JP2006308315A - X-ray foreign matter detector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an X-ray foreign matter detector capable of preventing an appended product from being detected as foreign matter regardless of the position of the appended product in an object under inspection. <P>SOLUTION: The computer of the X-ray foreign matter detector sets a dividing threshold value for dividing the appended product region 31a corresponding to the appended product in the object under inspection and an appended product out-of region 31b other than the appended product region 31a in an X-ray image formed on the basis of the dose of X rays transmitted through the object under inspection and the appended product region 31a and the appended product out-of region 31b are divided on the basis of the density of the pixels of the X-ray image and the dividing threshold. The presence of the foreign matter is determined on the basis of the density of the pixels of the X-ray image and a predetermined threshold with respect to the X-ray image of the divided appended product out-of region 31b. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an X-ray foreign object detection device that processes an X-ray image generated based on an X-ray dose transmitted through an object to be detected and detects the presence or absence of the foreign object in the object.

  Conventionally, as an X-ray foreign matter detection device, when detecting the presence or absence of foreign matter in an object to be inspected consisting of contents such as ham and sausage and a clip for holding the contained state of the contents, there is a clip It is known that a clip is prevented from being detected as a foreign object by setting a mask area at an assumed predetermined position and excluding the mask area in detecting the presence or absence of the foreign object (see, for example, Patent Document 1). .)

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-243665 (2nd page, FIG. 10)

  However, in conventional X-ray foreign matter detection devices, the presence or absence of foreign matter in the object to be inspected consists of the contents and accessories such as oxygen scavenger, powder soup, and toys (bonus) packaged together with the contents. When the position of the accessory is unknown, the mask area cannot be set and it is impossible to prevent the accessory from being detected as a foreign object. .

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the conventional problems, and an X-ray foreign object detection device capable of preventing an accessory from being detected as a foreign object regardless of the position of the accessory in the object to be inspected. The purpose is to provide.

  The X-ray foreign object detection device of the present invention is an X-ray foreign object detection device that processes an X-ray image generated based on an X-ray dose that has passed through an object to be detected and detects the presence or absence of the foreign object in the object. A division threshold setting means for setting a division threshold for dividing an attachment area corresponding to an attachment in the object to be inspected and a non-attachment area other than the attachment area in the X-ray image; and the X-ray Area dividing means for dividing the attachment area and the non-attachment area based on the pixel threshold of the image and the division threshold set by the division threshold setting means, and the accessory divided by the area dividing means The apparatus has a configuration including extraneous area foreign matter determination means for determining the presence or absence of the foreign matter based on a pixel density of the X-ray image and a predetermined threshold with respect to the X-ray image of the outer area.

  With this configuration, the X-ray foreign object detection device according to the present invention divides an accessory area corresponding to an accessory in the object to be inspected from an X-ray image of the object to be inspected and an accessory outside area other than the accessory area. And since the presence or absence of a foreign material is judged with respect to the X-ray image of an attachment outside area | region, it can prevent that an accessory is detected as a foreign material irrespective of the position of the attachment in a to-be-inspected object.

  Further, the X-ray foreign object detection device of the present invention is configured such that the X-ray image pixel density and the predetermined threshold value differ from the X-ray image of the accessory region divided by the region dividing unit. And an attachment area foreign matter judging means for judging the presence or absence of the foreign matter based on the above.

  With this configuration, the X-ray foreign object detection device of the present invention can detect a foreign object that overlaps with an accessory in an X-ray image of an object to be inspected.

  In addition, the area dividing unit of the X-ray foreign object detection device of the present invention performs at least one reduction / enlargement process of reducing the X-ray image once to a specified number of times and then expanding it to the original size. The product area and the attachment outside area are divided.

  With this configuration, the X-ray foreign object detection device of the present invention reduces the possibility that an area corresponding to a foreign object is not actually included in the accessory area in the X-ray image of the object to be inspected. Can do.

  In addition, the X-ray foreign object detection device of the present invention further includes an accessory presence / absence determination unit that determines the presence / absence of the accessory in the inspection object based on the size of the accessory region divided by the region dividing unit. It has the composition provided.

  With this configuration, the X-ray foreign object detection device of the present invention can determine the presence or absence of an accessory regardless of the position of the accessory in the inspection object.

  Further, the X-ray foreign object detection device of the present invention includes at least a size of the accessory region divided by the region dividing unit and a density of the X-ray image of the accessory region divided by the region dividing unit. Based on one, it has a configuration provided with accessory excess / deficiency judging means for judging the excess / deficiency of the accessory in the inspection object.

  With this configuration, the X-ray foreign object detection device of the present invention can determine whether the accessory is excessive or insufficient regardless of the position of the accessory in the inspection object.

  Further, the X-ray foreign object detection device of the present invention includes a display unit that displays the X-ray image, and a position that specifies a specified position that is a position specified by a user in the X-ray image displayed on the display unit. Specifying means, and the division threshold setting means sets the division threshold based on a density of pixels of the X-ray image in the vicinity of the designated position specified by the position specifying means. .

  With this configuration, the X-ray foreign object detection device of the present invention can allow the user to indirectly set the division threshold based on the X-ray image displayed on the display means. The user can easily set the division threshold as compared with the configuration that is directly set.

  In addition, the X-ray foreign object detection device of the present invention includes a touch panel arranged so as to overlap the screen of the display unit, and the position specifying unit includes the touch panel in the X-ray image corresponding to the touched part. The position is specified as the designated position.

  With this configuration, the X-ray foreign object detection device of the present invention allows the user to perform a simple operation of touching the image portion of the accessory in the X-ray image on the touch panel while viewing the X-ray image displayed by the display unit. A division threshold can be set.

  Further, the display unit of the X-ray foreign object detection device of the present invention displays a cursor that is moved in accordance with a user instruction, and the position specifying unit is configured to display the cursor in the X-ray image displayed on the display unit. The position specified by the cursor is specified as the specified position.

  With this configuration, the X-ray foreign object detection device according to the present invention allows the user to set the division threshold by a simple operation of aligning the cursor with the accessory image in the X-ray image while viewing the X-ray image displayed by the display means. Can be set.

  The present invention can provide an X-ray foreign object detection device capable of preventing an accessory from being detected as a foreign object regardless of the position of the accessory in the object to be inspected.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
First, the configuration of the X-ray foreign object detection device according to the first embodiment will be described.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the X-ray foreign object detection device 1 according to the present embodiment is provided in a part of the conveyance line of the inspected object 80 and sequentially inspected at predetermined intervals. It is a device that detects the presence or absence of foreign matter mixed in the body 80 (including the surface).

  The X-ray foreign object detection device 1 includes an apparatus main body 2 in which a carry-in port 2a into which an object 80 is carried in and a carry-out port 2b into which the object 80 is carried out are formed.

  Further, the X-ray foreign object detection apparatus 1 is arranged horizontally with respect to the apparatus main body 2 and conveys the inspection object 80 carried into the apparatus main body 2 from the carry-in entrance 2a in the carrying direction indicated by the arrow X to carry out the carry-out exit. Positions of the conveyance belt 3 carried out of the apparatus main body 2 from 2b, the motor 4 that drives the conveyance belt 3 at a predetermined conveyance speed, and a light projecting / receiving sensor that detects the inspected object 80 conveyed by the conveyance belt 3 A detector 5, an X-ray generator 11 that irradiates an X-ray 11 a to an object 80 that is arranged above the conveyor belt 3 and conveyed by the conveyor belt 3, and an X-ray generator 11 below the conveyor belt 3. And an X-ray detector 12 for detecting X-rays 11a irradiated by the X-ray generator 11, and an X-ray image 30 based on the detection result of the X-ray detector 12 (see FIG. 3). ) And the generated X-ray image 3 The process to that provided in the interior of the computer 13 and the device body 2 to determine the presence or absence of foreign matter in the object to be inspected 80.

  The X-ray foreign object detection apparatus 1 also includes a display 14 as a display means for displaying the determination result of the foreign substance by the computer 13 and a signal that is arranged on the screen of the display 14 and that corresponds to the user's operation. And a touch panel 15 for inputting to the outside of the apparatus main body 2.

  The X-ray generator 11 is illustrated with a slit (not shown) extending in the direction indicated by the arrow Y perpendicular to the conveyance direction of the object 80 indicated by the arrow X formed on the X-ray detector 12 side. An arrow Y indicates the longitudinal direction in which the X-ray 11a is generated by irradiating the anode target with the electron beam from the cathode immersed in the insulating oil inside the box 11A and containing the metal box 11A containing the non-insulating oil And a cylindrical X-ray tube 11B provided so as to be in the direction shown. That is, the X-ray generator 11 irradiates the X-ray 11a generated by the X-ray tube 11B in the form of a substantially triangular screen toward the X-ray detector 12 through the slit of the box 11A. ing.

  The X-ray detector 12 is a scintillator (not shown) that converts the X-ray 11a irradiated by the X-ray generator 11 into light, and a line extending in the direction indicated by the arrow Y and is converted by the scintillator. It is an array line sensor including a plurality of photodiodes (not shown) that generate a current of a level corresponding to the amount of light, and the current generated by each photodiode is sent to the computer 13 as a detection result of the X-ray 11a. It is designed to output.

  The computer 13 is a ROM (Read Only Memory) (not shown) in which a program is recorded, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) (not shown) that operates based on the program recorded in the ROM, and a work area of the CPU. A RAM (Random Access Memory), an A / D converter (not shown) that converts a current input from the X-ray detector 12 into a digital value, and the like are included.

  Here, the computer 13 determines whether or not the inspection object 80 is detected by the position detector 5 based on the output of the position detector 5, and the inspection object 80 is detected by the position detector 5. X is detected based on the detection result of the X-ray detector 12 converted into a digital value by the A / D converter until the inspected object 80 is not detected by the position detector 5 and a predetermined time elapses after the detection. A line image 30 is generated. That is, the computer 13 detects the X-ray detector 12 at each point in time from when the inspected object 80 is detected by the position detector 5 until the predetermined time elapses after the inspected object 80 is not detected by the position detector 5. Based on the current generated by each photodiode, the pixels are generated one by one so that the density decreases as the current level increases, and each pixel is arranged in the order of each photodiode to generate a pixel line. The X-ray image 30 is generated by arranging the pixel lines in order of time. Accordingly, in the X-ray image 30, the density of the image where the X-ray 11 a is absorbed in a larger amount appears higher. For example, in the X-ray image 30, the density of the image of only the conveyance belt 3 appears lower than the image of the area where the inspection object 80 overlaps the conveyance belt 3. Further, in the X-ray image 30, the image of the portion where the contents 81 of the inspection object 80 overlap the conveyance belt 3 is the image of the portion where the contents 81 and the attachment 82 of the inspection object 80 overlap the conveyance belt 3. The density appears lower than the image or the image of the portion where the attachment 82 of the inspection object 80 overlaps the conveyance belt 3.

  In the normal state, the inspected object 80 according to the present embodiment is composed of a content 81 and a predetermined amount of an attachment 82 such as an oxygen scavenger packaged together with the content 81. Yes.

  Next, the operation of the X-ray foreign object detection device 1 will be described.

  First, the attachment region 31a (see FIG. 5) corresponding to the attachment 82 in the inspection object 80 in the inspection object region 31 (refer to FIG. 4) corresponding to the inspection object 80 in the X-ray image 30. An operation for setting a division threshold value 41 (see FIG. 6) that is a threshold value for dividing the non-attachment region 31b (see FIG. 5) other than the attachment region 31a will be described.

  When the inspection object 80 for setting the division threshold 41 is conveyed by the conveyance belt 3, the X-ray generator 11 irradiates the inspection object 80 with the X-ray 11 a, and the detection result of the X-ray detector 12 is the computer 13. Is input.

  When the detection result of the X-ray detector 12 is input, the computer 13 starts the process shown in FIG.

  That is, the computer 13 generates an X-ray image 30 based on the detection result of the X-ray detector 12 (S101), and the division threshold value 42 set in advance in the generated X-ray image 30 (see FIG. 6). The area of the pixel having the above density is set as the inspection object area 31, and the area other than the inspection object area 31 in the X-ray image 30 is divided as the external area 32 (see FIG. 4) (S102).

  Then, the computer 13 displays the X-ray image 30 generated in S101 in the X-ray image display area 14a of the display 14 as shown in FIG. 3 (S103).

  When the computer 13 displays the X-ray image 30 on the display 14 in S103, the part of the touch panel 15 of the X-ray image 30 displayed on the display 14 of the touch panel 15 is touched until the part corresponding to the inspection object region 31 is touched. It is determined whether or not a portion corresponding to the inspection object region 31 has been touched (S104). Then, when a portion of the touch panel 15 corresponding to the inspection object region 31 is touched by the user, the computer 13 determines in S104 that a portion of the touch panel 15 corresponding to the inspection object region 31 has been touched, and the touch panel. 15, the position in the inspected object region 31 corresponding to the part touched by the user is specified as the specified position by the user, and the average density of pixels in the vicinity of the specified specified position is used as a reference. A slightly lower density is set as the division threshold 41 (S105).

  Not only the average value but also the median value of the pixel density in the vicinity of the specified specified position, the intermediate value between the maximum value and the minimum value of the pixel density in the vicinity of the specified specified position, etc. Also good. Further, the computer 13 may automatically find the density at which the histogram first becomes a valley in the density histogram of the entire X-ray image 30 from the reference toward the lower density direction, and set the value as the division threshold value 41.

  Next, the computer 13 sets an area of a pixel having a density equal to or higher than the current division threshold 41 in the inspection object area 31 of the X-ray image 30 as an attachment area 31 a, and excludes the attachment area 31 a in the inspection object area 31. This area is divided as an attachment outside area 31b (S106), and the attachment area 31a and the division threshold 41 are displayed on the display 14 as shown in FIG. 8 (S107). That is, the computer 13 superimposes the accessory region 31a divided in S106 on the X-ray image 30 and displays it on the X-ray image display region 14a of the display 14, and also displays the current division threshold 41 in the division threshold display region 14b of the display 14. Is displayed.

  Next, since the user can confirm the attachment area 31a displayed on the display 14 and adjust the size of the attachment area 31a, the computer 13 attaches the attachment area 31a to the display 14 in S107. When the area 31a and the division threshold 41 are displayed, it is determined whether or not the portion of the touch panel 15 corresponding to the division threshold adjustment areas 14c and 14d (see FIG. 8) of the display 14 has been touched by the user within a predetermined time. (S108).

  When the computer 13 determines in S108 that the portion of the touch panel 15 corresponding to the divided threshold adjustment areas 14c and 14d has been touched by the user within a predetermined time, the computer 13 resets the divided threshold 41 (S109), and S106. Return to the process. That is, when the part of the touch panel 15 corresponding to the divided threshold adjustment area 14c is touched by the user, the computer 13 resets the divided threshold 41 to a value obtained by subtracting one, and the divided threshold adjustment area 14d of the touch panel 15 is reset. When the part corresponding to is touched by the user, the division threshold value 41 is reset to a value obtained by adding one, and the process returns to S106.

  On the other hand, when the computer 13 determines in S108 that the portion of the touch panel 15 corresponding to the divided threshold adjustment areas 14c and 14d has not been touched by the user within a predetermined time, the series of processes shown in FIG.

  Next, an operation for detecting the presence / absence of a foreign substance in the inspection object 80 will be described.

  When the inspection object 80 for detecting foreign matter is conveyed by the conveyance belt 3, the X-ray generator 11 irradiates the inspection object 80 with the X-ray 11 a, and the detection result of the X-ray detector 12 is input to the computer 13. Is done.

  When the detection result of the X-ray detector 12 is input, the computer 13 executes the processing from S121 to S122 as in the processing from S101 to S102 shown in FIG. 7, as shown in FIG. Then, the computer 13 sets, as an attachment region 31a, a pixel region having a density equal to or higher than the division threshold value 41 set in advance by the process shown in FIG. 7 in the inspection object region 31 divided in S122. An area other than the attachment area 31a in 31 is divided as an outside area 31b (S123).

  Next, the computer 13 determines the presence or absence of foreign matter based on the pixel density and the predetermined foreign matter detection threshold value 51 (see FIG. 10) with respect to the X-ray image 30 of the accessory outside region 31b divided in S123. (S124). That is, the computer 13 compares the pixel density with the foreign object detection threshold value 51 against the X-ray image 30 of the attachment outside region 31b divided in S123, and if the pixel density exceeds the foreign object detection threshold value 51, the foreign object is detected. It is judged that there is. If the computer 13 performs a differentiation process for finding a steep change in density in the X-ray image 30 and the like and then performs a comparison process with a threshold value, the foreign matter can be more accurately detected. Can be detected.

  Next, the computer 13 uses the pixel density for the X-ray image 30 of the accessory region 31a divided in S123 and a predetermined foreign object detection threshold value 52 (see FIG. 11) different from the foreign object detection threshold value 51. The presence / absence of a foreign object is determined (S125).

  Then, the computer 13 displays the determination results in S124 and S125 on the display 14 (S126), and ends the series of processes shown in FIG. That is, when the computer 13 determines that there is a foreign object in at least one of S124 and S125, the computer 13 displays on the display 14 that there is a foreign object. A message to that effect is displayed on the display 14, and the series of processing shown in FIG.

  The computer 13 performs a series of processes shown in FIG. 9 each time a new inspection object 80 for detecting foreign matter is conveyed by the conveyance belt 3.

  As described above, the computer 13 sets the division threshold 41 in S105 and S109 shown in FIG. 7, and constitutes a division threshold setting means. Further, the computer 13 divides the attachment region 31a and the attachment outside region 31b based on the pixel density and the division threshold 41 in S106 shown in FIG. 7 or S123 shown in FIG. Dividing means is configured. Further, the computer 13 determines the presence / absence of a foreign substance based on the pixel density and the foreign substance detection threshold value 51 with respect to the X-ray image 30 of the accessory outside region 31b in S124 shown in FIG. It constitutes a non-attached region foreign matter judging means. Therefore, the X-ray foreign object detection device 1 divides the attachment region 31a and the attachment outside region 31b and determines the presence or absence of foreign matter with respect to the X-ray image 30 of the attachment outside region 31b. It is possible to prevent the attachment 82 from being detected as a foreign object regardless of the position of the attachment 82.

  Further, in S125 shown in FIG. 9, the computer 13 determines the presence / absence of foreign matter based on the pixel density and the foreign matter detection threshold value 52 with respect to the X-ray image 30 of the accessory region 31a. The product region foreign matter judging means is configured. Therefore, the X-ray foreign object detection device 1 can detect a foreign object that overlaps the accessory 82 of the inspection object 80 in the X-ray image 30.

  Further, the computer 13 is configured to specify a specified position, which is a position specified by the user in the X-ray image 30 displayed on the display 14, in S105 shown in FIG. 7, and constitutes a position specifying means. Yes. Further, the computer 13 sets the division threshold value 41 in S105 shown in FIG. 7 based on the density of pixels in the vicinity of the designated position specified by the computer 13. Accordingly, the X-ray foreign object detection device 1 can cause the user to indirectly set the division threshold 41 based on the X-ray image 30 displayed on the display 14, so that the user can directly set the division threshold 41 by a numerical value. Compared to the configuration to be set, the division threshold 41 can be easily set by the user.

  Further, the computer 13 specifies the position in the inspection object region 31 corresponding to the touched portion of the touch panel 15 as the designated position in S105 shown in FIG. Therefore, the X-ray foreign object detection device 1 allows the user to touch the image portion of the accessory 82 in the X-ray image 30 on the touch panel 15 while viewing the X-ray image 30 displayed on the display 14. A division threshold 41 can be set. Note that the X-ray foreign object detection device 1 displays a cursor 61 (see FIG. 12) that is moved in accordance with a user instruction via a cross key (not shown) on the display 14 and is displayed on the display 14. In addition, the position designated by the cursor 61 in the inspection object region 31 of the X-ray image 30 may be specified as the designated position. When the X-ray foreign object detection device 1 specifies the specified position with the cursor 61, the X-ray foreign object detection device 1 simply sets the cursor 61 to the image of the accessory 82 in the X-ray image 30 while viewing the X-ray image 30 displayed on the display 14. The user can set the division threshold 41 by operation.

(Second Embodiment)
The configuration of the X-ray foreign object detection device according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the X-ray foreign object detection device 1 according to the first embodiment (see FIG. 2) except that the program recorded in the computer 13 is different. ), The same reference numerals as those of the X-ray foreign object detection device 1 are used.

  An operation of the X-ray foreign object detection device according to the present embodiment will be described.

  Since the operation of setting the division threshold 41 is the same as that of the X-ray foreign object detection device 1, the description thereof is omitted. In the X-ray foreign object detection apparatus according to the present embodiment, the standard size of the accessory 82 (hereinafter referred to as “attachment size”) can be set by the user, and the accessory size can be set by the user. Is set, the accessory size set by the user is displayed in the accessory size display area 14e of the display 14 as shown in FIG.

  Hereinafter, an operation for detecting the presence / absence of the foreign object in the inspection object 80 and determining the presence / absence or excess / absence of the accessory 82 in the inspection object 80 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 14, the computer 13 executes the processes from S141 to S145 in the same manner as the processes from S121 to S125 shown in FIG. Then, after S145, the computer 13 determines the presence or absence or excess or deficiency of the accessory 82 in the inspected object 80 (S146). That is, the computer 13 is such that the size (area) of the X-ray image 30 in the attachment area 31a is within a predetermined range with respect to the attachment size displayed in the attachment size display area 14e of the display 14. When the density of the X-ray image 30 in the attachment area 31a is less than the predetermined density, it is determined that the amount of the attachment 82 in the inspection object 80 is appropriate. Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 15, the computer 13 determines that there is no accessory 82 in the inspected object 80 when the accessory region 31 a does not exist in the X-ray image 30. Further, the computer 13 determines that the size of the X-ray image 30 in the attachment region 31a is predetermined with respect to the attachment size because there are a plurality of attachments 82 in the inspection object 80 as shown in FIG. Is larger than the size of the attachment, or because there are a plurality of attachments 82 overlapping in the inspected object 80 as shown in FIG. 17, for example, in the X-ray image 30 of the attachment region 31a. When there is a pixel having a predetermined density or higher, or when the size of the pixel area having the predetermined density or higher is a predetermined range or more, it is determined that the amount of the attachment 82 in the inspection object 80 is excessive. . Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 18, the computer 13 determines that the size of the X-ray image 30 in the attachment region 31a is predetermined with respect to the attachment size because the amount of the attachment 82 in the inspection object 80 is small. If it is outside the range and smaller than the accessory size, it is determined that the amount of the accessory 82 in the inspection object 80 is insufficient.

  Then, the computer 13 displays the determination results in S144 to S146 on the display 14 (S147), and ends the series of processes shown in FIG.

  The computer 13 performs a series of processes shown in FIG. 14 each time a new inspection object 80 for detecting foreign matter is conveyed by the conveyance belt 3.

  As described above, the computer 13 of the X-ray foreign object detection device according to the present embodiment determines the presence / absence of the accessory 82 in the inspected object 80 based on the size of the accessory region 31a. And constitutes an attachment presence / absence judging means. Therefore, the X-ray foreign object detection device according to the present embodiment can determine the presence or absence of the accessory 82 regardless of the position of the accessory 82 in the object 80.

  In addition, the computer 13 of the X-ray foreign object detection device according to the present embodiment can determine the size of the attachment area 31a and the density of the X-ray image in the attachment area 31a. The excess / deficiency is determined, and the attachment excess / deficiency determination means is configured. Therefore, the X-ray foreign object detection apparatus according to the present embodiment can determine whether the accessory 82 is excessive or insufficient regardless of the position of the accessory 82 in the inspection object 80.

(Third embodiment)
The configuration of the X-ray foreign object detection device according to the third embodiment is the same as that of the X-ray foreign object detection device 1 according to the first embodiment (see FIG. 2) except that the program recorded in the computer 13 is different. ), The same reference numerals as those of the X-ray foreign object detection device 1 are used.

  An operation of the X-ray foreign object detection device according to the present embodiment will be described.

  First, an operation for setting the division threshold value 43 (see FIG. 19) and the division threshold value 44 (see FIG. 20), which are threshold values for dividing the attachment region 31a and the attachment outside region 31b, will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 21, the computer 13 executes the processing from S161 to S164 in the same manner as the processing from S101 to S104 shown in FIG. When the computer 13 determines in S164 that the part of the touch panel 15 corresponding to the inspected object area 31 has been touched, the position in the inspected object area 31 corresponding to the part of the touch panel 15 touched by the user. Is designated as the designated position by the user, and the density values slightly lower than the standard are set as the division threshold values 43 and 44 based on the average value of the density of pixels in the vicinity of the designated designated position (S165).

  Next, the computer 13 performs inspection of X-ray images 30 (see FIG. 22) obtained by performing reduction / enlargement processing of reducing the image by the specified number of times and then increasing the original size n times (n is a positive integer). A region of a pixel having a density equal to or higher than the current division threshold 43 in the body region 31 is divided as an attachment candidate region 33a (see FIG. 23) (S166), and the enlargement / reduction processing is performed m times (m is a positive value greater than n). (For example, n = 3, m = 25.) Among the inspected object regions 31 of the X-ray image 30 (see FIG. 24), a pixel region having a density equal to or higher than the current division threshold 44 is selected as an attachment candidate. The area 33b (see FIG. 25) is divided (S167). Then, the computer 13 sets an overlapping area between the attachment candidate area 33a divided in S166 and the attachment candidate area 33b divided in S167 as an attachment area 31a as shown in FIG. An area other than the attachment area 31a is divided as an attachment outside area 31b (S168), and the attachment area 31a and division threshold values 43 and 44 are displayed on the display 14 as shown in FIG. 27 (S169). That is, the computer 13 superimposes the accessory region 31a divided in S168 on the X-ray image 30 and displays it in the X-ray image display region 14a of the display 14, and sets the current division threshold 43 in the division threshold display region 14f of the display 14. And the current division threshold value 44 is displayed in the division threshold value display area 14 g of the display 14.

  When the computer 13 displays the attachment region 31a and the division thresholds 43 and 44 on the display 14 in S169, a portion of the touch panel 15 corresponding to the division threshold adjustment regions 14h to 14k (see FIG. 27) of the display 14 is predetermined. It is determined whether or not the user has touched within the time (S170).

  When the computer 13 determines in S170 that the portion of the touch panel 15 corresponding to the divided threshold adjustment areas 14h to 14k has been touched by the user within a predetermined time, the computer 13 resets the divided thresholds 43 and 44 (S171). , The process returns to S166. That is, when the part of the touch panel 15 corresponding to the divided threshold adjustment area 14h is touched by the user, the computer 13 resets the divided threshold value 43 to a value obtained by subtracting one, and the divided threshold adjustment area 14i of the touch panel 15 is reset. When the user touches a portion corresponding to the threshold value, the division threshold value 43 is reset to one, and when the touch panel 15 touches the portion corresponding to the divided threshold adjustment area 14j, the division threshold value 44 is set. Is reset to a value obtained by subtracting 1 from the above, and when a portion of the touch panel 15 corresponding to the divided threshold adjustment area 14k is touched by the user, the divided threshold 44 is reset to a value obtained by adding one, and the process of S166 is performed. Return to.

  On the other hand, if the computer 13 determines in S170 that the portion of the touch panel 15 corresponding to the divided threshold adjustment areas 14h to 14k has not been touched by the user within a predetermined time, the computer 13 ends the series of processes shown in FIG.

  Next, an operation for detecting the presence / absence of a foreign substance in the inspection object 80 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 28, the computer 13 executes the processes of S181 and S182 in the same manner as the processes of S121 and S122 shown in FIG. Then, the computer 13 attaches a pixel region having a density equal to or higher than the division threshold value 43 set in advance by the processing shown in FIG. 21 in the inspected region 31 of the X-ray image 30 that has been subjected to the reduction / enlargement processing n times. The density is equal to or higher than the division threshold 44 set in advance by the process shown in FIG. 21 in the inspected object area 31 of the X-ray image 30 divided as the product candidate area 33a (S183) and subjected to the reduction / enlargement process m times. After the pixel area is divided as the attachment candidate area 33b (S184), an overlapping area between the attachment candidate area 33a divided in S183 and the attachment candidate area 33b divided in S184 is defined as an attachment area 31a. An area other than the attachment area 31a in the body area 31 is divided as an attachment outside area 31b (S185).

  Then, the computer 13 performs the processing from S186 to S188 similarly to the processing from S124 to S126 shown in FIG. 9, and ends the series of processing shown in FIG.

  The computer 13 performs a series of processes shown in FIG. 28 every time a new inspection object 80 for detecting foreign matter is conveyed by the conveyance belt 3.

  As described above, the computer 13 of the X-ray foreign object detection device according to the present embodiment performs the enlargement / reduction process on the X-ray image 30 one or more times, and then performs the attachment region 31a and the attachment outside region. 31b is divided. Therefore, in the X-ray foreign object detection device according to the present embodiment, in the X-ray image 30 of the object 80 to be inspected, an area corresponding to the foreign object, not actually the accessory 82, may be erroneously included in the accessory area 31a. Can be reduced.

  Note that the computer 13 of the X-ray foreign object detection device according to the present embodiment performs the reduction / enlargement processing n times in S166 shown in FIG. 21 and S183 shown in FIG. 28, and in S167 shown in FIG. 21 and S184 shown in FIG. Although the reduction / enlargement process is performed m times, the number of reduction / enlargement processes may be fixed, or may be changeable by the user.

  As described above, the X-ray foreign object detection device according to the present invention has an effect that it is possible to prevent an accessory from being detected as a foreign object regardless of the position of the accessory in the object to be inspected. It is useful as an X-ray foreign object detection device or the like installed on a production line.

1 is an external perspective view of an X-ray foreign object detection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Block diagram of the X-ray foreign object detection device shown in FIG. The figure which shows the image displayed on the display of the X-ray foreign material detection apparatus shown in FIG. 1 before a division | segmentation threshold value is set by the user. The figure which shows the to-be-inspected object area | region of the X-ray image produced | generated by the X-ray foreign material detection apparatus shown in FIG. The figure which shows the attachment area | region of the to-be-inspected object area | region of the X-ray image produced | generated by the X-ray foreign material detection apparatus shown in FIG. The figure which shows the density distribution of the pixel in the X-ray image produced | generated by the X-ray foreign material detection apparatus shown in FIG. A flowchart of the operation of the X-ray foreign object detection device shown in FIG. 1 when the division threshold is set by the user. The figure which shows the image displayed on the display of the X-ray foreign material detection apparatus shown in FIG. 1 when a division | segmentation threshold value is set by the user. A flowchart of the operation of the X-ray foreign matter detection apparatus shown in FIG. 1 when detecting the presence or absence of foreign matter in the object to be inspected. The figure which shows the position and density | concentration of the pixel in the area | region outside an attachment of the X-ray image produced | generated by the X-ray foreign material detection apparatus shown in FIG. The figure which shows the position and density | concentration of a pixel in the attachment area | region of the X-ray image produced | generated by the X-ray foreign material detection apparatus shown in FIG. The figure which is an image displayed on the display of the X-ray foreign material detection apparatus shown in FIG. The figure which shows the image displayed on the display of the X-ray foreign material detection apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention when the standard magnitude | size of an accessory is set by the user. The operation of the X-ray foreign object detection device according to the second embodiment of the present invention when detecting the presence / absence of a foreign substance in the inspected object and the presence / absence or excess / deficiency of an accessory in the inspected object flowchart The figure which shows the X-ray image produced | generated by the X-ray foreign material detection apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention when there are no accessories in a to-be-inspected object. The figure which shows the X-ray image produced | generated by the X-ray foreign material detection apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention when two or more attachments exist in a to-be-inspected object. The figure which shows the X-ray image produced | generated by the X-ray foreign material detection apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention when multiple attachments exist in a to-be-inspected object. The figure which shows the X-ray image produced | generated by the X-ray foreign material detection apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention when the quantity of the accessory in a to-be-inspected object is small. The figure which shows the density distribution of the pixel in the X-ray image which was produced | generated by the X-ray foreign material detection apparatus which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention, and the expansion / contraction process was performed n times. The figure which shows the density distribution of the pixel in the X-ray image produced | generated by the X-ray foreign material detection apparatus which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention, and the expansion / contraction process was performed 25 times. A flowchart of the operation of the X-ray foreign object detection device according to the third embodiment of the present invention when the division threshold is set by the user. The figure which shows the X-ray image in which the reduction / enlargement process was performed n times by the X-ray foreign material detection apparatus which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the attachment candidate area | region in the X-ray image shown in FIG. The figure which shows the X-ray image in which the reduction / enlargement process was performed m times by the X-ray foreign material detection apparatus which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the attachment candidate area | region in the X-ray image shown in FIG. The figure which shows the attachment area | region and attachment outside area | region divided | segmented by the X-ray foreign material detection apparatus which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the image displayed on the display of the X-ray foreign material detection apparatus which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention when a division | segmentation threshold value is set by the user. Flowchart of the operation of the X-ray foreign matter detection apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention when detecting the presence or absence of foreign matter in the object to be inspected.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 X-ray foreign material detection apparatus 13 Computer (A division | segmentation threshold value setting means, an area | region division means, an attachment outside area foreign material judgment means, an attachment area foreign material judgment means, an accessory presence / absence judgment means, an attachment excess / shortage judgment means, a position specification means)
14 Display (display means)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 15 Touch panel 30 X-ray image 31a Attachment area | region 31b Outside attachment area 41, 43, 44 Division | segmentation threshold value 51 Foreign material detection threshold value (predetermined threshold value)
52 Foreign object detection threshold (threshold different from predetermined threshold)
61 Cursor 80 Inspected object 82 Attachment

Claims (8)

In the X-ray foreign matter detection device (1) for processing the X-ray image (30) generated based on the X-ray dose transmitted through the subject (80) and detecting the presence or absence of the foreign matter in the subject,
A division threshold (41,) for dividing the attachment region (31a) corresponding to the attachment (82) in the inspection object and the attachment outside region (31b) other than the attachment region in the X-ray image. 43, 44) division threshold setting means (13), the X-ray image pixel density, and the attachment area and the attachment outside area based on the division threshold set by the division threshold setting means An area dividing means (13) for dividing the X-ray image based on the pixel density of the X-ray image and a predetermined threshold (51) with respect to the X-ray image of the non-attachment area divided by the area dividing means. An X-ray foreign matter detection apparatus comprising: an accessory outside region foreign matter judgment means (13) for judging the presence or absence of the foreign matter. The X-ray image pixel density with respect to the X-ray image (30) of the accessory region (31a) divided by the region dividing means (13) is different from the predetermined threshold value (51). The X-ray foreign matter detection device (1) according to claim 1, further comprising an accessory region foreign matter judgment means (13) for judging the presence or absence of the foreign matter based on (52). The area dividing means (13) performs at least one reduction / enlargement process of reducing the X-ray image (30) by a specified number of times and then expanding it to the original size, and then the attachment area (31a). The X-ray foreign object detection device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the region (31b) outside the accessory is divided. Attachment presence / absence determination means for determining the presence / absence of the attachment (82) in the inspection object (80) based on the size of the attachment area (31a) divided by the area dividing means (13). 13. The X-ray foreign object detection device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising 13). Based on at least one of the size of the accessory region (31a) divided by the region dividing means (13) and the density of the X-ray image (30) of the accessory region divided by the region dividing means. 4. An attachment excess / deficiency judging means (13) for judging whether or not the attachment (82) in the inspection object (80) is excessive or deficient. X-ray foreign matter detection device (1). Display means (14) for displaying the X-ray image (30), and position specifying means (13) for specifying a designated position which is a position designated by a user in the X-ray image displayed on the display means; With
The division threshold setting means (13) sets the division threshold (41, 43, 44) based on the density of the pixel of the X-ray image in the vicinity of the designated position specified by the position specifying means. The X-ray foreign object detection device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the X-ray foreign object detection device (1) is characterized in that: A touch panel (15) arranged on the screen of the display means (14),
The X-ray according to claim 6, wherein the position specifying means (13) specifies a position in the X-ray image (30) corresponding to a touched portion of the touch panel as the designated position. Foreign object detection device (1). The display means (14) displays a cursor (61) that is moved in accordance with a user instruction,
The X position according to claim 6, wherein the position specifying means (13) specifies a position designated by the cursor in the X-ray image (30) displayed on the display means as the designated position. Wire foreign matter detection device (1).

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