Method and arrangement for recognizing objects in mail item images, their position and reading their postal information

An arrangement for recognizing objects and their position as well as reading their postal information in color and gray level images of mail item surfaces using at least one automatic reading device, comprising:

• means for capturing the mail item surface using at least one color camera,
• means for converting the color image produced in the camera into a gray level image having a resolution higher than that of the camera and suitable for reading the postal information in the automatic reading devices,
• means for converting the color image produced in the camera into a color image having a resolution lower than the camera resolution but sufficient for recognizing objects and their positions,
• means for determining and identifying the objects in the relevant lower resolution color image including their position, the assignment of the objects to postal information categories being performed on the basis of structural rules established in an upstream teaching phase, and
• means for reading the postal information in the gray level images of the relevant identified objects.