Revolutionising Parcel Automation at Post Denmark

The Solution For Post Denmark
The complete solution comprises of four-camera tunnel scanning and imaging systems with OCR functionality, online video coding applications and an image archive system. The Brøndby Parcel Centre processes in excess of 80,000 parcels per day; the project was completed in less than nine weeks with no disruptions to Post Denmark’s operations.

The Hardware Solution  
Four Accu-Sort AV4000 camera tunnels were installed over Post Denmark’s parcel sorter, a Tilt-Tray sorter from FKI Logistex. These camera tunnels read barcodes with performance levels exceeding 99.9%. The camera tunnels were designed to capture and scan barcodes and address labels on five-sides of a parcel; a unique introduction in Europe at the time. The camera tunnels automatically capture images of the parcel surfaces regardless of its position, angle, size or format.  

The Software Solution 

The system immediately detects any barcodes present on the parcel and then passes the images to Prime Visions automatic label detector; a software process that locates labels within larger images and automatically rotates and zooms in to the address label.

The resulting label image is compressed and processed by Prime Visions OCR software that determines the postcode, city name, street name, street number and consignee details. Prime Vision OCR algorithms recognise all text, whether machine-printed or handwritten. The resulting data is transmitted to the parcel sorting system within a few seconds so that the parcel may be automatically sorted to its destination.

Prime Vision’s advanced OCR algorithms automatically processes greater than 60% of all parcels. Any parcels that cannot be recognised by the automated processes are presented to the video coding operators for further action. Video coding enables images from unrecognised items to be processed whilst still on the sortation system, eliminating the need for manual handling outside of the sortation system. This substantially saves costs, handling and time.

Prime Vision’s customized video coding application is tailored exactly to the individual clients needs and allows operators to review parcel images and key-in the relevant destination information. Data accuracy is ensured through Prime Vision’s utilisation of data validation against database records for city and place names. A load-balancing module assures a first-in / first-out processing of the parcels and management of the whole coding process.

The system allows Post Denmark to automatically sort up to 20,000 parcel addresses per hour.

About Prime Vision

Prime Vision powers the worlds leading postal and financial institutions with high-performance, mission-critical OCR, Video-Coding and associated value-added software solutions.
Clients around the world are discovering the benefits of working with Prime Vision, with high-throughput systems now installed from Japan to United States and from Australia to United Kingdom, Europe and the Middle East.

Prime Vision’s OCR software is particularly suited to mixed identification tasks with high-performance offered on handwritten text (cursive or non-cursive) in addition to machine print.

Prime Vision has two highly involved shareholders: TNO (40%) and TNT Post (60%). TNO is a Dutch academic organisation for companies, government bodies and public organisations, comparable with the German Fraunhofer Institute. The daily work of some 5,500 employees is to develop and apply knowledge. They provide contract research and specialist consultancy as well as grant licences for patents and specialist software. They test and certify products and services, and issue an independent evaluation of quality. TNO is our access to high-level research programs.

TNT Post, as part of the Dutch Royal TNT Post Group, is the national postal operator in the Netherlands and active on a global scale. TNT is their brand for various reliable express and logistic services. TNT has the largest integrated express air and road network in Europe. TNT Logistics is the second biggest logistics company in the world. TNT Post is our ‘shop-window’ where all our applications are implemented.

Eddy Thans CEO, Prime Vision "Following a tour of the Prime Vision systems implemented at TNT Post in Holland, Post Denmark could witness first-hand the reliability, flexibility and quality that Prime Vision could offer, in addition to a record nine week turnaround from contract signature to operation. These were key reasons why Post Denmark selected Prime Vision for their next-generation Parcel Sorting Centre."

With two strong shareholders, Prime Vision is an ambitious company with a strong and stable future. Our number of staff grew substantially over the last 4 years and we moved into another, larger facility; also to accommodate a small parcel-reading test centre. The majority of our staff has a university degree, quite often in mathematics or artificial intelligence. Our customers demand the most sophisticated and reliable solutions and we make that happen. Our HYCR ™ technology is the foundation for a wide range of applications for the postal, banking and traffic industry.