JP2007232585A - Article inspection system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a simple and inexpensive article inspection system capable of responding to a high load processing request by simultaneously using a small, long-life, and inexpensive article inspection device mainly having a detecting function and a general-purpose data processor communicable with it. <P>SOLUTION: Article inspection devices 1A-1C comprise a detecting means 10 for outputting detection information corresponding to a quality state of an inspected object W, a first communication processing means for creating/transmitting, based on the information, individual detection information including identification information and detection information of the inspected object and receiving and inputting result information of the inspection processing corresponding to it, and a selection commanding means for commanding whether to select and discharge the inspected object W, based on the input information. A data processor 50 comprises an inspection processing means 51 for performing a predetermined inspection processing every inspected object W, based on the individual detection information, and a second communication processing means 53 for receiving the individual detection information and transmitting the result information of the inspection processing to the corresponding article inspection device 1. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an article inspection system including an article inspection apparatus and a data processing apparatus that processes detection information thereof, and more particularly, includes an article inspection apparatus capable of sorting control having an inspection space on a conveyance path through which an inspection object is conveyed. The present invention relates to an article inspection system.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is an article inspection system that sorts and distributes an inspection object on the downstream side in the transport direction based on the results of foreign object detection, weighing, or characteristic inspection on the inspection object. For example, in a production line for producing foods or the like, there are known products in which a plurality of objects to be inspected are checked for the presence of foreign matter and defective products are discharged out of the conveyance path. In addition, a method using metal detection or X-ray inspection is frequently used as an article inspection method, or a mass measurement or the like is performed using the X-ray absorption characteristics of a substance. Some physical quantities (for example, mass (weight), volume, thickness, length, width, etc.) are measured by performing the above arithmetic processing, and downstream sorting and discharging are performed according to the result. .

  As this type of conventional article inspection system, for example, as described in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-098653), state determination such as a foreign matter contamination check, a check of missing items, and the number of pieces entered using X-rays is used. In order to carry out the above, there is a method in which the detection value based on the X-ray detection level by each determination method is compared with a predetermined threshold value to determine the presence or absence of an article defect. In this article inspection system, the control CPU executes an X-ray image creation process, an article defect judgment process, a display control process, and the like.

Further, as described in Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-278256), an input signal from a one-dimensional line sensor camera is taken into an image processing apparatus having a shading correction unit and a binarization unit, and obtained there. There is also an article inspection system for flaw / defect detection in which a binary line data string is compressed into run-length data and transferred to a host computer, where two-dimensional image data is created.
JP 2002-0986653 A JP-A-8-278256

  However, in the conventional article inspection system described in Patent Document 1, high-load data processing such as X-ray image processing and article defect determination processing is performed by a control CPU provided in the casing of the detection apparatus. Since it was executed, a high-performance control CPU was required, resulting in high costs and large equipment. In addition, image processing and signal processing are rapidly evolving together with the increase in processing speed of devices, and the CPU processing speed is always increased as known by Moore's Law. Even the control program becomes obsolete in a short period of time, and there is a problem that the useful life of the article inspection system has to be shortened.

  On the other hand, in the conventional article inspection system as described in Patent Document 2, the input signal from the one-dimensional line sensor camera is converted into run length data, transferred to the host computer via the queue buffer, and transferred on the host computer side. Two-dimensional image data was created while pre-reading the data. Therefore, the host computer connected to the image processing apparatus using an external interface functions exclusively as a dedicated control CPU, and only an inexpensive personal computer can be used therefor. That is, the conventional article inspection system is not tolerant to troubles in data transfer, troubles on the host side, and the like. In addition, when data transfer is not performed normally, the entire control cannot proceed, and the sorting control cannot be confirmed, so that a product that may be defective remains on the line, It was a cause of lowering reliability.

  Furthermore, in any of the above article inspection systems, the detection information of a plurality of inspection lines can be quickly and accurately grasped, and a system capable of flexibly responding to the recent management request for traceability information for foods etc. It was difficult.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, the article inspection apparatus as a detection unit itself is a small, long-life, low-cost detection function that does not require a high-performance control CPU, and communication with such an article inspection apparatus is possible. By using a versatile data processing device that can be used, it provides a low-cost article inspection system that can respond to high-load processing requirements with a simple detection unit configuration. An object of the present invention is to provide an article inspection system that can respond flexibly.

  In order to achieve the above object, an article inspection system according to the present invention includes (1) at least one article inspection apparatus and a data processing apparatus that is communicatively connected to the article inspection apparatus so as to receive detection information from the article inspection apparatus. And the article inspection apparatus has an inspection space on a conveyance path through which the inspection object is conveyed, and detects corresponding to a quality state of the inspection object passing through the inspection space. Based on the detection means for outputting information, and the detection information of the detection means, individual detection information including identification information for each inspection object and the detection information of the inspection object is generated and transmitted to the outside And a first communication processing means for receiving and inputting the result information of the predetermined examination corresponding to the individual detection information together with the identification information, the result information of the process inputted by the first communication processing means, and the identification And a sorting command means for generating a sorting command signal for commanding whether or not the inspection object is sorted and discharged to the outside of the conveyance path based on the information, and the data processing device includes at least the individual detection While receiving the individual detection information transmitted from the first communication processing means, inspection processing means for executing the predetermined inspection processing for each inspection object identified by the identification information based on information And second communication processing means for transmitting the result information of the inspection processing to the first communication processing means of the article inspection apparatus together with the identification information of the inspection object corresponding to the result information. It is characterized by this.

  With this configuration, in the article inspection apparatus, individual detection information including detection information and identification information of the inspection object is generated and output, while in the data processing apparatus, identification information of the inspection object corresponding to the individual detection information When a predetermined inspection process is executed every time and the processing result information is input to the article inspection apparatus together with the identification information, a selection control is performed as to whether or not the inspection object is selectively discharged out of the conveyance path. . Accordingly, the article inspection apparatus is a small-sized, long-life and low-cost detection function that does not require high data processing capability, while the data processing apparatus is a general-purpose computer capable of data communication with at least one article inspection apparatus Can be used at low cost and with high throughput. Furthermore, even if the data transfer is slightly changed or the order of incoming calls is disturbed, the transmitted data can be reliably reconstructed based on the identification information, so that an article inspection system with excellent reliability can be obtained.

  In the article inspection system of the present invention, preferably, (2) the first communication processing means includes processing identification information for specifying the processing of the predetermined inspection for each inspection object in the individual detection information. It is. As a result, even if the predetermined inspection process for a plurality of objects to be inspected is performed in parallel, the processing result can be reliably associated with the plurality of workpieces W.

  In the article inspection system of the present invention, (3) the inspection processing means of the data processing apparatus includes a plurality of processing units capable of executing the predetermined inspection processing corresponding to the individual detection information, and It is preferable that the processing unit assigned to a predetermined inspection process can be changed. With this configuration, the processing capability of the inspection processing means of the data processing apparatus can be easily changed, and can be dynamically changed according to the communication state.

  In this case, (4) a plurality of the article inspection apparatuses are provided, and a load balancer is interposed between the plurality of article inspection apparatuses and the inspection processing means of the data processing apparatus, thereby More preferably, the processing unit to which the load of the predetermined inspection process for the inspection apparatus is assigned to each process is changed and adjusted. With this configuration, it is possible to evenly assign the processing capability of the data processing apparatus to a plurality of article inspection apparatuses regardless of changes in the communication state.

  In the article inspection system of the present invention, (5) the article inspection apparatus includes a determination processing unit that executes the predetermined inspection process or an inspection process simpler than the predetermined process based on detection information of the detection unit. And when the first communication processing means does not receive and input the result information of the predetermined inspection process, the determination processing means executes the predetermined inspection process or a simpler inspection process than the predetermined processing. You may do it. If comprised in this way, it becomes possible to perform an inspection by the article detection apparatus alone even in a use environment where communication is impossible, and even in the system construction state used together with the data processing apparatus, the article inspection apparatus side and the data processing are performed depending on the inspection item. It is possible to share processing with the device side, or to dynamically change the processing rate between the article inspection device side and the data processing device side according to the load of the network and the load of the data processing device. Become.

  In the article inspection system of the present invention, (6) the data processing device partially uses the detection information included in the individual detection information when the processing load of the inspection processing means exceeds a predetermined level. A simpler inspection process than the predetermined inspection process may be executed. As a result, even in a system environment in which the data processing apparatus is a CPU resource with a small amount, it is possible to reliably execute the required inspection process while effectively utilizing the CPU resource according to the load state of the entire system.

  Furthermore, in the article inspection system according to the present invention, (7) a plurality of the article inspection apparatuses are provided, and the data processing apparatus performs processing on the individual detection information from the plurality of article inspection apparatuses equally. As described above, it is preferable that the predetermined inspection process or the inspection process simpler than the predetermined inspection process is executed using all or a part of the detection information included in the individual detection information. With this configuration, even if the data communication speed between the plurality of article inspection devices and the data processing device varies, the normal inspection processing and the simpler inspection processing can be appropriately executed, so that The processing for the stand article inspection apparatus can proceed evenly.

  In the article inspection system of the present invention, (8) the individual detection information is output from the article inspection apparatus, and the predetermined period from the data processing apparatus side within a predetermined period from the output time point. When the result information of the inspection process is not input to the article inspection apparatus, it is preferable to provide the article inspection apparatus with a reception error notification means for notifying that the reception input of the result information has failed. According to this configuration, when the processing result information of the predetermined inspection is not input to the article inspection apparatus within the predetermined time after the individual detection information is output, the user is notified that the result information reception input has failed. It becomes possible to notify the state and to confirm the selection control.

  In this case, (9) when the result information reception error is notified by the reception error notification means, the selection command means sends the inspection object to the conveyance path based on the notification information of the result information reception error. It is more preferable to generate a discharge command signal for sorting and discharging to the outside. As a result, it is possible to reliably prevent a situation in which sorting defects remain on the inspection object conveyance path.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the article inspection apparatus has a small, long-life, low-cost detection function that does not require high data processing capability, and the data processing apparatus is a general-purpose capable of data communication with the article inspection apparatus. Therefore, it is possible to provide a low-cost and high-throughput article inspection system. Furthermore, since the data can be reliably reconstructed based on the identification information even if the data transfer is slightly changed or disturbed, an article inspection system with excellent reliability can be obtained.

  According to the invention of claim 2, the predetermined inspection process for a plurality of inspected objects can be clearly identified by the process identification information, and even if these processes are executed in parallel, The processing result can be reliably associated with a plurality of article inspection apparatuses and a plurality of workpieces W.

  According to invention of Claim 3, the processing capability of the test | inspection processing means of a data processor can be changed easily, and can also be changed dynamically according to a communication state.

  According to the invention of claim 4, the processing capability of the data processing device can be evenly assigned to a plurality of article inspection devices regardless of fluctuations in the communication state.

  According to the invention of claim 5, even in the use environment where communication is impossible, the article detection apparatus can be inspected alone, and in the system construction state used in combination with the data processing apparatus, The processing is shared between the data processing device side, or the processing ratio between the article inspection device side and the data processing device side is dynamically changed according to the load on the network and the data processing device. Can do.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, even in a system environment in which the data processing apparatus has a small number of CPU resources, a required inspection process is reliably executed while effectively using the CPU resources in accordance with the load state of the entire system. be able to.

  According to the invention of claim 7, even if the data communication speed between the plurality of article inspection devices and the data processing device varies, the normal inspection processing and simpler inspection processing are appropriately executed. By doing so, the processing for a plurality of article inspection apparatuses can be made to proceed evenly.

  According to the invention of claim 8, when the processing result information of the predetermined inspection is not input to the article inspection apparatus within the predetermined time after the individual detection information is output, the fact that the reception input of the result information has failed is notified. Therefore, it is possible to inform the user of the state and to confirm the selection control.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reliably prevent a situation in which a sorting defect remains on the inspection object conveyance path.

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

[First embodiment]
1 to 3 are diagrams showing a first embodiment of an article inspection system according to the present invention, and show an example in which the present invention is applied to a system capable of foreign object detection and weighing selection using X-rays.

  First, the configuration will be described.

  As shown in the schematic block diagram in FIGS. 1 and 2, the article inspection system of the present embodiment includes at least one, for example, three article inspection apparatuses 1A, 1B, and 1C, and these article inspection apparatuses 1A to 1C. And a data processing device 50 connected to the article inspection devices 1A to 1C so as to receive the detection information from each other.

  As shown in FIG. 2, each article inspection apparatus 1 </ b> A, 1 </ b> B, or 1 </ b> C has an inspection space 11 on a conveyor conveyance path 5 (conveyance path) that conveys a workpiece W that is an object to be inspected. Detection means 10 for outputting detection information corresponding to the quality state of the workpiece W passing through the control means 20, control means 20 for controlling the detection operation of the detection means 10, and predetermined on the conveyor conveyance path 5 downstream from the inspection space 11 A known sorter 40 capable of selectively discharging the workpiece W that has reached a position (hereinafter referred to as a sorting / discharging position) from the conveyor transport path 5 to the outside is provided.

  Moreover, as shown in FIG. 3, the article inspection apparatuses 1A to 1C each inspect a workpiece W of an individual of the same type or different types (which may be a fixed type or a flexible indeterminate type). A plurality of production lines (four rows in FIG. 3, four rows 1, 2, 3, and 4) arranged in parallel so that the conveyor conveyance paths 5 can be independently conveyed, or a plurality of production lines arranged in parallel so that the conveyor conveyance paths 5 are synchronously conveyed with each other. Is placed on the production line.

  The conveyor conveyance path 5 is made of, for example, a belt conveyor. The conveyor conveyance path 5 conveys, for example, a work W such as food or medicine at a predetermined constant conveyance speed corresponding to the product type, and passes the work W through the inspection space 11 during the conveyance.

  The detection means 10 forms, for example, an inspection space 11 inside a casing (not shown in detail) sandwiching the conveyor conveyance path 5 up and down, and X-rays are emitted to the workpiece W passing through the inspection space 11. An X-ray source 12 to be irradiated and an X-ray detector 14 located on the opposite side of the X-ray source 12 with the examination space 11 interposed therebetween are included.

  The X-ray source 12 has an X-ray tube that generates X-rays by colliding a thermoelectron from a cathode filament with an anode target by a high voltage between the cathode and the anode, for example. The X-ray detector 14 is shaped to irradiate a fan-shaped beam extending in the width direction of the conveyor conveyance path 5 (direction perpendicular to the conveyance direction) by a slit (not shown). That is, the X-ray source 12 and the X-ray detector 14 constitute a so-called X-ray fan beam optical system.

  The X-ray detection unit 14 detects X-rays that have passed through the workpiece W for each of a plurality of transmission regions adjacent in the width direction of the conveyor conveyance path 5 in the inspection space 11, and accumulates transmission for each predetermined time in each transmission region. Amount of data is output as detection information. Although not shown in detail, the X-ray detection unit 14 is configured by, for example, an X-ray line sensor. This X-ray line sensor is a well-known sensor in which detection elements comprising phosphor scintillators and photodiodes or charge-coupled elements are arranged at a predetermined pitch in an array in the width direction of the conveyor transport path 5. X-ray detection can be performed.

  The conveyor conveyance path 5, the detection means 10, and the sorter 40 are controlled by the inspection / sorting control unit 21 of the control means 20 so as to operate at predetermined timings.

  The inspection / selection control unit 21 has a data holding function for temporarily holding the detection information from the X-ray detection unit 14 in addition to the control function for controlling the conveyance control by the conveyor conveyance path 5 and the operation control of the detection means 10. Have both.

  Although a specific hardware configuration is not illustrated, the inspection / selection control unit 21 includes, for example, a microcomputer having a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and an I / O interface, and a predetermined program stored in the ROM. The X-ray detection signals from the plurality of detection elements of the X-ray line sensor are respectively A / D converted, and the total n in the conveyance path width direction is obtained every predetermined unit conveyance time corresponding to the arrangement pitch of the detection elements. With respect to (n is a positive integer, for example, 640) transmission regions, data of accumulated transmission X-ray dose (hereinafter simply referred to as transmission amount) within the unit time is used, for example, transmission amount representing gradations from 0 to 1023. An operation of writing data as level detection information (hereinafter referred to as line scanning) can be executed, and an A / D converter, memory, etc. (for this purpose) Displacement also has a not shown).

  Further, the inspection / selection control unit 21 executes a predetermined inspection processing program as necessary to determine whether or not the work W is selected and discharged to the outside of the conveyor transport path 5 (a determination unit 21a ( Determination processing means).

  In addition to the inspection / selection control unit 21, the control unit 20 also includes an ID generation unit 22, a communication processing unit 23, a communication port unit 26, an inspection information storage unit 25, an error notification unit 27, a detection drive unit 28, and a selection drive. A portion 29 is provided. Further, the control means 20 is provided with a setting operation unit 31 for performing various setting parameter and product type switching operations, and a workpiece detection sensor 33 for detecting the entry of the workpiece W into the inspection space 11. .

  The ID generation unit 22 detects the workpiece W (one line to be scanned is the smallest unit of the workpiece W referred to here, for each workpiece detected by the workpiece detection sensor 33. Here, for example, one workpiece is detected. Identification information including the time information at that time, the identification number of the detection means 10 (or the identification code of the inspection line), and information such as the set product type, or a plurality of communication inputs from the outside The identification information of the detected workpiece W, which is specified from the identification code information of the workpiece W, the number of detected workpieces and the number of scans, is generated, and the timer, program, memory area, etc. for that are generated. Contains.

  The communication processing unit 23 constitutes a first communication processing unit together with the communication port unit 26, and is based on the identification information from the ID generation unit 22 and the detection information from the detection unit 10 for each work W. Individual detection information including identification information and detection information of the workpiece W is generated and output to the external data processing device 50 via the communication port unit 26. The communication port unit 26 is a communication interface circuit unit capable of forming a specific node corresponding to a set IP address on a predetermined local area network (local communication network; hereinafter simply referred to as LAN) constituting an IP (Internet Protocol) network. Thus, the individual detection information from the communication processing unit 23 can be transmitted and output to the data processing device 50 which is another node on the LAN.

  In addition, the communication processing unit 23 displays the result information of the predetermined inspection process executed by the data processing device 50 for each piece of work W identification information corresponding to the individual detection information, together with the work W identification information. It is also a result information input means for inputting via the unit 26. As will be described later, the predetermined inspection process means, for example, a pass / fail determination process for each workpiece, an image process, a measurement value calculation process, a statistical process, and the like. , 1B or 1C, for example, processing for generating identification information and detection data, communication processing, or processing processing with high load that requires high-speed processing rather than processing such as simple pass / fail judgment processing for each work Or it is a process which cannot be performed in each article inspection apparatus 1A, 1B or 1C.

  Usually, the inspection / sorting control unit 21 sorts and discharges the workpiece W to the outside of the conveyor conveyance path 5 based on the result information of the predetermined inspection process input by the communication processing unit 23 and the identification information of the workpiece W. A selection command signal is generated by determining whether or not to do so. That is, the inspection / sorting control unit 21 includes a control program, a memory, and the like so as to function also as a sorting command unit.

  Further, the inspection / selection control unit 21 according to the present embodiment operates the determination unit 21a as appropriate in an environment where the result information of a predetermined inspection process is not normally received and input from outside, for example. Based on the detection information of the detection means 10, an inspection process equivalent to the predetermined inspection process (to be described later) or an inspection process with a lower CPU load than that process (for example, a simple foreign object presence / absence / acceptance determination process) is performed. By doing so, you can take charge of the inspection process yourself.

  On the other hand, the data processing device 50 has a communication interface circuit unit (not shown) that forms a specific node corresponding to a specific IP address on the LAN, for example, TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) / IP communication. It has become a device that can.

  Although this data processing device 50 does not show a detailed hardware configuration, for example, a computer unit 51 (inspection processing means) composed of one or a plurality of computers having a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and an I / O interface, for example. The storage unit 52 includes a recording medium (for example, a hard disk) that can store and store the processing results in the computer unit 51, and a load balancer 53 (second communication processing means).

  The computer unit 51 includes, for example, a first determination unit 51a, a second determination unit 51b, a second determination unit 51b having a determination program for executing a mass determination process and a corresponding port number as a plurality of processing units for executing predetermined inspection processes. 3 determination unit 51c and fourth determination unit 51d, an image processing program for performing image processing of an X-ray image required for the mass determination processing, and a first image processing unit 51m and a second image processing unit having corresponding port numbers 51n and the third image processing unit 51p, a program for executing extended processing such as statistical processing, log management, search processing and the like, and an extended processing unit 51r having port numbers corresponding to them (only one representative is shown) ).

  The load balancer 53 is a publicly known one that can perform load distribution at, for example, the TCP / IP layer level (layer 3 or 4) or at a higher layer (for example, layer 7). The load balancer 53 is connected to the communication port unit 26 of the control means 20 of each article inspection apparatus 1A, 1B or 1C by wired communication (for example, Ethernet (registered trademark) connection or power line carrier communication (PLC)) or wireless communication (for example, wireless LAN). ), Has unique identification information (for example, MAC address (Media Access Control address)), and is set with an IP address and a port number that define its own node in the LAN. It is like that.

  The load balancer 53 receives a data processing request from each article inspection apparatus 1A, 1B, or 1C with the IP address and the port number corresponding to the processing, while the port number of the destination processing unit corresponding to the request ( Alternatively, the IP address and the port number are rewritten based on a predetermined load distribution algorithm, and any one of the processing units 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d, 51m, 51n, 51p, 51r (hereinafter, any one is indicated) The data processing request is allocated to the processing unit 51x).

  The load distribution algorithm here refers to, for example, the connection state and load state of each processing unit 51x using a measurement packet, and sends a request for data processing this time to the processing unit 51x having a quick response. This is a load balancing algorithm. Further, it is an algorithm for determining the processing unit 51x required from the processing identification code included in the header information of the data processing request and determining its port number (or IP address and port number).

  Each processing unit 51x of the computer unit 51 performs a control program (for example, X-ray image generation, foreign object presence determination, volume / mass calculation, display data generation, etc.) for executing image processing or determination processing, which is processing of a predetermined examination. A processing program), a timer circuit, a memory area, and the like. The processing result here is stored in the storage unit 52 so as to be readable. That is, each processing unit 51x of the computer unit 51 performs predetermined foreign object presence determination processing and X-ray image data generation based on the individual detection information detected by the X-ray detection unit 14 and transmitted from the control unit 20. And physical quantity calculation processing. Here, “physical quantity” means mass, volume, area, thickness, length, width, etc., but the physical quantity calculation process in this embodiment is an example of mass calculation process.

  More specifically, among the processing units 51x of the computer unit 51, the first image processing unit 51m, the second image processing unit 51n, and the third image processing unit 51p first function as an area extraction processing unit to detect X-rays. A part of the detection information from the unit 14 is extracted, and at least a part corresponding to the background of the X-ray image of the work W is excluded, and the X-ray image of the mass measurement region is extracted. And a working memory (not shown). In addition, the first image processing unit 51m, the second image processing unit 51n, and the third image processing unit 51p of the computer unit 51 are each in a predetermined density level range in the data from the article inspection apparatus 1A, 1B, or 1C. Part of the data is extracted, and the data of the measurement area excluding the part corresponding to the background of the X-ray image is extracted. At least the data is subjected to noise cut processing with a predetermined threshold, and X-rays are generated on the workpiece W. In the present embodiment, there are a program and a work memory area that make the measured value of the mass of the conveyor belt on which the workpiece W is placed zero. Further, these processing units 51m, 51n, and 51p take in density data extracted from the region at predetermined time intervals, and are X-ray images corresponding to transmission amount data for the entire area of each work W, and there is no work W. The portion where the X-ray absorption amount is the maximum and the X-ray absorption amount by the workpiece W is zero, the minimum density value is the minimum, the X-ray transmission amount value is the minimum, and the X-ray absorption amount by the workpiece W is the maximum The image generating means generates a digital X-ray image having the maximum density for each workpiece W.

  Further, the first to fourth determination units 51a to 51d of the computer unit 51 extract, for example, a logarithmic conversion or differentiation process of the X-ray density data to extract a steep change in the X-ray absorption amount by the substance, and determine the presence or absence of foreign matter. It comes to judge. The foreign matter determination process itself is the same as a known one.

Further, the first to fourth determination units 51a to 51d (may be a part) have volume measurement and mass conversion processing functions, and the background density value in the X-ray image and the foreground in the X-ray image. The representative density of the image corresponding to the mass measurement area and the maximum density of the equivalent thickness image are stored in an internal set value memory (not shown), and each transmission area of the workpiece W is based on the set value. Conversion processing from density data P of the X-ray image to density data Q (P) of an equivalent thickness image is executed. The equivalent thickness image is an image in which the thickness of the workpiece W is equivalently shown by density data generated from the X-ray transmission amount data. Assuming that the received light amount I ′ after the light reception sensitivity correction of the X-ray detection unit 14 is I ′ = I ₀ exp (−α · t), α · t is generated by the X-ray measurement unit after the X-ray is emitted from the generation source. It is an equivalent thickness value that directly indicates the amount of X-ray absorption by the substance that has been transmitted until it is detected. For example, by associating this with the density value of the image, a substance having a high X-ray absorption rate or an X-ray transmission direction An equivalent thickness image having a larger density value can be created in a thicker part. The fourth determination unit 51d has a volume measurement processing program, and performs the volume calculation only for the target region for mass measurement by taking in the density data of the X-ray image of the mass measurement region from the region extraction processing unit. The volume of each work W is obtained by adding up effective data among the density data Q (P) (slice data) of the equivalent thickness image obtained by each scanning from the front end to the rear end in the transport direction of the work W. V is calculated.

  The first to fourth determination units 51a to 51d are further provided with a coefficient holding memory area for storing a mass conversion coefficient of the workpiece W read from a product parameter file (not shown), and a volume measurement value for each transmission area whose volume is measured. And a conversion processing program for converting the value into a converted value in mass unit at a predetermined conversion ratio set in advance, and converting the volume measurement value V of each workpiece W volume-measured as described above into a mass value. Can be output.

  Since statistical processing, history management processing, search processing, and the like executed by the extension processing unit 51r are all known, detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  The result of the predetermined inspection obtained by each processing unit 51x described above is a work with the destination IP address of the article inspection apparatus 1A, 1B or 1C that has issued the data processing request and the port number corresponding to the processing. A transmission frame is formed together with the W identification information, and is passed to the load balancer 53. Then, the IP address and port number of the data processing device 50 that is the destination specified in the previous request are used as the current transmission source, and the data processing request is transmitted to the article inspection device 1A, 1B, or 1C that issued the data processing request. .

  With this transmission, in the article inspection apparatus 1A, 1B, or 1C, normally, the corresponding detection delay time Td from the time when the individual detection information is output as the data processing request from the communication processing unit 23 corresponds to the corresponding information. The result information of the predetermined inspection process is input to the communication processing unit 23, the result information is reconstructed by the communication processing unit 23, and is taken into the inspection / selection control unit 21 as the processing result information.

  On the other hand, the inspection / selection control unit 21 is a case where a request for data processing of the individual detection information is output from the communication processing unit 23, and the predetermined inspection is performed within a predetermined selection delay time Td from the output time point. When the processing result information is not input to the communication processing unit 23, notification information of a result information reception error indicating that reception of the result information has failed is generated, and an error notification is generated based on the notification information. The unit 27 notifies the status of the reception error at least by a lamp display or a warning sound. That is, the inspection / selection control unit 21 and the error notification unit 27 constitute a reception error notification unit.

  Further, in the present embodiment, when the result information reception error is notified by the error notification unit 27, the inspection / selection control unit 21 as the selection command means performs the work based on the notification information of the result information reception error. A discharge command signal for sorting and discharging W to the outside of the conveyor conveyance path 5 is generated.

  More specifically, in the present embodiment, a workpiece detection sensor 33 is provided that detects that the workpiece W has reached a predetermined position upstream of the inspection space 11 of the detection means 10 on the conveyor conveyance path 5. Therefore, after the workpiece W is detected by the workpiece detection sensor 33, the information on the result of the predetermined inspection process is a communication process until the workpiece W reaches the predetermined sorting / discharging position on the conveyor conveyance path 5. When it is not input to the unit 23, broadcast information for reporting the result information reception error is generated.

  However, the inspection / sorting control unit 21 is a case where the individual detection information is output from the communication processing unit 23. For example, the workpiece W related to the output from the output time point is a predetermined sorting discharge position near the sorting machine 40. When the result information of the predetermined examination process is not input to the communication processing unit 23 until the time reaches the notification information, notification information for notifying the result information reception error may be generated.

  The communication processing unit 23 of the article inspection apparatuses 1A, 1B, and 1C also communicates with the data processing device 50 when it is necessary to transmit and output the individual detection information to the data processing device 50. Execute the negotiation for connection start through the network and understand the current status of each other, then determine the packet size (maximum segment size), etc. and determine the connection (virtual communication path connecting each other's applications) It is established and the flow is controlled, and this is achieved by, for example, a TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) communication program. Accordingly, the communication processing unit 23 sends a confirmation response request signal (for example, a sequence number) to the data processing device 50, and an acknowledgment signal corresponding to the response request signal (for example, an ACK sent from the transmission destination to the transmission source). The individual detection information is transmitted and output to the data processing device 50 only when (Acknowledgement) number) is received.

  In addition, the data processing device 50 determines the X-ray image for each workpiece W (inspection object identification information), the determination result of the presence or absence of foreign matter, the pass / fail of the mass measurement result (whether it is within the allowable mass range), or the like. When the inspection processing result data is transmitted to the article inspection apparatuses 1A, 1B, 1C, a negotiation for starting connection is established with the communication processing section 23 through the communication port section 26 of the article inspection apparatuses 1A, 1B, 1C. This is executed and the current status of each other is grasped. Then, the packet size and the like are determined and the connection is established. This is achieved by, for example, a TCP communication program. Accordingly, the data processing device 50 sends a confirmation response request signal to the article inspection devices 1A, 1B, and 1C, and performs a data processing from the confirmation response signal corresponding to the response request signal (for example, the article inspection devices 1A, 1B, and 1C). Only when the ACK number sent to the apparatus 50 is received, the result data of the predetermined inspection process is transmitted and output to the article inspection apparatuses 1A, 1B, 1C.

  When the communication processing unit 23 receives the result data of the predetermined inspection from the data processing device 50, the inspection / selection control unit 21 receives the processing result data of the predetermined inspection from the inspection information storage unit such as a hard disk. 25 can be accumulated. However, the result data of the predetermined inspection process, which is a high load process, is accumulated in the accumulation unit 52 so as to be centrally managed for the plurality of article inspection apparatuses 1A, 1B, 1C on the data processing apparatus 50 side. Whether or not there is a foreign matter for each work W required to determine whether sorting / discharging is necessary from the data processing device 50 side to the article inspection devices 1A, 1B, and 1C is sufficiently satisfied. You may make it send only a result or a mass value pass / fail.

  Further, with respect to any of the processing units 51x, it is possible to execute inspection processing that is simpler than the predetermined inspection processing by partially using detection information included in the individual detection information. For example, in this processing unit 51x assigned at the time of high load when processing is not in time, the received data of the detection signal level is, for example, “1... DATA 100, 101,. 102, 105, 101, 100, 110... ”, The foreign object except for the first odd-numbered predetermined number of data, for example, the first and third data 100, 102, etc. It is also possible to secure the required response time of the data processing device 50 by executing processing such as presence / absence determination.

  Next, the operation of this system will be described.

  First, after the tube voltage and tube current for specifying the irradiation intensity of the X-ray source 12 are set to appropriate levels in accordance with the type of workpiece W, the belt surface over the entire width direction on the non-conveyor conveyor path 5 The detection sensitivity of the X-ray detection unit 14 is adjusted so that the transmission amount of X-rays in each transmission region is equal, and then the zero point of volume measurement is set on the belt surface of the conveyor conveyance path 5 when no conveyance is performed. The reference plane is set.

  Next, a noise cut threshold value or the like is set as necessary. For example, the mass conversion coefficient is calculated or set by measuring the volume of a master work whose mass is known. These initial setting data are written in the memory of the inspection / selection control unit 21 as, for example, a part of a product type parameter file, and are read when an input for specifying the product type is made.

  A series of inspection control programs, which will be described later, are executed for the types for which such setting has been completed, and when an input for specifying the type of the workpiece W to be inspected is made, an X-ray inspection is performed after a necessary selection operation input. Done. In this X-ray inspection, first, each set parameter that has been set first is read from the product type parameter file. Next, when there is an operation input such as a start button for instructing the start of measurement, the workpiece W on the conveyor transport path 5 is read. Is started.

  Next, when the workpiece detection sensor 33 detects the entry of the workpiece W into the inspection space, for example, it is adjacent to the conveyance section corresponding to the length of the workpiece W from the change in the detection state of the workpiece detection sensor 33 and before and after the conveyance direction. A non-conveyance section corresponding to the interval between the workpieces W to be matched is specified, and a sampling period in which the X-ray detection unit 14 performs repeated scanning is determined.

  Next, the detection information from the X-ray detection unit 14 starts to be taken into the image input unit at a predetermined timing after the entry is detected, and the line scanning is repeated for each unit conveyance time by the length of the workpiece W. The transmission amount data corresponding to n detection elements of the X-ray line sensor are sequentially stored in the memory area of the inspection / selection control unit 21 that functions as the data storage unit of the X-ray detection unit 14.

  Then, the slice data obtained in each scan is obtained for each work W together with the time information generated by the ID generation unit 22, the identification information for each work W including information such as the identification number of the detection means 10 and the set product type. Inspection data is processed into a data segment for TCP / IP transmission by the communication processing unit 23 and transmitted from the communication processing unit 23 to the data processing device 50 as individual detection information.

  At this time, the transmitted data is output from the X-ray detection unit 14 within a certain inspection period from the rise of the detection signal of the workpiece detection sensor 33.

  As shown in FIG. 3, for example, the workpiece W is a rectangular parallelepiped boxed product. Immediately after the detection signal of the workpiece detection sensor 33 rises, first, at least the column number of the conveyor conveyance path 5 and the workpiece detection are detected as the identification information. ID information ("1_15: 40: 23.000", "2_15: 40: 24.000", etc. in the figure) including the time (or date and time) of the work W is generated, and together with this, the ID of this work W Individual detection information composed of information and detection data is decomposed into a transmission frame that is, for example, an Ethernet packet, and a data start flag (START in the figure) is set prior to the first transmission frame. For example, 1 frame = 1500 octets (bytes) ) And transmission amount data corresponding to n detection elements of the X-ray line sensor for each slice (“1... Partially shown in FIG. 3). DATA 100, 101, 102, ... "," 1 ... DATA 200, 210, ... "," 2 ... DATA 150, 200, 250 ... ", etc.) are sequentially converted into transmission frames. Then, after the last slice data corresponding to the rear end of the work W, a data end flag (“END” in the figure) of the work W is set. Then, an IP header or the like is added to the transmission frame, and the transmission frame is transmitted to the data processing device 50 designated by the destination IP address described therein.

  The transmission frame transmitted here is first received by the load balancer 53 of the data processing device 50 in accordance with the destination IP address and port number. Here, a request for data processing from each article inspection device 1A, 1B or 1C is received. The destination port number (or IP address and port number) is rewritten based on a predetermined load distribution algorithm, and the data processing request is assigned to any suitable processing unit 51x.

  In the processing unit 51x, for example, the first image processing unit 51m extracts density data of the measurement region excluding the portion corresponding to the background of the X-ray image from the detection information from the X-ray detection unit 14. The digital X-ray image corresponding to the transmission amount data for the entire area of the work W is generated.

  In addition, for example, in the first to fourth determination units 51a to 51d, logarithmic conversion or differentiation processing of X-ray density data is performed to extract a steep change in the amount of X-ray absorption by the substance, and the presence or absence of foreign matter is determined.

  Alternatively, for example, based on the digital X-ray image obtained by the first image processing unit 51m in the first to fourth determination units 51a to 51d, from the density data P of the X-ray image in each transmission region of the workpiece W, for example. Effective data among the density data Q (P) of the equivalent thickness image obtained by executing the conversion process to the density data Q (P) of the equivalent thickness image and scanning from the front end to the rear end in the conveyance direction of the workpiece W. Is added to calculate the volume V of each workpiece W, and the volume V is converted into a mass value.

  The processing result of the predetermined inspection obtained in each processing unit 51x in this way is the destination IP address and port number of the article inspection apparatus 1A, 1B or 1C that has issued the data processing request, and the work W's. A transmission frame is formed together with the identification information, and is transmitted via the load balancer 53 to the article inspection apparatus 1A, 1B or 1C that has issued the data processing request.

  Thereby, in the article inspection apparatus 1A, 1B, or 1C, the corresponding predetermined inspection within the predetermined selection delay time Td from the time when the individual detection information is output from the communication processing unit 23 as the data processing request. The processing result information is input to the communication processing unit 23, and the communication processing unit 23 reconstructs the result information and takes it into the inspection / selection control unit 21 as processing result information.

  Here, if the data processing request for the individual detection information is output from the communication processing unit 23, the result information of the predetermined inspection process is not input to the communication processing unit 23 within the predetermined selection delay time Td. Sometimes, the inspection / selection control unit 21 generates notification information of a result information reception error indicating that the reception input of the result information has failed, and the error notification unit 27 notifies the reception error state.

  In the above-described data communication, the communication processing unit 23 on the side of the article inspection devices 1A to 1C first negotiates with the data processing device 50 when transmission output is necessary, and confirms with the data processing device 50. A response request signal is sent out. The individual detection information is transmitted and output to the data processing device 50 only when a confirmation response signal corresponding to the response request signal is received. The data processing device 50 also sends a confirmation response request signal and receives a corresponding confirmation response signal when the processing result data of the predetermined inspection is transmitted to the article inspection device 1A, 1B or 1C. Only when the result data of the predetermined inspection is transmitted to the article inspection apparatus 1A, 1B or 1C.

  Therefore, reliable data communication between each article inspection apparatus 1A, 1B or 1C and the data processing apparatus 50 is ensured, and the article inspection apparatuses 1A, 1B, 1C themselves are simple and low without mounting a high processing capacity CPU. Despite cost, the data processing device 50 always uses the latest processing program and hardware resources, and based on the results of a predetermined inspection process, advanced inspection / determination results, volume / mass measurements Etc. can be obtained.

  Further, in the data communication between each article inspection apparatus 1A, 1B or 1C and the data processing apparatus 50, the inspection / selection control unit 21 of each article inspection apparatus 1A, 1B or 1C detects the individual detection from the communication processing section 23. When information is output, a predetermined sorting delay time from the time of output, that is, a transport distance from the position detected by the work detection sensor 33 to the tip of the work reaching the sorting discharge position / work transport speed therebetween ), When the result information of the predetermined examination process is not input to the communication processing unit 23, the notification information of the result information reception error indicating that the reception input of the result information has failed is generated, The inspection / sorting control unit 21 generates a discharge command signal for sorting and discharging the workpiece W to the outside of the conveyor conveyance path 5 based on the notification information. Therefore, even if the data processing apparatus 50 cannot perform a predetermined inspection process or cannot establish a communication connection for some reason, each article inspection apparatus 1A, 1B or 1C side results in an information reception error. Can be immediately reflected in the selection control, and the determination unit 21a can be operated as necessary, so that the work W which may be defective may be mixed into the transfer area of the acceptable product. Absent. Further, the inspection / sorting control unit 21 can accumulate necessary management data for each inspection line in the inspection information storage unit 25, and further provide statistical data over a long period of time, related production location information, Various inspection data and the like for each work W can be accumulated on the data processing device 50 side, and can be centrally managed and centrally managed, and can fully meet recent traceability requirements.

  As described above, in the article inspection device system according to the present embodiment, the individual detection information including the detection information and identification information of the workpiece W is generated and output on each of the article inspection apparatuses 1A, 1B, or 1C, and the data processing apparatus 50 Then, a predetermined inspection process is executed for each piece of identification information of the workpiece W corresponding to the individual detection information, and when the processing result information is input to any of the article inspection apparatuses 1A, 1B or 1C together with the identification information, A sorting command is executed as to whether or not to sort W out of the conveyance path. Accordingly, the article inspection apparatuses 1A, 1B, and 1C are small, long-life, low-cost detection functions that do not require high data processing capability, while the data processing apparatus 50 includes the article inspection apparatuses 1A, 1B, and 1C. Since a general-purpose computer capable of data communication can be used, a low-cost and high-processing capacity can be achieved. Furthermore, since the reconstruction of the transmitted data can be surely executed based on the identification information of the work W even if the data transfer is slightly changed or the incoming order is disturbed, an article inspection system with excellent reliability can be obtained.

  In the article inspection system of the present embodiment, the communication processing unit 23 includes processing identification information for specifying the processing of the predetermined inspection for each workpiece W in the individual detection information, so that the predetermined inspection for a plurality of workpieces W is performed. Even if these processes are executed in parallel, the processing results can be reliably associated with a plurality of workpieces W.

  In addition, a plurality of processing units 51a, 51b, 51c, 51d, 51m, 51n each capable of executing the predetermined inspection process corresponding to the individual detection information can be performed by the computer unit 51 (inspection processing means) of the data processing device 50. , 51p and 51r, and any one of the processing units 51x assigned to a predetermined inspection process can be changed (including changing to a processing unit having a different processing capability, and further changing the number of processing units). The allocation processing capability in the computer unit 51 of the processing device 50 can be easily changed, and the allocation processing capability can be dynamically changed according to the communication state.

  Further, a load balancer 53 is interposed between the plurality of article inspection apparatuses 1A to 1C and the computer unit 51 of the data processing apparatus 50, so that the load of the predetermined inspection process for the article inspection apparatuses 1A to 1C is changed. By changing and adjusting the processing unit 51x assigned to the processing, the processing capability of the data processing device 50 can be evenly assigned to the plurality of article inspection devices 1A to 1C regardless of changes in the communication state. it can.

  In addition, the inspection / selection control unit 21 of any of the article inspection apparatuses 1A, 1B, or 1C uses the determination unit 21a to perform a predetermined inspection process or a simpler inspection process based on the detection information of the detection unit 10. In the environment where the result information of the predetermined inspection process is not received and input by the communication processing unit 23, the determination processing means performs the predetermined inspection. Or a simpler inspection process than that can be executed. As described above, since the control CPU in the article detection apparatus 1A, 1B, or 1C has the required processing capability, the article detection apparatuses 1A to 1C can be operated independently in a use environment where sufficient communication is not possible. In the system construction state used together with the data processing device 50, the processing is shared between the article inspection device 1A, 1B or 1C side and the data processing device 50 side according to the inspection item, or the load of the network or the data processing device 50 is reduced. Depending on the state, it is also possible to dynamically change the processing ratio between the article inspection apparatuses 1A to 1C and the data processing apparatus 50.

  In addition, when the processing load of the computer unit 51 exceeds a predetermined level, the data processing device 50 partially uses the detection information included in the individual detection information, such as by thinning out, in any of the processing units 51x, Since the inspection process simpler than the predetermined inspection process can be executed, even in a system environment where the data processing device 50 has a small amount of CPU resources, the CPU resources can be effectively used according to the load state of the entire system. However, the required inspection process can be reliably executed.

  Not only when the processing load of the computer unit 51 exceeds a predetermined level, but also when the traffic amount on the communication path between the plurality of article inspection apparatuses 1A to 1C and the data processing apparatus 50 varies greatly. The predetermined inspection is performed by thinning out all or a part of the detection information included in the individual detection information so that the processing on the individual detection information from the plurality of article inspection apparatuses 1A to 1C proceeds evenly. Processing or simpler inspection processing can be executed, so even if the data communication speed between the plurality of article inspection apparatuses 1A to 1C and the data processing apparatus 50 varies greatly, By appropriately executing the process and the simpler inspection process, the processes for the plurality of article inspection apparatuses 1A to 1C can be made to proceed evenly.

  Each of the article inspection apparatuses 1A, 1B, or 1C is a case where the individual detection information is output, and the result of the predetermined inspection process from the data processing apparatus 50 side within a predetermined period from the output time point. When the information is not input to the article inspection apparatus 1A, 1B, or 1C, the error notification unit 27 that notifies that reception of the result information has failed is provided, so that a predetermined time after the individual detection information is output When processing result information of a predetermined inspection is not input to the article inspection apparatus 1A, 1B or 1C, it is notified that reception input of the result information has failed, and the user is informed of the state or the article inspection apparatus. The sorting control of the sorter 40 connected to 1A, 1B or 1C can be confirmed, and when the result information reception error is notified, the inspection / control unit 21 Based on the notification information of the result information reception error, a situation in which a sorting failure remains on the work path of the work W even by generating a discharge command signal for sorting and discharging the work W to the outside of the transport path 5 It can be surely prevented.

  In the embodiment described above, X-ray inspection is performed to detect X-ray foreign matter and measure volume and mass, but the present invention is not limited to an article inspection apparatus that performs X-ray inspection. For example, it may be a weight selection device using a load cell or an electromagnetic balance, a metal detection device that detects metal using a magnetic sensor that detects a change in a magnetic field, or an appearance inspection device equipped with a camera. May be. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the workpiece W is a box-shaped individual, but the present invention can be applied even if the workpiece W is a so-called rose shape.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a second embodiment of the article inspection system according to the present invention, and shows an example in which the present invention is applied to a system for inspecting so-called loose workpieces.

  In this embodiment, the configuration itself of the article inspection apparatuses 1A to 1C and the data processing apparatus 50 is substantially the same as that of the above-described embodiment, and only a part of the configuration of the control means 20 is different from the above. About each component, the difference with the above-mentioned is mainly demonstrated using the same code | symbol as the above-mentioned embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the data transmitted from the communication processing unit 23 of each article inspection apparatus 1A, 1B, or 1C to the data processing apparatus 50 is a constant inspection from the rising edge of the detection signal of the workpiece detection sensor 33 at the start of conveyance. It is output from the X-ray detector 14 within the period. In the figure, the workpiece W is a so-called rose shape, that is, a set of small solid bodies such as a granular material or a piece-like material, and is transported by being placed in a continuous band shape or an intermittent lump shape on the conveyor transport path 5. The workpiece W is identified as a workpiece W in the unit of the transport amount that passes through the workpiece detection sensor 33 every predetermined time, for example, 500 ms (milliseconds) from the rise of the detection signal of the workpiece detection sensor 33. As the identification information, together with the generation of identification information including the inspection line column number, workpiece detection date, time, etc. (for example, 1_12-2211: 06: 23.156 in the figure), a data start flag ( (START in the figure) is set, for example, a transmission size of 1 frame = 1500 octets (bytes) and transmission amount data corresponding to n detection elements of the X-ray line sensor for each slice (for example, part in FIG. 4) "1 ... DATA 100,110,90,80,60, ...", "1 ... DATA150,160,170,180, ...", "1 ... DATA200,210" ,...) Are sequentially converted into transmission frames, and after the final slice data after about 500 ms corresponding to the rear end of the work W, the data end flag (E in FIG. ND) is set. Then, an IP header or the like is added to each group of transmission frames (for example, 1500 octet ether packets) of individual detection information composed of the ID information and detection data of the work W, and designated by the destination IP address described therein. It is transmitted to the data processing device 50.

  Also in the present embodiment, for example, data communication by TCP / IP communication is executed between the article inspection apparatuses 1A to 1C and the data processing apparatus 50 within a delay time until conveyance to the sorting and discharging position based on the identification information of the workpiece W. In addition, the article inspection apparatuses 1A to 1C themselves are simple and low-cost without being equipped with a high processing capacity CPU, but are always processed by the data processing apparatus 50 using the latest processing program and hardware resources. Based on the result of the inspection process, as a result of advanced inspection / determination based on the X-ray image, volume / mass measurement values and the like can be obtained, and the same effects as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

[Third embodiment]
5 and 6 are diagrams showing a third embodiment of the article inspection system according to the present invention, and show an example in which the present invention is applied to a system for detecting a foreign object by a metal detector.

  In the article inspection system of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 5, at least one, for example, three metal detectors 61A, 61B having the same configuration that differ only in an address on the LAN (for example, a MAC address, a corresponding IP address) and 61C, only the metal detector 61A is shown in the drawing, but the metal detectors 61B and 61C have the same configuration.

  In each metal detector 61A, 61B or 61C (article inspection device), the workpiece W is conveyed in a predetermined direction by the conveyor conveyance path 65, and the conveyance speed is set according to the conveyance speed of the production line of the workpiece W. . The predetermined section in the conveyance direction of the workpiece W is an inspection space for detecting metal foreign matter (a foreign matter made of metal, a foreign matter containing a metal component, or a component in the case of missing parts detection). In the vicinity of the entrance of the inspection space 71, for example, an optical work detection sensor 73 for detecting the entry of the work W into the inspection space 71 is installed.

  The inspection space 71 is provided with a detection unit 70 that detects metallic foreign matter in the workpiece W. The detection unit 70 includes a signal generation unit 81 that generates a transmission signal having a preset amplitude and frequency, a magnetic field generation unit 82 that current-drives the transmission coil using a signal from the signal generation unit 81, a differential detector, and the like. And a magnetic field detector 83 configured by

  Although not shown in detail, the signal generator 81 includes a reference signal generator that responds to the workpiece detection sensor 73, a timer for specifying a measurement period, a power amplifier, a tuning circuit, and the like. When passing through 71, a transmission signal of a set frequency is generated and the transmission coil of the magnetic field generation unit 82 is current-driven. The transmission coil of the magnetic field generation unit 82 is disposed in the vicinity of the conveyor conveyance path 65, and when excited by current driving from the signal generation unit 81, an alternating magnetic field corresponding to the set frequency of the transmission signal is applied to the inspection space 71. Can be generated inside.

  The magnetic field detection unit 83 is configured to detect a metal foreign object or the like in the workpiece W with respect to the plurality of workpieces W in cooperation with the signal generation unit 81 and the magnetic field generation unit 82. It is a well-known device comprising a receiving coil, a tuning circuit, an amplifier and the like. This magnetic field detector 83 is adjusted so that the induced voltages of the pair of receiving coils are equally balanced only with the alternating magnetic field from the magnetic field generator 82, and the differential output between them is zero.

  The magnetic metal that passes through the magnetic field attracts more magnetic flux in proportion to the magnitude of the magnetic flux density, and the nonmagnetic metal that passes through the magnetic field swirls in such a direction as to cancel the change in the magnetic flux density due to the movement. An electric current is generated and Joule heat is consumed. Therefore, when the workpiece W on the conveyor conveyance path 65 passes through the inspection space 71, the balanced state of the output between the receiving coils of the magnetic field detector 83 is lost.

  The magnetic field detector 83 is a known device that outputs a detection signal corresponding to a change in the magnetic field when the output equilibrium state between the two receiving coils is lost due to the movement of the workpiece W on the conveyor conveyance path 65 as described above. The detection signal has a signal form in which a low-frequency signal component that changes due to the magnetic field passing through the workpiece W is superimposed on an AC signal component having a set frequency of the transmission signal corresponding to an alternating magnetic field from the magnetic field generation unit 82 side. It becomes.

  The detection signal of the magnetic field detection unit 83 is captured by the detection control unit 84. The detection control unit 84 is not shown in detail, but a pair of synchronous detectors, phase shifters, and bandpasses that perform quadrature detection. A signal measuring unit 84a configured by a filter, an amplifier, an A / D converter, and the like is included. The pair of synchronous detectors of the signal measuring unit 84a takes in a signal obtained by adjusting the phase of the reference signal for quadrature detection, and generates a detection output by removing a high-frequency component corresponding to a transmission signal from the detection signal. The output of the quadrature detection is, for example, a detection signal in which the influence of a non-magnetic metal causing an external magnetic field change is larger as the magnetic flux density change is larger, and a detection in which the influence of a magnetic metal causing an external magnetic field change is larger as the magnetic flux density is larger Signal.

  The detection control unit 84 also includes an ID generation unit 84b, a communication processing unit 84c (first communication processing unit), and a storage unit 84d. The signal measurement unit 84a further removes noise from the detection output by a filter. In addition, the communication processing unit 84c can create individual detection information in which the detection data subjected to A / D conversion and the identification information for each work W generated by the ID generation unit 84b are converted into transmission frames. Is transmitted to the external data processing device 90 that forms a node in the same LAN as the communication port units 85A to 85C via the communication port units 85A to 85C constituting the first communication processing unit together with the communication processing unit 84c. . Note that the storage unit 84d functions as a storage unit for necessary setting value information and the like as a communication buffer and a detection data storage memory.

  The data processing device 90 executes arithmetic processing according to a predetermined control program based on a detection signal of the detection unit 70 and a user's operation input from an operating device (not shown), and the detection control unit 84 receives the determination result and a predetermined value. A computer unit 91 (inspection processing means) that transmits and outputs condition parameters (for example, detection phase, detection frequency, filter constant, determination threshold value) and the like, and a processing result in the computer unit 91 or an input from an operation input unit (not shown) or external A storage unit 92 that stores information on the workpiece W that is input from the communication, and a load balancer 93 (second communication processing means).

  The computer unit 91 is composed of, for example, a microcomputer including a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, and an I / O interface. Functionally, the computer unit 91 includes a first determination unit 91a, a second determination unit 91b, which are a plurality of processing units. The third determination unit 91c, the fourth determination unit 91d, and the extension processing unit 91r function. The first determination unit 91a to the fourth determination unit 91d of the computer unit 91 each store a determination control program (or a phase control program, a frequency selection program for suppressing the influence of a work, a threshold calculation program, etc.) stored in the ROM. Is executed by the CPU while exchanging data with the control unit 84, and a foreign matter mixing presence / absence determination process based on the detection data from the detection control unit 84 (or a magnetic field generation unit according to the set type of the workpiece W or the like) 82, and a phase shift amount for quadrature detection, calculation of a detection frequency, a determination threshold value, statistical calculation, and the like), and at least transported to the examination space 71 The detection signal amplitude level of each workpiece W is compared with a predetermined threshold level to determine whether or not the workpiece W contains metal foreign matter. The acceptance of the KazuSatoshi product determined by a known determination method, which is the determination result, or even the type and information such as the size of the foreign matter, to output to the detection control unit 84 in the transmission frame. The extension processing unit 91r has a program for executing extension processing such as well-known statistical processing, history management, search processing and the like, and port numbers corresponding thereto, and the storage unit 92 includes processing units 91a and 91b. , 91c, 91d, 91r, etc., and a fixed recording medium (for example, a hard disk) that can store and store the processing results.

  Then, the detection control unit 84 of each metal detector 61A, 61B or 61C sorts and discharges out of the conveyance path if it is a defective product based on the determination result information from the external data processing device 90. For example, a sorting command signal for non-discharge is output from the sorting control unit 87 (sorting command means) to the sorting machine 88, and the sorting machine 88 provided on the downstream side of the inspection space 71 separates defective products from non-defective products and conveys them. It is designed to be discharged outside the road.

  Communication processing between the detection control unit 84 of each metal detector 61A, 61B or 61C and the external data processing device 90 is performed according to a predetermined communication protocol via the communication port unit 85A, 85B or 85C and the load balancer 93. .

  Specifically, the load balancer 93 is a well-known one that can perform load distribution at the TCP / IP layer level or at a higher layer (for example, layer 7), for example. This load balancer 93 can be connected to the communication port portion 85A, 85B or 85C of each metal detector 61A, 61B or 61C by wired communication or wireless communication, and has unique device identification information. An IP address that defines its own node in the LAN is set.

  In addition, the load balancer 93 accepts a data processing request from each metal detector 61A, 61B or 61C with the IP address and the port number corresponding to the processing, similarly to the load balancer 53 of the above-described embodiment, Based on a predetermined load distribution algorithm that incorporates the port number (or IP address and port number) of the destination processing unit for this request, any one of the processing units 91a, 91b, 91c, 91d, 91r (hereinafter, processing unit 91x) The data processing request is allocated.

  The load distribution algorithm here is also a load distribution algorithm of “number of connections + response time” for sending a request for data processing this time to the fast-response processing unit 91x, for example, and the process identification included in the header information of the data processing request It is also an algorithm for determining the processing unit 91x required from the code and determining its port number (or IP address and port number).

  The detection control unit 84 of the metal detectors 61A to 61C and the external data processing device 90 further have a program for remotely setting the detection parameters of the metal detectors 61A, 61B, 61C from the external data processing device 90 side. It is installed.

  Next, the operation will be described.

  When the user presses an operation key (not shown), the operation of the metal detectors 61A to 61C is started, and inspection on a production line of a number of workpieces W that are products is executed. When the foreign matter is detected, the sorter 88 of the inspection line is controlled to perform the sorting and discharging operation, and the defective product is discharged out of the conveyance path.

  In this state, the detection data is transmitted and output from the detection control unit 84 of the metal detector 61A, 61B or 61C to the data processing device 90 through the communication port unit 85A, 85B or 85C.

  Specifically, as schematically shown in FIG. 6, measurement data is generated in the detection control unit 84 within a certain period Td from the rise of the detection signal of the workpiece detection sensor 33, while the measurement data and the workpiece are Individual detection information (dw1, dw2 in the figure) is generated as identification information including at least the ID code, date, time, and the like of the inspection line, and including the identification information and detection data of the workpiece W corresponding thereto. , Individual detection information of each inspection line indicated by dw3) is sequentially converted into a transmission frame with a transmission size of, for example, 1 frame = 1500 octets, attached with an IP header, and the like from the communication port unit 85A, 85B or 85C in the LAN. Sent to.

  Therefore, a transmission frame including the identification information of the work W is sent to the external data processing device 90 designated by the destination IP address.

  At this time, the load balancer 93 accepts a data processing request from each of the metal detectors 61A, 61B or 61C with this IP address and port number, while the destination port number (or IP address and port number) for this request. Is rewritten based on the load distribution algorithm, and the data processing request is allocated to one of the processing units 91x.

  On the other hand, in one of the allocated processing units 91x, for example, the first determination unit 91a, a predetermined inspection process for determining the presence / absence of a foreign object is performed, and determination result information for each workpiece W is generated. Information is transmitted and output via the load balancer 93 to be sent back to the detection control unit 84 of any of the metal detectors 61A, 61B or 61C that has issued the data processing request.

  At this time, for example, as shown in FIG. 6A, an external data processing device within a predetermined delay time Td from the rising point of the workpiece detection signal P1 for the specific workpiece W (may be the output point of the detection data dw1). If the information of the non-defective product determination result (OK in the figure) from 90 is input, the sorter 88 is set to the non-discharge operation position that allows the non-defective workpiece W to pass through the selected discharge position. As shown in FIG. 6B, information on the defective product determination result (NG in FIG. 6) from the external data processing device 90 within a predetermined delay time Td from the rising point of the workpiece detection signal P2 of the next workpiece W. Is input, the sorter 88 is controlled to a sorting / discharging operation position that prevents the defective workpiece W from passing through the sorting / discharging position.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5C, for example, for the next workpiece W, information on a non-defective product determination result (OK) is input after a predetermined delay time Td from the rising point of the workpiece detection signal P3. Even in this case, the sorter 88 is controlled to a sorting / discharging operation position that prevents the workpiece W from passing through the sorting / discharging position. That is, when the determination result of the non-defective product cannot be received within the predetermined delay time Td, the detection control unit 84 of the metal detectors 61A, 61B, 61C sorts and discharges the workpiece W whose quality is unknown or defective. A command signal is output from the sorting control unit 87, and the sorter 88 that has received this sorting command signal performs a sorting operation for discharging the workpiece W out of the conveyance path. Accordingly, even when information on a defective product determination result (NG) is input from the external data processing device 90 outside the predetermined delay time Td from the rising point of the workpiece detection signal P2, the detection control unit 84 similarly Then, a sorting command signal for sorting and discharging the workpiece W, which is unclear whether it is a non-defective product or a defective product, is output from the sorting control unit 87, and the sorting machine 88 discharges the workpiece W outside the conveyance path.

  By the way, as described above, when the information on the non-defective product determination result (OK) and the defective product determination result (NG) is input outside the predetermined delay time Td from the rising point of the work detection signal P, for example, external data A part of the transmission path of the transmission frame from the processing device 90 to the metal detectors 61A to 61C may cause a significant decrease in traffic volume or repeated retransmission of the transmission frame due to frequent occurrence of data collision or the like. In this case, or when some abnormality occurs on the external data processing device 90 side, the metal detectors 61A to 61C receive the determination result information in an order different from the order in which the detection data of the workpiece W is output. Can be. However, since the determination result information includes identification information for each workpiece W, the metal detectors 61A to 61C may exceed a relatively long period of a predetermined delay time Td corresponding to the transport time to the sorting and discharging position. Even if there is a situation such as a delay in the determination result information or a reverse of the reception completion time of the determination result for the preceding and succeeding workpieces W, the determination result for each workpiece W can be reliably grasped based on the identification information of each workpiece W. In addition, since the selection control is determined by dividing the predetermined delay time Td, the accurate selection control can be surely executed. If the determination result is not input for a long time, it is determined that the communication is defective, and an internal inspection process is performed by the determination unit 21a.

  On the other hand, when a new product type is specified, for example, inspection output data when a workpiece W including a metal foreign object is inspected through the inspection space 71 and the workpiece W from which the metal foreign object is removed are flowed into the inspection space 71 for inspection. By collecting the inspection output data at the time, the threshold for judgment and other factors can be determined based on the inspection output data when the non-defective sample is inspected and the inspection output data when the defective sample is inspected. Parameter setting values are calculated and transmitted from the external data processing device 90 to the detection control unit 84 of the metal detectors 61A to 61C, so that automatic setting processing for new varieties becomes possible.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the detection data of the metal detectors 61A to 61C are transmitted to the data processing device 90 in the same LAN as the TCP / IP network together with the identification information of the workpiece W, and the metal detectors 61A to 61C themselves are Based on the results of predetermined inspection processes that are always processed by the external data processing device 90 using the latest processing program and hardware resources, while being simple and low-cost without having a high-performance CPU. Since the result of advanced inspection / determination based on the detection data of each metal detector 61A, 61B, or 61C can be obtained, the same effect as in the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

  Further, a load balancer 53 is interposed between the plurality of metal detectors 61A to 61C and the computer unit 91 of the data processing device 90, and the predetermined inspection process for the plurality of metal detectors 61A to 61C is performed. A plurality of determination units 91a to 91d of the data processing device 90 with respect to the plurality of metal detectors 61A to 61C by changing or adjusting the processing unit 91x assigned to each processing. Can be evenly assigned regardless of fluctuations in the communication state and the like, and the same effect as in the above-described embodiment can be expected.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, a plurality of article inspection apparatuses 1A to 1C or metal detectors 61A to 61C can be connected to a network with respect to one data processing apparatus 50 or 90. One article inspection device or metal detector 61A, 61B or 61C can be connected to one data processing device 50 or 90. Further, for one or a plurality of article inspection apparatuses 1A to 1C or metal detectors 61A to 61C, a plurality of data processing apparatuses 50 or 90 are prepared to perform a plurality of types of processing, data accumulation, and the like. It is also conceivable to share the data processing device 50 or 90 with each other. In that case, a load balancer is interposed between the article inspection apparatus or the metal detector and the plurality of data processing apparatuses 50 or 90, and each of the data processing apparatuses 50 or 90 is selectively connected to each one of the article inspection apparatuses or A configuration in which the metal detector is assigned is also conceivable.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the article inspection apparatus has a small, long-life, low-cost detection function that does not require high data processing capability, and the data processing apparatus can communicate data with the article inspection apparatus. A general-purpose computer resource can be used, and an effect of providing a low-cost and high-throughput article inspection system can be provided. An article inspection apparatus and a data processing apparatus for processing detection information thereof In particular, the present invention is useful for an article inspection system including an article inspection system having an inspection space on a conveyance path on which an object to be inspected is transported.

It is the block diagram which shows schematic structure of 1st Embodiment of the article inspection system which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the goods inspection system part in 1st Embodiment of the goods inspection system which concerns on this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline | summary of the data transmission process in 1st Embodiment of the article inspection system which concerns on this invention. It is the explanatory drawing which shows the outline | summary of the data transmission process in 2nd Embodiment of the article inspection system which concerns on this invention. It is the block diagram which shows schematic structure of 3rd Embodiment of the article inspection system which concerns on this invention. It is the explanatory view which shows the outline | summary of the data transmission process in 3rd Embodiment of the article inspection system which concerns on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1A, 1B, 1C Item inspection device 5,65 Conveyor conveyance path (conveyance path)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Detection means 11,71 Examination space 12 X-ray source 14 X-ray detection part 20 Control means 21 Inspection / selection control part (Selection command means, reception error notification means, determination processing means)
21a Judgment part (judgment processing means)
22 ID generator 23 Communication processor (first communication processor)
25 Inspection information storage unit 26 Communication port unit (first communication processing means)
27 Error notification unit (reception error notification means)
28 Detection Drive Unit 29 Sorting Drive Unit 31 Setting Operation Unit 33, 73 Work Detection Sensor 40, 88 Sorter 50, 90 Data Processing Unit 51, 91 Computer Unit (Inspection Processing Means)
51a, 91a First determination unit (processing unit)
51b, 91b Second determination unit (processing unit)
51c, 91c Third determination unit (processing unit)
51d, 91d Fourth determination unit (processing unit)
51m First image processing unit (processing unit)
51n Second image processing unit (processing unit)
51p Third image processing unit (processing unit)
51r, 91r Extended processing unit (processing unit)
52, 92 Accumulator 53, 93 Load balancer (second communication processing means)
61A, 61B, 61C Metal detector (article inspection device)
70 Detection part (detection means)
81 signal generator 82 magnetic field generator 83 magnetic field detector 84 detection controller 84b ID generator 84c communication processor (first communication processor)
85A, 85B, 85C Communication port section (first communication processing means)
87 Sorting control unit (sorting command means)

Claims (9)

At least one article inspection apparatus (1A, 1B, 1C; 61A, 61B, 61C) and a data processing apparatus (50; 90) connected to the article inspection apparatus to receive detection information from the article inspection apparatus ) And an article inspection system comprising:
The article inspection apparatus comprises:
Detection means (10; 70) which has an inspection space on a conveyance path on which the inspection object (W) is conveyed, and outputs detection information corresponding to the quality state of the inspection object passing through the inspection space;
Based on the detection information of the detection means, individual detection information including identification information for each inspection object and the detection information of the inspection object is generated, transmitted and output to the outside, and corresponds to the individual detection information First communication processing means (23 and 26; 85A, 85B, 85C) for receiving and inputting the result information of the predetermined inspection process together with the identification information;
Based on the processing result information and the identification information input by the first communication processing means, a sorting command signal for commanding whether or not the inspection object is sorted and discharged to the outside of the conveyance path is generated. Sorting instruction means (21; 87),
The data processing device includes:
Inspection processing means (51; 91) for executing processing of the predetermined inspection for each inspection object identified by the identification information based on at least the individual detection information;
While receiving the individual detection information transmitted from the first communication processing means, the inspection processing result information together with the identification information of the inspection object corresponding to the result information, the first of the article inspection apparatus. An article inspection system comprising: a second communication processing means (53; 93) for transmitting to one communication processing means.   2. The article inspection system according to claim 1, wherein the first communication processing unit includes, in the individual detection information, processing identification information that specifies processing of the predetermined inspection for each of the inspection objects.   A plurality of processing units (51a, 51b, 51c, 51d, 51m, 51n, 51p, 51r; each capable of executing the predetermined inspection process corresponding to the individual detection information by the inspection processing means of the data processing device; 91. The article inspection system according to claim 1, further comprising: 91a, 91b, 91c, 91d, 91r), wherein the processing unit assigned to the predetermined inspection process can be changed.   A plurality of the article inspection apparatuses are provided, and a load balancer (53; 93) is interposed between the plurality of article inspection apparatuses and the inspection processing means of the data processing apparatus. The article inspection system according to claim 3, wherein the processing unit to which the predetermined inspection processing load is assigned to each processing is changed and adjusted. The article inspection apparatus includes a determination processing unit (21a) that executes the predetermined inspection process or a simpler inspection process than the predetermined process based on the detection information of the detection unit,
When the result information of the predetermined inspection process is not received and input by the first communication processing unit, the determination processing unit executes the predetermined inspection process or a simpler inspection process than the processing. The article inspection system according to claim 1.   When the processing load of the inspection processing unit exceeds a predetermined level, the data processing device partially uses the detection information included in the individual detection information to execute a simple inspection process than the predetermined inspection process The article inspection system according to claim 1. A plurality of the article inspection devices are provided,
The data processing device uses all or part of the detection information included in the individual detection information so that the processing on the individual detection information from the plurality of article inspection devices proceeds equally. 2. The article inspection system according to claim 1, wherein the inspection process or the inspection process simpler than the inspection process is executed.   When the individual detection information is output from the article inspection apparatus, the result information of the predetermined inspection process from the data processing apparatus side is not input to the article inspection apparatus within a predetermined period from the output time The article inspection system according to claim 1, wherein a reception error notification means (27) for notifying that reception input of the result information has failed is provided in the article inspection apparatus.   When the reception error notification means notifies the result information reception error, the sorting command means discharges the inspection object to the outside of the transport path based on the notification information of the result information reception error. The article inspection system according to claim 8, wherein a command signal is generated.

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