EP1645866A2 - Apparatus and method for indentification of containers or flasks in containers - Google Patents

Abstract

The apparatus has an illuminating device and a camera which are so arranged that light from the illumination device is reflected from the containers or parts of the package and can be received by the camera. The apparatus has a second illumination device such that even the diffuse characteristics of the reflected light can be received unaffected by reflections by the camera (8,9). Independent claims also cover a method of identifying containers etc.

Description

The invention relates to a device and a method for detecting containers and / or containers in particular of containers in containers, such as bottles in bottle crates.

Returned empties usually need to be sorted for reuse because the returning bottles are not sorted, that is, different types of bottles are mixed back together. As a rule, however, only one type of bottle can be reused in the corresponding bottling plant.

Also bottles are found with the bottle mouth down instead of up in the boxes and must be recognized before for removal from the boxes accordingly.

A difficulty arises here in that the bottles are arranged in beverage crates and therefore difficult to access, for example, image recognition methods, since the side view of the bottles is blocked by the beverage crate walls.

From DE 19 509 631 a method and a device for recognizing and sorting beverage containers, in particular bottles and crates, are known. Here, the bottle case is lit from above through a semi-transparent mirror and from a laterally mounted camera, which looks at the semi-transparent mirror, also viewed from above. In this case, for example, orifice diameters can be determined.

In another arrangement, the camera and lamp are each disposed obliquely above the box, so that the light reflected from the bottle mouth surfaces is detected by the camera.

It has been found to be disadvantageous that it is usually not sufficient to determine only the orifice diameter, since hereby a sorted bottle sorting is not guaranteed.

Particularly troublesome in the inspection is that a variety of things and conditions are found in the bottle crates, and that real objects have a mixture of different optical properties, which leads to disturbances in determining the different box and bottle features. By way of example, a box of dark material filled with open and closed bottles may serve. The open bottles are recognized by the reflections on the bottle mouth. Lighting that creates these reflections, but also causes reflections on the horizontal parts of the box and on the closures of the closed bottles. As a result, even dark boxes can be better seen and inspected, but the bright reflected light means that neither the color of the box nor the imprint and the color of the closures can be determined properly. For the latter features is an illumination of advantage, which emphasizes diffuse scattering surface properties.

Object of the present invention is therefore to improve the known device and the known method.

This object is achieved by a device according to claim 1 and a method according to claim 15.

An optimal inspection can be achieved by using several types of lighting. By combining the results of the various methods, more comprehensive and accurate statements can be made about the state and content of a box. (Such a comprehensive inspection could consist of the following stations: height detection with ultrasound, glass-PET discrimination, transmitted-light station, recording of the reflexes, recording of the diffuse features, box logo recognition, etc.).

In the apparatus and method, the lighting and camera are designed so that the camera once captures an image with directly reflected light from horizontal surfaces. Here, the light is reflected, for example, the bottle mouth surface, closures, bottom of the box or the top of a beverage box directly from the lighting device into the camera. These surfaces act as mirror surfaces.

At the same time, in this first image, diffusely scattered light can be seen from those surfaces which do not reflect the light from the illumination device into the camera in a mirror-like manner. These include, for example, the labels on bottles, which diffuse the light diffusely due to their comparatively rough surface. As for the visibility of the reflexes, the camera and the light almost from the same direction in the If you are looking for a box, you can also see objects that lie deep in the compartment. Light reflected back from the bottom of the bottles provides information about bottle color and content. Advantageously, the illumination device and the camera are designed such that the horizontally lying surfaces, such as the mouth surfaces of upright bottles or the upper flat sides of beverage crates, can reflect the light from the illumination device into the camera. The bottom of the bottle, with the bottle mouth facing downwards, is also horizontal and can reflect light into the camera.

The second shot uses a light source that is shallow into the box and no reflections on the horizontal surfaces are seen by the camera. This allows the color of box and bottle caps are recognized. Even the imprints of the closures can be detected undisturbed. The oblique light radiation causes the depth of the box remains dark and only features appear as labels in the shoulder area or open PET mouths.

The second illumination device is advantageously arranged so that horizontal lying surfaces the light on the camera vorbeireflektieren, so as to avoid disturbing direct reflections; d. H. the light is directed onto diffusely scattering surfaces of the containers and / or containers so that the camera can pick up these surfaces with the diffusely scattered light. Disturbing light reflections are thus avoided.

It is advantageous, however, that the two camera images are taken with the camera in one and the same position. an image acquisition is advantageous in which two images are successively recorded and in the case of one image only the first illumination device and in the second image only the second illumination device is illuminated.

It is advantageous if the first illumination device illuminates the containers and / or the containers essentially vertically from above, since then a characteristic photograph can be taken with a camera which is likewise arranged vertically above container and / or container, in which case Muzzle surfaces can be detected. With this camera arrangement can also be made a well-evaluated recording with the second illumination.

It is also advantageous if the second illumination device emits light on the container and / or the container, which is radiated from at an angle of more than 60 ° to the vertical, since then the reflections on the horizontal surfaces are suppressed and the lateral parts of container and containers are well lit and can be detected with the camera.

Possible light sources for the first or second illumination device are a flash lamp, fluorescent tubes, a laser LED lamp, for example, an LED lamp may include multiple LEDs.

Flashlamps and LEDs have the advantage over fluorescent tubes in that they consume much less energy and produce less waste heat: a fluorescent tube must be switched on permanently and thus essentially generates light Times in which no camera recording takes place and the light generation is therefore unnecessary.

However, with the flashlamps or an LED lamp, it is possible to turn them on only for a short time only when a camera recording is to be made. In addition, the flashing allows the two shots to be taken with the different illuminations in the same place and with the same camera.

The first lighting device must, to be able to produce the reflections in the box corners, be much larger than the box; typically the lamp has more than 4 times the box area. Since a large-area and sufficiently bright LED lighting is also associated with increased costs, the first lighting device can consist, for example, of a flashlamp which cooperates with a Fresnel lens and / or a diffusing screen so that light from above can be emitted over as large a area as possible the containers and / or the container can meet.

Also, further reflecting surfaces may be provided below the Fresnel lens, the light that would laterally pass the container and / or the container in the direction of the container or the container directs. These reflectors reflect the Fresnel lens, so that the box sees a much larger lamp than is actually available. As a result, the size of this lamp can be limited to an acceptable level.

Furthermore, it is advantageous if an opening is provided in the Fresnel lens, through which the camera can look at the receiving area. The greater the distance of the Camera of the objects to be recorded, the less perspective distortions.

It is furthermore advantageous if the second illumination device comprises an arrangement of light sources which are arranged at least approximately on a circular ring. This is possible as uniform as possible illumination of the male container or container, which are located (seen from above) within the annulus. Furthermore, it is advantageous if the light sources are arranged above the container or container, so that the incidence of light occurs obliquely from above, since then the characteristic features of containers and containers can be well illuminated and detected.

It is advantageous here if the diameter of the circular ring corresponds approximately to the size dimension of the Fresnel lens. Since the Fresnel lens and the underlying reflectors indicate the diameter of the light beam impinging on the viewing position, the light sources on a smaller diameter annulus would shade that light. A larger circle diameter would cause too little light to arrive in the viewing position. Therefore, here is a good compromise.

From DE 20 108 131 a device for detecting the material of vessels is known, with which a distinction can be made between glass and PET bottles. It is advantageous to combine such a device with the device proposed here, in order to arrive at the most comprehensive variety purity.

It is furthermore advantageous if the method is carried out such that a container with containers located therein is moved between the receptacle of two containers. This allows a continuous transport of containers during the detection of the containers and containers

It is advantageous to use a camera in which 2 shots can be taken in a short sequence of a maximum of 1msec since the box practically does not move in the picture during this time.

It is also possible a standstill of the container in the detection, since then two images can be recorded at identical recording positions and can be evaluated easier.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Schnittansicht einer Vorrichtung,

Fig. 2

eine schematische dreidimensionale Darstellung der Vorrichtung,

Fig. 3

eine schematische Draufsicht auf die Vorrichtung,

Fig. 4

eine schematische dreidimensionale Darstellung einer Flasche und eines Getränkekastens.

An embodiment of the device according to the invention and the method according to the invention will be explained with reference to the accompanying figures. Showing:

Fig. 1

a schematic sectional view of a device,

Fig. 2

a schematic three-dimensional representation of the device,

Fig. 3

a schematic plan view of the device,

Fig. 4

a schematic three-dimensional representation of a bottle and a beverage box.

In Figs. 1 and 2, a device 1 for detecting bottles 2 in open-top crates 3 is shown. A bottle crate 3 is located on a conveyor belt 13.

Above the path of the bottle crate 3, the device 1 is arranged.

The device 1 comprises a housing 19, which is shown only in FIG. 1 and has been omitted in FIG. 2 for the sake of clarity.

The device 1 comprises a flashlamp 4 in the upper part of the housing, which is surrounded by a reflector 5. The reflector 5 serves to direct the light of the flashlamp 4 substantially in the direction of a Fresnel lens 6.

The flash lamp 4 or the inside of the reflector 5 can in this case be designed so that here diffused light is emitted.

The light emitted by the flashlamp 4 can be largely collimated by a Fresnel lens 6. The Fresnel lens 6 can in this case have a size of up to 80 or 110 cm. It is therefore advantageous not to hang the Fresnel lens 6 unsupported, but to hang it on a suitable base, such as a glass pane 7. So that the Fresnel lens does not become dirty, it is advantageous to lay it down with its corrugated structure, so that a smooth, easy-to-clean surface remains on the upper side. Also, for the optical properties, it is better if the smooth side faces up, since then the spherical aberration is reduced. Therefore, Fresnel lenses are usually made with the orientation required here, so that neither a custom order nor an above protective screen are required. For further light distribution, the Fresnel lens can be supplemented or replaced by a diffuser.

Below the glass pane 7 four vertical reflector surfaces 11 are arranged in the form of a rectangle. These surfaces 11 may be, for example, glass mirrors, metal mirrors, reflective films or the like.

As shown in Fig. 1, a light beam 16 can be directed with the reflective surface 11 on the bottle crate 3. Without the reflecting surface 11, this light would otherwise be lost.

The combination of flash lamp 4, reflector 5, Fresnel lens 6, glass plate 7 and the reflecting surfaces 11 forms a possible embodiment of the first illumination device.

As a second illumination device, a circular ring of LED modules 12 is provided. These modules are each equipped with a plurality of LEDs that can direct light 14 directly to the bottle 2 and the bottle crate 3, namely obliquely from above.

In the middle of the Fesnel lens 6 is a recess 21. Above the recess 21, a camera 8 is arranged with a lens 9. This camera can look vertically from above on the bottle crate 3 within an angle 18 and pick up the entire box at once.

Alternatively, it is also possible that only a number of bottles 2, for example, is received.

Around the lens 9, a light-absorbing material 10 may be arranged, which prevents disturbing reflections.

This may be, for example, a ring of black foam material in which the lens 9 is inserted.

From the perspective of the bottle crate 3, the Fresnel lens 6 is reflected in the lateral reflecting surface 11. The effective size of the light source consisting of the flashlamp 4, the reflector 5 and the Fresnel lens 6 is thus increased by the reflecting surfaces 11.

This makes it possible that even reflections of edge regions of the bottle crate 3 can still be detected with the camera 8.

The LED modules 12 are arranged on a support ring 20. This is shown once again in FIG. 3. The modules 12 may be adjustable in their emission direction in order to obtain optimal illumination. Thus, for example, the emission angle can be varied with respect to the vertical. Preferably, the emission angle is more than 60 ° relative to the vertical in order to achieve a flat light irradiation.

Instead of a circular support ring 20 and an elliptical support ring is possible. This means that the LED modules 12 are not arranged on a circular ring, but on an ellipse.

It is also possible that only the LED modules 12, which are located laterally next to a long side of the reflective surfaces 11, are moved slightly inward compared to a circular ring or an ellipse.

An arrangement on a rectangular frame is conceivable.

It is advantageous if the LED modules 12, i. the second illumination device is arranged so that they do not shadow the light of the first illumination device or only slightly, but not too far away from the position of the container or the container.

The camera 8 and both lighting devices, d. H. Flash lamp 4 and LED modules 12 are controlled by a controller S and indeed as a function of the conveying movement of the crates. 3

In Fig. 4, the reflection and diffuse scattering of the light is explained in more detail. In Fig. 4, a bottle crate 3 and a bottle 2 is shown. The bottle crate 3 has a horizontally-lying surface 25 located at the top (box edge). The bottle 2 has on its upper side an orifice surface 26, which is also horizontal. Light striking the surface 25 or 26 from the first light source along the light beam 27 is reflected to the camera according to the light reflection law. This results in bright reflections of the surfaces 25 and 26 in the camera image.

Light that strikes the side surfaces 24 of the bottle crate 3 or the label 23 is diffused here substantially diffuse.

An embodiment of the method will be explained below.

A bottle crate 3 with bottles 2 is conveyed in the direction of arrow 15 on a conveyor 13 under the device 1, wherein the movement and current position by sensors, not shown, and possibly rotary pulse on the conveyor of the controller S are detected. Then, a flash of light is generated with the flash lamp 4, which is directed with the reflector 5, the Fresnel lens 6 and the reflective surfaces 11 on the bottles 2 and the bottle crate 3. The reflected light on the horizontally-lying surfaces 25 and 26 of the bottles 2 and the bottle crate 3 is received by the camera 8 through the lens. Here, the second illumination device 12 is turned off.

Subsequently, the second illumination device 12 is turned on and the flash lamp 4 is no longer used. Then, under illumination by the second illumination device 12 with the camera 8, a second image is taken. Here, the diffuse features of the horizontally lying surfaces 25 and 26 are detected without disturbing reflections. In addition, diffused light of the bottle body 2, the labels 23 and the bottle crates 3 taken with the camera 8.

It is also possible, in reverse order, first to record the image with the second illumination device and then the image with the first illumination device.

The two images thus obtained are evaluated in an image evaluation device, not shown, to recognize the bottle type. This may, for example, shape and size of the bottle mouth 26, shape and size of the bottle 2, imprint of the labels 23, arrangement of the labels 23, color the labels 23, color of the bottles 2, shape, color and size of the crates 3 etc. include.

It is thus possible to recognize both the containers 2 and the containers 3 and subsequently, e.g. via appropriate signals of the controller S to sort.

It is advantageous if, after the examination with the device 1, an examination with a transmitted-light device, as shown in DE 20 108 131, takes place in order to obtain additional information for the sorting.

Claims (19)

Apparatus for detecting containers and / or containers such as containers in containers, such as bottles in bottle crates with a lighting device and a camera, which are arranged and designed so that light of the illumination device of container and / or container parts reflected and with characterized by a second illumination device (12), which is designed so that the diffuse features of the container and / or container parts previously reflecting upon illumination with the first illumination device undisturbed by reflections from the camera (8, 9) can be recorded. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the first illumination device (4, 5, 6, 7, 11) is arranged and designed such that its light from horizontalliegende surfaces (25, 26) of the container (2) and / or the container (3) is reflected in the camera (8, 9). Device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the second illumination device (12) is arranged and designed so that their light from horizontalliegenden surfaces (25, 26) of the container (2) and / or the container (3) always is reflected past the camera (8, 9). Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the camera (8, 9) can receive the reflected light (28) and the diffused light (30) in the same camera position. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the camera (8, 9) and the first and second illumination means (4, 5, 6, 7, 11, 12) are formed so that successively at least 2 images are taken in which only the first illumination device (4, 5, 6, 7, 11) is illuminated and in the second only the second illumination device (12) is illuminated. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the first illumination device (4, 5, 6, 7, 11) illuminates the containers (2) and / or the containers (3) substantially vertically from above. Device according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the second illumination device (12) illuminates the containers (2) and / or the containers (3) from above at an angle of more than 60 ° to the vertical. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the first and / or second illumination means (4, 5, 6, 7, 11, 12) a flash lamp (4) and / or a fluorescent tube and / or a laser and / or or an LED lamp, which / advantageously additionally comprises a reflector (5) / have. Device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the first illumination device comprises a Fresnel lens (6), with which the light of a light source (4), such as a flashlamp, can be converted into a substantially parallel beam, with which the container (2) and / or the container (3) can be illuminated. Apparatus according to claim 9, characterized in that below the Fresnel lens (6) at least one reflective surface (11) is provided, with the light from the Fresnel lens (6) to the position of the container (2) and / or container (3) is steered during detection. Device according to one of claims 9 or 10, characterized in that in the middle of the Fresnel lens (6) an opening (21) is provided, through which the camera (8, 9) to the position of the container (2) and / or container (3) can look at the detection. Device according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the second illumination device (12) comprises an arrangement of light sources on a circular ring (19) or an ellipse or a rectangle, wherein the circular ring (19) or the ellipse or the rectangle of Seen above the position of the container and / or container (3) encloses the detection and the light sources (12) are arranged above this position. Apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that the diameter of the circular ring (19) corresponds approximately to the largest dimension of the Fresnel lens (6). Device according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that in addition a transmitted light station is provided. A method for detecting containers and / or containers, such as containers in containers, such as bottles in bottle cases in which illuminated with a lighting device container and / or container so that light of the illumination device of container and / or container parts reflected and is recorded with a camera, characterized in that with a second illumination device (12) light on the surfaces (23, 24, 25, 26) of the container (2) and / or the container (3) is directed and that the camera ( 8, 9) receives from these surfaces (23, 24, 25, 26) diffusely scattered light (30) without interference reflections. A method according to claim 15, characterized in that the camera (8, 9) receives two images, wherein once only the first (4, 5, 6, 7, 11) and once only the second illumination device (12) illuminated. A method according to claim 16, characterized in that the camera takes only under illumination of the first illumination device and then under illumination of the second illumination device or vice versa. A method according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that the container (3) is moved, for example by a container conveyor (13), and the two images are taken so that the container (3) has moved between the two receptacles no more than 10 mm, preferably 5 mm and more preferably 1 mm. Method according to one of claims 15 to 18, characterized in that the camera (8, 9) during movement of the container (3) or at a standstill of the container (3) receives.

Images