JP2003161612A - Method and device for internal measurement of detected material - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method and a device for internal measurement of a detected material which can measure the internal items of the whole detected material correctly and certainly without damaging a detected material or spoiling the quality of it. <P>SOLUTION: By irradiating a soft X-ray B generated by an irradiation device 10 on a mandarin orange A, the soft X-ray B which has penetrated the mandarin orange A is converted into a beam of light which can be optically detected by a phosphor 12. The beam of light which has been converted by the phosphor 12 is outputted as image information by an image pick-up camera 14. Then, based on the detection information outputted by the camera 14, a decision device 18 measures predetermined items inside the mandarin orange A (e.g. the existence size, or position, etc., of a cavity, a loose skin, pith) according to the size. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to, for example, a mandarin orange,
The present invention relates to an internal measuring method and an internal measuring device for fruits and vegetables such as mandarin oranges, apples, persimmons, pears, peaches and melons, agricultural products such as cucumbers, eggplants, carrots and potatoes, and foods.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, the mandarin oranges of the above-mentioned example become hollow inside when they are too ripe, but it is difficult to detect the presence or absence of hollows from the outside. It may happen. Therefore, as a method of detecting the cavity inside the mandarin orange, the mandarin orange is irradiated with radiation such as X-rays, and the radiation transmitted through the mandarin orange is detected by the detector, and detection waveform information output by the detector, There is a method of comparing with previously stored comparative waveform information to determine whether or not there is a cavity inside the mandarin orange.

[0003]

However, according to the above-mentioned method, the presence or absence and the size of the cavity are judged based on the detection information of the radiation that has passed through the inside of the mandarin orange. Since there is a gap in the space, it is impossible to detect even if there is a cavity in the portion not irradiated with the radiation. Moreover, since the presence or absence and the size of the cavity are determined based on the detection information of the portion irradiated with the radiation, it is difficult to determine the ratio of the cavity present in one orange, and the determination by the device is performed. However, there is a problem that high detection accuracy cannot be obtained because the evaluation is different from the actual evaluation.

Further, since the hard X-ray has a short wavelength and a large penetrating power, if there is a gap between the skin and the real part of the mandarin orange, it is judged that there is a void inside the mandarin orange. It may be done. Further, when the hard X-ray irradiation time is shortened, it becomes difficult to accurately detect the size, shape, position, etc. of the cavity.

In view of the above problems, the present invention converts the radiation transmitted through the object to be detected into a light beam having a wavelength that can be optically detected, and detects a predetermined item inside the object by detecting information of the light beam. An object of the present invention is to provide an internal measuring method for an detected object and an internal measuring device for the same, which can accurately and surely measure internal items of the entire detected object without damaging the detected object or impairing the quality.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention irradiates radiation to be transmitted through an object to be detected, and converts the radiation transmitted through the object to be detected into a light beam having an optically detectable wavelength. An internal measurement method for an object to be detected or an internal measurement device for detecting the predetermined item inside the object to be detected based on the detection information obtained as described above.

Examples of the above-mentioned detected object include fruit vegetables such as mandarin orange, mandarin orange, apple, persimmon, pear, peach, melon, cucumber,
It can be composed of agricultural products such as eggplant, carrot, and yam, and food. Further, the radiation can be composed of X-rays such as weak X-rays and soft X-rays.

Further, the radiation irradiating means can be constituted by a radiation generating source for irradiating or generating radiation such as a gas line tube, an ion beam tube, a Coolidge tube, a high vacuum line tube or a high voltage line tube. The radiation converting means may be, for example, gadnium oxysulfide = Gd2O2S: Tb or cesium iodide = Cs.
I: TI or other film-shaped or sheet-shaped phosphor, a conversion method combining the phosphor and an amorphous silicon sensor, a conversion method using an amorphous selenium photoconductor, and the like. Further, the optical output means can be composed of, for example, a color or monochrome image pickup camera (CCD camera), a digital camera, an image element, or the like. Further, the measuring means can be configured by, for example, a CPU incorporated in the determination device or the personal computer, a program stored in the CPU, or the like.

That is, the radiation generated by the radiation irradiating means is applied to the object to be detected, and the radiation transmitted through the inside of the object to be detected is converted by the radiation converting means into a light beam having a wavelength which can be optically detected according to the amount of penetration. The light beam converted by the radiation conversion means is output as an image by the optical output means, and the detection information based on the image is used by the measurement means to determine a predetermined item inside the object to be detected (for example, presence or absence of a cavity, a buoyancy, a void, etc., (Size, position, etc.) according to size.

As an embodiment, a transmission image reflecting means (for example, a mirror, a prism, a reflector plate such as a mirror-finished metal or glass) that reflects a transmission image of an object to be detected in a direction detected by the optical output means. Alternatively, a mirror surface) can be interposed between the radiation changing means and the optical output means. Further, the radiation can be composed of soft X-rays having a wavelength suitable for detecting a predetermined item inside the object to be detected.

[0011]

According to the present invention, the radiation transmitted through the inside of the object to be detected is converted into a light beam having an optically detectable wavelength, and a predetermined item inside the object to be detected is detected by the detection information of the light beam. Therefore, clear detection information, that is, clear image information can be obtained, detection errors and detection omissions do not occur, and the internal items of the entire detection object can be accurately and accurately detected without damaging the detection object or impairing the quality. It can be reliably detected. Moreover, since the predetermined item of the detected object is determined by size based on the detection information of the entire detected object, the detection accuracy and the determination accuracy can be improved.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The drawings show an internal measuring method of an orange and an internal measuring device used for the operation of measuring a predetermined item inside the orange, which is an example of an object to be detected, and in FIG. 1 and FIG.
Internal measurement device 9 used for internal measurement of this orange
Is a radiation irradiation device 10 that irradiates the oranges with weak soft X-rays B, which is an example of radiation, a radiation control device 11 that controls the generation and stop of the soft X-rays B, and the soft X-rays that have transmitted the oranges A A film-shaped or sheet-shaped phosphor 12 that converts B into a light beam having an optically detectable wavelength, and a reflection plate 13 that reflects the light beam (including the transmitted image of oranges A) converted by the phosphor 12. An imaging camera 14 for imaging the light rays reflected by the reflection plate 13, an image processing device 15 for image-processing the detection information captured by the imaging camera 14, and a conveyor 16 for aligning and carrying the oranges A at a constant speed.
And a detection sensor 1 that detects the arrival of mandarin orange
7 and a determination device 18 for determining predetermined items such as presence / absence of voids or voids, area, position, etc. based on image information image-processed by the image processing device 15.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a control circuit of the internal measuring device 9. For example, the determining device 18 including a personal computer includes a CPU 20, a ROM 21, and an R.
The AM 22 and the comparison information storage device 23 are built in, and the CP
U20 is, according to the program stored in the ROM21, the radiation irradiation device 10, the imaging camera 14, the image processing device 15, the transport conveyor 16, the detection sensor 17
And controlling the driving and stopping of the display 24,
It has a built-in timer that measures elapsed time. Also, R
The AM 22 stores data necessary for the detection process and the measurement process.

The above-mentioned radiation irradiating device 10 is composed of a radiation generating source such as a gas line tube for generating a weak soft X-ray B having a long wavelength and a small penetrating power.
It is arranged on the right side of the transport path so as to face the right peripheral surface of the orange A transported to the upper radiation irradiation region. That is, a weak soft X-ray B having a specific wavelength suitable for detecting cavities of the mandarin orange A or the like is generated, and is approximately even with respect to the left peripheral surface of the mandarin orange A transported to the radiation irradiation region. For a predetermined time. In addition, the irradiation angle of the soft X-ray B is set to a wide irradiation angle that is irradiated to substantially the entire side surface of the mandarin orange A transported to the radiation irradiation region.

Further, the radiation irradiating apparatus 10 is used to generate radiation having a wavelength suitable for detecting cavities such as an ion beam tube, a Coolidge tube, a high vacuum line tube, a high voltage line tube, and the like. A source may be used, or the soft X-ray B may be changed to an amount of light generated below or above a specific wavelength depending on the transparency of the object to be detected.

Further, the radiation control device 11 (for example, a soft X-ray controller) connected to the radiation irradiation device 10 determines the amount of soft X-rays B generated by the radiation irradiation device 10 in the cavities of the mandarin A and the rising of the void. This is a device for variably adjusting the value suitable for detection. In addition, the radiation control device 11
Can be controlled by the CPU 20 of the determination device 18 described later.

In addition, the irradiation angle and irradiation area of the radiation irradiation device 10 and the number of the devices arranged, the imaging angle and the imaging range of the imaging camera 14, and the number of cameras are set to the size, shape and length of the orange A. It may be changed according to.

As shown in FIG. 3, the above-mentioned phosphor 12 is formed in a size and shape such that almost the entire soft X-ray B transmitted through the mandarin A is irradiated, and the soft X-ray B is transmitted therethrough. A phosphor 12a (for example, gadnium oxysulfide = Gd2) that converts into a light beam having a wavelength that can be detected by the imaging camera 14 according to the amount
O2S: Tb) is laminated between transparent or translucent supports 12b and 12c having a light transmitting property. It is arranged on the left side of the conveyance path at a position facing the above-mentioned radiation irradiation device 10 so as to face the left peripheral surface of the mandarin orange A conveyed to the radiation irradiation area on the conveyor 16.

That is, when the soft X-ray B transmitted through the mandarin A is irradiated, it is converted into a light beam having a wavelength which can be detected by the imaging camera 14 according to the amount of the transmitted soft X-ray B, and
A transmission image of the whole or a part of the orange A irradiated with the soft X-ray B is projected on the back surface side. Further, either one of the supports 12b and 12c irradiated with the soft X-ray B may be formed, for example, semitransparently or opaquely, or may be formed of a material or the like that allows the transmission of the soft X-ray B. Moreover, the soft X-ray B transmitted through the mandarin A
For example, the phosphor 12 formed in a plate shape may be irradiated, or the phosphor 12 formed in a desired shape such as a substantially circular shape or a substantially elliptical shape when viewed from the front may be irradiated.

As another conversion method in place of the above-mentioned phosphor 12, for example, cesium iodide = CsI: TI or a conversion method combining a phosphor and an amorphous silicon sensor, or conversion using an amorphous selenium photoconductor. It can also be converted by a method.

The above-mentioned reflection plate 13 is formed of a mirror or prism, a mirror-finished body such as a mirror-finished metal or glass, and has a size and a shape which are substantially the same as or more than those of the above-mentioned fluorescent body 12. It has a reflecting surface suitable for reflecting the transmitted light rays (including the transmitted image of the oranges A). In addition, the phosphor 12 is arranged on the left side of the conveyance path so as to face the back surface of the phosphor 12, and is obliquely provided at an angle so that the light beam transmitted to the back surface of the phosphor 12 is reflected almost right above. There is.

The radiation irradiation device 10 and the phosphor 12 are also provided.
And the reflection plate 13 may be variably adjusted to a desired height and angle by adjusting means such as a motor, a solenoid, an air cylinder, and a cam mechanism, and the radiation irradiation device 10 and the phosphor 12 may be conveyed, for example. The light beams changed by the phosphors 12 are arranged substantially directly below or substantially beside the reflecting plate 13 depending on the arrangement position of the image pickup camera 14, for example, by arranging the reflecting plate 13 so as to face each other vertically or diagonally laterally, diagonally vertically or the like. It is possible to set an angle at which the light is reflected substantially obliquely upward and downward.

The above-described image pickup camera 14 is composed of, for example, a color or monochrome CCD camera, a digital camera, an optical output means such as an image element, and faces the reflection surface (mirror surface) of the reflection plate 13 and is located on the upper left side of the conveyance path. As well as
It is arranged at a downward angle suitable for capturing the light beam reflected by the reflection plate 13 and the transmission image of the mandarin orange A. That is, the transmission image of the light beam reflected by the reflection plate 13 and the mandarin orange A is picked up, and the detection information thereof is digitized and output to the image processing device 15 as the detected detection information. At this time, the display 26 displays a captured image, a transparent image,
Display the judgment result.

If a sufficient space for arranging the image pickup camera 14 in a substantially horizontal direction can be secured on the side of the conveyer conveyor 16, the image pickup camera 14 can take a light beam transmitted through the phosphor 12 and a transmitted image of the mandarin orange A. It is also possible to directly image.

Further, the image processing device 15 connected to the image pickup camera 14 converts the detection information output from the image pickup camera 14 into a numerical value suitable for determining a cavity or a void (for example, binarization processing). ) And output to the determination device 18.

The above-mentioned transport conveyor 16 is made of a material and a color arrangement that does not hinder the transmission of the soft X-rays B, and for example, a plurality of support rollers 16a having a substantially drum shape when viewed from the front are provided in the transport direction. On the other hand, the support rollers 16a are arranged at a predetermined interval in a keyboard shape, and the supporting rollers 16a are moved in the conveying direction by a driving force of a motor (not shown) with a reduction gear (for example, about 30 m / min to about 60 m / min). The mandarin orange A placed between the support rollers 16a ...
It is transported to the radiation irradiation area on the transport path.

Further, instead of the above-mentioned transfer conveyor 16,
For example, a bucket conveyor provided with a placement section on which the mandarin A is placed, a belt conveyor, a roller conveyor, a chain conveyor, etc., which conveys a free tray on which the mandarin A is placed, or is held by an adsorbent or an arm. You may carry.

The above-mentioned detection sensor 17 is composed of, for example, a reflection-type or light-projection type photoelectric sensor including a light projector and a light receiver, and detects that the orange A has arrived just before the radiation irradiation area of the radiation irradiation device 10. Then, the detection signal is output to the determination device 18. Further, instead of the detection sensor 17, a detection sensor such as a limit switch or a proximity switch may be used.

The above-described determination device 18 is the image processing device 15
The detection information output from the detection information storage area (RAM)
In the detection information of the mandarin orange stored in the detection information storage area of the mandarin orange, a predetermined item inside the mandarin orange mounted on the transport conveyor 2 (for example, presence / absence of a cavity or a void),
(The size, position, etc.) are individually comprehensively measured, and the determination information and the address information of the support roller 16 on which the mandarin A is placed or the sorting section (not shown) set for each item The time lag is associated and stored. Moreover, when the mandarin orange A is conveyed to the sorting unit corresponding to the determination, the supporting roller 16 is swung in the discharging posture,
The oranges A are sorted by item. On the other hand, when the mandarin orange A is different from the determination, the supporting roller 16 does not swing and moves in the horizontal posture in the orbit.

As another sorting method in place of the above address and time lag, for example, the unique information (address) of the support roller itself or a recording medium (eg, bar code, ID card, magnetic card, etc.) attached corresponding to the support roller is used. Or the carrier number), and the cutting position information and other measurement information can be recorded on the recording medium.

In other words, the soft X-rays B generated by the radiation irradiating device 10 are irradiated onto the oranges A, and the soft X-rays B transmitted through the oranges A are converted into light rays having a wavelength that can be optically detected according to the amount of the transmission. It is converted by the phosphor 12. In addition, the light rays (including the transmission image of the mandarin A) converted by the phosphor 12 are reflected by the reflecting plate 13, the light rays are detected by the image pickup camera 14, the image is picked up, and the detection information output from the image pickup camera 14 ( Image information) is image-processed by the image processing device 15 and stored as detection information of the entire orange A.

The display 24 is composed of, for example, a black and white or color display, and is used as the judging device 1.
The captured image of the imaging camera 14, the determination result of the CPU 20, and the like are displayed substantially corresponding to the processing operation by 8.

The illustrated embodiment is configured as described above, and a method of measuring a predetermined item inside the mandarin orange A by the internal measuring device 9 will be described below.

First, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the soft X-rays B generated by the radiation irradiating device 10 are irradiated substantially evenly on the left peripheral surface of the mandarin orange A conveyed by the conveyer 16. The phosphor 12 is irradiated with the soft X-ray B that has passed through the mandarin orange A, and the soft X-ray B that has passed through the mandarin orange inside is
In accordance with the amount of the transmitted light, the phosphor 12 converts the light into a light beam having a wavelength that can be detected by the imaging camera 14, and projects a transmission image of the whole or a part of the mandarin orange A irradiated with the soft X-ray B on the back surface side.

At the same time, the light rays (including the transmission image of the oranges A) converted by the phosphor 12 are reflected by the reflection plate 13 substantially right above, and the light rays and the transmission image reflected by the reflection plate 13 are imaged. The camera 14 captures an image, digitizes the captured detection information, and outputs the detection information of the entire mandarin A to the image processing device 15.

The image processing apparatus 15 described above is the same as the image pickup camera 1.
The image pickup information from 4 (see FIG. 5) is binarized with the threshold value of the brightness set, and analyzed into a clear image (see FIG. 6), and the analyzed image information is output to the determination device 18. . On the other hand, the determination device 18 determines the presence or absence of the cavity Aa from the analyzed image information (for example, the number of dots) of the entire orange A, and if the cavity Aa exists, the size of the cavity Aa (the area on the screen). ) And position are calculated and calculated, and RA
Store in M22.

When the measured value of the cavity Aa is less than or equal to the reference value stored in the comparison information storage device 25, it is determined that there is no cavity or that no cavity has occurred. The mandarin orange A, which is determined to have no voids, is sorted by item based on the determination result. Further, when the measured value of the cavities Aa is within a predetermined reference value, even if the cavities are present, the products can be sorted as standard products. On the other hand, when the measured value of the cavity Aa is equal to or greater than the reference value, it is determined that the cavity is in progress or is present, and the orange A is sorted as a nonstandard product,
For example, it is supplied to a disposal process or a recovery process.

As described above, the mandarin orange A in which cavities and voids have not been generated is excellent in quality and conforms to a preset standard. Therefore, it is sorted according to items such as excellent, excellent and good. . Further, the reference value to be compared may be lowered to a level such that the mandarin A in a desired range is included.

As described above, the soft X-rays B transmitted through the mandarin orange A are converted into light rays having a wavelength that can be optically detected by the phosphor 12, and the converted light rays are picked up by the image pickup camera 14. Since the predetermined items inside the orange A are detected and determined based on the detection information output from the image pickup camera 14, clear detection information, that is, clear image information can be obtained, and measurement error or measurement omission may occur. In addition, the internal items of the entire mandarin orange can be accurately and surely detected without damaging the mandarin orange or impairing the quality. Moreover, since the predetermined items of the mandarin orange are judged by size based on the detection information of the entire mandarin orange, it is possible to improve the detection accuracy, the judgment accuracy, and the sorting accuracy.

Further, since the soft X-ray B having a wavelength suitable for detecting the cavity Aa inside the mandarin orange A is irradiated, if the cavity Aa exists inside the mandarin orange A, the amount of the soft X-ray B transmitted increases, Based on the detection information of the soft X-ray B detected at that time, the presence or absence of the cavity Aa and the progress thereof can be accurately and reliably detected from the outside.

FIG. 7 shows another measuring method of the internal measuring device 9 for three-dimensionally measuring a predetermined item inside the mandarin orange A from two directions. The soft X-ray B generated by the apparatus 10 is applied to the left peripheral surface of the mandarin A from an oblique front-back direction. at the same time,
The soft X-ray B transmitted through the mandarin orange A is transferred to the conveyor 16
The light is converted into a light beam that can be optically detected by the phosphors 12 arranged in the front and rear portions on the right side of the, and the transmitted image is projected on the back surface side.

At the same time, the detectable light beam is reflected by the reflecting plate 13, the light beam reflected by the reflecting plate 13 is imaged by the image pickup camera 14, and the mandarin orange is detected based on the detection information picked up by the two image pickup cameras 14. Determination device 1 for a predetermined item inside A
Since the determination is made three-dimensionally by 8, it is possible to achieve the same operation and effect as the above-described embodiment. Further, it is also possible to measure a predetermined item in the mandarin orange A from a plurality of directions such as 3 directions and 4 directions, or it is possible to measure from a vertical direction or an oblique vertical direction, and the present invention is not limited to only two directions in the embodiment. Absent.

In the correspondence between the constitution of the present invention and the above-mentioned embodiment, the detection object of the present invention is the fruit of fruits such as mandarin orange, mandarin orange, apple, persimmon, pear, peach, melon, cucumber, Corresponding to agricultural products such as eggplant, carrot, and yam, food,
Similarly, radiation corresponds to soft X-rays B having a wavelength suitable for detecting cavities, rising voids, etc., and the radiation irradiating means includes the radiation irradiating device 10 and a gas line tube, an ion beam tube, or a Coolidge tube. It corresponds to a high vacuum line tube, a high voltage line tube, etc., and the radiation changing means is, for example, gadnium oxysulfide = Gd2O2S:
A phosphor 12 such as Tb or cesium iodide = CsI: TI,
Corresponding to a conversion method in which the phosphor 12 and an amorphous silicon sensor are combined and a conversion method using an amorphous selenium photoconductor, the transmission image reflection means is a reflection plate 13 such as a mirror, a prism, a mirror-finished metal or glass.
The optical output means corresponds to the imaging camera 14 (CCD
The measuring means corresponds to the CPU 20 incorporated in the determining device 18 and the personal computer or the program stored in the CPU 20, and the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. It is not limited to the configuration.

For example, if the cavity Aa inside the mandarin A can be detected, the wavelength of the soft X-ray B may be changed to a wavelength close to the hard X-ray, and the wavelength is not limited to a specific wavelength.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a method for measuring the inside of an orange with an internal measuring device.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing a method of capturing an internal transparent image.

FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged sectional view showing a laminated structure of a phosphor.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a control circuit of an internal measuring device.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an internal transparent image before image processing.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an internal transparent image after image processing.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing another measuring method by the internal measuring device.

[Explanation of symbols]

A ... mandarin orange Aa ... cavity B ... Soft X-ray 9 ... Internal measuring device 10 ... Radiation irradiation device 12 ... Phosphor 13 ... Reflector 14 ... Imaging camera 15 ... Image processing device 16 ... Conveyor 17 ... Detection sensor 18 ... Judgment device 20 ... CPU 23. Comparison information storage device

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Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. The detection information obtained by irradiating the detection object with radiation that has passed through the detection object and converting the radiation that has passed through the detection object into a light beam having an optically detectable wavelength. An internal measurement method for an object to be detected, which detects a predetermined item inside the object. 2. Radiation irradiating means for irradiating the object to be detected with radiation passing through the object to be detected, and radiation conversion for converting the radiation passing through the object to be detected into a light beam having an optically detectable wavelength. Means, an optical output means for detecting the light ray converted by the radiation converting means, and outputting detection information of the light ray, and based on the detection information output by the optical output means, An internal measuring device for an object to be detected, comprising: measuring means for measuring a predetermined item. 3. A transmission image reflecting means for reflecting a transmission image of an object to be detected in a direction detected by the optical output means is interposed between the radiation changing means and the optical output means. 2. The internal measuring device according to 2 above. 4. The internal measuring device for an object to be detected according to claim 2, wherein the radiation converting means is composed of a phosphor that converts the radiation into a light beam having an optically detectable wavelength. 5. The internal measurement method for an object to be detected according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the radiation is constituted by a soft X-ray having a wavelength suitable for detecting a predetermined item inside the object. Internal measuring device of the detected object.