JP3329638B2 - Paper sorter - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a paper sheet sorter for reading sorting information such as a bar code provided on a paper sheet such as a postal matter, and sorting the inserted sheets according to the sorting information. The present invention relates to an apparatus, and more particularly to a paper sheet sorting apparatus suitable for assembling a delivery route of postal matter for rearranging postal matter according to the destination.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a well-known technique relating to a device for reading sorting information provided on paper sheets such as mails and reordering inserted paper sheets in an order specified by the sorting information, for example, the following techniques are known. There are things. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 51-105897 This known technique is to provide a stacking section divided into a plurality of sections near a supply section for supplying paper sheets, for example, immediately above the supply section.
The bottom of the stacking section is opened, the stacked sheets are dropped and transferred to the supply section, and the sorting is repeated, and the inserted sheets are rearranged in the order specified by the sorting information (code mark). Things. Therefore, if this apparatus is used, it is possible to perform the route assembly division of the mail delivery area by repeating the division. The method of assembling the directions will be described below.

[0003] Usually, one mail delivery area has 600 to 12
There are about 00 destinations, and the delivery person in each district will deliver a total of about 900 to 1800 letters for these destinations. These enormous amounts of letters need to be rearranged in advance according to a predetermined delivery route before delivery. Considering the case where the above-mentioned known technique is applied to perform the route assembly classification, for example, in order to be able to classify approximately 1500 letters for 1000 destinations, 1
It is assumed that 10 stacking units capable of stacking 50 letters are provided.

The delivery route assembling operation in this case is as follows. That is, first, a number from 000 to 999 is associated with each of the 1000 destinations, and about 1500
Classification information (any of 000 to 999) indicating the destination of the letter is attached to each of the letters. And one
As the second sorting procedure, 0 to 9 in the first place of the sorting information are assigned to 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 6 for the ten accumulation units.
Assigned sequentially as 7, 8, 9. In this state, approximately 1500 letters supplied from the supply unit are separated and taken out one by one, and are distributed to any one of the ten accumulation units according to the ones of the sorting information. For example, a letter having the section information of 134 is input to the stacking section to which 4 is assigned, and a letter having the section information of 698 is input to the stacking section to which 8 is assigned. In this way, first, letters in which only the ones digit of the sorting information is the same are accumulated in each accumulation unit. Here, as a matter of course, the tens place and the tens place are not aligned, and are different.

Next, as a second sorting procedure, 0 to 9 in the tens place of the sorting information are set to 0,
Assignment is performed sequentially such as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. Then, the letters whose first division has been completed are collectively taken out so as not to change the order between the stacking sections, and then the letter with the 1's digit is stacked and the letter with the 1's digit is 1 Letters are sequentially separated and taken out one by one from the ten stacking parts such as stacked stacking parts. And
The information is distributed to any one of the ten stacking units according to the tens place of the sorting information. That is, for example, the ones digit is 0
Is distributed to any of the ten collecting units according to the tens place. After that, when only the letter with the one's place is assigned to any one of the ten accumulation units by the ten's place, the one's place that has already been entered is stacked on the letter with the zero in each accumulation part. . Further, similarly, the first place is sequentially separated and taken out from the stacking units of 2 to 9, and the tenth place is sorted and input to any of the ten stacking units. In this way, the letter having the sorting information of 134 is input in the middle of the stacking section to which 3 is assigned, for example, on the letter of the sorting information 230, the letter of 931, the letter of 032, and the letter of 533. Similarly, letters with the same tens place in the sorting information are collected in other collecting sections,
In addition, at this time, ones place is arranged in order in each accumulation unit. In addition, the 100th place has not yet been arranged, and it is in disarray.

Next, as a third sorting procedure, 0 to 9 in the 100th place of the sorting information are set to 0,
Assignment is performed sequentially such as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. Then, the letters after the second division are collectively taken out so as not to change the order between the stacking units,
Stacked letters with letters in the 0s place, 10 in the 1s place
Letters are sequentially separated and taken out one by one from the ten stacking parts, such as a stacking part where letters are stacked. Then, the information is distributed to any one of the ten accumulation units according to the hundreds digit of the classification information. That is, for example, 10
Only letters with a zero place are sorted and placed in one of the ten stacking units according to the hundreds place. After that, when only the letter with the tens place is assigned to any of the ten stacking units according to the hundreds place, the tens place which has already been input is stacked on the letter with the zero in each stacking part. . Further, similarly, the tens place is separated and taken out in order from the 2nd to 9th stacking sections, and distributed to any one of the 10 stacking sections by the 100th place. In this way, the letter having the section information of 134 is input slightly below the center of the stacking section to which 1 is assigned, the letter of the section information 130, the letter of 131, the letter of 132, and the letter of 133. Letters are similarly accumulated in the other stacking units, and letters having sorting information of 200 to 299 are assigned to the stacking unit to which 2 is assigned, and letters having sorting information of 300 to 399 are assigned to the stacking unit to which 3 is assigned. In the same manner, letters having a division information of 900 to 999 are sequentially accumulated in the accumulation section to which 9 is assigned. Here, by taking out all the letters accumulated in the ten accumulation units in order, all letters are rearranged in the order of the sorting information 000 to 999 (that is, the predetermined delivery order).

[0007]

However, the above-mentioned known technique has a problem that it is not sufficient to cope with a change in the number of destinations to be classified. That is, as described above, the number of destinations varies depending on the postal delivery area. For example, when the number is small, it is about 600, and when it is large, it is about 1200. Here, although the number of destinations is 700, a particularly large number of destinations are included therein, and it is assumed that there is a delivery area where the total number of letters is about 1500. Device (total 1500 for 10 stacking units)
Can be classified). The delivery route assembling operation in this case is as follows. First, as classification information indicating a destination, each of about 1500 letters,
699 is assigned. Then, in the first sorting procedure, the first place of the sorting information is assigned to the 10 stacking units.
From 9 to 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9 in that order, and then sort and put it into any of the 10 stacking units according to the 1's in the sorting information. In each stacking unit, letters in which only the first digit of the sorting information is the same are stacked. Next, in the second sorting procedure,
0 to 9 in the tens place of the classification information are replaced with 0, 1, 2, 3, 4,
After sequentially assigning letters such as 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9, letters are sequentially separated and taken out one by one from the ten stacks, and one of the ten stacks is classified according to the tens place of the classification information. And put it in. Finally, in the third sorting procedure, 0 to 9 in the 100th place of the sorting information are assigned to 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 for the ten stacking units. Are assigned sequentially. Then, the letters after the completion of the second sorting are separated and taken out one by one in order from the ten stacking units, and distributed to any one of the ten stacking units according to the 100th digit of the sorting information. But in this case, 7
Since there is no classification information of 00s, 800s, and 900s, no letter is input to the stacking unit to which 7, 8, and 9 are assigned. That is, after all, about 1500 letters are concentrated on the seven stacking sections except these three stacking sections, so that at least about 450 letters overflow and are rejected. If this is avoided, the number of sheets to be assembled in the route must be increased to about 1050 from the beginning, and the efficiency is reduced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a paper sheet sorting apparatus capable of efficiently performing postal delivery route assembling work by making the number of sections in the sorting procedure variable.

[0009]

According to the present invention, there is provided, in accordance with the present invention, a supply means for sending out a plurality of sheets, and a conveying means for conveying the sheets sent from the supply means. A reading unit that reads sorting information attached to each sheet conveyed by the conveying unit and indicates to which destination the sheet belongs, and outputs a corresponding signal, and stacks the sheets in the loading order. A stacking unit having two or more X stacking units, and a plurality of introduction units for respectively introducing the paper sheets conveyed by the conveyance unit into the X stacking units; Control means for controlling the operation of the plurality of introduction means on the basis of the signal and distributing the paper sheets to each stacking section, thereby dividing the plurality of paper sheets into at least two groups; Paper sheets accumulated in the means By transferring to the feeding means and repeating the sorting and stacking processing from the feeding means to the stacking means a plurality of times, the plurality of sheets are gathered for each destination and the arrangement order of the destinations is rearranged in a predetermined order. In the paper sheet sorting apparatus, information on the number N of destinations of the plurality of paper sheets and the distribution of the number of paper sheets for each destination is sorted and collected.
It is input before the start of the process, further comprising input means for outputting a signal corresponding thereto, and said control means, each collecting
Means for assigning a predetermined number to the
Each sheet corresponds to the number assigned to the stacking section.
Adjust the operation of the introduction means so that it is introduced into the stacking unit
And means for, and depending on the plurality of number N and information on another sheet number distribution each destination in the destination of the paper sheet from said input means, 0 for each of said X number of stackers
Of numbers from to X-1 or a number smaller than X-1
By changing the mode, the number of groups at the time of classification is made variable in the range of 2 to X, and
A sheet sorting apparatus is provided, wherein the sorting and stacking process is performed using a stacking unit . That is, when a plurality of paper sheets sent from the supply unit are transported by the transport unit,
Information indicating which destination each sheet belongs to is read by the reading means, and a signal corresponding to this is output. Based on this signal, the control means controls the introduction means for introducing the sheets from the transport means into the X (X ≧ 2) stacking units of the stacking unit, and the sheets are sorted to each stacking unit. They are accumulated in the order of input. Thereby, the plurality of paper sheets are divided into at least two groups. Thereafter, the sheets stacked on the stacking unit are transferred to the supply unit and the sorting and stacking process is repeated a plurality of times, whereby a plurality of sheets are gathered for each destination, and the destination at that time is collected. Are also rearranged in a predetermined order. In the present invention this time, the control means, sorting and stacking before the start input <br/> force has been sheet number distribution number N and separately for each destination in the destination of multiple sheet processing to the input means For each accumulation unit according to the information
Assign a number and, based on this number assignment,
So that each paper sheet is introduced into the corresponding stacking section.
Adjusts the operation of the stage, while doing so for the X stacks
From 0 for each to X-1 or a number less than X-1
Of by varying the number of allocation aspect, while the variable the number of groups at the time indicator in the range of 2～X, total
The sorting and stacking process is performed using all the stacking units . This will be specifically described below. For example, when X = 10 pieces of stackers are provided, the total paper sheet number destination number N = 700 reviews about 1
Assume that a delivery route assembling operation is performed for a mail delivery area of 500 sheets. In this case, the number N of the destinations of about 1500 sheets is input to the input means 700. Each of about 1500 sheets is assigned in advance, for example, a number from 000 to 699 as classification information indicating a destination. The input means also includes each destination 000-
699, that is, information on the distribution of paper sheets for each destination (for example, the average value in the past, or the information detected in the delivery section or delivery section before the route assembly). At this time, for example, information indicating that the number of paper sheets to the destination 308 is relatively large is obtained. First, prior to the first sorting procedure, based on the information of N = 700 obtained by the input means and the sorting repetition number m = 3 set by the number setting means, for example, the first setting provided in the control means is performed. And the second calculating means calculates the cube root of 700 (cubic root) U _o = 8.
.. Are rounded up to calculate U = 9, and in response to this, the destination number in the sheet distribution information for each destination obtained by the input means is converted into a ninth decimal number by the first conversion means in the control means, for example. After conversion, the above-mentioned destination number 308 having a relatively large number of paper sheets is read as 372 ₍₉₎ (hereinafter, notation other than the decimal system is based on this example). Further, for example, the first allocating means in the control means correspondingly assigns 0's to 8's (= U-1) in the 1's place to 0,1,2,2,3 , 4,5,6,7,8,
Numbers from 0 to 8 are sequentially assigned (in this example, 2
Are sequentially assigned so as to become two accumulation units ) . Then, in this state, the first sorting procedure is started, and about 1500 sheets supplied from the supply unit are divided into one of the 10 stacking units according to the first place of the sorting information attached to each sheet. And put it in. At this time, since the division information is given in decimal notation, the first conversion means in the control means, for example, which receives the signal by the decimal number read by the reading means, converts the signal into ninth decimal number. For example, the adjustment means in the control means adjusts the operation of the introduction means. For example, a paper sheet having the sorting information of 134 (= 158 ₍₉₎ ) is input to the stacking unit to which 8 is assigned, and the sorting information is 698 (= 855).
₍₉₎ ) is sent to the stacking unit to which 5 is assigned, and a relatively large number of sorting information items 308
Sheets with (= 372 ₍₉₎ ) are put into two stacking units to which 2 is assigned. At this time, when one of the two stacking units becomes full, the stacking unit may be charged into the other stacking unit, or the two stacking units may be alternately sorted from the beginning. good. In this way, first, in each stacking unit, a sheet having only the same ones place in the sorting information read in the ninth-base system is represented by U =
It is divided and accumulated in nine groups.

Next, as a second sorting procedure, information on the distribution of the number of sheets for each destination (for example, a past average value or a sorting before the route is assembled, which has already been obtained by the input means). A relatively large number of classification information based on information about the distribution of the number of paper sheets for each destination detected by the reading means in the first sorting procedure, or 372 ₍₉₎ paper. Corresponding to the leaves,
The first allocating means is a 9 (= U) order 0 in the sorting information.
From 8 to 0, 1, 2, 3, 4,
Numerical values from 0 to 8 like 5,6,7,7,8
(In this example, 7 is sequentially assigned so as to become two accumulation units ) . Then, in this state, the sheets having undergone the first sorting are collectively taken out without changing the order between the stacking units, and are collected in the stacking unit in which the sheets with the first digit are stacked and the first place. The stacking unit where the paper sheets of 1 are stacked ...
Thus, paper sheets are sequentially taken out from the ten collecting units. After reading in means you have read the sorting information, after replaced by converting again 9 binary in the first conversion means and allocates and inserts the one of the ten stackers by the 9 ^1's place. That is, for example, only the paper sheets with the ¹ 's digit are sorted and put into any of the 10 stacking units by the 9's digit. Thereafter, the 1-position is sorting put into one of the 10 integrated unit by 9 ^1's place only one of the sheets, in each stacking unit, has already been turned 1
Are stacked on the zero-ordered paper. In the same manner, take out from the accumulation part in which the one's place is from 2 to 8,
9. Distribute to any of the 10 stacking units according to the order of 9 ¹ . For example, a paper sheet having the sorting information of 158 ₍₉₎ is inserted near the top of the stacking unit to which 5 is assigned.
Also, the paper sheet whose sorting information is 372 _(9), which is a relatively large number, is thrown into the lower part of the two stacking units to which 7 is assigned. Also at this time, when one of the two stacking units becomes full, the other stacking unit may be charged, or the two stacking units may be alternately charged from the beginning. In this way, similarly, the sheets having the same order of the 9 ¹ in the sorting information are stacked in the other stacking sections, and at this time, the 1s place is sequentially arranged in each stacking section. .

Next, as the third sorting procedure, similarly to the second sorting procedure, a relatively large number of pieces of sorting information 372 ₍₉₎
The first assigning means assigns 0 to 8 in the order of 9 ² (= U ² ) in the sorting information to 0, 1, 2, 3, 3 , 4,5,6,7,8,
Numerical values from 0 to 8 are sequentially assigned (in this example, 3
Are sequentially assigned so as to become two accumulation units ) . Then, in this state, after the sheets that have been sorted for the second time are collectively taken out without changing the order between the stacking units, the stacking unit in which the sheets with the 0 in the 9 ¹ position are stacked, 9 ¹ 's place is 1
Paper sheets are sequentially taken out from the ten collecting parts, such as a stacking part where the paper sheets are stacked. After the division information is read by the reading means, the first conversion means 9
Replaced by converting the ary and allocates and inserts the one of the ten stackers by its 9 ^2-position. That is, for example, only paper sheets having a 0 in the 9 ¹ position are sorted and input to any of the 10 stacking units according to the 9 ² position. Then 9 ¹
When only the paper sheets with the 1st position are sorted and input into any of the 10 stacking units according to the 9 ² position, the stacks already placed in the 9 ^1st position are overlaid on the paper sheets with the 0th position in each stacking unit. Stacked on. More Similarly, 9 ^1-position take out in order from the stacking unit from 2 to 8, and allocates and inserts the one of the ten stackers by 9 ^2-position. For example, a paper sheet having a sorting information of 158 ₍₉₎ is inserted slightly above the center of the stacking unit to which 1 is assigned. Also, a sheet having a relatively large number of sorting information of 372 ₍₉₎ is thrown into a slightly upper part of two stacking units to which 3 is assigned. At this time,
When one of these two stacking units becomes full, the other stacking unit is charged so that the order relationship is not disrupted. In this way, the sheets are stacked in each stacking unit, and the sorting information of 000 is assigned to the stacking unit to which 0 is assigned.
_The stacking unit to which the sheet information from ₍₉₎ to 088 ₍₉₎ is assigned 1 and the sorting information is 100 to the sorting information from 100 ₍₉₎ to 188 ₍₉₎ Has section information of 20
Sheets from 0 ₍₉₎ to 288 ₍₉₎ are assigned to the stacking unit to which 3 is assigned, and sheets with sorting information from 300 ₍₉₎ to 388 ₍₉₎ are assigned. In the allocated stacking section, paper sheets having sorting information from 800 to 856 ₍₉₎ (= 699) are sequentially stacked. Then, by taking out all the sheets stacked in the ten stacking units in order, all the sheets are rearranged in the order of the sorting information 000 to 699 (that is, the predetermined delivery order). . Good
Preferably, in the sheet sorting apparatus, the sorting and stacking is performed.
The number of division repetitions m, which is the number of times the process should be repeated, is set.
It has a number-of-times setting means.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention
Means for supplying a plurality of paper sheets, and the supply means
Transport means for transporting the paper sheets sent from the
Attached to each sheet conveyed by the feeding means, and
Read the classification information indicating whether it belongs to the destination of the
Reading means for outputting signals and sheets stacked in the order of insertion
Transported by the plurality of collecting sections,
A plurality of paper sheets to be introduced into the plurality of stacking units, respectively;
From the accumulating means provided with the introducing means, and the reading means
Based on the signal of, controlling the operation of the plurality of introduction means
By distributing paper sheets to each stacking section,
Control means for classifying paper sheets into at least two groups
And supplying the paper sheets accumulated in the accumulation means to the supply means.
Transfer from the supplying means to the collecting means
By repeating the stacking process a plurality of times,
Types are grouped for each destination and the order in which the destinations are arranged
In a sheet sorting apparatus for rearranging
Number N of destinations of a plurality of paper sheets and distribution of the number of paper sheets for each destination
Information is input and the corresponding signal is output.
Input means, and the number of times the sorting / accumulating process should be repeated.
A number setting means for setting a certain section repetition number m
And a first calculating means for calculating U _o = N ^{(1 / m)} , which is the m-th root of the number N of destinations of the paper sheets input from the input means; second calculating means for calculating U, which is a value obtained by rounding up the decimal part of _o , and 0 to 0 for each stacking unit according to the information on the number of paper sheets for each destination input from the input means. First allocating means for allocating a U-1 number, first converting means for converting the division information input from the reading means into a U-ary number, and a number converted by the first converting means And first adjustment means for adjusting the operation of the introduction means so that each sheet is introduced into the corresponding accumulation part based on the assignment of the number to each accumulation part by the first assignment means. A sheet sorting device is provided.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention
Means for supplying a plurality of paper sheets, and the supply means
Transport means for transporting the paper sheets sent from the
Attached to each sheet conveyed by the feeding means, and
Read the classification information indicating whether it belongs to the destination of the
Reading means for outputting signals and sheets stacked in the order of insertion
Transported by the plurality of collecting sections,
A plurality of paper sheets to be introduced into the plurality of stacking units, respectively;
From the accumulating means provided with the introducing means, and the reading means
Based on the signal of, controlling the operation of the plurality of introduction means
By distributing paper sheets to each stacking section,
Control means for classifying paper sheets into at least two groups
And supplying the paper sheets accumulated in the accumulation means to the supply means.
Transfer from the supplying means to the collecting means
By repeating the stacking process a plurality of times,
Types are grouped for each destination and the order in which the destinations are arranged
In a sheet sorting apparatus for rearranging
Number N of destinations of a plurality of paper sheets and distribution of the number of paper sheets for each destination
Information is input and the corresponding signal is output.
Input means, and the number of times the sorting / accumulating process should be repeated.
A number setting means for setting a certain section repetition number m
And the control means calculates a value a _o = N / M ² by dividing the number of destinations N of the paper sheets input from the input means by a square of a predetermined integer M. Arithmetic means and this a
a fourth calculating means for calculating a value a obtained by rounding up the decimal part of _o , and 0 to M-M for each stacking unit according to the information on the number of paper sheets for each destination input from the input means. 1
Second assigning means for assigning the numbers 0 to a, and third assigning means assigning the numbers 0 to a to the respective stacking units in accordance with the information on the number of sheets for each destination input from the input means. And second converting means for converting the classification information input from the reading means into an M-ary number,
Based on the number after the conversion by the second conversion unit and the assignment of the number to each stacking unit by the second and third allocation units, the introduction is performed so that each sheet is introduced into the corresponding stacking unit. And a second adjusting means for adjusting the operation of the means. That is, for example, consider a case where the number of repetitions m = 3 and the integer M = 9 when performing the sorting and stacking processing of 1500 sheets for the number of destinations N = 600. Prior to the first sorting procedure, _ao = 600 /
81 ≒ 7.4... And a = 8 in the fourth calculating means. Further, according to M = 9, the destination number in the information on the number-of-sheets distribution for each destination obtained by the input means is converted into the ninth-base system by the second conversion means. Then, for example, in the first and second divisions, 0 to 8 (=
M-1) is assigned, the operation of the introduction means is adjusted by the second adjustment means, and division into nine groups is performed. In the third division, the third assignment means assigns 0 to 7 (=
a) is assigned, the operation of the introducing means is adjusted by the second adjusting means, and division into eight groups is performed. Thus, in this case, 81 (=
M ² ) The allocation of each stacking unit can be optimized in small units.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention
Means for supplying a plurality of paper sheets, and the supply means
Transport means for transporting the paper sheets sent from the
Attached to each sheet conveyed by the feeding means, and
Read the classification information indicating whether it belongs to the destination of the
Reading means for outputting signals and sheets stacked in the order of insertion
Transported by the plurality of collecting sections,
A plurality of paper sheets to be introduced into the plurality of stacking units, respectively;
From the accumulating means provided with the introducing means, and the reading means
Based on the signal of, controlling the operation of the plurality of introduction means
By distributing paper sheets to each stacking section,
Control means for classifying paper sheets into at least two groups
And supplying the paper sheets accumulated in the accumulation means to the supply means.
Transfer from the supplying means to the collecting means
By repeating the stacking process a plurality of times,
Types are grouped for each destination and the order in which the destinations are arranged
In a sheet sorting apparatus for rearranging
Number N of destinations of a plurality of paper sheets and distribution of the number of paper sheets for each destination
Information is input and the corresponding signal is output.
Input means, and the number of times the sorting / accumulating process should be repeated.
A number setting means for setting a certain section repetition number m
And a first calculating means for calculating U _o = N ^{(1 / m)} , which is the m-th root of the number N of destinations of the paper sheets input from the input means; a fifth calculating means for calculating the U ₁ is a value obtained by truncating the fractional part of the _o, and information about each destination another sheet number distribution input from said input means and the k is an integer greater than or equal to zero U ₁ ^k (U ₁ +1) ^{mk in case}
0 to U ₁ − according to the magnitude relationship between
Converting the first and the fourth means for assigning at least one of the numbers of 0～U _1, the sorting information input from said reading means on one of the number of U ₁ binary and U ₁ +1 decimal Each paper sheet is introduced into the corresponding stacking unit based on the third converting unit, the number converted by the third converting unit, and the assignment of the number to each stacking unit by the fourth assigning unit. And a third adjusting means for adjusting the operation of the introduction means as described above. That is,
For example, when performing the sorting and stacking process of 1500 sheets to N = 600 destinations, the number of repetitions m = 3, k = 3
Consider the case Prior to the first sorting procedure,
U _o = 600 ^1/3 by the arithmetic means ≒ 8.43 ..., and the fifth
U ₁ = 8 by the calculation means. Then, in the fourth allocation ^{_{unit, 8 3 (= U 1 3}} ), 8 2 × 9 (= U 1 2 (U 1 +
1)), and _{^{8 × 9 2 (= U 1}} (U 1 +1) 2) and 600 (=
N) and 0 to 7 (=
U ₁ -1) or a number from 0 to 8 (= U ₁ )
Converts the division information into an octal number (= U ₁ base number) or a ninth base number (= U ₁ +1 base number). As an example of the method of this time, for example, by comparing the U ₁ ³ and N, U ₁ ³
When N = N, the fourth allocating means allocates 0 to U ₁ -1 to each of the accumulation units in all three divisions, and the third conversion means divides the division information in U ₁ base before the _first division. convert the law; when U ₁ ³ ≠ N further U ₁ ² (U ₁ +
1) and is compared with N, U ₁ ² (when U ₁ +1)> N, the fourth allocation unit section of second assigns the 0～U ₁ whereas the integrated unit in the first segment In the third division, 0 to U ₁ -1 are assigned to each accumulation unit, and the third conversion means converts the division information into U ₁ +1 base system before the _first division; U ₁ ² ( U ₁ +
When 1) ≦ N, U ₁ (U ₁ +1) ² is further compared with N. When U ₁ (U ₁ +1) ² > N, the fourth assigning means performs the first division and the second division In the division, 0 to U ₁ is assigned to each accumulation unit, and in the third division, 0 to U ₁ -1 is assigned to each accumulation unit.
Conversion means converts the division information into U ₁ +1 base system in advance before the _first division; when U ₁ (U ₁ +1) ² ≤N, the fourth allocating means performs the integration for each of the three divisions Assign the 0～U ₁ to part, the third conversion means is configured to convert the advance sorting information before the first division to U ₁ +1 decimal. In the case of N = 600 and U ₁ = 8 described above, this corresponds to the above, and the third conversion means converts the segment information in advance to the ninth base (= U ₁ +1 base) before the first segment. After the conversion, the fourth allocating means allocates 0 to 8 (= U ₁ ) to each stacking unit in the first and second divisions, and adjusts the operation of the introducing means by the third adjusting means.
In the third division, 0 to 7 (= U ₁ -1) is assigned to each accumulation unit, the operation of the introduction unit is adjusted by the third adjustment unit, and the division into eight groups is performed. be able to.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the present invention.
This will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the overall schematic configuration of the paper sheet sorting apparatus according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 1 is a front view showing the detailed structure of FIG. In FIGS. 1 and 2, a paper sheet sorting apparatus includes a plurality of paper sheets 2 (for example, letters).
Means 1 for holding the paper sheet 2 in an upright position, and a transporter which is supported along the supply means 1 so as to be movable at equal intervals in the direction of arrow A, and can move the paper sheet 2 in the direction of arrow A while pressing the paper sheet 2. Means 3
A separating unit 4 that separates only one sheet at the right end among the sheets 2 placed on the supply unit 1 and conveys the sheet downward, a conveying unit 7 that conveys the sheet 2, and a sheet A posture correcting means 8 for correcting the position and inclination of the sheet 2, reading means 9 for reading section information such as a bar code given to the paper sheet 2 in advance, and a reading means 9 which is installed close to and above the supply means 1; Stacking means 11 for stacking the sheets 2 from which the sorting information has been read
And a bottom plate 12 movably supported by the stacking means 11 in the depth direction, and sorts the paper sheets 2 to any one of the stacking units of the stacking means 11 according to the sorting information read by the reading means 9. And a sorting means 13 for inputting the sheets into a stack.

The separating means 4 is of a suction type using a vacuum suction belt, and applies a vacuum to the vacuum chamber 5 to suction the sheets 2 to the suction belt 6 and drives the suction belt 6 to a driving means (for example, an electric motor). ), Only one sheet at the right end among the sheets 2 is separated and conveyed. The conveying unit 7 conveys the paper sheets 2 separated by the separating unit 4 by, for example, clamping the front and back sides of the paper sheet 2 with a belt. The posture correcting means 8 is, for example, a letter 2 by an inclined belt 81 inclined with respect to the conveying means 7.
Is pressed against a member provided in parallel with the conveying means 7 to correct the position and inclination of the paper sheet. The inside of the stacking means 11 includes ten stacking units (S
0, S1, S2,..., Which will be described later), and the paper sheets 2 can be held substantially upright in the respective stacking units S0 and the like. At this time, each stacking unit S0
The intervals such as are the same as the intervals of the transfer means 3. FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 1 showing a detailed structure in the vicinity of the accumulation means 11 and the distribution means 13. In FIG.
In the stacking means 11, the stacking units S0, S1, S2, S3,.
And these stacking units S0, S1, S2, S
3 are partitions 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30
are separated by e ... A belt 31 forming a part of the conveying means 7 conveys the paper sheet 2 in the direction of arrow A. Switching gates 35a, 35b, 35c, 35d,... 36
a, 36b, 36c, 36d... by rotating the belt 31 and the rollers 34a, 34a by a predetermined angle.
b, 34c, 34d, and conveyed from the direction indicated by the arrow a.
S2, S3 ... Switching gate 35
Are arranged on both sides of the belt 31 in the width direction, or when the belt 31 has a configuration in which a plurality of belts are arranged with a gap in parallel with the width direction, these belts 31
They are arranged in a gap between them and are in a positional relationship such that they do not contact the belt 31 even when the switching gate 35 rotates.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 3, for example, when the sheet 2 is at a position substantially parallel to the belt 31 as in the case of the switching gates 35a and 35b, the sheet 2 moves between the switching gates 35a and 35b and the belt 31. It is transported to the switching gate 35c. At this time, the switching gate 35c is rotated by a predetermined angle around the rotation center 36c, and the tip of the switching gate 35c is
When it is set to the side, it passes through the stacking means 11 side of the switching gate 35c like the paper sheet 2a and is fed into the stacking unit S3. Such a configuration is provided continuously at intervals of s from each other in the longitudinal direction of the stacking unit 11, whereby the stacking unit 11 is divided into ten stacking units S0 and the like. The paper sheets 2b sorted into each stacking section are:
The partitions 30a, 30b of the respective stacking units S0, S1,...
, And are accumulated in an almost standing position while being inclined. At this time, the fact that the inside of the stacking units S0, S1,... Is full is detected by a full detecting unit 62 (described later) shown in FIG.

In FIG. 3, FIG. 1 and FIG.
2 are moved to the supply unit 1 by being rapidly moved in the depth direction so that the sheets 2b stacked in the stacking units S0, S1,. Has become. At this time, the respective accumulation units S0, S1
Are configured to be equal to the intervals of the transfer means 3, so that the paper sheets 2b stacked in the stacking units S0, S1,.
Can be dropped and transferred just between the transfer means 3.

Returning to FIG. 2, the operation of the reading means 9 is controlled by the reading means control means 61, the operation of the bottom plate 12 of the stacking means 11 is controlled by the transfer control means 64, and the distribution means 13 is controlled by the distribution control. Means 6
The operation of the supply means 1 is controlled by the supply means control means 68 and the operation of the separation means 4 is controlled.
Is controlled by the separation means control means 67.
In addition, the route information indicating the correspondence between the delivery order of each delivery person and the category information 20 (described later) is input to the category information input means 71. These reading means control means 61, transfer control means 64, distribution control means 66, separation means control means 67, supply means control means 68, sorting information input means 7
1 and the fullness detecting means 62 are further controlled by the control means 60.

FIG. 4 shows details of the function of the reading means 9. In FIG. 4, the reading means 9 includes a bar code reading means 9a capable of reading a bar code BAR representing a number or a symbol depending on the length of the bar, and a bar code BA read by the bar code reading means 9a.
Decoding means 9b for decoding R into the original number or symbol. That is, the bar-coded sorting information attached to the paper sheet 2 is read by the bar code reading means 9a, then decoded by the decoding means 9b, and represented by the original number or symbol. It becomes the classification information 20.

Two examples of the procedure of the sorting operation (delivery route assembling operation) of the sheets 2 in the sheet sorting apparatus having the above configuration will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. (1) In the case of assembling the delivery route of a mail delivery area where the distribution of the number of paper sheets for each destination is almost average, the number of destinations is N = 1000, and the total number of paper sheets is about 1,500. In the above, the operator inputs which delivery person is to be sorted into the sorting information input means 71,
Based on the route information indicating the correspondence between the delivery order of each delivery person and the sorting information previously stored in the sorting information input means 71 and the total number N of delivery destinations, the number N of the corresponding destinations is output to the control means 60. The control means 60 determines that the number of destinations N = 1
Get 000. Also, at this time, each of the 1500 letters is assigned in advance, for example, a number from 000 to 999 as sorting information indicating a destination, and the sorting information input means 71 indicates the number of letters belonging to each of the destinations 000 to 999. That is, information on the distribution of the number of letters for each destination (for example, a past average value or information detected in a placement section or a delivery section before the route is assembled) is input, and paper sheets to each destination are input. Information is obtained that the numbers are average.

Next, in step 131, the number of repetitions of division m = 3 for the operator to set how many divisions are performed.
Is input to the section information input means 71 (however, it may be set in advance as a fixed value in the section information input means or other means), and accordingly, the third root (cubic root) U of N = 1000 _{Find o} = 10. And procedure 1
At 32, the decimal part of U _o is rounded up to U, and in this case, U = 10.

Next, in step 133, the destination number in the paper sheet distribution information for each destination input to the section information input means 71 is converted. Become.

Then, in step 134, the collecting means 11
10 accumulation units S0, S1, S2, S3, S4, S
For 5, S6, S7, S8, and S9, 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 (= U−
Assign 1).

Then, in this state, the first sorting procedure is started, and in step 135, paper sheets for performing route assembly, that is, letters 2 are supplied to the supply unit 1. Then, step 13
In step 6, the reading unit 9 reads the sorting information of the paper sheets 2 separated by the separating unit 4 one by one and conveyed by the conveying unit 3 (= information to which destination the paper sheets 2 belong). At this time, for example, when the division information is given in decimal notation, since U = 10 as described above,
The signal read by the reading means 9 is not converted.

Then, the procedure goes to step 137, where the switching gates 35a, 35b, 35c,
35d... Are distributed to any one of the ten stacking units S0 to S9 of the stacking unit 11, and the respective sheets 2
Are divided and accumulated in each of the accumulation units S0 to S9. In this manner, first, in each of the stacking units S0 to S9, as shown in the upper part of FIG. 6, the paper sheets 2 in which only the first place of the sorting information is the same are sorted into ten groups. Is accumulated. At this time, the tens place and the tens place are not aligned and are different.

When the sorting of all the sheets 2 is completed and the sheets are stacked in the corresponding stacking sections S0 to S9, in step 138, the bottom plate 12 is rapidly pulled out by the transfer control means 64, and the paper in the stacking means 11 is removed. The leaves 2 are dropped into the supply means 1 and transferred. Thus, the paper sheets 2 that have been subjected to the first sorting are collectively taken out without changing the order between the stacking units. At this time, the operation of manually dispensing the paper sheets 2 only requires supplying the paper sheets to the supply means 1 first and removing the paper sheets 2 after all the operations are completed. Can be achieved.

Then, the procedure proceeds to step 139, where 10
(= U ¹ ) in the order of 0 to 9 are replaced with the ten accumulation units S0, S
1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6, S7, S8, S9
, Are sequentially assigned as 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. Then, in this state, the second sorting procedure is started, and in step 140, the sorting information of the sheets 2 separated by the separating unit 4 one by one and conveyed by the conveying unit 3 (= The reading means 9 reads the information as to whether it belongs to the destination. At this time, no conversion is performed.

Then, the process proceeds to a step 141, wherein 10 of the classification information is set.
Switch gates 35a, 35b, 35
, 35d, etc. are controlled and distributed to any one of the ten stacking units S0 to S9 of the stacking unit 11, and the sheets 2 are sorted and stacked in the stacking units S0 to S9. In this way, in each of the stacking units S0 to S9, as shown in the middle part of FIG.
The data is accumulated in a group of 0, and at this time, the one's place is sequentially arranged in each of the accumulation units S0 to S9. At this time, the 100th place is not yet complete, and it is in pieces.

When the sorting of all the sheets 2 is completed and the sheets are stacked in the corresponding stacking sections S0 to S9, in step 142, the bottom plate 12 is rapidly pulled out by the transfer control means 64 and the paper in the stacking means 11 is removed. The leaves 2 are dropped into the supply means 1 and transferred. In this way, the sheets 2 that have been subjected to the second sorting are collectively taken out without changing the order between the stacking units.

Then, the procedure proceeds to step 143, where 10
0 to 9 in the order of 0 (= U ² ) are replaced with 10 accumulation units S0,
S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6, S7, S8, S
0, 1, 2, 3, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 for 9
Allocate sequentially as follows.

In this state, a third sorting procedure is started. In step 144, the sorting information (==
The reading unit 9 reads the information (to which destination the paper sheet 2 belongs). In this case as well, no conversion or replacement is performed.

Then, the flow proceeds to step 145, where 10 of the classification information is entered.
Switching gates 35a, 35b, 35
, 35d, etc. are controlled and distributed to any one of the ten stacking units S0 to S9 of the stacking unit 11, and the sheets 2 are sorted and stacked in the stacking units S0 to S9. In this way, the paper sheets are stacked in each of the stacking units S0 to S9, and as shown in the lower part of FIG. In the stacking unit S1 to which “1” is assigned, the sorting information is 100 to 1
The stacking unit S2 to which the sheets 2 up to 99 are assigned 2
Has a paper sheet 2 whose classification information is from 200 to 299, and 3
Is assigned to the stacking unit S3 to which the sorting information is from 300 to 399, and similarly, the stacking unit S9 to which 9 is assigned is the sheet to which the sorting information is from 900 to 999. They are accumulated in order. Then, ten accumulation units S
By taking out all the sheets 2 accumulated in 0 to S9 in order, all the sheets are rearranged in the order of the sorting information 000 to 999 (that is, the predetermined delivery order). By the above procedure, the ten sections are repeated three times, and the work of assembling the route to 1000 destinations is completed.

In the route assembly procedure (1), N
It is possible to assemble up to 1500 letters at 1000 locations. However, such a procedure is a conventional sheet sorting apparatus in which the number assignment to each stacking unit is fixed, and sheets are always sorted into 10 groups using 10 stacking units. It is possible. Here, there are differences in the number of destinations to be delivered depending on the delivery area,
In a certain delivery area, there is a large bias in the distribution of the number of letters for each destination, and there are cases where there are 1500 letters at N = 700 locations. The main part of the present embodiment lies in the procedure of dividing such a case, which will be described below in (2).

(2) There is a large bias in the distribution of the number of sheets for each destination, and the total number of sheets is about 15 with the number of destinations N = 700.
In the case of assembling the delivery route of the postal delivery zone where the number of sheets is 00, first, in step 130, the operator inputs which delivery person is to be sorted into the sorting information input means 71.
Based on the route information indicating the correspondence between the delivery order of each delivery person and the sorting information previously stored in the sorting information input means 71 and the total number N of delivery destinations, the number N of the corresponding destinations is output to the control means 60. The control means 60 determines that the number of destinations N = 7
Get 00. Also, at this time, each of the 1500 letters is assigned in advance, for example, a number from 000 to 699 as sorting information indicating a destination, and the sorting information input means 71 indicates the number of letters belonging to each of the destinations 000 to 699. That is, information on the distribution of the number of letters for each destination (for example, a past average value or information detected in a placement section or a delivery section before the route is assembled) is input. Is obtained that the number of paper sheets is relatively large. Also, at this time, the number of section repetitions m = 3 for the operator to set how many times the section is to be performed is also input to the section information input means 71 (however, it is set in advance as a fixed value in the section information input means or other means). May be).

Next, in a step 131, a third root (cubic root) U _o = 8.879... Of N = 700 is obtained corresponding to m = 3 inputted in the step 130. Then, step 132
Then, the decimal part of U _o is rounded up, and U = 9 is calculated.

Next, in step 133, the destination number in the sheet distribution information for each destination input to the section information input means 71 is converted into a ninth-base system. Number 308 to 372 ₍₉₎ (hereinafter, 1
The notation other than the 0-base system is referred to in this example).

Then, in step 134, the collecting means 11
10 accumulation units S0, S1, S2, S3, S4, S
For 5, S6, S7, S8, and S9, respectively, 0, 1, 2, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 (= U−
Assign 1). That is, the number 2 is assigned to the two accumulation units S2 and S3.

Then, in this state, the first sorting procedure is started, and in step 135, paper sheets for performing route assembly, that is, letters 2 are supplied to the supply unit 1. Then, step 13
In step 6, the reading unit 9 reads the sorting information of the paper sheets 2 separated by the separating unit 4 one by one and conveyed by the conveying unit 3 (= information to which destination the paper sheets 2 belong). At this time, for example, the section information is given in decimal notation, and the signal by the decimal number read by the reading means 9 is converted into the decimal number in the control means 60 and read.

Then, the procedure shifts to step 137, where 9
The operation of the switching gates 35a, 35b, 35c, 35d,... Is controlled on the basis of the ones digit of the division information converted into the binary system, and distributed to any of the ten accumulation units S0 to S9 of the accumulation means 11. , Each sheet 2 is stored in each of the stacking units S0 to S9.
It is divided and collected. At this time, the paper sheet 2 in which the first place of the sorting information is 2 ₍₉₎ is put into the two stacking units S2 and S3 to which 2 is assigned, and one of these two stacking units is When it becomes full, it may be detected by the full detecting means 62 and thrown into the other stacking unit, or may be thrown from the beginning alternately into these two. In this way, first, each of the accumulation units S0 to S0
In S9, sheets 2 having only the same ones place in the sorting information read in the 9-base system are sorted and accumulated in nine groups.

When the sorting of all the sheets 2 is completed and the sheets are stacked in the corresponding stacking sections S0 to S9, in step 138, the bottom plate 12 is rapidly pulled out by the transfer control means 64, and the paper in the stacking means 11 is removed. The leaves 2 are dropped into the supply means 1 and transferred. Thus, the paper sheets 2 that have been subjected to the first sorting are collectively taken out without changing the order between the stacking units. At this time, the operation of manually dispensing the paper sheets 2 only requires supplying the paper sheets to the supply means 1 first and removing the paper sheets 2 after all the operations are completed. Can be achieved.

Then, the process proceeds to step 139, where step 130 has already been performed.
A relatively large number of pieces of sorting information based on information on the number of letters distributed by destination obtained from the sorting information input means 71, or information on the number of paper sheets by destination detected by reading in step 136. Corresponds to the paper sheet of 372 ₍₉₎ , and 0 to 8 in the order of 9 ¹ (= U ¹ ) of the sorting information.
To the ten accumulation units S0, S1, S2, S3, S4, S
5, S6, S7, S8, S9, 0, 1, 2, 3,
As in 4, 5, 6, 7, 7, and 8, 7 is sequentially assigned so as to become two integrated units. That is, the number 7 is assigned to the two accumulation units S7 and S8.

In this state, the second sorting procedure is started. In step 140, the sorting information (==) of the paper sheets 2 separated one by one by the separating means 4 and conveyed by the conveying means 3.
Information as to which destination the paper sheet 2 belongs to) is read by the reading means 9, and is converted again into the ninth decimal system in the control means 60 and read.

Then, the procedure proceeds to step 141, where
Based on 9 ¹ digit of the converted classified information ary, switching gates 35a, 35b, 35c, and controls the 35d ... operation, allocates and inserts the one of the ten stackers S0~S9 stacking means 11 Then, each sheet 2 is stored in each of the stacking units S0 to S
9 are collected. At this time, the paper sheet 2 in which the 9 ¹ place of the sorting information is 7 ₍₉₎ is put into the two stacking units S7 and S8 to which 7 is assigned. Is full when it becomes full
The detection is made in step 2 and the detection result is supplied to the other stacking unit so that the order relation is not disrupted. In this way, 9 ^1-position of the sorting information in each stacking unit S0~S9 are integrated by dividing the paper sheet 2 is nine groups are the same, yet in each stacking unit S0~S9 this time The ones place is in order.

When the sorting of all the sheets 2 is completed and the sheets are stacked in the corresponding stacking sections S0 to S9, in step 142, the bottom plate 12 is rapidly pulled out by the transfer control means 64, and the paper in the stacking means 11 is pulled out. The leaves 2 are dropped into the supply means 1 and transferred. In this way, the sheets 2 that have been subjected to the second sorting are collectively taken out without changing the order between the stacking units.

Then, the process proceeds to step 143, where step 130 has already been performed.
The information about the distribution of the number of letters for each destination obtained from the sorting information input means 71 in the step 136 or the information about the distribution of the number of sheets for each destination detected by reading in the steps 136 and 139. Many sort information correspond to 372 ₍₉₎ paper sheets, and 9 ² (= U ² ) of sort information
0 to 8 of the order are replaced with the ten accumulation units S0, S1, S2,
0 for S3, S4, S5, S6, S7, S8, S9,
As shown in 1, 2, 3, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8, 3 is sequentially assigned so that it becomes two integrated units. That is, the number 3 is assigned to the two accumulation units S3 and S4.

In this state, the third sorting procedure is started. In step 144, the sorting information (==
Information as to which destination the paper sheet 2 belongs to) is read by the reading means 9, and is converted again into the ninth decimal system in the control means 60 and read.

Then, the procedure proceeds to step 145, where 9
The operation of the switching gates 35a, 35b, 35c, 35d,... Is controlled on the basis of the ninety- ^second place of the division information converted into the binary notation and distributed to any one of the ten accumulation units S0 to S9 of the accumulation means 11. Then, each sheet 2 is stored in each of the stacking units S0 to S
9 are collected. At this time, the paper sheet ² in which the 9 ² place of the sorting information is 7 ₍₉₎ is put into the two stacking units S3 and S4 to which 3 is assigned, but one of these two stacking units. Is full when it becomes full
The detection is made in step 2 and the detection result is supplied to the other stacking unit so that the order relation is not disrupted. In this way, paper sheets are stacked in each of the stacking units S0 to S9, and in the stacking unit S0 to which 0 is assigned, the paper sheets 2 whose sorting information is from 000 ₍₉₎ to 088 ₍₉₎ , The sheet information 2 having the sorting information of 100 ₍₉₎ to 188 ₍₉₎ is assigned to the assigned stacking unit S1, and the sorting information of 200 ₍₉₎ to 288 ₍₉₎ is assigned to the stacking unit S2 assigned 2. In the stacking units S3 and S4 to which the paper sheets 2 up to 3 are assigned, the sorting information is 300 ₍₉₎ to 388 _(9).
Similarly, in the stacking unit S9 to which the paper sheets 2 up to and including 8 are assigned, the sorting information is 800 to 856 ₍₉₎ (= 69 _).
Paper sheets up to 9) are sequentially stacked. Then, by taking out all the sheets 2 stacked in the ten stacking units S0 to S9 in order, all the sheets are sorted into the sorting information 000.
To 699 (that is, a predetermined delivery route). By the above procedure, 9 categories are set to 3
Repeat the process to complete the route assembling operation to 700 destinations.

Here, in a conventional paper sheet sorting apparatus having a processing capacity of 1500 letters for 1000 destinations, when there are 1500 letters for N = 700 destinations as described above. Had the following processing procedure. That is, in such a paper sheet sorting apparatus, the number assignment to each stacking unit is always fixed, and the paper sheets are always sorted into ten groups using ten stacking units. ing. More specifically, in the first sorting procedure, 0 to 9, which are the first place of the sorting information expressed in decimal system, are assigned to 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 5 for the ten accumulation units. After being sequentially allocated as in 6, 7, 8, and 9, the distribution information is distributed to any of the ten accumulation units according to the ones place of the division information, and only the ones place of the division information is the same in each accumulation part. A letter is collected. Then 2
In the 10th sorting procedure, 0 to 9 in the tens place of the sorting information are assigned to 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 6 for the 10 stacking units.
After being sequentially allocated as in 7, 8, and 9, letters are sequentially separated and taken out one by one from the ten stacking sections, and distributed to any of the ten stacking sections according to the tens place of the sorting information. . Finally, in the third sorting procedure, 1
For 0 stacking units, 0 to 9 in the 100th place of the sorting information
Are sequentially assigned as 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9. Then, the letters after the completion of the second sorting are separated and taken out one by one in order from the ten stacking units, and distributed to any one of the ten stacking units according to the 100th digit of the sorting information. However, in this case, since there is no section information of 700s, 800s, and 900s, no letter is input to the stacking section to which 7, 8, and 9 are assigned. That is, after all, about 1500 letters are concentrated on the seven stacking sections except these three stacking sections, so that at least about 450 letters overflow and are rejected. To avoid this, it is necessary to increase the number of pieces to be assembled by about 10 from the beginning.
The efficiency had to be reduced to 50 sheets.

In contrast to such a conventional configuration, according to the present embodiment, as described above, according to the number N of destinations input to the sorting information input means N = 700, a paper sheet is set at each sorting. 10 so that 2 is divided into 9 groups
The operation of the gates 35a, 35b, 35c... Is controlled so that any one of the numbers 0 to 8 is assigned to the stacking units S0 to S9. According to the sheet number distribution information, a method of assigning the numbers 0 to 8 to the stacking units S0 to S9 at each time of sorting in accordance with the sheet information of the sorting information 372 ₍₉₎ having a relatively large number. Change. This makes it possible to efficiently accumulate paper sheets while suppressing the occurrence of rejects by substantially maintaining the processing capacity of about 1500 sheets in any of the sorting operations.

Other effects of the present embodiment include the following. (1) The width of the supply unit 1 and the stacking unit 11 can be reduced to about 2 m. (2) Since the supply means 1 and the accumulating means 11 are in contact with each other vertically, the entire width of the apparatus is at most about 3 m and can be installed in a small post office.

In the above embodiment, the number of destinations N = 700 is increased by 9 by the ten accumulation units S0 to S9.
In the embodiment in which the division is repeated three times, N = 700
Not limited to this, if the number of destinations N is 513 to 729, the same division processing method in which nine divisions are repeated three times can be applied, and the same effect is obtained. Similarly, if the number of destinations N is from 343 to 512, the eight sections are repeated three times, and the same effect is obtained. Further, in an embodiment in which more stacking units are provided, for example, as in the paper sheet sorting apparatus in FIG.
To 1000, 10 categories, 1001 to 13
The same partition processing method can be applied by repeating three times each of up to 31, 11 sections, from 1332 to 1728, 12 sections, and from 1729 to 2197, 13 sections. Get.

Further, as a modified example of the transport route in the sheet sorting apparatus, there are those shown in FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 in addition to the configuration shown in FIGS. These will be described below in order. 8 to 10 omit the illustration of control relations in order to avoid complication, and the omitted configuration is substantially the same as the configuration in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG.
1 is different from the configuration shown in FIG. 1 and FIG.
This is the point that a reject stacking unit 17 for stacking the paper sheets 2 that are not also stacked is provided. Other configurations are almost the same. 9 differs from the configuration shown in FIG. 8 in that the sheet 2 from which the sorting information has been read by the reading means 9 changes its traveling direction in a direction approaching the separating means 4. After being transported upward, being transported upward in the vicinity of the separating means 4 and being transported away from the separating means 4,
That is, the sorting unit 13 sorts and accumulates any of the accumulating units of the accumulating unit 11. Other configurations are almost the same. 10 differs from the configuration shown in FIG. 8 in that the separating direction of the paper sheet 2 by the separating means 4 is not downward but upward, and the traveling direction of the paper sheet 2 is reversed. That is, the reversing means 21 is provided. The reason why the reversing means 21 is provided is to prevent the paper sheets 2 from being turned upside down in a state where the paper sheets 2 are supplied to the supply means 1 and a state where the paper sheets 2 are accumulated in the accumulation means 11. Other configurations are almost the same. 8 to 1 above
The same effect as that of the first embodiment can be obtained by the modification example of 0.

A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. This embodiment is an embodiment in which the method of assigning numbers to the accumulation units in the sorting process is different. Members and functions equivalent to those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

The configuration of the apparatus according to this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment. The difference from the first embodiment is the procedure of the sorting operation of the paper sheets 2 (delivery route assembling operation). As an example of this procedure, there is a case in which the distribution of the number of paper sheets for each destination is largely biased, and the delivery route of a mail delivery area where the number of destinations is N = 600 and the total number of paper sheets is about 1500 is assembled. This will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. In FIG. 11, first, in step 200, the sorting information input means 71 determines which delivery person the worker performs sorting.
To the sorting information input means 7 in advance.
Based on the route information indicating the correspondence between the delivery order of each delivery person and the sorting information stored in the storage unit 1 and the total number N of delivery destinations, the number N of destinations corresponding thereto is output to the control means 60, and the control means 60 Acquires the number of destinations N = 600. At this time, each of the 1500 letters is assigned in advance, for example, a number from 000 to 599 as sorting information indicating a destination.
To 599, that is, information on the distribution of the number of letters for each destination (for example, past average values or those detected in the placement section and delivery section before route assembly), At this time, for example, destination 30
The information that the number of paper sheets to 8 is relatively large is acquired.
At this time, a predetermined integer M desired by the operator, for example, 9 is input to the sorting information input means 71. Note that this integer M
Is a number relating to the performance of how many steps to optimize the number of destinations, as will be described later.
The number of sheets must be equal to or less than the number of sheets.
Must be 1 or less. Also, at this time, the number of section repetitions m for setting how many times the section is to be performed is also input to the section information input means 71 (however, it may be set in advance as a fixed value in the section information input means or another means).
As described later, the division up to the (m-1) -th division and the m-th division are distinguished.

Next, in step 201, the destination number in the sheet distribution information for each destination input to the section information input means 71 is converted into the 9 (= M) base, and for example, The relatively large number of destinations 308 is read as 372 ₍₉₎ .

Then, in step 202, the collecting means 11
10 accumulation units S0, S1, S2, S3, S4, S
For 5, S6, S7, S8, and S9, 0, 1, 2, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 (= M−
Assign 1). That is, the number 2 is assigned to the two accumulation units S2 and S3.

Then, in this state, the first sorting procedure is started, and in step 203, the paper sheet for performing the route assembly, that is, the letter 2 is supplied to the supply means 1. Then, step 20
At 4, the reading unit 9 reads the sorting information of the paper sheets 2 (= information to which destination the paper sheets 2 belong) separated one by one by the separating unit 4 and conveyed by the conveying unit 3. At this time, for example, the section information is given in decimal notation, and the signal by the decimal number read by the reading means 9 is converted into the decimal number in the control means 60 and read.

Then, the procedure proceeds to step 205, where 9
The operation of the switching gates 35a, 35b, 35c, 35d,... Is controlled on the basis of the ones digit of the division information converted into the binary system, and distributed to any of the ten accumulation units S0 to S9 of the accumulation means 11. , Each sheet 2 is stored in each of the stacking units S0 to S9.
It is divided and collected. At this time, the paper sheet 2 in which the first place of the sorting information is 2 ₍₉₎ is put into the two stacking units S2 and S3 to which 2 is assigned, and one of these two stacking units is When it becomes full, it may be detected by the full detecting means 62 and thrown into the other stacking unit, or may be thrown from the beginning alternately into these two. In this way, first, each of the accumulation units S0 to S0
In S9, sheets 2 having only the same ones place in the sorting information read in the 9-base system are sorted and accumulated in nine groups.

When the sorting of all the sheets 2 is completed and the sheets are stacked in the corresponding stacking sections S0 to S9, in step 206, the bottom plate 12 is rapidly pulled out by the transfer control means 64, and the paper in the stacking means 11 is removed. The leaves 2 are dropped into the supply means 1 and transferred. Thus, the paper sheets 2 that have been subjected to the first sorting are collectively taken out without changing the order between the stacking units.

Then, the process proceeds to step 207, where step 200 has already been performed.
A relatively large number of sort information based on information on the distribution of the number of letters for each destination obtained from the sort information input means 71 or information on the distribution of the number of sheets for each destination detected by reading in step 204 Corresponds to the sheet of 372 ₍₉₎ , and 0 to 8 in the order of 9 ¹ (= M ¹ ) of the sorting information.
To the ten accumulation units S0, S1, S2, S3, S4, S
5, S6, S7, S8, S9, 0, 1, 2, 3,
As in 4, 5, 6, 7, 7, and 8, 7 is sequentially assigned so as to become two integrated units. That is, the number 7 is assigned to the two accumulation units S7 and S8.

In this state, the second sorting procedure is started. In step 208, the sorting information (==) of the sheets 2 separated one by one by the separating means 4 and conveyed by the conveying means 3.
Information as to which destination the paper sheet 2 belongs to) is read by the reading means 9, and is converted again into the ninth decimal system in the control means 60 and read.

Then, the procedure proceeds to step 209, where
The switching gates 35a, 35b, 35c, 35d,... Are based on the 9th (= M ¹ ) digit of the division information converted into the binary system.
Is controlled, and the ten accumulation units S0 to S10 of the accumulation means 11 are controlled.
The sheets 2 are sorted and put into any one of S9, and the sheets 2 are sorted and stacked in the stacking units S0 to S9. At this time, the paper sheet 2 in which the 9 ¹ place of the sorting information is 7 ₍₉₎ is put into the two stacking units S7 and S8 to which 7 is assigned, and one of these two stacking units is stacked. May be detected by the full detection means 62 and charged to the other stacking unit, or may be charged alternately to these two from the beginning. In this way, 9 ^1-position of the sorting information in each stacking unit S0~S9 are integrated by dividing the paper sheet 2 is nine groups are the same, yet in each stacking unit S0~S9 this time The ones place is in order.

When the sorting of all the sheets 2 is completed and the sheets are stacked in the corresponding stacking sections S0 to S9, in step 210, the transfer control means 64 rapidly pulls out the bottom plate 12 and the paper in the stacking means 11 is pulled out. The leaves 2 are dropped into the supply means 1 and transferred. In this way, the sheets 2 that have been subjected to the second sorting are collectively taken out without changing the order between the stacking units.

Next, in step 211, a _o = 600/81
After calculating (= N / M ² ), _ao (= 7.
407) is calculated by rounding up the decimal part of a = 8.

Then, the process proceeds to step 213, where step 200 has already been performed.
The information on the distribution of the number of letters for each destination obtained from the section information input means 71 in the above, or the information on the distribution of the number of sheets for each destination detected by reading in the steps 204 and 208. Most of the sorting information corresponds to 372 ₍₉₎ sheets, and 9 ² (= M ² ) of sorting information
0 to 7 (a-1) in the order of 10
1, 3, S3, S4, S5, S6, S7, and S8 are sequentially assigned so that 3 becomes two integrated portions, such as 0, 1, 2, 3, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. That is, the number 3 is assigned to the two accumulation units S3 and S4. In this case, the stacking unit S9 is not used.

In this state, the third sorting procedure is started. In step 214, the sorting information (==) of the sheets 2 separated one by one by the separating means 4 and conveyed by the conveying means 3.
Information as to which destination the paper sheet 2 belongs to) is read by the reading means 9, and is converted again into the ninth decimal system in the control means 60 and read.

[0068] Then proceeds to Step 215, based on 9 ^2-position of the segment information converted into 9 binary in step 2144, and controls switching gates 35a, 35b, 35c, and 35d ... operation, 9 of the integrated unit 11 The sheets 2 are distributed to any one of the stacking units S0 to S8, and each sheet 2 is stored in each of the stacking units S0 to S8.
8 are collected. At this time, the paper sheet ² in which the 9 ² place of the sorting information is 7 ₍₉₎ is put into the two stacking units S3 and S4 to which 3 is assigned, but one of these two stacking units. Is full when it becomes full
The detection is made in step 2 and the detection result is supplied to the other stacking unit so that the order relation is not disrupted. In this way, the paper sheets are stacked in each of the stacking units S0 to S8, and in the stacking unit S0 to which 0 is assigned, the sheet 2 whose sorting information is from 000 ₍₉₎ to 088 ₍₉₎ , The sheet information 2 having the sorting information of 100 ₍₉₎ to 188 ₍₉₎ is assigned to the assigned stacking unit S1, and the sorting information of 200 ₍₉₎ to 288 ₍₉₎ is assigned to the stacking unit S2 assigned 2. In the stacking units S3 and S4 to which the paper sheets 2 up to 3 are assigned, the sorting information is 300 ₍₉₎ to 388 _(9).
In the same way, in the stacking unit S8 to which 7 is assigned, the sorting information is 700 to 735 ₍₉₎ (= 59 _).
Paper sheets up to 9) are sequentially stacked. Then, by taking out all the paper sheets 2 stacked in the nine stacking units S0 to S8 in order, all the paper sheets are sorted into the sorting information 000 to
The order is changed to the order up to 599 (that is, the predetermined delivery route). By the above procedure, 9 categories are set to 2
And eight sections are repeated once to complete the route assembly work to 600 destinations.

According to the present embodiment, since the stacking unit S9 is not used in the third section, a slight rejection occurs.
The number of rejects is significantly reduced as compared with the conventional structure divided into groups, and paper sheets can be efficiently collected. Also, at this time, so as to be closest to the number of delivery destinations,
Assignment of each stacking unit can be optimized in small increments in units of M ² (in this case, 81) locations determined in advance.

In the second embodiment, the first and second divisions are fixed to M divisions, and the third division number a is changed. However, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, for example, the first division number may be set to a, and the second and third times may be fixed to M divisions. The first and third times may be set to M divisions, and the second division number may be set to a. Again,
A similar effect is obtained. Further, in the second embodiment, the predetermined integer M desired by the operator is set to 9, but is not limited to this. That is, as shown in FIG. 7, if the number of accumulation units is larger, for example, M = 10, and the assignment of each accumulation unit can be optimized in small units in units of 100 locations.

A third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. This embodiment is also an embodiment in which the method of assigning numbers to the accumulation units in the sorting process is different. Members and functions equivalent to those of the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals.

The configuration of the apparatus according to this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment. The difference from the first embodiment is the procedure of the sorting operation of the paper sheets 2 (delivery route assembling operation). As an example of this procedure, there is a case in which the distribution of the number of paper sheets for each destination is largely biased, and the delivery route of a mail delivery area where the number of destinations is N = 600 and the total number of paper sheets is about 1500 is assembled. This will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. In FIG. 12, first, in step 220, the sorting information input means 71 determines which delivery person the worker performs sorting.
To the sorting information input means 7 in advance.
Based on the route information indicating the correspondence between the delivery order of each delivery person and the sorting information stored in the storage unit 1 and the total number N of delivery destinations, the number N of destinations corresponding thereto is output to the control means 60, and the control means 60 Acquires the number of destinations N = 600. At this time, each of the 1500 letters is assigned in advance, for example, a number from 000 to 599 as sorting information indicating a destination.
To 599, that is, information on the distribution of the number of letters for each destination (for example, past average values or those detected in the placement section and delivery section before route assembly), At this time, for example, destination 30
The information that the number of paper sheets to 8 is relatively large is acquired.
At this time, the number m of segment repetitions for setting how many times the segment is to be performed is also input to the segment information input means 71 (however, a fixed value may be set in the segment information input means or another means in advance). .

Next, in step 221, N = 60 corresponding to the number of section repetitions m = 3 input in step 220
The cube root of 0 (cubic root) U _o = 8.434. Then, proceeding to step 222, the decimal part of U _o is truncated,
U ₁ = 8 is calculated.

In the subsequent procedure, a ₁ , a ₂ ,... Am relating to the assignment of the numbers of the accumulation section are determined according to the value of _m . Here, since m = 3, a ₁ , a ₂ a ₂ , a ₃
To determine. The procedure is the procedures 223 to 229.
That is, compared with the U ₁ ³ and N First in step 223, U ₁ ³
= When N is set to _{a 3 = a 2 = a 1} = U 1 in Step 224; when I was U ₁ ³ ≠ N in Step 223, compared with U ₁ ² and (U ₁ +1) N further procedure 225 And U ₁ ² (U ₁ +
1) When N> a ₃ = a ₂ = U ₁ , a ₁
= A U ₁ +1; when I was ^{_{U 1 2 (U 1 +1)}} ≦ N in Step 225, further U ₁ in step 227 (U ₁ +1) ² and N
And when U ₁ (U ₁ +1) ² > N, the procedure 2
In step 28, a ₃ = U ₁ and a ₂ = a ₁ = U ₁ +1;
If U ₁ (U ₁ +1) ² ≦ N, a ₃ is set to a ₃ = a ₂ = a ₁ = U ₁ +1 in step 229. This is calculated as N = 60
0, looking fit in the case of U ₁ = 8, since the procedure 223 is ^{_{U 1 3 = 512 ≠ 600 =}} N, and proceeds to Step 225. Then, in step 225, U ₁ ² (U ₁ +1) = 576 ≦
Since 600 = N, the process proceeds to step 227. Then, in step 227, U ₁ (U ₁ +1) ² = 648> 600 = N, so the process proceeds to step 228, where a ₃ = 8 (= U ₁ ) and a ₂
= A ₁ = 9 (= U ₁ +1).

Then, in step 230, a _max which is the largest _one of a ₃ , a ₂ and a ₁ is obtained. In this case a
_max = 9. Then, the process proceeds to step 231 to convert the destination number in the sheet distribution information for each destination input to the section information input means 71 into a 9 (= a _max ) base number. The number 308 of many destinations is
2 Read as ₍₉₎ .

Then, in step 232, the accumulation means 11
10 accumulation units S0, S1, S2, S3, S4, S
For 5, S6, S7, S8, and S9, respectively, 0, 1, 2, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 (= a ₁ −)
Assign 1). That is, the number 2 is assigned to the two accumulation units S2 and S3.

Then, in this state, the first sorting procedure is started, and in step 233, the paper sheet for performing the route assembly, that is, the letter 2 is supplied to the supply means 1. Then, step 23
At 4, the reading unit 9 reads the sorting information of the paper sheets 2 (= information to which destination the paper sheets 2 belong) separated one by one by the separating unit 4 and conveyed by the conveying unit 3. At this time, for example, the section information is given in decimal notation, and the signal with the decimal number read by the reading means 9 is converted into 9 (= a _max ) decimal in the control means 60 and read.

Then, the process proceeds to step 235, where 9
The operation of the switching gates 35a, 35b, 35c, 35d,... Is controlled on the basis of the ones digit of the division information converted into the binary system, and distributed to any of the ten accumulation units S0 to S9 of the accumulation means 11. , Each sheet 2 is stored in each of the stacking units S0 to S9.
It is divided and collected. At this time, the paper sheet 2 in which the first place of the sorting information is 2 ₍₉₎ is put into the two stacking units S2 and S3 to which 2 is assigned, and one of these two stacking units is When it becomes full, it may be detected by the full detecting means 62 and thrown into the other stacking unit, or may be thrown from the beginning alternately into these two. In this way, first, each of the accumulation units S0 to S0
In S9, sheets 2 having only the same ones place in the sorting information read in the 9-base system are sorted and accumulated in nine groups.

When the sorting of all the sheets 2 is completed and the sheets are stacked in the corresponding stacking sections S0 to S9, in step 236, the bottom plate 12 is rapidly pulled out by the transfer control means 64, and the paper in the stacking means 11 is removed. The leaves 2 are dropped into the supply means 1 and transferred. Thus, the paper sheets 2 that have been subjected to the first sorting are collectively taken out without changing the order between the stacking units.

Then, the flow shifts to step 237, where step 220 has already been performed.
A relatively large number of pieces of sorting information based on the information on the number of letters distributed by destination obtained from the sorting information input means 71 or the information on the number of paper sheets by destination detected by reading in step 234 There corresponds to the paper sheet of 372 _(9), the classification information 9 (= a _max ¹⁾ the position of 0 to 8, 10 of the integrated unit S0, S1, S2, S3, S4,
0, 1, 2, 3, for S5, S6, S7, S8, S9
As in 4, 5, 6, 7, 7, and 8, 7 is sequentially assigned so as to become two integrated units. That is, the number 7 is assigned to the two accumulation units S7 and S8.

In this state, the second sorting procedure is started, and in step 238, the sorting information (==) of the sheets 2 separated one by one by the separating means 4 and conveyed by the conveying means 3
Information as to which destination the paper sheet 2 belongs to) is read by the reading means 9, and is converted again into the ninth decimal system in the control means 60 and read.

Then, the procedure shifts to step 239, where 9
Based on the position of the converted classified information ary 9 (= a _max ^1), the switching gate 35a, 35b, 35c, 35d ...
Is controlled, and the ten accumulation units S0 to S10 of the accumulation means 11 are controlled.
The sheets 2 are sorted and put into any one of S9, and the sheets 2 are sorted and stacked in the stacking units S0 to S9. At this time, the paper sheet 2 in which the 9 ¹ place of the sorting information is 7 ₍₉₎ is put into the two stacking units S7 and S8 to which 7 is assigned, and one of these two stacking units is stacked. Is full by the full detecting means 62 and is fed to the other stacking unit so that the order relationship is not disrupted. In this way, in each of the stacking units S0 to S9, the paper sheets 2 having the same order of 9 ^{1 in} the sorting information are sorted and stacked in nine groups,
Moreover, at this time, the one's place is arranged in order in each of the accumulation units S0 to S9.

When the sorting of all the sheets 2 is completed and the sheets are stacked in the corresponding stacking units S0 to S9, in step 240, the bottom plate 12 is rapidly pulled out by the transfer control means 64 and the paper in the stacking means 11 is removed. The leaves 2 are dropped into the supply means 1 and transferred. In this way, the sheets 2 that have been subjected to the second sorting are collectively taken out without changing the order between the stacking units.

Next, the procedure proceeds to step 241, where the information relating to the distribution of the number of letters for each destination that has already been obtained from the section information input means 71 in step 200, or steps 204 and 2
08, the relatively large number of sorting information based on the information on the distribution of the number of sheets for each destination detected by reading at 08
72 corresponding to the paper sheet of ₍₉₎ , and 9 ² (= a _max
² ) 0 to 7 (a ₃ -1) in the order of 10
0, S1, S2, S3, S4, S5, S6, S7, S8
To 0,1,2,3,3,4,5,6,7
Are sequentially assigned so as to become two accumulation units. That is, the number 3 is assigned to the two accumulation units S3 and S4. In this case, the stacking unit S9 is not used.

In this state, the third sorting procedure is started. In step 242, the sorting information (==) of the paper sheets 2 separated one by one by the separating means 4 and conveyed by the conveying means 3.
Information as to which destination the paper sheet 2 belongs to) is read by the reading means 9, and is converted again into the ninth decimal system in the control means 60 and read.

Then, the procedure moves to step 243, where 9
The operation of the switching gates 35a, 35b, 35c, 35d,... Is controlled on the basis of the ninety- ^second place of the division information converted into the binary system, and distributed to any one of the nine accumulation units S0 to S8 of the accumulation means 11. Each sheet 2 is stored in each of the stacking units S0 to S8.
It is divided and collected. At this time, the paper sheet ² in which the 9 ² place of the sorting information is 7 ₍₉₎ is put into the two stacking units S3 and S4 to which 3 is assigned, but one of these two stacking units. Is full, the full detection means 62
And put it into the other stacking unit so that the order relation is not disrupted. In this way, each accumulation unit S
Sheets are stacked at 0 to S8, and sheets 2 having sorting information of 000 ₍₉₎ to 088 ₍₉₎ are stored at the stacking unit S0 to which 0 is assigned, and the stacking unit S1 at which 1 is assigned to the stacking unit S1. Indicates that the sheet information 2 whose sorting information is 100 ₍₉₎ to 188 ₍₉₎ is stored in the stacking unit S2 to which 2 is assigned, and that the sorting information is 200 ₍₉₎ to 2
In the stacking units S3 and S4 to which the sheets 2 up to 88 ₍₉₎ are assigned 3, the sheets 2 having the sorting information of 300 ₍₉₎ to 388 ₍₉₎ , and 7 in the same manner. In the assigned stacking unit S8, the sorting information is from 700 to 735 ₍₉₎ (= 59 _).
Paper sheets up to 9) are sequentially stacked. Then, by taking out all the paper sheets 2 stacked in the nine stacking units S0 to S8 in order, all the paper sheets are sorted into the sorting information 000 to
The order is changed to the order up to 599 (that is, the predetermined delivery route). By the above procedure, 9 categories are set to 2
And eight sections are repeated once to complete the route assembly work to 600 destinations.

As described above, the present embodiment is similar to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 11 as a result of the division method. However, in the second embodiment, up to two of the three divisions are performed in 9 steps.
It is fixed by inputting in advance and what to classify,
This embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the number of sections in all three sections is changed according to the number N of delivery destinations. For example, when N = 490 sorts are performed, in the second embodiment, nine sections are performed twice and seven sections are performed once.
On the other hand, in the present embodiment, eight sections are performed three times. As described above, the number of sections in each section that is repeated three times in the present embodiment is averaged, so that mails are accumulated in each of the accumulation sections S0 to S9 in the accumulation means 11 on average. Therefore, the overflow of the paper sheets 2 in each stacking unit is reduced, the number of rejected mails is reduced, and the efficiency of the sorting operation can be further improved.

In the third embodiment, a sorting apparatus capable of processing 1500 letters by ten stacking units is used.
Although the case where 1500 sheets are divided into 600 cases has been described as an example, the present invention is not limited to this. That is, for example, if 12 or more stacking unit is provided, when reviews N = 1050, the a ₁ = 11, a ₂ = reordering destinations up 1100 points as a ₃ = 10 in step 226 It can be carried out. The N = in the case of stars 1250, as _{a 1 = a 2 = a 3} = 11 in step 227, it is possible to perform the reordering of the destination of up to 1331 points. In the case of N = 1000 reviews as _{a 1 = a 2 = a 3} = 10 in step 224, it is possible to perform the reordering of the destination of up to 1000 points. Although the first and third embodiments have described the example in which the division is repeated m = 3 times, the number of division repetitions is not limited to m = 3, and m = 2. Also, m ≧ 4 may be satisfied. In this case, for example, in the procedures 131 and 221, if the number of division repetitions m = 2, the square root is obtained, and if the number of division repetitions is four, the square root is obtained.

[0089]

According to the present invention, according to the present invention, the control means separates each sheet into at least two groups according to the number N of destinations inputted to the input means at each time of sorting. Controls the operation of the introduction means for sorting the paper sheets to the corresponding section. Since the number of groups in each division is changed, paper sheets can be efficiently collected while maintaining the processing capacity and suppressing rejection in each division.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating a detailed structure of a paper sheet sorting apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an overall schematic configuration of the paper sheet sorting apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view showing a detailed structure in the vicinity of an accumulation unit and a distribution unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining details of functions of a reading unit shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of assembling a delivery route of a sheet in the sheet sorting apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which paper sheets are rearranged in the procedure shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a front view illustrating a modification of the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a modification of the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a modification of the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a modification of the first embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of assembling a delivery route of a sheet in the sheet sorting apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of a delivery route assembling operation of a sheet in the sheet sorting apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Supply means 2 Sheets 4 Separation means 7 Transport means 8 Attitude correction means 9 Reading means 11 Stacking means 12 Bottom plate 13 Sorting means 17 Reject accumulation means 21 Inversion means 30 Partition plate 35 Switching gate 60 Control means 61 Reading means control means 62 Full detection means 64 Transfer control means 66 Distribution control means 67 Separation means control means 68 Supply means control means 71 Sorting information input means S0-9 Stacking unit

Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-55-134678 (JP, A) JP-A-9-85180 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B07C 1 / 00-3/20

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A feeding means for sending a plurality of paper sheets, a conveying means for conveying the paper sheets sent from the feeding means, and a paper sheet attached to each of the paper sheets conveyed by the conveying means. Reading means for reading classification information indicating to which destination the class belongs, and outputting a corresponding signal, two or more X stacking units for stacking the sheets in the order of insertion, and transported by the transporting means Stacking means including a plurality of introduction means for respectively introducing the received paper sheets into the X stacking units;
A control unit configured to control the operation of the plurality of introduction units based on a signal from the reading unit and sort the paper sheets to each stacking unit, thereby dividing the plurality of paper sheets into at least two groups. And transferring the sheets stacked on the stacking unit to the supply unit and repeating the sorting and stacking process from the supply unit to the stacking unit a plurality of times, so that the plurality of sheets are sorted for each destination. And a rearrangement order of the destinations in a predetermined order, wherein the information on the number N of destinations of the plurality of papers and the distribution of the number of papers for each destination are stored in the sorting and stacking process. And input means for outputting a signal corresponding to the input before the start of the operation , and the control means assigns a predetermined number to each accumulation unit.
And the assignment of numbers to each stack
So that each paper sheet is introduced into the corresponding stacking section.
Means for adjusting the operation of the introduction means, and the X number of stacking units according to the number N of the destinations of the plurality of paper sheets from the input means and information on the distribution of the number of paper sheets for each destination.
0 to X-1 or less than X-1 for each of
By changing the way numbers are assigned to numbers,
The number of groups at the time of classification is variable in the range of 2 to X
While performing the sorting and stacking process using all the stacking units.
A paper sheet sorting apparatus characterized by performing . 2. The paper sheet sorting apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
Division repetition, which is the number of times the division accumulation processing should be repeated
Characterized by having a number setting means for setting the number of times m
Paper sheet sorting device. 3. A supply means for sending out a plurality of paper sheets, and
Conveying means for conveying the paper sheets sent from the supplying means
And attached to each sheet conveyed by the conveying means, and
Reads sorting information indicating to which destination the sheet belongs
Reading means for outputting corresponding signals, and paper sheets.
Plural stacking units that stack in the order of loading, and the transport unit
The papers transported by
An accumulating means having a plurality of introducing means for introducing;
Operation of the plurality of introduction units based on a signal from the collection unit.
By controlling the cropping and distributing paper sheets to each stacking unit
Grouping the plurality of paper sheets into at least two groups.
Control means for separating the paper, and the paper stacked on the stacking means.
The leaves are transferred to the supply means and the accumulation is performed from the supply means.
By repeating the classification and accumulation process up to the means several times,
While gathering the plurality of paper sheets for each destination,
A paper sheet sorting device that rearranges the destination order in a predetermined order
, The number N of destinations of the plurality of paper sheets and the number of paper sheets for each destination
Information about the distribution is entered and a corresponding signal is output.
Input means for inputting, and a section repetition that is the number of times that the section accumulation processing is to be repeated.
The number of times m is set, and the control means has a function of U _o = N ^{(1 / m )} , Second arithmetic means for calculating U, which is a value obtained by rounding up the decimal part of U _o , and distribution of the number of sheets for each destination input from the input means. Depending on the information,
First assigning means for assigning a number from 0 to U-1 to each stacking unit; first converting means for converting the division information input from the reading means into a U-ary number; The operation of the introduction unit is adjusted so that each sheet is introduced into the corresponding accumulation unit based on the converted number by the conversion unit and the number assignment to each accumulation unit by the first assignment unit. A sheet sorting apparatus comprising: a first adjusting unit. 4. A supply means for sending out a plurality of paper sheets,
Conveying means for conveying the paper sheets sent from the supplying means
And attached to each sheet conveyed by the conveying means, and
Reads sorting information indicating to which destination the sheet belongs
Reading means for outputting corresponding signals, and paper sheets.
Plural stacking units that stack in the order of loading, and the transport unit
The papers transported by
An accumulating means having a plurality of introducing means for introducing;
Operation of the plurality of introduction units based on a signal from the collection unit.
By controlling the cropping and distributing paper sheets to each stacking unit
Grouping the plurality of paper sheets into at least two groups.
Control means for separating the paper, and the paper stacked on the stacking means.
The leaves are transferred to the supply means and the accumulation is performed from the supply means.
By repeating the classification and accumulation process up to the means several times,
While gathering the plurality of paper sheets for each destination,
A paper sheet sorting device that rearranges the destination order in a predetermined order
, The number N of destinations of the plurality of paper sheets and the number of paper sheets for each destination
Information about the distribution is entered and a corresponding signal is output.
Input means for inputting, and a section repetition that is the number of times that the section accumulation processing is to be repeated.
And a control means for controlling the number of destinations N of the sheets inputted from the input means by a square of a predetermined integer M.
a third calculating means for calculating _o = N / M ² , a fourth calculating means for calculating a value a obtained by rounding up the decimal part of a _o ,
A second assigning unit for assigning a number from 0 to M-1 to each stacking unit in accordance with the information on the number of paper sheets for each destination input from the input unit; A third assigning unit for assigning a number from 0 to a to each stacking unit in accordance with the information on the number of paper sheets for each destination, and sorting information input from the reading unit into an M-ary number Based on the second converting means for converting, the number after conversion by the second converting means, and the assignment of numbers to the respective stacking units by the second and third allocating means, each paper sheet corresponds to the corresponding stack. A second adjusting means for adjusting the operation of the introduction means so as to be introduced into the paper sheet sorting apparatus. 5. A feeding means for feeding a plurality of paper sheets,
Conveying means for conveying the paper sheets sent from the supplying means
And attached to each sheet conveyed by the conveying means, and
Reads sorting information indicating to which destination the sheet belongs
Reading means for outputting corresponding signals, and paper sheets.
Plural stacking units that stack in the order of loading, and the transport unit
The papers transported by
An accumulating means having a plurality of introducing means for introducing;
Operation of the plurality of introduction units based on a signal from the collection unit.
By controlling the cropping and distributing paper sheets to each stacking unit
Grouping the plurality of paper sheets into at least two groups.
Control means for separating the paper, and the paper stacked on the stacking means.
The leaves are transferred to the supply means and the accumulation is performed from the supply means.
By repeating the classification and accumulation process up to the means several times,
While gathering the plurality of paper sheets for each destination,
A paper sheet sorting device that rearranges the destination order in a predetermined order
, The number N of destinations of the plurality of paper sheets and the number of paper sheets for each destination
Information about the distribution is entered and a corresponding signal is output.
Input means for inputting, and a section repetition that is the number of times that the section accumulation processing is to be repeated.
A number-of-times setting means for setting the number of times m to be set, and a number-of-times setting means for setting a number of times of section repetition m that is a number of times to repeat the sorting / accumulating process; Means for calculating U _o = N ^{(1 / m)} , which is the m-th root of the number N of destinations of paper sheets input from the means, and U ₁ which is a value obtained by truncating the decimal part of U _o. And information on the distribution of the number of sheets for each destination input from the input means, and U ₁ ^k (U ₁ +1) ^mk where k is an integer of 0 or more. Depending on the magnitude relationship with N, 0 to U ₁ -1 and 0
A fourth means for assigning at least one of the numbers of ~U _1, third for converting the sorting information input from said reading means on one of the number of U ₁ binary and U ₁ +1 decimal Each of the paper sheets is introduced into the corresponding stacking unit based on the conversion unit, the number converted by the third conversion unit, and the assignment of the number to each stacking unit by the fourth allocation unit. 3. A paper sheet sorting apparatus comprising: a third adjusting means for adjusting an operation of the introducing means.