printed postal codes automatically and of sorting them for dispatch. The OCR'~,postal code reading abilits. is 30,000 items per hour. 279
Volume 14, Number 4
PATTERN RECOGNITION LETTERS
mail at post offices in which they are equipped. Throughout the nation, machine-processed New Year's mail accounts for about 40% of the total handled.
4. Mechanization of postal counter service In addition to mechanization of the mailhandling process thus far reviewed, we have installed postage stamp and postcard vending machines, self-service machines for counter service, and postal counter terminals at post offices to contribute to the reduction in manual work and improvement in customer service. Installation of postage stamp and postcard vending machines began in fiscal 1978. Most of them are machines capable of selling four kinds of postage stamps and postcards for cash of Fumi cards. The latest model also has the function of vending Fumi cards. As of the end of 1991, 1,710 vending machines are in operation at 1,665 post offices. Self-service machines for counter service have been installed on a trial basis since fiscal 1974. These machines possess the functions of automatically indicating postage, vending certificates, and accepting registered mail. As of the end of December 1991, such machines are in service at 14 post offices. Postal counter terminals have been in place since 1989 to effectively handle a variety of over-thecounter work. The machine comprises a terminal, designed to calculate domestic and international postage and issue a certificate through operation by an official, and a control device (personal computer) for data processing. As of the end of 1991, these terminals were in trial operation at 40 post offices. Postal counter terminals for use at smallscale post offices are now being developed.
280
April 1993
5. Future mechanization now being planned Post office handling activities requiring further mechanization cover delivery-related work within post offices, mechanization that is about to be or is being undertaken in other countries. As previously stated, we have installed automatic postal address-reading and sorting machines at post offices to accelerate delivery-related work within post offices. At present, mail is sorted for each mailman but it is not arranged in the order of delivery. The current letter recognition technology has not reached the level of obtaining the information necessary to put mail items in the order of delivery, i.e., it does not allow the recognition of town block numbers. Therefore, we are now considering conduction research on measures to codify address information on mail in such a manner as to enable the machinery to efficiently handle postal items, and, at the same time, developing the machines required. Since large-size postal items have been increasing in recent years, we intend to develop the machinery to face and cancel such postal items in the future. Moreover, in accordance with mechanization of postal items, upgrading of related administrative and managerial work must also be promoted. Based on this viewpoint, we additionally plan to vigorously strive for more computer-based information operations. As a final note, the currently operating computer-based information systems include the parcel tracking and tracing system (EMS), the registered mail management and information system, and the postal sales information management system, all of which will be reviewed in the future.
April 1993
PATRE(' II 10
History and current state of postal mechanization in Japan Yukinobu
Tokunaga
('omplltcr ,S'vv/cnl Phmning, Ofh'cu. Poslu/ Bllr('~/ll..'tlimstrv q/ Po~t~ ,rot l?h'c,,mmuHicatioJ> 3-2. [X't;slltlliq~llSd/xl" /-(tlOItld. ( 7~n~da-I
Rcccixcd 28 February 1992 Rcxised 24 November 1992
/~VD'tI{ [
Tokunaga, Y.. ttistorx and current state of postal mechanization in .lapan. Panern Recognition Letter,, 14 I1993) 277 2S0. This paper presents the history of systclns and postal machines expressly designed t'or postal mechanizatam, and summarizes the installation status o1" a range of postal machines, mechanization of postal counter service, and. tmall 5, aspects oF l'tllurc mechanization now being planned.
Kcvu,,&. Zip code, postal mechanization.
1. Introduction
2. Hislory of postal mechanizalion
This year marks the 30th anniversary since the Postal Mechanization Planning Office, the predecessor of the present Computer System Planning Oft'ice, was established within the Postal Bureau of the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications in September 1961. The history of postal mechanization in Japan can be regarded as the history spanning these thirty years. As the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications sponsored the 10th International Conference on Postal Mechanization in May of this year, this year marks a memorable one regarding postal mechanization. Appropriate then is a review of the history, current state and future course of postal mechanization in this country.
2.1. Standardization of envelope.~ apzd introduction of the postal code syslem
Corrc,~p,mdcncc to: Yukinobu Tokunaga, Computer System Planning Office, Postal Bureau, Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications, 3-2, Kasumigascki 1-chome. Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100. Japan. 0167-8655 93.$06.00
During the tell years from 1955 to 1964, the number of postal items increased greatly in line with the growth of the economy, registering an average yearly increase rate of 6.8%. As a result, the number of postal items nearly doubled in the 10-year period. If stabilized service is to be continually provided under such conditions, it is considered necessary to mechanize the ordinary mailhandling process. Based on this view, the entire Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications has been exerting every effort since around 1960 to prepare conditions for mechanization and develop related machinery. In order to ensure postal item harmonization with mechanization, the J IS standard for envelopes was initially instituted in 1962, with eight such standards being formulated as recommended stan-
1993 - - Elsevier Science Publishers B.V. All right ~, rc~,cr',ed
277
Volume 14, Number 4
PATTERN RECOGNITION LETTERS
dards by the Ministry. Furthermore, standardization of postal items, the premise underlying postal mechanization, was made part of the revision of the Postal Law in 1962. Specifically, a system of standard-sized items was created, with the next step being the introduction of the postal code system. We at the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications began a study of the introduction in 1964 for the joint purposes of achieving efficiency improvement and mechanization of the dispatch sorting work, which accounts for most of the innerpost office work, as well as to accelerate the mailhandling speed through rationalization of the related processes. Based on the results, the Ministry introduced the actual system in July 1968. Postal code entry requires a certain amount of labor on the part of the users. The entry ratio was only 56% at first. As greater understanding was obtained concerning the need for postal code entry, the ratio rose every year. After 1975 it surpassed 95%, testifying to the acceptance of the system by the public.
2.2. Development of the automatic postal code reading and sorting machine (OCR sorteO and the automatic culling, facing, and cancelling machine (CFC) There was a push for the development of the automatic postal code reading and sorting machine (OCR sorter) and the automatic culling, facing, and cancelling machine (CFC) along with the preparation of the conditions essential to postal mechanization. The first automatic postal code reading and sorting machine was installed at Tokyo Central Post Office in line with introduction of the postal code system. It was the world's first machine that could directly read 3-digit numerals handwritten within red postal code frames through OCR equipment and sort them to the designated sections (delivery post offices). To raise efficiency in the culling, facing, and cancelling work, the Ministry strove to develop the machinery to perform such work automatically. Consequently, the first automatic, culling, facing, and cancelling machine (CFC) was put into operation at Shinjuku Post Office in October 1968. 278
April 1993
In 1971, the Ministry made it possible to interconnect the OCR sorter and the CFC, thus allowing integrated processing from selection to sorting.
2.3. Functional advance and improvement o f machinery We have thus been endeavoring to seek functional advancement and improvement of OCR sorters and CFCs as the major means of enhancing efficiency and promoting mechanization of the intra-post office work. Efforts have also been directed to their increased installation. An explanation is relevant here concerning our efforts to functionally advance and improve these machines. First, in 1976, OCR sorters were given added functions to enable them to read printed postal codes outside the red number frames by shifting the mode to that for exclusively reading printed characters as well as reading three lower digits and sorting postal items based on the read information. In 1980, their performance was improved so as to enable them to distinguish postal items even when they are provided in a mixed condition, that is, when postal items with handwritten letters and those with printed characters are mixed in together. The OCR sorters introduced after 1987 have functions that enable them to read 5-digit postal code numbers and sort them simultaneously. To prevent jamming or damage during the transporting and stacking of postal items, the mail stacking method was altered form short- to long-lenght. Second, with regard to CFCs, we developed in 1974 a small-sized, easy-to-operate automatic facing and cancelling machine with a manual culling table. This paved the way for dramatic expansion of the post offices equipped with this machinery. Moreover, another improvement in the form of the addition of fluorescent detection and bar code detection functions was made in 1988.
2.4. Recent machinery development Our most recently developed machines are the automatic postal address-reading and sorting machine and the automatic large-sized, flat reading and sorting machine.
Volume 14, Number 4
PATTERN RECOGNITION I_ETTERS
Mechanization of the delivery sorting process was previously considered impossible since the machinery concerned was unable to read addresses written in Chinese characters or Japanese ' k a n a ' syllabary letters. In line with the progress made in letter recognition technology, however, we commenced research on reading and sorting through OCR equipment in 1985. As a result, we were able to develop the automatic postal address-reading and sorting machine in March 1989, and then installed two units in Ueno and Adachi Post Offices for operation on a trial basis. Subsequently, we increased the number of trial installation post offices by two in March 1990 and three in March 1991, while striving to raise the letter-recognition speed and the reading rate. Because the results of such trial-and-error cases proved generally good, we began full-fledged installation of the machine in post offices in May 1991. This address-reading and sorting machine also has the same dispatch sorting function as possessed by OCR sorters. Accordingly, efforts are being made 1o utilize it more effectively. In connection with mechanization of the dispatch sorting of large-sized, flat letter-post items, we also undertook in 1987 the research and development of machinery capable of discerning and reading various postal codes on mail items. As a result, we developed an automatic large-sized, flat reading and sorting m a c h i n e - - t h e world's first--in May
April 1993
1991. This kind of machine is now in trial use at Shin-Tokyo Post Office and Tokyo Tama Post Office.
3. Installation state of various kinds of postal machines As of the end of 1991, there were a total of 214 automatic postal code reading and sorting machines (OCR sorters) at 173 post offices, 30 automatic postal address-reading and sorting machines (see Figure 1.) at 30 postal offices, 122 automatic culling, facing, and cancelling machines (CFCs) at 102 stations, and 121 automatic facing and cancelling machines with manual culling tables at 121 post ofrices. Of these, there are 118 units comprising combinations of sorting and cancelling machines, which enable an integration of work from selection to sorting, at 96 post offices. Concerning the operating state of sorting machines, they process about 40°70 of the total postal items handled at the post offices equipped with such machines during normal times. On a daily basis, one machine processes approximately 100.000 pieces of mail. During the year-end and New Year period, which is the busiest mailing season in Japan, New Year's cards are processed collectively. Thus, these machines process about 70% of all New Year's
Figure 1. Automatic postal address-reading and sorting machine. The OCR of thi,, machine is capable or"directl? reading handx~ritten or printed characters--such as the name and the 'cho' numbers in letter addresses. This enables the machine to sort letters by postman's roule. The processing speed is approximately 22,000 items per hour. By simply pushing a s',~itch, the OCR is also capable ol: reading handwritten and printed postal codes automatically and of sorting them for dispatch. The OCR'~,postal code reading abilits. is 30,000 items per hour. 279
Volume 14, Number 4
PATTERN RECOGNITION LETTERS
mail at post offices in which they are equipped. Throughout the nation, machine-processed New Year's mail accounts for about 40% of the total handled.
4. Mechanization of postal counter service In addition to mechanization of the mailhandling process thus far reviewed, we have installed postage stamp and postcard vending machines, self-service machines for counter service, and postal counter terminals at post offices to contribute to the reduction in manual work and improvement in customer service. Installation of postage stamp and postcard vending machines began in fiscal 1978. Most of them are machines capable of selling four kinds of postage stamps and postcards for cash of Fumi cards. The latest model also has the function of vending Fumi cards. As of the end of 1991, 1,710 vending machines are in operation at 1,665 post offices. Self-service machines for counter service have been installed on a trial basis since fiscal 1974. These machines possess the functions of automatically indicating postage, vending certificates, and accepting registered mail. As of the end of December 1991, such machines are in service at 14 post offices. Postal counter terminals have been in place since 1989 to effectively handle a variety of over-thecounter work. The machine comprises a terminal, designed to calculate domestic and international postage and issue a certificate through operation by an official, and a control device (personal computer) for data processing. As of the end of 1991, these terminals were in trial operation at 40 post offices. Postal counter terminals for use at smallscale post offices are now being developed.
280
April 1993
5. Future mechanization now being planned Post office handling activities requiring further mechanization cover delivery-related work within post offices, mechanization that is about to be or is being undertaken in other countries. As previously stated, we have installed automatic postal address-reading and sorting machines at post offices to accelerate delivery-related work within post offices. At present, mail is sorted for each mailman but it is not arranged in the order of delivery. The current letter recognition technology has not reached the level of obtaining the information necessary to put mail items in the order of delivery, i.e., it does not allow the recognition of town block numbers. Therefore, we are now considering conduction research on measures to codify address information on mail in such a manner as to enable the machinery to efficiently handle postal items, and, at the same time, developing the machines required. Since large-size postal items have been increasing in recent years, we intend to develop the machinery to face and cancel such postal items in the future. Moreover, in accordance with mechanization of postal items, upgrading of related administrative and managerial work must also be promoted. Based on this viewpoint, we additionally plan to vigorously strive for more computer-based information operations. As a final note, the currently operating computer-based information systems include the parcel tracking and tracing system (EMS), the registered mail management and information system, and the postal sales information management system, all of which will be reviewed in the future.