JP2002328008A - Method and system for measuring dimensions - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To measure dimensions of a package by one-touch action in non- contact and without a special table or the like in such a method for measuring dimensions that light lays are projected on the package and the dimensions of the package is measured. SOLUTION: The method for measuring dimensions, in which the light lays are projected on the package as an object to be measured in order to measure dimensions of the package, is provided with a step in which the plural light rays 3 are projected onto a surface 2 of the package 1, and the distance L to the package 1 is measured using reflected light rays, a step in which the light rays 3 are projected onto the package 1 while scanning in two-dimensions, and the reflected light rays are photographed, and an arm image at the side of the package 1 where the light rays are projected is extracted using the light- section method in order to form a similar figure of the package 1, and a step in which the actual dimensions are obtained using the formed similar figure of the package 1 and the distance L to the package 1. Thereby, the dimensions of the package 1 are measured by one-touch action in non-contact and without any special table or the like, and the efficiency of measuring dimensions is improved.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a dimension measuring method and a dimension measuring system for measuring the dimensions of a package by irradiating the package with a light beam when receiving the package at a post office or a convenience store. The present invention relates to a dimension measuring method and a dimension measuring system for measuring the dimensions of a package without touching the package and one-touch without requiring a dedicated stand or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When a parcel such as a courier service is received at a post office or a convenience store, there are two types of charge categories: weight based on the weight of the package, and size based on the sum of the height, width and height of the package. There is. Then, it is necessary to measure the weight and to measure the length, width and height, respectively.

[0003] As a conventional dimension measuring device, Japanese Utility Model
As described in JP-A-43684 and JP-A-8-43034, a luggage as an object to be measured is placed on a dedicated measuring table, and a light beam such as a laser beam is emitted from a plurality of directions of the luggage. Some have measured the vertical, horizontal, and height dimensions by irradiating and measuring the area where the irradiated light is blocked by the load.

As another example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-105
As described in Japanese Patent No. 639, for example, a portable bar code reader that reads a bar code attached to a product includes a roller that rotates in contact with the surface of the package and a unit that detects the amount of rotation of the roller. Attach the bar code reader to the vertical of the load,
In some cases, the size of the package is measured by sequentially moving the roller in the horizontal and height directions and detecting the amount of rotation of the roller.

[0005]

However, in such a conventional dimension measuring apparatus, in the first conventional example, a dedicated measuring table for irradiating a light beam to the package by defining three directions of the package is required. Or place the luggage on a dedicated transport path and irradiate light from multiple directions of the luggage,
It required a dedicated stand larger than the above-mentioned luggage. Therefore, a place or space is occupied by a dedicated measuring table or the like larger than the luggage.

Further, in the second conventional example, the above-mentioned dedicated measuring table or the like is not required, but in the end, the roller is brought into contact with the surface of the package, and the bar code reader is moved vertically, horizontally, and vertically.
It had to be moved one by one in the height direction, and there was no much difference from measuring a dimension by manually placing a ruler, a tape measure, or the like on a package without using a special measuring device. Therefore, dimensions cannot be measured in a one-touch manner without contacting the luggage, and the efficiency of dimension measurement cannot be said to be high.

Accordingly, the present invention addresses such a problem, and provides a dimension measuring method and a dimension measuring system for measuring the dimensions of a package without touching the package and without touching the package, without requiring a dedicated stand or the like. The purpose is to:

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, a dimension measuring method according to the present invention is directed to a dimension measuring method for irradiating a light beam on a load as a measurement object to measure the size of the load. Irradiating a plurality of light beams toward one surface of the package and measuring the distance to the package using reflected light thereof; and irradiating the package by scanning a light beam two-dimensionally toward the package and reflecting the reflected light. Generating a similar shape of the luggage by extracting each side image on the light irradiation side of the luggage by the light sectioning method, and using the similar shape of the luggage generated and the distance to the luggage. And determining the actual dimensions of.

With this configuration, a plurality of light beams are emitted toward one surface of the package, the distance to the package is measured using the reflected light, and the light beam is two-dimensionally scanned toward the package. The reflected light is imaged, and each side image on the light beam irradiation side of the package is extracted by a light section method to generate a similar shape of the package, and the similar shape of the generated package and the distance to the package are generated. Is used to determine the actual dimensions of the package. This makes it possible to measure the size of the package with one touch without contacting the package without the need for a dedicated stand or the like.

[0010] The package has a rectangular parallelepiped shape including a cube. In this case, it is easy to generate a similar shape of the luggage by the light cutting method.

[0011] The step of measuring the distance to the package may include, when the plane of the package is positioned obliquely with respect to the irradiation direction of the light beam, moving up and down, left and right with respect to one plane of the package. And calculating the inclination of the baggage based on a change in the interval between the bright points of the irradiated light, and correcting the distance to the baggage. Thus, when the surface of the package is positioned obliquely with respect to the irradiation direction of the light beam, an accurate distance to the surface can be measured.

[0012] Further, the step of generating the similar shape of the package includes the step of extracting a portion where three closed regions where the side images on the light beam irradiation side of the package are extracted are present adjacent to each other, so that the other components and the package are extracted. And extracting it in a distinguishable manner. Thus, even if the load is on a table, the similar shape of the load can be generated by distinguishing the table from the load.

Next, the dimension measuring system according to the present invention comprises:
In a dimension measuring system for irradiating a light beam to a package as a measurement target to measure the size of the package, a light emitting unit for generating a light beam for irradiating the package, and a light beam generated from the light emitting unit in a two-dimensional direction. Light scanning irradiation means for scanning and irradiating the package, imaging means for receiving reflected light of the light illuminated on the package and imaging the entire package, and processing image signals from the imaging means Image processing means for calculating the distance to the package using the interval value between the luminescent spots for distance measurement and generating a similar shape of the package, and an output signal of the distance and the similar shape from the image processing means. Control means for calculating and outputting the actual dimensions of the package,
It is provided with.

With this configuration, a light beam is emitted by the light emitting means to irradiate the object to be measured, and the light beam emitted from the light emitting means is scanned two-dimensionally by the light scanning and irradiating means so as to be applied to the object. Illuminating the package, receiving reflected light of the light illuminated on the package, capturing an image of the entire package by an imaging unit, processing an image signal from the imaging unit by an image processing unit, and illuminating a spot for distance measurement. The distance to the baggage is calculated using the interval value between them, and a similar shape of the baggage is generated.The distance from the image processing means and the output signal of the similar shape are taken in, and the actual size of the baggage is determined by the control means. Calculate and output. This eliminates the need for a dedicated stand, etc.
The size of the package can be measured with one touch without contacting the package.

The luggage has a rectangular parallelepiped shape including a cube. In this case, it is easy to generate a similar shape of the load.

Further, on the output side of the control means, a charge conversion processing means for obtaining a charge for the actual size of the package calculated by the control means based on data of a charge unit price corresponding to the size of the package, Charge display means for displaying the charge obtained by the processing means. As a result, a charge for the actual size of the package can be obtained, and the charge can be displayed on the charge display means.

Further, immediately after the control means, accumulation processing means for accumulating actual size data calculated for a plurality of packages output from the control means is provided, and the output from the accumulation processing means is output to the subsequent stage. It is sent to the side. As a result, the actual dimensions calculated for a plurality of packages are accumulated, and subsequent necessary processing can be performed on the accumulated result.

A dimension measuring system according to another means is a dimension measuring system according to the above-described means, wherein the light emitting means, the light scanning and irradiating means, the imaging means, the image processing means, and the control means are the same as the bar code reader. It is common and integrated with the barcode reader.
Thus, a barcode reader that reads a barcode attached to a product or the like and a dimension measurement system that measures the dimensions of a package can be integrated and shared.

[0019]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, the dimension measurement method will be described. 1 to 4 are explanatory views showing an embodiment of a dimension measuring method according to the present invention. In this dimension measuring method, when receiving a package at a post office or a convenience store, the package is illuminated with a light beam to measure the dimensions of the package. ).

First, as shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of light beams, for example, 3a, 3b, 3c, are radiated toward one surface 2 of a load 1, and the distance L to the load 1 is measured using the reflected light. I do. At this time, a light emitting source 4 such as a laser diode LD is used.
A light beam 3 such as a laser beam is generated from the light beam, and the light beam 3 is swung right and left by an optical scanner 5 to produce three light beams 3a and 3
b, 3c are sequentially irradiated on the surface 2 of the package 1. Then, the bright spots 6a, 6b, 6c on the surface 2 of the luggage 1 by the three irradiated light beams 3a, 3b, 3c are imaged by an imaging device 7 such as a CCD camera. The number of pixels between the bright spots 6a to 6c on the image of the imaging device 7 is determined by the number of pixels.
D is obtained, and the distance L is obtained from the interval D as follows.

[0021] For example, in FIG. 2, the light emitting source 4 or ray 3a from the optical scanner 5 at a predetermined angle theta, When irradiated with 3c, 2 beams of light 3a at a distance L _1, the spacing between 3c and 2D ₁ Become. Similarly, two beams at a distance L ₃ 3
a, the spacing between 3c becomes 2D _3. Here, a known the predetermined angle theta, the spacing D of the beam is seen by how many pixels on the image, if the interval is a 2D _2, the distance is determined as L _2. Note that, in this case, the description has been made in an ideal state in which the surface 2 of the package 1 faces the irradiation direction of the light beam 3.

Next, as shown in FIG. 3, the light beam 3 is two-dimensionally scanned and radiated toward the package 1, the reflected light is imaged, and the light is irradiated on the beam irradiating side of the package 1 by a light cutting method. Each side image is extracted and a similar shape of the package 1 is generated. At this time, the light beam 3 output from the light emitting source 4 is raster-scanned by the optical scanner 5 and a plurality of parallel light beams 3, 3,. Irradiate.
When the package 1 irradiated with the plurality of parallel light beams 3 is viewed from an oblique direction, the light beam 3 has corners 8 where the respective surfaces of the package 1 intersect.
The light beam 3 is bent at 9, 10 or the like, and a nodal point 11 is formed in the light ray 3.

The state shown in FIG. 4A is picked up by the image pickup device 7 shown in FIG. 3 and subjected to image processing to extract only the inflection points 11 described above. Then, as shown in FIG. 4B, an image showing the outline of the package 1 in which a plurality of inflection points 11 are arranged is generated.
By further performing image processing and connecting the inflection points 11 with lines, as shown in FIG. 4C, the side images 8 ', 9', 10 ', etc. on the light irradiation side of the package 1 are generated. You. Thereby, the similar shape 12 of the load 1 shown in FIG. 3 is generated, and the shape of the load 1 can be measured.

As described above, when the shape of the package 1 is measured, the actual size of the package 1 is obtained by using the generated similar shape 12 of the package 1 and the distance L to the package 1. That is, the distance L to the surface 2 of the package 1 shown in FIG.
Is applied to the similar shape 12 of the luggage 1 obtained as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, and the ratio of the similar shape 12 occupying the screen imaged by the imaging device 7 is calculated. 1 actual dimensions are required.

The above description is an ideal state in which the surface 2 of the package 1 is directly opposed to the irradiation direction of the light beam 3. In most cases, the surface 2 is positioned obliquely, and therefore, the correction of the distance in that case will be described below. That is, FIG.
In the measurement of the distance L to the luggage 1 shown in FIG.
When the surface 2 of the package 1 is positioned obliquely with respect to the irradiation direction of 3c, the distance D between the luminescent spots of the light rays 3 irradiated vertically and horizontally apart from one surface 2 of the package 1 The inclination of the load 1 is obtained from the change in the distance L, and the distance L to the load 1 is corrected.

For example, as shown in FIG. 5 when the package 1 shown in FIG. 1 is viewed from the side, light emission from a light emitting source 4 (the optical scanner 5 is omitted here for simplicity). with respect to the axis 15, a state 13 ₁ directly opposite surface 13 of the package 1 is positioned inclined upper forward side in a vertical plane, upper opposite there is a state 13 ₂ positioned inclined rearward. At this time, it is assumed that three light beams are sequentially emitted from the light emitting source 4 to the directly facing surface 13.
And point B below. Then, with the surface 13 ₁ with its upper part positioned inclined to the front side, the upper side of the point the A _1, and the point B ₁ of the lower. Further, with the surface 13 ₂ of the upper is positioned inclined to the rear side, above the point A _2, and the lower point B ₂
Becomes In FIG. 5, the symbol α indicates the position of the light irradiation axis 15 of the light emitting source 4 and the imaging axis of the imaging device 7 when the imaging device 7 is directed to the center point O of the surface 13 facing the package 1. The intersection angle is shown. The symbol W indicates the distance between the light emitting source 4 and the imaging device 7 in the vertical direction.

As shown in FIG. 6 when the package 1 shown in FIG. 1 is viewed from directly above, light from a light emitting source 4 (the optical scanner 5 is omitted here for simplicity). Irradiation axis 1
Against 5, a state 14 ₁ directly opposite surface 14 of the package 1 is positioned inclined to the front side is the left portion in the horizontal plane, and the state 14 ₂ right portion on the opposite is positioned inclined to the front side is there. At this time, it is assumed that three light beams are sequentially emitted from the light emitting source 4 to the facing surface 14, and the bright points at that time are assumed to be a central point O, a left point C, and a right point D. Then, with the surface 14 ₁ which left portion is located inclined to the front side, C ₁ becomes a point of the left, the point D ₁ of the right. Further, the right portion in the surface 14 ₂ positioned inclined to the front side, a point left a point D ₂ of the C _2, and the right. Actually, the inclined states shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 are combined to form various oblique surfaces.

Referring to FIG. 7, a state in which a certain surface of the package 1 is sequentially irradiated with light rays from the light emitting source 4 and five bright spots O, A, B, C, and D are irradiated will be described. explain. FIG. 7A shows a case where a light beam is irradiated from a front on a certain surface of the package 1, and the distances between the bright points O, A, B, C, and D are a, b, and d, respectively.
c and d. When light is applied to a certain surface of the package 1 from obliquely above from the front, the distances c and d do not change, but the distance between the bright spots OA ₁ and OB ₁ as shown in FIG. Are a 'and b', respectively. In addition, the luggage 1
When a light beam is applied to a certain surface from the front left and obliquely forward, as shown in FIG. 7C, the distances a and b do not change, but the distance between the bright points OC ₁ and OD ₁ is c 'and d'. Further, when a light beam is applied to a certain surface of the package 1 from an obliquely upper left side, as shown in FIG. 7D, the light spots O, A ₁ , B _1, C ₁ , D ₁ The distances are a ', b',
c 'and d'.

In this state, the distances a, b, and d between the bright spots O, A, B, C, and D when light rays are irradiated from the front as shown in FIG.
c, each bright point in a case of radiating light from obliquely above as shown in stores the ratio of d, for example, FIG. _{7 (d) O, A 1} , B
_1, C _1, D ₁ between the distance a ', b', c ' , d' from the change in the ratio of, calculate the slope of a certain surface of the luggage 1, each bright point O, A,
The change in the distance between B, C, and D due to the inclination of the package 1 is corrected.

Here, the facing surface 1 of the package 1 shown in FIG.
4 is the distance of the state inclined in the front or back side in the horizontal plane.
An example of derivation will be described with reference to FIG. Figure 8
Therefore, the facing surface 14 of the package 1 shown in FIG.
Similarly, the inclined surface 14 of the luggage 1 ₁The distance to that surface
The actual measurement plane to be measured. And a light irradiation axis from the light source 4
Let L be the distance to the central point O on the reference plane 14 that intersects 15
And the actual measurement surface 14 to be obtained ₁Center point O on₁Distance to L₁
And Further, the focus of the imaging device 7 is set to F,
F is the focal length from the surface to the focal point F, and
The distance from to the focal point F of the imaging device 7 is g.

First, light is emitted from the light emitting source 4 to the reference surface 14.
The actual distance D from the center point O illuminated with the line to the left point C
₀And the image on the image plane of the imaging device 7
The cell distance d (not shown) is stored. Next,
Light source 4 to measured surface 14₁When irradiated with light
Central point O₁, Left point C₁, Right point D₁Correspond to
Distance D from point O on the reference plane 14 to the left point_Four,
And the actual distance D to the right point _FiveAnd imaged these
Pixel distances y and z on the image plane of the imaging device 7 (shown in FIG.
Without each).

In this state, using the obtained real distances D ₄ and D ₅ on the reference plane 14 and the pixel distances y and z on the image plane of the imaging device 7, the following equation is obtained from the similarity of a triangle. Holds. f: d = (g + L ): D 0 f: y = (g + L): D 4 f: z = (g + L): When determining the D ₄ and D ₅ from D ₅ above _{equation, D 4 = y (g +} L) / f ... it becomes _{(1) D 5 = z (} g + L) / f ... (2).

Next, the coordinates C ₁ and D ₁ point on the measured surface 14 _1, obtained from the simultaneous equations for determining the intersection of the two straight lines. First, when the coordinates of the point C ₁ and _{(x 4, y 4),} y 4 = (D 0 / L) x 4 ... (3) y 4 = {D 4 / (L + g)} (x 4 -g) .. (4) are obtained, and by obtaining the simultaneous solution of the equations (3) and (4), the coordinates (x ₄ , y ₄ ) can be obtained. Similarly, point D ₁
When the coordinates _{(x 5, y 5),} y 5 = a _{(D 0 / L) x 5} ... (5) y 5 = {D 5 / (L + g)} (x 5 -g) ... (6) An equation is obtained, and by obtaining the simultaneous solution of the equations (5) and (6), the coordinates (x ₅ , y ₅ ) can be obtained.

Next, the coordinates (x ₄ , y ₄ ) of the point C ₁ obtained above
From the values of the coordinates (x ₅ , y ₅ ) of the point D ₁ and the distances L ₄ and L ₅ from the light emitting source 4 shown in FIG. 8, ΔC ₁ O ₁ O ₁ ′ and ΔD ₁ O ₁ O ₁ ″ are obtained.
From similarity relationship with, to derive the coordinates of the point O ₁ of the measured surface 14 on _{1 (x 1, y 1)} . As a result, the distance L ₁ to the O ₁ point to be determined is obtained.

Similarly, the facing surface 13 of the load 1 shown in FIG. 5 is the surface 1 inclined to the front or rear in the vertical plane.
The distances of 3 ₁ and 13 ₂ can also be obtained. By combining the above derivation of the distance, it is possible to measure the distance to the various oblique surfaces of the package 1.

The above description is for the case where the package 1 is placed on a very wide plane. When the package 1 is placed on a table, something is extracted separately from the table. Since this must be done, the extraction will be described with reference to FIG. That is, in the case where the similar shape of the package 1 shown in FIG. 3 is generated, by extracting a portion where three closed areas where each side image on the light irradiation side of the package 1 is extracted are adjacent to each other, other members are extracted. (Table) and luggage 1 are distinguished and extracted.

For example, in FIG. 9A, it is assumed that a package 1 as a measurement object is placed on the upper surface of a table 16 having a predetermined size. In this case, when a plurality of parallel light beams 3, 3,... Irradiate the package 1 as in FIG. 4A, a node 11 is formed in the light beam 3 on the package 1 as described above. At the same time, an inflection point 17 of the light beam 3 is also formed on the edge around the placing table 16. As described above, in a state where the inflection points 11 and 17 are mixed, it is impossible to determine which inflection point forms the outline of the load 1.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9B, a line segment formed by the inflection points 11 and 17 is extracted, and a closed region is extracted along the line segment. Assuming that the rectangular parallelepiped luggage 1 has three surfaces as visible regions on the light irradiation side, the closed region where each side image 8 ', 9', 10 ', etc. on the light irradiation side is extracted is 3
The portion existing adjacent to the surface is replaced with the similar shape 12
And Line segment 1 formed by other inflection points 17
8 does not form a closed region, or does not exist adjacent to three surfaces even if a closed region is formed. Therefore, it recognizes that the portion of the line segment 18 formed by the inflection point 17 is not the load 1, and extracts only the portion of the similar shape 12 to generate the similar shape of the load 1.

Next, a description will be given of a dimension measuring system used to carry out the above-described dimension measuring method. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the dimension measuring system according to the present invention. This dimension measurement system measures the size of a package by irradiating the package with a light beam when the package is received at a post office or a convenience store. ).

Referring to FIG. 10, a dimension measuring system according to the present invention comprises a light emitting source 21, an optical scanner 22, and an image pickup device 23.
, An image processing unit 24, and a control circuit unit 25. The light emitting source 21 serves as light emitting means for generating a light beam 3 for irradiating the package 1 as a measurement object shown in FIG.
Driven by a drive signal from the controller 6, it generates and stops a light beam 3 such as a laser beam.

The light scanner 22 serves as light scanning irradiation means for irradiating the light beam 3 emitted from the light emitting source 21 in the two-dimensional direction and irradiating the light beam 1 with the light beam. It can be driven by a drive signal from the optical scanner control unit 27. The optical scanner control unit 27 switches between irradiation of a fixed angle light beam when measuring the distance to the package 1 shown in FIG. 1 and switching between horizontal resonance scanning and vertical raster scan when measuring the shape of the package 1 shown in FIG. In addition to controlling the light beam irradiation to be performed, a scan current is generated.
Further, the optical scanner 22 detects the phase of a mirror that reflects light inside and swings the light beam 3, and determines a phase angle for assuming an accurate scan destination of the light beam 3 in a control circuit unit 25 described later. Is connected to the optical scanner phase detecting section 28 for sending to the optical scanner.

The imaging device 23 receives the reflected light of the light illuminated on the package 1 by the optical scanner 22 and receives the reflected light.
It is an imaging means for imaging the whole of the
(Charge coupled device) or an image sensor such as CMOS.

The image processing unit 24 is provided with the image pickup device 2
3 is an image processing means for processing the image signal from 3 and calculating the distance to the package 1 using the interval value between the luminescent spots for distance measurement and generating a similar shape of the package 1. A distance D between the bright spots 6a to 6c illuminated on the luggage 1 shown in FIG. 1 is obtained to calculate a distance L to the luggage 1, and the inflection point 11 of the light beam 3 illuminated on the luggage 1 shown in FIG. The similar shape 12 is generated and sent to a control circuit unit 25 described later.

Further, the control circuit unit 25 is a control means for taking in the distance L of the package 1 from the image processing unit 24 and the output signal of the similar shape 12 to calculate and output the actual dimensions of the package 1. And comprises, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control circuit unit 25 sends a control signal (light emission timing signal) to the light emission source control unit 26 to control emission and stop of light from the light emission source 21.
A control signal is sent to the optical scanner
2 controls the scanning of the light beam 3 in the two-dimensional direction,
A control signal is sent to the image processing unit 24 to control the measurement of the distance and the similar shape of the package 1.

The control circuit unit 25 is connected to an operation input unit 29 such as a measurement start switch and a button for inputting a measurement start signal to the system. Also, an external device 30 which takes in the distance L of the package 1 and the output signal of the similar shape 12 from the image processing unit 24 and calculates the actual dimensions of the package 1 such as length, width, height, etc., and uses it. Is connected. The external device 30 automatically calculates the postage and the like of the package 1 using the actual dimensions of the package 1, and is, for example, a charge display device or a payment processing machine at a post office or a convenience store.

Next, the operation of the thus configured dimension measuring system will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, a measurement start signal is input by operating the operation input unit 29 shown in FIG. 10, and dimension measurement of the package 1 is started (step S1).

Then, a control signal is sent from the control circuit unit 25 shown in FIG. 10 to the light source control unit 26 and the light scanner control unit 27 to operate the light source 21 and the light scanner 22, and as shown in FIG. A light beam 3 (here, a laser beam) is output and irradiated (step S2). After that, the state of the laser irradiation on the package 1 is imaged by the imaging device 23 and sent to the image processing unit 24. The bright spots 6a to 6 shown in FIG.
The distance L to the package 1 is measured using the interval D of c (step S3).

Next, as shown in FIG. 3, a laser beam is applied to the package 1 to draw a laser line for shape measurement (step S4). The state of the laser irradiation is imaged by the imaging device 23 to obtain an image of one frame per line (step S5). Then, image processing is performed on the obtained image by the image processing unit 24, and only the laser emission line is obtained for the laser line on the package 1 shown in FIG. 4A (step S6). Thereafter, the inflection point 11 on the laser emission line shown in FIG. 4A is extracted (step S7). here,
It is determined whether or not the above-described inflection point extraction operation has been repeated a predetermined number of times (step S8). If the operation is still in progress, the process proceeds to the “NO” side and returns to step S4. Proceed to the “YES” side and enter step S9.

As described above, if the inflection point 11 is extracted 30 times from step S4 to step S8,
As shown in (b), all the inflection points 11 of the package 1 are aligned (step S9). By further performing image processing and connecting the inflection points 11 with lines, as shown in FIG. 4C, the side images 8 ', 9', 1
Create a wire frame with 0 'or the like (step S1
0). Thereby, the similar shape 12 of the load 1 shown in FIG. 3 is generated (step S11), and the rectangular parallelepiped shape of the load 1 can be measured.

Next, from the image processing unit 24 to the control circuit unit 25, the distance L to the luggage 1 measured in step S3,
A signal with the similar shape 12 of the package 1 generated in step S11 is transmitted, and the size of each side of the package 1 is calculated by calculation from the ratio of the similar shape 12 occupying in the screen captured by the imaging device 23 (step S12). ). Then, the dimensions (the value obtained by adding the height, width, and height) of the package 1 are output from the actual dimensions of each side (step S13) and sent to the external device 30 shown in FIG.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart for explaining the distance correcting operation when the surface of the package 1 is positioned obliquely to the light irradiation direction described with reference to FIGS. First, the operation input unit 29 shown in FIG. 10 is operated to input a measurement start signal, and dimension measurement of the package 1 is started (step S21).

Next, the information of the bright spot interval on the surface where the laser is irradiated from the front of the baggage 1 which has been acquired in advance is called (step S22). Next, a laser beam for measuring the distance to the surface of the package 1 is irradiated (step S23).
Then, the luggage 1 in that state is imaged by the imaging device 23 to obtain an image (step S24).

Next, the signal of the captured image is sent to the image processing section 24 shown in FIG. 10 to obtain, for example, the horizontal luminous point intervals c 'and d' shown in FIG. 7D (step S2).
Five). Further, the vertical luminous point intervals a 'and b' shown in FIG. 7D are obtained (step S26).

Next, an equation of a straight line connecting the laser emission point of the light emitting source 21 or the optical scanner 22 shown in FIG. 10 and each bright point is derived (step S27). Further, an equation of a straight line connecting the pixel position of the viewpoint (bright point) on the image pickup device 23 and the respective bright points on the image pickup device 23 is derived (step S28). Then, the respective intersections are calculated using the equation of the straight line (step S29). Further, each intersection interval is calculated from the coordinates of the intersection (step S30).

Finally, from the calculated value of the intersecting point interval,
The distance from the laser emission point of the light emitting source 21 or the optical scanner 22 to the oblique surface of the package 1 is calculated (step S31). Thereby, the distance can be corrected when the surface of the package 1 is positioned obliquely with respect to the light irradiation direction.

FIG. 13 shows the luggage 1 described with reference to FIG.
9 is a flowchart for explaining an operation of extracting a package 1 separately from a table when any is placed on the table. This flowchart is basically the same as that shown in FIG. 11, except that the operations from step S4 to step S9 shown in FIG. 11 are summarized as “normal shape measurement” in step S43 in FIG. FIG.
Is that steps S45 and S46 are inserted between steps S44 and S47. Therefore, only the steps different from those in FIG. 11 will be described here.

In step S44, as shown in FIG. 9 (b), a wire frame is formed by the side images 8 ', 9', 10 'on the laser irradiation side of the package 1, and in step S45, the wire frame is formed. The three adjacent innermost peripheral regions are designated above, and designated as a rectangular parallelepiped forming region. That is, FIG.
It is assumed that a portion where three closed areas extracted from each of the side images 8 ', 9', 10 'and the like shown in FIG.

Then, in step S46, the outer peripheral area of the area designated as the rectangular parallelepiped formation area is designated as a non-cuboid area. That is, the inflection point 17 shown in FIG.
It is recognized that the portion of the line segment 18 formed by is not rectangular parallelepiped. Thereafter, the rectangular parallelepiped formation area designated in step S45 is extracted to generate the similar shape 12 of the package 1 (step S45).
S47). The other steps are the same as the respective steps in FIG.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the dimension measuring system of the present invention. In this embodiment, a charge conversion processing section 31 and a charge display section 32 are provided on the output side of the control circuit section 25 in the embodiment shown in FIG. The charge conversion processing section 31 serves as a charge conversion processing means for obtaining a charge for the actual size of the package 1 calculated by the control circuit section 25 based on the data of the charge unit price corresponding to the size of the package. A conversion table is provided for converting the unit price data corresponding to the size and the unit price data for the actual size of the package. The charge display unit 32 serves as charge display means for displaying the charge obtained by the charge conversion processing unit 31, and includes a display such as a television monitor or a liquid crystal monitor. The fee display unit 32 may also serve as a settlement processor for the displayed fee.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a third embodiment of the dimension measuring system of the present invention. This embodiment is different from the embodiment shown in FIG. 14 in that an accumulation processing section 33 is provided immediately after the control circuit section 25, and the output thereof is sent to the charge conversion processing section 31 on the downstream side. The accumulation processing unit 33 serves as accumulation processing means for accumulating actual size data calculated for a plurality of packages output from the control circuit unit 25, and includes, for example, an addition processor. Therefore, the charge conversion processing unit 31 and the charge display unit 32 at the subsequent stage can obtain charges for a plurality of packages and display them individually or collectively.

FIG. 15 shows an example in which the accumulation processing section 33 is provided in the embodiment shown in FIG. 14, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the embodiment shown in FIG. The accumulation processing section 33 may be provided between the apparatus and the apparatus 30.

FIG. 16 is an external perspective view showing a fourth embodiment of the dimension measuring system of the present invention. This embodiment includes a light emitting source 21, a light emitting source control unit 26, an optical scanner 22, an optical scanner control unit 27, and an optical scanner phase detecting unit 28 of the dimension measuring system shown in FIGS. , The imaging device 23, the image processing unit 24, and the control circuit unit 25 are shared with the same type of means provided in the barcode reader 34 and are integrated with the barcode reader 34. In FIG. 16, reference numeral 35 denotes a key input unit, reference numeral 36 denotes a liquid crystal display unit, and reference numeral 37 denotes a liquid crystal display unit.
Indicates a barcode and image reading port.

In the case of this embodiment, a light emitting source 21, a light emitting source control unit 26, an optical scanner 22, an optical scanner control unit 27, an optical scanner phase detecting unit 28 for measuring the distance to the package and the shape of the package, Imaging device 23 and image processing unit 2
4 can also be used for bar code reading by the bar code reader 34. Most functions other than the calculation function of measuring the distance and the shape of the baggage in the control circuit unit 25 are as follows.
It can also be used for bar code reading by the bar code reader 34. Therefore, the barcode reader that reads a barcode attached to a product or the like and the dimension measurement system that measures the dimensions of the package can be integrated and shared.

[0064]

The present invention has been configured as described above.
According to the dimension measuring method of the present invention, a plurality of light beams are irradiated toward one surface of the package, the distance to the package is measured using the reflected light, and the light beam is two-dimensionally directed toward the package. Scan and irradiate the light, image the reflected light, extract each side image on the light beam irradiation side of the luggage by the light section method, and generate a similar shape of the luggage, the similar shape of the generated luggage and the luggage The actual size of the package can be determined using the distance to the package. This makes it possible to measure the size of the package with one touch without contacting the package without the need for a dedicated stand or the like. Therefore, a place or space is not occupied by a dedicated measuring table or the like, and the dimensions of the package can be measured with one touch, thereby improving the efficiency of the dimension measurement.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the package has a rectangular parallelepiped shape including a cube, a similar shape of the package can be easily generated by a light cutting method.

Further, according to the third aspect of the present invention, the step of measuring the distance to the package includes the step of measuring the distance to the package when the plane of the package is oblique to the light irradiation direction. Includes correcting the distance to the package by calculating the inclination of the package by changing the distance between the bright spots of the beam irradiated vertically and horizontally away from one surface and correcting the distance to the package. If the luggage surface is located at an angle, the distance to the surface can be measured accurately.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the step of generating the similar shape of the package includes the step of extracting three side images on the light-irradiation side of the package with three closed regions adjacent to each other. By extracting the luggage from other members by extracting the luggage, even if the luggage is placed on a table, the table can be distinguished from the luggage and the similar shape of the luggage Can be generated.

Next, according to the dimension measuring system of the fifth aspect, the light beam is emitted by the light emitting means to irradiate the baggage as the object to be measured, and the light beam emitted from the light emitting means is scanned by the light scanning irradiation means. The package is scanned in the dimensional direction to irradiate the package, the reflected light of the light applied to the package is received, and the entire package is imaged by the imaging unit, and the image signal from the imaging unit is processed by the image processing unit. The distance to the baggage is calculated using the interval value between the luminescent spots for distance measurement, and a similar shape of the baggage is generated, and an output signal of the distance and the similar shape from the image processing means is taken. The actual size of the package can be calculated and output by the control means. This makes it possible to measure the size of the package with one touch without contacting the package without the need for a dedicated stand or the like. Therefore, a place or space is not occupied by a dedicated measuring table or the like, and the size of the package can be measured with one touch, and the efficiency of the size measurement is improved.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, since the package has a rectangular parallelepiped shape including a cube, a similar shape of the package can be easily generated by a light cutting method.

Further, according to the invention of claim 7, on the output side of the control means, the charge for the actual size of the package calculated by the control means based on the data of the unit price corresponding to the size of the package is provided. By providing the required charge conversion processing means and the charge display means for displaying the charge obtained by the charge conversion processing means, it is possible to obtain a charge for the actual size of the package and display the charge on the charge display means. it can.

Further, according to the present invention, immediately after the control means, there is provided an accumulation processing means for accumulating actual size data calculated for a plurality of packages output from the control means. By transmitting the output from the accumulating means to the subsequent stage, the actual dimensions calculated for a plurality of packages can be accumulated, and subsequent necessary processing can be performed on the accumulated result.

According to the dimensional measuring system of the ninth aspect, the bar code reader includes the same type of light emitting means, light scanning and irradiating means, imaging means, image processing means, and control means in the above-described dimension measuring system. By integrating the bar code reader with the bar code reader, a bar code reader that reads a bar code attached to a product and the like and a dimension measurement system that measures the dimensions of a package can be integrated and shared. it can. Therefore, the size can be reduced as a portable type, and the operability and the efficiency of dimension measurement can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing an embodiment of a dimension measuring method according to the present invention, and shows a state in which a distance to a package is measured.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the principle of measuring the distance to the package.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing an embodiment of the dimension measuring method, showing a state in which the shape of a package is measured.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a similar shape of the package is measured in the shape measurement of the package.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the correction of the distance when the surface of the package is positioned obliquely with respect to the irradiation direction of the light beam, and is a diagram illustrating the package viewed from the side.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the correction of the distance when the surface of the package is positioned obliquely with respect to the irradiation direction of the light beam, and is a diagram illustrating the package viewed from directly above.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which light is sequentially emitted from a light emitting source to a certain surface of the package and five bright spots are emitted.

8 is a diagram illustrating an example of deriving a distance in a state where the facing surface of the luggage illustrated in FIG. 6 is inclined forward or backward in a horizontal plane.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing a state in which, when a package is placed on a table, the package is extracted separately from the table.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a dimension measuring system according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the dimension measuring system of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a distance correcting operation when the surface of the package is positioned obliquely to the light irradiation direction described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of extracting a package while distinguishing the package described above with reference to FIG. 9 from the table when the package is placed on the table;

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the dimension measuring system of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing a third embodiment of the dimension measuring system of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is an external perspective view showing a fourth embodiment of the dimension measuring system of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Luggage 2 ... Luggage surface 3 ... Light beam 4,21 ... Light emission source 5,22 ... Light scanner 7,23 ... Imaging device 12 ... Similar shape 16 ... Placement table 24 ... Image processing unit 25 ... Control circuit unit 26 ... Light emission Source control unit 27 Optical scanner control unit 28 Optical scanner phase detection unit 29 Operation input unit 30 External device 31 Charge conversion processing unit 32 Charge display unit 33 Accumulation processing unit 34 Barcode reader

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2F065 AA06 AA21 AA53 BB05 DD06 FF01 FF02 FF04 FF09 GG06 HH04 JJ03 JJ26 LL13 LL62 MM16 QQ31 2F112 AA09 BA02 BA05 BA10 CA08 DA15 DA26 FA03 FA45 GA05

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A size measuring method for irradiating a light beam to a package as a measurement object to measure the size of the package, the method comprising: irradiating a plurality of light beams to one surface of the package, and using reflected light thereof. Measuring the distance to the baggage; and irradiating the baggage with a light beam two-dimensionally.
Imaging the reflected light, extracting each side image on the light beam irradiation side of the package by a light cutting method, and generating a similar shape of the package; and using the similar shape of the generated package and the distance to the package. Obtaining the actual dimensions of the package by carrying out the method. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the package has a rectangular parallelepiped shape including a cube. 3. The step of measuring the distance to the package includes, when the plane of the package is positioned obliquely with respect to the irradiation direction of the light beam, moving the package vertically or horizontally with respect to one surface of the package. 3. The dimension measuring method according to claim 1, further comprising a step of obtaining an inclination of the baggage based on a change in an interval between bright points of the irradiated light beam and correcting a distance to the baggage. 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of generating the similar shape of the package includes extracting a portion where three closed areas where each side image on the light beam irradiation side of the package is extracted are adjacent to each other, and the other components and the package are extracted. 3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of extracting the image data in a manner distinguishing from the image data. 5. A dimension measuring system for irradiating a light beam on a load as a measurement object to measure the size of the load, a light emitting means for generating a light beam for irradiating the load, and a light beam generated from the light emitting means. Optical scanning irradiation means for scanning the package in two-dimensional directions to irradiate the package, imaging means for receiving reflected light of the light applied to the package and imaging the entire package, and images from the imaging means Image processing means for processing a signal to calculate a distance to the package by using a distance value between luminescent spots for distance measurement and generating a similar shape of the package; and a distance and similarity from the image processing means. Control means for taking in an output signal of the shape, calculating and outputting the actual size of the package, and outputting the result. 6. The dimension measuring system according to claim 5, wherein the package has a rectangular parallelepiped shape including a cube. 7. A charge conversion processing means for obtaining a charge for an actual size of a package calculated by the control means based on data of a charge unit price corresponding to the size of a package at an output side of the control means; 7. The dimension measuring system according to claim 5, further comprising a fee display unit for displaying a fee obtained by the processing unit. 8. Immediately after the control means, accumulation processing means for accumulating data of actual dimensions calculated for a plurality of packages output from the control means is provided. The dimension measuring system according to claim 5, 6 or 7, wherein the system is sent to a side. 9. The light emitting means, the light scanning irradiation means, the image pickup means, the image processing means and the control means according to claim 5 are shared with the same kind means provided in the bar code reader and integrated with the bar code reader. A dimension measuring system, characterized in that: