JP2001052172A - Operation diagnosing method for automatic examination device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for making an automatic examination device itself perform operation diagnosis during production line operation. SOLUTION: Concerning the operation diagnosing method for automatic examination device composed of an image processing part 4 equipped with a module for converting the video signals of an object 2 to be examined to image data for examination and a module for operating the image data and a personal computer(PC) connected through an interface module 5 by a bus 6, in this case, the image processing part 4 performs arithmetic processing while adding codes to the image data on the basis of the transmission request signal of image data from the PC. The interface module 5 transfers the image data with codes and the arithmetic result from the image processing part 4 to the PC during the idle time of the bus. The PC operates the image data transferred from the image processing part 4 while using the same algorithm and parameter as the image processing part 4. Further, the PC compares the arithmetic result transferred from the image processing part 4 with the arithmetic result in the PC and outputs an alarm when both the results are not matched.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for diagnosing an operation when an automatic inspection apparatus using image processing is applied to a production line.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When products manufactured on a production line are automatically inspected by image processing, reference products for inspection are manually mixed into the production line every few hours to check whether the automatic inspection device operates normally. The method is general.

[0003]

However, according to the conventional method, the operation of the automatic inspection apparatus is checked every few hours. There are concerns that may not have been tested. In some cases, the product must be re-inspected for several hours, and the time and effort for re-inspection are enormous. In order to minimize the time and effort of re-inspection, it is sufficient to confirm the operation every few minutes, for example, but it is impossible to perform the confirmation work manually, and it is not meaningful to perform the inspection manually. Will be. Therefore, in order to confirm the operation every few minutes, it is necessary for the inspection apparatus itself to perform the operation diagnosis.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide a method of performing an operation diagnosis by an automatic inspection apparatus itself during operation of a production line.

[0005]

To achieve the above object, the present invention provides an image processing apparatus comprising a module for converting a video signal of an inspection object into image data for inspection and a module for calculating the image data. And a personal computer (PC) connected by a bus via an interface module, the method for diagnosing the operation of the automatic inspection apparatus, wherein the PC sends a signal requesting transfer of image data to the conversion module via the interface module Step 1 for sending the image data at regular intervals, and Step 2 where the conversion module attaches a code to the image data and transfers it to the arithmetic module when the request signal of Step 1 is sent, and stores the image data internally. If the operation module has the sign of step 2 attached to the transferred image data, the operation result And step 4 in which the interface module fetches the image data stored in the conversion module in step 2 and transfers the fetched image data to the PC during the idle time of the bus. Calculating the image data transferred in step 4 using the same algorithm and parameters as those of the image processing unit, and storing the calculation result therein;
Sends a signal requesting the transfer of the operation result in step 3 to the operation module via the interface module, and the interface module fetches the operation result stored in the operation module in step 3 during the idle time of the bus. Step 7 of transferring to the PC,
If the calculation result stored in step 5 does not match the calculation result transferred in step 7, an alarm is output in step 8;

According to the present invention, the image processing unit performs a calculation process by attaching a code to the image data based on the image data transfer request signal from the PC. The interface module transfers the signed image data and the operation result from the image processing unit to the PC when the bus is idle. The PC calculates the image data transferred from the image processing unit using the same algorithm and parameters as those of the image processing unit. Furthermore, PC
Compares the calculation result transferred from the image processing unit with the calculation result in the PC, and outputs an alarm if they do not match.

[0007]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a method for diagnosing the operation of an automatic inspection apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an entire configuration of an automatic inspection device that automatically inspects a container by image processing. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, the automatic inspection apparatus includes a CCD camera 3 for imaging a container (inspection target) 2 placed and conveyed on a conveyor 1, and processes an image captured by the CCD camera 3 into a container 2. An image processing unit 4 for determining whether or not there is a defect;
It comprises an image processing unit 4 and a personal computer (PC) 7 connected via a bus 6 via an interface module 5. Personal computer (PC)
7 is hereinafter referred to as PC.

[0008] The image processing unit 4 includes a container 2 to be inspected.
A conversion module 8 for converting the video signal (analog signal) into image data (digital signal) for inspection, calculation modules 9A and 9B for calculating the image data, and a D / A conversion module 10 The quality of the inspection object is determined. The interface module 5, the conversion module 8, the operation modules 9A and 9B, and the D / A conversion module 10 are mutually connected by the bus 6. In the present embodiment, two operation modules, a first operation module 9A and a second operation module 9B, are provided.

When the operation module (in the embodiment, the second operation module 9 B) detects a defective container 2, it outputs a discharge signal to the discharge device 12 and removes the container 2 from the conveyor 1. The D / A conversion module 10 converts the image data (digital signal) into a video signal (analog signal) and displays it on the monitor 13. The PC is an operation console and has a function for normal inspection and a function for operation diagnosis. The interface module 5 controls communication between the PC and the image processing unit 4.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal structure of the PC. As shown in FIG. 2, the PC has a function unit 15 for normal inspection and a function unit 16 for operation diagnosis.
The functional unit 15 for normal inspection includes an editing unit 15a for parameters for inspection in the image processing unit 4, and a display unit 15b for statistical data of inspection results. The operator can change the parameters during the inspection for an optimal inspection. These parameters are transferred from the PC to the image processing unit 4 via the interface module 5 and the bus 6 (see FIG. 1).

As a function unit 16 for operation diagnosis, a control function unit 16a for operation diagnosis for outputting a request signal to the image processing unit 4 at regular intervals, and an operation function unit for calculating image data from the image processing unit 4 16b, and a comparison function unit 16c for comparing the calculation result in the calculation function unit 16b with the calculation result from the image processing unit 4, and the comparison function unit 16c is configured to output an alarm based on the comparison result. ing.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the internal structure of the conversion module 8 of the image processing unit 4. As shown in FIG.
The conversion module 8 includes an A / D converter 18, a sign assignment unit 19, a memory 20, and an interface 21. In the above configuration, the CCD camera 3
Video signal (analog signal) from the A / D converter 1
At step 8, it is converted into image data (digital signal). When a request signal for image data for operation diagnosis is sent from the PC to the code assigning unit 19 via the interface module 5, the bus 6, and the interface 21, a sign is assigned to the image data, and an arithmetic module (in the embodiment, The data is transferred to the first operation module 9A), and the signed image data is stored in the memory 20. The code is, for example, 1 when there is a request signal, and 0 when there is no request signal.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the internal structure of the operation module (first operation module 9A in the embodiment). As shown in FIG. 4, the first operation module 9A
Is composed of an arithmetic unit 22, a memory 23, and an interface 24. The arithmetic unit 22 is a module in the preceding process (the conversion module 8 in the embodiment).
When the image data transferred from is assigned a code (for example, 1), the calculation result is transferred to the next step, and the calculation result is stored in the memory 23. The arithmetic unit 22 includes
Parameters are transferred from the PC via the interface module 5, the bus 6, and the interface 24.

Next, the procedure of the operation diagnosis in the automatic inspection apparatus configured as described above will be described. In step 1, the PC sends a signal requesting transfer of image data to the conversion module 8 via the interface module 5 at regular intervals, for example, every few minutes. The request signal is output from the operation section 16 for operation diagnosis shown in FIG. In step 2, when the request signal in step 1 is sent, the conversion module 8 attaches a code to the image data and transfers it to the operation module (in the embodiment, the first operation module 9A). To save. The image data is stored in the memory 20 shown in FIG. The data is stored in order to transfer the data to the PC when the bus 6 is idle.

In step 3, the operation module (in the embodiment, the first operation module 9A) transfers the operation result to the next step if the transferred image data has the sign of step 2, and performs the operation. Store the result internally. The calculation result is stored in the memory 23 shown in FIG. The data is stored in order to transfer the data to the PC when the bus 6 is idle.

In step 4, the interface module 5 uses the memory 20 in step 2 during the idle time of the bus.
The image data stored in the PC is taken and transferred to the PC. The transferred image data is data with a code. The operator also changes parameters during the test for optimal testing, and this parameter is
Is transferred to the relevant module of the image processing unit 4 through the bus 6 via. The statistical data of the inspection result is transferred from the image processing unit 4 to the PC. Therefore, the priority is given to the data transfer necessary for the execution of the inspection, such as the change of the parameters, so that the interface module 5 transfers the image data when the bus 6 is idle.

In step 5, the PC calculates the image data transferred in step 4 using the same algorithm and parameters as those of the image processing unit 4, and stores the calculation result inside. The PC stores the same algorithm as the image processing unit 4 in the arithmetic function unit 16b shown in FIG. Further, the parameters are transmitted from the parameter editing unit 15a to the image processing unit 4a.
Is transferred to the arithmetic function unit 16b, and the PC performs the arithmetic processing on the same image under the same conditions as the image processing unit 4.

In step 6, the PC sends a signal requesting the transfer of the operation result in step 3 via the interface module 5 to the operation module (first in the embodiment).
To the arithmetic module 9A). The request signal is output from the operation diagnosis control function unit 16a shown in FIG. In step 7, the interface module 5 takes in the operation result stored in the memory 23 in step 3 and transfers it to the PC when the bus 6 is idle. The transferred operation result is that of the signed image data. The transfer in the idle time of the bus 6 is performed for the same reason as described in step 4.

In step 8, the PC compares the operation result stored in step 5 with the operation result transferred from the interface module 5 in step 7, and outputs an alarm if they do not match. The comparison is based on the P shown in FIG.
This is performed by the C comparison function unit 16c. As described above, the image processing unit 4 performs an arithmetic process by attaching a code to the image data based on the image data transfer request signal from the PC. The interface module 5 transfers the signed image data and the operation result from the image processing unit 4 to the PC when the bus is idle. The PC calculates the image data transferred from the image processing unit 4 using the same algorithm and parameters as those of the image processing unit 4. Further, the PC compares the calculation result transferred from the image processing unit 4 with the calculation result of the PC, and outputs an alarm if the two do not match. Therefore, the inspection apparatus itself can perform the operation diagnosis without hindering the execution of the inspection.

[0020]

As described above, according to the present invention,
During the operation of the production line, the automatic inspection device itself performs the operation diagnosis, so that the operation can be checked every few minutes, and the time and labor for re-inspection when it is determined that the operation is defective can be minimized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an entire configuration of an automatic inspection apparatus that automatically inspects a container (object to be inspected) by image processing.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal structure of the personal computer (PC) shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an internal structure of a conversion module of the image processing unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an internal structure of the operation module (first operation module) shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 conveyor 2 container (inspection object) 3 CCD camera 4 image processing unit 4 interface module 6 bus 7 personal computer (PC) 8 conversion module 9A, 9B operation module 10 D / A conversion module 12 discharge device 13 monitor 15, 16 Function unit 15a Parameter editing unit 15b Statistical data display unit 16a Control function unit 16b Operation function unit 16c Comparison function unit 18 A / D converter 19 Sign assignment unit 20, 23 Memory 21, 24 Interface 22 Operation unit

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2F065 AA00 BB05 DD00 DD06 DD08 FF01 FF04 JJ03 JJ26 MM03 PP15 QQ00 QQ03 QQ24 QQ25 QQ31 SS02 SS09 SS13 TT03 5B057 AA02 BA02 CA08 CA12 CA16 CA19 CB08 CH20 CH08 CH08

Claims (1)

[Claims] An image processing unit including a module for converting a video signal of an inspection object into image data for inspection and a module for calculating image data, and a personal computer connected by a bus via an interface module A method for diagnosing the operation of an automatic inspection apparatus comprising: a PC for sending a signal requesting transfer of image data to the conversion module via the interface module at regular intervals; and When the request signal is sent, the image data is signed and transferred to the arithmetic module, and the image data is stored therein (step 2).
And the arithmetic module performs step 2 on the transferred image data.
If the symbol is attached, the operation result is transferred to the next process, and the operation result is stored in step 3; and the interface module transmits the image stored in the conversion module in step 2 during the idle time of the bus. Step 4 of taking in the data and transferring it to the PC;
Step 5, in which the operation result is stored internally; Step 6, in which the PC sends a signal requesting the transfer of the operation result in Step 3 to the operation module via the interface module; Step 7 in which the calculation result stored in the calculation module is fetched and transferred to the PC in step 3. The PC outputs an alarm if the calculation result stored in step 5 does not match the calculation result transferred in step 7 8. An operation diagnosis method for an automatic inspection device, comprising: