JP2004094594A - Identification mark detection method and identification mark detector for realizing the method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method and a device for imparting a necessary identification mark without impairing the design of an articles. <P>SOLUTION: This identification mark detecting device is provided with a mark imparting means 13 for imparting the identification mark with ink emitting lights when it is irradiated with ultraviolet rays to the article 1 to be carried, an irradiation means 18 for irradiating the article with the ultraviolet rays and an imaging means 16 for imaging the article irradiated with the ultraviolet rays, which are both arranged on an article carrying path 11 and a video processor 22 for detecting the identification mark imparted to the article from image data obtained by the imaging means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an identification mark detection method, and in particular, detects an identification mark for identifying the content, form, etc. of a product or the like using a special paint that is invisible to human eyes in a normal transaction or distribution state. And a device therefor.
[0002]
[Prior art]
At product production and distribution sites, product (product) type identification, product quantity confirmation, and final product or switching before switching products to improve productivity, workability, and handling at the site An identification mark is attached to a product for later confirmation of the first product, etc., and this mark is recognized using an automatic identification device, and a system for eliminating human work is used in a product manufacturing site or a distribution site. .
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the automatic identification devices used in these systems, the identification mark is required only at the production site or distribution site, and is unnecessary for consumers using the product. May be a factor that hinders product design or product packaging design.Therefore, during the production and distribution stages, identification is completed and unnecessary identification marks are removed or the product is not hindered. Although some measures have been taken, such as providing it in an unobtrusive part, it may cause a cost increase or restrict product design and packaging.
[0004]
The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and provides an identification mark and a detection method of the identification mark without obstructing the design and packaging of the product and without being restricted by the selection of a part to be marked. Is to provide.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The above object is to provide an identification mark to an article using ink which emits light by irradiation of an ultraviolet lamp, and at the identification site, irradiate the part of the identification mark with light of the ultraviolet lamp and photograph the irradiated part with an imaging means, and take a photograph. The object is to detect a light-emitting identification mark in an image.
[0006]
One aspect of the present invention is to apply an identification mark to an article using ink emitted by irradiation of an ultraviolet lamp, irradiate the portion of the identification mark with the light of the ultraviolet lamp at an identification site, and irradiate the irradiated portion with an imaging unit. This is a mark identification method characterized by taking an image and identifying a mark of a light emitting portion in the captured image.
[0007]
According to the identification mark detection method of the present invention, since it is applied with ink that emits light by ultraviolet light, it is not recognized by the human eye in a normal lighting state, and the detection of the identification mark is performed by irradiation of ultraviolet light. It does not impair the design and beauty of the product.
[0008]
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mark applying means for applying a mark by ink that emits light by irradiation of ultraviolet light to an article to be conveyed, an irradiation means for irradiating the article with ultraviolet light provided in a conveying path of the article, and the ultraviolet light. An identification mark detection device includes an imaging unit that captures an image of an article to be irradiated and a video processing device that detects an identification mark given to the article from image data obtained by the imaging unit.
[0009]
ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, in the manufacturing line of articles | goods, such as goods, an identification mark required for a manufacturing process is provided to an article, and handling of an article in a manufacturing process can be easily automated using this identification mark. . Further, the identification mark attached to the article does not hinder subsequent handling and distribution.
[0010]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Examples are shown below to explain the present invention in more detail.
[0011]
Prior to describing the present embodiment, packaging boxes containing a predetermined number of beer cans are stacked on a predetermined number of pallets for each type, and when this pallet is stored in a distribution warehouse, the last packaging box of a production type that has been discontinued at the time of type switching. An example applied to a detection device will be described.
[0012]
After finishing filling the cans with beer and tightening the can lid, the finished canned beer is accommodated in a predetermined number of units (for example, 24 cans per case) in a cardboard packaging box. .), A predetermined number of the packaging cases are stacked on a pallet using a loading device called a palletizer, and each pallet is conveyed to a warehouse. Since the loading on the pallets and the transportation to the warehouse are performed in units of beer types, the number of cases of the types of finished types may be less than the number to be loaded on one pallet at the time of switching the manufacturing type. In that case, when the final case is output to the palletizer, the operator goes to the palletizer, inputs the number of cases to be loaded on the final pallet to the machine, and loads the fractional load without reaching the predetermined number. And stop working the palletizer. The operator gives an instruction of the final pallet to the transport device, and the final pallet loaded with the fractional cases is transported to the warehouse. As described above, in the related art, the operation of the manufacturing equipment is once stopped, the pallets are individually loaded manually, and the final pallets are loaded into the warehouse by human judgment and operation.
[0013]
In the present embodiment, the identification mark detection method of the present invention is used to automate the above-described series of operations.
[0014]
FIG. 1 shows a configuration of an identification mark detection system provided with the identification mark detection method of the present invention provided to a system for transporting a case containing manufactured beer to a palletizer for loading a pallet for transporting the case to a warehouse. .
[0015]
The identification mark detection system is provided in the middle of the path of the conveyor 11 for transporting the manufactured canned beer from a caser (not shown) for filling the case to a palletizer (not shown) for loading on a pallet for transportation to a warehouse. A marking device 12 and an identification mark detection device 15 are provided. The marking device 12 has a case detection sensor 13 for detecting the case 1 conveyed on the conveyor, and an ink spray gun 14 for spraying special ink on the case 1 to give an identification mark. The mark detection device 15 is provided with a mark detection camera 16 for detecting the identification mark given to the case 1 and an ultraviolet lamp installed inside the path of the conveyor 11 so that the case conveyed on the conveyor can pass therethrough. A light-shielding hood 17 having an observation window 17a on the side and an object detection sensor 19 comprising a photoelectric sensor for detecting a case conveyed to the light-shielding hood position. In this embodiment, a black light is used as the ultraviolet lamp. (Hereinafter, the ultraviolet lamp 18 is referred to as “black light 18”.)
The camera 16 for mark detection is remotely operated by a camera controller 21. The camera controller 21 outputs an operation signal to the camera at a predetermined timing based on a detection signal of an object detection sensor 19 installed at a mark detection position.
[0016]
The mark detection camera 16 is connected to the video processing device 22. The video processing device 22 processes the video signal from the mark detection camera 16, outputs necessary information to the palletizer controller 24, and displays the video signal on the monitor 23. Is sent.
[0017]
The marking device 12 is controlled by a control signal from a system controller 10 that comprehensively manages the entire production equipment from the production of canned beer to the transportation of products.
[0018]
Next, the operation of the identification mark detection system applied to the canned beer production line configured as described above will be described.
[0019]
First, when the last case 1 is output by the caser that packs a predetermined number of canned beers, the case 1 is sent as final case information to the system controller 10 that controls the entire manufacturing facility, and the system controller 10 receives the final case information as confirmation information. Is recorded as When the last case 1 reaches the position of the marking device 12, the detection sensor 13 detects this and outputs it to the system controller 10. When the system controller 10 checks the information detected by the detection sensor 13 and the final case information input from the caser side, the system controller 10 supplies an ink application instruction signal to the ink spraying gun 14 to spray special ink on the conveyed final case 1. To give an identification mark M.
[0020]
As the special ink used here, an ink that emits light when irradiated with the black light 18 (ultraviolet light with a wavelength harmful to the eyes) is used.
[0021]
The special ink used here is "Hidden Ink" (registered trademark) manufactured by Shachihata Corporation.
[0022]
The case 1 provided with the mark by the mark ink made of the special ink is conveyed to the position of the mark identification device 15 and, when it reaches the inside of the light shielding hood 17, is detected by the object detection sensor 19. The black light power supply 20 is controlled via the control unit to turn on the black light. Upon receiving the detection signal from the object detection sensor 19, the camera controller 21 starts shooting with the mark detection camera 16 simultaneously with the lighting of the black light 18. The mark detection camera 16 captures an image of the case 1 to which the mark M that is illuminated by the irradiation of the black light 18 is attached, and a video signal obtained by capturing the image is output to the video processing device 22.
[0023]
The video processing device 22 confirms from the obtained image data of Case 1 whether or not there is a mark that is emitted by black light.
[0024]
When confirming the presence of the mark M, the video processing device 22 transmits to the palletizer controller 24 final case information indicating that the final case 1 is conveyed to the palletizer. The palletizer executes final processing by inputting final case information. That is, in the final processing in the palletizer, the pallets loaded with less than a predetermined number of cases are transported to the warehouse and the number of cases is sent to the warehouse or the distribution management system.
[0025]
Note that the timing of photographing by the mark detection camera 16 is performed based on a detection signal from the object detection sensor 19, and “final case confirmation information” output from the caser is supplied to the camera controller 21, and the identification mark detection is performed. By recognizing the timing of arrival at the position and by taking a picture at that timing, it is possible to avoid taking a picture at the time of arrival other than the final case.
[0026]
Further, an image of a case captured by the mark detection camera 16 can be monitored by the monitor 23 connected to the video processing device 22.
[0027]
FIG. 2 shows an example of an output image of the monitor 23 at a portion where the identification mark M is attached. An example in which the mark portion of the case 1 with the identification mark is photographed by the mark detection camera 16 is shown, and (B) shows a case where the black light 18 is illuminated according to the present invention.
In addition, (A) shows a case where illumination is performed with a normal fluorescent lamp for comparison.
As shown in FIG. 2B, the identification mark M provided by the special ink emits clear light by black light and can be captured as image data. Therefore, by performing data processing of this light emission by the video processing device 22, the presence or absence of a light emitting portion, that is, the presence or absence of a light emitting portion is determined. The presence or absence of the identification mark can be reliably detected.
[0028]
As described above, in the above embodiment, when the case filled with canned beer is transported from the production line to the final case, the final case is given an identification mark, and the mark is transferred to the warehouse. The identification mark detection device provided in the middle of the palletizer recognizes the information and provides the information to the final case in the subsequent palletizer process, so that the final product processing in the production line can be automatically performed . In this way, by assigning identification marks to products and processing the final product, it is possible to handle many types of products and easily automate the distribution system even on a production line that frequently switches types. It becomes. Then, the mark given to the case does not become visible to the human eyes in a normal lighting state, and does not hinder transactions or handling in a normal distribution process.
[0029]
In the above-mentioned example, the handling of a case filled with canned beer has been described as an example. However, the article to be marked is not limited to this, and may be applied to a container itself such as a can or a bottle in a production line or a distribution process.
[0030]
Further, in the above-described example, the place where the special mark is provided is provided in the middle of the transport path from the caser to the palletizer, but the mark may be provided near the exit of the caser. It is needless to say that can be variously changed depending on the type of the article to be given and the use form of the identification mark.
[0031]
【The invention's effect】
As is clear from the above detailed description,
According to the present invention, an identification mark indicating necessary information is given to an article to be handled, such as a product, by using an ink that emits light by irradiating ultraviolet rays. Therefore, in a normal state, the identification mark is visible to human eyes. Thus, the necessary identification mark can be provided without deteriorating the design of the product.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment of a mark identification device to which the present invention is applied for identification of a final product in a can beer production line.
FIG. 2 is a view showing a case of canned beer with an identification mark.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Case 10 Controller system 11 Conveyor 12 Marking device 13 Detection sensor 14 Ink spray gun 15 Identification mark detection device 16 Mark detection camera 17 Light shielding hood 18 Black light 20 Black light light source 21 Camera controller 22 Image processing device

Claims (4)

An identification mark is applied to an article using ink that emits light when irradiated with an ultraviolet lamp, the light of the ultraviolet lamp is applied to the identification mark portion at the identification site, the irradiated portion is photographed by an imaging unit, and light emission in the captured image is performed. An identification mark detection method, wherein the identification mark is detected as a unit. Marking means for providing an identification mark of ink to be emitted by irradiation of ultraviolet light on an article to be conveyed, irradiating means for irradiating the article with ultraviolet light provided on a conveying path of the article, and photographing means for imaging the article to be irradiated with ultraviolet light And a video processing device for detecting an identification mark given to an article from image data obtained by the imaging means. The identification mark detection device according to claim 2, wherein the irradiation unit includes a light-shielding hood through which the conveyed article passes, and an ultraviolet light source provided in the light-shielding hood. 3. The identification mark detection device according to claim 2, wherein the identification mark indicates a first product or a final product in a manufacturing process of the article.

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