Abstract

In previous papers, we introduced the general problem of locating a block of text corresponding to the destination address on complex backgrounds (such as magazine covers), the architecture of ABLS (address block location system) and its performance with an image database consisting of many difficult cases [SWP87, WaS88]. ABLS has demonstrated its competence by successfully locating address blocks on mail pieces that exhibit visually complex configurations. The current phase of research is to determine how to develop a system that can perform in real-time. A real-time system must be capable of processing 12 mail pieces per second for letter mail, 5 per second for flats, and 1 per second for irregular parcels and pieces (IPP). This paper reports on evaluations of components of ABLS with a view towards developing a real-time system and discusses hardware implementation of some components.

© 1989 Optical Society of America