CN116429778A

CN116429778A - Tablet inspection device and tablet printing device

Info

Publication number: CN116429778A
Application number: CN202310011790.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 谷尾哲嗣; 古水戸顺介
Original assignee: Shibaura Mechatronics Corp
Current assignee: Shibaura Mechatronics Corp
Priority date: 2022-01-12
Filing date: 2023-01-05
Publication date: 2023-07-14
Also published as: KR20230109104A; TW202342962A

Abstract

The invention provides a tablet inspection device and a tablet printing device. The tablet inspection device of the embodiment includes: a position acquisition unit that acquires position data of the tablet on the conveying unit in the conveying direction for each tablet conveyed by the conveying unit; a shape detection unit that repeatedly performs imaging at predetermined intervals while irradiating the conveyance unit with slit light, and obtains line data as imaging data at predetermined intervals; a storage management unit that sequentially stores row data at predetermined intervals in association with positions in the conveyance direction on the conveyance unit; a data generation unit configured to cut line data of a predetermined range for each tablet from the plurality of line data stored in the storage management unit based on the position data of each tablet, and generate three-dimensional shape data of the tablet for each tablet based on the cut line data of the predetermined range of each tablet; and a determination unit that performs a shape check of each tablet based on the three-dimensional shape data of each tablet.

Description

Tablet inspection device and tablet printing device

Technical Field

The embodiment of the invention relates to a tablet inspection device and a tablet printing device.

Background

Currently, as a method for performing an appearance inspection of a conveyed object, there is an inspection method for recognizing a three-dimensional shape of the object by a light cutting method and performing an inspection (for example, refer to patent document 1). In the inspection method, an object to which slit light is irradiated is photographed at predetermined intervals, a portion higher than a conveying surface on which the object is placed is measured, a range of the higher portion is recognized as the object, and three-dimensional image processing is performed on the range to inspect.

In the inspection method, it is always necessary to perform a process of confirming whether or not there is data indicating a high portion (for example, a process of confirming the presence or absence of a tablet or the shape) in line data, which is captured data, acquired at predetermined intervals, and therefore, a load applied to the processing device becomes large. In general, in a tablet inspection apparatus or a tablet printing apparatus, since hundreds of thousands of tablets are processed every 1 hour, high-speed processing of data detected from tablets is required.

[ Prior Art literature ]

[ patent literature ]

Patent document 1 Japanese patent laid-open No. 2004-317126

Disclosure of Invention

[ problem to be solved by the invention ]

The present invention provides a tablet inspection device and a tablet printing device capable of realizing high-speed data processing.

[ means of solving the problems ]

The tablet inspection device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a position acquisition unit that acquires position data of the tablet in the transport direction on the transport unit for each tablet transported by the transport unit; a shape detection unit that repeatedly performs imaging at predetermined intervals while irradiating the conveyance unit with slit light, and obtains line data as imaging data at the predetermined intervals; a storage management unit that sequentially stores the line data obtained by the shape detection unit at each predetermined interval in association with a position in the conveyance direction on the conveyance unit; a data generation unit configured to cut out a predetermined range of the line data for each tablet from among the plurality of line data stored in the storage management unit based on the position data of each tablet acquired by the position acquisition unit, and generate three-dimensional shape data of each tablet based on the cut-out predetermined range of the line data of each tablet; and a determination unit configured to perform a shape inspection of each of the tablets based on the three-dimensional shape data of each of the tablets generated by the data generation unit.

The tablet printing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention includes the tablet inspection apparatus.

[ Effect of the invention ]

By the embodiment of the invention, high-speed data processing can be realized.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a tablet printing apparatus according to a first embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of the control device according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 4 is a diagram for explaining the clipping of line data in a predetermined range according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the printing step according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 6 is a diagram for explaining transmission of an acknowledgement signal according to the second embodiment.

Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the maintenance process according to the third embodiment.

[ description of symbols ]

1: tablet printing device

10: feeding device

11: hopper

12: arrangement feeder

13: transfer feeder

20: first printing device

21. 51: conveying part

21a, 51a: conveying belt

21b, 51b: driving pulley

21c, 51c: driven pulley

21d, 51d: motor with a motor housing

21e, 51e: position detector

21f, 51f: suction chamber

21g: suction hole

22. 52: detection unit

23. 53: a first shooting part

24. 54: ink jet head

24a: nozzle

25. 55: a second shooting part

26. 56: shape detecting section

26a, 56a: slit light source

26b, 56b: camera with camera body

27. 57: drying section

30: recovery device

31: recycle product recovery unit

31a, 32a, 33a: spray nozzle

31b, 32b, 33b: recovery box

32: defective product recovery unit

33: good product recovery part

40: control device

40a: input device

40b: output device

40c: memory device

41: image processing unit

42: storage unit

43: control unit

44: shape checking part

44a: position acquisition unit

44b: storage management unit

44c: data generating unit

44d: determination unit

44e: result management unit

50: second printing device

A1: direction of conveyance

A2: direction of conveyance

A. B: determination unit

L1: specified range

S1 to S12, S21 to S25: step (a)

T: tablet formulation

X, Y, θ: direction.

Detailed Description

< first embodiment >, first embodiment

A first embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 1 to 5.

(constitution example of tablet printing device)

As shown in fig. 1, the tablet printing apparatus 1 of the first embodiment includes a supply apparatus 10, a first printing apparatus 20, a second printing apparatus 50, a recovery apparatus 30, and a control apparatus 40.

The feeder 10 includes a hopper 11, an array feeder 12, and a transfer feeder 13. The supply device 10 is positioned at one end side of the first printing device 20, and is configured to be capable of supplying tablets T, which are objects to be printed, to the first printing device 20. The hopper 11 accommodates a large number of tablets T, and sequentially supplies the accommodated tablets T to the alignment feeder 12. The alignment feeder 12 aligns the supplied tablets T in a row and conveys them in the conveying direction A1 (clockwise direction) toward the delivery feeder 13. As the alignment feeder 12, for example, a belt conveyor or a vibration feeder can be used. The dispenser 13 sequentially sucks and holds each tablet T arranged in a row on the array dispenser 12 from the upper side of the tablet T, and conveys each held tablet T in a row to the first printing device 20 and transfers the held tablet T to the first printing device 20. As the dispenser 13, for example, a belt conveyor mechanism can be used. The tape conveying mechanism of the dispenser 13 rotates in the conveying direction A2 (counterclockwise direction). The supply device 10 is electrically connected to the control device 40, and the driving of the supply device 10 is controlled by the control device 40.

The first printing apparatus 20 includes a conveying section 21, a detecting section 22, a first imaging section 23, a shape detecting section 26, an inkjet head 24, a second imaging section 25, and a drying section 27. The inkjet head 24 is an example of a printing section.

The conveying section 21 includes a conveying belt 21a, a driving pulley 21b, a plurality of driven pulleys 21c, a motor 21d, a position detector 21e, and a suction chamber 21f. The conveying belt 21a is an endless belt, and is stretched over a driving pulley 21b and each driven pulley 21c. The driving pulley 21b and the driven pulleys 21c are rotatably provided in a device main body (not shown), and the driving pulley 21b is coupled to the motor 21d. The motor 21d is electrically connected to the control device 40, and the driving of the motor 21d is controlled by the control device 40. The position detector 21e is an encoder or the like, and is mounted on the motor 21d. The position detector 21e is electrically connected to the control device 40, and transmits a detection signal to the control device 40. The conveying unit 21 moves the conveying belt 21a together with the driven pulleys 21c by rotation of the driving pulley 21b based on the motor 21d, and conveys the tablets T on the conveying belt 21a in the conveying direction A1 (clockwise direction).

As shown in fig. 2, a plurality of circular suction holes 21g are formed in the conveying belt 21 a. The suction holes 21g are through holes of the adsorbent tablets T, and are aligned in a row along the conveying direction A1 to form a single conveying path. Each suction hole 21g is connected to the inside of the suction chamber 21f via a suction passage (not shown) formed in the suction chamber 21f (see fig. 1), and suction force can be obtained by the suction chamber 21f. The pump is connected to the suction chamber 21f via a suction pipe (neither of which is shown), and the inside of the suction chamber 21f is depressurized by the operation of the pump. The suction pipe is connected to a substantially center of a side surface (a surface parallel to the conveyance direction A1) of the suction chamber 21f. In addition, the pump is electrically connected to the control device 40, and driving of the pump is controlled by the control device 40. When the inside of the suction chamber 21f is depressurized, the vicinity of the approximate center of the tablet T placed on each suction hole 21g of the conveyor belt 21a is sucked by the suction hole 21g and held on the conveyor belt 21 a.

The detection unit 22 is positioned downstream in the conveyance direction A1 from the position where the supply device 10 is provided, and is provided above the conveyance path in which the suction holes 21g are arranged. The detection unit 22 detects the position of the tablet T (arrival of the tablet T) reaching the detection position immediately below the detection unit 22, that is, the position of the tablet T on the conveying belt 21a in the conveying direction A1, by receiving the light of the light emitted from the laser light. As the detection unit 22, for example, a displacement sensor can be used. As the displacement sensor, various laser sensors such as a reflection type laser sensor can be used. The detection unit 22 is electrically connected to the control device 40, and transmits a detection signal to the control device 40.

The first imaging unit 23 is positioned downstream in the conveyance direction A1 from the position where the detection unit 22 is provided, and is provided above the conveyance path in which the suction holes 21g are arranged. The first imaging unit 23 performs imaging at a first imaging timing at which the tablet T reaches an imaging position immediately below the first imaging unit 23 based on the positional information of the tablet T in the conveying direction A1 detected by the detecting unit 22, acquires a first image including the upper surface of the tablet T, and transmits the acquired first image to the control device 40. The first image is used to detect the position of the tablet T in the X direction, Y direction, and θ direction (see fig. 2). As the first imaging unit 23, various cameras having imaging elements such as a charge coupled device (charge coupled device, CCD) and a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (complementary metal oxide film semiconductor, CMOS) can be used. The first photographing part 23 is electrically connected to the control device 40, and driving of the first photographing part 23 is controlled by the control device 40. Further, illumination for photographing is also provided as needed.

Here, the positions in the X direction and the Y direction of the tablet T are, for example, positions in an XY coordinate system with respect to the center (reference position) of the imaging region of the first imaging section 23. The position in the θ direction is, for example, a position indicating the degree of rotation of the tablet T in the horizontal plane along the XY plane of the imaging region of the first imaging unit 23. The position in the θ direction is detected when the tablet T is a body having directivity, such as when the tablet T is provided with a dividing line, or when the tablet T is formed in an elliptical shape, an oblong shape, a triangle shape, a quadrangle shape, or the like. Further, the X-direction and the Y-direction are positions in the horizontal direction.

The shape detection unit 26 is positioned downstream in the conveyance direction A1 from the position where the first imaging unit 23 is provided, and is provided above the conveyance path in which the suction holes 21g are arranged. The shape detection unit 26 detects the three-dimensional shape of the object by, for example, a light cutting method. In the light cutting method, slit light (band-shaped light) is irradiated to an object on a conveying surface of the conveying belt 21a, the object is photographed at a predetermined interval, and a portion higher than the conveying surface of the conveying belt 21a on which the object is placed is measured. For example, the shape detection unit 26 includes a slit light source 26a and a camera 26b. The shape detection unit 26 repeatedly captures images of the object at predetermined intervals while irradiating the object with slit light by the slit light source 26a, acquires line data, which is image capturing data of one line at predetermined intervals, and sequentially transmits the line data at predetermined intervals to the control device 40. The data at predetermined intervals becomes the height data of the object in one line (the height data of the vertical section of the object). The data of the height of the object in one line is obtained as data of 0 in the line of the object when the object is not on the conveyor belt 21 a. The shape detection portion 26 is electrically connected to the control device 40, and driving of the shape detection portion 26 is controlled by the control device 40.

Here, the predetermined interval, which is the repetition interval of shooting by the camera 26b, is an interval based on time (e.g., pulse or frequency) or distance (e.g., 0.05 mm). That is, the predetermined interval is a predetermined time or a predetermined distance, and the photographing by the camera 26b is repeated at predetermined times or predetermined distances.

The inkjet head 24 is positioned downstream in the conveyance direction A1 from the position where the shape detection portion 26 is provided, and is provided above the conveyance path in which the suction holes 21g are arranged. The inkjet head 24 has a plurality (for example, hundreds to thousands) of nozzles 24a (see fig. 2), and the direction in which the nozzles 24a are aligned (nozzle row) is set orthogonal to the conveyance direction A1 in the horizontal plane (an example of a cross). The inkjet head 24 ejects ink from each nozzle 24a individually by the operation of the driving element of each nozzle 24 a. As the inkjet head 24, various inkjet printheads having driving elements such as piezoelectric elements, heating elements, and magnetostrictive elements can be used. The inkjet head 24 is electrically connected to the control device 40, and driving of the inkjet head 24 is controlled by the control device 40.

The second imaging unit 25 is positioned downstream in the conveyance direction A1 from the position where the inkjet head 24 is provided, and is provided above the conveyance path in which the suction holes 21g are arranged. The second imaging unit 25 performs imaging at a second imaging timing when the tablet T reaches an imaging position immediately below the second imaging unit 25 based on the positional information of the tablet T in the conveying direction A1 detected by the detecting unit 22, acquires a second image including the upper surface of the tablet T, and sends the acquired second image to the control device 40. The second image may be used to check the printed pattern printed on the tablet T. As the second imaging unit 25, various cameras having imaging elements such as a CCD or CMOS can be used, as in the case of the first imaging unit 23. The second photographing part 25 is electrically connected to the control device 40, and the driving of the second photographing part 25 is controlled by the control device 40. Optionally, illumination for photographing is also provided.

The drying unit 27 is disposed at a position facing the conveyor belt 21a, for example, below the conveyor unit 21. The drying section 27 dries the ink applied to each tablet T on the conveyor 21 a. As the drying unit 27, various dryers such as a blower that performs drying by using a gas such as air, a heater that performs drying by using radiant heat, and a blower that performs drying by using warm air or hot air by using both the gas and the heater can be used. The drying section 27 is electrically connected to the control device 40, and the driving of the drying section 27 is controlled by the control device 40.

Here, the first printing device 20 and the second printing device 50 are arranged such that a part of each of the conveying sections 21 and 51 is vertically overlapped, and the tablet T printed by the upper first printing device 20 is turned over and delivered to the lower second printing device 50, thereby printing both sides of the tablet T. In general, in order to smoothly transfer the tablet T from the first printing apparatus 20 to the second printing apparatus 50, the transport speed of the first printing apparatus 20 and the transport speed of the second printing apparatus 50 are always the same.

The second printing device 50 has the same structure as the first printing device 20. That is, the second printing apparatus 50 includes a conveying unit 51, a detecting unit 52, a first imaging unit 53, a shape detecting unit 56, an inkjet head 54, a second imaging unit 55, and a drying unit 57. The conveying unit 51 includes a conveying belt 51a, a driving pulley 51b, a plurality of driven pulleys 51c, a motor 51d, a position detector 51e, and a suction chamber 51f. The conveying unit 51 conveys the tablets T on the conveying belt 51a in the conveying direction A2 (counterclockwise). The shape detection unit 56 includes a slit light source 56a and a camera 56b. The inkjet head 54 is an example of a printing section. The components constituting the second printing apparatus 50 have substantially the same configuration as those constituting the first printing apparatus 20, and therefore, the description thereof will be omitted.

The recovery device 30 is positioned downstream in the conveying direction A2 from the position where the drying section 57 is provided, and is provided below the conveying section 51. The recovery device 30 includes a recycle recovery unit 31, a defective recovery unit 32, and a defective recovery unit 33. The recovery device 30 recovers the tablets T as recycled products by the recycled product recovery unit 31, recovers the tablets T as defective products by the defective product recovery unit 32, and recovers the tablets T as defective products by the defective product recovery unit 33. For example, the recycling product is a reusable tablet, and is a non-printed sheet free from damage and foreign matter. The defective products are non-printed sheets with foreign matter attached thereto, printed defective sheets (printed sheets) without damage or foreign matter attached thereto, and the like, and the defective products are printed defective sheets (printed sheets) without damage or foreign matter attached thereto. The arrangement order of the recycle product recovery unit 31, the defective product recovery unit 32, and the defective product recovery unit 33 in the conveyance direction A2 is not limited to the arrangement order shown in fig. 1, and may be changed as appropriate. The recovery device 30 is electrically connected to the control device 40, and the driving of the recovery device 30 is controlled by the control device 40.

The reuse article collection section 31 has an injection nozzle 31a and a collection tank 31b. The defective product collection unit 32 includes a spray nozzle 32a and a collection box 32b. The good product recovery unit 33 has a spray nozzle 33a and a recovery tank 33b. The

injection nozzles

31a, 32a, and 33a have substantially the same structure, and the

recovery tanks

31b, 32b, and 33b have substantially the same structure. Therefore, the injection nozzle 31a and the recovery tank 31b will be described as a representative.

The ejection nozzles 31a and the recovery box 31b are provided at positions facing each other across the conveyance path in which the suction holes of the conveyance belt 51a are arranged. The injection nozzle 31a is disposed in the suction chamber 51f, and injects a gas (e.g., air) toward the conveyor belt 51a, for example, to drop the tablet T from the conveyor belt 51 a. At this time, the gas injected from the injection nozzle 31a passes through the suction hole of the conveying belt 51a to contact the tablet T. The injection nozzle 31a is electrically connected to the control device 40, and the driving of the injection nozzle 31a is controlled by the control device 40. The recovery tank 31b is disposed immediately below the ejection nozzle 31a and below the conveying section 51. The recovery box 31b receives and accommodates the tablets T dropped from the conveyor belt 51a by the gas injected from the injection nozzle 31 a.

Here, the tablets T passing through the recycled product recovery unit 31 and the defective product recovery unit 32 are conveyed along with the movement of the conveying belt 51a, and reach positions near the end portions of the conveying belt 51a on the side of the driven pulleys 51 c. At this position, the suction action is no longer applied to the tablet T, but the gas is blown from above the tablet T through the injection nozzle 33a to the tablet T, and the tablet T falls from the conveyor belt 51 a. Therefore, by providing the ejection nozzle 33a, the tablet T can be reliably dropped from the conveyor belt 51 a. The recovery box 33b receives and accommodates the tablets T dropped from the conveyor belt 51a by the gas injected from the injection nozzle 33 a.

The control device 40 controls the respective parts of the tablet printing apparatus 1, for example, the supply device 10, the first printing apparatus 20, the second printing apparatus 50, the recovery device 30, and the like, based on various information and various programs. The control device 40 receives detection data (for example, detection signals) and the like transmitted from the position detector 21e or the detection unit 22 of the conveying unit 21 and the position detector 51e or the detection unit 52 of the conveying unit 51, and receives image data and the like transmitted from the first imaging unit 23 or the second imaging unit 25, the shape detection unit 26, the first imaging unit 53, the second imaging unit 55, and the shape detection unit 56, respectively. The control device 40 is realized by an electronic circuit such as an integrated circuit, a computer, or the like.

(construction example of control device)

Next, a configuration example of the control device 40 will be described with reference to fig. 3.

As shown in fig. 3, the control device 40 includes an image processing unit 41, a storage unit 42, a control unit 43, and a shape checking unit 44. The shape inspection unit 44 receives line data at predetermined intervals from each of the

shape detection units

26 and 56. The shape inspection unit 44, the shape detection unit 26, and the shape detection unit 56 function as a tablet inspection device.

The input device 40a, the output device 40b, and the memory (storage) 40c are connected to the control device 40. The input device 40a is implemented, for example, by a switch or a touch screen, a keyboard, a mouse, or the like. The output device 40b is realized by, for example, a display, a lamp, a measuring instrument, or the like. The Memory 40c may be implemented by a semiconductor Memory element such as a Flash Memory (Flash Memory), or a storage device such as a hard disk or an optical disk. The memory 40c functions as an external memory.

The image processing section 41 reads the first image captured by the first capturing section 23 and the second image captured by the second capturing section 25, and processes the images using a known image processing technique. For example, the image processing unit 41 processes the first image obtained from the first imaging unit 23 to obtain the position of the tablet T in the X direction, the Y direction, and the θ direction. The image processing unit 41 processes the second image obtained from the second imaging unit 25, and obtains the printing position, shape, and size of the printing pattern (e.g., text or a mark) printed on the tablet T. The image processing unit 41 transmits the acquired position information of each tablet T in the X direction, Y direction, and θ direction, and further the print position information, shape information, and size information of the print pattern on each tablet T to the control unit 43.

The storage unit 42 stores processing information, various programs, and the like. For example, the Memory device is implemented by a semiconductor Memory element such as a random access Memory (Random Access Memory, RAM) or a Flash Memory (Flash Memory), or a storage device such as a hard disk or an optical disk. The storage unit 42 stores print data, conveyance speed data, and the like related to printing. The print data includes information of print patterns such as letters and marks.

The control unit 43 is a computer such as a central processing unit (Central Processing Unit, CPU), a microcontroller (Micro Control Unit, MCU), a microprocessor (Micro Processing Unit, MPU), or the like, and controls each unit. The control unit 43 may be realized by one or both of hardware and software, for example. For example, the control unit 43 controls the supply device 10, the first printing device 20, the second printing device 50, the collection device 30, the image processing unit 41, the storage unit 42, and the like based on various information or various programs stored in the storage unit 42. The control unit 43 receives detection signals and the like transmitted from the position detector 21e or the detection unit 22 of the conveying unit 21 and the position detector 51e or the detection unit 52 of the conveying unit 51, respectively.

The shape checking unit 44 includes a position acquiring unit 44a, a storage managing unit 44b, a data generating unit 44c, a plurality of determining units 44d, and a result managing unit 44e. The shape checking unit 44 may be implemented by one or both of hardware and software, for example.

The position acquisition unit 44a acquires position data of the tablets T on the conveying belt 21a in the conveying direction A1 for each tablet T conveyed by the conveying unit 21, based on the information acquired by the detection unit 22 in the first printing apparatus 20. The position acquisition unit 44a tracks the position of the tablet T on the conveyor belt 21a in the conveying direction A1 detected by the detection unit 22 based on information (for example, encoder signals) from the position detector 21e, and obtains position data of the tablet T on the conveyor belt 21a in the conveying direction A1. The position acquisition unit 44a acquires position data of the tablet T on the conveying belt 51a in the conveying direction A2 for each tablet T conveyed by the conveying unit 51, based on the information obtained by the detection unit 52 in the second printing apparatus 50. The position acquisition unit 44a tracks the position of the tablet T on the conveyor belt 21a in the conveying direction A2 detected by the detection unit 52 based on the information from the position detector 51e, and obtains position data of the tablet T on the conveyor belt 51a in the conveying direction A2. The position acquisition unit 44a transmits the acquired position data for each tablet T to the storage unit 42. The position acquisition unit 44a also gives identification data such as a serial ID (identification/identifier) to the tablet T detected by the

detection unit

22 or 52. Thereby, the position data of each tablet T can be managed based on the identification data of each tablet T.

The storage management unit 44b sequentially stores the line data transmitted from the shape detection unit 26 at predetermined intervals in the first printing apparatus 20 in association with a position (for example, a line data acquisition position) in the conveyance direction A1 on the conveyance belt 21 a. The storage management unit 44b sequentially stores the line data transmitted from the shape detection unit 56 at predetermined intervals in the second printing apparatus 50 in association with a position (for example, a line data acquisition position) in the conveyance direction A2 on the conveyance belt 51 a. That is, the storage management unit 44b stores a plurality of line data at predetermined intervals in association with positions in the conveyance direction A1 (A2) on the conveyance belt 51 a. The storage management unit 44b stores line data at predetermined intervals, for example, a plurality of line data corresponding to one turn of the conveyance belt 21 a. For example, the storage management unit 44b has a buffer area, and sequentially and continuously stores the line data at predetermined intervals in the buffer area during the printing operation. Further, a buffer area of the storage management section 44b may be provided in the storage section 42. The storage management unit 44b has a memory buffer mechanism that holds profile data (e.g., data of every predetermined interval) for a predetermined period of time, for example. The profile position of the memory buffer mechanism is synchronized with a signal (e.g., an encoder signal) from the position detector 21e or the position detector 51 e. This makes it possible to correlate the data at predetermined intervals with the position in the conveying direction A1 on the conveying belt 21a or the position in the conveying direction A2 on the conveying belt 51 a.

The data generating unit 44c cuts out a predetermined range of line data for each tablet T from the plurality of line data stored at predetermined intervals by the storage managing unit 44b based on the position data of each tablet T (for example, the position data of the tablet T in the conveying direction A1 or the position data of the tablet T in the conveying direction A2) acquired by the position acquiring unit 44 a. For example, the data generating unit 44c cuts out a plurality of line data (line data of a predetermined range) included in a predetermined range for each tablet T from a plurality of line data corresponding to the amount of one revolution of the conveyor belt 21 a. Then, the data generating unit 44c generates three-dimensional shape data of the tablet T for each tablet T based on the line data of the predetermined range of each cut tablet T. The data generating unit 44c transmits three-dimensional shape data for each tablet T to each judging unit 44 d. The data generation unit 44c transmits and stores the three-dimensional shape data of each tablet T in the storage unit 42. Further, the three-dimensional shape data of each tablet T can be managed based on the identification data of each tablet T.

As shown in fig. 4, the predetermined range L1 is set to a range equal to or longer than the longest length of the tablet T in a plane such as a horizontal plane and having a predetermined margin (for example, the longest length±1 mm). In the example of fig. 4, the tablet T has a triangular shape in plan view. Since the position of the tablet T in the conveying direction A1 on the conveying belt 21a is determined from the position data of the tablet T (for example, the position data of the center of the tablet T), the data generating unit 44c reads out the data of the amount of the predetermined range L1 centering on the position from the storage management unit 44b, for example. The data in the predetermined range L1 are read out for each tablet T. That is, the data generating unit 44c reads out a plurality of line data included in a predetermined range L1 corresponding to the amount of one tablet T from a plurality of line data (line data at predetermined intervals) corresponding to the amount of one week of the conveying belt 21a stored in the storage managing unit 44 b. Thus, line data of the amount of one tablet T can be obtained for each tablet T.

In the example of fig. 4, the predetermined range L1 corresponding to "tablet (1)" is a range from "1 start position" to "1 end position". The predetermined range L1 corresponding to "tablet (2)" is a range from "the start position of" (2) to "the end position of" (2) ". The predetermined range L1 corresponding to "tablet (3)" is a range from the "(3) start position" to the "(3) end position". The start position is a read start position (cut start position) of the line data, and the end position is a read end position (cut end position) of the line data. Further, since the tablets T are not arranged at predetermined intervals but at random intervals on the conveyor belt 21a, as in the case of "tablet (2)" and "tablet (3)" in fig. 4, the "predetermined range L1" corresponding to "tablet (2)" and the "predetermined range L1" corresponding to "tablet (3)" may overlap.

The determination units 44d perform a shape check of the tablet T for each tablet T based on the three-dimensional shape data of each tablet T generated by the data generation unit 44 c. For example, each determination unit 44d performs a process of determining whether or not predetermined three-dimensional shape data exists in the three-dimensional shape data generated by the data generation unit 44c, and determines whether or not the three-dimensional shape of the tablet T is acceptable. For example, if predetermined three-dimensional shape data exists in the three-dimensional shape data generated by the data generating unit 44c, the tablet T is free from abnormality (for example, damage such as a defect or foreign matter adhering thereto), and the inspection result is acceptable. On the other hand, if the predetermined three-dimensional shape data does not exist in the three-dimensional shape data generated by the data generating unit 44c, the tablet T is abnormal, and the inspection result is failed. Each determination unit 44d sends the result data of the shape inspection of each tablet T indicating whether or not the tablet T is acceptable to the result management unit 44e. Further, the result data of the shape inspection of each tablet T can be managed based on the identification data of each tablet T.

The result management unit 44e sorts the result data of the shape inspection for each tablet T sent from the respective determination units 44d based on the identification data (for example, serial IDs) of the tablet T, and stores the result data of the shape inspection for each tablet T in the storage unit 42 for management. Further, the control unit 43 may transmit the three-dimensional shape data of the tablet T or the result data of the shape inspection of the tablet T stored in the storage unit 42 to the output device 40b, and display the data on the display of the output device 40 b.

In the example of fig. 3, the number of the determination units 44d is two, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and two or more may be used. The data generating unit 44c transmits three-dimensional shape data for each tablet T to the judging units 44d in a predetermined order. When there are two judgment units 44d, three-dimensional shape data of each tablet T is alternately transmitted to the two judgment units 44 d. The predetermined order may be set in advance, for example, and may be changed in response to an input operation by the user to the input device 40 a. For example, the predetermined order may be set based on the priority of the processing capacity of each determination unit 44d (for example, the higher the processing capacity, the higher the priority).

Here, the control unit 43 obtains the position of the tablet T in the conveying direction A1 on the conveying belt 21a based on the detection information transmitted from the detection unit 22, that is, the timing at which the tablet T on the conveying belt 21a is detected, in the first printing apparatus 20, sets the first imaging timing of the first imaging unit 23, the printing start timing of the inkjet head 24, and the second imaging timing of the second imaging unit 25 based on the position information indicating the position of the tablet T in the conveying direction A1, and generates timing information indicating these timings and stores the timing information in the storage unit 42. The printing start timing is a timing at which printing of the tablet T that reaches the printing position immediately below the inkjet head 24 is started. The control unit 43 can acquire information such as the movement amount (rotation amount) or the speed of the conveyance belt 21a based on the detection information transmitted from the position detector 21 e. The control unit 43 performs, for example, image capturing by the camera 26b of the shape detection unit 26 at all times during the printing operation in the first printing apparatus 20. The camera 26b repeatedly shoots at predetermined intervals, and acquires line data at predetermined intervals. This process is also the same in the second printing device 50.

The printing operation is a period from when the tablets T are sequentially supplied from the hopper 11 to the alignment feeder 12 until the control unit 43 determines that the inspection is completed. That is, the period from step S1 to step S12 described later is (Yes).

The control unit 43 sets, in the first printing device 20, whether or not the tablet T on which the result data is obtained is printable as print availability information based on the result data of the shape check of the tablet T obtained by the determination unit 44 d. Then, the control unit 43 sets the printing conditions as the printing condition information for the tablet T set to be printable. At this time, the control unit 43 sets printing conditions for the tablet T for which the position information is obtained, based on the position information of the tablet T in the X direction, the Y direction, and the θ direction sent from the image processing unit 41. For example, the control unit 43 determines the range of the nozzles 24a used for printing the target tablet T on the inkjet head 24, that is, the nozzle range, based on the position information of the tablet T in the Y direction or the print data, and sets the printing conditions including the nozzle range, the printing start timing, and the like. When the tablet T has a directional shape, the control unit 43 sets the printing conditions in accordance with the position of the tablet T in the θ direction based on the positional information of the tablet T in the θ direction. As an example, the control unit 43 registers 180 kinds of print patterns, which are rotated by 1 degree in a range of 0 degrees to 179 degrees, in the storage unit 42, selects a print pattern having an angle corresponding to the position of the tablet T in the θ direction from among the print patterns, and sets the print conditions. This process is also the same in the second printing device 50.

The control unit 43 determines whether or not the print pattern is printed in a predetermined shape and a predetermined size at a predetermined position of the tablet T, that is, whether or not the print pattern is normally printed on the tablet T, based on the print position information, the shape information, and the size information (these information are information based on the second image) of the print pattern printed on the tablet T, which are transmitted from the image processing unit 41, in the first printing device 20 (print state check). For example, in the judgment of the shape and size of the print pattern, the control unit 43 registers the print pattern for inspection in the storage unit 42, and compares the print pattern for inspection with the print pattern on the tablet T after the actual printing (the print pattern printed on the tablet T). This process is also the same in the second printing device 50.

The control unit 43 preferably stores various information (for example, positional information, timing information, print availability information, print condition information, print quality information, and the like of the tablet T) in the storage unit 42, and deletes the various information from the storage unit 42 at a time point when the tablet T to be subjected to the control is collected by the collecting device 30, for example, at a time point when the tablet T falls from the downstream end in the conveying direction A2 in the conveying unit 51 and a predetermined time (for example, several seconds) elapses. However, in the case where such information is required in the subsequent steps or the like, various pieces of information for each tablet T may be left without being deleted, or may be stored in a storage medium (external memory) outside the apparatus. In the case of storing various information of each tablet T, the information, the date of manufacture, the lot number, and the like may be stored in association with each other, and the cause of defective products after shipment may be traced back to the printed tablet T.

(printing step)

Next, a printing process performed by the tablet printing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to fig. 5. The printing process also includes an inspection process. Various information such as data required for printing or inspection is stored in the storage unit 42 in advance.

As shown in fig. 5, in step S1, when a large number of tablets T to be printed are fed into the hopper 11 of the feeder 10, the tablets T are sequentially fed from the hopper 11 to the alignment feeder 12 and are aligned in a row by the alignment feeder 12 to move. The tablets T moving in a row are sequentially supplied to the conveyor belt 21a of the first printing device 20 by the dispenser 13. The conveying belt 21a rotates in the conveying direction A1 by the rotation of the driving pulley 21b and the driven pulleys 21c based on the motor 21 d. Therefore, the tablets T supplied to the conveyor belt 21a are aligned in a row on the conveyor belt 21a and conveyed at a predetermined conveying speed.

In step S2, the detection unit 22 detects the tablets T on the conveyor belt 21a. Specifically, the detection portion 22 detects that the tablet T on the conveyor belt 21a reaches a detection position (for example, a laser light irradiation position) immediately below the detection portion 22, and the position of the tablet T in the conveying direction A1 on the conveyor belt 21a is recognized by the position acquisition portion 44a based on the timing at which the tablet T is detected. The position data indicating the position of the tablet T in the conveying direction A1 is generated by the position acquisition unit 44a and stored in the storage unit 42.

In step S3, the first imaging unit 23 images the tablets T on the conveyor belt 21 a. Specifically, the tablet T on the conveyor belt 21a is photographed by the first photographing section 23 at a first photographing timing when the tablet T reaches a photographing position immediately below the first photographing section 23, and a first image obtained by photographing by the first photographing section 23 is sent to the control device 40. Based on the first image, the image processing unit 41 generates positional data of the tablet T in the X direction, the Y direction, and the θ direction, and stores the positional data in the storage unit 42.

In step S4, the tablet T on the conveyor belt 21a is photographed by the camera 26b of the shape detecting unit 26. Specifically, during the printing operation of the tablet printing apparatus 1, the upper surface of the conveyor belt 21a is always photographed at a predetermined interval by the camera 26 b. The image data obtained by the photographing with the camera 26b, that is, the line data is transmitted to the control device 40, and is stored in association with the position in the conveyance direction A1 on the conveyance belt 21a by the storage management unit 44b of the control device 40. Based on the position data of the tablet T in the conveying direction A1 obtained by the position obtaining unit 44a, the data generating unit 44c cuts out line data of a predetermined range from the line data stored at predetermined intervals by the storage managing unit 44b, and generates three-dimensional shape data of the tablet T based on the cut-out line data of the predetermined range.

In step S5, based on the three-dimensional shape data of the tablet T generated by the data generating unit 44c, the determining unit 44d performs a tablet shape check for checking whether or not there is an abnormality (for example, damage such as a defect or foreign matter adhering) in the tablet T on the conveying belt 21 a. For example, when predetermined three-dimensional shape data exists in the three-dimensional shape data generated by the data generating unit 44c, the determining unit 44d determines that the tablet T is free from abnormality, and sets the inspection result to be acceptable. On the other hand, when the predetermined three-dimensional shape data does not exist in the three-dimensional shape data generated by the data generating unit 44c, the determining unit 44d determines that the tablet T is abnormal, and sets the inspection result to be unacceptable. The predetermined three-dimensional shape data is set in advance and stored in the storage unit 42 or the like, and when the type of the tablet T to be printed is changed and the shape of the tablet T is changed, for example, the tablet T is changed according to an input operation of the input device 40a by the user.

In step S6, based on the result data of the tablet shape inspection, the control unit 43 determines whether printing on the target tablet T is possible. When it is determined that printing on the tablet T to be subjected to the processing is possible (Yes in step S6), the processing proceeds to step S7. Based on the information such as the position information of the tablet T in the X direction, the Y direction, and the θ direction, the printing conditions including the nozzle range for the tablet T (printable tablet T) set to be printable, the printing start timing, and the like are set in the storage unit 42. Based on the printing start timing (timing to start printing on the tablet T), the ejection timing (timing to eject ink on the tablet T) to the tablet T is determined. On the other hand, when it is determined that printing is not performed on the tablet T to be subjected to the process (No in step S6), the process proceeds to step S11 by limiting the operations related to printing or inspection of the tablet T to be subjected to the process. The printing availability information of the tablet T is stored in the storage unit 42 as appropriate. The term "limitation" of the operation related to printing or inspection means that at least the process related to the printing and the inspection of the printing state of the tablet T to be subjected is not performed.

In step S7, printing is performed by the inkjet head 24 based on the printing conditions. That is, the inkjet head 24 is controlled by the control unit 43 to print a predetermined print pattern on the printable tablet T on the conveyor belt 21 a. Specifically, the printable tablet T on the conveyor belt 21a passing under the first imaging unit 23 is printed by the inkjet head 24 based on the printing conditions at the printing start timing when it reaches the printing position directly under the inkjet head 24. In the inkjet head 24, ink is appropriately discharged from each nozzle 24a, and a print pattern (for example, a number, a letter, a katakana, a symbol, or a figure) is printed on a surface to be printed, which is the upper surface of the tablet T.

In step S8, the second imaging unit 25 images the printed tablet T on the conveyor belt 21 a. Specifically, the second imaging unit 25 images the printed tablet T on the conveyor belt 21a at a second imaging timing when the tablet T reaches an imaging position immediately below the second imaging unit 25, and the second image obtained by the imaging performed by the second imaging unit 25 is sent to the control device 40. The second image is processed by the image processing unit 41 of the control device 40. Specifically, the image processing unit 41 acquires information on the printed print pattern printed on the tablet T, that is, the print position, shape, and size of the printed print pattern. The second image transmitted from the second image pickup unit 25 is processed by the image processing unit 41, and inspection information indicating the printing position, shape, and size of the printed pattern printed on the tablet T is generated and stored in the storage unit 42.

In step S9, based on the inspection information, the control unit 43 performs a print status inspection. Specifically, based on the inspection information on the printing position, the shape, and the size stored in the storage unit 42, the control unit 43 determines whether or not the print pattern is normally printed on the tablet T, and generates print quality information indicating whether or not the tablet T is printed, and stores the print quality information in the storage unit 42. For example, in the print status inspection, the print pattern for printing is stored in the storage unit 42 as the print pattern for inspection, and good product information on a predetermined print position, shape, or size of the print pattern for inspection and inspection information on the print position, shape, or size of the print pattern actually printed stored in the storage unit 42 are compared to determine whether the print pattern is normally printed on the tablet T (pass or fail).

In step S10, the processing in steps S2 to S9 is repeated in the second printing device 50. The tablet T printed by the first printing apparatus 20 is reversed and transferred to the lower second printing apparatus 50, and the processing of steps S2 to S9 is performed in the second printing apparatus 50. Thus, double-sided printing of the tablet T can be achieved. The conveying belt 51a is rotated in the conveying direction A2 by the rotation of the driving pulley 51b and the driven pulleys 51c by the motor 51 d. Therefore, the tablets T on the delivery and feed conveyor 51a are aligned in a row on the conveyor 51a and conveyed at a predetermined conveying speed.

In step S11, the tablets T on the conveyor belt 51a of the second printing apparatus 50 are collected by the collecting apparatus 30. Specifically, when the tablet T as a reuse product reaches the reuse product recovery section 31 as the conveyor belt 51a moves, the gas is blown from above the tablet T through the injection nozzle 31a, and the tablet T falls from the conveyor belt 51a and is stored in the recovery box 31 b. Similarly, when the tablets T that are defective reach the defective recovery unit 32 as the conveyor belt 51a moves, the gas is blown from the injection nozzle 32a to the tablets T from above the tablets T, and the tablets T are dropped from the conveyor belt 51a and stored in the recovery box 32 b. When the good tablet T reaches a position near the end of each driven pulley 51c in the conveyor belt 51a, the suction action is not exerted on the tablet T, and the gas is blown from above the tablet T through the injection nozzle 33a, so that the tablet T falls from the conveyor belt 51a and is stored in the recovery box 33 b. The control related to the blowing of such gas is performed by the control unit 43 based on various information such as position information of the tablet T, result information of the tablet shape inspection, print availability information, print quality information (result information of the print state inspection), and the like.

In step S12, the control unit 43 determines whether or not printing has ended. For example, the number of tablets T printed is counted, and when the number reaches a predetermined number of productions, it is determined that printing is finished. When it is determined that printing is completed (yes in step S12), the process is completed. On the other hand, when it is determined that printing is not completed (no in step S12), the process returns to step S1. Further, the printing end may be determined based on an input operation of the input device 40a by the user, for example, based on the user pressing the printing end button.

According to this printing step, based on the position data of each tablet T acquired by the position acquisition unit 44a, the line data of the predetermined range is cut for each tablet T from the line data (the plurality of line data) of the plurality of lines stored at predetermined intervals by the storage management unit 44b, and based on the cut line data of the predetermined range for each tablet T, the three-dimensional shape data of the tablet T is generated for each tablet T. Accordingly, since the predetermined range of data corresponding to the position where the tablet T exists is cut out, it is not necessary to always confirm whether or not data indicating the tablet exists in the data acquired at predetermined intervals. This reduces the processing load.

Here, a case is studied in which, during the printing operation, the shape detection unit 26 (56) does not always perform imaging, but the shape detection unit 26 (56) performs imaging of a state in which a part of the two tablets T are arranged (see the tablets (2) and (3) in fig. 4) based on the position data of the tablets T acquired by the position acquisition unit 44 a. In this case, based on the position data, each time the image is captured by the shape detection unit 26 (56), the line data at predetermined intervals is not stored in the storage management unit 44 b. Therefore, in order to obtain line data of a predetermined range based on the position data of the tablet T, it is necessary to take an image of each tablet T by the shape detecting section 26 (56).

For example, the shape detecting unit 26 detects the tablet (2) in fig. 4, and acquires line data in a predetermined range based on the position data generated by the position acquiring unit 44 a. Next, the tablet (3) in fig. 4 is detected, and a signal is sent to the shape detecting section 26 to acquire line data of a predetermined range based on the position data made by the position acquiring section 44 a. However, since the shape detecting unit 26 photographs the predetermined range of the tablet (3) after photographing the predetermined range of the tablet (2), there is a possibility that a defect may occur in the photographed data of the tablet (3). Specifically, the shape detection unit 26 starts the imaging of the tablet (3) after the range from the "(2) start position" to the "(2) end position" in fig. 4 is imaged. In this case, in photographing of the tablet (3), there is a possibility that the line data from "(3) start position" to "(2) end position" in fig. 4 cannot be obtained.

In the tablet printing apparatus 1 of the embodiment, from among a plurality of pieces of line data obtained by always photographing the shape detecting unit 26 during the printing operation of the tablet printing apparatus 1, the line data of the predetermined range is cut out based on the position data of the tablet T, and therefore even if a part of the two tablets T (refer to the tablet (2) and the tablet (3) in fig. 4) are arranged on the detection line of the conveying belt 21a (51 a) detected by the shape detecting unit 26 (56), the line data of the respective predetermined range can be obtained. That is, even if a part of two tablets T are arranged on the inspection line, defect-free three-dimensional shape data can be obtained in the respective tablets T. When a plurality of tablets T are partially repeatedly arranged in the Y direction (direction orthogonal to the conveying direction A1) and conveyed, and tablets T having an elliptical shape, an oblong shape, a triangular shape, or the like in plan view are processed, it is preferable to cut out line data in a predetermined range from a plurality of line data at predetermined intervals based on the position data of the tablets T.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the tablet printing apparatus 1 includes: a position acquisition unit 44a that acquires position data of the tablet T in the conveying direction A1 on the conveying unit 21 (51) for each tablet T conveyed by the conveying unit 21 (51); a shape detection unit 26 (56) that repeatedly performs imaging at predetermined intervals while irradiating the conveyance unit 21 (51) with slit light, and obtains line data as imaging data at predetermined intervals; the storage management unit 44b sequentially stores the data obtained by the shape detection unit 26 (56) at predetermined intervals in association with the position in the conveyance direction A1 on the conveyance unit 21 (51); the data generation unit 44c cuts out line data of a predetermined range for each tablet T from the plurality of line data stored in the storage management unit 44b based on the position data of each tablet T acquired by the position acquisition unit 44a, and generates three-dimensional shape data of the tablet T for each tablet T based on the cut-out line data of the predetermined range for each tablet T; and a determination unit 44d that performs a shape check of the tablet T for each tablet T based on the three-dimensional shape data of each tablet T generated by the data generation unit 44 c. Thereby, the line data of the predetermined range is cut for each tablet T from the plurality of line data, and the shape inspection of each tablet T is performed based on the cut line data of the predetermined range for each tablet T (i.e., the three-dimensional shape data of each tablet T). Therefore, compared with the case where processing for confirming whether or not there is data representing a high portion (for example, processing for confirming the presence or absence of a tablet or the shape) is always performed on all data of row data at predetermined intervals, high-speed data processing can be realized. As a result, rapid inspection can be performed.

< second embodiment >

The second embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 6. In the second embodiment, points different from the first embodiment are explained.

In fig. 6, the determination unit 44d is shown as two examples, one is shown as a determination unit a, and the other is shown as a determination unit B. As shown in fig. 6, in the second embodiment, the data generation unit 44c of the control device 40 transmits a confirmation signal to each determination unit 44d, that is, to the determination unit a and the determination unit B in the example of fig. 6. The acknowledgement signal is a request signal requesting the transmission of the status (status) of the determination unit a or the determination unit B.

In the example of fig. 6, the data generation unit 44c alternately transmits acknowledgement signals requesting the transmission state to the determination units a and B at regular intervals. The determination unit a or the determination unit B that receives the confirmation signal transmits a signal notifying the ready state (R) or the busy state (B) to the data generation unit 44c according to its own state (state of processing). The ready state is a state in which the inspection process is not performed and the system is in standby. The busy state is a state where new three-dimensional shape data cannot be accepted due to the inspection process being performed.

The data generating unit 44c transmits the three-dimensional shape data to the determining unit a or the determining unit B that transmitted the signal when receiving the signal notifying the ready state, and does not transmit the three-dimensional shape data to the determining unit a or the determining unit B that transmitted the signal when receiving the signal notifying the busy state. After the inspection process is completed, the judgment units a and B add the identification data (e.g., serial ID) of the tablet T to the result data of the shape inspection and send the result data to the result management unit 44e. The result management unit 44e refers to the identification data of the tablets T, sorts the tablets, and manages the result data of the shape inspection.

Here, depending on the shape and posture of the tablet T, or the presence or absence and the amount of the defect, the time required from the start of the inspection process to the completion of the transmission of the inspection result may be different in each of the determination units 44d (the determination units a and B in the example of fig. 6). In the second embodiment, since the idle determination unit 44d can be used, the processing can be efficiently performed.

As described above, the second embodiment can obtain the same effects as the first embodiment. The data generation unit 44c transmits a confirmation signal to each determination unit 44d requesting the state of each determination unit 44d to be transmitted. Thus, the data generating unit 44c can know the state of each determining unit 44d, and thus, for example, it is possible to avoid processing stagnation or the like by instructing the determining unit 44d in a busy state to perform inspection processing (for example, transmitting three-dimensional shape data). That is, the data generating unit 44c can appropriately assign inspection processing (for example, three-dimensional shape data) to each judging unit 44d, and can realize high-speed data processing.

The data generating unit 44c transmits the confirmation signal to each determining unit 44d at regular intervals, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and for example, the confirmation signal may be transmitted after the inspection time required for one tablet T has elapsed from the transmission timing of the three-dimensional shape data, or after a predetermined time has elapsed after the transmission of one confirmation signal. The determination units 44d may transmit signals notifying that the three-dimensional shape data is in the busy state, respectively, using the three-dimensional shape data received from the data generation unit 44c as a trigger. In addition, the determination unit 44d may send a signal notifying that the tablet T is ready to the data generation unit 44c when sending the result data of the shape check of the tablet T, without requiring a confirmation signal.

< third embodiment >

A third embodiment will be described with reference to fig. 7. In the third embodiment, points different from the first embodiment are described.

In the third embodiment, the storage management unit 44b moves data (for example, line data at predetermined intervals, line data within a predetermined range cut out, three-dimensional shape data (image data) of the tablet T, result data of shape inspection of the tablet T, various image data, or the like) stored in the buffer area or the storage unit 42 to the other memory 40c during maintenance of the tablet printing apparatus 1 (for example, during conveyance and stop of printing). The movement of the data is to delete the data in the original place from the original place and move the data to another place for storage. The maintenance of the tablet printing apparatus 1 includes the maintenance of any or all of the supply apparatus 10, the first printing apparatus 20, the second printing apparatus 50, the recovery apparatus 30, the control apparatus 40, and the like.

For example, the storage management unit 44b moves the data stored in the buffer area or the storage unit 42 to the memory 40c in association with the date of manufacture (date of printing) or lot number. Thus, the cause of the printed tablet T can be traced back to the occurrence of defective products after shipment, and the like. The manufacturing date, lot number, etc. are set in advance and stored in the storage unit 42, etc., and may be changed, for example, in response to an input operation of the input device 40a by the user.

As shown in fig. 7, in step S21, the control unit 43 determines whether or not the maintenance timing has come. When it is determined that the maintenance timing has come (yes in step S21), in step S22, the control unit 43 issues a maintenance instruction to each unit (for example, any or all of the supply device 10, the first printing device 20, the second printing device 50, the recovery device 30, the control device 40, and the like) to be maintained.

Then, in step S23, the control unit 43 issues a data movement instruction to the storage management unit 44 b. The data stored in the buffer area of the storage management section 44b or the storage section 42 is moved to the memory 40c by the storage management section 44 b. In step S24, the control unit 43 determines whether or not the data movement is completed. When it is determined that the data movement is completed (yes in step S24), in step S25, the control unit 43 determines whether or not the maintenance is completed. When it is determined that the maintenance is completed (yes in step S25), the process ends. Completion of maintenance is indicated by, for example, an input operation of the input device 40a by the user.

As described above, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained by the third embodiment. In addition, the storage management unit 44b moves the data stored in the buffer area or the storage unit 42 to the other memory 40c during maintenance of the tablet printing apparatus 1. Thus, the user can confirm the data later, and thus the user's convenience can be improved. For example, the storage management unit 44b moves the data stored in the buffer area or the storage unit 42 to the memory 40c in association with the date of manufacture (date of printing) or lot number. In this way, the cause of the printed tablet T can be traced back to the occurrence of defective products after shipment.

< other embodiments >

In the above description, the tablet T is printed using the tablet printing apparatus 1 (tablet printing method) of the embodiment, and in other words, the tablet T is printed using the tablet printing apparatus 1 (tablet printing method) of the embodiment to produce the printed tablet T. That is, the tablet printing apparatus 1, in other words, the tablet manufacturing apparatus, and the tablet printing method, in other words, the tablet manufacturing method, may be used.

In the above description, the configuration of the embodiment is applied to the tablet printing apparatus 1, but may be applied to a tablet inspection apparatus. In addition, when the structure of the embodiment is applied to the tablet printing apparatus 1, there is also an inspection mode in the operation mode, and when the inspection mode is selected, only the inspection may be performed without using the inkjet head 24 (54). In the inspection operation, the upper surface of the conveyor belt 21a is always photographed by the camera 26b at a predetermined interval. The inspection step may be performed only by shape inspection, or may be performed simultaneously by printing inspection of the tablet T by another apparatus. In the case of performing a print inspection by another device, the print inspection may be performed by the first imaging unit 23 or the second imaging unit 25, or may be performed by either one. As a result of the shape inspection, the print inspection can be omitted when there is an abnormality. The imaging by the shape detection unit 26 (56) is always performed during the device operation, and the device operation includes not only the printing operation described above but also the inspection operation (only the inspection step is performed).

In the above description, the position obtaining unit 44a generates position data of the tablet T based on the information obtained by the detecting unit 22 (52), and based on the position data, cuts out a predetermined range of data for each tablet T from a plurality of pieces of line data at predetermined intervals stored in the storage managing unit 44b, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The line data may also be cut based on position data generated from the first image obtained by photographing by the first photographing section 23 (53). The position data acquired by the detection unit 22 (52) and generated by the position acquisition unit 44a may be corrected based on the first image. In this case, the first image is captured by the first capturing unit 23 (53) based on the position data indicating the position of the tablet T in the conveying direction A1 generated by the position obtaining unit 44a. Position data of the tablet T in the X-direction and the Y-direction is generated by the image processing section 41 based on the first image. Next, position data of the center (including the center of gravity) of the tablet T is obtained from the position data of the tablet T in the X-direction and the Y-direction. The image processing unit 41 corrects the position data indicating the position of the tablet T in the conveying direction A1 based on the position data of the center of the tablet T. The image processing unit 41 transmits the corrected position data (corrected position data) indicating the position of the tablet T in the conveying direction A1 to the position acquisition unit 44a. Based on the corrected position data, the data generating unit 44c cuts out a predetermined range of line data from the plurality of line data stored at predetermined intervals by the storage managing unit 44b, and generates three-dimensional shape data of the tablet T based on the cut-out predetermined range of line data. In this way, the position of the center of the tablet T can be obtained more accurately, and the predetermined margin in the predetermined range can be further reduced.

In the above description, the plurality of determination units 44d are provided, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be one. The plurality of determination units 44d are provided, but the data generation unit 44c and the determination unit 44d may be provided as inspection software.

In the above description, the shape detection unit 26 (56) is provided on the upstream side in the conveyance direction A1 (A2) than the position where the inkjet head 24 (54) is provided, but the present invention is not limited to this, and may be provided on the downstream side in the conveyance direction A1 (A2) than the above position.

In the above description, the tablet T is conveyed in one row, but the number of rows is not limited to this, and a plurality of rows of two or more rows may be used, and the number of the conveying belts 21a (51 a) may be two or more, and is not particularly limited. The number of inkjet heads 24 (54) may be two or more, and is not particularly limited.

In the above description, the inkjet head 24 (54) is exemplified as a print head in which the nozzles 24a are arranged in one row, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a print head in which the nozzles 24a are arranged in a plurality of rows may be used. In addition, a plurality of inkjet heads 24 (54) may be used in a horizontal plane in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction A1.

In the above description, the inkjet head 24 (54) is disposed such that the direction in which the nozzles 24a are aligned is orthogonal to the conveyance direction A1 in the horizontal plane, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and for example, the direction in which the nozzles 24a are aligned may be disposed such that the direction obliquely intersects the conveyance direction A1 (A2) in the horizontal plane.

In the above description, the tablets T are not supplied to the conveyor belt 21a (51 a) at regular intervals but are supplied at random, but are not limited thereto, and may be supplied at regular intervals. In the above description, the tablet T is sucked and held by the suction hole 21g formed in the conveying belt 21a (51 a), but the tablet T is not limited to this, and may be stored and held in a pocket or the like for conveyance, or may be held by its own weight on the conveying belt 21a (51 a) for conveyance.

Here, the tablet T may include a tablet used for medical use, food use, cleaning use, industrial use, or aromatic use. Examples of the tablet T include a bare tablet (uncoated tablet), a sugar-coated tablet, a film-coated tablet, an enteric tablet, a gelatin-coated tablet, a multi-layer tablet, a nucleated tablet, and various capsule tablets such as a hard capsule and a soft capsule may be included in the tablet T. Further, the shape of the tablet T may be a disk shape, a lens shape, a triangle shape, an oval shape, or the like. In the case where the tablet T to be printed is used for medical or food use, an edible ink is suitable as the ink to be used. As the edible ink, any of synthetic pigment ink, natural pigment ink, dye ink, and pigment ink can be used.

While the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in other various forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A tablet inspection device comprising:

a position acquisition unit that acquires position data of the tablet in the transport direction on the transport unit for each tablet transported by the transport unit;

a shape detection unit that repeatedly performs imaging at predetermined intervals while irradiating the conveyance unit with slit light, and obtains line data as imaging data at the predetermined intervals;

a storage management unit that sequentially stores the line data obtained by the shape detection unit at each predetermined interval in association with a position in the conveyance direction on the conveyance unit;

a data generation unit configured to cut out a predetermined range of the line data for each tablet from among the plurality of line data stored in the storage management unit based on the position data of each tablet acquired by the position acquisition unit, and generate three-dimensional shape data of each tablet based on the cut-out predetermined range of the line data of each tablet; and

And a determination unit configured to perform a shape inspection of each of the tablets based on the three-dimensional shape data of each of the tablets generated by the data generation unit.

2. The tablet inspection device according to claim 1, wherein,

the shape detection unit always performs the imaging during the printing operation of the tablet printing apparatus.

3. The tablet inspection device according to claim 2, further comprising:

a first imaging unit that captures a first image based on the position data generated by the position acquisition unit; and

an image processing unit that generates position data of the tablet in the X-direction and the Y-direction based on the first image, obtains the position data of the tablet,

the image processing unit corrects the position data generated by the position acquisition unit based on the position data of the tablet, acquires corrected position data, and transmits the corrected position data to the position acquisition unit,

the data generation unit cuts out the row data of a predetermined range for each tablet from the plurality of row data stored by the storage management unit based on the corrected position data.

4. The tablet inspection device according to claim 3, wherein,

the position acquisition unit adds identification data to the tablet for each tablet.

5. The tablet inspection device according to claim 3, wherein,

the determination section is provided with a plurality of the determination sections,

the data generating unit transmits the three-dimensional shape data of each of the tablets to the plurality of judging units in a predetermined order.

6. The tablet inspection device according to claim 5, wherein,

the number of the plurality of judging parts is two,

the data generating unit alternately transmits the three-dimensional shape data of each tablet to the two judging units.

7. The tablet inspection device according to claim 5, wherein,

the data generating unit transmits the three-dimensional shape data of each tablet to the plurality of judging units according to the states of the plurality of judging units.

8. The tablet inspection device according to claim 7, wherein,

the data generating unit transmits a signal requesting to transmit the state of each of the plurality of judging units to the plurality of judging units,

the plurality of determination units each transmit a signal notifying the state to the data generation unit in response to a request transmitted from the data generation unit.

9. The tablet inspection device according to claim 7, wherein,

the plurality of determination units collectively transmit, to the data generation unit, result data of the shape check and a signal for notifying a ready state as signals for notifying the state, respectively.

10. The tablet inspection device according to claim 3, wherein,

the storage management unit stores a plurality of the line data, the line data of the predetermined range of each of the tablets cut out, or the three-dimensional shape data of each of the tablets,

the stored plurality of the line data, the stored line data of the prescribed range of each of the tablets, or the stored three-dimensional shape data of each of the tablets are moved to other memories in maintenance.

11. A tablet printing apparatus comprising a tablet inspection apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10.