EP2301877B1 - Optical control method for quality assurance in print finishing - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an optical control method for quality evaluation in the print finishing according to the preamble of claim 1 and an apparatus for performing the method according to the preamble of claim 13.

Optical control methods for counting and detecting flexible, flat products, in particular printed products such as newspapers, magazines, brochures, advertising supplements, display sheets or parts thereof, in the print finishing are basically known.

From the WO 2008119192 the applicant is a device for counting and detecting of sheet products, in particular of printed products known. The device has a light source, an optical sensor and an evaluation unit connected to the optical sensor. The light source, in a preferred embodiment, a laser, has a beam shaping optics, for example in the form of optical lenses, in particular of cylindrical lenses, of apertures or diffractive optical elements, through which the emitted light, a predetermined illumination beam profile "imprinted" is. Within the illumination beam profile objects are irradiated with light. The light source can be assigned an optical axis via the beam shaping optics, which extends straight from the light source in space. This optical axis forms in the sense of WO2008119192 at the same time a central beam axis of the illumination beam profile and is referred to in the publication as the illumination beam axis.

The optical sensor, in a preferred embodiment for example an electronic camera with a plurality of photosensitive elements, is equipped with a detection optical system for forming a detection beam profile. As detection optics, for example, a camera lens is used. The detection beam profile includes all the locations from which the optical sensor can detect light. When using an optical sensor having a plurality of photosensitive elements, as in the aforementioned camera, the detection beam profile of the optical sensor is composed of the individual detection beam profiles associated with each individual photosensitive element. For example, the detection beam profile of the optical sensor could be visualized by replacing the photosensitive elements with small light sources. In analogy to the light source, an optical axis can also be assigned to the optical sensor via the detection optics. This optical axis forms in the sense of WO2008119192 simultaneously a central beam axis of the detection beam profile and is also referred to as detection beam axis.

In this case, the illumination beam profile and the detection beam profile are aligned at an angle to one another in such a way that they overlap in a detection area. In a preferred embodiment, the illumination beam axis and the detection beam axis are even in one plane. For counting the sheet-like products, at least a portion of the surface profile of the sheet-like products must be in the detection area. This section is according to the invention at least partially limited by the illumination beam profile and detectable by means of the optical sensor. The optical sensor may generate a detection signal with information about the detected portion of the surface profile. The detection signal is forwarded to a downstream evaluation unit. The evaluation unit, preferably a computer, can use the detection signal to determine the number of areal products which were located in the detection area at the time of detection.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the apparatus for counting and detecting sheet-like products is assigned a transport device. The sheet-like products moved through the detection area along a transport direction with the aid of the transport device are preferably continuously counted in order, for example, to check their completeness. The illumination beam axis is preferably aligned inclined relative to the surface normal of, for example, resting on a conveyor belt or transported by means of brackets or grippers flat products. The illumination beam profile in the detection area is preferably formed by means of the beam shaping optics as a substantially rectilinear region, in particular as a so-called illumination line, which illuminates the section of the surface profile of the planar products in a defined manner. Preferably, the illumination line extends substantially parallel to the transport direction. Immediately above the sheet-like products, with its detection beam axis slightly inclined to the surface normal and aligned substantially perpendicular to the transport direction, there is a camera as an optical sensor. The detection beam profile is formed by the detection optics such that an image of the light line projected onto the surface of the planar products by the light source is generated on the photosensitive elements of the camera.

Due to the height differences caused by the thickness and the arrangement of the sheet-like products in the "surface profile to be scanned", in particular when an edge region of a flat product is in the detection region, an image recorded by the camera is projected from the illumination line projected onto this uneven "projection surface" whose bends and heels reflect. This image information is forwarded in the detection signal to an electrically connected computer. A computer-executable image processing program can then determine from the image of the projected illumination line on the basis of the curvatures and paragraphs the number of planar products that have been in the detection area. So the picture information As little as possible are affected by motion artifacts due to the transport of the sheet-like products during image acquisition, the recording or detection time is short compared to the time within which a flat product has moved by the amount of its thickness. The number of surface products located in the detection area is determined solely from the detected surface profile of the sheet-like products. It is not necessary to attach identification information to the sheet products. Due to the relative to the ambient light comparatively high intensity of the light generated by the light source in the illumination beam profile, in particular within the illumination line in the detection area, there is sufficient contrast in the image recordings, so that a reliable identification of the illuminated surface profile is guaranteed. In addition, when using a substantially monochromatic light source, such as a laser, the optical sensor may be provided with corresponding filter elements to further reduce the interference of ambient light.

In the WO 2008119192 it is described as particularly preferred to assign the device for counting and detecting sheet products a transport device. The sheet-like products moved through the detection area along a transport direction with the aid of the transport device are preferably continuously counted in order, for example, to check their completeness. The illumination beam axis is preferably aligned inclined relative to the surface normal of, for example, resting on a conveyor belt or transported by means of brackets or grippers flat products. The illumination beam profile in the detection area is preferably formed by means of the beam shaping optics as a substantially rectilinear region, in particular as a so-called illumination line, which illuminates the section of the surface profile of the planar products in a defined manner. Preferably, the illumination line extends substantially parallel to the transport direction. Immediately above the sheet products, with its detection beam axis slightly inclined to the surface normal and aligned substantially perpendicular to the transport direction, is located a camera as an optical sensor. The detection beam profile is formed by the detection optics such that an image of the light line projected onto the surface of the planar products by the light source is generated on the photosensitive elements of the camera.

In the prior art according to the WO 2008119192 In addition, it is described that due to the height differences caused by the thickness and the arrangement of the flat products in the "surface profile to be scanned", especially when an edge region of a flat product is in the detection region, an image taken by the camera is uneven ". Projection surface "projected lighting line whose curvatures and paragraphs is reproduced. This image information is forwarded in the detection signal to an electrically connected computer. A computer-executable image processing program can then determine from the image of the projected illumination line on the basis of the curvatures and paragraphs the number of planar products that have been in the detection area. So that the image information is influenced as little as possible by motion artifacts due to the transport of the sheet-like products during image acquisition, the recording or detection time is short compared to the time within which a flat product has moved by the amount of its thickness. The number of surface products located in the detection area is determined solely from the detected surface profile of the sheet-like products. It is not necessary to attach identification information to the sheet products. Due to the relative to the ambient light comparatively high intensity of the light generated by the light source in the illumination beam profile, in particular within the illumination line in the detection area, there is sufficient contrast in the image recordings, so that a reliable identification of the illuminated surface profile is guaranteed. In addition, when using a substantially monochromatic light source, such as a laser, the optical sensor may be provided with corresponding filter elements to further reduce the interference of ambient light.

From the DE102007001989 a device for detecting double prints in a separator of postal, overlapping, flowing objects is described. In this case, a light projector arranged laterally to the letter mail projects at least one light line transversely to a potential overlapping area of the letters, and a camera positioned laterally to the letters and positioned obliquely to the light projector takes a picture of the projected light line and its displacements (or curvatures, size changes or more generally geometrical Deviations from a reference line shown in double-deduction items). With a computer which is connected via an image memory to the camera and has a module for comparison between the ascertained differences in height at gap-free edges of the overlap area and predetermined height values of double-extractable objects will be made in a manner not further described under comparison, whether flowing Items under suspicion of a double deduction from the flow must be discharged.

The EP 2 030 924 A1 discloses a device for controlling the position and / or at least one dimension of printed products transported flat in a flow. The device has a conveying device for transporting the printed products. A sensor connected to a controller projects a light curtain onto the printed product (light rays). The light rays of the light curtain fall partially on a reflector, these light rays are reflected by the reflector back to the sensor. The sensor is directed to a freestanding flat side and / or a side edge of the printed products so the position of the corresponding edge of the printed product can be detected.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for quality assessment in post-press, which makes it possible to recognize and assess various quality defects; The process should be simplified not only in terms of the required hardware performance, but it should also be increased its operational reliability and its operating speed.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a device for quality assessment in postpress, to make it possible to detect a variety of quality defects, it is simple and therefore inexpensive in terms of the required hardware performance, but at the same time is very robust in terms of operational reliability.

A solution to the problem underlying the invention is specified in claim 1. Features which advantageously further develop the method according to the invention are the subject matter of dependent claims 2 to 12.

1. a. ein Führen eines flächigen Produkts, zum Beispiel eines Druckprodukts, einer Produktgruppe oder eines Produktstroms entlang einer Förderstrecke an mindestens einem optischen Sensor vorbei;
2. b. ein Beaufschlagen des flächigen Produkts, der Produktgruppe oder des Produktstroms mit mindestens einem Strahlprofil zum Erzeugen eines durch eine Lichtlinie definierten Linienprofils;
3. c. ein Erfassen eines elektronischen Bildes durch den optischen Sensor, wobei das elektronische Bild mindestens einen Bereich des Produkts, der Produktgruppe oder des Produktstroms mit mindestens einem Teil des durch die Lichtlinie definierten Linienprofils umfasst;
4. d. ein Ermitteln von mindestens einem Produktkennzeichen aus dem elektronischen Bild basierend auf dem durch die Lichtlinie definierten Linienprofil;
5. e. ein Generieren mindestens einer Messinformation basierend auf dem mindestens einen Produktkennzeichen; und
6. f. ein Erzeugen mindestens eines Signals basierend auf der mindestens einen Messinformation.

It is essential to the invention in the optical control method for use in the print finishing that it comprises at least the following steps:

1. a. guiding a planar product, for example a printed product, a product group or a product stream, past at least one optical sensor along a conveying path;
2. b. applying the planar product, the product group or the product stream with at least one beam profile for generating a line profile defined by a light line;
3. c. acquiring an electronic image by the optical sensor, the electronic image comprising at least a portion of the product, the product group, or the product stream having at least a portion of the line profile defined by the light line;
4. d. determining at least one product identifier from the electronic image based on the line profile defined by the light line;
5. e. generating at least one measurement information based on the at least one product identifier; and
6. f. generating at least one signal based on the at least one measurement information.

The method according to the present invention makes it possible to generate measurement information based on the product identifier determined from the electronic image. This measurement information is again the objective basis for the quality assessment. It not only allows to determine the number of products present in a given area, but - as described in detail below - to make a real quality assessment.

The term line profile should be understood in the context of the present application, on the one hand surface profiles, as already in the WO 2008/119192 by the applicant, in which the curvatures and steps of the illumination line projected on the uneven "projection surface" of the product streams are reproduced. In the present application, the term line profile also includes intensity profiles which are caused by differences in the reflection and / or absorption behavior of the surfaces illuminated by the light line, regardless of whether these surfaces are plane or uneven "projection surfaces". In addition, in the present application, the term line profile also includes profiles in which changes in the light line are caused by scattering or diffraction of the preferably monochromatic light, in particular at product edges.

The new control method is characterized in that determining the at least one product identifier comprises determining position information of at least one product edge point (also referred to below as an edge point for short); and that generating the measurement information is based on the position information of the at least one edge point. The product identifier is preferably a position indication which indicates the position of a product relative to a conveyor or relative to other products, a size indication which gives information about the format, width, height or length of a printed product or a group of printed products, or a presence statement that allows the presence of a product or a product group to be determined.

The term edge point in the context of the present application is not narrow, ie in the sense of a point of a spatially significantly offset product edge understood, but under the term edge point also fall such edges as they with minimal height difference, for example by stickers on the printed products or be defined by staples. The edge points influence the line profile defined by the light line in such a way that they can be easily and quickly recognized and evaluated in the electronic image.

Preferably, in the new control method, at least two line profiles defined by light lines are generated with spatial position known to each other, and based on the at least two line profiles defined by the light lines, position information of at least one edge point per light line is determined for each at least one product.

Based on the product edge points, an orientation and / or a position of the product is determined; and generating the measurement information based on the orientation and / or location of the product.

According to advantageous embodiments of the control method according to the invention, the at least two line profiles defined by light lines are generated essentially along a longitudinal axis of the conveying path, respectively parallel to the conveying direction, and the orientation and / or position of the products, product stacks or product groups to be controlled is determined with respect to the longitudinal axis. Such linear situations can be found in print finishing, for example in straight sections of product scale streams, Straight sections of conveyor lines of staple or rapier conveyors, straight belt conveyors, single-pass belts and the like.

However, a particular advantage of the method according to the invention lies in the fact that the quality control can be carried out very simply and with high precision, even in non-linear situations. Thus, the quality of product flows, for example of scale flows, in curves in the plane or in the room, of products in processing drums or on windings can be well monitored, since the method according to the invention and the device according to the invention hardly any restrictions with respect to the spatial orientation of the products to be monitored make necessary. The inventive method can also be used advantageously for quality control, if the products to be controlled are transported and / or processed in bags or conveyor drums.

Depending on the type of fault that is to be determined, it is indicated that light lines are not or not only parallel to a conveying direction, or substantially along or parallel to a longitudinal axis of the conveying path, but exclusively or additionally to produce transversely thereto. One or more line profiles are thereby generated substantially along or parallel to a transverse axis of the conveyor line. This is preferably when the orientation and / or position of the product with respect to the transverse axis is determined.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following discussion of the line profile and, in particular, the role of the edge points, that the method and apparatus provide users with a high degree of variation in the arrangement of the lines of light on the products, product groups and / or product streams to be controlled. The lines of light can be aligned, for example, depending on the spatial conditions in the processing plant or on the expected types of errors in any other angular positions to the longitudinal and / or transverse axes of the products or the conveying directions.

Thus, for example, the same four edge points, for example the centers of the side edges, on the four edges of a square product can be defined by two intersecting light lines along the longitudinal and transverse axes or by two parallel light lines each at an angle of 45 ° to the longitudinal direction. and transverse axis. The same four edge points can also be generated by four light lines. 0b these four light lines, according to this example, generated by a single light source or multiple light sources does not matter. It is advantageous to have a light line generated only by a light source to avoid blurring by inaccurately adjusted light sources. Through the use of lenses, filters, other beam-shaping devices and above all by mirrors, the generated beam profiles can be changed and / or redirected so that more than one light source can be generated at different positions in desired lengths with desired sharpness with only one radiation source ,

With regard to advantageous arrangements of light source and detection optics to each other and to the products to be controlled, that is with respect to illumination beam and detection beam axis, is to the above statements to WO 2008119192 be referred, which can be basically transferred to the present invention.

The lines of light, in cooperation with the exposed surfaces of the products to be controlled and possibly also in interaction with surfaces of essential means of transport, generate very high-contrast line profiles from which electronic images are recorded. The electronic image, which is preferably detected by means of a digital camera, comprises at least one region of the printed product, the product group or the product stream with at least a part of the line profile defined by the light line.

Hereinafter, for the sake of simplicity, the electronic image of the line profile generated by the light line on the illuminated surface will be referred to as the light line. It is readily possible for a person skilled in the art to recognize from the context whether the light lines described are the light lines actually projected on products or the electronically detected, stored, processed, etc. virtual light lines.

1. a. ein Bestimmen der mindestens einen Lichtlinie im elektronischen Bild;
2. b. ein Bestimmen eines Kurvenverlaufs der Lichtlinie; und
3. c. ein Ermitteln einer Positionsangabe mindestens eines Produktkantenpunkts aus dem Kurvenverlauf der Lichtlinie.

In the inventive control method, determining the at least one product identifier comprises at least the following steps:

1. a. determining the at least one light line in the electronic image;
2. b. determining a curve of the light line; and
3. c. determining a position specification of at least one product edge point from the curve of the light line.

Under the course of the curve in the context of the present invention is not only the course of the line, respectively the line profile in the X and Y direction in the electronic image, but also the course of the intensity, respectively the width of the line in the electronic image as well as the presence or absence understood the line. A significant advantage of the present invention is that the relevant product edge points are assigned position information. These positionally determined edge points not only make it possible to make quantitative statements about the presence or the number of controlled products, but also to determine a whole series of qualitative and quantitative parameters such as position, width, height, thickness, length etc. of the products.

1. a. eine Rauschunterdrückung im elektronischen Bild;
2. b. ein Hervorheben der Lichtlinie durch ein Optimalfilter;
3. c. ein Detektieren der Lichtlinie im elektronischen Bild basierend auf Helligkeitswerten;
4. d. ein Füllen von vorhandenen Lücken in der Lichtlinie; und
5. e. ein Glätten von detektionsbedingten Knicken/Artefakten in der Lichtlinie.

The determination of the light line in the electronic image comprises according to preferred embodiments the following steps:

1. a. a noise reduction in the electronic picture;
2. b. highlighting the light line through a matched filter;
3. c. detecting the light line in the electronic image based on brightness values;
4. d. a filling of existing gaps in the light line; and
5. e. a smoothing of detection-related kinks / artifacts in the light line.

In order to suppress the so-called fixed pattern noise of the camera, the difference between an actually recorded input image and a dark image taken with the lens covered by the camera is preferably calculated and used to correct the recorded input image.

Before determining the curve of the light line according to preferred embodiments, the electronic image is rotated to a desired position to simplify the subsequent analysis and calculation steps, especially any comparison steps.

It has also proved to be advantageous to further process only one or more sections from the captured electronic image. The cutouts are chosen so that they only include the areas of the light line with the changes to be detected, respectively edge points. This ensures that the light line does not disturb the parts of the background or heavily reflecting metal parts of the conveyor system. Such bright spots in the electronic image could otherwise be mistaken for belonging to the line. With so-called cropping, the section of the electronic image that is processed further is limited by the position. Preferably For example, four pixels (y _min , y _max , x _min , x _max ) define a rectangular image section that can be arbitrarily specified or selected.

Since even after suppressing the Fixpattern noise disturbing noise is left in the electronic image, which can complicate the detection of the line in the image from a certain intensity, the noise reduction, respectively highlighting the recorded light line is preferably a matched filter or optimal filter in the essentially follows the shape of the expected light line and its width, and the noise is more suppressed with increasing distance from a center pixel line of this expected line.

The actual detection of the light line is carried out according to a first embodiment by determining the pixel with the maximum brightness values of each image line and the assignment of this pixel to the line if its brightness value exceeds a predetermined threshold. This method, which now generates a one-pixel-wide virtual light line, is particularly useful for detecting changes in the line profile that are due to directional changes and / or breakages when filling existing gaps in the line.

Especially in areas where light is lost, because the products to be controlled, respectively areas of it are in an unfavorable, for example flat angle to the camera and the laser, it can happen that the maximum brightness value of individual lines becomes too small and thus the Line is interrupted at these points. The resulting gaps are filled in by interpolating linearly between the points at the edge of the gap, that is, between points of adjacent image lines recognized as line points. In this case, a maximum gap size, for example, over the number of image lines without a pixel with a maximum brightness value above the predetermined threshold value is preferably predefined. If the gap size exceeds this maximum value, then it will not be filled up.

Since the maximum of a line, that is to say the pixel with the maximum brightness value of a picture line, as the position of the line does not very precisely characterize the light line in many cases, there may be kinks in the line which can make it difficult to determine the actual course of the line they are similar, such as "kinks" by product edges, for example, in the transition between two products. For this reason, the position of the line is preferably approximated to the actual position. The algorithm used must allow the kinks to pass through the product edges / transitions, but smoothen false kinks.

In order to detect changes in the line profile which are based on changes in width and / or intensity, it is advantageous, according to certain embodiments, not to fill the gaps. A gap in the line, for example, corresponds to a region with low reflection and thus represents no error in the line, but the actually desired information dar. For example, to be checked whether a sticker with reflective surface on the front page of a newspaper glued to the correct position is, so the predetermined threshold for the assignment of the pixels to the light line can be set so high that it is only achieved by the points of the light line, which lie in the region of the highly reflective surface of the sticker. The beginning and end of the detected light line in this case correspond to the two edge points of the sticker.

According to preferred embodiments of the new method, based on the electronic image of the light line processed as described above, in a further step at least a first derivative of the light line is calculated, then the zero crossings of the derivative of the light line, and thus the direction changes of the light line are determined.

Since the derived signal can be very noisy, it is preferably additionally filtered with a low-pass filter. (eg FIR filter, window method, Hamming window). As such FIR filter inserts a shift of (number of coefficients -1) / 2, the filtered signal is corrected accordingly.

A second derivative can be calculated, in which the filtered first derivative is derived again. If one considers the number of zero crossings of the second derivative (inflection points) which occur after the maximum of the first derivative, this number can be a measure of whether the analyzed image region contains no, one, two or more product edges.

Based on the number of zero crossings of a first derivative of the light line, the maximum value of the first derivative, the number of zero crossings of a second derivative of the light line, which occur after the maximum value of the first derivative, and the amount of an angle of a change in direction of the light line can thus be determined if and how many edge points are present. The inventive further information about the position of the edge points is assigned to each of these. The position information is pinpoint coded as y- and x-value, or blurred, for example, over four position values (for example: y1, y1 + n, x1, x1 + m) which covers a range of (for example (1 + n) x (1 + m)) define pixels. This range may even match the crop after cropping.

The control method according to the invention makes it possible, by means of the generated measurement information, to determine an edge number which, for example, corresponds to a product number, based on features of the curve shape of the light line.

1. a) eine Lageinformation mindestens einer Druckproduktkante;
2. b) eine Längeninformation mindestens eines Druckprodukts;
3. c) eine Breiteninformation mindestens eines Druckprodukts;
4. d) eine Höheninformation mindestens eines Druckprodukts;
5. e) eine Lageinformation einer Heftklammer;
6. f) eine Lageinformation mindestens zweier Druckproduktkanten desselben oder unterschiedlicher Druckprodukte; und
7. g) Anzahl von Druckprodukten innerhalb eines definierten Bereichs der Förderstrecke.

Examples of measurement information generated by the control method according to the invention are summarized in the following - not exhaustive - list. You can generate individual or combinations of measurements from the following group:

1. a) a position information of at least one printed product edge;
2. b) length information of at least one printed product;
3. c) a width information of at least one printed product;
4. d) height information of at least one printed product;
5. e) a position information of a staple;
6. f) a position information of at least two printed product edges of the same or different printed products; and
7. g) Number of printed products within a defined range of the conveyor line.

The measurement information is generated as possible in real time, preferably within a work cycle time.

1. a. Projektionsmittel zum Generieren mindestens eines Strahlprofils und zum Beaufschlagen eines flächigen Druckprodukts, einer Produktgruppe oder eines Produktstroms, welche entlang einer Förderstrecke geführt werden, mit dem mindestens einen Strahlprofil zum Erzeugen eines durch eine Lichtlinie definierten Linienprofils;
2. b. mindestens einen optischen Sensor, vorzugsweise eine Digitalkamera, zum Erfassen eines elektronischen Bildes des Druckereiprodukts, der Produktgruppe oder des Produktstroms, welche entlang der Förderstrecke am optischen Sensor vorbeigeführt werden, wobei das elektronische Bild mindestens einen Bereich des Druckprodukts, der Produktgruppe oder des Produktstroms mit mindestens einem Teil des durch die Lichtlinie definierten Linienprofils umfasst; und
3. c. eine Bildverarbeitungseinheit, welche eingerichtet ist, basierend auf dem durch die Lichtlinie definierten Linienprofil aus dem elektronischen Bild mindestens ein Produktkennzeichen zu ermitteln, basierend auf dem mindestens einen Produktkennzeichen eine Messinformation zu generieren, und basierend auf der Messinformation mindestens ein Signal zu erzeugen, das an eine übergeordnete Systemsteuerung weitergegeben werden kann.

An apparatus for carrying out the optical control method according to the present invention comprises:

1. a. Projection means for generating at least one beam profile and for applying a flat printed product, a product group or a product stream, which are guided along a conveying path, with the at least one beam profile for generating a defined by a light line line profile;
2. b. at least one optical sensor, preferably a digital camera, for capturing an electronic image of the printed product, the product group or the product stream, which are passed along the conveying path on the optical sensor, wherein the electronic image at least a portion of the printed product, the product group or the product stream with at least a part of the line profile defined by the light line comprises; and
3. c. an image processing unit which is set up to determine at least one product identifier based on the line profile defined by the light line from the electronic image, to generate measurement information based on the at least one product identifier, and to generate at least one signal based on the measurement information higher-level control panel can be passed.

As already from the W02008119192 It is known that substantially monochromatic light sources, for example lasers, are used to generate the lines of light. Accordingly, the cameras used for image acquisition can be provided with filter elements to make the inventive system even less susceptible to interference. When monitoring processing plants in which the products are conveyed and processed in a strictly fixed cycle, preferably pulsed lasers are used, which are clocked synchronously to the product clock. With non-clocked systems or product streams, the lasers can be clocked in known manner via light barriers or other clocks. This increases the service life of the lasers and at the same time reduces energy consumption.

Analogous to using pulsed light sources, the optical sensor can also be clocked.

In order to further reduce the energy consumption and also the costs for the systems according to the invention, the laser lines produced are kept as short as possible. To illuminate the relevant product edges, short laser lines of a few centimeters in length are often sufficient. Since misplacements can also be detected on the basis of the absence of edge points, it is not absolutely necessary to illuminate the entire area within which an edge point could lie, for example, in the case of an incorrectly positioned product. In extreme cases, it is only necessary to illuminate the tolerance range within which an edge point must lie with a correct product position, product size, etc. By means of suitable filters and / or additional lenses and / or mirror devices, multiple lines of light can be generated at different positions by means of a single laser.

The light energy, for example the laser energy, is preferably distributed homogeneously over the line profile to be generated. This makes it possible to keep the number of image processing steps as low as possible, since changes in the line profile directly attributable to the edge points to be detected can be attributed to a per se homogeneous brightness distribution. It should be mentioned again that changes in the line profile should be understood as meaning changes of direction and / or interruptions as well as changes in width and / or intensity.

The optical sensor is preferably arranged with an oblique to the beam axis of the projection means extending optical axis away from the products to be controlled when surface profiles are to be detected. To capture intensity profiles, the two axes can be aligned parallel to each other and at a small distance.

In certain embodiments of the invention, more than one projection means and / or more than one optical sensor are used. Thus, for example, it has proved to be advantageous to use different views of the products and / or product areas to be monitored, which can not be viewed simultaneously by a camera, by two Capture cameras. Alternatively, according to the Swiss application CH (number not yet known) with the same title " Optical Control Method for Quality Assessment in Postpress "of 23 September 2009 Mirrors are used. By means of the mirrors, for example, the front and back of a product group can be acted on simultaneously with a beam profile and a mirror beam profile, and the areas thus exposed can be simultaneously detected by means of mirrors from a single camera.

The image processing unit is set up such that the at least one product identifier can be determined by determining position information of at least one product edge point, and the measurement information can be generated based on the position information of the at least one product edge point.

The projection means are preferably set up in such a way that at least two line profiles defined by light lines are generated with spatial position known to each other and the image processing unit is set up to determine position information from at least one product edge point based on the at least two line profiles defined by the light lines.

The image processing unit is configured to determine the at least one product identifier by determining the light line in the electronic image, determining a curve shape of the light line and determining a position specification of a product edge point from the curve of the light line.

Devices have proved to be advantageous in which the image processing unit is set up in such a way that the curve of the light line is rotated by rotation of the electronic image into a desired position, calculation of at least one derivative of the light line, calculation of Zero crossings of the derivative of the light line, and determination of changes in direction of the light line to determine. In addition, it is advantageous to set up the image processing unit in such a way that the measurement information can be generated by determining a product number based on features of the curve of the light line, wherein the characteristics of the curve comprise at least one of: number of zero crossings of a first derivative of the light line, maximum value of the first derivative, Number of zero crossings of a second derivative of the light line occurring after the maximum value of the first derivative, and magnitude of an angle of change of direction of the light line.

If several lines of light, as already briefly described above, are generated by means of triangulation via mirrors, this has the advantage that these lines of light are absolutely time-synchronized in the case of pulsed light sources.

1. a) die Qualitätskontrolle eines Schuppenstroms, bei der nicht nur die Anzahl der Produkte, sondern die Lage der Produkte zueinander und die Lage der Produkte im Schuppenstrom und die Lage der Produkte relativ zum Fördermittel kontrolliert werden kann;
2. b) die Qualitätskontrolle von einem oder mehreren Produkten in Klammern, bei der nicht nur die Anzahl der Produkte, sondern die Lage der Produkte zueinander und die Lage der Produkte in der Klammer und die Lage der Produkte relativ zur Klammer kontrolliert werden kann;
3. c) die Kontrolle der Position und Ausrichtung von Produkten in Stapeln zueinander und/oder relativ zu einem Fördermittel;
4. d) die Kontrolle der Position und Ausrichtung von flächigen Gegenständen, d.h. insbesondere von Teilprodukten oder "Add-Ons" wie aufgeklebten Postkarten, Werbeklebern, Adressklebern, Produktmustern, Musterbeuteln, Datenträgern wie CD-Roms oder DVDs, Booklets etc. auf Druckprodukten;
5. e) die Bestimmung und Kontrolle von Produktmassen um falsche Gegenstände, Teilprodukte oder "Add-Ons" zu identifizieren;
6. f) die Kontrolle der Anwesenheit und/oder Position von Heftklammern;
7. g) die Kontrolle der Abstände zwischen Druckprodukten, wobei der Abstand dabei auch kleiner als Null sein kann; und
8. h) die Kontrolle auf gebrochene Heftklammern oder nicht korrekt umgebogener freier Enden der Heftklammern.

The fields of application of the devices and methods according to the invention include, but are not limited to:

1. (a) the quality control of a shingled stream in which not only the number of products but the position of the products and the position of the products in the shingled stream and the position of the products relative to the grain can be controlled;
2. (b) the quality control of one or more products in brackets, which not only controls the number of products but also the position of the products and the position of the products in the parenthesis and the position of the products relative to the parenthesis;
3. c) the control of the position and orientation of products in stacks relative to each other and / or relative to a conveyor;
4. d) the control of the position and orientation of flat objects, ie in particular of partial products or "add-ons" such as pasted postcards, advertising adhesives, adhesive stickers, product samples, sample bags, data carriers such as CD-ROMs or DVDs, booklets, etc. on printed products;
5. e) identify the identification and control of product masses to identify wrong items, partial products or add-ons;
6. f) checking the presence and / or position of staples;
7. g) the control of the distances between printed products, wherein the distance can also be less than zero; and
8. h) checking for broken staples or improperly folded free ends of the staples.

Fig. 1

in perspektivischer Darstellung eine erfindungsgemässe Vorrichtung zur Quali- tätsbeurteilung mit Druckprodukten, die jeweils Paarweise in Klammern einer Fördereinrichtung gehalten sind;

Fig. 2

in perspektivischer Darstellung eine weitere Ausführungsform einer erfindungs- gemässe Vorrichtung zur Qualitätsbeurteilung mit Druckprodukten, die im Schuppenstrom auf einer Fördereinrichtung gefördert werden;

Fig. 3

in perspektivischer Darstellung eine schematisierte Ansicht von Produkten im Schuppenstrom gemäss Figur, die mit drei Lichtlinien beaufschlagt sind auf wel- chen die zu ermittelnden Kantenpunkte markiert sind;

Fig. 4

in perspektivischer Darstellung eine stark schematisierte Ansicht eines mit ei- nem Aufkleber versehenen Druckproduktes, das mit drei Lichtlinien beauf- schlagt ist auf welchen die zu ermittelnden Kantenpunkte markiert sind;

Fig. 5a-d

jeweils ein von der Kamera aufgenommenes Bild einer Lichtlinie im Bereich der relevanten Kantenpunkte gemäss Figur 3;

Fig. 5e

ein aus den Bildern gemäss Fig. 5a-d zusammengesetztes Bild;

Fig. 6a-c

in perspektivischer Darstellung zwei versetzt zueinander angeordnete geheftete Druckprodukte beaufschlagt mit jeweils drei Lichtlinien;

Fig. 7a-c

jeweils ein von der Kamera aufgenommenes Bild der Lichtlinien im Bereich der relevanten Kantenpunkte gemäss Figur 6c;

Fig. 7d

ein aus den Bildern gemäss Fig. 7a-c zusammengesetztes Bild;

Fig. 8a-c

jeweils ein von der Kamera aufgenommenes Bild der Lichtlinien im Bereich der relevanten Kantenpunkte gemäss Figur 6b;

Fig. 8d

ein aus den Bildern gemäss Fig. 7a-c zusammengesetztes Bild;

Fig. 9

in perspektivischer Darstellung eine schematisierte Ansicht eines Stapels aus drei Druckprodukten, der mit vier Lichtlinien beaufschlagt ist, auf welchen die zu ermittelnden Kantenpunkte markiert sind;

Fig. 10a

der Produktstapel gemäss Figur 9, bei dem die Produkte in korrekter Ausrich- tung zueinander angeordnet sind;

Fig. 10b

Produktstapel gemäss Figur 9, bei dem sich das oberste Produkt in einer fehler- haften Lage befindet;

Fig. 10c

Produktstapel gemäss Figur 9, bei dem sich das oberste Produkt in einer weite- ren fehlerhaften Lage befindet;

Fig. 10d

Produktstapel gemäss Figur 9, bei dem sich das mittlere Produkt in einer fehler- haften Lage befindet;

Fig. 11

in perspektivischer Darstellung eine weitere Fehlersituation zur Kontrolle mit einer erfindungsgemässe Vorrichtung bei der Druckprodukte, die im Schuppen- strom auf einer Fördereinrichtung gefördert werden, fehlerhafte Abstände auf- weisen;

Fig. 12a

in perspektivischer Darstellung eine teilweise Ansicht von einer inkorrekten Pro- duktzusammenstellung bestehend aus drei Druckprodukten, die mit drei Lichtli- nien beaufschlagt sind, wobei das Fördermittel weggelassen ist; und

Fig. 12b

ein von zusammengesetztes Bild der Lichtlinien im Bereich der relevanten Kan- tenpunkte einer Produktzusammenstellung gemäss Fig. 12a.

The invention will be described in more detail below with reference to the examples shown in the figures. Showing:

Fig. 1

a perspective view of an inventive device for quality assessment with printed products, which are held in pairs in brackets of a conveyor;

Fig. 2

a perspective view of another embodiment of an inventive device for quality assessment with printed products, which are conveyed in the scale flow on a conveyor;

Fig. 3

in a perspective view a schematic view of products in the scale flow according to the figure, which are acted upon by three lines of light on which the edge points to be determined are marked;

Fig. 4

a perspective view of a highly schematic view of a printed product provided with a sticker, which is acted upon by three light lines on which the edge points to be determined are marked;

Fig. 5a-d

in each case an image taken by the camera of a light line in the region of the relevant edge points in accordance with FIG. 3 ;

Fig. 5e

one from the pictures according to Fig. 5a-d composite picture;

Fig. 6a-c

in perspective view, two staggered printed products arranged offset from one another act on three light lines in each case;

Fig. 7a-c

in each case an image of the light lines in the region of the relevant edge points recorded by the camera FIG. 6c ;

Fig. 7d

one from the pictures according to Fig. 7a-c composite picture;

Fig. 8a-c

in each case an image of the light lines in the region of the relevant edge points recorded by the camera FIG. 6b ;

Fig. 8d

one from the pictures according to Fig. 7a-c composite picture;

Fig. 9

a perspective view of a schematic view of a stack of three printed products, which is acted upon by four lines of light on which the edge points to be determined are marked;

Fig. 10a

the product stack according to FIG. 9 in which the products are correctly aligned with each other;

Fig. 10b

Product stack according to FIG. 9 in which the top product is in a faulty position;

Fig. 10c

Product stack according to FIG. 9 where the top product is in another faulty position;

Fig. 10d

Product stack according to FIG. 9 in which the middle product is in a faulty position;

Fig. 11

a perspective view of another error situation for checking with a device according to the invention in the printed products, which are conveyed in the scale flow on a conveyor, have erroneous distances;

Fig. 12a

a perspective view of a partial view of an incorrect product combination consisting of three printed products, which are acted upon by three light lines, wherein the conveying means is omitted; and

Fig. 12b

a composite image of the light lines in the area of the relevant edge points of a product combination according to Fig. 12a ,

In the embodiment, as in the FIG. 1 is shown, the quality of the product flow is determined and controlled by printed in brackets K printed products 101, 102. Of the conveyor, only the brackets K are indicated, each holding two folded printed products 101, 102 in the region of the folded edge 110. In order to make better use of the capacity of the conveyor, in the example shown two products each 101, 102 promoted by a bracket K. The products 101, 102 are arranged offset from one another, so that the leading in the conveying direction F product 101 each further into the bracket K projects as the trailing in the conveying direction F product 102. In the example shown, all products 101, 102 are correct in the brackets K. aligned. When passing through the device 1 according to the invention, in each case a pair of printed products 101, 102 are subjected to four laser lines 2, 3, 4, 5, which are generated by at least one laser 10. Two of the laser lines 2, 3 are aligned on the printed products parallel to their side edges 111 and in the conveying direction F and extend at least over the regions of the front folded edge 110. Two of the laser lines 4, 5 extend transversely to the conveying direction and run approximately parallel to the folded edge 110 For energetic reasons it is advantageous to keep the laser lines as short as possible and to use pulsed lasers as already described above. In order to clarify the principle of the admission with several laser lines these are in the FIGS. 1 to 4 and 9 and 10 each drawn longer than they are generated in actual operation. An electronic camera 20 detects all laser lines in the detection area.

In the FIG. 1 is arranged laterally to the flow of a laser light barrier 50, which generates by means of the detection of the brackets K, a trigger signal for the timing of the inventive device and the method.

In the FIG. 2 is a further possible use of the inventive device 1 'in the quality control of a conveyed on a conveyor belt B Schuppenstroms shown in the print finishing. Laser 10 'and camera 20' are offset from each other by a spatial angle α arranged above the scale flow. The laser 10 'generates three laser lines 2, 3, 4. Two of the lines 2, 3 run parallel to the conveying direction F spaced from each other via at least one, preferably two directly successive printed products 103, 104. The third laser line 4 is at right angles to approximately parallel to the folded edge 110 of the leading 103 of these two printed products. In the FIG. 3 are strongly schematized three printed products 101, 102, 103 from a scale flow, for example according to FIG. 2 shown in the control device. The elements of the device are all omitted, only the generated on the surface of the printed products in the scale flow line profiles in the form of laser lines 2, 3 and 4 are shown. In the example shown, the position of the first product 101 in the conveying direction F is checked. For this purpose, four edge points P1, P2, P3 and P4 are determined on the printed product 101. On the basis of the position of the two edge points P1 and P2 which are generated with the aid of the two laser lines 2 and 3 on the leading edge product 110, it can be determined whether this leading edge product 110 is aligned correctly in relation to the conveying axis. If only the two edge points P1 and P2 were determined, it would not be possible to determine whether the product 101 projects laterally out of the scale flow transversely to the conveying direction. Therefore, in the example shown, the edge points P3 and P4 lying on the side edges 112 and 111 are also determined. As a result, it can be clearly determined whether the respectively controlled product is correctly aligned in the scale flow.

The FIGS. 5a to 5d schematically show the electronic image sections in the area of the four generated edge points P1 to P4 from the FIG. 3 , The light lines shown in the image sections are already detected, filtered, smoothed and the gaps are filled. In the FIG. 5a the light line is shown in the area of the edge point P1. Accordingly, the show Figures 5b, 5c and 5d the light lines from the areas of the edge points P2, P3 and P4. In the FIG. 5e are the individual electronic images, respectively the illustrated light lines, rotated by a fixed predetermined value in a respective desired position and the sake of clarity side by side shown in a composite image. Guides are indicated by dashed lines, which actually do not have to be generated in the image, but are needed here to explain the rotation to the desired position. The rotation in a desired position makes it easier to highlight the lines, which is preferably done by means of the already described optimal filter or matched filter. To adjust the adjustments of the filter To keep the actual curve low and to limit the filter used, for example, on a filter for vertical structures, the light lines were aligned in the example shown approximately based on the intended position of the product edges. Since the laser lines intersect the product edges in each case approximately at right angles, but by the angular position of the camera, the light lines are imaged in the electronic image but in other angular positions, offers a rotation in a desired position in which substantial portions of the light lines to be analyzed are perpendicular. When rotating the images, it must be noted that the position values of the individual points on the lines must be tracked in order to ensure the exact position determination of the determined edge points.

In the illustrated embodiment, two typical forms of changes in the line profile are shown. The detected edge lines of the leading product edge 110, which in FIGS. 5a and 5b and in the FIG. 5e are shown left hand, have significant changes in direction. The edge line of the camera rear view product side edge 111, which in FIG. 5c and in the FIG. 5e is shown to the right of the center, has a significant interruption. The edge line of the camera-view-front product side edge 112, which in FIG. 5d and in the FIG. 5e shown on the right, again has significant changes in direction. On the basis of changes in direction and interruptions, the respective edge points can be determined with exact position and any deviations from predefined setpoints can trigger corresponding control signals or error messages.

In the FIGS. 6a to 6c are in fragmentary form each two offset from each other stapled printed products 105, 106 shown as they are transported, for example, in a staple conveyor. The printed product pairs 105, 106 are each subjected to three lines of light in the form of laser lines 6, 7, 8. The printed products 105, 106 are in the folding area 113, 114, each with three brackets 31, 32, 33 and 34, 35, 36 stapled. The three laser lines 6, 7, 8 are approximately at right angles to the top folding edges 113, 114 aligned approximately parallel to each other, that they illuminate the fold areas 113, 114 respectively in the staples 31, 34 or 32, 35 or 33, 36. In the FIG. 6a two correctly stapled products 105, 106 are shown. In the FIG. 6b the middle staple 32 is missing from the product 105 ', indicating the failure of a stapler. For the product 105 "according to the FIG. 6c the staple 32 is not correctly in the fold area, but shifted in the direction of downward, attached, which may be caused for example by a misalignment of a stapler.

From the FIG. 7 shows that to control the product quality, ie the stapling according to the examples of FIG. 6 , now changes in the line profile are considered, which are based on width and / or intensity changes. Since the used metal wire staples strongly reflect the laser light, they cause a local thickening of the light line in the electronic image. In the case of the correctly stapled products 105, 106, the electronic images of the detected lines of light 31, 32, 33 would all be approximately identical to those of Figs FIGS. 7a and 7c appear. The correct position for all staples can be verified by the position of the edge points, which are clearly visible in the images as thickening of the light lines. To explain the control result in case of error are in the FIGS. 7a to 7c but in fact the images to the light lines 31, 32, 33 for the correctly stapled product 106 and the product 105 "with the mispositioned clip 32 according to FIG. 6c shown. From the FIG. 7b It can already be seen by the naked eye that the thickening of the line of light in the region of the clamp 32 is not at the same position as in the case of the correct stapling points FIGS. 7a and 7c , The combination of the figures according to FIG. 7d supported by a line grid makes the extent of the deviation particularly clear. The incorrectly positioned edge point can be clearly identified and a corresponding error signal generated, which allows the operator to immediately correct the wrong stapling position.

In the FIG. 8b For example, the electronic image of the light line 32 is in the region of the defective stapling position 32 on product 105 ' FIG. 6b shown. For the product 105 ', no changes in the line profile are detected based on a change in width and / or intensity, which would lead to the generation of a corresponding edge point. On the basis of the three light lines, as in the overview according to the FIG. 8d can be clearly determined that and which edge point is missing, which means that a staple is missing.

The absence of all edge points could be seen as a lack of all brackets, but could also be caused by a massive misplacement of the products in the bracket or the complete absence of the products. However, the present invention makes it extremely easy to distinguish between such errors. If, in addition to the changes in the line profile, the changes based on changes in width and / or intensity are also recorded and evaluated in the line profile based on changes in direction and / or interruptions, it can be clearly determined whether only one or more parentheses are missing or if the product position is correct whether products are actually missing or incorrectly positioned in or on the means of transport.

In the FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a schematic view of a stack 100 of three printed products 107, 108, 109 sketched with different formats, as for example, in the print finishing of various newspaper supplements collected and transported on conveyor belts. The product stack 100 is loaded with four lines of light 11, 12, 13, 14, which are aligned in pairs spaced from each other at right angles to the product side edges. The lines of light are positioned so that each side edge of a product is illuminated by two lines of light. For each product 107, 108, 109 correspondingly 8 edge points can be detected, which allows a complete and unambiguous control of the product positions relative to each other and on an unillustrated conveyor.

In the FIG. 10a is again the product stack 100 with the three correctly aligned printed products 107, 108, 109 according to the FIG. 9 shown. In the FIGS. 10b-10d examples of faulty stacks are shown. In the FIG. 10b If the top product 109 is stored twisted, so that all associated edge points have incorrect positions. The control unit recognizes that all products are present, but that the top product is not aligned correctly. It is also recognized from the position of the detected edge points that the misaligned small-sized product 109 does not project beyond the edges of the bottommost product 107, which has the largest format, on either side. By generating a corresponding signal, a higher-level control system can be informed and decide whether the misposition leads to the departure of the product stack or can be tolerated for the further processing steps. Would the stack according to FIG. 10b subsequently welded in foil for shipment, the misalignment of the uppermost product 109 would be readily tolerable.

A faulty stack according to the FIG. 10c On the other hand, it would not be possible to supply it to a device for shrink-wrapping in foil, since it would be feared that the above-mentioned product 109 would make the welding process impossible. The misalignment, as shown for the uppermost product, can not be recognized from the edge points P5 - P8 lying on the longitudinal edges of the product, since the illustrated lateral displacement along the conveying direction F has no influence on the position of the detected and calculated edge points P5 - P8 has. The misalignment is not recognized until at least one of the edge points P9 - P12 is considered. The faulty stack 100 'can be eliminated based on the error message that is generated by the control method according to the invention or brought into a further processable state by a correction of the position of the uppermost product.

In the FIG. 10d is a faulty position of the middle product 108 in the stack 100 "shown., It can be according to the present invention again by a lack of the corresponding Edge points or the wrong position of the edge points to the product 109 easily recognize, so that the faulty stack 100 "can be post-processed or eliminated.

In order to use less hardware performance for quality control, a targeted selection of the edge points to be determined can be made. For example, only one edge point per product edge can be determined, which further reduces the demands on computing power and signal processing.

Similar to the quality of collected products in product stacks, the quality of gluing operations can also be monitored according to the present invention. In the FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a highly schematic view of a provided with a sticker 40 printed product 107 is shown. The printed product 107 and the sticker are loaded with three light lines 15-17, which are aligned so that the position provided for the sticker is illuminated by all three lines of light. The light lines 15-17 are drawn thicker in the area of the surface of the sticker 40 to indicate the higher intensity of the light reflected from the sticker surface. As already described above, the edge points P41-P46 assigned to the sticker are generated in detail based on the changes in the line profile which are based on changes in width and / or intensity. Already the light lines 15 and 16 would be sufficient in the example shown to generate enough edge points that allow a clear position detection of printed product 107 and sticker 40. With the relatively short line of light 17 is to be indicated that can be dispensed with the long and therefore more energy-intensive light line 15. Nevertheless, a sufficient quality check can be carried out, since an edge point and three edge points of the printed product 107 are detected for each edge of the sticker 40.

From the FIG. 11 can be seen how the correct spacing of products in the scale flow can be determined by means of a further embodiment of the invention. By means of one or preferably as shown two light lines 15, 16, which act on the leading edge product 110 are each two edge points per product, in the case illustrated magazines 120, 121, 122, 123, generated. The light lines 15, 16 again run approximately parallel to the longitudinal axis of the illustrated conveyor belt B and spaced from each other. If a deviation from the desired distance A between two products is determined, which is no longer within a predetermined tolerance range, a signal is generated based on this measurement information. This signal can subsequently trigger a correction of the incorrect distance F. The signal includes not only the information about the detected error, but also the information about the product to be corrected, in this case the magazine 122nd

In the FIG. 12 It is shown how an error in a scale flow, which is based on a rotation of a magazine 126, is recognized according to the invention. From the scale flow only three products 124 - 126 are shown. Three light lines 17, 18, 19 are aligned parallel to the conveying direction F, and thus to the product side edges of the correctly arranged products 124, 125. In order to be able to control the correct stitching at the same time as the position of the products in the shingled stream, the lines of light 17-19 are arranged in such a way that they intersect the product leading edges in the area of the staple / staples. In the FIG. 12b In turn, a composite image of the recorded light lines in the region of the relevant edge points of the two magazines 125 and 126 is shown.

The in the FIG. 12a illustrated fault situation can be easily transferred to a promotion in a gripper or staple conveyors in which, for example, two products are conveyed with an offset to each other. There, for example, the mishandling of product 126 to product 125 would be recognized.

The inventive method can not only help the operator, for example, an operation of the print finishing, to increase the quality of the products produced, but it also allows a complete and comprehensive logging of the production quality. The generated signals can be recorded and logged in the higher-level system control so that the client can be provided with a wide range of information from which he can see the quality of his products. These options are particularly important with regard to the increasing customization of printed products. For example, a magazine publisher may present a detailed production log to an advertiser showing that the desired add-ons, such as sample bags or postcards, have actually been glued in the desired number and in magazines for the desired delivery regions.

List of reference numbers

1

control device

2-8

laser lines

10

laser

11-19

light lines

20

camera

31 - 33

staples

40

sticker

50

photocell

100

Print product stack

101-109

printing products

110

fold edge

111, 112

side edges

113, 114

fold areas

120-123

Magazines

A, F

distances

B

conveyor belt

F

conveying direction

K

clip

P1-P4

edge points

P41-P46

Edge points of a sticker

Claims (19)

1. Optical control method for use in the processing of planar objects, in particular in print finishing, comprising:

   a. guiding a planar product, a product group, or a product stream (101-109, 120-126) along a conveyor line past at least one optical sensor (20, 20');

   b. applying at least one beam profile to the planar product, the product group, or the product stream to produce a line profile defined by a light line (2-8, 11-19);

   c. acquiring an electronic image through the optical sensor (20, 20'), the electronic image comprising at least a region of the product, the product group, or the product stream having at least a part of the line profile defined by the light line (2-8, 11-19);

   d. ascertaining at least one product characteristic from the electronic image based on the line profile defined by the light line (2-8, 11-19);

   e. generating at least one item of measured information based on the at least one product characteristic;

   f. producing at least one signal based on the at least one item of measured information,

   characterized in that the ascertainment of the at least one product characteristic comprises a determination of position specifications of at least one product edge point, and in that the generation of the item of measured information is performed based on the position specifications of the at least one product edge point.
2. Control method according to Claim 1, characterized in that at least two line profiles defined by light lines, having known spatial location relative to one another, are produced, and in that position specifications of at least one product edge point are respectively ascertained based on the at least two line profiles defined by the light lines.
3. Control method according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that an alignment and/or location of the product is determined based on the product edge points, and in that the generation of the item of measured information is performed based on the alignment and/or location of the product.
4. Control method according to Claim 3, characterized in that the at least two line profiles defined by light lines are generated substantially along a longitudinal axis of the conveyor line, and in that the alignment and/or location of the product is determined in relation to the longitudinal axis.
5. Control method according to either of Claims 3 and 4, characterized in that the at least two line profiles defined by light lines are generated substantially along a transverse axis of the conveyor line, and in that the alignment and/or location of the product is determined in relation to the transverse axis.
6. Control method according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the ascertainment of the at least one product characteristic comprises the following steps:

   a. determining the light line in the electronic image;

   b. determining a curve shape of the light line; and

   c. ascertaining a position specification of at least one product edge point from the curve shape of the light line.
7. Control method according to Claim 6, characterized in that the determination of the light line in the electronic image comprises the following steps:

   a. suppressing noise in the electronic image;

   b. emphasizing the light line by an optimal filter;

   c. detecting the light line in the electronic image based on brightness values;

   d. filling existing gaps in the light line; and

   e. smoothing detection-related kinks in the light line.
8. Control method according to either of Claims 6 and 7, characterized in that the determination of the curve shape of the light line comprises rotating the electronic image into a target location, calculating at least one derivative of the light line, calculating zero crossings of the derivative of the light line, and determining direction changes of the light line.
9. Control method according to one of Claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the generation of the item of measured information comprises determining a product number based on features of the curve shape of the light line.
10. Control method according to Claim 9, characterized in that the features of the curve shape for determining the product number comprising at least one of the following: number of zero crossings of a first derivative of the light line, maximum value of the first derivative, number of zero crossings of a second derivative of the light line which occur after the maximum value of the first derivative, and absolute value of an angle of a direction change of the light line.
11. Control method according to one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the item of measured information is selected from the following group:

    (a) location information of at least one product edge;

    (b) length information of at least one product;

    (c) width information of at least one product;

    (d) height information of at least one product;

    (e) location information of a staple;

    (f) location information of at least two product edges of the same or different products;

    (g) number of products within a defined region of the conveyor line;

    (h) distance information of products to one another; and

    (i) location information of add-ons on a product or add-ons to one another.
12. Control method according to one of Claims 1 to 11, characterized in that at least the generation of the item of measured information occurs in real time, preferably within one work cycle time.
13. Device (1) for carrying out the optical control method according to one of Claims 1 to 12, comprising:

    a. projection means (10) for generating at least one beam profile and for applying the at least one beam profile to a planar product, a product group, or a product stream, which is guided along a conveyor line, to generate a line profile defined by a light line (2-8, 11-19);

    b. at least one optical sensor (20) for acquiring an electronic image of the product, the product group, or the product stream, which is guided along the conveyor line past the optical sensor (20), the electronic image comprising at least one region of the product, the product group, or the product stream having at least a part of the line profile defined by the light line (2-8, 11-19); and

    c. an image processing unit, which is configured to ascertain, based on the line profile defined by the light line (2-8, 11-19), at least one product characteristic from the electronic image, to generate an item of measured information based on the at least one product characteristic, and to produce at least one signal based on the item of measured information, characterized in that the image processing unit is configured to ascertain the at least one product characteristic by determining position specifications of at least one product edge point and to generate the item of measured information based on the position specifications of the at least one product edge point.
14. Device according to Claim 13, characterized in that the optical sensor (20) is arranged at a distance from the products to be checked having an optical axis extending diagonally to the beam axis of the projection means (10).
15. Device according to either of Claims 13 and 14, characterized in that the projection means are configured to produce at least two line profiles defined by light lines (2-8, 11-19) having known spatial location to one another, and in that the image processing unit is configured to ascertain, based on the at least two line profiles defined by the light lines (2-8, 11-19), respective position specifications of at least one product edge point.
16. Device according to one of Claims 13 to 15, characterized in that the image processing unit is configured to ascertain the at least one product characteristic by determining the light line in the electronic image, determining a curve shape of the light line (2-8, 11-19), and ascertaining a position specification of a product edge point from the curve shape of the light line (2-8, 11-19).
17. Device according to Claim 16, characterized in that the image processing unit is configured to determine the curve shape of the light line (2-8, 11-19) by rotating the electronic image into a target location, calculating at least one derivative of the light line, calculating zero crossings of the derivative of the light line, and determining direction changes of the light line (2-8, 11-19).
18. Device according to either of Claims 16 and 17, characterized in that the image processing unit is configured to generate the item of measured information by determining a product number based on features of the curve shape of the light line (2-8, 11-19), the features of the curve shape comprising at least one of the following: number of zero crossings of a first derivative of the light line (2-8, 11-19), maximum value of the first derivative, number of zero crossings of a second derivative of the light line which occur after the maximum value of the first derivative, and absolute value of an angle of a direction change of the light line (2-8, 11-19).
19. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least two projection means and/or at least two optical sensors.

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