JPH04346877A - Classifier - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To classify small-sized articles based on their colors, etc. CONSTITUTION:This classifier is provided with a conveyor 20 for conveying small-sized articles 2 at regular intervals, a CCD camera 44, a color sensing device 50, a computer 52, a display 48 and an extractor 54. The small-sized articles 2 sent by the conveyor 20 are shot by the camera 44, the image is sent to the color sensing device 50 and resolved into picture elements, the color, size, shape, etc., of the article 2 are judged based on the color and brightness, whether the article is acceptable or not is judged, and the on-specification article is sorted out.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

[Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a sorting device that can sort small items based on color, etc. (for example, overall color, partial color, combination thereof, brightness, shape, size). For example, it is used in a device for sorting seeds to determine whether they are good or bad.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is no apparatus that can sort out good or defective products from a large number of small products such as seeds that are being transported, taking into account the color of each part.

[0003] Therefore, visually extracting and removing discolored or partially discolored defective products by color sorting from a large number of small-shaped seeds requires enormous manpower and time.
Moreover, the efficiency of removing defective products was poor. This applies not only to the selection of seeds but also to the selection of all types of small and minute items.

0004

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] The present invention can be used to change colors, etc. (which may include brightness, shape, size, etc.) from a large number of small items.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a sorting device that can sort only those that meet predetermined specifications based on.

[0005]

[Means for Solving the Problems] According to the present invention, the above object is achieved by providing a sorting device with the following means. That is, a conveyance device that conveys small items to be sorted at intervals, and a CCD camera (image recognition camera) with a microscopic zoom disposed toward the conveyance device.
, a display that projects an image captured by the CCD camera; a color sensing device that divides a portion of the display screen corresponding to a predetermined range into a predetermined number of pixels and determines color difference and brightness for each pixel; A color sorting device that includes a computer that determines operating specifications of a color sensing device, and an extraction device that operates according to instructions from the color sensing device. Moreover, the sorting device may further include the following means in addition to the above-mentioned means. That is, the weight sorting device includes a suction nozzle disposed toward the conveying device, an ejector for generating negative pressure in the suction nozzle, a compressor, and a pressure reducing valve for adjusting the negative pressure.

[0006]

[Operation] A small item captured by the microscopic zoom CCD camera is enlarged and projected onto the display. The display screen is divided into many pixels, and color difference and brightness are determined. For example, the color of the display screen is white,
If the color of a seed, which is an example of a small product, is brown, the pixel on the screen where the seed is located is judged to be brown based on the percentage of red component, green component, and brightness, and the color of the seed is determined by Where there is no color, the pixel is judged to have no color,
By applying this determination to all pixels, the color, size, and planar shape of each part of the seed can be determined. If the extraction device extracts only the products that do not meet the passing specifications, only the passing products will be transported from the transportation device, or conversely, the extraction device can extract only the products that meet the passing specifications. For example, acceptable products can be extracted via an extraction device. Furthermore, if a weight sorting device is added, even more efficient sorting can be performed based on both color and weight.

[0007]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIGS. 1 to 3 show a sorting apparatus in which the present invention is applied to seed sorting. However, small items are not limited to seeds. As shown in FIG. 1, the sorting device is composed of a quantitative feedout device 10, a conveying device 20, a weight sorting device 30, and a color sorting device 40. Of these, the conveying device 20 and the color sorting device 40 are This is an essential device.

The quantitative dispensing device 10 has a ball 12 and a vibration generator 14 that applies vibration to the ball. The ball 12 has a cylindrical shape with a bottom, and a spiral groove 16 is provided on the inner surface of the side wall. A small item, for example, seed 2, is placed in the bottom, and when the ball 12 is vibrated, the seed 2
climb the ditch 16 in a line. The width of the groove 16 is the seed 2
Since there is one width for passing through, the seeds 2 line up one by one and climb up. If the size of the seeds you are handling changes to a larger bowl, change to a bowl with a different groove width.

The conveying device 20 includes a chute 22 and a vibration generator 24 that applies vibration to the chute 22. A groove 26 extending in the longitudinal direction is formed in the upper surface of the chute 22. When the chute 22 vibrates, the seeds 2 on the chute 22 are transported. Chute 22 is front, rear 22A,
By changing the vibration frequency, the feed speed of the rear chute 22B is made higher than the feed speed of the front chute 22A. This increases the distance between the seeds on the latter chute 22B. The reason why the seeds are spaced in this manner is to capture each seed individually when capturing the seeds with a CCD camera. In addition, the groove of the rear chute 22B has a V-shaped portion below the CCD camera.
The groove 26a is shaped like a narrow groove 26a so that the seeds 22 pass through the position targeted by the CCD camera.

[0010] Seed 2 is treated with C not only from above but also from below.
When capturing with a CD camera, the chute 22B located at a position corresponding to the CCD camera part is formed from a transparent material.

The weight sorting device 30 is provided above the conveying device 20 and includes a suction nozzle 32 extending toward the groove 26 of the chute 22, a strainer 34 connected to the suction nozzle 32 via a hose, and an ejector. 36, a compressor 72 that sends compressed air to the ejector to generate negative pressure in the ejector 36, and a pressure reducing valve (regulator) 38 provided on the discharge pipe of the compressor to adjust this negative pressure.

The suction pressure can be adjusted by adjusting the height of the suction nozzle 32 from the chute 22 and the pressure reducing valve 38. The suction nozzle 32 sucks up and removes seeds 2 that are lighter than a certain weight from among the seeds 2 conveyed on the chute 22. This is a mechanical, primary, defective seed removal mechanism.

The color sorting device 40 is a CC equipped with a microscope 42.
D camera 44, cold light 46 and display 4
8, a color sensing device 50 consisting of a dedicated computer, a general-purpose computer 52, an extraction device 54, a video recorder 56 as a sorting support device, and a color printer 58. Among these, the CCD camera 44, display 48, computer 52, and extraction device 54 are essential elements.

A CCD camera 44 is attached to the microscope 42 , and the seeds 2 are captured by the camera 44 while being magnified by the microscope 42 . 46 is a cold light that illuminates the seed 2. C
The image captured by the CD camera 44 is sent to a color sensing device 50 and displayed on a display 48 connected to the color sensing device 50.

As shown in FIG. 3, the color sensing device 50 divides a predetermined range of the screen of the display 48 into a predetermined number of pixels designated by the computer 52, and assigns red, red, The color difference and brightness of each pixel are determined by calculating the two color components of green and the degree of brightness. In FIG. 3, 60 indicates each pixel, and 62 indicates an enlarged image of the seed. The image is colored, for example brown, and the area outside the seed image is white. However, white may be converted to black by applying a shadow. The size and shape of the seed 2 can be determined by the color sensing device 50 determining which pixels are colored and which pixels are white or black. Furthermore, by determining the color of each pixel based on the ratio of the red component to the green component of a certain color, it is possible to know which part of the seed 2 has which color. For example, in the case of a seed in which half of the image surface of the seed is black, the color sensing device 50 determines that half of the seed surface is black, and the seed is determined to be defective based on the pre-programmed acceptance criteria.

The computer 52 determines the operating specifications of the color sensing device 50, calls up and changes programs stored in the color sensing device 50, and can be a general-purpose personal computer. Generally, a computer has an input/output interface, CPU, ROM, R
The color sensing device 50 functions as an input/output interface, a CPU, a ROM, and a CPU, and the computer 52 functions as a RAM.
This makes operation convenient and increases flexibility.

The extraction device 54 is a color sensing device 50.
Seeds 2 are extracted by suction according to instructions. Extraction device 5
4 is a suction nozzle 6 installed immediately after the CCD camera position.
4. Filter 6 connected to nozzle 64 via a hose
6, an electromagnetic vacuum ejector 68 that generates negative pressure applied to the filter 66, a pressure reducing valve 70, and a compressor 72. For example, the extraction device 54 may be the color sensing device 5.
When a command to extract seeds 2 is received from 0, the electromagnetic vacuum ejector 68 is activated in synchronization with the timing when the seeds to be extracted pass through the suction nozzle 64, the suction nozzle 64 sucks the seeds 2, and the seeds 2 are removed from the filter. At 66, the suction air and the seeds 2 are separated and the seeds 2 are extracted.

If the extraction device 54 is operated when the color sensing device 50 determines that the seeds are defective, the defective seeds are extracted by the extraction device 54, and when the color sensing device 50 determines that the seeds are acceptable, the extraction device 54 is activated. When actuated, defective seeds are removed from the chute 22. The color sensing device 50 determines which one to use by the computer 52.
instruct.

Next, the operation will be explained. Seeds to be sorted 2
are placed in the ball 12 of the quantitative feeder 10, and the vibration generator 14 gives a slight vibration to the ball 12, causing the seeds 2 to climb the groove of the ball 12, and transfer the seeds 2 one by one to the conveyor 2.
0 onto chute 22. Feeding by such microvibration makes it possible to send out one seed at a time and to send out seeds 2 without damaging them.

When the weight sorting device 30 is operated while the seeds 2 are being conveyed on the chute 22, defective seeds whose weight is less than a predetermined weight are sucked by the suction nozzle 32 and removed. Since this is not removal by blowing, a large number of good seeds are not removed, but only defective seeds are removed.

Since the seed feed speed of the rear chute 22B of the chute 22 is higher than that of the front chute 22A, there is a gap between the seeds when they come to the CCD camera position, and the color sensing device 50
You can recognize seeds one by one. In this case, if a plurality of seeds overlap and are sent to the CCD camera position, the color sensing device 50 will recognize the seed aggregate as one seed, which will have a negative effect on the pass/fail judgment. I have very little to worry about.

When the seeds 2 are delivered to the CCD camera position, the CCD camera 44 magnifies the seeds 2 through the microscope 42 and captures the seeds 2, and the image is sent to the color sensing device 50.
and is displayed on the display 48. The color sensing device 50 has many screens (for example, 65
The color, size, and shape of the seeds are determined by determining the color difference and brightness for each pixel (1,000 pixels), and the results are judged as pass/fail based on predetermined specifications (for example, pass/fail criteria). to decide. Therefore, not only the overall color of the seeds but also the partial colors are determined, allowing for highly accurate sorting. The extraction device 54 is operated according to the pass/fail results to extract defective products or acceptable products. If necessary, it may be recorded on video 56 or printed out using a printer 58.

[0023]

According to the present invention as set forth in claim 1, CC
The image captured by the D camera is analyzed into a large number of pixels, and the color and brightness of each pixel are determined by a color sensing device. It is possible to select pass/fail by judging even the partial color based on the quality (e.g.). According to the second aspect of the present invention, small items can be sorted based on weight as well as color, and more efficient and highly accurate sorting can be performed.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a sorting device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a chute portion of the conveyance device in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the display of the color sorting device in FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

2. Small items, such as seeds 10　Quantitative delivery device 20 Conveyance device 30 Weight sorting device 40 Color sorting device

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A transport device that transports small items to be sorted at intervals, a CCD camera with a microscopic zoom disposed facing the transport device, and a display that displays images captured by the CCD camera. a color sensing device that divides a portion of the display screen corresponding to a predetermined range into a predetermined number of pixels and determines color difference and brightness for each pixel; a computer that determines operating specifications of the color sensing device; 1. A sorting device comprising: a color sorting device having an extraction device that operates according to instructions from a color sensing device. 2. A transport device that transports small items to be sorted at intervals, a CCD camera with a microscopic zoom disposed facing the transport device, and a display that displays images captured by the CCD camera. a color sensing device that divides a portion of the display screen corresponding to a predetermined range into a predetermined number of pixels and determines color difference and brightness for each pixel; a computer that determines operating specifications of the color sensing device; A color sorting device including an extraction device that operates according to instructions from a color sensing device, a suction nozzle arranged toward the conveyance device, an ejector for generating negative pressure in the suction nozzle, a compressor, and a negative pressure nozzle. A sorting device comprising: a weight sorting device having a pressure reducing valve for adjusting pressure.