EP1844865B1 - Electronic marking to sort single objects which are produced and inspected in connected object units - Google Patents

Electronic marking to sort single objects which are produced and inspected in connected object units Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1844865B1
EP1844865B1 EP06007488A EP06007488A EP1844865B1 EP 1844865 B1 EP1844865 B1 EP 1844865B1 EP 06007488 A EP06007488 A EP 06007488A EP 06007488 A EP06007488 A EP 06007488A EP 1844865 B1 EP1844865 B1 EP 1844865B1
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EP
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Prior art keywords
individual
individual objects
inspection
identifier
sorting
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EP06007488A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP1844865A1 (en
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Wolfgang Konstantin Baldauf
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BCS machine vision GmbH
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BCS machine vision GmbH
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Priority to AT06007488T priority Critical patent/ATE439919T1/en
Priority to DE502006004583T priority patent/DE502006004583D1/en
Priority to EP06007488A priority patent/EP1844865B1/en
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    • 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
    • B07C5/00—Sorting according to a characteristic or feature of the articles or material being sorted, e.g. by control effected by devices which detect or measure such characteristic or feature; Sorting by manually actuated devices, e.g. switches

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a method for the automatic inspection and sorting of products made in coherent object assemblies, particularly applicable but not exclusive to multi-use sheets in the printing industry, e.g. Banknotes, stamps, identity cards, batches, check forms and folding cartons, and wherever automatic verification and sorting of such products is required, which are initially grouped together during the manufacturing process and only then separated into several individual products.
  • the inspection is carried out at such points of the manufacturing process, where the specimens are still present in the connected to object associations form, however, the sorting is performed based on the test results determined only after the separation into individual objects. In the simplest case, those individual products which had previously been identified as defective are selectively sorted out.
  • inspection systems are often used to automatically detect and sort out faulty products. They consist of sensors with their associated processing units. This can be electronic cameras with lighting and image processing computers, but also other sensors for the detection of special quality characteristics and physical quantities of the product.
  • the inspection system is attached to the material flow transporters, either directly on the production machines (eg in printing presses) or in separate inspection machines (eg Drudcbogen inspection machines).
  • test object is an object group consisting of several interconnected individual objects, which is later separated into individual objects, and if only individual subobjects are faulty, one does not want to discard the entire object group for cost reasons. Therefore, a method is often used in which the quality inspection is performed only in the sorting system for individual objects, ie only after the separation of the object association into individual objects.
  • the inspection system is located here in the individual object sorting device itself and controls the sorting gates correspond to the test results directly, so must make no mark.
  • checking only in the single-object sorting machine has the following disadvantage.
  • the production takes place in several successive steps on separate machines (for example, production machine ⁇ punching machine ⁇ sorting machine). Between the individual stages of the manufacturing process passes through intermediate storage and transport of the products a lot of time until the separated individual objects get into the sorting device. If the inspection takes place there and there is no automatic error detection on the individual production machines themselves, systematic manufacturing defects often remain undetected for a long time, which entails high costs.
  • the inspection should be carried out as close to the production as possible, preferably directly on the production machines, in order to enable fast, immediate error feedback on the manufacturing process, either automatically or via the operating personnel, by immediately displaying faults optically and acoustically.
  • a rejection of faulty individual objects is not yet possible at this time, as these are still in the object group (eg in a printed sheet) together with maybe error-free neighbor individual objects.
  • printing presses or sheet inspection machines can be ejected only entire object associations (eg banknote sheets) which contain at least one faulty individual object (eg banknote). A rejection of individual faulty individual objects is not possible at this point.
  • the banknotes marked thereby as faulty can be treated in the same way later after the singling as in the above-mentioned manual marking, ie the individual marked banknotes can be automatically ejected after being cut into single notes on the basis of their marking in a banknote sorting machine.
  • Another disadvantage of this previous method is that it does not allow to sort individual objects according to quality categories or other test criteria, since there are only "good” or "bad” and the "bad” marked individual objects by the invalidity mark (reject mark) already have been rendered unusable.
  • the inventive solution consists in a kind of "electronic marking", whereby existing individual identifications (eg serial numbers) or already existing individual features of the individual objects (eg subtle differences in printing and paper structures) are recorded as so-called identifiers or individual identifications (eg serial numbers) the individual objects are attached as identifiers, further the respective inspection information from the inspection is assigned to these identifiers (individual characteristics or labels) stored, further these data packets are transmitted to the individual object sorting device, where after cutting the individual objects based on their identifiers using a sensor be recognized and sorted according to the received associated test data or ejected.
  • identifiers eg serial numbers
  • individual identifications eg serial numbers
  • individual identifications eg serial numbers
  • an essential feature of this method is that the marking does not take place physically on the tested individual object itself, but indirectly in a data record in which each individual object is represented by its identifier.
  • the individual object is either not marked at all or merely carries an individualizing code (for example a serial number, a barcode or 2D code) for later identification without any information from the test result.
  • an individualizing code for example a serial number, a barcode or 2D code
  • an invisible identification code e.g. with UV fluorescent ink or by affixing to the back of products such as Fattschachteln.
  • the advantages of the present invention is that no invalidating markings must be placed on the test piece and that an additional classifying sorting into categories corresponding to the checking results and results of the inspection is possible beyond simply rejecting faulty individual items is made because the test results are not necessarily binary, they can also be provided in detail to the sorter.
  • Another advantage is that it is also possible to attach inspection systems to production machines which do not offer the possibility of discharging faulty object assemblies, for example on printing presses without activatable additional sheet diverter with false-sheet stacker.
  • Fig. 1 shows above as an example as a typical object association (1) a printed sheet consisting of connected individual objects (2) and an unused edge.
  • the lower part of the illustration 1 shows the individual objects (3) after cutting, with the unused edge portions are waste.
  • Identification codes (6, 4) or other individual features (5) may be located both on the unused edge of the object association (1) and on the individual objects (2, 3) themselves, which permit their unambiguous identification.
  • a printing of the test results (7) on the edge of the object group (1) take place, whereby it serves as an information buffer until it is divided into separate individual objects (3).
  • This imprint (7) can contain not only the coordinates of faulty individual objects (2) but also more detailed check information.
  • Fig. 2 shows the principle of this method.
  • object associations (1) eg printed sheets
  • individual objects (2) eg banknote sheets or folding box sheets.
  • These are checked by an inspection and identification system (20) and provided with "electronic marks" (29), for each individual object (2) the test result (27) together with the identifier (28), an individual feature (5) or Identification code (4), electronically stored and transmitted to the sorting electronics (71).
  • the sorting electronics (71) After the object grouping (1) has been divided by a cutting device (60) into separate individual objects (3), these are recognized in the sorting system (70) by means of an identification sensor (73) and by means of the sorting electronics (71) by an electronic mark (29 ) corresponding switch control (72) in the sorting device (80) discharged.
  • Fig. 3 shows the first of six embodiments.
  • the inspection and identification system (20a) is that an individual identification (4) on each individual object (2) of the object association (1) with knowledge of the inspection system (21) or by itself by means of a Einzel Market-Identtechnikscode- Printer (22) (eg inkjet or laser) is attached, such as a serial number or other identification code (eg bar code or 3D code) with visible or invisible ink, such as UV-fluorescent or IR ink.
  • This individual object identifier (4) is applied in such a way that the respective test result (27) of this individual object identifier (4) can be assigned as an identifier (28).
  • the electronic tag (29) consists in this case of the individual identification (4) and the associated test result (27).
  • the separated individual objects (3) enter the sorting system (70). There, a sensor (74) is installed, which reads the applied individual identifications (4) as an identifier (28). In the sorting electronics (71), the check information (27) assigned in the electronic brand (29) is determined and from this the sorting decision for the point control (72) is made.
  • Fig. 4 shows the second of six embodiments.
  • an already existing individual identifier (4) eg a serial number
  • the connected individual object (2) thus already carries the individual marking (4) when passing through the inspection and identification system (20b) because it has already been attached in a preceding production step.
  • the detection of these existing markings (4) is carried out by one or more individual object identification code reader (23).
  • As an identifier (28) this information is then sent to the sorting electronics (71) together with the test result (27) for each individual object (2). transfer. After the cutting and separating device (60), the isolated individual objects (3) enter the sorting system (70).
  • an identification code reader (74) which reads the individual identifiers (4) as an identifier (28).
  • the check information (27) assigned in the electronic brand (29) is determined and from this the sorting decision for the point control (72) is made.
  • Fig. 5 shows the third of six embodiments.
  • another already existing recognizable individual feature (5) of the single object (2) is used as the identifier (28), such as the texture of the paper or microscopic differences in the print image.
  • Each connected individual object (2) thus carries on passing through the inspection and identification system (20c) already an individual feature (5), which is there detected by one or more individual object feature readers (24).
  • As an identifier (28), this information is then transmitted together with the test result (27) for each individual object (2) to the sorting electronics (71).
  • the isolated individual objects (3) enter the sorting system (70).
  • a feature reader (75) which recognizes the individual features (5) as an identifier (28).
  • the check information (27) assigned in the electronic brand (29) is determined and from this the sorting decision for the point control (72) is made.
  • Fig. 6 shows the fourth of six embodiments.
  • the individual objects (2) are initially not individually marked, but the object associations (1) receive an individual identification code (6) with an object association identification code printer (50).
  • an object association identification code printer 50
  • Each object association (1) thus receives an object association identification code (6) printed as individual identification when passing the inspection and identification system (20d), whereby each individual object (2) on this object association (1) together with the coordinates of its position (26) is clearly defined within the object association.
  • This so-called pre-identifier (14) thus consists, for example, of the sheet number together with the row and the column of the individual object within the sheet.
  • a numbering device (40) before the cutting device (60) an individual marking (41) of the objects (eg by printing a serial number on each connected individual object (2)).
  • the separated individual objects (3) enter the sorting system (70).
  • an identification code reader (74) which reads the individual identifiers (4) as identifiers (28).
  • the check information (27) assigned in the electronic brand (29) is determined and from this the sorting decision for the point control (72) is made.
  • Fig. 7 shows the fifth of six embodiments.
  • the object associations (1) already carry object association identification codes (6), but the individual objects (2) are initially not yet individually marked. This means that, for example, already sheet numbers on are printed on the unused margin of the sheet.
  • Each object association (1) thus carries an object association identification code (6) as an individual identification when passing the inspection and identification system (20e), whereby each connected individual object (2) together with its position (26) within the object association (1) unambiguously is defined.
  • This so-called pre-identifier (14) thus consists, for example, of the sheet number together with the row and the column of the individual object within the sheet.
  • Fig. 8 shows the sixth of six embodiments.
  • an identification code (6) and an Errormatrixcode (7) with an inkjet or laser printer (52) is applied to the object association (1).
  • this may be a signature number on the unused margin, along with a code indicating the location of erroneous items (2) describes the object association (1) and, if necessary, the error type.
  • the detailed test result (27) can be assigned to this identifier (28), but does not have to be. In the latter case, only a binary good / bad decision results, the individual objects (2) indexed by the erratrix matrix code (7) are rejected on the basis of their serial number.
  • the electronic tag (29) is stored as a serial number (41, 4) + test result (27) or only as a serial number (41, 4) of defective individual objects and transmitted to the sorting electronics (71).
  • the isolated individual objects (3) enter the sorting system (70).
  • an identification code reader (74) which reads the individual identifiers (4) as an identifier (28).
  • a sorting decision for switch control (72) is made on the basis of the electronic mark (29).
  • the inspection and identification system (20, 20a-f) combines almost the two functions of checking with an inspection system (21) and identifying by attaching or determining an individual item identifier (28).
  • the individual object sorting system (70) consists of a sorting device (80) with points which are controlled (72) by sorting electronics (71).
  • the sorting electronics (71) receives the read individual object identifier (28) from the identification sensor (73), which is either an identification code reader (74) or as a feature sensor (75), in particular likewise image processing units consisting of electronic camera with illumination and image processing computer appropriate evaluation software.
  • the isolated individual objects (3) are correspondingly sorted or rejected on the basis of their identifiers (28) and the associated verification information (27) stored in the electronic tag (29).

Abstract

The method involves referring, linking and storing the inspection results with recognizable individual differences, identificator of an individual object, obtained by the inspection system, where the connected individual object (2) are not provided with invalid markings. The data records transfers as indirect electronic marks to sort electronics of the sorting system. The already transported individual object is recognized due to its identificator by an identification sensor, and are sorted by an activating a signal corresponding to the respective stored test results.

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft ein Verfahren zur automatischen Inspektion und Sortierung von Produkten, die in zusammenhängenden Objektverbänden hergestellt werden, insbesondere anwendbar - aber nicht ausschließlich - in der Druckindustrie auf Bogen mit Mehrfachnutzen wie z.B. Banknoten, Briefmarken, Ausweisen, Losen, Scheckformularen und Faltschachteln, und überall dort, wo eine automatische Überprüfung und Sortierung von solchen Erzeugnissen erfolgen soll, die während des Herstellungsprozesses zunächst in Gruppen verbunden sind und erst danach in mehrere Einzelerzeugnissen zertrennt werden. Dabei erfolgt die Inspektion an solchen Stellen des Herstellungsprozesses, wo die Prüflinge noch in der zu Objektverbänden verbundenen Form vorliegen, jedoch die Sortierung auf Basis der dabei ermittelten Prüfergebnisse erst nach dem Auftrennen in Einzelobjekte durchgeführt wird. Im einfachsten Fall werden dabei selektiv diejenigen Einzelerzeugnisse aussortiert, die zuvor als fehlerhaft erkannt worden waren.The invention relates to a method for the automatic inspection and sorting of products made in coherent object assemblies, particularly applicable but not exclusive to multi-use sheets in the printing industry, e.g. Banknotes, stamps, identity cards, batches, check forms and folding cartons, and wherever automatic verification and sorting of such products is required, which are initially grouped together during the manufacturing process and only then separated into several individual products. The inspection is carried out at such points of the manufacturing process, where the specimens are still present in the connected to object associations form, however, the sorting is performed based on the test results determined only after the separation into individual objects. In the simplest case, those individual products which had previously been identified as defective are selectively sorted out.

In industriellen Fertigungsprozessen werden häufig Inspektionssysteme eingesetzt, um fehlerhafte Produkte automatisch zu erkennen und auszusortieren. Sie bestehen aus Sensoren mit ihren zugehörigen Verarbeitungseinheiten. Das können elektronische Kameras mit Beleuchtung und Bildverarbeitungscomputem sein, aber auch andere Sensoren zur Erfassung von speziellen Qualitätsmerkmalen und physikalischen Meßgrößen des Produkts. Zur Qualitätskontrolle wird das Inspektionssystem an der Transportvorrichtungen des Materialstroms angebracht, entweder direkt an den Produktionsmaschinen (z.B. in Druckmaschinen) oder in separaten Inspektionsmaschinen (z.B. Drudcbogen-Inspektionsmaschinen).In industrial manufacturing processes, inspection systems are often used to automatically detect and sort out faulty products. They consist of sensors with their associated processing units. This can be electronic cameras with lighting and image processing computers, but also other sensors for the detection of special quality characteristics and physical quantities of the product. For quality control, the inspection system is attached to the material flow transporters, either directly on the production machines (eg in printing presses) or in separate inspection machines (eg Drudcbogen inspection machines).

Handelt es sich beim Prüfling um einen Objektverband bestehend aus mehreren miteinander verbundenen Einzelobjekten, der erst später in Einzelobjekte aufgetrennt wird, und sind darin nur einzelne Teilobjekte fehlerhaft, will man aus Kostengründen nicht den ganzen Objektverband wegwerfen. Daher wird häufig ein Verfahren angewendet, bei dem die Qualitätsüberprüfung erst in der Sortieranlage für Einzelobjekte vorgenommen wird, also erst nach dem Zertrennen des Objektverbandes in Einzelobjekte. Das Inspektionssystem befindet sich hierbei in der Einzelobjekt-Sortiereinrichtung selbst und steuert die Sortierweichen entsprechen den Prüfergebnissen direkt an, muß also keine Markierung vornehmen.If the test object is an object group consisting of several interconnected individual objects, which is later separated into individual objects, and if only individual subobjects are faulty, one does not want to discard the entire object group for cost reasons. Therefore, a method is often used in which the quality inspection is performed only in the sorting system for individual objects, ie only after the separation of the object association into individual objects. The inspection system is located here in the individual object sorting device itself and controls the sorting gates correspond to the test results directly, so must make no mark.

Ein Prüfen erst in der Sortiermaschine für Einzelobjekte hat jedoch folgenden Nachteil. Gewöhnlich erfolgt die Produktion in mehreren aufeinanderfolgenden Schritten auf separaten Maschinen (z.B. Herstellungsmaschine → Stanzmaschine → Sortiermaschine). Zwischen den einzelnen Stufen des Herstellungsprozesses vergeht durch Zwischenlagerung und Transport der Produkte viel Zeit bis die separierten Einzelobjekte in die Sortiervorrichtung gelangen. Wenn die Inspektion erst dort stattfindet und es an den einzelnen Produktionsmaschinen selbst keine automatische Fehlererkennung gibt, bleiben systematische Herstellungsfehler oft lange unentdeckt, was mit hohen Kosten verbunden ist.However, checking only in the single-object sorting machine has the following disadvantage. Usually, the production takes place in several successive steps on separate machines (for example, production machine → punching machine → sorting machine). Between the individual stages of the manufacturing process passes through intermediate storage and transport of the products a lot of time until the separated individual objects get into the sorting device. If the inspection takes place there and there is no automatic error detection on the individual production machines themselves, systematic manufacturing defects often remain undetected for a long time, which entails high costs.

Daher sollte die Inspektion möglichst herstellungsnah erfolgen, am besten direkt an den Produktionsmaschinen, um dort eine schnelle unmittelbare Fehlerrückkopplung auf den Herstellungsprozeß zu ermöglichen, entweder automatisch oder über das Bedienpersonal, indem dort Fehler sofort optisch und akustisch angezeigt werden. Ein Ausschleusen von fehlerhaften Einzelobjekten ist zu diesem Zeitpunkt jedoch noch nicht möglich, da diese noch im Objektverband (z.B. in einem Druckbogen) zusammen mit vielleicht fehlerfreien Nachbar-Einzelobjekten vorliegen. So können z.B. an Druckmaschinen oder Bogen-Inspektionsmaschinen nur ganze Objektverbände (z.B. Banknotenbogen) ausgeschleust werden, die mindestens ein fehlerhaftes Einzelobjekt (z.B. Banknote) enthalten. Ein Ausschleusen einzelner fehlerhafter Einzelobjekte ist an dieser Stelle nicht möglich. Daher werden dann häufig die ganzen Bogen ausgesteuert, anschließend arbeits- und zeitaufwendig manuell geprüft und fehlerhafte Einzelobjekte z.B. mit einem dicken schwarzen Strich von Hand markiert. Diese Markierung wird dann später nach dem Schneidevorgang in einer Einzelobjekt-Sortiermaschine von einem Sensor erkannt, eine Weiche wird angesteuert und das fehlerhafte Einzelobjekt ausgeschleust.Therefore, the inspection should be carried out as close to the production as possible, preferably directly on the production machines, in order to enable fast, immediate error feedback on the manufacturing process, either automatically or via the operating personnel, by immediately displaying faults optically and acoustically. A rejection of faulty individual objects is not yet possible at this time, as these are still in the object group (eg in a printed sheet) together with maybe error-free neighbor individual objects. Thus, for example, printing presses or sheet inspection machines can be ejected only entire object associations (eg banknote sheets) which contain at least one faulty individual object (eg banknote). A rejection of individual faulty individual objects is not possible at this point. Therefore, then often the whole sheet is controlled, then labor-and time-consuming manually checked and faulty individual objects, for example, marked with a thick black line by hand. This marking is then detected by a sensor later after the cutting process in a single-object sorting machine, a switch is activated and the defective individual object is rejected.

Aus EP 0612042 B2 ist eine Lösung bekannt, bei der die optische Inspektion (Scanner mit Bildverarbeitungseinheit) bereits in der Druckmaschine oder auf einer nachgeschalteten Bogeninspektionsmaschine durchgeführt wird, wobei die Banknoten (Dokumente) innerhalb der Druckbogen geprüft und im Fehlerfalle mit einem Ungültigkeitsvermerk (reject mark) versehen werden, eine deutlich erkennbare Fehlermarkierung, die auf alle fehlerhaften Einzeldokumente aufgebracht wird. Dazu wird eine Reihe von Inkjet - Druckköpfen (oder ähnliches) über dem Druckbogen angebracht, die entsprechend dem jeweiligen Prüfergebnis angesteuert werden. Die dadurch als fehlerhaft markierten Banknoten können später nach der Vereinzelung genauso behandelt werden wie bei der oben erwähnten manuellen Markierung, d.h. die einzelnen markierten Banknoten können nach dem Schneiden in Einzelnoten aufgrund ihrer Markierung in einer Banknotensortiermaschine automatisch ausgeschleust werden.Out EP 0612042 B2 a solution is known in which the optical inspection (scanner with image processing unit) is already carried out in the printing press or on a downstream sheet inspection machine, wherein the banknotes (documents) are checked within the printed sheets and provided with an invalidation mark (reject mark) in the event of an error, a clearly recognizable bad mark that is applied to all faulty individual documents. For this purpose, a number of inkjet printheads (or the like) are placed over the printed sheet, which are controlled according to the respective test result. The banknotes marked thereby as faulty can be treated in the same way later after the singling as in the above-mentioned manual marking, ie the individual marked banknotes can be automatically ejected after being cut into single notes on the basis of their marking in a banknote sorting machine.

Ein Vorteil dieser Lösung ist es, daß das arbeitsintensive manuelle Markieren fehlerhafter Banknoten entfällt. Ein wesentlicher Merkmal und zugleich ein Nachteil dieser Lösung ist es jedoch, daß das Prüfergebnis und die Markierung ausschließlich ein zweiwertiges "Gut" oder "Schlecht" kennt und daß diese Information durch eine Ungültigkeitsmarkierung (reject mark) auf das Einzelobjekt, die Banknote, aufgebracht wird, wodurch diese unwiderruflich unbrauchbar gemacht wird. Vor allem im Sicherheitsdruck sind aufgrund der besonderen Qualitätsanforderungen und der Produktkomplexität die Rückweisungsraten (rejects) sehr hoch. Häufige Ursache dafür sind die sogenannten "false rejects", also irrtümliche Rückweisungen aufgrund von Pseudofehlem seitens der Inspektionssysteme selbst und nicht aufgrund tatsächlicher Druckfehler. Eine nachgeschaltete manuelle Überprüfung zeigt, daß ein Großteil der zurückgewiesenen, scheinbar fehlerhaften Objekte keine Fehler aufweisen, aber durch die Ungültigkeitsmarkierung unbrauchbar gemacht wurden. Bei höherwertigen Erzeugnissen wie Banknoten kann das einen deutlichen Kostenfaktor darstellen. Daher werden in der Praxis häufig überhaupt keine Einzelnoten-Markierstationen eingesetzt oder bereits vorhandene wieder abgeschaltet.An advantage of this solution is that there is no labor-intensive manual marking of faulty banknotes. An essential feature and at the same time Disadvantage of this solution, however, is that the test result and the mark exclusively a bivalent "good" or "bad" knows and that this information by a mark of invalidity (reject mark) on the individual object, the banknote, is applied, making them irrevocably unusable becomes. Especially in security printing, the rejection rates (rejects) are very high due to the special quality requirements and product complexity. Frequent causes for this are the so-called "false rejects", ie erroneous rejections due to pseudo errors on the part of the inspection systems themselves and not due to actual printing errors. Subsequent manual review reveals that most of the rejected, seemingly erroneous objects have no defects but have been rendered unusable by the invalidation flag. For higher value products such as banknotes, this can be a significant cost factor. Therefore, in practice often no single-note marking stations are used or existing ones are switched off again.

Ein weiterer Nachteil dieses bisherigen Verfahrens ist auch, daß es nicht erlaubt, Einzelobjekte nach Qualitätskategorien oder anderen Prüfkriterien zu sortieren, da es nur "gut" oder "schlecht" gibt und die als "schlecht" markierten Einzelobjekte durch die Ungültigkeitsmarkierung (reject mark) bereits unbrauchbar gemacht worden sind.Another disadvantage of this previous method is that it does not allow to sort individual objects according to quality categories or other test criteria, since there are only "good" or "bad" and the "bad" marked individual objects by the invalidity mark (reject mark) already have been rendered unusable.

Aufgabe der vorliegenden Erfindung ist es, ein Verfahren zur Sortierung von im Objektverband geprüften Einzelobjekten vorzuschlagen, bei welchem keine Markierung der vermeintlich fehlerhaften Einzelobjekte erfolgt und dennoch eine diesen Prüfergebnissen entsprechende Sortierung der vereinzelten Einzelobjekte ermöglicht, sogar nach differenzierten Prüfkriterien.It is the object of the present invention to propose a method for sorting individual objects tested in the object group, in which no marking of the allegedly defective individual objects takes place and nevertheless allows a sorting of the isolated individual objects corresponding to these test results, even after differentiated test criteria.

Die erfinderische Lösung besteht in einer Art "Elektronischem Markieren", wobei bereits vorhandene individuelle Kennzeichnungen (z.B. Seriennummern) oder bereits vorhandene individuelle Merkmale der Einzelobjekte (z.B. feine Unterschiede in Druck- und Papierstrukturen) als sogenannte Identifikatoren erfaßt oder individuelle Kennzeichnungen (z.B. Seriennummern) auf den Einzelobjekten als Identifikatoren angebracht werden, ferner die jeweilige Prüfinformation aus der Inspektion diesen Identifikatoren (individuellen Merkmalen oder Kennzeichnungen) zugeordnet gespeichert wird, ferner diese Datenpakete an die Einzelobjekt-Sortiervorrichtung übertragen werden, wo nach dem Schneiden die Einzelobjekte aufgrund ihrer Identifikatoren mit Hilfe eines Sensors wiedererkannt und entsprechend den empfangenen zugehörigen Prüfdaten sortiert bzw. ausgeschleust werden. Ein wesentliches Merkmal dieses Verfahrens ist es, daß dabei das Markieren nicht physikalisch auf dem geprüften Einzelobjekt selbst erfolgt, sondern indirekt in einem Datensatz, in welchem jedes Einzelobjekt durch seinen Identifikator vertreten ist. Dabei wird das Einzelobjekt im Gegensatz zum Verfahren mit der Ungültigkeitsmarkierung entweder überhaupt nicht markiert oder trägt lediglich einen individualisierenden Code (z.B. eine Seriennummer, einen Barcode oder 2D-Code) zur späteren Identifikation ohne jedwede Information aus dem Prüfergebnis. Viele Produkte tragen bereits eine Seriennummer, oder eine solche soll ohnehin angebracht werden. Man kann auch einen unsichtbaren Identifikationscode verwenden, z.B. mit UV fluoreszierender Tinte oder durch Anbringung auf der Rückseite bei Produkten wie Fattschachteln.The inventive solution consists in a kind of "electronic marking", whereby existing individual identifications (eg serial numbers) or already existing individual features of the individual objects (eg subtle differences in printing and paper structures) are recorded as so-called identifiers or individual identifications (eg serial numbers) the individual objects are attached as identifiers, further the respective inspection information from the inspection is assigned to these identifiers (individual characteristics or labels) stored, further these data packets are transmitted to the individual object sorting device, where after cutting the individual objects based on their identifiers using a sensor be recognized and sorted according to the received associated test data or ejected. An essential feature of this method is that the marking does not take place physically on the tested individual object itself, but indirectly in a data record in which each individual object is represented by its identifier. In contrast to the method with the invalidity mark, the individual object is either not marked at all or merely carries an individualizing code (for example a serial number, a barcode or 2D code) for later identification without any information from the test result. Many products already carry a serial number, or such should be attached anyway. One can also use an invisible identification code, e.g. with UV fluorescent ink or by affixing to the back of products such as Fattschachteln.

Der Vorteile der vorliegenden Erfindung besteht also darin, daß keine entwertenden Ungültigkeitsmarkierungen auf dem Prüfling angebracht werden müssen und daß eine über das bloße Aussondern fehlerhafter Einzelobjekte hinausgehende zusätzliche klassfizierende Sortierung in Kategorien entsprechen den Prüfergebnissen und Resultaten der Inspektion möglich gemacht wird, weil die Prüfergebnisse nicht ausschließlich binär sein müssen, sie können der Sortiervorrichtung auch detailliert zur Verfügung gestellt werden. Ein weiterer Vorteil ist es, daß man auch Inspektionssysteme auf Produktionsmaschinen anbringen kann, die keine Möglichkeit zur Ausschleusung von fehlerhafter Objektverbänden bietet, wie z.B. auf Druckmaschinen ohne ansteuerbarer zusätzlicher Bogenweiche mit Fehlbogenstapler.Thus, the advantages of the present invention is that no invalidating markings must be placed on the test piece and that an additional classifying sorting into categories corresponding to the checking results and results of the inspection is possible beyond simply rejecting faulty individual items is made because the test results are not necessarily binary, they can also be provided in detail to the sorter. Another advantage is that it is also possible to attach inspection systems to production machines which do not offer the possibility of discharging faulty object assemblies, for example on printing presses without activatable additional sheet diverter with false-sheet stacker.

Nachfolgend werden sowohl das Prinzip des Verfahrens als auch grundlegenden Ausführungsformen anhand von Abbildungen beschrieben.Hereinafter, both the principle of the method and basic embodiments will be described with reference to drawings.

Abb. 1 zeigt oben beispielhaft als typischen Objektverband (1) einen Druckbogen bestehend aus verbundenen Einzelobjekten (2) und einem unbenutzten Rand. Der untere Teil der Abbildung 1 zeigt die Einzelobjekte (3) nach dem Zertrennen, wobei die unbenutzten Randteile Abfall sind. Sowohl auf dem unbenutzte Rand des Objektverbandes (1) als auch auf den Einzelobjekten (2,3) selbst können sich identifikationscodes (6,4) oder andere individuelle Merkmale (5) befinden, die ihre eindeutige Identifizierung erlauben. Zusätzlich kann ein Aufdruck der Prüfergebnisse (7) auf den Rand des Objektverbandes (1) erfolgen, wodurch dieser als Informationszwischenspeicher bis zum Zertrennen in getrennte Einzelobjekte (3) dient. Dieser Aufdruck (7) kann neben den Koordinaten fehlerhafter Einzelobjekte (2) auch detailliertere Prüfinformation enthalten. Fig. 1 shows above as an example as a typical object association (1) a printed sheet consisting of connected individual objects (2) and an unused edge. The lower part of the illustration 1 shows the individual objects (3) after cutting, with the unused edge portions are waste. Identification codes (6, 4) or other individual features (5) may be located both on the unused edge of the object association (1) and on the individual objects (2, 3) themselves, which permit their unambiguous identification. In addition, a printing of the test results (7) on the edge of the object group (1) take place, whereby it serves as an information buffer until it is divided into separate individual objects (3). This imprint (7) can contain not only the coordinates of faulty individual objects (2) but also more detailed check information.

Abb. 2 zeigt das Prinzip dieses Verfahrens. In einer Produktionsvorrichtung (z.B. Druckmaschine) werden Objektverbände (1) (z.B. Druckbogen) aus verbundenen Einzelobjekten (2) hergestellt (z.B. Banknotenbogen oder Faltschachtelbogen). Diese werden von einem Inspektions- und Identifikationssystem (20) geprüft und mit "Elektronischen Marken" (29) versehen, indem für jedes Einzelobjekt (2) das Prüfergebnis (27) zusammen mit dem Identifikator (28), einem individuellen Merkmal (5) oder Identifikationscode (4), elektronisch gespeichert und zur Sortieretektronik (71) übertragen wird. Nachdem der Objektverband (1) durch eine Schneidevorrichtung (60) in getrennte Einzelobjekte (3) zerteilt wurde, werden diese im Sortiersystem (70) mittels eines Identifikationssensors (73) wiedererkannt und mit Hilfe der Sortierelektronik (71) durch eine den Elektronischen Marken (29) entsprechende Weichenansteuerung (72) in der Sortiervorrichtung (80) ausgeschleust. Fig. 2 shows the principle of this method. In a production device (eg printing machine) object associations (1) (eg printed sheets) are produced from connected individual objects (2) (eg banknote sheets or folding box sheets). These are checked by an inspection and identification system (20) and provided with "electronic marks" (29), for each individual object (2) the test result (27) together with the identifier (28), an individual feature (5) or Identification code (4), electronically stored and transmitted to the sorting electronics (71). After the object grouping (1) has been divided by a cutting device (60) into separate individual objects (3), these are recognized in the sorting system (70) by means of an identification sensor (73) and by means of the sorting electronics (71) by an electronic mark (29 ) corresponding switch control (72) in the sorting device (80) discharged.

Abb. 3 zeigt die erste von sechs Ausführungsformen. Gemäß dieser ersten Ausführungsform besteht das Inspektions- und ldentifikationssystem (20a) darin, daß eine individuelle Kennzeichnung (4) an jedem Einzelobjekt (2) des Objektverbandes (1) mit Wissen des Inspektionssystems (21) oder von ihm selbst mittels eines Einzelobjekt-Identifikationscode-Druckers (22) (z.B. Inkjet oder Laser) angebracht wird, wie z.B. eine Seriennummer oder ein anderer Identifikationscode (z.B. Barcode oder 3D-Code) mit sichtbarer oder unsichtbarer Tinte, z.B. UV-fluoreszierender oder IR-Tinte. Diese individuelle Objektkennzeichnung (4) wird derart aufgebracht, daß das jeweilige Prüfergebnis (27) dieser individuellen Objektkennzeichnung (4) als Identifikator (28) zuordenbar ist. Die Elektronische Marke (29) besteht in diesem Falle aus der individuellen Kennzeichnung (4) und dem zugeordneten Prüfergebnis (27). Nach der Schneidevorrichtung (60), also nach dem Schneiden oder Stanzen, gelangen die getrennten Einzelobjekte (3) in das Sortiersystem (70). Dort ist ein Sensor (74) installiert, der die aufgebrachten individuellen Kennzeichnungen (4) als Identifikator (28) liest. In der Sortierelektronik (71) wird die in der Elektronischen Marke (29) zugeordnete Prüfinformation (27) ermittelt und daraus die Sortierentscheidung zur Weichenansteuerung (72) getroffen. Fig. 3 shows the first of six embodiments. According to this first embodiment, the inspection and identification system (20a) is that an individual identification (4) on each individual object (2) of the object association (1) with knowledge of the inspection system (21) or by itself by means of a Einzelobjekt-Identifikationscode- Printer (22) (eg inkjet or laser) is attached, such as a serial number or other identification code (eg bar code or 3D code) with visible or invisible ink, such as UV-fluorescent or IR ink. This individual object identifier (4) is applied in such a way that the respective test result (27) of this individual object identifier (4) can be assigned as an identifier (28). The electronic tag (29) consists in this case of the individual identification (4) and the associated test result (27). After the cutting device (60), ie after cutting or punching, the separated individual objects (3) enter the sorting system (70). There, a sensor (74) is installed, which reads the applied individual identifications (4) as an identifier (28). In the sorting electronics (71), the check information (27) assigned in the electronic brand (29) is determined and from this the sorting decision for the point control (72) is made.

Abb. 4 zeigt die zweite von sechs Ausführungsformen. Gemäß dieser zweiten Ausführungsform wird eine bereits vorhandene individuelle Kennzeichnung (4) (z.B. eine Seriennummer) der Einzelobjekte (2) erfaßt und dem Prüfergebnis (27) zugeordnet. Das verbundene Einzelobjekt (2) trägt also beim Passieren des Inspektions- und Identifikationssystems (20b) bereits die individuelle Kennzeichnung (4), weil sie bereits in einem vorangehenden Produktionsschritt angebracht wurde. Die Erfassung dieser vorhandenen Kennzeichnungen (4) erfolgt durch einen oder mehrere Einzelobjekt-Identifikationscode-Leser (23). Als Identifikator (28) wird diese Information dann zusammen mit dem Prüfergebnis (27) für jedes Einzelobjekt (2) an die Sortierelektronik (71) übertragen. Nach der Schneide- und Trennvorrichtung (60) gelangen die vereinzelten Einzelobjekte (3) in das Sortiersystem (70). Dort ist ein Identifikationscode-Leser (74) installiert, der die individuellen Kennzeichnungen (4) als Identifikator (28) liest. In der Sortierelektronik (71) wird die in der Elektronischen Marke (29) zugeordnete Prüfinformation (27) ermittelt und daraus die Sortierentscheidung zur Weichenansteuerung (72) getroffen. Fig. 4 shows the second of six embodiments. According to this second embodiment, an already existing individual identifier (4) (eg a serial number) of the individual objects (2) is detected and assigned to the test result (27). The connected individual object (2) thus already carries the individual marking (4) when passing through the inspection and identification system (20b) because it has already been attached in a preceding production step. The detection of these existing markings (4) is carried out by one or more individual object identification code reader (23). As an identifier (28), this information is then sent to the sorting electronics (71) together with the test result (27) for each individual object (2). transfer. After the cutting and separating device (60), the isolated individual objects (3) enter the sorting system (70). There is installed an identification code reader (74) which reads the individual identifiers (4) as an identifier (28). In the sorting electronics (71), the check information (27) assigned in the electronic brand (29) is determined and from this the sorting decision for the point control (72) is made.

Abb. 5 zeigt die dritte von sechs Ausführungsformen. Gemäß dieser dritten Ausführungsform wird statt einer vorhandenen individuellen Kennzeichnung (4) ein anderes bereits vorhandenes wiedererkennbares individuelles Merkmal (5) des Einzelobjekts (2) als Identifikator (28) verwendet wie z.B. die Struktur des Papiers oder mikroskopisch kleine Unterschiede im Druckbild. Jedes verbundene Einzelobjekt (2) trägt also beim Passieren des Inspektions- und Identifikationssystems (20c) bereits ein individuelles Merkmal (5), welches dort von einem oder mehreren Einzelobjekt-Merkmal-Lesern (24) erfaßt wird. Als Identifikator (28) wird diese Information dann zusammen mit dem Prüfergebnis (27) für jedes Einzelobjekt (2) an die Sortierelektronik (71) übertragen. Nach der Schneide- und Trennvorrichtung (60) gelangen die vereinzelten Einzelobjekte (3) in das Sortiersystem (70). Dort ist ein Merkmal-Leser (75) installiert, der die individuellen Merkmale (5) als Identifikator (28) wiedererkennt. In der Sortierelektronik (71) wird die in der Elektronischen Marke (29) zugeordnete Prüfinformation (27) ermittelt und daraus die Sortierentscheidung zur Weichenansteuerung (72) getroffen. Fig. 5 shows the third of six embodiments. According to this third embodiment, instead of an existing individual identifier (4), another already existing recognizable individual feature (5) of the single object (2) is used as the identifier (28), such as the texture of the paper or microscopic differences in the print image. Each connected individual object (2) thus carries on passing through the inspection and identification system (20c) already an individual feature (5), which is there detected by one or more individual object feature readers (24). As an identifier (28), this information is then transmitted together with the test result (27) for each individual object (2) to the sorting electronics (71). After the cutting and separating device (60), the isolated individual objects (3) enter the sorting system (70). There is installed a feature reader (75) which recognizes the individual features (5) as an identifier (28). In the sorting electronics (71), the check information (27) assigned in the electronic brand (29) is determined and from this the sorting decision for the point control (72) is made.

Abb. 6 zeigt die vierte von sechs Ausführungsformen. Gemäß der vierten Ausführungsform werden zunächst nicht die Einzelobjekte (2) individuell gekennzeichnet, sondern die Objektverbände (1) erhalten mit einem Objektverband-Identifikationscode-Drucker (50) einen individuellen Identifikationscode (6). Dies kann z.B. eine Druckbogennummer auf dem unbenutzten Bogenrand sein. Jeder Objektverband (1) erhält also beim Passieren des Inspektions- und Identifikationssystems (20d) einen Objektverband-Identifikationscode (6) als individuelle Kennzeichnung aufgedruckt, wodurch jedes Einzelobjekt (2) auf diesem Objektverband (1) zusammen mit den Koordinaten seiner Position (26) innerhalb des Objektverbandes eindeutig definiert ist. Dieser sogenannte Prä-Identifikator (14) besteht also z.B. aus der Bogennummer zusammen mit der Reihe und der Spalte des Einzelobjekts innerhalb des Bogens. Das Prüfergebnis (27) wird zunächst diesem Prä-Identifikator (14) zugeordnet (= Bogennummer (6) + Position auf dem Bogen (26) + Prüfergebnis (27)). Im weiteren Produktionsverlauf erfolgt in einer Numeriervorrichtung (40) noch vor der Schneidevorrichtung (60) eine individuelle Kennzeichnung (41) der Objekte (z.B. durch Aufdrucken einer Seriennummer auf jedes verbundene Einzelobjekt (2)). An der Numeriervorrichtung (40) wird somit aus der Information "Bogennummer (6) + Position (26) + Prüfergebnis (27) " die Einzelobjekt-Seriennummer (41) auf dieser Position (26) ermittelt und mit dem Prüfergebnis (27) zusammen als Elektronische Marke (29) gespeichert ( = Seriennummer (41, 4) + Prüfergebnis (27)) und an die Sortierelektronik (71) übertragen. Nach der Schneide- und Trennvorrichtung (60) gelangen die getrennten Einzelobjekte (3) in das Sortiersystem (70). Dort ist ein Identifikationscode-Leser (74) installiert, der die individuellen Kennzeichnungen (4) als Identifikatoren (28) liest. In der Sortierelektronik (71) wird die in der Elektronischen Marke (29) zugeordnete Prüfinformation (27) ermittelt und daraus die Sortierentscheidung zur Weichenansteuerung (72) getroffen. Fig. 6 shows the fourth of six embodiments. According to the fourth embodiment, the individual objects (2) are initially not individually marked, but the object associations (1) receive an individual identification code (6) with an object association identification code printer (50). This can be eg a printed sheet number on the be unused bow edge. Each object association (1) thus receives an object association identification code (6) printed as individual identification when passing the inspection and identification system (20d), whereby each individual object (2) on this object association (1) together with the coordinates of its position (26) is clearly defined within the object association. This so-called pre-identifier (14) thus consists, for example, of the sheet number together with the row and the column of the individual object within the sheet. The test result (27) is first assigned to this pre-identifier (14) (= sheet number (6) + position on the sheet (26) + test result (27)). In the further course of production takes place in a numbering device (40) before the cutting device (60) an individual marking (41) of the objects (eg by printing a serial number on each connected individual object (2)). On the numbering device (40) is thus determined from the information "sheet number (6) + position (26) + test result (27)" the single object serial number (41) on this position (26) and with the test result (27) together as Electronic mark (29) stored (= serial number (41, 4) + test result (27)) and transferred to the sorting electronics (71). After the cutting and separating device (60), the separated individual objects (3) enter the sorting system (70). There is installed an identification code reader (74) which reads the individual identifiers (4) as identifiers (28). In the sorting electronics (71), the check information (27) assigned in the electronic brand (29) is determined and from this the sorting decision for the point control (72) is made.

Abb. 7 zeigt die fünfte von sechs Ausführungsformen. Gemäß der fünften Ausführungsform tragen die Objektverbände (1) bereits Objektverband-Identfikationscodes (6), die Einzelobjekte (2) sind jedoch zunächst noch nicht individuell gekennzeichnet. Das heißt daß z.B. bereits Druckbogennummern auf dem unbenutzten Bogenrand aufgedruckt sind. Jeder Objektverband (1) trägt also beim Passieren des Inspektions- und Identifikationssystems (20e) bereits einen Objektverband-Identifikationscode (6) als individuelle Kennzeichnung, wodurch jedes verbundene Einzelobjekt (2) zusammen mit seiner Position (26) innerhalb des Objektverbandes (1) eindeutig definiert ist. Dieser sogenannte Prä-Identifikator (14) besteht also z.B. aus der Bogennummer zusammen mit der Reihe und der Spalte des Einzelobjekts innerhalb des Bogens. Das Prüfergebnis (27) wird zunächst diesem Prä-Identifikator (14) zugeordnet (= Bogennummer (6) + Position auf dem Bogen (26) + Prüfergebnis (27)). Im weiteren Produktionsverlauf erfolgt in einer Numeriervorrichtung (40) noch vor der Schneidevorrichtung (60) eine individuelle Kennzeichnung (41) der Objekte (z.B. durch Aufdrucken einer Seriennummer auf jedes verbundene Einzelobjekt (2)). An der Numeriervorrichtung (40) wird somit aus der Information "Bogennummer (6) + Position (26) + Prüfergebnis (27) " die Einzelobjekt-Seriennummer (41) auf dieser Position (26) ermittelt und mit dem Prüfergebnis (27) zusammen als Elektronische Marke (29) gespeichert (= Seriennummer (41, 4) + Prüfergebnis (27)) und an die Sortierelektronik (71) übertragen. Nach der Schneide- und Trennvorrichtung (60) gelangen die vereinzelten Einzelobjekte (3) in das Sortiersystem (70). Dort ist ein ldentifikationscode-Leser (74) installiert, der die individuellen Kennzeichnungen (4) als Identifikatoren (28) liest. In der Sortierelektronik (71) wird die in der Elektronischen Marke (29) zugeordnete Prüfinformation (27) ermittelt und daraus die Sortierentscheidung zur Weichenansteuerung (72) getroffen. Fig. 7 shows the fifth of six embodiments. According to the fifth embodiment, the object associations (1) already carry object association identification codes (6), but the individual objects (2) are initially not yet individually marked. This means that, for example, already sheet numbers on are printed on the unused margin of the sheet. Each object association (1) thus carries an object association identification code (6) as an individual identification when passing the inspection and identification system (20e), whereby each connected individual object (2) together with its position (26) within the object association (1) unambiguously is defined. This so-called pre-identifier (14) thus consists, for example, of the sheet number together with the row and the column of the individual object within the sheet. The test result (27) is first assigned to this pre-identifier (14) (= sheet number (6) + position on the sheet (26) + test result (27)). In the further course of production takes place in a numbering device (40) before the cutting device (60) an individual marking (41) of the objects (eg by printing a serial number on each connected individual object (2)). On the numbering device (40) is thus determined from the information "sheet number (6) + position (26) + test result (27)" the single object serial number (41) on this position (26) and with the test result (27) together as Electronic mark (29) stored (= serial number (41, 4) + test result (27)) and transferred to the sorting electronics (71). After the cutting and separating device (60), the isolated individual objects (3) enter the sorting system (70). There is installed an identification code reader (74) which reads the individual identifiers (4) as identifiers (28). In the sorting electronics (71), the check information (27) assigned in the electronic brand (29) is determined and from this the sorting decision for the point control (72) is made.

Abb. 8 zeigt die sechste von sechs Ausführungsformen. Gemäß der sechsten Ausführungsform wird am Objektverband (1) ein Identifikationscode (6) und ein Errormatrixcode (7) mit einem Inkjet- oder Laserdrucker (52) aufgebracht. Dies kann z.B. eine Druckbogennummer auf dem unbenutzten Bogenrand sein zusammen mit einem Code, der die Position fehlerhafter Einzelobjekte (2) auf dem Objektverband (1) und erforderlichenfalls den Fehlertyp beschreibt. Jeder Objektverband (1) oder auch nur jeder fehlerhafte erhält also beim Passieren des Inspektions- und Identifikationssystems (20f) diesen Aufdruck, wodurch sozusagen der Rand des Objektverbandes (1) als Zwischenspeicher für die Prüfergebnisse verwendet wird, bis sie in der Numeriervorrichtung (40) mittels eines Objektverband-Identifikationscode- und Errormatrixcode-Lesers (56) wieder gelesen und den Einzelobjekt-Seriennummem (41, 4) in der Identifikator-Elektronik (18) als ldentifikator (28) zugeordnet werden. Das detaillierte Prüfergebnis (27) kann darin diesem Identifikator (28) zugeordnet werden, muß aber nicht. Im letzteren Falle ergibt sich lediglich eine binäre Gut/Schlecht-Entscheidung, die durch den Errormatrixcode (7) indizierten Einzelobjekte (2) werden aufgrund ihrer Seriennummer ausgeschleust. Die Elektronische Marke (29) wird als Seriennummer (41, 4) + Prüfergebnis (27) oder lediglich als Seriennummer (41, 4) fehlerhafter Einzelobjekte gespeichert und an die Sortierelektronik (71) übertragen. Nach der Schneide- und Trennvorrichtung (60) gelangen die vereinzelten Einzelobjekte (3) in das Sortiersystem (70). Dort ist ein Identifikationscode-Leser (74) installiert, der die individuellen Kennzeichnungen (4) als Identifikator (28) liest. In der Sortierelektronik (71) wird auf Basis der Elektronischen Marke (29) eine Sortierentscheidung zur Weichenansteuerung (72) getroffen. Fig. 8 shows the sixth of six embodiments. According to the sixth embodiment, an identification code (6) and an Errormatrixcode (7) with an inkjet or laser printer (52) is applied to the object association (1). For example, this may be a signature number on the unused margin, along with a code indicating the location of erroneous items (2) describes the object association (1) and, if necessary, the error type. Each object association (1) or even each faulty receives so when passing the inspection and identification system (20f) this imprint, so to speak, the edge of the object association (1) is used as a buffer for the test results until they in the numbering device (40) is read again by means of an object association identification code and erratrix matrix code reader (56) and assigned to the individual object serial number (41, 4) in the identifier electronics (18) as an identifier (28). The detailed test result (27) can be assigned to this identifier (28), but does not have to be. In the latter case, only a binary good / bad decision results, the individual objects (2) indexed by the erratrix matrix code (7) are rejected on the basis of their serial number. The electronic tag (29) is stored as a serial number (41, 4) + test result (27) or only as a serial number (41, 4) of defective individual objects and transmitted to the sorting electronics (71). After the cutting and separating device (60), the isolated individual objects (3) enter the sorting system (70). There is installed an identification code reader (74) which reads the individual identifiers (4) as an identifier (28). In the sorting electronics (71), a sorting decision for switch control (72) is made on the basis of the electronic mark (29).

Das hier beschriebene Verfahren des Elektronischen Markierens besteht in seinen verschiedenen Ausführungsformen also im wesentlichen aus einem zum Materialstrom parallelen elektronischen Datenfluß, bei dem die Markierung nicht physikalisch auf dem Prüfling angebracht wird, sondern indirekt in einem Datenfile erfolgt, in welchem jedes geprüfte Einzelobjekt (2,3) durch einen Identifikator (28) vertreten ist.
Die einzelnen Verfahrensschritte dabei sind:

  • Gewinnung bzw. Anbringung individueller Identifikator (28) an den Einzelobjekten (2) der Objektverbände (1),
  • Zuordnung der Prüfergebnisse (27) eines Inspektionssystems (21) zu diesen Identifikatoren (28) der Einzelobjekte (2),
  • Wiedererkennung der getrennten Einzelobjekte (3) aufgrund ihrer Identifikatoren (28) und Sortierung der Einzelobjekte (3) unter Beachtung der zugeordneten Prüfergebnisse (27) im Sortiersystem (70).
The method of electronic marking described here consists in its various embodiments essentially of an electronic data flow parallel to the material flow, in which the marking is not physically attached to the test object, but indirectly takes place in a data file in which each tested individual object (2, 3) is represented by an identifier (28).
The individual process steps are:
  • Extraction or attachment of individual identifiers (28) to the individual objects (2) of the object associations (1),
  • Assignment of the test results (27) of an inspection system (21) to these identifiers (28) of the individual objects (2),
  • Recognition of the separate individual objects (3) on the basis of their identifiers (28) and sorting of the individual objects (3), taking into account the associated test results (27) in the sorting system (70).

Das Inspektions- und Identifikationssystem (20, 20a-f) fast die beiden Funktionen des Prüfens mit einem Inspektionssystem (21) und des Identifizierens durch die Anbringung oder Ermittlung eines individuellen Einzelobjekt-Identifikators (28) zusammen.The inspection and identification system (20, 20a-f) combines almost the two functions of checking with an inspection system (21) and identifying by attaching or determining an individual item identifier (28).

Beim Inspektionssystem (21) handelt es sich um eine Vorrichtung zur Qualitätsüberwachung von Prüflingen im Produktionsprozeß durch die Erfassung meßbarer physikalischer Größen mit mindestens einem elektronischen Sensor (z.B. einer Kamera) und ihrer Auswertung zur Gewinnung von Prüfergebnissen (27) in einer Auswerteeinheit (z. B. einem Bildverarbeitungscomputer). Prüfergebnisse (27) sind die Ausgangsdaten einer Inspektionseinrichtung. Dies können entweder noch unbewertete Messergebnisse sein, oder bereits aufbereitete Sortierentscheidungen nach einem Vergleich mit Grenz- oder Sollwerten, im einfachsten Fall eine Gut/Schlecht-Entscheidung. Der Prüfling ist hier ein Objektverband (1) als räumlich zusammenhängender Verband aus verbundenen Einzelobjekten (2), z.B. ein Druckbogen bestehend aus mehreren Einzelobjekten (2) wie Banknoten, Ausweisen, Briefmarken, Faltschachtelrohlingen, Kunststoffteilen etc.. Es werden unterschieden:

  • verbundenes Einzelobjekt (2) im Objektverband (1) (z.B. eine Banknote auf einem Banknotenbogen)
  • getrenntes Einzelobjekt (3) nach dem Zertrennen des Objektverbandes (z. B. vereinzelte Banknote)
The inspection system (21) is a device for monitoring the quality of test items in the production process by detecting measurable physical quantities with at least one electronic sensor (eg a camera) and their evaluation for obtaining test results (27) in an evaluation unit (eg an image processing computer). Test results (27) are the initial data of an inspection device. This can be either unevaluated measurement results or already processed sorting decisions after a comparison with limit or setpoint values, in the simplest case one Good / bad decision. The examinee is here an object association (1) as a spatially connected association of connected individual objects (2), eg a printed sheet consisting of several individual objects (2) such as banknotes, identity cards, stamps, folding box blanks, plastic parts, etc. A distinction is made:
  • connected individual object (2) in the object association (1) (eg a banknote on a banknote form)
  • Separate individual object (3) after dividing the object group (eg individual banknote)

Das Identifikationssystem erzeugt einen Einzelobjekt-Identifikator (28), dem das Prüfergebnis (27) zugewiesen wird. Zusammen bilden sie eine elektronische Marke (29). Ein Identifikator (28) stellt eine Information dar, die ein Einzelobjekt (2,3) sowohl im Objektverband als auch vereinzelt eindeutig kennzeichnet. Identifikatoren können sein:

  • Identifikationscodes (4) an den Einzelobjekten (2,3)
  • individuelle Merkmale (5) der Einzelobjekte (2,3)
    Identifikationscodes (4) sind individuelles Kennzeichnungen am Einzelobjekt (2,3) z.B. Seriennummern, Barcodes oder 3D-Codes. Individuelle Merkmale am Einzelobjekt (2) können alle physikalisch meßbaren Größen sein, in denen es sich von anderen Objektindividuen unterscheiden (z.B. mikroskopisch kleine, sichtbare Unterschiede in der Papierstruktur oder im Druckbild). Die Unterschiede in der Papierstruktur sind vor allem im Durchlicht und durch Schattenwurf im Schräglicht mit elektronischen Kameras erfaßbar. Sensoren für Identifikationscodes (23, 51, 55, 56) und Merkmale (24) müssen nicht durch getrennten Sensoren verkörpert sein, diese Funktionen können auch im Inspektionssystem (21) integriert sein.
The identification system generates a single object identifier (28) to which the test result (27) is assigned. Together they form an electronic brand (29). An identifier (28) represents information that uniquely identifies a single object (2, 3) both in the object association and in individual cases. Identifiers can be:
  • Identification codes (4) on the individual objects (2,3)
  • individual features (5) of the individual objects (2,3)
    Identification codes (4) are individual identifications on the individual object (2, 3), eg serial numbers, barcodes or 3D codes. Individual features on the individual object (2) can be all physically measurable variables in which they differ from other object individuals (eg microscopically small, visible differences in the paper structure or in the printed image). The differences in the paper structure are detectable especially in transmitted light and shadows in the oblique with electronic cameras. Sensors for identification codes (23, 51, 55, 56) and features (24) need not be embodied by separate sensors, these functions may also be integrated in the inspection system (21).

Gibt es im Prozeßverlauf zwischen der Inspektion (21) und dem Schneiden (60) in getrennte Einzelobjekte (3) noch einen zusätzlichen Schritt des Numerierens (40) der verbundenen Einzelobjekte (2), so kann als Ersatz für den Identifikator (28) zunächst ein Prä-ldentifikator (14) bestehend aus Objektverbandskennung (6) und der Position (26) treten, der nach der Individualisierung der Einzelobjekte (2) in der Numeriervorrichtung (40) durch die Einzelobjekt-Seriennummer (4) ersetzt wird. Ein Prä-Identifikator (14) ist eine Information, die ein Einzelobjekt (2) im einem Objektverband eindeutig kennzeichnet, nicht jedoch als vereinzeltes Einzelobjekt (3). Prä-Identifikatoren können sein:

  • Identifikationscodes (6) an den Objektverbänden (1) zusammen mit den Positionen (26) der Teilobjekte (2) innerhalb der Objektverbände (1) (z.B. Bogennummer + Koordinaten des Einzelobjekts im Bogen)
  • individuelle Merkmale der Objektverbände (1) zusammen mit den Positionen der Teilobjekte (2) innerhalb der Objektverbände (1) (z.B. Papierstruktur an bestimmten Stellen der Bogen + Koordinaten des Einzelobjekts im Bogen)
If there is an additional step of numbering (40) the connected individual objects (2) in the course of the process between the inspection (21) and the cutting (60) into separate individual objects (3), a substitute for the identifier (28) can first be Pre-ldentifikator (14) consisting of object association identifier (6) and the position (26) occur, which is replaced by the individual object serial number (4) after the individualization of the individual objects (2) in the numbering device (40). A pre-identifier (14) is information which uniquely identifies a single object (2) in an object association, but not as a singulated individual object (3). Pre-identifiers can be:
  • Identification codes (6) on the object associations (1) together with the positions (26) of the subobjects (2) within the object associations (1) (eg arc number + coordinates of the individual object in the arc)
  • individual features of the object groups (1) together with the positions of the sub-objects (2) within the object groups (1) (eg paper structure at specific points of the arc + coordinates of the individual object in the arc)

Das Einzelobjekt-Sortiersystem (70) besteht aus einer Sortiervorrichtung (80) mit Weichen, die von einer Sortierelektronik (71) angesteuert (72) werden. Die Sortierelektronik (71) erhält den gelesenen Einzelobjekt-Identifikator (28) aus dem Identifikationssensor (73), der entweder ein Identifikationscode-Leser (74) oder als Merkmalssensor (75) ist, insbesondere ebenfalls Bildverarbeitungseinheiten bestehend aus elektronischer Kamera mit Beleuchtung und Bildverarbeitungsrechner mit entsprechender Auswertesoftware. Die vereinzelten Einzelobjekte (3) werden aufgrund ihrer Identifikatoren (28) und der in der elektronischen Marke (29) gespeicherten zugehörigen Prüfinformation (27) entsprechend sortiert bzw. ausgeschleust.The individual object sorting system (70) consists of a sorting device (80) with points which are controlled (72) by sorting electronics (71). The sorting electronics (71) receives the read individual object identifier (28) from the identification sensor (73), which is either an identification code reader (74) or as a feature sensor (75), in particular likewise image processing units consisting of electronic camera with illumination and image processing computer appropriate evaluation software. The isolated individual objects (3) are correspondingly sorted or rejected on the basis of their identifiers (28) and the associated verification information (27) stored in the electronic tag (29).

Claims (10)

  1. Method of inspecting, marking and sorting individual objects (2, 3) which are manufactured in coherent object units (1), automatically inspected already in this state and automatically sorted in a sorting device only after they have been separated into singularised individual objects (3) on the basis of the previously obtained inspection results, to be used in particular in the printing industry for multiple-purpose sheets, such as bank notes, stamps, identity cards, lottery tickets, cheque forms and folding boxes, characterized in that the connected individual objects (2) are not provided with reject marks, but that the inspection results (27) obtained by the inspection system are linked to recognisable individual differences of the individual objects, designated as identifiers (28), and stored, and that these data records are transmitted to the sorting electronics (71) of the sorting system (70) as indirect electronic marks (29), where by means of an identification sensor (73) the passing singularised individual objects (3) are recognised on the basis of their identifiers (28) and are sorted by a drive (72) of at least one separator corresponding to the associated stored inspection results (27).
  2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that individual identification codes (4) are applied to the connected individual objects (2) by means of print heads (22), and that these identifiers (28, 4) are recognised by means of a reading sensor (74) at the singularised individual objects (3).
  3. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that individual identification codes (4) already existing on the connected individual objects (2) are read by means of reading sensors (23), and these identifiers (28, 4) are recognised at the separated individual objects (3) by means of a reading sensor (74).
  4. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that individual features (5) of the connected individual objects (2) are obtained by means of feature sensors (24) and these identifiers (28, 5) are recognised at the separated individual objects (3) by means of a feature sensor (75).
  5. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that an individual designation (6) is printed onto the edge of the object unit by means of an object unit identification code printer (50), and that the inspection result is first associated to a pre-identifier (14) which consists of this object bond designation (6) and the position (26) of the connected individual object (2) within the object unit (1), and characterized in that the pre-identifier (14) is replaced, upstream of the cutting device (60), by an individual object identification code (41, 4) as identifier (28) applied in a numbering device (40).
  6. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that an object unit identification code reader (51) reads an already existing individual designation (6) at the edge of the object unit, and that the inspection result (27) is first associated to a pre-identifier (14) consisting of this object unit designation (6) and the position (26) of the connected individual object (2) within the object unit (1), and characterized in that the pre-identifier (14) is replaced, upstream of the cutting device (60), by an individual object identification code (41, 4) as identifier (28) in a numbering device (40).
  7. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the association of the inspection results (27) to the connected individual objects (2) is first stored by storing the positions (26) of the faulty individual objects (2) within the object unit (1) at the not used edge of the object unit (1) by means of a print head (52), and that these information (7) are read by a sensor (56) upstream of the cutting device (60), and that by means of the printed serial numbers (41) electronic marks (29) are generated from the individual object numbering device (40), the marks consisting of the inspection result (27) and the individual object identification code (41, 4) as identifiers (28).
  8. Method according to claim 7, characterized in that the imprint at the edge of the sheet additionally contains inspection results.
  9. Method according to claim 1 - 8, wherein the inspection system (20, 21) warns the user optically and/or acoustically in case of any faults.
  10. Method according to claim 1 - 9, wherein the inspection result of the inspection system (20, 21) is fed back to the upstream production device to correspondingly readjust the same.
EP06007488A 2006-04-10 2006-04-10 Electronic marking to sort single objects which are produced and inspected in connected object units Not-in-force EP1844865B1 (en)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AT06007488T ATE439919T1 (en) 2006-04-10 2006-04-10 ELECTRONIC MARKING FOR SORTING INDIVIDUAL OBJECTS MANUFACTURED AND TESTED IN OBJECT ASSOCIATIONS
DE502006004583T DE502006004583D1 (en) 2006-04-10 2006-04-10 Electronic marking for sorting of individual objects produced and tested in object associations
EP06007488A EP1844865B1 (en) 2006-04-10 2006-04-10 Electronic marking to sort single objects which are produced and inspected in connected object units

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP06007488A EP1844865B1 (en) 2006-04-10 2006-04-10 Electronic marking to sort single objects which are produced and inspected in connected object units

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EP1844865A1 EP1844865A1 (en) 2007-10-17
EP1844865B1 true EP1844865B1 (en) 2009-08-19

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AT (1) ATE439919T1 (en)
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DE102019122578A1 (en) * 2019-08-22 2021-02-25 Plock Metallwerke GmbH & Co. KG Process for checking, marking and sorting individual objects
DE202019005909U1 (en) 2019-08-22 2023-03-28 Plock Metallwerke GmbH & Co. KG Arrangement for checking, marking and sorting of individual objects

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EP2107506A1 (en) 2008-04-02 2009-10-07 BCS machine vision GmbH Method for identifying uniform objects in production lines without codes
DE102009016289A1 (en) 2009-01-02 2010-07-15 Singulus Technologies Ag Object e.g. square-shaped wafer, identifying method for tracking object in production process, involves detecting unique, characteristic, optical features of object, and storing detected features as indicator of object
EP2414111A1 (en) * 2009-04-03 2012-02-08 Singulus Technologies AG Method and device for identifying object and for tracking objects in a production process
AT508159B1 (en) * 2009-06-05 2010-11-15 Starlinger & Co Gmbh ERROR DETECTION SET
DE102012023391A1 (en) * 2012-11-30 2014-06-05 Heidelberger Druckmaschinen Ag Method for quality control of printed product e.g. paper, involves ejecting identification of bad print image and printing printed image and individual coding in front of paper/foil web for performing image inspection
DE102019110853B4 (en) * 2019-04-26 2022-05-12 Koenig & Bauer Ag Sheet processing machine and method for inspecting at least one remaining part of at least one sheet that has been processed by a shaping device
DE102019110854A1 (en) * 2019-04-26 2020-10-29 Koenig & Bauer Ag Method for inspecting at least one sheet and devices for inspecting at least one sheet
DE102021114252A1 (en) 2021-06-02 2022-12-08 Koenig & Bauer Ag Process for ejecting and/or removing faulty panels

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US4992649A (en) * 1988-09-30 1991-02-12 United States Postal Service Remote video scanning automated sorting system
FR2841673B1 (en) * 2002-06-26 2004-12-03 Solystic TIMING OF POSTAL OBJECTS BY IMAGE SIGNATURE AND ASSOCIATED SORTING MACHINE

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102019122578A1 (en) * 2019-08-22 2021-02-25 Plock Metallwerke GmbH & Co. KG Process for checking, marking and sorting individual objects
DE202019005909U1 (en) 2019-08-22 2023-03-28 Plock Metallwerke GmbH & Co. KG Arrangement for checking, marking and sorting of individual objects
DE102019122578B4 (en) 2019-08-22 2023-08-17 Plock Metallwerke GmbH & Co. KG Procedure for checking, marking and sorting of individual objects

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