JP2003090799A - Tool and method for alignment of samples for grain image reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a sample alignment tool for a grain image reader, with which grains as a sample can be placed simply and quickly on a sample base in an aligned state, and to obtain a sample alignment method using the sample alignment tool. SOLUTION: The sample alignment tool 100 is constituted of a sample- alignment-tool frame 102, in which first through-holes 112 are formed and a moving body 104 in which second through-holes 116 are formed. First, in a state that the holes 112 are deviated from the holes 116, the grains 28 are thrown into the frame 102, and excessive grains 28 are discharged from a discharge port 110. Then, in this state, the tool 100 is set on the sample base, the moving body 104 is moved, and the holes 112 are made to communicate with the holes 116. Thereby, the grains 28 having entered the holes 116 fall into the holes 116, to be mounted on the sample base in the aligned state.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sample aligning jig for a grain image reading apparatus used when determining the quality of grains such as rice grains, and a sample aligning method using the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Japanese Patent No. 2815633 discloses that rice grains are conveyed one by one and irradiated with light, and the amount of light reflected by each rice grain is measured.
A rice grain quality determination device for determining the quality of brown rice, white rice, or paddy rice is disclosed. However, since the quality of each rice grain is judged by irradiating each rice grain with light, there is a problem that the inspection time is extremely long.

On the other hand, Japanese Utility Model Publication 7-33151 discloses that
Put a rice grain in each of the recesses of the sample dish in which a large number of recesses for each rice grain are made, irradiate the rice grain with light, and scan the scanner to scan the grain based on the reflected or transmitted light from the rice grain. A rice grain quality determination device that captures an image and determines the quality of rice grains one by one is described.

However, in the conventional rice grain quality judging device, since the quality of the rice grain is judged from the image obtained from the reflected light or the transmitted light from the rice grain, when the reflected light is used, crushed rice, paddy rice and dead rice are used. Although rice, tea-colored rice, blue immature rice, and colored rice caused by pest damage can be distinguished, it is difficult to accurately distinguish barrel-cracked rice, and when using transmitted light, barrel-cracked rice However, there is a problem in that it is difficult to determine other defective rice, and in any case, the quality of the rice grain cannot be accurately determined.

Based on such a background, the applicant of the present application is
Although we have developed a grain image reader that can solve these problems, we have made further improvements from various points of view and studied to develop a grain image reader with high added value. ing. As one of them, when placing the grain to be the sample on the sample table composed of a transparent glass plate, is it possible to quickly and easily arrange the sample in a certain direction at a certain interval with a simple method? Something is being considered. This is because it is possible to irradiate the sample with light under the same conditions when the sample can be placed on the sample table at a constant interval in a certain direction, rather than randomly placing the sample on the sample table. So
Uniform inspection results are obtained. Further, if the labor of placing the samples on the sample table at an appropriate density without overlapping can be eliminated, there is an advantage that the working time can be shortened.

In view of the above facts, the present invention provides a sample alignment jig for a grain image reading apparatus, which allows simple and quick placement of grains as samples on a sample table in an aligned state, and a sample alignment jig for the same. The purpose is to obtain the sample alignment method used.

[0007]

A sample aligning jig for a grain image reading apparatus according to the present invention as set forth in claim 1 has a bottom made of a transparent material, and the grains can be placed two-dimensionally. A light irradiating unit having a fixed sample stand at the image reading position and movably provided along the bottom of the sample stand and irradiating light to the grain, and receiving reflected light reflected by the grain. It is applied to a grain image reading apparatus having a scanner body having a scanning unit configured to include a light receiving unit, is formed in a tray shape, and can be placed on the upper surface of the bottom of the sample table, A bottom wall portion having a size that allows grains to enter and formed in a substantially grain shape, and further having a plurality of first through-holes whose major axis direction is directed in a fixed direction and which are provided at predetermined intervals The sample alignment jig body and the top surface of the bottom wall of the sample alignment jig body. A movable body that has a movable size and can be placed on the upper surface of the bottom wall, and that has a plurality of second through holes formed in the same shape and pattern as the plurality of first through holes. It is characterized by including and.

A sample aligning jig for a grain image reading device according to the present invention according to claim 2 is the sample aligning jig according to claim 1,
A discharge port for discharging excess grain is formed in the side wall of the sample alignment jig body, and the residual grain is provided on at least one peripheral side of the sample alignment jig body and the moving body. There is a non-perforated part to keep the grains away,
It is characterized by that.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sample alignment method using a sample alignment jig for a grain image reading apparatus, wherein the movable body is placed on the upper surface of the bottom wall of the sample alignment jig body. ,
The first step of holding the second through hole in a state of being displaced from the first through hole, and the grain serving as the sample is put into the sample alignment jig main body in this state, and the grain is moved to the second stage. The second step of inserting the particles into the through holes one by one, the third step of placing the sample alignment jig main body and the movable body on the upper surface of the bottom of the sample table in this state, and the movable body of the sample alignment. A fourth step of sliding the second through hole to the first through hole by sliding it against the bottom wall of the jig body, and in this state, lift the sample aligning jig body and the moving body and remove them from the sample table. And a fifth step.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the movable body is first placed on the upper surface of the bottom wall of the sample alignment jig body. Since this moving body is formed so as to be slidable on the upper surface of the bottom wall of the sample alignment jig body, it can be slid in the sample alignment jig body. Further, the sample alignment jig main body is provided with a large number of first through holes formed in a substantially grain shape and having a long axis direction oriented in a fixed direction. Since a large number of second through holes having the same shape and the same pattern as the through holes are formed, by slightly sliding the moving body with respect to the sample alignment jig body,
It is possible to create a state in which the second through holes are displaced from the first through holes. When the second through hole is displaced with respect to the first through hole, the first through hole non-forming portion in the bottom wall portion of the sample alignment jig body is located below the second through hole. That is, the bottom surface is formed in the second through hole. In this state, the grains to be the sample are thrown into the sample aligning jig body and the sample aligning jig body and the moving body are shaken, or the thrown-in grain is scraped with a fingertip or a spatula. , The grains enter the second through hole of the moving body one by one. After that, the excess grain is removed from the sample alignment jig body.

Next, in this state, the main body of the sample alignment jig and the movable body are placed on the upper surface of the bottom of the sample stand, and the movable body is slightly slid with respect to the bottom wall of the main body of the sample alignment jig. Then, the second through holes are polymerized with the first through holes. As a result, the second through hole and the first through hole are communicated with each other, and the upper surface of the bottom portion of the sample table serves as the bottom surface of the first through hole. Then, the grain that has entered the second through hole is dropped into the first through hole and placed on the upper surface of the sample table. After that, the sample alignment jig body and the moving body are lifted and removed from the sample table. In the state after removal, a large number of grains are arranged with their major axes oriented in a fixed direction at predetermined intervals. As described above, by using the sample aligning jig for a grain image reading apparatus according to the present invention to place the grain to be a sample on the upper surface of the sample stand, the grain can be easily and quickly placed in an aligned state. Can be placed.

When the samples are aligned on the upper surface of the sample table as described above, the grain image is read using the scanner body. Specifically, while irradiating light to the grain from the light irradiation unit of the scanning unit, the scanning unit is moved along the bottom of the sample table, so that the reflected light reflected by the grain is received by the light receiving unit. To be done. This makes it possible to read the reflected light image of the grain.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the outlet is provided in the side wall portion of the sample aligning jig main body, the grain serving as the sample is put into the second through holes of the moving body. If the sample alignment jig body is tilted so that the discharge port is located on the lower side after the grains are allowed to enter, the excess grain is discharged from the discharge port.

Further, as described above, even after the surplus grains are discharged from the sample aligning jig main body, some grains to about a dozen grains may remain on the moving body. . Even in such a case, if the sample aligning jig main body is tilted according to the above-mentioned procedure to try to discharge the remaining grain from the discharge port, it takes time and effort. Therefore, in such a case, the residual grain is set back in the non-hole portion provided in at least one peripheral portion of the sample alignment jig body and the moving body.

That is, according to the present invention, excess grain can be discharged in a short time using the discharge port,
The remaining grains after the surplus grains are discharged can be set aside in the non-hole portion, so that unnecessary grains can be efficiently removed.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the grain to be the sample can be placed in an aligned state on the upper surface of the sample table of the scanner body as follows.

First, in the first step, the movable body is placed on the upper surface of the bottom wall of the sample alignment jig body. Next, the second through hole of the moving body is held in a state of being displaced from the first through hole of the sample alignment jig body. As a result, the first through hole non-forming portion of the sample alignment jig body becomes the bottom surface of the second through hole. next,
In the second step, grains as a sample are put into the sample alignment jig body. Next, while shaking the sample aligning jig main body and the moving body or scraping the introduced grains with a fingertip, a spatula, or the like, the grains are allowed to enter the second through holes one by one. Next, in the third step, the sample alignment jig body and the moving body are placed on the upper surface of the bottom of the sample table. Next, in the fourth step,
The moving body slides against the bottom wall of the sample alignment jig,
The second through holes are polymerized with the first through holes. As a result, the second through hole and the first through hole are communicated with each other, and the upper surface of the bottom of the sample table is the first through hole.
It will be the bottom of the through hole. Then, the grain that has entered the second through hole is dropped into the first through hole and placed on the upper surface of the sample table. Next, in a fifth step, the sample alignment jig body and the moving body are lifted and removed from the sample table. In the state after removal, a large number of grains are arranged with their major axes oriented in a fixed direction at predetermined intervals.

[0018]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of a sample alignment jig for a grain image reading apparatus and a sample alignment method using the same according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

As shown in FIG. 1, the grain quality judging apparatus 10 of this embodiment has a plurality of client computers 14 connected to a network 12 such as a LAN, a server computer 16 for management, and each client computer. And a color scanner 18 as a “grain image reading device” connected to the printer 14.

The client computer 14 is equipped with the functions of totaling images and determination results, data compression, data encryption, recording on auxiliary storage media, printing, distribution via network, and data protection by password. It is configured to function as a grain quality determination system terminal.

2 and 3, a schematic structure of the color scanner 18 is shown in a sectional view. As shown in these drawings, the color scanner 18 includes a scanner main body 20 having an image reading surface on the upper end surface, and a scanner main body 20.
And a lid 22 that covers the image reading surface.

More specifically, the scanner body 20
Includes a casing 24 having a rectangular parallelepiped shape. Most of the upper end surface of the casing 24 is open, and a sample table 26 made of glass is detachably arranged in this portion. The sample table 26 does not necessarily have to be a glass plate,
An acrylic plate may be used, or a plate material made of a transparent material other than these may be used. Sample table 26 having the above configuration
A large number of grains (samples; mainly rice and wheat) 28 can be placed in a two-dimensional manner.

Further, the casing 24 of the scanner body 20
A scanning device 30 as a "scanning unit" is arranged in the inside. The scanning device 30 is arranged to face the sample table 26, and is capable of reciprocating (two-dimensional scanning) along the bottom surface of the sample table 26 in the direction of the arrow in FIG. Also,
The scanning device 30 is a light irradiation unit (light source) 32 that irradiates the grain 28 with light, and transmitted light that is emitted from the light source 40 on the lid 22 side described later and transmitted through the grain 28 on the sample table 26. And a light receiving section 34 for receiving the reflected light emitted from the light emitting section 32 and reflected by the grain 28. Note that, in FIG. 2 and the like, the whole including the light irradiation unit 32 and the light receiving unit 34 is represented as a scanning device “30”. Further, the light receiving section 34 of the scanning device 30 is configured to include a color CCD, and the grain 2 mounted on the sample table 26 is
The image of No. 8 is decomposed into three colors of RGB (red, green, blue), read, and output to the client computer 14.

On the other hand, the lid 22 has a relatively thin casing 35, and one side of the lower end of the casing 35 is hinged to one side of the upper end of the scanner body 20. Therefore, the lid body 22 is rotatable around the hinge 36, and thereby functions as a cover for opening and closing the image reading surface of the scanner body 20. The lid 22
The open / close type may be a hinge type as in the present embodiment, a slide type, or a combined type of both.
Most of the lower end surface of the lid 22 is opened, and the opening 3
A plurality of rod-shaped light sources 40 formed of fluorescent lamps or the like are arranged at predetermined intervals on the inner side of 8 (that is, inside the lid 22) (see FIG. 3B).

Further, an oblique louver 42 made of a plastic plate member is provided at a position facing the opening 38 of the lid 22. The oblique louver 42 is arranged so that light is emitted from the inclined direction to the grain 28 placed on the upper surface of the sample table 26 in the state where the lid 22 is closed (the state of FIG. 3A). In addition, it is provided for the purpose of making the direction of the light emitted from the light source 40 uniform in an oblique direction.
Therefore, the oblique light louver 42 is provided with a large number of optical paths 42A that transmit light obliquely. The sample table 2
The inclination angle of the irradiation light with respect to the bottom surface of No. 6, that is, the inclination angle of the optical path 42A with respect to the bottom surface of the sample table 26 is preferably set within a range of about 30 degrees to about 60 degrees, and among them, about 30 degrees is preferable. Is. In addition, as the oblique light louver 42, a light control panel (trade name, manufactured by Edmond Scientific Japan Co., Ltd.) can be used.

The light source 40 and the oblique light louver 42 are used.
In a broad sense, is an element understood as "oblique means for irradiating the grain with light from an oblique direction".

Next, with reference to FIGS. 11 to 15, a sample alignment jig 10 for a grain image reading apparatus, which is an essential part of this embodiment.
0 will be described in detail. This sample alignment jig 100
Is for mounting the grains 28 in an aligned state on the upper surface (sample mounting surface) of the sample table 26 of the color scanner 18 described above.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the color scanner 18 described above. When the lid 22 is opened around the hinge 36, the sample table 26 appears, and the sample alignment jig 100 shown in FIG. 12 is set on the upper surface of the sample table 26.

The sample alignment jig 100 is composed of a sample alignment jig main body 102 formed in a substantially tray shape and a moving body 104 placed on the sample alignment jig main body 102. The sample alignment jig body 102 and the moving body 10
4 may be made of resin or metal.

The sample alignment jig body 102 has a bottom wall portion 102A having the same shape as the upper surface of the sample table 26, and the bottom wall portion 102.
Side wall portion 102 on the short side, which is raised from the peripheral portion of A
B, 102C and long side wall portions 102D, 102E. Side wall 102 on one long side
A barb 106 extending toward the other long-side side wall portion 102E is formed on the D, and a handle 108 extended outwardly is formed on the other long-side side wall portion 102E.
Are formed. In addition, the side wall portion 102 on one short side
B has a rectangular outlet 110 at a position close to the barb 106.
Are formed. Further, a large number (1000 as an example) of first through holes 112 are formed in the bottom wall portion 102A. As shown in FIG. 13, the first through hole 112
Is 6 mm in height and 3 m in width that can enter the grain 28.
It has a track shape of m.

Returning to FIG. 12, the movable body 104 is formed on a rectangular flat plate-shaped base portion 104A which can be mounted on the bottom wall portion 102A of the sample alignment jig body 102, and one long side portion of the base portion 104A. It is composed of a step-shaped handle 104B and a rising portion 104C formed on the other long side portion of the base portion 104A. As shown in FIG. 14, when the moving body 104 is stored in the sample alignment jig body 102,
The handle 104B of the moving body 104 is the sample alignment jig body 102.
The handle 108 is overlapped with the handle 108, and the rising portion 104C of the moving body 104 sunk under the barb 106 of the sample alignment jig body 102. Further, in this state, a predetermined gap 114 is formed between the rising portion 104C of the moving body 104 and the side wall portion 102D on one long side of the sample alignment jig body 102. A moving body 104 whose dimensions are relative to the sample alignment jig body 102
Is equivalent to the moving stroke of. The width of the base portion 104A of the moving body 104 is the bottom wall portion 1 of the sample alignment jig body 102.
The width of the upper surface of 02A is substantially the same as that of the moving body 10.
Reference numeral 4 is slidable with respect to the sample alignment jig body 102 only in the direction of arrow A in FIG. further,
A large number of second through holes 116 having the same shape and the same pattern as the first through holes 112 of the sample alignment jig body 102 are formed in the base portion 104A of the moving body 104. Further, the grain 28 is moved to the peripheral portion (four locations) of the base portion 104A of the moving body 104 (corresponding to this, also to the peripheral portion (four locations) of the bottom wall portion 102A of the sample alignment jig main body 102). The non-hole portion 118 is formed so that it can be kept.

Next, the operation and effect of this embodiment will be described.

First, the color scanner 1 according to the present embodiment
8 and the basic operation (overall operation) of the grain quality determination device 10 will be described.

First, grains (grades of non-defective products) 28 whose grades are known in advance are placed on the sample table 26, and teaching is performed so that the judgment result is non-defective. At this time, when the quality of the grain 28 and the determination result do not match, FIG.
A grain 28 that is predetermined by combining the two colors shown in FIG.
The minimum value Rmin of the R signal, the maximum value Rmax of the R signal, and the inclinations a1, a2, b1, b2 of the straight line indicating the relationship between the two colors are adjusted in the determination table for determining the quality of the grain 28. Teaching is performed so that the quality of and the judgment result match. In addition, when determining the grain 28 of another grade, the grain 28 classified into the grade of the determination target is used as the sample table 26.
It may be placed on top of the above and taching is performed so that the determination result is a good product. In this way, the grain 28 of the target grade can be determined as a non-defective product by performing the teaching.

Next, the work of actually judging the quality of the grain 28 is performed.

First, an operation of reading an image of the grain 28 placed on the sample table 26 is performed. Specifically, the lid 22 is opened around the hinge 36, a large number of grains 28 are two-dimensionally placed on the sample table 26, and then the lid 22 is closed (note that the sample table 26 is closed). The method of placing the grain 8 on the 26 will be described later). In this state, the scanning device 30 of the scanner body 20 is driven to move (two-dimensional scanning) along the bottom surface of the sample table 26. Accordingly, the light irradiation unit 3 of the scanning device 30
Light is irradiated from 2 to the grain 28, and the reflected light reflected by the grain 28 and returned is received by the light receiving unit 34 of the scanning device 30. The result of receiving the reflected light is decomposed into RGB (red, green, blue) by the color CCD constituting the light receiving unit 34 and read, and is output to the client computer 14 as image (hereinafter referred to as “reflected light image”) information. To be done. Since the reflected light image of the grain 28 is obtained by the above, the grain 2
It becomes possible to read the state of the grain surface such as the outer shape and color of No. 8, and the grain with abnormal surface (crushed rice, paddy rice, dead rice, tea-colored rice, blue immature rice, colored rice such as pest-damaged rice) 28 Can be found with high precision.

Then, the light source 40 on the lid 22 side is turned on to irradiate the grain 28 with light. At this time, in the case of the present embodiment, the oblique louver 42 is provided between the light source 40 and the sample table 26.
Since the light is emitted from the light source 40,
Irradiation is uniformly performed in an oblique direction within a range of about 30 degrees to about 60 degrees. It should be noted that the use of the oblique light louver 42 to irradiate the grain 28 with light in an oblique direction in this way is effective when the grain 28 has cracks, fracture surfaces, or the like. Light is blocked by the fracture surface, and shadows are likely to occur.By reading this shadow, it becomes possible to read the internal state of the grain such as the presence or absence of cracks or fracture surfaces. This is because the detection accuracy of (US) 28 can be improved.

In the above state, the scanning device 30 of the scanner body 20 is driven in the same manner as described above to drive the sample table 26.
Move (two-dimensional scanning) along the bottom surface of. As a result, the transmitted light emitted from the light source 40 on the lid 22 side and transmitted through the grain 28 and the reflected light emitted from the light irradiation unit 32 of the scanning device 30 to the grain 28 and reflected by the grain 28 are scanned. The light is received by the light receiving unit 34 of the device 30. That is, the light receiving unit 34 of the scanning device 30 is transmitted from the light source 40 on the lid 22 side and transmitted through the grain 28, and the light irradiation unit 32 on the scanning device 30 side is illuminated by the grain 28. The reflected light that has been reflected and returned is received at the same time. The light reception result of simultaneously receiving the transmitted light and the reflected light is decomposed into RGB (red, green, blue) by the color CCD constituting the light receiving unit 34 and read, and an image (hereinafter referred to as “transmitted light / reflected light image”) is read. The information is output to the client computer 14 as information.

The quality judgment processing of the grain 28 is performed based on the image information obtained as described above. Specifically, an inter-image calculation process of subtracting the reflected light image (light reception signal value) from the transmitted light / reflected light image (light reception signal value) is performed. As a result, a transmitted light image (light reception signal value) of the grain 28 can be obtained, so that the inside state of the grain (crack, fracture surface, etc.) can be read, and as described above, the grain having an internal abnormality (body cracking). (US) 28 can be found with high precision.

That is, according to the present embodiment, the inter-image calculation is performed using the transmitted / reflected light image and the reflected light image, so that the image information inside the grain 28 and the image information on the surface of the grain 28 can be obtained. Both can be extracted. In that case, the image information inside the grain 28 can be obtained from the result of the inter-image calculation, and the image information on the surface of the grain 28 can be obtained from the reflected light image. As a result, it is possible to clearly discriminate between the body-splitting grains and the partially colored grains such as the belly, and it is possible to perform highly accurate quality determination.

In the above-mentioned image reading operation, the case where the reflected light image is read first and the transmitted light / reflected light image is read later has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the procedure is the reverse. 28 images may be read.

A supplementary explanation of the above-described quality judgment processing of the grain 28 will be given. Each client computer 14 takes in the image signal of the grain 28 transmitted from the scanner main body 20 and outputs the RGB three colors of each pixel. For each of the image signals, as shown in FIG. 4, a1B>R> a2
B and the condition of Rmin <R <Rmax is satisfied, and as shown in FIG. 5, b1B>G> b2B and Gmin.
<G <Gmax is satisfied, and as shown in FIG. 6, c1G>R> c2G and Rmin <R <Rma.
It is determined whether or not the condition of x is satisfied. Rmin is the minimum value of the R color image signal, Rmax is the maximum value of the R color image signal, Gmin is the minimum value of the G color image signal, Gmax
Indicates the maximum value of the G color image signal, and a1, a
2, b1, b2, c1 and c2 are constants indicating the slopes of the straight lines shown in FIGS.

When the information on both the inside and the surface of the grain 28 is extracted for determination, whether or not the above-mentioned conditions are satisfied for each information (image signal) on the inside and the surface of the grain 28. You just have to decide.

When the color conditions for R, G, B are satisfied, it is determined that the grain 28 is a good product in terms of color, and when the above conditions are not satisfied, the grain 28 is in terms of color. Defective products (that is, dead rice, tea-colored rice, blue immature rice, colored rice caused by pest damage, or paddy rice)
It is determined that Even with the same defective product, crushed rice is identified by the area ratio (high / small number of pixels) (paddy rice is also basically identified by the area ratio). It is determined by reading the shadow generated inside the rice (that is, a rapid change in brightness). Thereby, the grain 28 can be graded.

Further, the scanner main body 2 is periodically sent from the client computer 14 to the server computer 16.
The image captured at 0 and the determination result of the client computer 14 are transmitted and displayed on the screen of the server computer 16. As a result, a skilled operator visually compares the image captured by the scanner body 20 with the determination result of the client computer 14 to check whether the client computer 14 of the grain quality determination device 10 is operating normally, or , Check whether there is any variation in the judgment result of the client computer 14,
Unified management can be performed.

Here, in the present embodiment, the sample alignment jig 1
00, the grain 28 is mounted on the upper surface (sample mounting surface) of the sample table 26 of the color scanner 18 in the following manner.

First, the moving body 104 is superposed in the sample alignment jig body 102, and the bottom wall portion 1 of the sample alignment jig body 102 is overlapped.
The base 104A of the moving body 104 is placed on the upper surface of 02A. Then, holding the handle 104B, the movable body 104 is pulled toward the handle 108 side of the sample alignment jig body 102 (FIG. 1).
4 shown). Accordingly, the second through hole 1 of the moving body 104
Both are held in a state in which 16 is displaced with respect to the first through hole 112 of the sample alignment jig main body 102, and as shown in FIG. 15A, the first through hole non-formation portion of the sample alignment jig main body 102. 120 becomes the bottom surface of the second through hole 116 (the above is the first step). Next, as shown by the arrow B in FIG. 14, the grain 28 to be the sample is put into the sample alignment jig body 102. Next, the sample alignment jig body 102 and the moving body 104
The grain 28 is made to enter the second through hole 116 one by one while shaking the grain, or while scratching the introduced grain 28 with a fingertip or a spatula (the above is the second step). Next, the sample alignment jig 100 is tilted so that the discharge port 110 faces downward, and excess grain 28 is discharged from the discharge port 110 of the sample alignment jig body 102. Most of the excess grain 28 is the outlet 1
Although it is discharged from 10, the grains 28 of about several grains to about a dozen grains may remain on the upper surface of the base 104A of the moving body 104 even after that. In such a case, the remaining grain 28 may be moved to the non-hole portion 118 of the moving body 104.

Next, in this state, the sample alignment jig body 10
2 and the moving body 104 are placed on the upper surface of the sample table 26 (the above is the third step). Next, the moving body 104 slides with respect to the bottom wall portion 102A of the sample aligning jig 100 until the rising portion 104C of the moving body 104 contacts the side wall portion 102D on one long side of the sample aligning jig body 102. Is
The second through holes 116 are overlapped with the first through holes 112. As a result, as shown in FIG. 15B, the second through hole 116 and the first through hole 112 are communicated with each other, and the upper surface of the sample table 26 is at the first position.
It becomes the bottom surface of the through hole 112. Then, the grain 28 having entered the second through hole 116 is dropped into the first through hole 112 and placed on the upper surface of the sample table 26 (the above is the fourth step). Next, the sample alignment jig body 102 and the moving body 104
Is lifted and removed from the sample table 26. In the state after removal, as shown in FIG. 11, a large number of grains 28 are arranged with their major axes oriented in a fixed direction and at predetermined intervals (the above is the fifth step).

As described above, by using the sample aligning jig 100 according to the present embodiment to place the grain 28 to be a sample on the upper surface of the sample table 26, the grain 28 can be easily and quickly aligned. Can be placed at.

Further, the sample alignment jig 10 according to the present embodiment.
Since the discharge port 110 and the non-hole portion 118 are formed at 0, the excess grain 28 can be discharged in a short time by using the discharge port 110, and after the excess grain 28 is discharged. For the remaining residual grain 28, the non-hole portion 118
Therefore, unnecessary grains 28 can be efficiently removed. As a result, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to shorten the working time until the grain 28 to be the sample is placed on the sample table 26.

[Supplement to Embodiment] <Variations of Oblique Light Means> In the color scanner 18 according to the present embodiment described above, the light source 40 and the oblique light louver 42 are used for the components that are broadly interpreted as the oblique light means. However, not limited to this, various configurations can be adopted. Some of the variations will be disclosed below. In the description, the same components as those of the above-described embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

The color scanner 50 shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B is characterized in that a surface emitting light source 52 is used instead of the rod-shaped light source 40 on the lid 22 side. Surface emitting light source 52
As shown in FIG. 7B, is a rectangular diffusion plate 52A arranged parallel to the oblique light louver 42 and the diffusion plate 5A.
It is constituted by a pair of rod-shaped light sources 52B provided on opposite sides of 2A.

According to the above configuration, when the rod-shaped light source 52B is turned on, the light propagates through the diffusion plate 52A and the diffusion plate 52A.
It is emitted as diffused light from the upper and lower surfaces. The direction of the diffused light is made uniform by the oblique light louver 42 in an oblique direction, and the grain 28 placed on the sample table 26 is irradiated with the light from the inclined direction. Therefore, the irradiation light with respect to the oblique louver 42 is made more uniform than in the case where the rod-shaped light source 40 is used, and by extension, the grain 2 placed on the sample table 26.
It is possible to improve the accuracy of uniformizing the irradiation of light from 8 in an oblique direction.

In the color scanner 60 shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the light source 40 on the lid 22 side and the oblique louver 4 are provided.
Instead of 2, a large number of light emitting diodes (LEDs) 62 are arranged in a two-dimensionally inclined state. Specifically, the direction of the optical axis of each light emitting diode 62 is the sample table 26.
Is set in the range of about 30 degrees to about 60 degrees, preferably about 30 degrees, and a large number of light emitting diodes 62 are arranged two-dimensionally (n rows × m columns). . In the case of the present embodiment, the monochromatic light emitting diodes 62 are used, but the light emitting diodes 62 of RGB three colors may be alternately arranged to obtain white light as a whole.

According to the above structure, the large number of light emitting diodes 62 are arranged in a two-dimensional manner in a state of being inclined by a predetermined angle, so that the oblique light louver 42 becomes unnecessary. As a result, according to this embodiment, the structure on the lid 22 side can be simplified.

In this embodiment, the light emitting directions of the light emitting diodes 62 (optical axis directions) are all set to the same direction, but as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the light emitting directions are opposite. Direction one-dimensional light emitting diode array 64,
A configuration in which 66 are alternately arranged may be adopted. in this case,
Since the grain 28 is irradiated with light obliquely from two different directions, the quality of the grain 28 can be determined more effectively.

In the color scanner 70 shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B, instead of the light source 40 and the oblique louver 42 on the lid 22, the light emitting diode array 72 arranged in a one-dimensional manner and inclined respectively. Is provided and the light emitting diode array 72 is moved in a direction intersecting (orthogonal to) the array direction (direction of arrow in FIG. 10A). A known driving mechanism such as a belt driving mechanism can be applied to the mechanism for moving the one-dimensional light emitting diode array 72.

According to the above configuration, the light emitting direction of the light emitting diode array 72 arranged in a one-dimensional manner is set so that the grain 28 is irradiated with light from an oblique direction, so that the one-dimensional oblique light property is obtained. Is secured. Then, in order to develop this in a two-dimensional manner, the light emitting diode array 72 may be moved in a direction intersecting with the arrangement direction of the light emitting diode array 72. At this time, the scanning device 30 and the light emitting diode array 72 are moved in synchronization with each other so that the portion irradiated by the light irradiation unit 32 of the scanner body 20 and the portion irradiated by the light emitting diode array 72 coincide with each other. . Alternatively, a method may be adopted in which the light emitting diode array 72 is left as it is and the sample stage 26 is moved in a direction intersecting the arrangement direction of the light emitting diode array 72. In this case, the scanning device 30 is held at a position corresponding to the light emitting diode array 72. Furthermore, a configuration may be adopted in which the light emitting diode array 72 and the sample stage 26 are moved in mutually opposite directions. Whichever method is adopted, according to the present embodiment, not only the oblique light louvers 42 are unnecessary, but also the number of light emitting diode arrays 72 used is significantly reduced.
As a result, according to this embodiment, the cost can be significantly reduced.

In the above structure, when the light emitting diode array 72 is moved, the irradiation direction of the light from the light emitting diode array 72 may be changed between the forward path and the return path. In this case, the reciprocating movement of the light emitting diode array 72 causes the grain 28 to be obliquely illuminated from two different directions as described with reference to FIG. 9, so that the quality of the grain 28 can be determined more effectively. You can

In the above structure, an example in which one light emitting diode array 72 is used has been described, but the light emitting diode array 64 having the structure shown in FIG.
66 (light emitting diode array in which light emitting directions are opposite to each other) may be movable.

Further, in each of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, the light emitting diode 62 and the light emitting diode array 6 are used.
4, 66, 72 were used, but not limited to this, organic EL
The element may be used.

<Regarding Image Processing> In the grain quality judging device 10 according to the present embodiment described above, the color scanner 18 is used.
Is connected to the client computer 14 and the client computer 14 is connected to the network 12. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a standalone computer that functions as a determination device is used as the client computer 14 to connect to the network 12. A configuration that does not include may be adopted.

Further, in the grain quality judging apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment described above, the transmitted light image is obtained by reading the transmitted / reflected light image and the reflected light image and performing the inter-image calculation by the client computer 14. Although the configuration is adopted, the present invention is not limited to this, and the following method may be adopted.

One of the methods is, contrary to the above, a method of reading a transmitted light image and performing a calculation between images to obtain a reflected light image.
That is, the light irradiation unit 32 of the scanning device 30 is configured to be capable of projecting and extinguishing the light, and both the light source of the oblique light unit and the light irradiation unit 32 are turned on, and the grains 2 are irradiated by the former light source.
Image information (transmitted light / reflected light image information) obtained when the light receiving unit 34 receives both the transmitted light that has passed through 8 and the reflected light that is emitted from the latter and reflected by the grain 28, while the oblique light means The image information (transmitted light image information) is obtained when the light receiving unit 34 receives only the transmitted light that is emitted from the former and transmitted through the grain 28 in a state where the light source is turned on and the light irradiation unit 32 is turned off. . Then, the image information is output to the client computer 14, and the transmitted light image is subtracted from the transmitted light / reflected light image in the client computer 14 to obtain the reflected light image. Also by the above method, it is possible to perform quality determination with high accuracy as in the present embodiment.

Another method is similar to the above method, in which the light irradiation unit 32 of the scanning device 30 is configured to be capable of projecting and extinguishing light, and the light source of the oblique light means is turned on and the light irradiation unit 32 is turned off. In this state, while obtaining the image information (transmitted light image information) when only the transmitted light that is emitted from the former light source and transmitted through the grain 28 is received by the light receiving unit 34, the light source of the oblique light means is turned off and With the light irradiation unit 32 turned on, image information (reflected light image information) obtained when only the reflected light emitted from the latter and reflected by the grain 28 is received by the light receiving unit 34 is obtained. Then, the image information is output to the client computer 14. According to the above configuration, the transmitted light image information and the reflected light image information can be directly obtained individually, so that it is not necessary to perform an inter-image calculation. Therefore, the client computer 14 can directly determine the quality of the grain 28 from the two types of input image information. Therefore, the quality of the grain 28 can be determined in a short time because the calculation between images becomes unnecessary.

<Regarding Sample Alignment Jig> In the above-described embodiment, the scanner main body 20 provided with the sample table 26 and the scanning device 30, the lid 22 provided with the light source 40 and the oblique light louver 42 functioning as the oblique light means. Although the example in which the sample aligning jig 100 is used for the color scanner 18 configured as described above has been described as an example, the sample aligning jig for a grain image reading apparatus according to the present invention is a color scanner having an aspect other than the above configuration. Can also be applied to. That is, the lid 22
No light source is arranged on the side (therefore, the lid body in this case functions only as a cover for covering the sample table 26), and the main body is constituted only by the scanner body 20 including the sample table 26 and the scanning device 30. The present invention may be applied to a color scanner having a unit.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the moving body 104 is attached to the sample aligning jig main body 102 by the arrow A in FIG.
Although the movable body 104 is configured to be movable only in the direction (the dimensional relationship between the two is set), the present invention is not limited to this. Side wall portions 102D, 10 on the long side of the tool body 102
2E) and may be configured to be movable only in the longitudinal direction).
It may be configured to be movable in both directions.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the moving body 1
Although the non-hole portion 118 is formed on all of the peripheral portion of the base portion 104A of No. 04 and the bottom wall portion 102A of the sample alignment jig main body 102, the present invention is not limited to this. Any structure may be used as long as it has a non-perforated portion on its side.

[0069]

As described above, the sample aligning jig for a grain image reading apparatus according to claim 1 is formed in a tray shape and can be mounted on the upper surface of the bottom of the sample stand, and one grain Of the bottom wall portion having a size large enough to allow the grains to enter and formed in a substantially grain shape, and further having a plurality of first through holes formed with a predetermined major axis direction in a predetermined direction. The sample aligning jig body is provided, and the sample aligning jig body is formed so as to be slidable with respect to the upper surface of the bottom wall portion of the body, and can be placed on the upper surface of the bottom wall portion. And a moving body in which a large number of second through holes are formed in the same shape and pattern as the first through holes of the above, the grain to be a sample is easily and quickly placed in a state of being aligned on the sample table. It has an excellent effect that it can be placed.

A sample aligning jig for a grain image reading apparatus according to the present invention according to claim 2 is the same as the sample aligning jig according to claim 1,
A discharge port for discharging excess grain is formed on the side wall of the sample alignment jig body, and the residual grain is removed on at least one peripheral side of the sample alignment jig body and the moving body. Since the non-perforated part is provided for storing, unnecessary grains can be efficiently removed, and as a result, the working time until the sample grains are placed on the sample table can be shortened. It has an excellent effect.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sample aligning method using the sample aligning jig for a grain image reading apparatus, wherein the moving body is placed on the upper surface of the bottom wall of the sample aligning jig body. ,
The first step of holding the second through hole in a state of being displaced from the first through hole, and the grain serving as the sample is put into the sample alignment jig main body in this state, and the grain is moved to the second stage. The second step of inserting the particles into the through holes one by one, the third step of placing the sample alignment jig main body and the movable body on the upper surface of the bottom of the sample table in this state, and the movable body of the sample alignment. A fourth step of sliding the second through hole to the first through hole by sliding it against the bottom wall of the jig body, and in this state, lift the sample aligning jig body and the moving body and remove them from the sample table. Since it has the fifth step, it has an excellent effect that the grain to be the sample can be easily and quickly placed on the sample table in an aligned state.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a grain quality determination device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an overall configuration of a grain image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment with a lid open.

3A is a cross-sectional view showing the entire configuration of the grain image reading apparatus shown in FIG. 2 with a lid closed, and FIG. 3B is a side view thereof.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a relationship between R and B of image information indicating a non-defective area.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a relationship between G and B of image information indicating a non-defective area.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a relationship between R and G of image information indicating a non-defective area.

FIG. 7A is a sectional view corresponding to FIG. 3A, showing another embodiment (surface emitting light source type) of the grain image reading device;
(B) is a side view thereof.

8A is a sectional view showing another embodiment (two-dimensional light emitting diode type) of the grain image reading apparatus, which corresponds to FIG. 3A, and FIG. 8B is a side view thereof.

9A is a cross-sectional view corresponding to FIG. 3A showing another embodiment (another example of a two-dimensional light emitting diode type) of the grain image reading device, and FIG. 9B is a side view thereof. .

10A is a sectional view showing another embodiment (one-dimensional light emitting diode type) of the grain image reading apparatus, which corresponds to FIG. 3A, and FIG. 10B is a side view thereof.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a state in which the grain is placed on the sample stand of the grain image reading apparatus according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a sample alignment jig according to the present embodiment.

13 is an enlarged plan view showing a first through hole (and a second through hole formed in a moving body) formed in the sample alignment jig body shown in FIG.

FIG. 14 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing a state in which a moving body is mounted in the sample alignment jig body.

FIG. 15 (A) is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an essential part showing the state of the grain when the second through hole of the moving body is displaced from the first through hole of the sample alignment jig body, and (B) is the relevant part. It is a principal part expanded sectional view which shows the state of a grain at the time of superposing | polymerizing a 2nd through-hole with respect to the said 1st through-hole.

[Explanation of symbols]

18 Color scanner (grain image reader) 20 Scanner body 26 sample table 28 grains 30 Scanning device (scanning means) 32 light irradiation part 34 Light receiving part 50 color scanner (grain image reader) 60 color scanner (grain image reader) 70 Color scanner (grain image reader) 100 Sample alignment jig 102 Sample alignment jig body 104 moving body 110 outlet 112 First through hole 116 Second through hole 118 Non-hole part

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A sample table having a bottom made of a transparent material and capable of two-dimensionally mounting grains is provided at an image reading position, and is provided so as to be movable along the bottom of the sample table. Further, the present invention is applied to a grain image reading apparatus having a scanner main body including a scanning unit configured to include a light irradiation unit that irradiates a grain with light and a light receiving unit that receives a reflected light reflected by the grain. It is formed in a tray shape and can be placed on the upper surface of the bottom of the sample table, has a size that allows one grain to enter, and is formed in a substantially grain shape, and the major axis direction is constant. A sample alignment jig body having a bottom wall portion in which a large number of first through holes oriented in a predetermined direction are formed at a predetermined interval, and sliding on the upper surface of the bottom wall portion of the sample alignment jig body. It is formed in a size that is possible and can be placed on the upper surface of the bottom wall. A plurality of first through holes having the same shape and grain image reading apparatus for sample alignment jig, characterized in that it comprises a movable body a number of second through holes are formed in the same pattern. 2. A discharge port for discharging excess grain is formed on a side wall portion of the sample alignment jig main body, and at least one peripheral side of the sample alignment jig main body and the moving body. The sample aligning jig for a grain image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a non-hole portion is provided for leaving the remaining grain. 3. A first step in which the movable body is placed on the upper surface of the bottom wall portion of the sample alignment jig body, and both are held in a state where the second through hole is displaced from the first through hole. The second step is to insert the grains to be the sample into the sample alignment jig main body in this state, and to insert the grains into the second through hole one by one.
And a third step of placing the sample aligning jig body and the moving body on the top surface of the bottom of the sample stand in this state, and sliding the moving body with respect to the bottom wall of the sample aligning jig body. And a fourth step of superimposing the second through hole on the first through hole, and a fifth step of lifting the sample alignment jig main body and the moving body and removing them from the sample table in this state. A sample alignment method using a sample alignment jig for a grain image reader.