JP2012008099A - Device for inspecting inside of fruit/vegetable - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To inspect the inside of fruit/vegetable under the same condition irrespective of a kind of the fruit/vegetable.SOLUTION: A device (100) for inspecting the inside of fruit/vegetable, which irradiates near-infrared light to the fruit/vegetable (105) which is an object to be inspected, and measures the internal quality of the fruit/vegetable by analyzing the transmitted light transmitting through the fruit/vegetable. This device includes: fruit/vegetable conveying means (110, 120) which convey the fruit/vegetable in the fixed direction; a light irradiation means (140) which irradiates the near-infrared light to the fruit/vegetable; a CCD camera (150) which receives the transmitted light transmitting through the fruit/vegetable; and a control device (160) which changes cycle for reading out electric charge generated by photoelectric conversion in the CCD camera in accordance with transmission of the fruit/vegetable, and also changes the conveying speed of the fruit/vegetable by the fruit/vegetable conveying means in accordance with the cycle after being changed.

Description

  The present invention relates to a fruit and vegetable internal inspection apparatus, a fruit and fruit internal inspection method, and a program for executing the method for nondestructively inspecting sugar content, acidity and other internal qualities of fruit and vegetables.

  When near-infrared light is radiated to oranges, apples, melons and other fruits and vegetables, components such as carbohydrates contained in the fruits and vegetables absorb light in a specific wavelength band. For this reason, it is known that the sugar content, acidity, presence / absence of spoilage part, and other internal qualities of fruits and vegetables can be determined nondestructively by measuring the absorbance of transmitted light that has passed through the fruits and vegetables.

  Many fruit and vegetable internal inspection devices applying this principle have already been proposed, and an example of such a fruit and vegetable internal inspection device is disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 3712247 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-337480).

  FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing the structure of the fruit and vegetable interior inspection apparatus 500 described in the publication.

  The fruit and vegetable internal inspection apparatus 500 includes a transport unit 510 that continuously transports the fruits and vegetables 505 in the X direction, a position measurement sensor 520 that measures the position of each fruit and vegetable 505 transported by the transport unit 510, and the transport unit 510. Near-infrared light irradiating means 530 for irradiating each fruit and vegetables 505 with near-infrared light at a predetermined position A, and a light receiving element 540 for receiving the transmitted light transmitted through each fruit and vegetable 505 and converting the received transmitted light into current. The signal processing device 550 analyzes the transmitted light received by the light receiving element 540 and calculates the internal quality of each fruit and vegetable 505.

  FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the internal structure of the signal processing device 550.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the signal processing device 550 includes a current-voltage conversion amplifier 552 that converts a current converted by the light receiving element 540 into a voltage value V1, a comparison voltage generation circuit 553 that generates a comparison voltage value V2, a current A comparator circuit 554 that compares the voltage value V1 sent from the voltage conversion amplifier 552 with the comparison voltage value V2 sent from the comparison voltage generation circuit 553, and a voltage generated when the light receiving element 540 is in a light shielding state A reference voltage generation circuit 555 that generates an equal reference voltage Vd, a voltage value V1 from the current-voltage conversion amplifier 552, and a reference voltage Vd from the reference voltage generation circuit 555, respectively, and according to the comparison result by the comparator circuit 554, A voltage signal switching circuit 556 that selects either the voltage value V1 or the reference voltage Vd, and a voltage signal switching circuit 556 A gain amplifier 557 which amplifies a more selected voltage, and a.

  The signal processing device 550 operates as follows.

  When the fruits and vegetables 505 are not positioned in front of the light receiving element 540 and the near-infrared light is directly incident on the light receiving element 540, a large current is generated in the light receiving element 540, and the current / voltage conversion amplifier 552 causes excessive current. A voltage value V1 is generated.

  The comparator circuit 554 compares the voltage value V1 sent from the current-voltage conversion amplifier 552 with the comparison voltage value V2 sent from the comparison voltage generation circuit 553.

  When the voltage value V1> the comparison voltage value V2, the comparator circuit 554 determines that the light receiving element 540 is directly receiving the transmitted light, and transmits the determination result to the voltage signal switching circuit 556.

  The voltage signal switching circuit 556 selects the reference voltage Vd according to the determination result from the comparator circuit 554, and transmits the reference voltage Vd to the gain amplifier 557.

  When the voltage value V1 ≦ the comparison voltage value V2, the comparator circuit 554 determines that the light receiving element 540 is receiving the transmitted light that has passed through each fruit and vegetable 505, and the determination result is sent to the voltage signal switching circuit 556. Send.

  The voltage signal switching circuit 556 selects the voltage value V1 sent from the current-voltage conversion amplifier 552 according to the determination result from the comparator circuit 554, and transmits the voltage value V1 to the gain amplifier 557.

  The gain amplifier 557 amplifies the received voltage value. Based on the amplified voltage value, the internal quality of the fruits and vegetables 505 is analyzed.

  As described above, the fruit and vegetables inside inspection device 500 compares the voltage value V1 generated in the signal processing device 550 with the predetermined comparison voltage value V2, so that an excessive voltage is generated inside the signal processing device 550. It is prevented from occurring.

Japanese Patent No. 3712247 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-337480)

  In general, when the same kind of fruits and vegetables is to be measured as the fruits and vegetables 505, the amount of transmitted light varies greatly depending on the size of each fruits and vegetables 505 (the length of the path through which near infrared light passes through the fruits and vegetables). That is, the smaller the fruits and vegetables 505, the larger the amount of transmitted light, and the larger the fruits and vegetables 505, the smaller the amount of transmitted light.

  Even if the sizes of the fruits and vegetables 505 are all the same, the amount of transmitted light varies greatly depending on the types of fruits and vegetables. That is, the smaller the internal density of the fruits and vegetables 505, the larger the transmitted light amount. The larger the internal density of the fruits and vegetables 505, the smaller the transmitted light amount.

  For this reason, when performing internal inspection of different types of fruits and vegetables using the fruit and vegetable internal inspection device 500 shown in FIG. 4, the structure of the signal processing device 550, particularly the light receiving sensitivity of the light receiving element 540, according to the type of fruits and vegetables. In addition, the sensitivity (amplification factor) of the gain amplifier 557 has to be changed.

  In order to change the light receiving sensitivity of the light receiving element 540 and the sensitivity of the gain amplifier 557, replacement of the light receiving element 540 and the gain amplifier 557 itself or replacement of internal parts for changing the sensitivity of the light receiving element 540 and the gain amplifier 557 is performed. Or, adjustments must be made, and an increase in time and labor has been unavoidable.

  The present invention has been made in view of the problems in such a conventional fruit and vegetable internal inspection apparatus, and even if the type of fruit or vegetable to be measured changes, parts replacement and part sensitivity change in the fruit and vegetables internal inspection apparatus can be performed. It is an object of the present invention to provide a fruit and vegetable internal inspection apparatus, a fruit and fruit internal inspection method, and a program for executing the method, which make it possible to perform an internal inspection of the fruit and vegetables without performing adjustments and other operations.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention irradiates the fruit and vegetables (105), which is the inspection object, with near-infrared light, and analyzes the transmitted light that has passed through the fruit and vegetables (105). ) For measuring the internal quality of the fruits and vegetables (100), and the fruits and vegetables (105) are conveyed in a fixed direction. Irradiating means (140) for irradiating, a CCD camera (150) for receiving the transmitted light transmitted through the fruits and vegetables (105), and a cycle for reading out the charges generated by photoelectric conversion in the CCD camera (150). Change according to the transmittance of (105), and change according to the cycle after the change of the transport speed of the fruits and vegetables (105) by the fruit and vegetables transport means (110, 120) That the control unit (160), to provide a fruit or vegetable internal inspection apparatus (100) comprising a.

  For example, when the reference transmittance, the reference period, and the reference transport speed are determined in advance, the control device (160) is configured such that the transmittance is X times the reference transmittance (X is a positive number). In this case, the cycle is changed to a cycle 1 / X times the reference cycle, and the transport speed is changed to a speed X times the reference transport speed.

  It is preferable that the fruit and vegetable internal inspection apparatus (100) further includes a storage device that stores the reference transmittance, the reference period, and the reference transport speed in a rewritable state.

  The present invention further measures the internal quality of the fruits and vegetables (105) by irradiating the fruits and vegetables (105) to be inspected with near-infrared light and analyzing the transmitted light transmitted through the fruits and vegetables (105). A method for inspecting fruits and vegetables inside, wherein the fruits and vegetables (105) are irradiated with near-infrared light while the fruits and vegetables (105) are conveyed in a certain direction, and the transmitted light transmitted through the fruits and vegetables (105) is CCD The first process of receiving light by the camera (150) and the period for reading out the charges generated by the photoelectric conversion in the CCD camera (150) are changed according to the transmittance of the fruits and vegetables (105), and the fruits and vegetables transporting means And a second process of changing the conveyance speed of the fruits and vegetables (105) according to (110, 120) according to the cycle after the change.

  For example, in the second process, when the reference transmittance, the reference period, and the reference transport speed are predetermined, the transmittance is X times the reference transmittance (X is a positive number). In this case, the cycle is changed to a cycle that is 1 / X times the reference cycle, and the transport speed is changed to a speed that is X times the reference transport speed.

  The present invention further measures the internal quality of the fruits and vegetables (105) by irradiating the fruits and vegetables (105) to be inspected with near-infrared light and analyzing the transmitted light transmitted through the fruits and vegetables (105). A program for causing a computer to execute the fruit and vegetables internal inspection method, wherein the processing performed by the program transmits near-infrared light to the fruits and vegetables (105) while conveying the fruits and vegetables (105) in a certain direction. The period in which the CCD camera (150) that has irradiated and received the transmitted light that has passed through the fruits and vegetables (105) reads out the charges generated by photoelectric conversion is changed according to the transmittance of the fruits and vegetables (105), and A program is provided which is a process for changing the conveyance speed of fruits and vegetables (105) according to the cycle after the change.

  The processing performed by the program is, for example, when the reference transmittance, the reference period, and the reference transport speed are determined in advance, the transmittance is X times the reference transmittance (X is a positive number). In this case, the period is changed to 1 / X times the reference period, and the conveyance speed is changed to a speed X times the reference conveyance speed.

  In the fruit and vegetable internal inspection apparatus according to the present invention, when the kind of fruit and vegetables to be measured is specified, the control device conveys the reading cycle for reading out charges from the CCD camera and the fruit and vegetables according to the specified kind of fruit and vegetables. Change the transport speed. Thereby, it is possible to carry out an internal inspection for many types of fruits and vegetables without changing the sensitivity of the light receiving element or the amplification factor of the amplifier under the same conditions as the reference fruits and vegetables.

It is a schematic block diagram of the fruit and vegetables internal inspection apparatus which concerns on 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows an example of the structure of the control apparatus which is a component of the fruit and vegetables internal inspection apparatus which concerns on 1st embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of a fruit list. It is the schematic which shows the structure of the conventional fruit and vegetables internal inspection apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows the internal structure of the signal processing apparatus in the conventional fruit and vegetables internal inspection apparatus.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a fruit and vegetable interior inspection apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  The fruit and vegetable inside inspection apparatus 100 is configured to convey a conveyor 110 as a fruit and vegetables conveying means that conveys the fruit and fruit 105 that is an inspection object in a certain direction X, a drive motor 120 that drives the conveyor 110, and the passage of the fruit and vegetables 105 on the conveyor 110. A passage detection sensor 130 to detect, a halogen lamp 140 as a light irradiating means for irradiating each of the fruits and vegetables 105 conveyed on the conveyor 110, and transmitted light that has passed through each of the fruits and vegetables 105 are received, The CCD camera 150 that images the fruits and vegetables 105, and the control device 160 that analyzes the spectrum of the spectral energy captured by the CCD camera 150, measures the internal quality of each of the fruits and vegetables 105, and controls the operation of the drive motor 120 and the CCD camera 150. And the spectral energy spectrum of the control device 160 A display 170 for displaying an analysis result, a memory 180 for storing a spectral energy spectrum analysis result by the control device 160, a crystal oscillator 190, and an input device 200 for inputting data or commands to the control device 160. Yes.

  The conveyor 110 continuously conveys the fruits and vegetables 105 in a certain direction X. The conveyance speed of the conveyor 110 is constant.

  The halogen lamp 140 irradiates near-infrared light to the fruits and vegetables 105 in parallel to the plane formed by the conveyor 110 (that is, from the lateral direction of the fruits and vegetables 105).

  Alternatively, the halogen lamp 140 can irradiate near-infrared light in a vertical direction with respect to the fruits and vegetables 105 from directly above the fruits and vegetables 105. In this case, the conveyor 110 is made of a light-transmitting material capable of transmitting near-infrared light emitted from the halogen lamp 140, and the near-infrared light transmitted through the fruits and vegetables 105 also passes through the conveyor 110. Be able to.

  ON / OFF of the near-infrared light irradiation of the halogen lamp 140 is controlled by the control device 160.

  The passage detection sensor 130 includes a light projecting sensor 131 and a light receiving sensor 132 that receives light emitted from the light projecting sensor 131.

  The light projecting sensor 131 always projects light onto the light receiving sensor 132. When the fruits and vegetables 105 pass on the conveyor 110, the light from the light projecting sensor 131 is blocked by the fruits and vegetables 105 and does not reach the light receiving sensor 132. The light receiving sensor 132 continues to transmit a detection signal to the control device 160 while the light from the light projecting sensor 131 is blocked (that is, while the fruits and vegetables 105 pass in front of the light projecting sensor 131). The control device 160 measures the reception start time and the reception end time of the detection signal from the light receiving sensor 132, and the size of each fruit and vegetable 105 from the time when the detection signal is continuously received from the light receiving sensor 132 and the conveyance speed of the conveyor 110. (The length of the conveyor 110 in the traveling direction X) and the position of each of the fruits and vegetables 105 on the conveyor 110 are calculated, and the time at which each of the fruits and vegetables 105 reaches the front of the halogen lamp 140 is calculated.

  The CCD camera 150 includes a plurality of light receiving units and a plurality of charge storage units. When the light receiving unit receives near-infrared light that has passed through each of the fruits and vegetables 105, the light receiving unit performs photoelectric conversion and converts the received light into electric charges. The charge generated in the light receiving unit is stored in the charge storage unit. The charge stored in the charge storage unit is reset by being read from the charge storage unit.

  The control device 160 changes the reading cycle for reading out the electric charge generated by the photoelectric conversion in the CCD camera 150 according to the type of the fruits and vegetables 105 and controls the output of the drive motor 120, thereby conveying the fruits and vegetables 105 by the conveyor 110. Is changed according to the read cycle after the change.

  Specifically, the control device 160 controls the reference transmittance, which is the reference value of the transmittance of the fruits and vegetables 105, the reference cycle, which is the reference value of the reading cycle, and the reference transport speed (conveyance by the conveyor 110) corresponding to this reference cycle. Speed reference value) is determined in advance, and when the transmittance of the fruits and vegetables 105 to be measured is X times the reference transmittance (X is a positive number), the readout cycle is set to 1 / of the reference cycle. The cycle is changed to X times, and the transport speed is changed to a speed X times the reference transport speed.

  As described above, the CCD camera 150 converts the received light into charges in the light receiving unit, and accumulates the generated charges in the charge storage unit. This charge is reset by being read from the charge storage unit. For this reason, the CCD camera 150 operates at a constant sensitivity if the charges stored in each charge storage unit are read out at a constant period.

  For example, when reading charges from each charge storage unit every 2 milliseconds (msec), that is, when the read cycle is 2 milliseconds and when reading charges from each charge storage unit every 4 milliseconds (msec) That is, when compared with the case where the read cycle is 4 milliseconds, the amount of charge accumulated twice as much as that in the case where the read cycle is 4 milliseconds than in the case where the read cycle is 2 milliseconds. That is, the sensitivity of the CCD camera 150 is doubled.

  Alternatively, when the readout cycle is 1 millisecond, the amount of stored charge is ½ times that when the readout cycle is 2 milliseconds. That is, the sensitivity of the CCD camera 150 is halved.

  For this reason, it is possible to correct the difference in the transmittance of the fruits and vegetables 105 as the measurement object by selecting the charge readout period from each charge storage unit according to the transmittance of the fruits and vegetables 105.

  The readout cycle for reading out charges from the CCD camera 150 can be set to a desired value by, for example, dividing a signal transmitted from the crystal oscillator 190. The central controller 160 changes the readout cycle by changing the frequency division ratio of the signal transmitted from the crystal oscillator 190.

  When the charge read cycle is changed as described above, it is necessary to change the transport speed of the fruits and vegetables 105 in accordance with the changed read cycle.

  That is, for example, when changing the readout cycle to twice the reference cycle, the transport speed of the fruits and vegetables 105 is changed to ½ times the reference transport speed. Alternatively, when the readout cycle is changed to 1/3 times the reference cycle, the transport speed of the fruits and vegetables 105 is changed to 3 times the reference transport speed. Thus, by changing the readout cycle to X times the reference cycle and changing the transport speed of the fruits and vegetables 105 to 1 / X times the reference transport speed, the fruits and vegetables having the reference transmittance are transported at the reference transport speed. In addition, it becomes possible to perform an internal inspection of fruits and vegetables having various transmittances under the same conditions as when charges are read out in a reference cycle.

  In the conventional fruit and vegetable internal inspection device, when the type of the fruit and vegetable 105 that is a measurement object changes, the sensitivity of the light receiving element and the gain amplifier must be changed. However, according to the fruit and vegetable internal inspection device according to the present embodiment, For example, it is possible to carry out an internal inspection of different types of fruits and vegetables 105 without changing the sensitivity of the light receiving element and the gain amplifier.

  Hereinafter, operation | movement of the fruit and vegetables internal inspection apparatus 100 which concerns on this embodiment is demonstrated.

  The fruits and vegetables 105 are placed on the conveyor 110 and conveyed in a certain direction X. The intervals between the fruits and vegetables 105 on the conveyor 110 do not have to be constant, but may be spaced apart from each other.

  Based on the detection signal from the light receiving sensor 132, the control device 160 calculates the time when each of the fruits and vegetables 105 reaches the front of the halogen lamp 140. When each fruit and vegetable 105 reaches the front of the halogen lamp 140, the control device 160 operates the halogen lamp 140. Thereby, near-infrared light is irradiated to the fruits and vegetables 105 from the halogen lamp 140.

  The CCD camera 150 receives the transmitted light that has passed through each of the fruits and vegetables 105, and the spectrum of the spectral energy captured by the CCD camera 150 is sent to the control device 160.

  The control device 160 analyzes the spectrum of the spectral energy captured by the CCD camera 150, measures the internal quality of each fruit and vegetable 105, displays the measurement result on the display 170, and stores the measurement result in the memory 180.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the structure of the control device 160.

  The control device 160 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 161, a first memory 162, a second memory 163, an input interface 164 for inputting various commands and data to the central processing unit 161, and a central processing unit 161. The output interface 165 outputs the result of the executed process, and the bus 166 connects the central processing unit 161 to other components.

  Each of the first memory 162 and the second memory 163 includes a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a semiconductor storage device such as an IC memory card, a storage medium such as a flexible disk, a hard disk, or It consists of an optical magnetic disk. In the present embodiment, the first memory 162 is composed of ROM, and the second memory 163 is composed of RAM.

  The first memory 162 stores various control programs and other fixed data to be executed by the central processing unit 161. The second memory 163 stores various data and parameters and provides an operation area for the central processing unit 161, that is, stores data temporarily required for the central processing unit 161 to execute the program. Storing. The central processing unit 161 reads a program from the first memory 162 and executes the program. That is, the central processing unit 161 operates according to a program stored in the first memory 162.

  The control device 160 has a built-in memory, and a fruit and vegetable list is stored in the built-in memory. An example of the principle of the fruit and vegetable list is shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in the fruit and vegetable list, for each type of fruit and vegetable, the transmittance, the conveyance speed, and the reading cycle are listed, and the reference transmittance A, the reference conveying speed VA, and the reference reading cycle IA are described. Has been.

  The reference transport speed VA and the reference readout cycle IA are the transport speed by the conveyor 110 and the readout cycle of charges from the CCD camera 150 when the internal inspection of any kind of fruits and vegetables (reference fruits and vegetables) can be optimally performed. The reference transmittance A indicates the transmittance of the fruits and vegetables (reference fruits and vegetables) in that case. That is, the reference transmittance A, the reference transport speed VA, and the reference readout cycle IA are the reference values for the transmittance, transport speed, and readout cycle for other fruits and vegetables, and as described below, the transport speed for other fruits and vegetables. The read cycle is determined based on the reference transmittance A, the reference transport speed VA, and the reference read cycle IA.

  The fruit and vegetable list is input in advance to the built-in memory of the control device 160 via the input device 200.

  The reference transmittance A, the reference transport speed VA, and the reference read cycle IA described in the fruit and vegetable list can be rewritten via the input device 200.

  For all types of fruits and vegetables, their near-infrared transmittance has already been measured by some method and is known. That is, since the rough transmittance of all kinds of fruits and vegetables is known, the rough transmittance is described in the fruits and vegetables list for each fruits and vegetables.

  “Tangerine” listed in No. 1 in the fruit and vegetable list has a transmittance of 0.5A. When “mandarin orange” is selected as the fruit and vegetable 105 that is the measurement object, that is, when the internal inspection of the “mandarin orange” is performed by the fruit and vegetable internal inspection device 100, the number “1” is controlled via the input device 200. Input to device 160.

  When the numeral “1” is input, the control device 160 reads the reading cycle and the conveyance speed corresponding to the number 1 in the fruit and vegetable list. The read cycle and the conveyance speed corresponding to number 1 are 2IA and 0.5VA, respectively.

  Next, the control device 160 controls each charge storage unit of the CCD camera 150 so that the readout cycle for the CCD camera 150 is 2 IA, and the conveyance speed of the fruits and vegetables 105 by the conveyor 110 is 0.5 VA. The output of the drive motor 120 is controlled.

  In addition, “Watermelon” listed as No. 2 in the fruit and vegetable list has a transmittance of 2A. When “watermelon” is selected as the fruit and vegetable 105 to be measured, that is, when the internal inspection of “watermelon” is performed by the fruit and vegetables internal inspection device 100, the number “2” is controlled via the input device 200. Input to device 160.

  When the numeral “2” is input, the control device 160 reads the reading cycle and the conveyance speed corresponding to the number 2 in the fruit and vegetable list. The read cycle and transport speed corresponding to number 2 are IA / 2 and 2VA, respectively.

  Next, the control device 160 controls each charge storage unit of the CCD camera 150 so that the readout cycle of the CCD camera 150 is IA / 2, and the conveyance speed of the fruits and vegetables 105 by the conveyor 110 is 2 VA. The output of the drive motor 120 is controlled.

  In addition, “melon” listed as No. 3 in the fruit and vegetable list has a transmittance of 1.5A. When “melon” is selected as the fruit and vegetable 105 that is the measurement object, that is, when the “melon” internal inspection is performed by the fruit and vegetables internal inspection device 100, the number “3” is controlled via the input device 200. Input to device 160.

  When the numeral “3” is input, the control device 160 reads the reading cycle and the conveyance speed corresponding to the number 3 in the fruit and vegetable list. The read cycle and transport speed corresponding to number 3 are IA / 1.5 and 1.5VA, respectively.

  Next, the control device 160 controls each charge storage unit of the CCD camera 150 so that the readout cycle of the CCD camera 150 is IA / 1.5, and the conveyance speed of the fruits and vegetables 105 by the conveyor 110 is 1.5 VA. The output of the drive motor 120 is controlled so that

  In addition, “Tomato” listed in No. 4 in the fruits and vegetables list has a transmittance of 2.5A. When “tomato” is selected as the fruit and vegetable 105 that is the measurement object, that is, when the internal inspection of “tomato” is performed by the fruit and vegetables internal inspection device 100, the number “4” is controlled via the input device 200. Input to device 160.

  When the numeral “4” is input, the control device 160 reads the reading cycle and the conveyance speed corresponding to the number 4 in the fruit and vegetable list. The read cycle and transport speed corresponding to number 4 are IA / 2.5 and 2.5VA, respectively.

  Next, the control device 160 controls each charge storage unit of the CCD camera 150 so that the readout cycle of the CCD camera 150 is IA / 2.5, and the conveyance speed of the fruits and vegetables 105 by the conveyor 110 is 2.5 VA. The output of the drive motor 120 is controlled so that

  As described above, when the type of the fruits and vegetables 105 is specified via the input device 200 by the operator of the fruit and vegetables internal inspection device 100, the control device 160 changes the reading cycle and the conveyance speed according to the specified types of fruits and vegetables. To do.

  As described above, according to the fruit and vegetables internal inspection apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, the reading cycle for reading out charges from the CCD camera 150 and the transport speed for transporting the fruit and vegetables 105 are changed according to the kind of the fruit and vegetable as the measurement object. Is done. Therefore, it is possible to carry out an internal inspection for all types of fruits and vegetables 105 under the same conditions as the reference fruits and vegetables without changing the sensitivity of the light receiving element or the amplification factor of the amplifier.

  In addition, since there is an upper limit and a lower limit for the conveyance speed by the conveyor 110, and further, there is an upper limit for the amount of fruits and vegetables 105 that can be processed per day, the conveyance speed by the conveyor 110 is X times the reference conveyance speed. When changing to, the upper and lower limits of the conveyance speed and the daily processing amount of fruits and vegetables are taken into consideration.

100 Fruit and Vegetable Internal Inspection Device 105 Fruit and Vegetable 110 Conveyor 120 Drive Motor 130 Passing Detection Sensor 140 Halogen Lamp 150 CCD Camera 160 Control Device 170 Display 180 Memory 190 Crystal Oscillator 200 Input Device

Claims (7)

A fruit and vegetables internal inspection device that measures the internal quality of the fruit and vegetables by irradiating near-infrared light to the fruit and vegetables that are inspection objects and analyzing the transmitted light that has passed through the fruit and vegetables.
Fruit and vegetables conveying means for conveying the fruits and vegetables in a certain direction,
Light irradiation means for irradiating the fruit and vegetables with near infrared light;
A CCD camera that receives the transmitted light that has passed through the fruits and vegetables;
A control device for changing a period for reading out electric charges generated by photoelectric conversion in the CCD camera according to the transmittance of the fruits and vegetables, and changing a conveyance speed of the fruits and vegetables by the fruit and vegetable conveying means according to the period after the change. When,
A fruit and vegetables inside inspection device. The controller is
When the reference transmittance, the reference period, and the reference transport speed are predetermined,
When the transmittance is X times the reference transmittance (X is a positive number), the cycle is changed to a cycle 1 / X times the reference cycle, and the transport speed is changed to the reference transport. 2. The fruit and vegetable inside inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus is changed to a speed X times the speed. The fruit and vegetables internal inspection apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a storage device that stores the reference transmittance, the reference period, and the reference transport speed in a rewritable state. Irradiating near-infrared light to fruits and vegetables to be inspected, and analyzing the transmitted light that has been transmitted through the fruits and vegetables, by measuring the internal quality of the fruits and vegetables,
A first process of irradiating the fruit and vegetables with near infrared light while transporting the fruit and vegetables in a certain direction, and receiving a transmitted light transmitted through the fruit and vegetables with a CCD camera;
A second period in which the period for reading out the electric charges generated by photoelectric conversion in the CCD camera is changed according to the transmittance of the fruits and vegetables, and the conveyance speed of the fruits and vegetables by the fruit and vegetable conveying means is changed according to the period after the change. And the process
The fruit and vegetables inside inspection method. The second process is:
When the reference transmittance, the reference period, and the reference transport speed are predetermined,
When the transmittance is X times the reference transmittance (X is a positive number), the cycle is changed to a cycle 1 / X times the reference cycle, and the transport speed is changed to the reference transport. 5. The method for inspecting fruit and vegetables inside according to claim 4, wherein the speed is changed to a speed X times the speed. A program for causing a computer to execute an internal inspection method for fruits and vegetables by measuring the internal quality of the fruits and vegetables by irradiating the fruits and vegetables to be inspected with near-infrared light and analyzing the transmitted light transmitted through the fruits and vegetables. And
The processing performed by the program is as follows:
While transporting the fruits and vegetables in a certain direction, the CCD is irradiated with near infrared light, and the CCD camera that receives the transmitted light that has passed through the fruits and vegetables reads a charge generated by photoelectric conversion. The program which is a process which changes according to the transmittance | permeability and changes according to the said cycle after changing the conveyance speed of the said fruits and vegetables. The process is
When the reference transmittance, the reference period, and the reference transport speed are predetermined,
When the transmittance is X times the reference transmittance (X is a positive number), the cycle is changed to a cycle 1 / X times the reference cycle, and the transport speed is changed to the reference transport. The program according to claim 6, wherein the program is a process of changing to a speed X times the speed.

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