JP2002048720A - Information processing method and device for tea leaves or the like - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processing method and device for tea leaves or the like realizing the systematization of management by incorporating the image information of the tea leaves or the like. SOLUTION: Identification information of a producer of the tea leaves (raw leaves 2) or the like and image information obtained by photographing the tea leaves are stored in a storage means (a memory 94) to realize the data base. The image of the tea leaves or the like can be confirmed and analyzed with the identification information as a retrieval element to realize the systematization and facilitation of management.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for processing tea leaves and the like for obtaining and managing image information of tea leaves and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, techniques for grading fresh leaves and capturing images of fresh leaves are already known. For example, one bud is extracted during the process of collecting fresh leaves subjected to the grading process, and an image thereof is obtained.

[0003]

By the way, the image information of the fresh leaves is powerful information indicating the quality of the fresh leaves, and is a valuable material for grasping the grading process and the harvest situation. Even if individual images are obtained, if the systematic processing is not performed, the image information cannot be used.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a method and an apparatus for processing information on tea leaves and the like which realize image data of tea leaves and the like and systematize the management.

[0005]

The information processing method and apparatus for tea leaves and the like of the present invention store identification information of a producer of tea leaves and the like (fresh leaves 2) and image information obtained by photographing the tea leaves and the like. 94), a database thereof is realized, and images of the tea leaves and the like can be confirmed and analyzed using the identification information as a search element, and systematization and simplification of the management are realized.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for processing tea leaves and the like, comprising storage means (memory 94) for identifying identification information of a producer of tea leaves and the like (fresh leaves 2) and image information obtained by photographing the tea leaves and the like.
In the form of a database, and the identification information can be used as a search element to confirm the image of the tea leaves or the like. That is, obtaining identification information of a producer or the like taken in prior to the grading process for tea leaves or the like, capturing tea leaves or the like in parallel, taking in image information, and storing the image information and the identification information in storage means. To make a database.
As a result, the image information is read out using the identification information as a search element, and the image information can be used for checking or referring to the image.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing method for tea leaves or the like, wherein the storage means stores the rating information of the tea leaves or the like and forms a database, and confirms the image of the tea leaves or the like using the identification information or the rating information as a search element. Is made possible. That is, by using the rating information together, the final rating of the tea leaves or the like can be performed using the rating and the image together.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing method for tea leaves or the like, wherein image information is taken from the tea leaves or the like before obtaining the rating information. That is, since the rating information is taken in under the pressure of the tea leaves and the like, if the image information is taken before the taking of the rating information, a natural image of the tea leaves and the like can be obtained.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing method for tea leaves and the like, wherein the image information of the tea leaves and the like is taken in the collecting step from the tea leaves and the like from which the rating information is obtained. That is, the tea leaves and the like for which the incorporation of the rating information has been completed are collected using a collection conveyor or the like. In the collecting process, the tea leaves and the like can be photographed and the image information can be taken in.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus for tea leaves and the like, comprising: a measuring room (4) in which a cell (12) in which tea leaves or the like (fresh leaves 2) to be measured are loaded is installed; Collection means (collection conveyor device 8, collection conveyor 52) for collecting the tea leaves and the like, photographing means (CCD camera 64) installed in the collection means to photograph the tea leaves and the like and take in image information, and identification of the tea leaves and the like Storage means (memory 94) for storing the image information together with information and rating information. That is, the rating information is taken in by the tea leaves or the like loaded in the cell, and after the taking of the rating information is completed, the rating information is collected by the collection means.
Therefore, a photographing means is installed in the collecting means to photograph the tea leaves and the like during the collection. If the image information obtained by this photographing is stored in a storage unit together with identification information such as tea leaves and rating information, the database of the image information can be organized and systematized, and the image information is extracted using the identification information and the rating information as search elements. It is possible.

A tea leaf information processing apparatus according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the information processing apparatus includes means for leveling the tea leaves and the like on the collection means (a retraction mechanism 72, a retraction device 75). That is, clustering of tea leaves and the like before photographing can be prevented, and the reliability of image information can be improved.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the information processing apparatus for tea leaves and the like includes a collecting conveyor (52) as the collecting means, and a detecting means (fresh leaf sensor 70) for detecting the tea leaves and the like on the collecting conveyor. The recovery conveyor is stopped in response to a detection output from the detection means indicating that the tea leaves or the like have arrived. That is, the collection conveyor conveys the collected tea leaves and the like, but the arrival of the tea leaves and the like at the imaging site is detected by the detection means, and the collection conveyor is stopped by the detection output, so that the photographing means is properly positioned. Can be taken by
The obtained image can be standardized and the reliability can be improved.

An information processing apparatus for tea leaves and the like according to claim 8 captures a measurement room (4) in which a cell (12) in which a tea leaf or the like (fresh leaf 2) to be measured is loaded is installed, and the tea leaves and the like on the cell. And a photographing means (CCD camera 64) for obtaining image information. That is, the photographing of the tea leaves or the like can be performed on the cell in the measurement room, the photographing can be performed before the rating information is captured, the image information can be captured, and the image information can be stored in the storage unit.

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows a tea leaf etc. grading processing apparatus which is an embodiment of a tea leaf etc. information processing method and apparatus of the present invention. This tea leaf grading processing apparatus is installed and used near a tea leaf transport line (not shown), and is used as a measurement chamber 4 for measuring the components of the fresh leaves 2 as a sample, and a feeding conveyor device as a feeding means for feeding the fresh leaves 2 into the measuring chamber 4. 6, a recovery conveyor device 8 for recovering the fresh leaves 2 and the like. In this embodiment, the feeding conveyor device 6 is installed. However, when the operator manually feeds the fresh leaves 2 into the measuring chamber 4,
No charging conveyor device 6 is required.

A caster 10 is attached to the measuring chamber 4 on the bottom side of the frame 9 and is set at a predetermined position near the tea leaf conveying line. The measurement chamber 4 is a dark box for using near infrared rays or the like as a measurement medium.
Is provided with a cylindrical cell 12 as a storage container for storing the fresh leaves 2. This cell 12 is rotatably and reversibly supported by a support frame 14, and
A rotating mechanism 15, a reversing mechanism 16, and the like are provided, and a light-transmitting plate 18 is provided on the bottom side thereof. The rotating mechanism 15 is a means for rotating the cell 12 in the circumferential direction, and the reversing mechanism 16 is a means for reversing and discharging the fresh leaves 2 stored in the cell 12.

A pressing plate 20 is provided above the cell 12 via a lifting mechanism 22 as a pressing means for lifting and lowering the fresh leaves 2 in the cell 12. An expansion film 24 that expands and presses the fresh leaves 2 is provided on the lower surface side of the pressing plate 20, and air pressure is supplied to the expansion film 24 from a pressurizing source. Also,
For example, a cylinder device 26 is used as the elevating mechanism 22, and a support arm 30 of the pressing plate 20 is attached to a plunger 28 that moves up and down by the cylinder device 26. The support arm 30 is supported by an elevating rail 32.

A stage 34 installed below the cell 12
Has a near-infrared radiation and light receiving device 3 as a component measuring means.
6 are installed. This near-infrared radiation and light receiving device 3
Numeral 6 illuminates the fresh leaves 2 loaded in the cell 12 with near-infrared rays through the light-transmitting plate 18, receives the reflected light from the fresh leaves 2 using an integrating sphere or the like, and extracts the components of the fresh leaves 2 from the received light spectrum. The details are described in, for example, JP-A-11-230902.

An inlet 40 is formed in the upper part of the side surface of the measuring chamber 4 as an opening into which the fresh leaves 2 are inserted by letting the input conveyor 38 of the input conveyor device 6 in and out, and the input port 40 is opened and closed. Shutter mechanism 42
Is installed. The shutter mechanism 42 includes an opening / closing plate 43
Are opened and closed by a cylinder device 44 as a driving means.

The feeding conveyor device 6 is installed between the measuring chamber 4 and a tea leaf transport line (not shown), and has a rotating mechanism 46 and an advance / retreat mechanism as an unshown advance / retreat driving means. The charging conveyor 38 is slidably mounted on a rail (not shown), and a driving force is applied from a cylinder device as a driving unit, for example. The feeding conveyor 38 is moved on the rail by this cylinder device, and the tip of the feeding conveyor 38 enters the feeding port 40 of the measuring chamber 4.
Or, it is a configuration to escape. The rotation mechanism 46 includes a motor 48
The feeding conveyor 38 is rotated to transport the fresh leaves 2 as the object to be transported. A guide plate 49 of the feeding conveyor device 6 has a rewinding machine 50 in which a plurality of rewinding rods are erected radially on a peripheral surface of a rotating shaft supported in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the feeding conveyor 38. The thickness of the fresh leaf 2 being conveyed is uniformed or leveled by the recuperator 50.

Then, the recovery conveyor device 8 is connected to the measuring room 4
A long collection conveyor 52 is installed below and above the stage 34 so as to straddle the inside and outside of the measurement chamber 4, and the collection conveyor 52 is provided with a conveyor rotation mechanism 53. That is, a driving force is applied to the transport belt of the collection conveyor 52 by a driving force transmission unit such as a belt 56 from a motor 54 as a driving source provided at the end of the collection conveyor 52. The collection conveyor 52 is supported by a cart 58, and can be moved to a desired position by the cart 58. In addition, fresh leaves 2 are placed above the recovery conveyor 52.
An image processing unit 60 for taking in the image is installed, and a lighting device 66 is installed on a support frame 62 of the image processing unit 60 together with a CCD camera 64 as a photographing means. At the end of the image processing unit 60, a fresh leaf sensor 70 is provided as a detecting means for detecting the arrival of the fresh leaf 2 at the photographing area 68 by contact or non-contact.

The supporting area 62 has a photographing area 6.
A scavenging mechanism 72 is provided as a leveling means for leveling by scraping or loosening the fresh leaves 2 transferred to 8. The repositioning mechanism 72 is provided so that the vertical position can be adjusted by a vertical movement mechanism 74. A plurality of repositioning rods are radially provided on the peripheral surface of the rotating shaft supported by the support frame 62 in a direction orthogonal to the direction of transport of the fresh leaves 2. An erecting rewinding machine 75 is provided. The torque of the motor 76 is applied to the rewinding machine 75 via a rotation transmission means such as a belt 78,
Due to the rotation, the thickness of the fresh leaves 2 during collection and transfer is made uniform or leveled and transferred to the photographing area 68.

At the end of the collecting conveyor 52, a sample box 80 as a storage means for storing the collected fresh leaves 2 is provided. If the sample box 80 is supported by a support 82 projecting from the cart 58, the sample box 80 can be moved together with the cart 58, and the positional relationship of the terminal end of the collection conveyor 52 can be kept constant.

As shown in FIG. 2, the control device of this tea leaf grading processing device is provided with a control unit 90 composed of a computer. The control unit 90 includes a keyboard and the like used for inputting settings and the like. Various inputs such as identification information of the fresh leaves 2 are added from the input device 92, and drive outputs to the cell reversing mechanism 16, the conveyor rotating mechanism 53, the retraction mechanism 72, the lighting device 66, the cell rotating mechanism 15, and the like are obtained as driving means. Further, an image output is input from the CCD camera 66, and a detection output of the fresh leaf sensor 70 is added as control information. The control unit 90 includes identification information,
A memory 94 is provided as storage means for storing various information such as rating information and image information. As the storage means, in addition to the memory 94, a fixed disk, an external storage device, or the like can be used.

Next, the control operation of the grading apparatus for tea leaves and the like will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. Before accepting the fresh leaf 2 from the producer, and before rating the fresh leaf 2, in step S 1, input processing of identification information such as the producer number, date, sample number, and variety of the fresh leaf 2 is performed through the input device 92. This input process may use an input assisting means such as an ID card acquired in advance by the producer, in addition to manual input using a keyboard.

Next, after the input process of the identification information, a fetching process of the rating information is performed in step S2 based on the grading process. In step S2, after the power is turned on, the open / close plate 43 of the shutter mechanism 42 is always closed.
The opening operation is started at the time of automatic feeding of. In this opening operation, a drive output is applied from the control unit 90 to the shutter mechanism 42, and air pressure is applied to the cylinder device 44. As a result, the open / close plate 43 is pulled upward, and the input port 40 of the measurement chamber 4 is opened.
Is opened. It is determined whether or not the opening operation has been completed, and the opening operation is continuously performed until the opening / closing plate 43 is opened to a predetermined position.

The charging port 40 is opened, and the operation of the charging conveyor 38 to enter the measuring chamber 4 is started. This charging conveyor 3
Before moving to the entry operation of No. 8, a certain amount (constant weight) of fresh leaves 2 is secured on the side of a conveyor (not shown), and the fresh leaves 2 are transferred to the input conveyor 38, and the input conveyor entered from the input port 40. Fresh leaves 2 are introduced into the cell 12 from the front end side of 38, that is, from the end. Due to the fall of the fresh leaves 2 and the rotation of the cell 12, a uniform film of the fresh leaves 2 is formed on the light-transmitting plate 18 forming the bottom surface of the cell 12.

Then, the open / close plate 43 is closed to perform a measurement process, and the rating information of the fresh leaves 2 is taken into the memory 94. First, near-infrared rays are irradiated to the standard reflector, and a zero-point measurement is performed with the reflected wave as a zero-point output. Then, as shown in FIG. The press platen 20 is lowered on the upper surface of the cell 12 as shown by the arrow A, and the expansion film 24 is expanded by air pressure to hold the upper surface of the fresh leaf 2, and the cell 12 is rotated in the horizontal direction as shown by the arrow B. . At this time, since the pressing plate 20 is in a united state with the cell 12 and can freely rotate, it rotates with the cell 12 as shown by the arrow C. As described above, the near-infrared rays are irradiated on the fresh leaves 2 in the rotating cell 12 and the reflected waves from the fresh leaves 2 are received, and the data representing the components, that is, the rating information of the fresh leaves 2 is transmitted to the control unit 90. Is stored in the memory 94.

After the completion of the component analysis, the process proceeds to the recovery step. That is, the fresh leaves 2 in the cell 12 for which the incorporation of the rating information has been completed are transferred from the cell 12 to the collection conveyor 52 by the reversing operation of the cell 12. In response to this, the collection conveyor 52 is driven, and the fresh leaves 2 are collected by the collection conveyor 5.
2 is conveyed toward its end. Since the fresh leaves 2 that have fallen on the collecting conveyor 52 are in a nodular shape, the scraping machine 75 is rotated in synchronization with the driving of the collecting conveyor 52, and the fresh leaves 2 are scraped and unraveled to make them uniform or level. Is performed. The transfer of the collection conveyor 52 continues,
When the fresh leaf 2 reaches the photographing area 68, the fresh leaf sensor 70
Generates the detection output, and this detection output is applied to the control unit 90 as a control input.

In step S3, the mode shifts to the photographing mode based on the detection output of the fresh leaf sensor 70, and the image information is fetched. That is, the rotation operation of the collection conveyor 52 is stopped, the illumination device 66 is turned on, and the CCD camera 64 photographs the fresh leaves 2 in the photographing area 68. The lighting device 66 may be constantly turned on. This photographing is performed several times, and the image information obtained by the CCD camera 64 is added to the control unit 90 and stored in the memory 94.

In step S4, the memory 94
The systematization of the image information is performed together with the identification information and the rating information stored in the database, and a database creation process is performed in which the image information can be searched using the identification information and the rating information as search elements. Various information of the raw leaves 2 in the database
The information is stored in a fixed disk or an external storage device in addition to the memory 94, and information search as reference data or the like can be performed. It should be noted that the image information can be searched using the rating information as a search element because the rating and the image data representing the appearance of the fresh leaf 2 can be easily referenced without referring to the identification information, and the relationship between the rating and the appearance can be obtained. Is to be able to be referred to uniformly.

After the photographing is completed, the collection conveyor 5
2 is driven, all the fresh leaves 2 on the collecting conveyor 52 are collected in the sample box 80 at the end side of the collecting conveyor 52, and the acquisition of information on all the fresh leaves 2 is completed.

The identification information, the rating information and the image information of the fresh leaf 2 thus made into a database can be confirmed and referenced by comparing the component value of the same fresh leaf 2 and the appearance state indicated by the image information. It is also possible to determine the classification of the fresh leaves 2 after reading the image information. Further, the image information can be used for further image processing such as texture analysis, and high-grade rating processing can be performed. For example, it is possible to later confirm the state of the brought-in fresh leaves 2 under conditions such as date and variety, and when the rating grade is later dissatisfied, the rating information and the image information can be easily obtained from the identification information. It is possible to improve the reliability of the rating process, for example, it is possible to compare and classify a plurality of rating information and image information in a state where the reading information or the identification information is concealed. it can.

FIG. 5 shows another embodiment of the information processing method and apparatus for tea leaves and the like according to the present invention. In this embodiment, image information is taken in the fresh leaves 2 before the analysis processing. That is, a CCD camera 64 and a lighting device 66 are movably arranged above the cell 12 as photographing means,
When the pressing platen 20 is retracted upward, the CCD camera 64 and the lighting device 6 are placed above the cell 12 in which the fresh leaves 2 are loaded.
6, the leaf 2 in the cell 12 may be photographed before the pressing plate 20 is pressed to take in the image information. In this case, since the photographing is performed while the pressing plate 20 is prevented from descending from above the cell 12, there is no hindrance to the analysis processing operation. In addition, when the analysis processing operation is not hindered, the CCD camera 64 and the illumination device 6 are placed above the cell 12.
It is not necessary to move 6 and it may be fixed at a specific position. Since the fresh leaves 2 in the cell 12 have not been pressed yet, the natural appearance of the fresh leaves 2 can be photographed.

Next, another embodiment will be described.
Although the image information of the fresh leaves 2 before and after the component analysis is obtained, the image information may be obtained from the fresh leaves 2 being transported, for example, from the fresh leaves 2 being transported, such as on the input conveyor 38.

Although a CCD camera has been described as an example of the photographing means, a digital camera or the like may be used.

In addition, although fresh leaves were taken as an example, the present invention can be used for grading tea leaves other than fresh leaves, other vegetables and fruits, and is not limited to tea leaves.

[0037]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The following effects are obtained. a. Since the image information is captured and stored together with the identification information or the rating information of the tea leaves or the like and is made into a database, the image information can be easily extracted and confirmed using the identification information or the rating information as a search element. b Since the appearance state of the tea leaves and the like can be confirmed later from the rating information and the image information of the same components such as the tea leaves, the rating evaluation can be performed at a time other than when the tea leaves and the like are received,
This can contribute to speeding up the receiving process. c It is possible to check the condition of the tea leaves, etc. brought in under the conditions such as date and variety, and, if the rating class is later unsatisfied, easily read the rating information and image information from the identification information, or In addition, a plurality of rating information and image information can be compared and proved in a state in which the identification information is hidden, which can contribute to labor saving of the rating process and improvement of the rating accuracy.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of a tea leaf etc. grading processing apparatus which is an embodiment of a tea leaf etc. information processing method and apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control device.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a processing operation.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an operation of measuring processing of fresh leaves.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the information processing method and apparatus for tea leaves and the like of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Fresh leaves 4 Measurement room 8 Collection conveyor device (collection means) 12 cells 52 Collection conveyor (collection means) 64 CCD camera (photographing means) 70 Fresh leaf sensor (detection means) 72 Scavenging mechanism 75 Scavenging machine

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2G051 AA01 CA04 DA01 DA08 EA12 EA14 EB09 EC01 2G059 AA01 AA05 BB11 EE12 HH01 KK01 5B049 BB02 CC02 CC21 DD01 DD05 EE05 EE07 FF03 FF04 FF09 5B075 ND12 ND12 ND20 PP30 PQ02 PQ32 UU40

Claims (8)

[Claims] An identification information of a producer of tea leaves and the like, and image information obtained by photographing the tea leaves and the like are stored in a storage means and made into a database, and the identification information is used as a search element to retrieve an image of the tea leaves and the like. An information processing method for tea leaves and the like, characterized in that confirmation of tea leaves is enabled. 2. The storage means stores the rating information of the tea leaves and the like and stores it in a database, so that the identification information or the rating information can be used as a search element to confirm the image of the tea leaves and the like. Item 1. The information processing method for tea leaves and the like according to Item 1. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein image information is taken in from the tea leaves or the like before obtaining the rating information. 4. The tea leaf information processing method according to claim 1, wherein image information of the tea leaves and the like is taken in the collecting step from the tea leaves and the like from which the rating information is obtained. 5. A measuring chamber in which a cell into which a tea leaf or the like to be measured is loaded is installed; a collecting means for collecting the tea leaf or the like from the cell in the measuring chamber; And a storage unit for storing the image information together with the identification information and the rating information of the tea leaves and the like. 6. The information processing apparatus for tea leaves and the like according to claim 5, further comprising means for leveling the tea leaves and the like on the collection means. 7. A collection conveyor as the collection means, and a detection means for detecting the tea leaves and the like on the collection conveyor, wherein the detection means generates a detection output indicating that the tea leaves and the like have arrived. 6. The information processing apparatus for tea leaves and the like according to claim 5, wherein the collection conveyor is stopped by the operation. 8. A tea leaf or the like, comprising: a measurement room in which a cell into which a tea leaf or the like to be measured is loaded is installed; and a photographing means for photographing the tea leaf or the like on the cell to obtain image information. Information processing device.