JP3836035B2 - Food imaging and ejection device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a food imaging and discharging apparatus, and in particular, when there is a foreign object or a damaged part that should not be originally present on the surface portion of the food and it is not a non-defective product, this is grasped by imaging information and the food is discharged outside the system It is related with the apparatus made to do.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A food such as a grain is allowed to flow down from the hopper along a predetermined flow path, the food passing through the flow path is imaged by an imaging device such as a CCD camera, and the obtained imaging information is analyzed. Various food imaging and discharging devices are known in which specific food is included so that the food is discharged out of the system.
[0003]
For example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 03-249981 and 2001-502965, a light emitting element is provided in a free fall channel portion of food such as a swash plate inclined at a certain angle or a grain sent by a conveyor. An image pickup unit composed of a (light source) and a light receiving element (imaging device) is arranged, and based on the information obtained by the light receiving element, foods for which specific information is detected are excluded from the normal flow path by an air flow. The device is described. In such an apparatus, the light source is usually directed toward the object (specifically, (1) a light source that is directional in principle, and (2) a normal filament emits light. A light source or a scattering light source such as a fluorescent lamp that emits light on the tube surface, and a non-directional light source with a reflector so that light is emitted only in a specific direction) The imaging apparatus captures the reflected light and detects the presence or absence of specific information from the imaging information. In addition, a background (reference color plate) is placed on the opposite side of the light receiving element across the flow path, and the light from the background is also received at the same time to facilitate identification of foods containing specific information. Is called.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, the conventional food imaging and discharging apparatus is configured to illuminate light directly toward an object, and the imaging apparatus images the reflected light, and the required imaging with a small amount of light irradiation. Information can be obtained, and the entire apparatus can be downsized. In particular, the food to be imaged is as small as a grain, has a flat surface, and the specific information to be detected (for example, color) is from a foreign object of the same size as the food, Moreover, even if it is much smaller than food, if it is exposed on the entire surface of the food, the specific information can be detected and analyzed without any trouble.
[0005]
However, if the target food is relatively large, the surface has irregularities, and the specific information to be detected exists only on a part of the surface, the imaging information can be obtained with a conventional food imaging and discharging device. Therefore, it is not easy to detect specific information accurately. The reason for this is that when there is unevenness on the surface of the imaged food by direct illuminating light toward the object, a shadow is formed, which appears as a color different from the color of the food surface In particular, when medium-to-large foods are targeted, a large difference in brightness and darkness occurs in the image of the object (a contour is formed). This is because it becomes extremely difficult to clearly analyze and distinguish the portion or the contour portion from the obtained imaging information. As a result, even if the food does not contain specific information that should be detected originally, it is possible that the information of the shadow portion and the information caused by the contrast difference are misanalyzed and excluded.
[0006]
Examples of such foods include processed foods such as fried chicken, croquettes, spring rolls, rice balls, dumplings, tonkatsu, sausages, and various fruits, fruits and vegetables such as tomatoes, pumpkins, peppers, eggplants, potatoes, and taros. For example, in the case of deep-fried chicken, the information from the black residue that is attached to the surface is the specific information that should be detected. In the case of potato, the peeled skin and buds should be detected. Specific information.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and is a medium-to-large food that produces a large difference in brightness in an image of an object, or a food that easily forms a shadow on the surface due to unevenness on the surface. Even if it exists, it is possible to identify different color area portions that should be detected on the surface with high probability from imaging information by the imaging device, and selectively select foods having the specific area on the surface. An object of the present invention is to provide an improved food imaging and discharging apparatus which can be eliminated.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A food imaging and discharging apparatus according to the present invention includes a food dropping passage, a first pair of scattered light sources positioned across the food dropping passage, and a food falling passage below the first pair of scattered light sources. Imaging arranged so as to have an imaging position in a region between the second pair of scattered light sources and the first pair of scattered light sources and the second pair of scattered light sources in the food drop passage And at least an exclusion means for selectively removing falling food based on imaging information from the imaging device A reflecting plate is not attached to the scattering light sources forming the first and second pairs. It is characterized by that.
[0009]
In the food imaging and discharging apparatus according to the present invention, the scattered light source is arranged in four places instead of the light source that directly illuminates the object, so that the whole surface of the food is almost equal from all directions. Able to shine light. Therefore, even if the food is relatively large or the surface is uneven, it is possible to suppress the difference in brightness and darkness in the image of the object, and shadows due to the unevenness are formed on the surface. It can be suppressed as much as possible. As a result, when there is a portion of a different color that should be originally detected on the food surface (for example, a black portion due to the adhesion of lifting residue), the imaging device can reliably capture it as a captured image. Thereby, based on the imaging information from an imaging device, it becomes possible to selectively and reliably exclude the falling food from outside the system.
[0010]
In a preferred embodiment, a background plate is provided on the side opposite to the imaging device with the food falling passage of the first and second pairs of scattered light sources interposed therebetween. In this aspect, when the imaging device simultaneously receives the reflected light from the background plate, it is possible to more reliably recognize different color portions (for example, black portions), and to capture the image of the object. It has the effect of brightening.
[0011]
The food imaging and discharging apparatus according to the present invention uses a scattered light source. Therefore, it is larger than the case where the object to be imaged (falling food) is irradiated with light from a light source that directly illuminates the object to obtain the reflected light amount necessary for imaging. Requires a scattered light source with light intensity. In our experiments, it was confirmed that the image was brighter when the reflector was attached so as not to face the object to be imaged at the time of imaging than when the reflector was not attached to the scattered light source. It was done. Based on that knowledge, in the preferred embodiment of the food imaging and discharging apparatus according to the present invention, the first and second pairs of scattered light sources are such that the reflected light does not directly face the object to be imaged at the time of imaging. Is provided. The reflected light from the reflecting plate will illuminate the object to be imaged (falling food) as indirect light that is further reflected light from other components of the apparatus (eg, background plate), and there is no reflecting plate. Imaging with a light source having a smaller amount of light than the case becomes possible. Thereby, the apparatus can be miniaturized.
[0012]
In the above aspect, the reflection plate included in the first pair of scattering light sources is attached so that the reflected light is directed downward, and the reflection plate included in the second pair of scattering light sources is the reflection light. The reflector mounted on the opposite side of the imaging device across at least the food dropping path among the reflectors provided in the first pair of scattered light sources is reflected light. Is attached in such a way as to face the background plate, and the reflection plate provided in the second pair of scattered light sources is attached in such a manner that the reflected light is directed upward. Reflected light can be used more effectively as indirect light, and different color portions (for example, black portions) can be recognized more reliably, and the apparatus can be further downsized.
[0013]
There is no limitation on the type of image sensor in the image pickup apparatus used in the present invention, and a conventionally known CCD or C-MOS type image sensor can be used arbitrarily. However, in the case where the image pickup device is a CCD in particular, although it is a scattered light source, if it is viewed directly, a smear phenomenon occurs on the image pickup screen, and image information that should originally be identified may be erroneously recognized. Therefore, when using a CCD camera equipped with a CCD as an imaging device, it is desirable to arrange the CCD camera and the four scattered light sources so that the CCD camera does not directly capture any of the four scattered light sources. For this purpose, it is necessary to dispose the first pair of scattered light sources and the second pair of scattered light sources in the vertical direction so that a scattered light source having a large amount of light is required. In addition, the apparatus becomes larger.
[0014]
Therefore, in a preferred embodiment of the food imaging and discharging apparatus according to the present invention, only the upper half of the imaging area of the CCD camera is used as an effective imaging area (that is, an area for capturing information used for detection, etc.), and detection is performed from the lower half. By not capturing the information to be used, the necessary image information can be obtained without increasing the size of the apparatus and with a small amount of light. Particularly preferably, a one-side smear CCD camera is used.
[0015]
In this aspect, the second pair of scattered light sources is allowed to enter the lower half of the imaging area of the CCD camera, and accordingly, the first pair of scattered light sources and the second pair of scattered light sources. The distance in the vertical direction can be shortened, and the apparatus can be downsized and the light quantity can be effectively used. In addition, since information from the lower half of the imaging area of the CCD camera is not captured as effective information, the information from the second pair of scattered light sources captured in the lower half of the imaging area of the CCD camera is captured by the upper half. The effective image information is not disturbed.
[0016]
Note that when using an imaging device that hardly causes a smear phenomenon (for example, an imaging device provided with a C-MOS type imaging device), imaging is performed so that both the first and second pairs of scattered light sources enter the field of view. The positions of the apparatus and the light source may be determined, and in that case, the apparatus can be further downsized.
[0017]
In the food image pickup / discharge device according to the present invention, the image pickup device may be disposed only on one side of the food dropping passage, or may be disposed opposite to both sides across the food dropping passage. In the latter case, the front side and the back side of one food can be imaged simultaneously, and more complete image information about the food can be obtained.
[0018]
In the food imaging and discharging apparatus according to the present invention, food may be manually fed into the food dropping passage. However, considering the universality of the loading position, the continuity of the work, the equality of the falling food, etc. Then, it is desirable to provide some food input means above the food dropping passage. As such food input means, any type can be used in consideration of the type of food to be input, ease of work, etc., but preferably on the feed conveyor and the discharge end side of the feed conveyor And a guide plate having a curved guide surface on the lower side, and the food discharged from the discharge end of the feed conveyor is fed along the guide surface while being pressed against the curved lower guide surface of the guide plate. After that, it is desirable to use one that falls into the food dropping passage.
[0019]
In the food input means described above, the food discharged with the required lateral acceleration from the discharge end of the feed conveyor is in contact with the lower surface of the curved guide surface of the guide plate and is kept in pressure contact with the curved lower surface. However, it moves downward along the lower surface. And it falls freely in the food dropping path from the lower end of the guide plate. Therefore, by setting the lower end position of the guide plate to an appropriate position, it is possible to reliably feed the imaged food to the desired position (usually the central position) of the food dropping passage. Even if the lateral acceleration acting on the food when it is discharged from the discharge end of the feed conveyor is large, the food is reliably guided along the lower surface of the guide plate. Even if the adhesiveness is unstable (for example, food such as frozen carrot), it can be put into a predetermined position in the food dropping passage without any trouble. In addition, in the case of flat foods (for example, foods such as daikon radish), the posture is adjusted in the same direction in the process of moving along the lower surface of the guide plate. It faces and falls through the food drop passage. Therefore, the direction of each food with respect to an imaging device will be the same state, and the captured image without an individual difference will be obtained.
[0020]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on embodiments. FIG. 1 is a side view schematically showing a first embodiment of a food imaging and discharging apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the first embodiment as viewed from above. The food imaging / discharging device 1 has a box-shaped casing 2, and a food inlet 4 is formed in the center of the ceiling surface 3, and a food outlet 6 is formed in the side wall surface 5. The food inlet 4 is provided with a food input means 50 described later, and the food outlet 6 is provided with an outlet conveyor 60.
[0021]
In the casing 2, a first pair of scattered light sources 10 is attached at a position close to the food inlet 4, and a second pair of scattered light sources 10 is provided below the first pair of scattered light sources 10. A light source 20 is attached. In this example, the first pair of scattered light sources 10 are horizontally elongated fluorescent tubes 11a and 11b positioned in parallel at a predetermined interval in the lateral direction, and the second pair of scattered light sources 10 are scattered. The light source 20 is also a horizontally long fluorescent tube 21a, 21b that is positioned in parallel at a predetermined interval in the horizontal direction. Preferably, as shown in the figure, the fluorescent tubes 11a and 21a and the fluorescent tubes 11b and 21b are positioned in the same vertical plane. In addition, it is desirable that each fluorescent tube is lit by a DC power source in order to improve imaging conditions.
[0022]
As described above, in the food imaging and discharging apparatus 1 according to the present invention, four scattering light sources, that is, the fluorescent tubes 11a, 11b and 21a, 21b are arranged at a predetermined interval in the casing 2. The region between the left fluorescent tubes 11a and 21a and the right fluorescent tubes 11b and 21b forms the “food dropping passage” 30 in the present invention. A first CCD camera 40a is set as an example of an imaging device on the outside of the left fluorescent tubes 11a and 21a (that is, the side opposite to the food dropping passage 30), and the right fluorescent tubes 11b and 21b. The second CCD camera 40b is also set on the outside.
[0023]
In the food imaging and discharging apparatus 1 according to the present invention having the above-described configuration, a scattering light source (fluorescent tubes 11a, 11b, and 21a, not a light source that directly illuminates light toward an object at four locations. By arranging 21b), it becomes possible to irradiate the same amount of light from almost all directions on the entire surface of the food F falling through the food dropping passage 30. Therefore, even when the food F is relatively large like a fried bird and has unevenness on the surface, the unevenness of the image of the object is not generated and the unevenness is not generated. It is also possible to suppress the resulting shadow from being formed on the surface as much as possible. As a result, the CCD cameras 40a and 40b can capture the surface image (brightness / darkness information and color information) of the food itself from both the front and back sides as a captured image without being affected by the size of the food F or the surface irregularities. Can do.
[0024]
Although not necessarily essential, in the illustrated example, background plates 41a and 41b curved on the opposite side of the CCD cameras 40a and 40b across the food drop passage 30 of the first and second pairs of scattered light sources 10 and 20 are provided. Is provided. The background plates 41a and 41b also have a function of reflecting the scattered light from the scattered light sources 10 and 20 as indirect light, and preferably have a color close to the object. The CCD cameras 40a and 40b simultaneously receive the reflected light from the background plates 41a and 41b, thereby making it possible to more reliably recognize different color portions (for example, black portions) of the food F.
[0025]
In the food imaging and discharging apparatus according to the present invention, as described above, a non-directional scattered light source is used as the light source, and in order to efficiently obtain a sufficient amount of light necessary for the imaging of the CCD cameras 40a and 40b, it is illustrated. In the food imaging / discharging device 1, the reflected light does not go directly to the food F1 at the time of imaging on the fluorescent tubes 11a, 11b and 21a, 21b of the scattering light sources 10 and 20 forming the first and second pairs. Reflecting plates 12a and 12b and 22a and 22b are provided. Since the reflected light from each reflecting plate is additionally irradiated to the food F1 at the time of imaging as reflected light (indirect light) from other constituent members in the casing 2 (for example, the background plates 41a and 41b). The light quantity required for imaging can be obtained with a smaller quantity of light from the scattered light source, and the apparatus 1 can be miniaturized.
[0026]
In the illustrated example, the reflecting plates 12a and 12b attached to the fluorescent tubes 11a and 11b of the scattering light source 10 forming the first pair are attached so as to face downward and toward the background plates 41a and 41b. The reflectors 22a and 22b attached to the fluorescent tubes 21a and 21b of the scattering light source 20 that are paired with each other are attached upward. The reason why the reflectors 12a and 12b are attached so as to face the background plates 41a and 41b is to use reflected light (indirect light) from the background plates 41a and 41b more effectively. If it is obtained, it may be attached directly below. Moreover, although all the reflectors are shown as semicircular in cross section, this is because the direction of the emitted light is not so limited, and if this is satisfied, a flat plate having a U-shaped cross section is formed. It may have a bent shape. However, it is not preferable to place the scattering light source at a position that is too deep from the opening of the reflecting plate or to make the opening too narrow because the brightness of the object image is reduced.
[0027]
In the illustrated example, although not essential, the first CCD camera 40a and the second CCD camera 40b (preferably, a CCD camera that is both one-side smears) are opposed to symmetrical positions with the food dropping passage 30 in between. In addition, the imaging center line L1 is set as a position close to the second pair of scattered light sources 20 (fluorescent tubes 21a and 21b). As shown in FIG. 1, by setting the position so as to be shifted downward in this way, the upper first pair of scattered light sources 10 is not captured in the imaging range, and the first imaging range is set in the lower half. A captured image in a state where only the two pairs of scattered light sources 20 are captured is obtained.
[0028]
In this embodiment, when the food F that freely falls through the food dropping passage 30 is located in the upper half of the imaging area of the CCD cameras 40a and 40b (position of the food F1), at least the first A captured image of the food F1 can be obtained in a state where the image is not disturbed by the paired scattered light sources 10. The second pair of scattered light sources 20 is captured in the lower half of the imaging region, and the image is disturbed by the influence (smear phenomenon). However, if the lower half of the imaging region is not used for imaging the food F1, the required imaging information can be obtained without hindrance. Preferably, the one-side smear CCD cameras 40a and 40b are set so as not to capture information from the lower half of the image sensor as information used for detection or the like. Thereby, the required imaging information can be obtained more reliably.
[0029]
Below the food dropping passage 30, a jumping plate 31 is provided, which is operated by an appropriate actuator 32 so that the falling food F can be discharged into the container 33. The take-out conveyor 60 described above is located below the jump plate 31, and the food F that has fallen downward without the jump plate 31 being operated is carried out of the apparatus.
[0030]
The food input means 50 includes a feed conveyor 51 and a guide plate 52 located on the discharge end side of the feed conveyor 51. In this example, the guide plate 52 is made by bending a stainless steel plate, and the lower side surface is a guide surface 53 that is curved as required. Moreover, the lower end 54 is further bent inward. The guide plate 52 is attached to the food inlet 4 of the casing 2 so that the vicinity of the lower end 54 is located near the left fluorescent tube 11a in the figure of the first pair of scattered light sources 10. The feed conveyor 51 is attached in an inclined state so that the conveyance-side tip is positioned at the upper portion of the guide plate 52.
[0031]
In using the food imaging and discharging apparatus 1 described above, the food F to be imaged is moved onto the feed conveyor 51 from a hopper (not shown) or the like, preferably at a predetermined interval. The feed conveyor 51 rotates in the arrow direction at a required speed, and the food F is discharged from the discharge end of the feed conveyor 51 toward the guide plate 52 at a predetermined initial speed. The discharge speed is experimentally set to an optimum value in consideration of the degree of adhesion between the food F and the conveying surface of the feed conveyor 51, the degree of friction, and the like.
[0032]
The released food F comes into contact with the lower surface of the curved guide surface 53 of the guide plate 52 with a certain lateral acceleration, and while accelerating along the lower surface while maintaining a state of being pressed against the curved lower surface. Move towards. And it discharge | releases toward the substantially center position of the food fall path | route 30 by the slope in which the lower end 54 of the guide plate 52 was formed, and it falls freely downward from there.
[0033]
By providing the guide plate 52 having such a configuration, even if the lateral acceleration acting on the food F when it is discharged from the discharge end of the feed conveyor 51 is large, the food jumps out to the outside. Instead, it is reliably guided downward along the lower surface 53 of the guide plate 52. Therefore, even if the food F is sticky to the feed conveyor 51, it can be put into a predetermined position in the food dropping passage 30 without any trouble. Further, in the case of a flat-shaped food such as a radish cut into round pieces, the posture is adjusted in the same direction in the process of moving along the lower surface of the guide plate 52, so that all the foods F fall in the same direction. It falls in the passage 30.
[0034]
When the falling food F comes to the position F1 in the figure, that is, when it comes to the approximate center of the upper half of the imaging area of the CCD cameras 40a and 40b, imaging is performed by a signal from a control mechanism (not shown). . The imaging signal is sent to a monitor (not shown) and expressed as an image. Of course, the electronic shutter may be continuously cut at regular intervals. In that case, the captured image may appear in a state where a part of the food is missing, but even in that case, in the present invention, image processing can be performed based on only color instead of shape recognition. , No particular hindrance will occur.
[0035]
If the image contains specific information (for example, information from black scraps that have adhered to the surface in the case of deep-fried food), the image is displayed by an appropriate control mechanism or visually. When it is recognized, the actuator 32 is operated more manually and the falling food F is ejected into the container 33 by the spring plate 31. What does not contain specific information is dropped downward without operating the jumping plate 31, and the food F is carried out of the apparatus by the takeout conveyor 60.
[0036]
3 and 4 show a second embodiment of the food imaging and discharging apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic side view corresponding to FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a schematic top view. FIG. 2 corresponds to FIG. In this form of the food imaging and discharging apparatus 1a, the scattering light sources 10 and 20 forming the first and second pairs are not constituted by long fluorescent tubes but are constituted by light bulb type fluorescent lamps 111 and 211. This is different from that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Further, since such a light source is used, the reflector described in FIGS. 1 and 2 is not attached to the fluorescent tubes 111 and 211. Other configurations may be the same as those shown in FIG. 1 and FIG.
[0037]
FIG. 5 shows the actual screen (A1, A2) obtained by imaging the deep-fried chicken using the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and the reflected light images the positions of the reflectors 12a, 12b of the long fluorescent tubes. An actual screen (B) obtained by irradiating an image by changing the arrangement toward the position of the object to be imaged (fried food) at the time is shown. In the case of the existing lighting B, in addition to the shaded part (black part) due to the lifting residue, shadows depending on the surrounding contours and the unevenness present on the surface of the fried chicken appear, but the image of the new lighting (A1) Then, only the shadow portion Z due to the lifting residue appears clearly in an identifiable manner. Furthermore, when drawing a straight line from the imaging device toward the background in the field of view (actually a plane that does not tilt on the left and right sides of the imaging device), the background plate is curved so that the line is always close to the background. In the screen (A2) with optimized background conditions, the background brightness is uniform, and the brightest component of the reflected light from the light source can be prevented from affecting the image. It can be seen that it is clearer.
[0038]
In the food image pickup and discharge device according to the present invention, a color image pickup device can be used, and the difference in color can be used for discrimination of foreign matter. In the case of a black and white image, the difference in brightness is a criterion for discrimination, but in the case of a color image, a higher sorting ability is obtained than sorting by brightness alone. At that time, the background displayed in the field of view of the imaging device needs to be almost uniform in color, but by bending the background plate as described above, it is possible to prevent the color from changing depending on the location. It becomes easy.
[0039]
FIG. 6 shows an actual imaging screen in the CCD camera (in this case, a one-side smear CCD camera) in the apparatus shown in FIG. In this example, the food is run in two rows, and the upper half of the image shows two food images. The right image shows the food containing the specific information described above (for example, information from the black dust Z that has become black burnt attached to the surface in the case of fried chicken). The opposite CCD camera is shown in the lower half of the screen. Further, the second pair of scattered light sources is captured in the lower half region, and it can be seen that the image is disturbed due to the influence. However, since the information from the lower half image sensor is set not to be taken in as information used for detection or the like, no influence appears in the upper half image. The image output from the two cameras 40a and 40b is sent to one programmable controller, and the programmable controller is programmed so that the output device can be operated by either output.
[0040]
Although not shown in particular, in the images shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the portion of the raised residue Z that has been darkened by adjusting the background plate as described above and using a color similar to the object as the background plate. It will be appreciated that an image can be obtained that clearly stands out.
[0041]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, by using the food imaging and discharging apparatus according to the present invention, a large brightness difference is generated in the image of the object (a contour is formed), and therefore, a portion that should be originally identified as specific information and a shadow portion or contour Even if it is a medium-to-large food that is very difficult to clearly analyze and distinguish from the obtained imaging information, or even a food that easily forms a shadow on the surface due to unevenness on the surface, Regardless of the outline and shadow, the part of the different color that should be detected on the surface (for example, in the case of fried chicken, the black burnt residue part attached to the surface) Imaging information from an imaging device such as a CCD camera can be identified with high probability, and such food can be selectively and reliably excluded.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a side view schematically showing a first embodiment of a food imaging and discharging apparatus according to the present invention.
2 is a schematic top view of the apparatus shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a side view schematically showing a second embodiment of the food imaging and discharging apparatus according to the present invention.
4 is a schematic top view of the apparatus shown in FIG.
FIG. 5 shows an actual screen (A1, A2) obtained by imaging the deep-fried fish using the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and the position of the reflection plate of the object to be imaged (fried fish) when the reflected light is imaged. The figure which shows the actual screen (B) imaged by irradiating and changing to the arrangement | positioning which goes to a position.
6 is an actual imaging screen with a CCD camera in the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Food imaging and discharge apparatus, 2 ... Box-shaped casing, 4 ... Food input port, 6 ... Food take-out port, 10 ... First pair of scattered light sources, 20 ... Second pair of scattered light sources, 11a, 11b, 21a, 21b ... fluorescent tube, 12a, 12b, 22a, 22b ... reflector, 30 ... food drop passage, 31 ... jump plate, 32 ... actuator, 40a ... imaging device (first CCD camera), 40b ... Imaging device (second CCD camera), 41a, 41b ... background plate, 50 ... food input means, 51 ... feed conveyor, 52 ... guide plate, 53 ... curved guide surface, F, F1 ... food

Claims (9)

A food fall passage, a first pair of scattered light sources located across the food fall passage, and a second pair of scattered light sources located across the food fall passage below the first pair of scattered light sources And an imaging device arranged to have an imaging position in a region between the first pair of scattered light sources and the second pair of scattered light sources in the food drop passage, and imaging information from the imaging device And at least an exclusion means for selectively excluding falling food ,
The scattering light source which makes the said 1st and 2nd pair is not attached with the reflecting plate , The food imaging and discharge apparatus of medium-sized foods, such as fried chicken and tonkatsu . A food fall passage, a first pair of scattered light sources located across the food fall passage, and a second pair of scattered light sources located across the food fall passage below the first pair of scattered light sources And an imaging device arranged to have an imaging position in a region between the first pair of scattered light sources and the second pair of scattered light sources in the food drop passage, and imaging information from the imaging device And at least an exclusion means for selectively excluding falling food ,
Wherein the first and scattering source a second pair, fried, characterized in that the reflected light is provided with a reflecting plate so as not directed directly to the object to be imaged at the time of imaging, in such cutlet Food imaging and discharging device for large foods . The reflection plate provided in the first pair of scattering light sources is attached so that the reflected light is directed downward, and the reflection plate provided in the second pair of scattering light sources has the reflection light directed upward. The food imaging and discharging apparatus for medium-sized and large-sized foods such as fried chicken and tonkatsu according to claim 2 , wherein the food imaging and discharging apparatus is mounted so as to face. The fried chicken according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein a background plate is provided on the side opposite to the imaging device with the food falling passage of the first and second pairs of scattered light sources interposed therebetween , Food imaging and discharging device for medium-sized food such as Tonkatsu . Of the reflectors provided in the first pair of scattered light sources, the reflector located on the opposite side of the imaging device across at least the food drop passage is provided with the reflected light on the opposite side of the imaging device. It is attached as directed toward the background plate, a reflection plate provided in the scattering light source forming the second pair, according to claim 2, characterized in that the reflected light is mounted so as to upward Food imaging and discharge device for medium and large foods such as fried chicken and tonkatsu . The imaging device is a one-side smear CCD camera, and the CCD camera is disposed at a position where the first pair of scattered light sources is not taken into the imaging range, and the second pair of scattered light sources is a CCD at that position. It is arranged at the position where it enters the lower half of the imaging area of the camera, and the CCD camera is set so as not to capture information from the lower half of the imaging device as information used for detection etc. It claims 1 to of any one of 5 fried food imaging and discharge device for a large form foods in such cutlet. The two image pickup devices are arranged so as to face each other across the food dropping passage, and the food image pickup for medium-sized and large-sized foods such as fried chicken and tonkatsu as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 Discharging device. The food imaging and discharging apparatus for medium-sized and large-sized foods such as fried chicken and tonkatsu according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , further comprising food input means above the food dropping passage. The food input means includes a feed conveyor and a guide plate having a curved guide surface on the lower side located on the discharge end side of the feed conveyor, and the food discharged from the discharge end of the feed conveyor is curved on the guide plate. 9. A medium-sized type such as a deep-fried chicken or tonkatsu according to claim 8 , wherein the medium is fed along the guide surface in pressure contact with the lower guide surface and then falls into the food dropping passage. Food imaging and discharging device for food.

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