Bunched-together overlapping postal items e.g. letter, detecting method for postal sorting machine, involves moving postal items, and forming and analyzing grayscale image for purpose of detecting presence of any overlapping items

摘要

The method involves moving postal items on edge above a camera, and forming a grayscale image of the bottom sides of the items. The image is analyzed for the purpose of detecting the presence of any overlapping items. The image is transformed into a binary image that causes a boundary defined by a pale zone to represent the bottom side of the item. The binary image extends between two dark zones, and the boundary has right and left profiles. The profiles are analyzed for the purpose of detecting any profile discontinuity that is indicative of the presence of overlapping items.