EP0796671B1 - Système d'acquisition d'images pour le tri de paquets - Google Patents
Système d'acquisition d'images pour le tri de paquets Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0796671B1 EP0796671B1 EP97400627A EP97400627A EP0796671B1 EP 0796671 B1 EP0796671 B1 EP 0796671B1 EP 97400627 A EP97400627 A EP 97400627A EP 97400627 A EP97400627 A EP 97400627A EP 0796671 B1 EP0796671 B1 EP 0796671B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- camera
- sensor
- conveying plane
- image acquisition
- signal
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Lifetime
Links
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 claims description 10
- 230000010354 integration Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000012015 optical character recognition Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000011144 upstream manufacturing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000003086 colorant Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001419 dependent effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- PCHJSUWPFVWCPO-UHFFFAOYSA-N gold Chemical compound [Au] PCHJSUWPFVWCPO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000010931 gold Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052737 gold Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000004044 response Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005070 sampling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000007480 spreading Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B07—SEPARATING SOLIDS FROM SOLIDS; SORTING
- B07C—POSTAL SORTING; SORTING INDIVIDUAL ARTICLES, OR BULK MATERIAL FIT TO BE SORTED PIECE-MEAL, e.g. BY PICKING
- B07C3/00—Sorting according to destination
- B07C3/10—Apparatus characterised by the means used for detection ofthe destination
- B07C3/14—Apparatus characterised by the means used for detection ofthe destination using light-responsive detecting means
Definitions
- the invention relates to an image acquisition system. for reading information on the upper side of objects moved on a conveying plane, comprising a high resolution camera mounted fixed above the plane of conveying to examine the upper surface of each object, this camera being equipped with a mechanism lens motorized focus.
- Such a system is already known from document EP-0647479. It is intended more particularly for reading automatic destination addresses for parcels or packages postal by optical character recognition, from images, for automatic postal sorting.
- an ultrasonic sensor determines the height of the plane corresponding to the upper surface of each parcel or package in relation to the conveyor plan for control the motor of the focusing mechanism the lens as the camera begins to scan the upper surface of this object.
- the camera is of the type with charge transfer photosensitive elements ("CCD") and the depth of field (at fixed distance between the network photosensitive elements and the object to be scanned) depends on two parameters: the magnification factor and the aperture of the objective.
- the magnification factor dimension ratio between the object examined and the image
- the aperture of the lens is limited taking into account the speed of conveying packages or packages postal in sorting equipment (around 1 to 2 m / s) and light energy to be used to illuminate packages during the shooting (2 kW is a maximum).
- An opening of 2 seems to be a limit difficult to cross.
- the depth of field maximum that can be obtained is of the order of 2 to 3 centimeters.
- this system image acquisition may not work properly if some or all of the packages have one side upper with surface irregularities significant (undulations, setbacks) resulting in variations in height of the upper side of packages or packets much larger than the depth of field of the objective and consequently the impossibility of get a clear picture of the information.
- it is not possible to deal with mail items arranged inclined on the conveying plane. Gold this practice is spreading because it helps maintain bulky mail items such as packages or packages in a fixed position on a conveyor belt when these are moved at high speed (of the order of 1 to 2 m / s).
- the object of the invention is to propose a system more sophisticated image acquisition than that known previously.
- a system image acquisition capable of adapting in real time to variations in the height of the upper side of the package, or packets which may be much greater than the depth of field (a priori fixed) of the lens of a camera at high resolution (typically variations of around forty centimeters to compare with the two centimeter depth of objective field) while these parcels or packages are displaced at around 1.7 m / s.
- the invention relates to a system image acquisition which includes a sensor suitable for produce a signal representative of the height profile of the upper face of each object in relation to the plane of conveying and that a means is provided for processing this profile signal so as to produce setpoint positioning for the focusing mechanism in order to take into account variations in face height top of each object while the object is moving under the camera lens.
- This sensor is preferably a laser rangefinder which has the advantage of having a good answer on surfaces of different colors which is interesting in postal application.
- another laser rangefinder is also provided for produce a signal indicative of the position of a lens mobile located at the rear of the lens and moved by a DC motor of the focusing mechanism.
- the position signal is used to control the setpoint positioning to increase the precision of the adjustment of the development.
- the camera can be an element camera charge transfer photosensitive (“CCD”) or photosensitive elements with integration (“TDI").
- CCD element camera charge transfer photosensitive
- TDI photosensitive elements with integration
- the image acquisition system described below is intended to be connected to a recognition system character optics for automatic address reading on mail items like parcels or packages but the invention is not limited to this field of application.
- the image acquisition system includes a camera 1 fixedly mounted on a chassis (not shown) above a conveying plane on which are displaced from postal packages 2a, 2b, 2c bearing on their face upper 3 of the postal address information shown by A for package 2a. Note that this information can be printed on a label stuck on the face top of each pack as for pack 2a.
- Packages are moved at high speed on the plan conveying 4 in a certain direction D to pass under the camera 1.
- Camera 1 is placed approximately 2 m above the plane conveyor.
- the camera lens 5 is equipped with a motorized focusing mechanism (not shown in the figure) which moves a movable rear lens 6 along a direction perpendicular to the conveying plane as indicated by the double arrow 7 to focus so as to move the area of sharpness.
- High resolution line scan camera 1 is network type of photosensitive elements 1A with transfer of load or integration arranged transversely to the direction D to cover the entire width of the plane conveyor. In the figure, the lighting device for packages for shooting is not shown.
- a first laser rangefinder 8 for example the model "MSL / 400" having an excursion capacity of approximately 40 cm, is arranged above the conveying plane and upstream of camera 1 following direction D.
- This rangefinder 8 sends a fine light beam at high frequency on the face of each packet and outputs an S signal representative of the height profile of this face with respect to to the conveying plan.
- Another laser rangefinder 9 for example the model "M5L / 4" having an excursion capacity of approximately 4 mm is mounted fixed relative to objective 5 and used to determine the position of a reference target 10 secured to the lens 6.
- a passage sensor 11, of the cell type photoelectric, is arranged upstream of the following camera 1 direction D and downstream of range finder 8. This sensor is used to detect the passage of the front edge of a packet to synchronize the sending of setpoint commands to the engine of the focusing mechanism with the displacement of packets.
- the motor is preferably a direct current motor allowing precise movement of the lens mobile (of the order of ten microns).
- objects 2b and 2c are moved on the conveying plane being inclined due to that they are placed on supports 12 in the form of a ramp.
- the height of the upper face of each package in relation to the conveyor plane varies over one interval greater than the depth of field of the objective. It is therefore necessary to carry out adjustments successive steps to move the area of sharpness following the height profile of the upper side of a package as and as this package is moved under the lens of the camera.
- An implementation of the image acquisition system has been performed. This is used to process packets which are moved at a speed of 1.7 m / s with a setting time at the point of the objective of less than 100 ms for an excursion 40 centimeters from the sharpness area.
- This signal is digitized at a sampling frequency chosen to obtain approximately 300 measuring points for a packet length of approx. 40 cm.
- Measuring points are processed in real time by processor 13 by exploiting a table matching profile heights with setpoint data corresponding to as many lens adjustment positions 6 and therefore positions of the sharpness area.
- the package 2b moving according to the direction D towards camera 1 is detected by sensor 11 which then sends a detection signal T to the processor 13.
- the processor 13 On reception of the signal T, the processor 13 sends the succession of setpoint data C to motor 14 at one frequency dependent on the speed of movement of the packet 2b under the camera lens and after a guard time depending on the distance between the sensor 11 and the axis camera optics 1. In response to receiving a setpoint data, motor 14 moves to position wanted lens 6 to focus required. Furthermore, the position signal P produced by the rangefinder 9 is sent to the processor 13 to control the instructions sent to the engine 14.
- a single lens is moved to make the tuning which allows to get a development time very weak point and good system reliability.
Landscapes
- Sorting Of Articles (AREA)
- Character Input (AREA)
- Image Input (AREA)
Description
Claims (8)
- Un système d'acquisition d'images pour la lecture d'informations (A) sur la face supérieure (3) d'objets (2a,2b,2c) déplacés sur un plan de convoyage (4), comprenant une caméra à haute résolution (1) montée fixe au dessus du plan de convoyage (4) pour scruter la face supérieure de chaque objet, cette caméra (1) étant équipée d'un objectif (5) à mécanisme motorisé de mise au point fonctionnant avec un capteur (8) monté au dessus du plan de convoyage pour mesurer la hauteur de la face supérieure (3) de chaque objet par rapport au plan de convoyage, caractérisé en ce que ce capteur (8) est adapté pour produire un signal (S) représentatif du profil de hauteur de la face supérieure de chaque objet par rapport au plan de convoyage et en ce qu'un moyen (13) est prévu pour traiter ce signal de profil de façon à produire des consignes de positionnement (C) pour le mécanisme de mise au point afin de prendre en compte des variations de la hauteur de la face supérieure de chaque objet tandis que l'objet se déplace sous l'objectif de la caméra.
- Le système selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le capteur (8) est un télémètre laser.
- Le système selon la revendication 1, incluant en outre un autre capteur (9) adapté pour produire un signal (P) indicatif de la position d'une lentille (6) mobile disposée à l'arrière de l'objectif et déplacée par le moteur (14) du mécanisme de mise au point, ce signal de position servant à un asservissement des consignes de positionnement.
- Le système selon la revendication 3, dans lequel cet autre capteur (9) est un télémètre laser.
- Le système selon la revendication 3, dans lequel le mécanisme motorisé de mise au point est équipé d'un moteur (14) à courant continu.
- Le système selon la revendication 1, dans lequel la caméra (1) est une caméra à éléments photosensibles à transfert de charge ("CCD").
- Le système selon la revendication 1, dans lequel la caméra (1) est une caméra à éléments photosensibles à intégration ("TDI").
- Un équipement de tri postal automatique incluant un système d'acquisition d'images selon l'une des revendications 1 à 7 pour la lecture automatique d'adresses sur des paquets par reconnaissance optique de caractères.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| FR9603606 | 1996-03-22 | ||
| FR9603606A FR2746330B1 (fr) | 1996-03-22 | 1996-03-22 | Systeme d'acquisition d'images pour le tri de paquets |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| EP0796671A1 EP0796671A1 (fr) | 1997-09-24 |
| EP0796671B1 true EP0796671B1 (fr) | 2001-05-09 |
Family
ID=9490459
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| EP97400627A Expired - Lifetime EP0796671B1 (fr) | 1996-03-22 | 1997-03-20 | Système d'acquisition d'images pour le tri de paquets |
Country Status (6)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US6122001A (fr) |
| EP (1) | EP0796671B1 (fr) |
| JP (1) | JPH10187952A (fr) |
| DE (1) | DE69704738T2 (fr) |
| ES (1) | ES2157051T3 (fr) |
| FR (1) | FR2746330B1 (fr) |
Families Citing this family (15)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE19851284A1 (de) * | 1998-11-06 | 2000-05-11 | Siemens Ag | Vorrichtung zur Bildaufnahme von Paketoberflächen |
| US6689998B1 (en) | 2000-07-05 | 2004-02-10 | Psc Scanning, Inc. | Apparatus for optical distancing autofocus and imaging and method of using the same |
| WO2002092246A1 (fr) * | 2001-05-16 | 2002-11-21 | Siemens Aktiengesellschaft | Dispositif de captation d'images |
| US6621063B2 (en) | 2001-06-21 | 2003-09-16 | Psc Scanning, Inc. | Omni-directional optical code reader using scheimpflug optics |
| JP4251312B2 (ja) * | 2002-03-08 | 2009-04-08 | 日本電気株式会社 | 画像入力装置 |
| JP2005064633A (ja) * | 2003-08-08 | 2005-03-10 | Hitachi Ltd | 帳票読取装置 |
| US20050226489A1 (en) | 2004-03-04 | 2005-10-13 | Glenn Beach | Machine vision system for identifying and sorting projectiles and other objects |
| US9424634B2 (en) | 2004-03-04 | 2016-08-23 | Cybernet Systems Corporation | Machine vision system for identifying and sorting projectiles and other objects |
| PL1645839T3 (pl) * | 2004-10-11 | 2007-12-31 | Sick Ag | Urządzenie i sposób kontroli przemieszczanych obiektów |
| US7809158B2 (en) * | 2005-05-02 | 2010-10-05 | Siemens Industry, Inc. | Method and apparatus for detecting doubles in a singulated stream of flat articles |
| JP4807402B2 (ja) * | 2008-11-14 | 2011-11-02 | 日本電気株式会社 | 画像入力装置 |
| US9554094B1 (en) | 2012-11-30 | 2017-01-24 | Cognex Corporation | System and method for determining a displaced substrate with a vision system |
| EP2763105B1 (fr) | 2013-01-31 | 2018-08-22 | Neopost Technologies | Système d'acquisition d'image pour traitement et suivi de pièces de courrier |
| CN109002796B (zh) * | 2018-07-16 | 2020-08-04 | 阿里巴巴集团控股有限公司 | 一种图像采集方法、装置和系统以及电子设备 |
| CN112561882B (zh) * | 2020-12-16 | 2023-05-12 | 深圳市六合智能感知系统科技有限公司 | 物流的分拣方法、系统、设备及存储介质 |
Family Cites Families (10)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NO864109L (no) * | 1985-10-17 | 1987-04-21 | Knepper Hans Reinhard | Fremgangsmaate for automatisk foering av selvgaaende gulvrengjoeringsmaskiner samt gulvrengjoeringsmaskin for utfoerelse av fremgangsmaaten. |
| DE3736288C2 (de) * | 1987-10-27 | 1994-11-24 | Leuze Electronic Gmbh & Co | Verfahren zum Lesen und Dekodieren von auf der polierten Oberfläche von Halbleiterscheiben angebrachten Strichkodierungen |
| US4920255A (en) * | 1988-10-31 | 1990-04-24 | Stephen C. Gabeler | Automatic incremental focusing scanner system |
| IS1666B (is) * | 1991-02-19 | 1997-11-14 | Marel Hf | Aðferð og búnaður til ákvörðunar rúmmáls, forms og þyngdar fisks eða annarra hluta |
| US5440648A (en) * | 1991-11-19 | 1995-08-08 | Dalsa, Inc. | High speed defect detection apparatus having defect detection circuits mounted in the camera housing |
| US5668887A (en) * | 1992-05-29 | 1997-09-16 | Eastman Kodak Company | Coating density analyzer and method using non-synchronous TDI camera |
| US5650813A (en) * | 1992-11-20 | 1997-07-22 | Picker International, Inc. | Panoramic time delay and integration video camera system |
| FR2703932B1 (fr) * | 1993-04-16 | 1995-07-07 | Materiel Arboriculture | Procede et dispositif de tri automatique de produits, notamment de fruits et legumes. |
| IL107265A0 (en) * | 1993-10-12 | 1994-01-25 | Galai Lab Ltd | Parcel sorting system |
| US5696591A (en) * | 1996-01-05 | 1997-12-09 | Eastman Kodak Company | Apparatus and method for detecting longitudinally oriented flaws in a moving web |
-
1996
- 1996-03-22 FR FR9603606A patent/FR2746330B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1997
- 1997-03-20 ES ES97400627T patent/ES2157051T3/es not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1997-03-20 EP EP97400627A patent/EP0796671B1/fr not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1997-03-20 DE DE69704738T patent/DE69704738T2/de not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1997-03-21 JP JP9068799A patent/JPH10187952A/ja active Pending
- 1997-03-21 US US08/821,924 patent/US6122001A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JPH10187952A (ja) | 1998-07-21 |
| DE69704738T2 (de) | 2002-02-07 |
| US6122001A (en) | 2000-09-19 |
| DE69704738D1 (de) | 2001-06-13 |
| EP0796671A1 (fr) | 1997-09-24 |
| ES2157051T3 (es) | 2001-08-01 |
| FR2746330B1 (fr) | 1998-04-17 |
| FR2746330A1 (fr) | 1997-09-26 |
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