An image, which can be analyzed by a computer and shows at least one face of an item, is generated for an item that is to be transported at a predefined time. By automatic analysis of the image, the arrangement determines, for at least one of a plurality of predetermined optically detectable features, the value of the feature for the image of the item. The identification feature value vector generated is automatically compared with stored registration feature value vectors. A record for a particular item contains six registration feature value vectors and each of the six registration feature value vectors specifies a value for each predefined optically detectable feature for each one of six faces of the item. When the identification feature value vector matches a stored registration feature value vector with sufficient accuracy, a message is generated.

A date identification apparatus includes: an isolator that isolates, out of image data generated through capturing of an image of a medium to which a date is assigned using seven-segment characters, date area data to which the date is estimated to be assigned; a binarization converter that binarizes the date area data using a threshold based on luminance and hue; a labeler that subjects the binarized date area data to labeling to extract target area data that is identifiable as a numeral; a numeral identifier that performs a histogram on at least the target area data using a plurality of lines and identifies a numeral on a basis of a peak count in each of the lines; and a date data assigner that assigns date data based on the identified numeral to the image data.