JP4173257B2 - Sheet visual inspection device and PTP packaging machine - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention belongs to a technical field including an inspection apparatus for inspecting the appearance of a sheet such as a PTP sheet and a container film in the previous stage, and a PTP packaging machine equipped with the inspection apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In general, a PTP sheet is composed of a container film in which a pocket portion into which tablets and the like are placed is formed, and a sealing film that is fixed to the container film so as to seal the opening side of the pocket portion to the container film. ing. And before adhering a container film and a sealing film, a tablet etc. are thrown into a pocket part.
[0003]
As an apparatus for inspecting the appearance of a sheet such as a PTP sheet configured as described above, an apparatus capable of inspecting whether there is a defective product in which foreign matter such as dirt or hair adheres to a PTP sheet or a container film is known.
[0004]
That is, in this type of sheet visual inspection device, the illumination device irradiates light on the PTP sheet or container film, and the transmitted light or reflected light is imaged by the imaging device. The video signal output from the imaging device is binarized with a predetermined threshold by the image processing device. Here, for example, when the transmitted light is imaged, the transmitted light of the container film is reflected brightly, and the portion where the foreign matter is present appears dark, so by setting the threshold value in consideration of these lightness differences, The presence of a foreign object that is a relatively dark part can be determined by the image processing apparatus.
[0005]
Moreover, according to the PTP packaging machine provided with the above visual inspection apparatus, there exists an advantage that the PTP sheet to which the said foreign material adhered can be excluded.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Here, when the tablet is an uncoated tablet, the tablet powder is scattered when the tablet is put into the pocket portion of the container film, and the tablet powder is formed around the pocket portion (that is, the contact surface with the sealing film). May adhere. The PTP sheet to which the tablet powder is attached can be regarded as a non-defective product having no problem on the product unless the tablet powder is a large lump.
[0007]
However, since the conventional sheet appearance inspection apparatus does not distinguish between relatively long foreign objects such as hair and fiber scraps and the above tablet powder, tablet powder that does not have a product problem is also determined as a foreign object. It was. And since the foreign substance determination of a PTP sheet and the various processes of disposal are performed by automatic control, naturally the PTP sheet to which the tablet powder which has no problem on a product adhered was discarded. Thus, conventionally, there are many non-defective PTP sheets that should be regarded as non-defective products due to the adhesion of tablet powder, and there has been a problem in terms of productivity.
[0008]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and can improve the productivity of a PTP sheet by reducing the frequency with which a tablet powder-adhered sheet that can be regarded as a non-defective product is judged defective. One of the main purposes is to provide an appearance inspection apparatus and a PTP packaging machine.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention]
Characteristic means capable of achieving the above object will be described below. For each means, characteristic actions and effects are described as necessary.
[0010]
Means 1. Processes video signals obtained from transmitted or reflected light from a sheet in an appearance inspection apparatus for a sheet that inspects for the presence or absence of foreign matter adhering to the sheet surface after a tablet is placed in each pocket formed on the sheet And an image processing apparatus for determining that the tablet powder in the predetermined allowable range is not a foreign substance.
[0011]
According to the above means 1, even if tablet powder adheres to the sheet, the processing of the video signal of the image processing apparatus allows a predetermined allowable range that does not cause a product problem, for example, a predetermined size or a predetermined integration degree. It is determined that the tablet powder is not a foreign substance. As a result, it is possible to improve the productivity of the PTP sheet by reducing the frequency with which a tablet powder-adhered sheet that can be regarded as a non-defective product is judged defective.
[0012]
Mean 2. In the above-mentioned means 1, the image processing apparatus includes a first distinction means for distinguishing tablet powder in a predetermined allowable range from elongated foreign matters such as hair and fiber waste. apparatus.
[0013]
There is almost no difference between tablet powders within a certain tolerance range that are not problematic in products and elongated foreign matters such as hair and fiber scraps when the video signal is considered as light and shade (light and dark), and they could not be distinguished conventionally. . In this respect, according to the above means 2, since the predetermined distinguishing tablet powder and the elongated foreign matter, which could not be distinguished conventionally, can be distinguished by the first distinguishing means, the tablet powder having no problem in terms of product is determined to be non-defective. It is possible to determine whether a foreign object is defective. As a result, it is possible to reduce the frequency at which the sheet is determined to be defective when tablet powder having no product problem is adhered to the sheet.
[0014]
Means 3. In the above-mentioned means 2, the image processing apparatus comprises a second visualizing device for distinguishing tablet powder in a predetermined allowable range from foreign matter that appears more clearly than that. .
[0015]
According to the said means 3, foreign materials, such as a paper piece, can be distinguished from the tablet powder which does not have a product problem by the 2nd distinction means. Therefore, in combination with the above means 2, it is possible to reliably determine other foreign substances as defective while determining non-defective tablet powder with no product problem with high probability.
[0016]
Means 4. In the above means 2, the first distinguishing means binarizes the video signal with a first threshold set as a level that can be detected including tablet powder and elongated foreign matter within a predetermined allowable range. Binarizing means, first computing means for computing the perimeter of the connected component on the side showing the deposit binarized by the first threshold, and the computed perimeter exceeding a predetermined value A sheet appearance inspection apparatus, comprising: a first determination unit that determines that a foreign object is detected in the case of a foreign object.
[0017]
According to the above means 4, any attached matter attached to the sheet is picked up by the first binarizing means. Then, the peripheral length of the deposit is calculated by the first calculating means, and when the peripheral length exceeds a predetermined value by the first determining means, it is determined as a foreign object. As a result, the elongated foreign matter such as hair and fiber waste has a very long perimeter compared to the tablet powder close to the round shape, and it becomes possible to reliably detect the elongated foreign matter and determine the defect. Furthermore, since the peripheral length is used as a reference, tablet powder having a relatively large area that causes a problem in the product also exceeds the predetermined peripheral length, and tablet powder exceeding a predetermined allowable range is also regarded as a foreign substance at the same time. It becomes possible.
[0018]
Means 5. In the above means 4, the calculation and determination are performed by using the major axis, major axis / minor axis ratio, area / perimeter length ratio, or circumscribed circumferential length of the connected component instead of the circumference. Sheet visual inspection device.
[0019]
According to the above means 5, the long diameter, the long diameter / short diameter ratio, the area / perimeter length ratio, or the circumscribed circumference length in which the characteristics of hair, fiber scraps, etc. are clearly expressed are used instead of the calculation or determination based on the perimeter length. However, it is possible to reliably determine hair and fiber waste as a foreign substance, and it is possible to determine that many tablet powders having no product problems can be determined as good products.
[0020]
Means 6. In the above means 3, the second distinguishing means comprises: a second binarizing means for binarizing the video signal with a second threshold set as a level exceeding the tablet powder in a predetermined allowable range; A second computing means for computing the area of the connected component on the side showing the deposit binarized by the second threshold, and if the computed area exceeds a predetermined value, it is determined as a foreign object And a second determination unit that performs the visual inspection of the sheet.
[0021]
According to the means 6 described above, the second binarization means picks up the adhering matter that exceeds the level of the tablet powder adhering to the sheet and has no problem on the product. Then, the area of the deposit is calculated by the second calculating means, and if the area exceeds a predetermined value by the second determining means, it is determined as a foreign object. As a result, it is possible to reliably determine a foreign object as being defective while excluding errors due to noise.
[0022]
Mean 7 In any one of the above means 1 to 6, the sheet is made of a transparent material, and the image processing apparatus processes a video signal obtained from the transmitted light of the sheet. Appearance inspection device.
[0023]
When inspecting a sheet, it is conceivable to use either transmitted light or reflected light. However, if the sheet is made transparent and the transmitted light is captured as a video signal, it is possible to accurately capture foreign substances and other deposits. Can do.
[0024]
Means 8. A PTP packaging machine comprising the sheet visual inspection apparatus according to any one of the above means 1 to 7.
[0025]
If the appearance inspection device specified by each of the above means is provided in the PTP packaging machine like this means 8, the appearance inspection of the sheet can be performed in the packaging process by the PTP packaging machine. Thereby, the PTP sheet in which the defect is found can be eliminated during or after packaging.
[0026]
In the following, characteristic means different from the appearance inspection apparatus will be described.
[0027]
Means 9. A conveying means for conveying a sheet in which a pocket portion into which a tablet is inserted at every predetermined interval is formed in one direction, and a tablet is sequentially inserted into a pocket portion of the sheet conveyed by the conveying means at a predetermined loading position. A tablet insertion unit; and an imaging unit disposed at a predetermined interval from the tablet insertion unit, and an external appearance of a sheet or tablet that has reached a predetermined imaging position is based on a video signal captured by the imaging unit. In the PTP packaging machine to be inspected, the PTP packaging machine includes a control unit that controls to start capturing the video signal by the imaging unit when the tablet first inserted by the tablet insertion unit reaches the imaging position. PTP packaging machine.
[0028]
Here, the conveyance means is, for example, various feed rolls, the tablet insertion means is, for example, a tablet insertion shutter, the imaging means is, for example, a CCD camera, and the control means is, for example, a drive control device or an image processing device. According to the means 9, the control means automatically starts to take in the video signal by the imaging means when the tablet reaches the imaging position after the start of the tablet insertion into the pocket portion. Therefore, as compared with the conventional apparatus, a large number of tablets are not wasted, and the burden on the operator is reduced.
[0029]
Means 10. In the means 9, the control means stores in advance the number of pocket portions existing between the insertion position and the imaging position, counts the number of tablet insertion times by the tablet insertion means, and the count value reaches the number of pocket portions. A PTP packaging machine that determines that the first loaded tablet has reached the imaging position.
[0030]
According to the means 10, the effect shown in the means 9 can be achieved by very simple control.
[0031]
Means 11. The PTP packaging machine according to claim 10, further comprising operating means operated by an operator to start driving the tablet loading means, wherein the control means starts counting the number of times of tablet loading based on a command from the operating means.
[0032]
Here, the operation means is, for example, a switch. According to the means 11, the operator simply operates the operation means to instruct the start of tablet insertion, and thereafter, imaging is automatically started without waste of the tablet.
[0033]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7.
[0034]
In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the PTP sheet appearance inspection device is equipped in the PTP packaging machine 30 to implement the appearance inspection of the PTP sheet.
[0035]
First, the PTP packaging machine 30 in which the appearance inspection of the PTP sheet is performed will be briefly described. The PTP packaging machine 30 automatically wraps tablets on a PTP sheet. Specifically, a film 40 such as polypropylene or PVC is fed to the heating plate 50 and the molding plate 51 by the film feeding roll 33 and the tension rolls 31 and 32, and the pocket portion 44 (see FIG. 4) in which tablets and the like are filled is formed. The film 40 is formed. When the container film 41 in which the pocket portion 44 is formed on the film 40 is sent to the bottom of the tablet insertion shutter 52 serving as a tablet insertion means, the tablet insertion shutter 52 automatically puts a tablet or the like in each pocket portion 44. To fill. In addition, the container film 41 has a light transmission property, and is particularly transparent here.
[0036]
Here, each pocket 44 is filled with the tablet 1 (see FIG. 4). In this embodiment, a case where an uncoated tablet is used as the tablet 1 will be described. In the case of a general uncoated tablet, tablet powder often scatters when a tablet is loaded from the tablet loading shutter 52. The tablet powder is substantially an aggregate of fine powder, easily adheres to the container film 41 in the form of a substantially circular lump, and transmits the transmitted light because of the aggregate of the fine powder. There is a characteristic that it is relatively easy to pass (the image level is low and bright).
[0037]
Further, an aluminum sealing film 42 is fed through the tension rolls 34 and 35 onto the container film 41 in which the tablets 1 are filled in the pocket portions 44 and fixed by a pair of seal rolls 36 and 36 serving as sealing means. Let Thus, a film-like PTP sheet 43 in which the tablet 1 is filled in each pocket portion 44 is manufactured. The film-like PTP sheet 43 is cut into a sheet shape, and then sequentially sent to a defective sheet discharge mechanism, a PTP sheet stacking mechanism, and the like (not shown).
[0038]
Next, an appearance inspection apparatus for the PTP sheet 43 (actually the container film 41 after filling the tablet 1) will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG. The appearance inspection apparatus includes a CCD camera 11 that is an imaging device, a monitor 25 that is a display device, illumination 12 that is an illumination device (see FIGS. 3 and 4), an image processing device 10, and the like. The CCD camera 11 and the illumination 12 are described in the PTP packaging machine 30 in FIGS. 3 and 4, but are one of the components of the appearance inspection apparatus.
[0039]
The illumination 12 is a halogen lamp or a fluorescent lamp having a high frequency lighting device. In particular, if the illumination has a luminance control unit that maintains a constant luminance by controlling the temperature of the lamp or the like, the power supply current, etc., high accuracy can be obtained without considering the luminance variation of the illumination 12. Appearance inspection of the container film 41 becomes possible.
[0040]
The image processing apparatus 10 includes an A / D converter 3, a shading correction unit 14, an image memory 16, a shading correction table 18, a CPU 20, a determination memory 22, an input / output interface 23, an appearance inspection result and statistical data memory 24, a camera timing. It consists of the control means 26 and the like.
[0041]
The A / D converter 3 converts the one-dimensional image data captured by the CCD camera 11 from an analog signal to a digital signal. Here, the relationship between the CCD camera 11 and the illumination 12 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the CCD camera 11 and the illumination 12 are a PTP sheet 43, that is, a container before the sealing film 42 is attached. It arrange | positions so that the film 41 may be pinched | interposed. The container film 41 filled with the tablet 1 is illuminated with the light 13 of the illumination 12, and the CCD camera 11 performs one-dimensional imaging of the light transmitted through the container film 41 in the width direction of the container film 41.
[0042]
The image memory 16 sequentially stores the A / D converted one-dimensional image data and stores it as two-dimensional image data of the container film 41. Here, before storing the one-dimensional image data in the image memory 16, the shading correction unit 14 performs shading correction according to the data in the shading correction table 18. In addition, since it is technically limited to irradiate the entire width of the container film 41 with the light 13 of the illumination 12 in the shading correction, the brightness of the video data generated by the brightness of the light 13 due to the difference in position is determined. This is performed to correct the variation.
[0043]
The image memory 16 stores not only multi-value data output from the shading correction means 14 but also data processed by the CPU 20 or in the course of image processing, for example, binarized data.
[0044]
The CPU 20 executes various image processing programs and other programs while using the stored contents of the determination memory 22. The input / output interface 23 is for transmitting a control signal to the PTP packaging machine 30 or receiving various signals such as operation signals from the PTP packaging machine 30. Thereby, for example, the defective sheet discharge mechanism of the PTP packaging machine 30 can be controlled. Further, the display data is transmitted to the monitor 25, and the two-dimensional image data, the appearance inspection result, and the like can be displayed on the monitor 25.
[0045]
The appearance inspection result and statistical data memory 24 stores data such as coordinates regarding connected components, appearance inspection result data, statistical data obtained by probabilistically processing the appearance inspection result data, and the like. These appearance inspection result data and statistical data can be displayed on the monitor 25 under the control of the CPU 20. Further, the CPU 20 can also send a control signal to the PTP packaging machine 30 based on these appearance inspection result data and statistical data.
[0046]
The camera timing control means 26 controls the timing at which the one-dimensional image data captured by the CCD camera 11 is taken into the A / D converter 3. Such timing is performed based on a signal from an encoder (not shown) provided in the PTP packaging machine 30.
[0047]
By the way, conventionally, after the PTP packaging machine 30 is driven, the operation of the CCD camera 11 is started manually. That is, after the pocket portion 44 in which the tablet 1 is inserted passes through the imaging line by the CCD camera 11, the switch operation is performed and the imaging operation of the CCD camera 11 is started manually. However, since the PTP packaging machine 30 conveys the PTP sheet 43 at such a high speed as to process several thousand tablets per minute, when the operation start point of the CCD camera 11 is manually determined as described above, The tablet 1 must be discarded wastefully.
[0048]
Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the operation of the tablet insertion shutter 52 is started by the operation of the switch 61 by the operator, and the drive control device 62 is operated based on the operation of the switch 61. An ON signal is intermittently output to 52 and the tablet 1 is loaded from the shutter 52 according to the interval of the pocket portion 44. The drive control device 62 receives the signal from a timing encoder that outputs a signal when the tablet insertion shutter 52 performs the tablet insertion operation.
[0049]
Then, the drive control device 62 performs counting based on the signal of the timing encoder after the tablet loading shutter 52 starts to drive, and the timing when the tablet 1 first loaded by the tablet loading shutter 52 reaches the imaging line by the CCD camera 11. Then, a signal indicating that the CCD camera 11 captures an image is output.
[0050]
That is, when the switch 61 is operated, the drive control device 62 starts driving the tablet insertion shutter 52, so that the tablet 1 is inserted into the pocket portion 44 as shown in FIG. Thereafter, the drive control device 62 counts the number of tablet loading operations by the tablet loading shutter 52 based on the timing encoder. Here, since the positional relationship between the tablet insertion position by the tablet insertion shutter 52 and the imaging position by the CCD camera 11 is fixed, the number of pocket portions 44 between them is also known in advance, so the number of pocket portions 44 is determined in advance. If stored, the CCD camera 11 is in a standby state before the count value reaches the number of pockets 44 as shown in FIG. 7B, and the count value is set as shown in FIG. 7C. When the number of the pocket portions 44 is reached, the video of the CCD camera 11 is captured.
[0051]
As described above, when the tablet 1 reaches the imaging line of the CCD camera 11, the imaging is performed immediately, and it is possible to avoid the disadvantage that many tablets 1 are wasted and contribute to improving the productivity of the tablet 1. It will be. In addition, the burden on the operator is reduced. The calculation of the count value by the drive control device 62 and the operation control of the tablet insertion shutter 52 and the CCD camera 11 may be executed by the CPU 20 and the camera timing control means 26 in the image processing device 10. In addition, the image capturing of the CCD camera 11 is performed at the same time when the tablet 1 reaches the imaging position of the CCD camera 11. However, even if the capturing start time of the image is slightly changed, the burden on the operator is reduced compared to the conventional case. The waste of the tablet 1 is reduced.
[0052]
Next, in the procedure of the appearance inspection process of the container film 41, the foreign substance detection process, which is the main process in this embodiment, in particular, the tablet powder having no product problem is distinguished from other foreign substances and determined as a non-defective product. The processing that can be performed will be described below with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. The following process is executed by the CPU 20, and the process shown in FIG. 1 and the process shown in FIG. 2 are executed simultaneously.
[0053]
First, the process shown in FIG. 1 will be described. In step S1, binarization processing is executed. The processing function in step S1 is a function corresponding to the binarizing means by the CPU 20. That is, the video signal which is multi-value data stored in the image memory 16 is binarized by the first threshold value δ, and the binary image is obtained.
[0054]
Here, the relationship between the level of the video signal that has passed through the transparent container film 41 and the level of the video signal that has passed through the part of the tablet powder, elongated foreign matter, or other foreign matter will be described.
[0055]
As shown in FIG. 6A, a case is assumed in which an elongated foreign matter 102 such as tablet powder 101, hair, fiber waste, or other foreign matter 103 exists on the imaging line A of the CCD camera 11 on the surface of the container film 41. It is. FIG. 6B is a diagram showing the luminance gradation in the imaging line A. The level L1 is the brightest when the light 13 is not blocked at all, and the darkest when the light 13 is completely blocked. It becomes level L2. Looking at the video signal D imaged by the CCD camera 11, the video signal D 1 corresponds to the tablet powder 101, the video signal D 2 corresponds to the elongated foreign material 102, and the video signal D 3 is a video signal corresponding to the foreign material 103.
[0056]
The tablet powder 101 is substantially an aggregate of fine powder, and even though it looks like a large lump, it relatively transmits the light 13, so the video signal D1 is at a low (bright) level. Further, since the slender foreign matter 102 is thin, the video level D2 is similarly low (bright). On the other hand, in the case of the other foreign matter 103, since the light 13 is not transmitted at all or almost, the video level D3 is very high (dark).
[0057]
Based on the above, the first threshold δ is set to a relatively low level so that not only the foreign matter 103 with a high video level but also the tablet powder 101 and the elongated foreign matter 102 with a low video level can be detected. In other words, the first threshold value δ can detect all the deposits that cannot be ignored on the container film 41. When the video signal which is multi-valued data is binarized by the first threshold value δ set in this way, both the tablet powder 101 and the foreign matter 102, 103 have a value of 0, and other parts having no deposits are 1. Value.
[0058]
Next, in step S2, chunk processing is executed. As the lump processing, based on the binarized data obtained in step S1, processing for specifying each connected component of the tablet powder 101, the elongated foreign material 102, and the foreign material 103 for which the binarized data is 0, and the respective connections There is a labeling process for labeling components. Here, the area occupied by each connected component specified is represented by the number of dots corresponding to the pixel of the CCD camera 11.
[0059]
Next, in step S3, a process for determining whether or not the mask is within the mask range is executed. That is, the mask range is a range including the pocket portion 44 and the like, and if it is within the mask range, a separate determination process is performed. Therefore, the process within the mask range is not performed here. Therefore, if it is determined that the current position is within the mask range, non-long block determination is performed in step S4.
[0060]
On the other hand, if it is determined by the determination process in step S3 that it is outside the mask range, the process proceeds to step S5. In step S5, a perimeter calculation process is performed. That is, the perimeter of each connected component detected by the process based on the first threshold δ is calculated. This calculation process is performed by determining the perimeter of each connected component and the number of dots corresponding to the number of pixels of the CCD camera 11.
[0061]
Next, in step S6, for each connected component detected in step S5, it is determined whether or not the peripheral length (number of dots) of the connected component is greater than or equal to the long block determination value X dots. As a result of this determination, for a connected component having a perimeter that is less than the long block determination value X dot, non-long block determination is performed in step S4.
[0062]
Here, the tablet powder 101 is often a substantially circular lump, and the foreign matter 103 other than the elongated foreign matter 102 is often a constant lump that is almost circular or square. Accordingly, since the peripheral length of the connected component corresponding to the video signals D1 and D3 of the tablet powder 101 and the foreign matter 103 is less than the long block determination value X dot, the non-long block determination is performed in step S4. And what was determined as the non-long block is regarded as a non-defective product here. The reason why it is regarded as a non-defective product is that a defect may be separately determined in the process shown in FIG.
[0063]
On the other hand, for a connected component whose peripheral length exceeds the long block determination value X dot, the long block determination is performed in step S7. Therefore, here, the peripheral length of the connected component corresponding to the video signal D2 of the elongated foreign object 102 is very long because of the elongated length, and exceeds the long block determination value X dots, so that the long block determination is performed in step S7. Made. And what is determined to be a long block is determined to be defective, and the corresponding part is separately disposed of.
[0064]
The processing functions according to steps S1 to S7 described above are functions corresponding to the first distinguishing means by the CPU 20, and in particular, the processing functions according to step S1 are related to the first binarizing means by the CPU 20 and to step S5. The processing function is a function corresponding to the first computing means by the CPU 20, and the processing function according to steps S4, S6, and S7 is a function corresponding to the first determination means by the CPU 20, respectively.
[0065]
As described above, by performing the process shown in FIG. 1, the tablet powder 101 having no problem in terms of product can be distinguished from the elongated foreign matter 102, and the serious foreign matter 102 such as hair and fiber waste is dealt with. The long block can be determined, and the connected component for which the long block is determined can be determined as a foreign object. On the other hand, the tablet powder 101 having no product problem can be determined as a non-long block, and can be processed as a non-foreign substance.
[0066]
According to the process of FIG. 1, since the peripheral length of the tablet powder 101 having a relatively large area is inevitably long even if it is substantially circular, a long block is determined in steps S6 and S7. , A foreign object. Thereby, there is an advantage that the tablet powder 101 having a relatively large area and having a product problem can be removed at the same time.
[0067]
However, it is not possible to determine the foreign matter 103 that is essentially the most problematic as a foreign matter only by the processing of FIG. Therefore, the process shown in FIG. 2 is performed so that the tablet powder 101 and the foreign matter 103 can be distinguished.
[0068]
Hereinafter, the process shown in FIG. 2 will be described. In step S11, binarization processing is executed. The processing function in step S11 is a function corresponding to the binarization means by the CPU 20. That is, the video signal which is multi-value data stored in the image memory 16 is binarized by the second threshold value Z, and the binary image is obtained.
[0069]
Here, as shown in FIG. 6B, the second threshold value Z is detected only for the foreign matter 103 as another relatively large lump without detecting the tablet powder 101 and the elongated foreign matter 102 that are displayed relatively brightly. As described above, the level is set higher than the first threshold value δ. When the video signal which is multi-valued data is binarized by the second threshold value Z set in this way, the tablet powder 101, the elongated foreign matter 102, and other parts without adhering matter have a value of 1, and the foreign matter Only 103 has a value of 0.
[0070]
Next, in step S12, lump processing is executed. As the lump processing, based on the binarized data obtained in step S11, a process for specifying a connected component of the foreign substance 103 whose binarized data is 0, and a labeling process for performing a labeling process on the connected component There is. Here, the area occupied by the specified connected component is represented by the number of dots corresponding to the pixel of the CCD camera 11.
[0071]
Next, in step S13, a process for determining whether or not the connected component is only within the mask range is executed. That is, the mask range is a range including the pocket portion 44 and the like, and if it is within the mask range, a separate determination process is performed. Therefore, the process within the mask range is not performed here. Therefore, if it is determined that the area is only within the mask range, non-foreign matter determination is performed in step S14.
[0072]
On the other hand, if it is determined by the determination process in step S13 that it is outside the mask range, the process proceeds to step S15. In step S15, it is determined for each connected component whether or not the area value of the connected component obtained in step S13 is greater than or equal to the foreign substance determination value Y dot. As a result of this determination, for only a connected component having an area less than the foreign substance determination value Y dot, non-foreign substance determination is performed in step S14.
[0073]
Conversely, when there is a connected component whose area value exceeds the foreign matter determination value Y dot, foreign matter determination is performed in step S16. Accordingly, here, the area value of the connected component corresponding to the video signal D3 of the foreign object 103 is relatively large and exceeds the foreign object determination value Y dot, so the foreign object determination is made in step S16. The reason why the foreign object is determined to be a foreign object when the area value exceeds the foreign object determination value Y dot is to eliminate the influence of noise or the like.
[0074]
The processing functions according to steps S11 to S16 described above are functions corresponding to the second distinguishing means by the CPU 20. In particular, the processing functions according to step S11 are related to the second binarizing means by the CPU 20, and are related to step S12. The processing function corresponds to the second computing means by the CPU 20, and the processing functions related to steps S14, S15, and S16 correspond to the second determining means by the CPU 20, respectively.
[0075]
In this way, by performing the process shown in FIG. 2, the tablet powder 101 having no product problem can be distinguished from the foreign matter 103, and the foreign matter 103 as a large lump that is a serious defect can be processed as a foreign matter. The tablet powder 101 having no problem in terms of product can be processed as a foreign matter.
[0076]
In the process of FIG. 2, the tablet powder 101 in which a large amount of fine powder is accumulated exceeds the second threshold value Z, so that the one exceeding the predetermined area value Y is regarded as a foreign substance. Thereby, there is an advantage that it is possible to eliminate at the same time the adhering tablet powder 101 having a problem on the product in which a large amount of fine powder is accumulated.
[0077]
The second threshold value Z is also used for tablet inspection to determine whether or not the tablet 1 is present in each pocket portion 44. As a result, an increase in the number of threshold values and an increase in the amount of processing can be reduced as much as possible, and a decrease in productivity due to an increase in processing time can also be prevented.
[0078]
As is apparent from the above description, according to the appearance inspection apparatus for the container film 41 in this embodiment, the first threshold value δ is set lower than the image level of almost all the objects attached to the container film 41. It is possible to detect the elongated foreign matter 102 such as hair and fiber waste by distinguishing the tablet powder 101 and the like from the above inspection and comparison with the long block determination value X. This makes it possible to treat the adherence of the tablet powder 101, which has no problem on the product, as a non-defective product while reliably eliminating the elongated foreign matter 102 which is a serious defect.
[0079]
Moreover, since the peripheral length of the tablet powder 101 having a large spread is inevitably long, the adhesion of the tablet powder 101 having a relatively large area and a problem on the product can be determined as a foreign object at the same time as the elongated foreign substance 102. There are advantages.
[0080]
Further, the inspection is performed after setting the second threshold value Z to a high video level such that the tablet powder 101 having no problem on the product is not detected, so that the tablet powder 101 having no problem on the product is regarded as a foreign substance. It is possible to reliably determine a large lump of foreign matter 103 as a foreign matter while reliably preventing erroneous determination.
[0081]
Moreover, since the tablet powder 101 in which a large amount of fine powder is accumulated exceeds the level of the second threshold Z, the adhesion of the tablet powder 101 having a problem on the product in which a large amount of fine powder is accumulated is also determined as a foreign substance at the same time. There are advantages that can be made.
[0082]
Then, by cooperation of the processing using these thresholds δ and Z, the tablet powder 101 having no problem in terms of product is distinguished from both the elongated foreign matter 102 such as hair and fiber waste and the foreign matter 103 as a large lump. can do. As a result, productivity can be improved as compared with the case of a conventional inspection apparatus in which even a slight amount of tablet powder 101 is adhered as foreign matter.
[0083]
Furthermore, since the inspection of the tablet 1 can be performed at the same time by using the second threshold Z used for specifying the connected component of the foreign matter 103, the tablet inspection can be performed in addition to the foreign matter inspection while maintaining high-speed processing. Can also be done.
[0084]
Instead of the determination based on the perimeter described in steps S5 and S6, a major axis, a major axis / minor axis ratio, a round (area / perimeter), a circumscribed perimeter, and the like may be used. The foreign matter determination frequency due to the adhesion of the tablet powder 101 can be reduced while reliably determining the foreign matter.
[0085]
Although the container film 41 is irradiated with the light 13 and the foreign matter is inspected with the transmitted light, the PTP sheet 43 may be irradiated with the light 13 and the reflected light may be inspected.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing a long block detection process of an appearance inspection apparatus for a sheet (container film) according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing foreign object detection processing of a sheet (container film) appearance inspection apparatus.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a sheet (container film) appearance inspection apparatus.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a part of a PTP packaging machine and showing a part for imaging an appearance of a sheet (container film) being conveyed.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a sheet (container film) appearance inspection apparatus.
6A is a partial plan view of a sheet (container film), and FIG. 6B is a diagram illustrating a video signal in the imaging line A of FIG.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the synchronization between the tablet loading shutter and the CCD camera of the PTP packaging machine.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Tablet, 3 ... A / D converter, 10 ... Image processing apparatus, 11 ... CCD camera as an imaging device, 12 ... Illumination, 13 ... Light, 14 ... Shading correction means, 16 ... Image memory, 18 ... Shading correction Table, 20 ... CPU, 22 ... Determination memory, 23 ... Input / output interface, 24 ... Visual inspection result and statistical data memory, 25 ... Monitor, 26 ... Camera timing control means, 30 ... PTP packaging machine, 41 ... Container film, 43 ... PTP sheet, 44 ... pocket portion, 101 ... tablet powder, 102 ... elongated foreign matter, 103 ... foreign matter, D1, D2, D3 ... video signal, delta ... first threshold, Z ... second threshold.

Claims (5)

In the appearance inspection apparatus for a sheet for inspecting the presence or absence of foreign matter attached to the surface of the sheet after putting a tablet into each pocket portion formed on the sheet,
Wherein processing the video signal obtained from the transmission light or reflected light from the sheet, includes determining the image processing apparatus is not the foreign body tablets powder in the allowable range of Jo Tokoro,
The image processing apparatus includes :
Tablets powder in the allowable range of Jo Tokoro, a first distinction unit distinguishes the hair, the elongate foreign matter of the fiber waste and the like,
Tablets powder in the allowable range of Jo Tokoro, and a second distinct means to distinguish it as foreign to appear clearly than the difference in level of the video signal,
The second distinguishing means includes
It said video signal, and a binarizing means for binarizing with a predetermined threshold set as a level exceeding the tablet powder in the allowable range of Jo Tokoro,
A computing means for computing the area of the connected component on the side showing the deposit binarized by the predetermined threshold;
An apparatus for inspecting the appearance of a sheet, comprising: a determination unit that determines that the calculated area is a foreign object when the calculated area exceeds a predetermined value. The first distinguishing means includes
A separate binarization means for binarizing the video signal at a threshold different from the threshold set as a level that can be detected including tablet powder and elongated foreign matter within a predetermined tolerance range;
A calculation means separate from the calculation means for calculating the peripheral length of the connected component on the side showing the deposits binarized by the other threshold;
2. The determination unit according to claim 1, further comprising: a determination unit separate from the determination unit that determines that the perimeter is calculated as a foreign object when the perimeter calculated by the separate calculation unit exceeds a predetermined value. Sheet visual inspection device.   3. The calculation and determination according to claim 2, wherein the calculation and determination are performed using a major axis, a major axis / minor axis ratio, an area / perimeter length ratio, or a circumscribed circumference instead of the circumference. Sheet visual inspection device.   The sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the sheet is made of a transparent material, and the image processing apparatus processes a video signal obtained from light transmitted through the sheet. Sheet visual inspection device.   A PTP packaging machine comprising the sheet appearance inspection apparatus according to claim 1.

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