JP2001153813A - System and method for visually inspecting bottle - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To determine whether a bottle is good or not according to the degree of scratches on the bottle. SOLUTION: This system is provided with a lighting device 1 illuminating a bottle B to be inspected, a photographing device 2 taking a picture of the bottle B illuminated by the lighting device 1, and an image processor 100 finding a light quantity value of each pixel fluctuating according to scratches on the bottle B from the image photographed by the photographing device 2 and using the light quantity value of each pixel and a predetermined reference for determining whether the bottle B is good or not. The bottle B is photographed while illuminated, and from its photographed image, a light quantity value of each pixel fluctuating according to the scratches on the bottle B is found, and then, using these light quantity values of the respective pixels and the predetermined reference, it is determined whether the bottle B is in a good condition or not.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a bottle appearance inspection system and a method for judging the quality of a so-called collected and reused bottle (return bottle) by image processing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a transport device for transporting a bottle (empty bottle), an illuminating device and an image capturing device for capturing an image of an inspected portion of the bottle being transported while illuminating, and a bottle processing device for processing an image obtained by capturing an image. 2. Description of the Related Art A bottle appearance inspection system which is configured by an image processing apparatus for judging pass / fail and which sorts bottles by inspecting the bottles for cracks, cracks, dirt, and adhesion of foreign matter is used.

For example, in a bottle appearance inspection system for a recovered and reused bottle typified by a beer bottle, a bottle having a physical defect such as a chip or a crack or a defect unsuitable for use such as a foreign substance or a stain is extracted as a defective product. , Sent to disposal. In this case, it is usually used for recycling as a material for a new bottle. In addition, although there is no problem in use, the quality of maintaining the appearance of the bottle at a certain level as a whole by disposing of a certain amount of bottles with scratches on the surface and disposing of new bottles in proportion to that amount Management is taking place.

[0004] In addition to the above configuration, there is provided an inspection information management device for accumulating and displaying the number of bottles for judging the quality of bottles and the number of defective items for each item in an external counter or a counter in a programmable controller. There is a bottle appearance inspection system that stores an image of one defective bottle in an image processing apparatus and re-examines the image to analyze and identify a defective portion and a degree of the defect.

[0005]

However, in the bottle appearance inspection system described above, it is not possible to carry out the appearance inspection of abrasions necessary to maintain the appearance of the bottle as a whole at a constant level. Except for the case where it is determined that another item is defective, the sorting is performed manually.

In a bottle appearance inspection system provided with an inspection information management device, information on the number of defects generated and the number of defects for each item can be obtained, but the time-series change of defects is managed manually by a management table. I needed to.

[0007] Re-inspection of a defective bottle is possible only for one defective bottle after storing and setting an image for re-inspection. When re-inspecting a defective bottle that requires re-inspection, it is necessary to select a defective bottle that requires re-inspection in advance and put it alone or with a standard good bottle into the bottle visual inspection system. is there. Until a defective bottle having a defect that requires reinspection is detected as a defect, it is necessary to repeatedly save and set the image for reinspection. Further, in order to redisplay and reexamine the stored image, it is necessary to stop the ordinary inspection.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a bottle appearance inspection system and a bottle appearance inspection system capable of judging the quality of a bottle according to the degree of scratches on the bottle.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a bottle appearance inspection system and a bottle appearance inspection system capable of managing time-series changes in bottle defects without manual intervention.

[0010]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bottle appearance inspection system for illuminating a bottle to be inspected, and a lighting device for illuminating the bottle. An imaging device that performs imaging of the bottle thus obtained, and a light amount value of each pixel that fluctuates according to abrasion of the bottle is obtained from an image obtained by imaging by the imaging device. And an image processing device for judging the quality of the bottle using a criterion.

In this configuration, the quality of the bottle is determined by using the light amount value that fluctuates according to the abrasion of the bottle. Therefore, the quality of the bottle can be determined according to the degree of the abrasion of the bottle. In other words, the quality of the bottle can be determined based on the level of the abrasion,
Poor discharge of bottles with poor appearance is possible.

In the bottle appearance inspection system according to the present invention, there is provided an inspection information management device for storing and displaying a plurality of bottle scratch levels obtained from the light intensity value of each pixel obtained by the image processing device. A configuration may be provided (claim 2). With this configuration, it is possible to confirm the time-series change of the abrasion for each lot of the bottle, and to compare and examine the data with past data to easily set the defect rejection level.

Further, in the bottle appearance inspection system according to the first aspect, the image processing apparatus has at least one inspection range of the light amount value of each pixel obtained by the image processing apparatus.
Inspection range designating means for designating one or more defective emission levels as at least one inspection range designated by the inspection range designating means as the predetermined reference. The image processing apparatus may be configured to compare the abrasion level obtained from the light amount value of each pixel with the defective discharge level, and perform the pass / fail determination according to the comparison result. 3). In this configuration, it is possible to individually designate a portion of the bottle including a portion that is easily scratched or noticeable, and it is possible to individually designate a defective discharge level suitable for that portion, so that an appropriate appearance of the bottle can be obtained. Quality control becomes possible, and unnecessary inspection time can be saved.

Further, a plurality of bottle visual inspection systems according to claim 1 are provided, and the defective discharge level as the predetermined reference used in each of these bottle visual inspection systems is set to a threshold value which is equal to each other. (Claim 4). With this configuration, it is possible to equalize the quality of the bottle between the plurality of lines by the appearance inspection.

A plurality of bottle appearance inspection systems according to claim 1, wherein the defective discharge level as the predetermined reference used in each of these bottle appearance inspection systems is determined to be defective in the pass / fail judgment. May be set to threshold values in which the ratios of the numbers are equal to each other (claim 5). With this configuration, the proportion of bottles discharged due to defective scratches between a plurality of lines can be made equal.

Further, a plurality of bottle appearance inspection systems according to claim 1 are provided, and the defective discharge level as the predetermined standard used in each of these bottle appearance inspection systems is a broken bottle, a crack, a foreign matter adhesion and a stain. The threshold value may be set so that the overall failure rate, which is the sum of a failure such as a defect and a defect due to abrasion, is constant. With this configuration, it is possible to estimate the number of bottles that are defectively discharged, and to secure the number of bottles required for production.

Further, in the bottle appearance inspection system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the inspection information management device may be configured to obtain a distribution of characteristic values representing the quality of appearance of each bottle according to an operation. 7). With this configuration, the quality of the appearance of the bottle can be quantified. In addition, the quality between lines or lots can be compared.

Further, in the bottle appearance inspection system according to the present invention, the characteristic value distribution may be obtained for each predetermined number. With this configuration, the quality can be compared for each set quantity.

In the bottle appearance inspection system according to the present invention, the characteristic value distribution may be obtained for each inspection. With this configuration, quality can be checked in real time.

Further, in the bottle appearance inspection system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the predetermined standard may be changed every predetermined number of inspections of the bottle.
0). With this configuration, the quality of the appearance of the bottle, the ratio of bottles that are discharged poorly, and the like can be made close to target values.

Further, in the bottle appearance inspection system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the predetermined reference may be changed every predetermined time (claim 11). With this configuration, the quality of the appearance of the bottle, the ratio of bottles that are discharged poorly, and the like can be made close to target values.

Further, in the bottle appearance inspection system according to any one of claims 7 to 9, the predetermined reference may be changed when a distribution range of the characteristic value changes. In this configuration, when the characteristic value changes abruptly at a lot change or the like, by automatically changing a predetermined reference, the appearance quality of the bottle, the ratio of defective bottles, and the like are brought close to target values. be able to.

In the bottle appearance inspection system according to any one of claims 7 to 9, the predetermined criterion may be changed to a threshold value estimated from a tendency of a change in the characteristic value. Item 13). In this configuration, a predetermined standard is automatically changed by characteristic value trend management,
The quality of the appearance of the bottle and the ratio of the bottles discharged poorly can be made closer to the target values.

In the bottle appearance inspection system according to the twelfth aspect, the variation in the distribution range of the characteristic value may be evaluated by an average value or a standard deviation.
Even in this configuration, when the characteristic value changes abruptly at a lot change, etc., by automatically changing a predetermined criterion, the quality of the appearance of the bottle and the ratio of defectively discharged bottles are brought close to the target values. be able to.

Further, in the bottle appearance inspection system according to the twelfth aspect, the variation of the distribution range of the characteristic value may be evaluated based on a ratio of the number of bottles determined to be defective in the quality determination (claim 15). ). Even in this configuration, when the characteristic value changes abruptly at a lot change, etc., by automatically changing a predetermined criterion, the quality of the appearance of the bottle and the ratio of defectively discharged bottles are brought close to the target values. be able to.

In the bottle appearance inspection method according to the present invention, an image of the bottle is taken while illuminating the bottle to be inspected, and an image obtained by the imaging is used to detect a scratch on the bottle. The light quantity value of each pixel that fluctuates in this way is determined, and the pass / fail judgment of the bottle is performed using the light quantity value of each pixel and a predetermined reference.

According to this method, the quality of the bottle is determined by using the light amount value that fluctuates according to the abrasion of the bottle, so that the quality of the bottle can be determined according to the degree of the abrasion of the bottle.

A bottle appearance inspection system according to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention uses an image pickup device for picking up an image of a bottle to be inspected, and judges the quality of the bottle using an image obtained by the image pickup by the image pickup device. Inspection for storing and displaying, in chronological order, image processing devices and inspection information such as the quality of each bottle obtained by the quality determination of the image processing device, the inspection time, the defective portion of the bottle determined to be defective, and the content of the defect. And an information management device.

In this configuration, the inspection information management apparatus chronologically compares the inspection information such as the quality of each bottle obtained by the quality determination of the image processing apparatus, the inspection time, the defective portion of the bottle determined to be defective, and the content of the defect. Is stored and displayed, so that time-series changes in bottle defects can be managed without manual intervention. As a result, the time-series change of bottle defects can be grasped, and for example, it is possible to associate with a production lot.

In the bottle appearance inspection system according to the seventeenth aspect, the image processing apparatus is provided with a storage device for storing the images of the bottles which have become defective in the pass / fail judgment for a plurality of recent bottles. It may be configured (claim 18). In this configuration, since recent defective bottle images of a plurality of bottles (images of failed bottles) are stored, redisplay and re-inspection using the stored recent defective bottle images of the plurality of bottles are possible. become. As a result, it is possible to efficiently capture a bottle defect generated during the appearance inspection, and perform redisplay and reinspection.

Further, in the bottle appearance inspection system according to the present invention, the image processing apparatus stores the image of the failed bottle together with the inspection information of the defective portion and the defective content in the storage device as one data. It may be configured (claim 19). With this configuration, the one-to-one correspondence between the defective bottle image and the inspection information can be easily managed, and the inspection information can be displayed together when the defect is confirmed by the defective bottle image.

In the bottle appearance inspection system according to claim 18, the image processing apparatus may have a function of outputting an image of the bottle stored in the storage device to a display device in parallel with the pass / fail determination. Good (claim 20). With this configuration, the display of the defective bottle image stored in the storage device can be performed even during the appearance inspection. As a result, it is possible to confirm the location of the defect and the content of the defect without stopping the appearance inspection.

[0033] In the bottle appearance inspection system according to claim 18 or 19, the inspection information management device includes:
A configuration may be adopted in which a storage medium is provided, and the storage medium is provided with a storage device that stores an image stored in the storage device transferred from the image processing device. With this configuration, the defective bottle image can be stored outside the image processing apparatus, and if the recording medium is removable, the defective bottle image can be displayed on another display device.

Further, in the bottle appearance inspection system according to the twenty-first aspect, the inspection information management device stores an image of the defective bottle in a storage medium of a storage device provided on the inspection information management device side. A configuration may be employed in which storage is performed in accordance with a file format having high relevance (claim 22). In this configuration,
Since the defective bottle image is stored in the storage medium according to a highly compatible file format such as a bitmap, the defective bottle image can be displayed on the display device using software distributed on the market without preparing a special program. Can be displayed.

Further, in the bottle appearance inspection system according to claim 21 or 22, the inspection information management device stores the inspection information in a storage medium of a storage device provided on the inspection information management device side. The storage may be performed according to a high file format. In this configuration,
Since the inspection information is stored in the storage medium in accordance with a highly compatible file format such as text, the inspection information can be displayed using another computer or the like. As a result, the inspection information can be confirmed together with the defective bottle image by using another computer, and the result of the appearance inspection can be confirmed at a place different from the bottle appearance inspection system.

In the bottle appearance inspection system according to the nineteenth aspect, the image processing device may be configured to input a defective image and store the image in a storage device provided on the image processing device side. Item 24). In this configuration, for example, the defective bottle image stored in the inspection information management device can be returned to the image processing device, so that the past defective bottle image can be redisplayed and re-examined. Further, it is possible to re-display and re-examine the defective bottle image from another bottle appearance inspection system having the same function.

Further, in the bottle appearance inspection system according to the present invention, the image stored in the storage medium of the storage device provided on the inspection information management device side is used by an external computer for re-inspection simulation. This may be done (claim 25). In this case, a re-inspection simulation can be performed using a past defective bottle image at a place different from the bottle appearance inspection system.

Further, in the bottle appearance inspection system according to claim 17, the image processing device obtains a light amount value of each pixel that fluctuates according to a scratch on the bottle from an image obtained by imaging by the imaging device, The quality of the bottle may be determined based on the light intensity value of each pixel and a predetermined standard, and the degree of abrasion of the bottle may be quantified and used as inspection information. With this configuration, it is possible to determine the degree of scratches on the surface of the bottle according to the number of times of reuse or handling of the bottle.

The bottle appearance inspection system according to claim 26, further comprising an illuminating device for illuminating the bottle to be inspected, wherein the imaging device uses the illumination to transmit the light of the bottle or the light emitted from the bottle. The imaging of the bottle may be performed in a state where reflected light is obtained (claim 27). In this configuration, the transmitted light amount or the reflected light amount of the bottle is displayed and stored as inspection information, and a change in the light amount is managed in time series. As a result, it is possible to determine whether the bottle defect determination result is due to an abnormality in the lighting device.

Further, in the bottle appearance inspection system according to the twenty-sixth aspect, when the quantity of light used in the quality judgment is out of a predetermined range, the occurrence of an abnormality may be notified (claim 28). With this configuration, when the light amount changes due to deterioration of the illumination device, abnormality of the imaging device, or the like, the occurrence of an abnormality such as the display of an alarm and the output is notified, so that it is possible to quickly cope with the trouble. Can be prevented in advance.

Further, in the bottle appearance inspection system according to the seventeenth aspect, the inspection contents are displayed in accordance with an image inspection algorithm using the image of the bottle which has failed in the quality judgment, and the inspection is performed while confirming the inspection information. A configuration that can be confirmed may be adopted (claim 29). In this configuration, the inspection information can be confirmed by performing inspection while displaying and confirming the inspection contents using the defective bottle image stored in the storage device of the image processing apparatus or the defective bottle image obtained from the imaging device. This makes it possible to efficiently check the inspection status and efficiently check the failure occurrence status when the threshold value of the inspection is changed.

Further, in the bottle appearance inspection system according to the present invention, a configuration may be adopted in which the setting and editing of the image inspection algorithm and the inspection parameters and the confirmation inspection using the set and edited algorithm and inspection parameters can be performed in an interlocked manner. 30). With this configuration, it is possible to efficiently confirm the effect of changing the image inspection algorithm and the inspection parameter.

Further, in the bottle appearance inspection system according to the seventeenth aspect, the information on the bottle which has failed in the quality judgment may be displayed externally using a network. With this configuration, it is possible to display information on a bottle that has failed in the pass / fail determination at a location different from the bottle appearance inspection system. As a result, it is easy to manually manage the quality of the bottle at the bottle inspection station at a location remote therefrom, and it is possible to centrally manage the information on the bottles that have become defective.

Further, in the bottle appearance inspection system according to the present invention, the information on the bottle which has failed in the quality judgment may be displayed and transferred to the outside through a network (claim 32). With this configuration, inspection information of a plurality of bottle appearance inspection systems can be centrally managed.

Further, in the bottle appearance inspection system according to the seventeenth aspect, the inspection information management device may have a hardware diagnostic function of the image processing device. With this configuration, it is possible to reduce the time required for detecting a failure point of the image processing apparatus.

In the bottle appearance inspection method according to the present invention, the bottle to be inspected is imaged, and the quality of the bottle is determined by using the image obtained by the imaging. The inspection information such as the quality of each bottle, the inspection time, the defective portion of the bottle determined to be defective, and the content of the defect is stored and displayed in chronological order.

In this method, the inspection information such as the quality of each bottle for which the quality has been determined, the inspection time, the defective portion of the bottle determined to be defective, and the content of the defect are stored and displayed in chronological order. Time-series changes in bottle defects can be managed without human intervention. As a result, the time-series change of bottle defects can be grasped, and for example, it is possible to associate with a production lot.

[0048]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of a bottle appearance inspection system and method according to the present invention will be described.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a bottle appearance inspection system according to one embodiment, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state of abrasion of a bottle to be inspected, and FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an inspection range by the bottle appearance inspection system of FIG. FIGS. 4A and 4B are explanatory diagrams of the inspection range designating section shown in FIG.

The bottle appearance inspection system shown in FIG. 1 includes an illumination device 1 for illuminating a bottle B to be inspected and an imaging device (CC) for imaging the bottle B illuminated by the illumination device 1.
D area camera) 2 and the image data obtained by the imaging device 2 to obtain the light amount value of each pixel that fluctuates according to the abrasion of the bottle B, and uses the light amount value of each pixel and a predetermined reference. And an image processing apparatus 100 for determining the quality of the bottle B.

Here, the surface of the bottle B (the beer bottle in the example of FIG. 2) is scratched in several stages, but not all of the scratched bottles B are selected as rejects but at a certain level. , For example, bottle B with an unsightly abrasion
Are sorted out as defective. This is as described above.

In this embodiment, instead of inspecting the whole bottle B for the presence or absence of abrasion, a predetermined portion of the bottle B (for example, the upper and lower trunks shown in FIG. Is set, and the level of the abrasion S within the inspection range R1 is evaluated, and the bottle B having the abrasion exceeding a certain level is selected as a defective product.

For this reason, on the image processing apparatus 100 side, an inspection range specifying unit 100a for specifying at least one inspection range R1 and at least one inspection range R1 specified by the inspection range specifying unit 100a are provided. A defective discharge level designating unit 100b for individually designating a defective discharge level as a predetermined reference. In the present embodiment, the inspection range designation unit 100a and the defective discharge level designation unit 100b are configured by an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse (not shown) and a GUI as shown in FIG. That is, the specification is such that a plurality of abrasion inspection settings can be made for the inspection algorithm, and an inspection level can be set for each inspection algorithm.

Then, from the image data P obtained by imaging by the imaging device 2, the image data P fluctuates according to the abrasion S of the bottle B.
The light amount value of each pixel in the inspection range R1 is obtained, and for example, an average light amount value obtained from the light amount value of each pixel is compared with a predetermined reference value, and the quality of the bottle B is determined based on the comparison result. The image processing is executed by the image processing apparatus 100.

As described above, a portion of the bottle, for example, a portion easily scratched or conspicuous can be individually designated, and a defective discharge level suitable for the portion can be individually designated. Appropriate quality control becomes possible, and unnecessary inspection time can be saved. In addition,
The present invention is not limited to the configuration in which the average light intensity value is obtained from the light intensity value of each pixel, but may be a configuration in which the difference between the maximum light intensity value and the minimum light intensity value is obtained from the light intensity value of each pixel.

Next, bottle B performed according to the above comparison result
Will be described. In FIG. 1, the arrangement is such that the transmitted light of the bottle B by the illumination of the illumination device 1 is imaged. In this case, as the abrasion is more conspicuous, the illumination light from the illumination device 1 is irregularly reflected at the abrasion S portion of the bottle B, and the transmitted light toward the imaging device 2 is reduced, and the transmitted light of the bottle B by the illumination of the illumination device 1 is reduced. When the average light value of the inspection range R1 is smaller than a predetermined reference value, the bottle B is determined to be defective. Conversely, when the average light value of the inspection range R1 is lower than the predetermined reference value. If it is larger than that, the bottle B can be determined to be good. On the other hand, in an arrangement in which the reflected light from the bottle B due to the illumination of the illumination device 1 is imaged, the more the abrasion is conspicuous, the more the illumination light from the illumination device 1 is applied to the abrasion S of the bottle B.
, The amount of light reflected toward the imaging device 2 increases, and the average light amount of the light reflected on the bottle B by the illumination of the illumination device 1 increases. If the value is larger than the value, the bottle B is determined to be defective. Conversely, if the average light amount value in the inspection range R1 is smaller than a predetermined reference value, the bottle B is determined to be non-defective.

As described above, by digitizing the scratches,
It is possible to determine the quality of the bottle B due to the abrasion. This allows, for example, multiple bottle visual inspection systems to be set to the same abrasion level threshold. That is,
If a plurality of bottle appearance inspection systems shown in FIG. 1 are provided and a defective discharge level as a predetermined reference used in each of these bottle appearance inspection systems is set to a threshold value which is equal to each other, a plurality of lines can be obtained. It is possible to equalize the quality of the bottles by the visual inspection between them.

Further, if the ratio of defective determination due to abrasion is set to a predetermined ratio of the number of defective bottles to the number of inspection bottles, a plurality of bottle appearance inspection systems can be set to the same percentage of defective determination of abrasion. In other words, a plurality of bottle appearance inspection systems shown in FIG. 1 are provided, and the defective discharge level as a predetermined reference used in each of these bottle appearance inspection systems is determined by comparing the ratio of the number of bottles determined to be defective in the pass / fail judgment to each other. If the threshold value is set to be equal, the proportion of bottles discharged due to defective scratches between a plurality of lines can be made equal.

Further, if the defect judgment due to the abrasion is set by the ratio including the bottle having the fatal defect to the number of the inspection bottles,
A plurality of bottle appearance inspection systems can be set to the same judgment ratio. In other words, a plurality of bottle appearance inspection systems shown in FIG. 1 are provided, and the defective discharge level as a predetermined standard used in each of these bottle appearance inspection systems is such as failure (fatal, such as cracking, cracking, foreign matter adhesion and dirt) of the bottle. If the threshold value is set so that the overall defect rate including defects due to scratches and abrasions is constant, the number of bottles discharged as defects can be estimated, and the quantity required for production can be estimated. Bottles can be secured.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a bottle appearance inspection system according to another embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state of management performed by the inspection information management device of FIG. However, in FIG.
The illumination device 1, the inspection range designation unit 100a, and the defective discharge level designation unit 100b are not shown.

The bottle appearance inspection system shown in FIG. 5 includes an illuminating device 1 and an imaging device 2 in the same manner as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and differs from the embodiment shown in FIG. The image processing apparatus 101 includes a management device 201, a transport device 3 for transporting bottles, and a control device 4 that performs overall control of the image processing device 101.

The image processing apparatus 101 includes a storage device (a built-in image storage device 101a and an external image storage device 101b) such as a hard disk device or a magneto-optical disk device for storing a plurality of image data.
1 except that it is communicably connected to the test information management apparatus 201 via a predetermined cable.

The inspection information management device 201 stores and displays a plurality of bottle scratch levels and the like obtained from the light intensity value of each pixel obtained by the image processing device 101.
A storage device 201a such as a hard disk device or a floppy disk device
And an inspection information storage device 201b composed of a semiconductor memory or a hard disk device for storing the inspection information from the image processing device 101, and an inspection information display device (display) 201c for displaying the inspection information. ing. With this configuration, the inspection information such as the abrasion level can be stored as a file in the storage device 201a such as a hard disk or a floppy disk.

Here, an example of management performed by the inspection information management apparatus 201 will be described. As shown in FIG. 6, the vertical axis is set to the abrasion level (0 to 100), and the horizontal axis is set to the number of inspections (0 to 100). A graph or the like created by setting 500) is displayed on the screen of the inspection information display device 201c. This graph is created by normalizing the abrasion level (for example, average light amount value) of each bottle obtained in the inspection to a range of 0 to 100, and arranging the bottles in chronological order in the inspection order. At this time, a graph (dot or line graph) is formed for each of the top surface, on the torso, and below the torso, and displayed in a glance format. The graphs and tables in FIG.
It is displayed by an operation using the GUI. That is, the distribution of various characteristic values is calculated by clicking a button on the operation screen with a mouse.

With such a configuration in which the inspection information management device 201 is connected to the image processing device 101, it is possible to confirm the time series change of the abrasion for each lot of the bottle, and to compare with the past data for comparison. It is easy to study and set the level of rejection of defective products.

Further, a distribution of characteristic values representing the quality of appearance of each bottle is automatically obtained. In addition, the quality of the appearance of the bottle can be quantified, and the quality between lines and between lots can be compared.

Further, if the distribution of characteristic values such as the abrasion level of the inspected bottle is determined for each predetermined number, the quality can be compared for each set quantity.

Further, if the distribution of characteristic values such as the level of scratches on the bottle is determined for each inspection, the quality can be confirmed in real time.

A configuration in which a predetermined standard is changed every predetermined number of inspections of a bottle, that is, a comparison between a defective discharge ratio or quality level initially set for each predetermined number of inspections and an actual defective discharge ratio or number of bottles. Is performed in a software manner, and the threshold value is changed in accordance with the result, the quality of the appearance of the bottle, the ratio of bottles discharged in a defective manner, and the like can be made closer to the target values.

In addition, a configuration in which a predetermined reference is changed at predetermined time intervals, that is, a comparison between a defective discharge ratio or quality level initially set at predetermined time intervals and an actual defective discharge ratio or number is performed by software. If the threshold value is changed in accordance with the result, the quality of the appearance of the bottle, the ratio of bottles discharged in a defective manner, and the like can be made closer to the target values.

A configuration in which a predetermined reference is changed when the distribution range of the characteristic value changes, that is, a range is set for the characteristic value, and the predetermined reference is changed when the characteristic value is out of the range. With this configuration, when the characteristic value changes suddenly at the transition between lots, etc., by automatically changing the predetermined standard, the quality of the appearance of the bottle and the ratio of defective bottles are set to the target values. You can get closer.

Further, a configuration in which a predetermined criterion is changed to a threshold value estimated from a tendency of a change in a characteristic value, that is, a characteristic value is managed by a program for trend management, whereby the threshold value is changed. According to this configuration, the quality of the appearance of the bottle, the ratio of bottles that are discharged poorly, and the like can be made close to the target values by automatically changing the predetermined reference by managing the tendency of the characteristic value.

Further, the configuration in which the variation in the distribution range of the characteristic value is evaluated by the average value or the standard deviation, that is, the configuration in which the program for calculating the variation in the distribution of the characteristic value by the average value or the standard deviation of the characteristic values is used. For example, when the characteristic value changes suddenly at a lot change, etc., by automatically changing the predetermined criteria, it is possible to bring the quality of the appearance of the bottle and the proportion of defective bottles close to the target value. it can.

Further, the variation of the characteristic value distribution range is evaluated by the ratio of the number of bottles determined to be defective in the pass / fail judgment.
In other words, even with a configuration that uses a program that manages the variation in the distribution of characteristic values based on the number of bottles that have been ejected defectively, if the characteristic values change suddenly at a lot change, the predetermined reference is automatically changed. By doing so, it is possible to make the appearance quality of the bottle, the ratio of bottles that are poorly discharged, and the like close to the target values.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of a bottle appearance inspection system according to another embodiment, and FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a storage format of inspection information. However, illustration of the lighting device 1 is omitted in FIG.

The bottle appearance inspection system shown in FIG. 7 includes an illumination device 1 for illuminating a bottle to be inspected, an imaging device 2 for imaging the bottle illuminated by the illumination device 1, and a bottle transporting system. Image processing apparatus 1 that determines the acceptability of a bottle by using the transfer device 3 of the above and image data obtained by imaging by the imaging device 2
02, the inspection information storage device 201b and the inspection information display device 201c, and the quality of each bottle obtained by the quality determination of the image processing device 102, the inspection time, the defective portion and the content of the defective bottle determined to be defective. Test information management device (PC) 201 that stores and displays test information in chronological order
It is composed of

Here, in the present embodiment, the image processing apparatus 1
The test information 02 is transmitted to the test information management device 201 via serial communication or a LAN network, and is stored in the test information storage device 201b in a format as shown in FIG. 8 by a storage program. In the example of FIG. 8, the date, time, bin number, defective image number, NG sequence, NG algorithm, NG code, and the like are stored separately.
The stored inspection information is read by the reading program and displayed on the inspection information display device 201c.

As described above, the inspection information such as the quality of each bottle obtained by the quality determination on the image processing apparatus 102 side, the inspection time, the defective portion of the bottle determined to be defective, and the content of the defect is stored in chronological order. With the configuration including the inspection information management device 201 for displaying, the inspection information such as the quality of each bottle obtained by the quality determination, the inspection time, the defective part of the bottle determined to be defective, and the content of the defect is stored in chronological order. In addition, since it is displayed, it is possible to manage the time-series change of bottle defects without manual intervention. As a result, the time-series change of bottle defects can be grasped, and for example, it is possible to associate with a production lot.

FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram of a bottle appearance inspection system according to another embodiment, and FIGS. 10 and 11 are explanatory diagrams of a storage format of image data and inspection information. However, the illustration of the lighting device 1 is omitted in FIG.

The bottle appearance inspection system shown in FIG. 9 includes a lighting device 1, an imaging device 2, a transport device 3, and an inspection information management device 201 as in the embodiment of FIG. The image processing apparatus 102 differs from the embodiment of FIG. 7 in that it has storage devices (a built-in image storage device 101a and an external image storage device 101b) for use.
It has. The storage device is a semiconductor memory, a hard disk, a magneto-optical disk, or the like, and is used in combination as needed.

In this configuration, the image data of the bottle determined to be defective in the pass / fail determination is stored in the storage device of the image processing apparatus 102. However, the storage of the image data of the bottle determined to be good in the quality determination, and the start and stop of the storage can also be executed by the initial setting.

The image data stored in the storage device of the image processing apparatus 102 can be read out again by the image processing apparatus 102, and the image data can be confirmed and re-examined. Conventionally, since image data is stored in a semiconductor memory built in the image processing apparatus, only one image data can be stored. Therefore, in order to confirm the images of a plurality of defective bottles detected during operation, it is necessary to perform a series of operations such as image data saving, line stop and confirmation for each bottle. On the other hand, in the configuration of the present embodiment, since a large-capacity hard disk and a magneto-optical disk are mounted on the storage device, a plurality of image data can be stored, and the image of the bottle can be efficiently checked. It becomes possible.

As described above, for example, if the storage device for storing the image data of the bottles that have become defective in the pass / fail judgment for a plurality of recent bottles is provided in the image processing apparatus 102, the storage device for the recent plurality of bottles can be provided. Since the data of the defective bottle image is stored, it is possible to perform the redisplay and the reinspection using the stored data of the defective bottle images of a plurality of recent bottles. As a result, it is possible to efficiently capture a bottle defect generated during the appearance inspection, and perform redisplay and reinspection.

Next, a storage format of image data and the like stored in the storage device of the image processing apparatus 102 will be described. The data format used to store the image data is a format in which the image data of the bottle is decomposed into a plurality of vertical and horizontal pixels, and data such as color and brightness are associated with each pixel. The data itself is generally represented by a hexadecimal number from 0 to F. Further, inspection information such as a defective portion and a defect determination when inspecting the bottle is also stored in hexadecimal numbers 0 to F. For this reason, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG.
The image in the region PR including at least the inspection range R for re-inspection including the image of the bottle is stored in the above data format, and is added or replaced with the region IR outside the region PR (region that does not hinder the inspection range R). In this manner, a method is employed in which inspection information such as a defective portion and a defect determination when inspecting a bottle is stored in the above data format (see FIG. 11).

As described above, by adopting a configuration in which the image data of the failed bottle is stored in the storage device together with the inspection information of the defective portion and the content of the defect in the storage device, the data of the defective bottle image and the data of the inspection information can be stored. The one-to-one correspondence can be easily managed, and the inspection information can be displayed together when the defect is confirmed by the defective bottle image.

FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram of a bottle appearance inspection system according to another embodiment, and FIG. 13 is an operation explanatory diagram of the image processing apparatus of FIG. However, illustration of the lighting device 1 is omitted in FIG.

The bottle appearance inspection system shown in FIG. 12 includes an illumination device 1, an imaging device 2, a transport device 3, and an inspection information management device 201 in the same manner as the embodiment of FIG. Of the multitask image processing apparatus 103 and the multitask image processing apparatus 103
A control device 4 for performing overall control on the side is provided.

The multi-task image processing apparatus 103 is the same as that shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, a function capable of processing inspection image processing and image display in a time-division manner (multitask processing function)
The configuration is the same as that of the image processing apparatus 102 in FIG. In other words, the image is displayed using the idle time generated when processing the image from the imaging device 2.

As described above, the image of the bottle stored in the storage device in parallel with the pass / fail judgment is transferred to the multitask image processing apparatus 1.
With a configuration having a function of outputting to a display device (not shown) on the 03 side, a defective bottle image stored in the storage device can be displayed even during the appearance inspection. As a result, it is possible to confirm the location of the defect and the content of the defect without stopping the appearance inspection.

FIG. 14 is a configuration diagram of a bottle appearance inspection system according to another embodiment. However, in FIG.
Are not shown.

The bottle appearance inspection system shown in FIG. 14 includes an illumination device 1, an imaging device 2, a transport device 3, and an image processing device 1.
9 is provided in the same manner as in the embodiment of FIG. 9, and is provided with a test information management device 201 which is different from the embodiment of FIG. 9 in having a storage device 201a. Storage device 201a
Has a storage medium, and is configured by a hard disk device, a floppy disk device, or the like that stores data in the storage medium.

In this configuration, the image data from the image processing apparatus 102 is stored in the storage device 201a by the storage program, and the stored image data is read out by the reading program and displayed on the inspection information display device 201c.

Further, if a removable medium is used as a recording medium of the storage device 201a, image information and the like can be stored in an external device, and various types of confirmation can be performed by the same type bottle appearance inspection system. Become.

As described above, if the inspection information management apparatus 201 is provided with a storage medium having the storage medium and the storage apparatus 201a for storing the image data transferred from the image processing apparatus 102, The image data can be stored outside the image processing apparatus, and if the recording medium is of a removable type, the defective bottle image can be displayed on another display device.

FIG. 15 is a configuration diagram of a bottle appearance inspection system according to another embodiment. However, in FIG.
Are not shown.

The bottle appearance inspection system shown in FIG. 15 includes an illumination device 1, an imaging device 2, a transport device 3, and an image processing device 102.
And an examination information management device 201 as in the embodiment of FIG. However, the storage device 201a of the test information management device 201 uses a removable medium (for example, a floppy disk) RM as a storage medium.

Then, for example, a bitmap format is used as the image storage format. At this time, if it is necessary to perform a re-examination, the image data is not compressed, or a lossless compression that can be completely restored to the original data, so that there is no difference in the inspection result due to data corruption, The image data is saved. On the other hand, when it is not necessary to perform the reexamination, the image data is stored by irreversible compression such as JPEG.

As described above, if the image data of the defective bottle is stored in the removable medium RM of the storage device 201a in accordance with a highly compatible file format, the data of the defective bottle image is stored in, for example, a bit map. Since the data is stored in the storage medium in accordance with a highly compatible file format, the defect can be obtained by using software (display software in the figure) distributed in the market without preparing a special program, as shown in FIG. The bottle image can be displayed on the display device PE3. However, the computer PC1 in FIG. 15 is outside the bottle appearance inspection system, and includes a storage device PE1 compatible with the storage device 201a and a data storage device P such as a hard disk device as peripheral devices.
E2 and a display device PE3.

If the inspection information is stored in the removable medium RM of the storage device 201a in accordance with a highly compatible file format, the inspection information is stored in the removable medium RM in accordance with a highly compatible file format such as text. Therefore, the inspection information is transferred to the display device P connected thereto using another computer PC1 or the like.
This can be displayed on E3. As a result, the inspection information can be confirmed together with the defective bottle image by using another computer, and the result of the appearance inspection can be confirmed at a place different from the bottle appearance inspection system.

FIG. 16 is a configuration diagram of a bottle appearance inspection system according to another embodiment. However, in FIG.
Are not shown.

The bottle appearance inspection system shown in FIG. 16 includes an illumination device 1, an imaging device 2, a transport device 3, and an image processing device 102.
14 is provided in the same manner as the embodiment of FIG.
The image data stored in “a” can be transferred to a storage device on the image processing apparatus 102 side. Then, the image processing apparatus 1
The image data transferred to the storage device on the 02 side is re-examined and re-displayed in accordance with the operation of the inspection information management device 201.

As described above, if the image processing apparatus 102 is configured to input the defective image data and store it in the storage device provided on the image processing apparatus 102 side, for example, the inspection information management apparatus 201 side Since the stored data of the defective bottle image can be returned to the image processing apparatus 102, the past defective bottle image can be displayed again and inspected again.

FIG. 17 is a configuration diagram of a bottle appearance inspection system according to another embodiment. However, in FIG.
Are not shown.

The bottle appearance inspection system shown in FIG. 17 includes an illumination device 1, an imaging device 2, a transport device 3, and an image processing device 102.
And an examination information management device 201 as in the embodiment of FIG.

In this configuration, for example, the removable medium R is stored in the storage device 201a on the test information management device 201 side.
M, and if the data of the defective bottle image and the inspection information is stored in this removable medium RM in accordance with a highly compatible file format, as in the embodiment of FIG.
Redisplay can be performed on another computer PC1. Furthermore, if hardware and software (simulation hardware software EB in the figure) for simulating the image processing apparatus 102 are incorporated in another computer PC1, simulation of re-inspection is performed in addition to the above-described redisplay. It becomes executable.

As described above, the removable medium R of the storage device 201a provided on the inspection information management device 201 side is used.
If the image data and the like stored in the M are used for the re-inspection simulation by the external computer PC1, the data of the past defective bottle image can be re-used in a location different from the bottle appearance inspection system. Inspection simulation can be performed.

In each of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 7 to 17, the image processing apparatus 102 or the multitask image processing apparatus 103 for judging the acceptability of a bottle using the image data obtained by the imaging device 2 is used. Although the system configuration is provided, instead of the image processing apparatus 102 or the multitask image processing apparatus 103, as in the embodiment of FIG. 5, the inspection range specifying unit 100a and the defective discharge level specifying unit 100b are provided. An image in which the light amount value of each pixel that fluctuates according to the abrasion of the bottle is obtained from the image data obtained by the imaging of the imaging device 2 and the bottle is judged to be good or bad using the light amount value of each pixel and a predetermined reference. A system configuration including the processing device 101 may be used. In this case, similarly to the embodiment of FIG. 5, it is possible to determine the quality of the bottle according to the degree of the abrasion S as shown in FIG. Then, it is possible to judge the degree of scratches on the surface of the bottle by the number of times of reuse or handling of the bottle.

FIG. 19 is a configuration diagram of a bottle appearance inspection system according to another embodiment. The bottle appearance inspection system shown in this figure includes an imaging device 2, a transport device 3, and an inspection information management device 201 in the same manner as in the embodiment of FIG. 14, and differs from the embodiment of FIG. Bottle B
And an image processing apparatus 101 similar to the embodiment in FIG. 5, which is arranged and set so that the transmitted light of the bottle B by the illumination is captured by the imaging apparatus 2. ing. For example, an inverter fluorescent lamp lighting device for inspection is used as the lighting device 1.

In this configuration, a light quantity measurement point (preferably a location that is not easily affected by abrasion, distortion, etc. of the bottle) is set in the image of the bottle, and the brightness of the bottle is measured. Further, the image data obtained by the imaging of the imaging device 2 is used together with or as a part of the inspection information such as the quality of the individual bottles as the image processing device 101 and the inspection information management device 20.
1 are stored and managed.

In the example shown in FIG. 19, the configuration is such that the scratches on the bottle B are detected by using the transmitted light of the bottle B by the lighting device 1. However, the present invention is not limited to this. As described above, a configuration may be used in which abrasion of bottle B is detected using reflected light from bottle B by lighting device 1. in this case,
The amount of light reflected by the bottle B by the strobe may be imaged by the imaging device 2.

As described above, if the bottle 2 is imaged by the imaging device 2 in a state where the transmitted light of the bottle or the reflected light from the bottle can be obtained by the illumination of the illumination device 1, the transmitted light amount or the reflected light amount of the bottle can be obtained. Is displayed and stored as inspection information,
Changes in light quantity are managed in chronological order. As a result, it is possible to determine whether the bottle defect determination result is due to an abnormality in the lighting device.

FIG. 20 is a configuration diagram of a bottle appearance inspection system according to another embodiment. The bottle appearance inspection system shown in FIG. 1 includes an illumination device 1, an imaging device 2, and a transport device 3 as shown in FIG.
In addition to being provided in the same manner as in the embodiment of FIG. 9, the present embodiment is different from the embodiment of FIG. Information management device 20
1 in that the image processing apparatus 101 or the inspection information management apparatus 201 is provided with a function of detecting a light quantity abnormality.
It is further different from the ninth embodiment.

Here, the function of detecting the light quantity abnormality is as follows.
It comprises a mechanism for setting a range for a light amount (for example, an average light amount value) obtained from an image obtained by imaging by the imaging device 2, and a mechanism for comparing the range with the measured light amount. Such a function may be provided by hardware such as a voltage comparison circuit, or may be provided by software using a comparison expression described in a programming language. Then, the function of detecting the abnormal light amount is configured to output an abnormal signal to the abnormal light amount output device 300 when the measured light amount is out of the set range. Thus, when the measured light amount goes out of the set range, the fact that an abnormality has occurred is notified.

The light quantity abnormality output device 300 may be an alarm device or an external contact that operates according to an abnormality signal.
Alternatively, the display of the occurrence of the abnormality on the screen of the inspection information display device 201c according to the abnormality signal may be displayed.

As described above, if the amount of light used in the pass / fail judgment is out of the predetermined range, the occurrence of an abnormality is notified. When a change occurs, the occurrence of an abnormality such as the display and output of an alarm is notified, so that it is possible to quickly cope with the trouble and to prevent the occurrence of the trouble in advance.

In each of the above embodiments, as shown in FIG. 21, the bottle image input to the image processing apparatus is
The inspection contents and the image of the bottle may be displayed simultaneously using the overlay display function of the image processing. In this case, the inspection can be performed while checking the inspection information.
In other words, using the image of the bottle that was determined to be defective
If the inspection content is displayed according to the image inspection algorithm and the inspection information can be confirmed while performing the inspection while checking, the defective bottle image stored in the storage device of the image processing device side or the defective bottle image obtained from the imaging device can be used. Then, the inspection contents are displayed, and the inspection can be performed while confirming the inspection information. This makes it possible to efficiently check the inspection status and efficiently check the failure occurrence status when the threshold value of the inspection is changed.

Further, as shown in FIG. 22, a switch to an inspection algorithm and parameter editing may be provided on the confirmation inspection screen of the bottle appearance inspection system, and the confirmation inspection and the setting edit screen may be switched by a switching operation. In this configuration, when returning from the setting editing screen to the confirmation inspection screen, the latest information of the inspection algorithm and parameters edited on the setting screen is reflected on the confirmation inspection. In other words, if the setting and editing of the image inspection algorithm and the inspection parameters and the confirmation inspection using the edited and edited algorithm and the inspection parameters can be performed in conjunction, the effect of changing the image inspection algorithm and the inspection parameters can be confirmed efficiently. .

FIG. 23 is a configuration diagram of a bottle appearance inspection system according to another embodiment. However, in FIG.
Are not shown.

The bottle appearance inspection system shown in FIG. 23 includes an illumination device 1, an imaging device 2, a transport device 3, and an image processing device 101.
And an inspection information management apparatus 201 as in the embodiment of FIG.

The inspection information management device 201 is connected to a defect information display device PC2 such as a computer having a defect information display function via a network (for example, LAN or serial connection). A liquid crystal display device is connected to the defect information display device PC2 (image signal cable connection).

As described above, if the configuration is such that the information on the bottles determined as defective in the pass / fail judgment is displayed externally using a network, the information on the bottles determined as defective in the pass / fail judgment can be used as a bottle appearance inspection system. It can be displayed in another place. As a result, it is easy to manually manage the quality of the bottle at the bottle inspection station at a location remote therefrom, and it is possible to centrally manage the information on the bottles that have become defective.

FIG. 24 is a configuration diagram of a bottle appearance inspection system according to another embodiment. However, in FIG.
Are not shown.

The bottle appearance inspection system shown in FIG. 24 includes an illumination device 1, an imaging device 2, a transport device 3, a control device 4, an image processing device 101, and an inspection information management device 201 in the same manner as the embodiment of FIG. I have.

Then, the image processing apparatus 101 or the control apparatus 4 is connected to a network (for example, LAN, serial connection).
Is connected to an inspection information display device PC3 such as a computer having a display function. The inspection information display device PC3 is provided with hardware and software necessary for displaying the inspection information.

As described above, if the configuration is such that the information on the bottles determined to be defective in the pass / fail judgment is externally displayed and transferred using the network, the inspection information of a plurality of bottle appearance inspection systems can be centrally managed.

FIG. 25 is a configuration diagram of a bottle appearance inspection system according to another embodiment. However, in FIG.
Are not shown.

The bottle appearance inspection system shown in FIG. 25 includes an illumination device 1, an imaging device 2, a transport device 3, a control device 4, an image processing device 101, and an inspection information management device 201, similarly to the embodiment of FIG. I have. Further, the image processing device 10
1, a control device 4 composed of, for example, a programmable controller, and an inspection information management device 201 composed of, for example, a computer are mutually connected via a LAN, a serial or parallel connection network.

Then, a command is sent from the test information management device 201 to the image processing device 101 via the network.
The response confirms the hardware of the image processing apparatus 101.

That is, if the inspection information management apparatus 201 is provided with the hardware diagnosis function of the image processing apparatus 101, the time required to detect a failure location of the image processing apparatus 101 can be reduced.

[0130]

As is apparent from the above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, an illumination device for illuminating a bottle to be inspected, and an image of the bottle illuminated by the illumination device And an image capturing apparatus that obtains a light amount value of each pixel that fluctuates in accordance with the abrasion of the bottle from an image obtained by imaging by the image capturing apparatus, and uses the light amount value of each pixel and a predetermined reference to determine the light amount value. Since the apparatus is provided with the image processing device for judging the quality of the bottle, it is possible to judge the quality of the bottle according to the degree of scratches on the bottle. In other words, the quality of the bottle can be determined based on the level of the abrasion, and the defective discharge of the bottle having an inferior appearance can be performed.

According to the invention of claim 2, in the bottle appearance inspection system of claim 1, the abrasion level of the bottle obtained from the light intensity value of each pixel obtained by the image processing device is stored for a plurality of bottles. In addition, since the inspection information management device for displaying the information is provided, it is possible to confirm the time series change of the abrasion for each lot of the bottle, and to compare and examine the data with the past data to easily set the defect rejection level.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in the bottle appearance inspection system according to the first aspect, the image processing apparatus has at least one inspection range of the light amount value of each pixel obtained by the image processing apparatus. Inspection range designating means for designating one or more defective emission levels as at least one inspection range designated by the inspection range designating means as the predetermined reference. The image processing apparatus performs a comparison between the abrasion level obtained from the light amount value of each pixel and the defective discharge level, and performs the pass / fail judgment according to the comparison result. Appropriate quality control becomes possible, and unnecessary inspection time can be saved.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of bottle appearance inspection systems according to the first aspect are provided, and the defective discharge levels as the predetermined reference used in each of these bottle appearance inspection systems are equal to each other. Since the threshold value is set to a certain value, it is possible to equalize the quality of the bottle by the visual inspection between a plurality of lines.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a plurality of the bottle appearance inspection systems according to the first aspect are provided, and the defective discharge level as the predetermined reference used in each of the bottle appearance inspection systems is the pass / fail level. Since the ratio of the number of bottles determined to be defective in the determination is set to a threshold value that is equal to each other, the ratio of bottles discharged due to defective scratches between a plurality of lines can be equalized.

According to the invention of claim 6, a plurality of bottle appearance inspection systems according to claim 1 are provided, and the defective discharge level as the predetermined criterion used in each of these bottle appearance inspection systems is the bottle discharge inspection level. Thresholds are set so that the overall defect rate, including defects such as cracks, cracks, foreign matter adhesion and dirt, and defects due to abrasions, is constant, so that the number of bottles discharged defectively can be estimated. As a result, the quantity of bottles required for production can be secured.

According to the invention of claim 7, claims 1 to 1 are provided.
6. In the bottle appearance inspection system according to any one of 6., the inspection information management device obtains a distribution of characteristic values representing the appearance quality of each bottle according to an operation, so that the appearance quality of the bottle can be quantified. In addition, the quality between lines or lots can be compared.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, in the bottle appearance inspection system according to the seventh aspect, since the distribution of the characteristic values is obtained for each predetermined number, the quality can be compared for each set quantity.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, in the bottle appearance inspection system of the seventh aspect, the distribution of the characteristic values is obtained for each inspection, so that the quality can be confirmed in real time.

According to the tenth aspect, the first aspect is provided.
In the bottle appearance inspection system according to any one of to 6,
Since the predetermined standard is changed every predetermined number of inspections of the bottle, it is possible to make the appearance quality of the bottle, the ratio of the bottles discharged poorly, and the like close to the target values.

According to the eleventh aspect, the first aspect is provided.
In the bottle appearance inspection system according to any one of to 6,
Since the predetermined standard is changed every predetermined time, it is possible to make the appearance quality of the bottle, the ratio of defectively discharged bottles, and the like close to the target values.

According to the twelfth aspect, the seventh aspect is provided.
In the bottle appearance inspection system according to any one of claims 9 to 9,
Since the predetermined criterion is changed when the distribution range of the characteristic value fluctuates, when the characteristic value changes abruptly due to a change in lot or the like, the predetermined criterion is automatically changed, so that the Appearance quality and the ratio of defective bottles can be made closer to target values.

According to the thirteenth aspect, the seventh aspect is provided.
In the bottle appearance inspection system according to any one of claims 9 to 9,
Since the predetermined criterion is changed to a threshold value estimated from the tendency of the change of the characteristic value, by automatically changing the predetermined criterion by managing the tendency of the characteristic value, the appearance and the quality of the bottle can be changed. The ratio of discharged bottles can be made closer to the target value.

According to the fourteenth aspect, the first aspect is provided.
2. In the bottle appearance inspection system described in 2, the variation of the characteristic value distribution range is evaluated by an average value or a standard deviation. By automatically changing the criterion, the quality of the appearance of the bottle, the ratio of bottles that are discharged poorly, and the like can be made closer to the target values.

According to the fifteenth aspect, the first aspect is provided.
2. In the bottle appearance inspection system described in 2, the variation in the distribution range of the characteristic value is evaluated based on the ratio of the number of bottles determined to be defective in the pass / fail judgment. When a sudden change occurs, by automatically changing a predetermined reference, it is possible to make the appearance quality of the bottle, the ratio of bottles discharged poorly, and the like close to target values.

According to the sixteenth aspect of the present invention, the bottle is imaged while illuminating the bottle to be inspected, and each image fluctuating according to the abrasion of the bottle is obtained from the image obtained by the imaging. Since the light quantity value of each pixel is obtained and the quality of the bottle is determined using the light quantity value of each pixel and a predetermined reference, the quality of the bottle can be determined in accordance with the degree of scratches on the bottle.

According to the seventeenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image pickup apparatus for picking up an image of a bottle to be inspected, and an image processing apparatus for judging pass / fail of the bottle using an image obtained by the image pickup by the image pickup apparatus. Inspection information such as pass / fail of each bottle obtained by the pass / fail judgment of the image processing apparatus, inspection time, defective portion and defective content of the bottle determined to be defective is stored and displayed in chronological order. The time series change of bottle defects can be managed without the need. As a result, the time-series change of bottle defects can be grasped, and for example, it is possible to associate with a production lot.

According to the eighteenth aspect of the present invention, the first aspect is provided.
7. In the bottle appearance inspection system according to 7, since the image processing apparatus is provided with a storage device for storing a plurality of bottle images of bottles that have become defective in the pass / fail judgment, Redisplay and reinspection using defective bottle images for a plurality of bottles are possible. As a result, it is possible to efficiently capture a bottle defect generated during the appearance inspection, and perform redisplay and reinspection.

According to the nineteenth aspect, the first aspect is provided.
8. The bottle appearance inspection system according to claim 8, wherein the image processing device stores the image of the defective bottle as one data together with the inspection information of the defective portion and the defective content in the storage device. The one-to-one correspondence with the information can be easily managed, and the inspection information can be displayed together with the defect when the defect is confirmed by the defective bottle image.

According to the twentieth aspect, according to the first aspect,
9. The bottle appearance inspection system according to claim 8, wherein the image processing device has a function of outputting an image of the bottle stored in the storage device to a display device in parallel with the pass / fail determination. The display of the image is also possible during the appearance inspection. As a result, it is possible to confirm the location of the defect and the content of the defect without stopping the appearance inspection.

According to the twenty-first aspect, the first aspect is described.
20. The bottle appearance inspection system according to 8 or 19, wherein the inspection information management device has a storage medium, and the storage medium stores an image stored in the storage device transferred from the image processing device. Since the device is provided,
The defective bottle image can be stored outside the image processing apparatus, and if the recording medium is of a removable type, the defective bottle image can be displayed on another display device.

According to the twenty-second aspect, the second aspect is provided.
1. In the bottle appearance inspection system according to 1, the inspection information management device stores the image of the defective bottle in a storage medium of a storage device provided on the inspection information management device side in accordance with a highly compatible file format. Therefore, it is possible to display a defective bottle image on a display device using software distributed on the market without preparing a special program.

According to the twenty-third aspect, the second aspect is provided.
23. In the bottle appearance inspection system according to 1 or 22, the inspection information management device stores the inspection information in a storage medium of a storage device provided on the inspection information management device side according to a highly compatible file format. In addition, the inspection information can be displayed using another computer or the like. As a result, the inspection information can be confirmed together with the defective bottle image by using another computer, and the result of the appearance inspection can be confirmed at a place different from the bottle appearance inspection system.

According to the twenty-fourth aspect, the first aspect is provided.
10. In the bottle appearance inspection system according to 9, the image processing apparatus inputs the failed image and stores it in a storage device provided on the image processing apparatus side. Inspection becomes possible. Further, it is possible to re-display and re-examine the defective bottle image from another bottle appearance inspection system having the same function.

According to the twenty-fifth aspect, the second aspect is provided.
In the bottle appearance inspection system according to 1, the image stored in the storage medium of the storage device provided on the inspection information management device side is used for re-inspection simulation by an external computer. In another place, a re-inspection simulation can be performed using a past defective bottle image.

According to the twenty-sixth aspect, the first aspect is provided.
7. In the bottle appearance inspection system according to 7, the image processing device obtains a light amount value of each pixel that fluctuates according to a scratch of the bottle from an image obtained by imaging by the imaging device,
The quality of the bottle is determined using the light intensity value of each pixel and a predetermined standard, and the degree of abrasion of the bottle is quantified and used as inspection information. It is possible to determine the quality of the abrasion on the surface.

According to the twenty-seventh aspect, the second aspect is provided.
6. The bottle appearance inspection system according to 6, further comprising an illumination device that illuminates the bottle to be inspected, wherein the imaging device is configured to obtain transmitted light of the bottle or light reflected by the bottle by the illumination. Since the bottle is imaged, the amount of transmitted light or the amount of reflected light of the bottle is displayed and stored as inspection information, and changes in the amount of light are managed in chronological order. As a result, it is possible to determine whether the bottle defect determination result is due to an abnormality in the lighting device.

According to the twenty-eighth aspect, the second aspect is provided.
6. In the bottle appearance inspection system according to item 6, when the light amount used in the quality judgment is out of the predetermined range, the occurrence of an abnormality is notified, so that the light amount changes due to deterioration of the illumination device, abnormality of the imaging device, or the like. Then, the occurrence of an abnormality such as the display and output of an alarm is reported, so that it is possible to quickly respond to the trouble and prevent the trouble from occurring in advance.

According to the twenty-ninth aspect, the first aspect is provided.
7. In the bottle appearance inspection system according to 7, the inspection information can be confirmed by displaying the inspection contents according to the image inspection algorithm using the image of the bottle that has failed in the quality judgment and confirming the inspection information. Confirmation can be performed efficiently, and a defect occurrence situation when the threshold value of the inspection is changed can be confirmed efficiently.

According to the thirtieth aspect, the second aspect is provided.
In the bottle appearance inspection system described in 9, the setting and editing of the image inspection algorithm and inspection parameters and the confirmation inspection using the edited and edited algorithm and inspection parameters can be performed in tandem, so that the effect of changing the image inspection algorithm and inspection parameters can be confirmed. Can be performed efficiently.

According to the invention set forth in claim 31, claim 1 is
7. In the bottle appearance inspection system according to 7, the information on the bottles that failed in the pass / fail judgment is displayed externally using a network. It can be displayed in another place. As a result, it is easy to manually manage the quality of the bottle at the bottle inspection station at a location remote therefrom, and it is possible to centrally manage the information on the bottles that have become defective.

According to the invention of claim 32, claim 1 is
7. In the bottle appearance inspection system according to 7, since the information of the bottles that have become defective in the quality judgment is displayed and transferred to the outside through a network, the inspection information of the plurality of bottle appearance inspection systems can be centrally managed. .

According to the invention of claim 33, claim 1 is
8. In the bottle appearance inspection system according to 7, since the inspection information management device has a hardware diagnosis function of the image processing device, it is possible to reduce the time required to detect a failed portion of the image processing device.

According to the thirty-fourth aspect of the present invention, the bottle to be inspected is imaged, and the quality of the bottle is determined by using the image obtained by the imaging. Inspection information such as pass / fail, inspection time, defective part of the bottle determined to be defective and the contents of the defect are stored and displayed in chronological order, so that chronological changes in bottle defects can be managed without human intervention. Can be. As a result, the time-series change of bottle defects can be grasped, and for example, it is possible to associate with a production lot.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a bottle appearance inspection system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state of scratches on a bottle to be inspected.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an inspection range by the bottle appearance inspection system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an inspection range designation unit and the like shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a bottle appearance inspection system according to another embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state of management performed by the test information management device of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of a bottle appearance inspection system according to another embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a storage format of inspection information.

FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram of a bottle appearance inspection system according to another embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a storage format of image data and inspection information.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a storage format of image data and inspection information.

FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram of a bottle appearance inspection system according to another embodiment.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the image processing apparatus of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a configuration diagram of a bottle appearance inspection system according to another embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a configuration diagram of a bottle appearance inspection system according to another embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a configuration diagram of a bottle appearance inspection system according to another embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a configuration diagram of a bottle appearance inspection system according to another embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of a scratch on a bottle.

FIG. 19 is a configuration diagram of a bottle appearance inspection system according to another embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a configuration diagram of a bottle appearance inspection system according to another embodiment.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram of a case where an inspection content and an image of a bottle are simultaneously displayed.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram in a case where switching to an inspection algorithm and parameter editing is provided on a confirmation inspection screen of the bottle appearance inspection system.

FIG. 23 is a configuration diagram of a bottle appearance inspection system according to another embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a configuration diagram of a bottle appearance inspection system according to another embodiment.

FIG. 25 is a configuration diagram of a bottle appearance inspection system according to another embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Illumination device 2 Imaging device 3 Transport device 4 Control device 100,101,102 Image processing device 103 Multitask image processing device 201 Inspection information management device

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Shinji Hatazawa 1048 Kadoma Kadoma, Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd. (72) Inventor Tatsuo Sakai 1048 Odaka Kadoma, Kadoma City, Osaka Matsushita Electric Works Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Tatsuhiko Miyaji 1048 Kadoma Kadoma, Kadoma-shi, Osaka Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd. (72) Inventor Katsuaki Arai 1048 Kadoma Kadoma, Kadoma-shi, Osaka Matsushita Electric Works Co., Ltd. (72) Yasushige Hashimoto Aichi Pref. 318 Nishikawaramachi Asahi Breweries Co., Ltd. CA03 CA04 CB01 CB02 DA01 DA06 DA13 EA14 EB01 EB02 EC03 ED07 FA01 3F079 AD12 CA31 CA42 CB25 CB29 C B33 CB34 CB35 CC11 EA16 5B057 AA02 BA02 BA24 BA26 BA30 CA08 CA12 CA16 CC03 DA03 DB02 DB09 DC22 DC23

Claims (34)

[Claims] An illumination device that illuminates a bottle to be inspected, an imaging device that captures an image of the bottle illuminated by the illumination device, and an image obtained by the imaging device. A bottle appearance inspection system comprising: an image processing device that obtains a light amount value of each pixel that fluctuates according to a scratch on the bottle, and determines the quality of the bottle using the light amount value of each pixel and a predetermined reference. 2. The bottle appearance inspection system according to claim 1, further comprising an inspection information management device for storing and displaying a plurality of bottle scratch levels obtained from the light intensity value of each pixel obtained by the image processing device. 3. An inspection range specifying means for specifying at least one inspection range of a light amount value of each pixel obtained by the image processing device, wherein the inspection range is specified by the inspection range specifying means. Defective emission level designating means for individually designating the defective emission level as the predetermined reference for at least one inspection range,
2. The bottle appearance inspection system according to claim 1, wherein the image processing device compares a scratch level obtained from a light amount value of each pixel with the defective discharge level, and performs the pass / fail judgment based on a result of the comparison. 3. 4. A plurality of bottle appearance inspection systems according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined standard used in each of the bottle appearance inspection systems is set to a threshold value which is equal to each other. Bottle inspection system. 5. A bottle provided with a plurality of bottle appearance inspection systems according to claim 1, wherein the defective discharge level as said predetermined reference used in each of these bottle appearance inspection systems is determined to be defective in said pass / fail judgment. The bottle appearance inspection system is set to a threshold at which the percentages of the numbers are equal to each other. 6. A plurality of bottle visual inspection systems according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined discharge level used as the predetermined standard used in each of the bottle visual inspection systems is cracking, cracking, adhesion of foreign matter, and contamination of the bottle. A bottle appearance inspection system in which the threshold value is set so that the overall defect rate, including defects such as defects and scratches, is constant. 7. The inspection information management apparatus obtains a distribution of characteristic values representing the quality of appearance of each bottle according to an operation.
7. The bottle appearance inspection system according to any one of 6. 8. The bottle appearance inspection system according to claim 7, wherein the characteristic value distribution is obtained for each predetermined number. 9. The bottle appearance inspection system according to claim 7, wherein the characteristic value distribution is obtained for each inspection. 10. The bottle appearance inspection system according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined criterion is changed for each predetermined number of inspections of the bottle. 11. The bottle appearance inspection system according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined reference is changed every predetermined time. 12. The bottle appearance inspection system according to claim 7, wherein the predetermined reference is changed when a distribution range of the characteristic value changes. 13. The method according to claim 7, wherein the predetermined criterion is changed to a threshold value estimated from a tendency of the change of the characteristic value.
The bottle appearance inspection system according to any one of the above. 14. The bottle appearance inspection system according to claim 12, wherein the variation of the distribution range of the characteristic value is evaluated by an average value or a standard deviation. 15. The bottle appearance inspection system according to claim 12, wherein the variation in the distribution range of the characteristic value is evaluated based on a ratio of the number of bottles determined as defective in the pass / fail determination. 16. An image of the bottle to be inspected is taken while illuminating the bottle to be inspected, and a light amount value of each pixel that fluctuates according to a scratch on the bottle is obtained from an image obtained by the imaging. A bottle appearance inspection method for judging the quality of the bottle using the light intensity value of each pixel and a predetermined standard. 17. An image pickup apparatus for picking up an image of a bottle to be inspected, an image processing apparatus for judging the acceptability of the bottle using an image obtained by the image pickup of the image pickup apparatus, and a pass / fail judgment of the image processing apparatus A bottle appearance inspection system comprising: an inspection information management device for storing and displaying in a time series inspection information such as the quality of each bottle, the inspection time, the defective portion of the bottle determined to be defective, and the content of the defect. 18. The bottle appearance inspection system according to claim 17, wherein a storage device is provided on the image processing device side for storing images of the bottles that have become defective in the pass / fail judgment for a plurality of recent bottles. 19. The image processing apparatus according to claim 18, wherein the image of the defective bottle is stored in the storage device as one piece of data together with the inspection information of the defective part and the content of the defect.
The bottle appearance inspection system described. 20. The bottle appearance inspection system according to claim 18, wherein the image processing device has a function of outputting an image of the bottle stored in the storage device to a display device in parallel with the quality judgment. 21. The test information management device side has a storage medium, and the storage medium is provided with a storage device that stores an image stored in the storage device transferred from the image processing device. The bottle appearance inspection system according to claim 18. 22. The inspection information management device stores the image of the failed bottle in a storage medium of a storage device provided on the inspection information management device side according to a highly compatible file format. The bottle appearance inspection system described. 23. The test information management device according to claim 21, wherein the test information management device stores the test information in a storage medium of a storage device provided on the test information management device side according to a highly compatible file format. Bottle appearance inspection system. 24. The bottle appearance inspection system according to claim 19, wherein the image processing device inputs the defective image and stores the image in a storage device provided on the image processing device side. 25. The bottle appearance inspection system according to claim 21, wherein the image stored in the storage medium of the storage device provided on the inspection information management device side is used for an external inspection simulation. 26. The image processing apparatus obtains a light amount value of each pixel that fluctuates according to a scratch of the bottle from an image obtained by imaging by the imaging device, and determines a light amount value of each pixel and a predetermined reference. Use the bottle to determine the quality of the bottle,
18. The bottle appearance inspection system according to claim 17, wherein the degree of abrasion of the bottle is quantified and used as inspection information. 27. An illumination device for illuminating a bottle to be inspected, wherein the imaging device captures an image of the bottle in a state where transmitted light of the bottle or light reflected by the bottle is obtained by the illumination. 27. The bottle appearance inspection system according to claim 26, wherein: 28. The bottle appearance inspection system according to claim 26, wherein when the amount of light used in said pass / fail judgment is out of a predetermined range, the occurrence of an abnormality is notified. 29. The bottle appearance inspection system according to claim 17, wherein an inspection content is displayed according to an image inspection algorithm by using an image of the bottle determined to be defective in the pass / fail judgment, and the inspection can be performed while confirming the inspection information to confirm the inspection information. . 30. The bottle appearance inspection system according to claim 29, wherein the setting and editing of the image inspection algorithm and the inspection parameter and the confirmation inspection using the edited and set algorithm and the inspection parameter can be performed in an interlocked manner. 31. The bottle appearance inspection system according to claim 17, wherein the information of the bottle which has become defective in the quality judgment is displayed externally using a network. 32. The bottle appearance inspection system according to claim 17, wherein the information on the bottle which has failed in the quality judgment is displayed and transferred to the outside through a network. 33. The bottle appearance inspection system according to claim 17, wherein the inspection information management device has a hardware diagnosis function of the image processing device. 34. An image of a bottle to be inspected is taken, and the pass / fail judgment of the bottle is performed using the image obtained by the image pickup. A bottle appearance inspection method for storing and displaying inspection information such as the defective portion and the content of the determined bottle in a time-series manner.