JP4369845B2 - Image processing system and filling container inspection apparatus provided with image processing system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an inspection device for a filled container filled with soft viscous filling, for example, for determining the quality of a thermocompression-bonding seal part of a resin flexible tube filled with a gel-like substance such as toothpaste, cosmetics, paint, food, etc. The present invention relates to an image processing system suitable for carrying out and a filling container inspection apparatus equipped with the image processing system.

  Various methods are known as inspection methods for poor welding of thermocompression-bonded seals in containers and packaging bags. As one of them, there is a heat seal portion inspection device that performs subtraction processing between a measurement thermal image obtained by imaging with an infrared imaging device and a basic thermal image, and outputs an abnormal alarm signal compared with a predetermined threshold value. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  Moreover, the quality of the seal of the said package and the content from the shadow of the content in the package obtained by irradiating the back surface of the package with the fluid content sealed and packaged with near infrared light having a wavelength of 800 to 1000 nm There is a method for inspecting a package, which is characterized by detecting excess or deficiency of goods (for example, see Patent Document 2).

  On the other hand, an electronic camera having an electronic shutter function is often used as an electronic camera applied to FA applications such as an appearance inspection apparatus. In particular, in a solid-state imaging device having a random trigger shutter function, a timing pulse generating unit for the purpose of accurately controlling the exposure start timing and the exposure time is used (for example, see Patent Document 3).

JP 2000-227407 A (page 3, FIG. 1) Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-246707 (second page, FIG. 1) JP-A-8-98093 (first page, FIG. 1)

  Since Patent Document 1 uses a method of observing a thermal image immediately after heat sealing, it has a feature that it is hardly affected by the material of the filling material and the surface state of the container. However, it is necessary to install the inspection apparatus at a position immediately after the heat sealing process, and there is a problem that the inspection cannot be performed when the temperature of the heat sealing portion is lowered and the heat sealing is completed.

  On the other hand, Patent Document 2 has a feature that it can be inspected after the temperature of the heat seal portion is lowered. However, since near-infrared light is used, there is a problem that a fluoroscopic image cannot be obtained in the case of a packaging material that is thick and strong.

  In addition, for example, in an electronic camera having a special function that is sensitive to far-infrared light, an electronic camera having an electronic shutter function becomes very expensive and difficult to use in a simple system. There is. Furthermore, the electronic shutter disclosed in Patent Document 3 can be handled by the manufacturer of the electronic camera, and cannot be handled by the usage technique on the user side.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems, and image processing capable of performing high-accuracy determination of a heat seal portion using a far-infrared optical electronic camera having no electronic shutter function. An object of the present invention is to provide a filling container inspection apparatus including the system and the image processing system.

  An image processing system according to the present invention is an image processing system for determining the presence or absence of adhesion abnormality of a filling container in which an opening end is adhesively sealed after injecting a filling from the opening end of the container, and is far from the adhesion end of the filling container. A far-infrared light heater that irradiates infrared light, and a filling container placed between the far-infrared light heater and the far-infrared light heater. The far-infrared optical electronic camera, and a storage unit for storing the reference fluoroscopic image in advance, and by comparing the filling fluoroscopic image captured from the far-infrared optical electronic camera with the reference fluoroscopic image stored in the storage unit The far-infrared photoelectronic camera is equipped with an image processing unit that determines the presence or absence of adhesion abnormalities at the bonding edge. The image processing unit periodically calculates the estimated exposure period by counting the elapsed time from the reception time of the vertical synchronization signal from the far-infrared photoelectronic camera, and estimates it. The charge readout period is specified based on the exposure period and the reception timing of the adhesion abnormality determination request from the outside, and the adhesion abnormality determination request is read by reading the photosensitive charge level signal received from the far-infrared photoelectronic camera during the specified charge readout period. The filling filling perspective image at the time is generated.

  In addition, an inspection apparatus for a filled container according to the present invention includes an image processing system, a transport mechanism unit that sequentially supplies the filled container to a portion to be inspected, a control of the transport mechanism unit, a far infrared light heater control, and an image processing unit. The far-infrared light heater and far-infrared light electronic camera are installed in the inspected part, and the image processing part receives an external adhesion abnormality determination request from the overall control part. The charge readout period is specified based on the estimated exposure period and the reception timing of the adhesion abnormality determination request, and the exposure completion signal is generated at the end time of the estimated exposure period immediately before the charge readout period. Is output to the overall control unit, and the overall control unit receives a stop confirmation signal indicating a state where the filling container is stopped at the part to be inspected from the transport mechanism unit, and the far infrared light heater. Heating system Heating control means for outputting a command, inspection determination control means for transferring the stop confirmation signal received by the stop confirmation means to the image processing section as an adhesion abnormality determination request, and receiving an exposure completion signal from the image processing section, and inspection Drive control means for generating a drive start command for sequentially supplying the filled containers to the inspected part by receiving the exposure completion signal received by the determination control means and outputting it to the transport mechanism part.

  According to the present invention, by using far-infrared light, it is possible to perform an adhesion inspection after the adhesion state is stabilized without depending on a thermal image of the adhesion end, and further, an electronic shutter is provided in the far-infrared optical electronic camera. Since no function is required, an inexpensive system configuration is possible, and an image processing system capable of performing high-accuracy determination of the heat seal portion and a filling container inspection apparatus including the image processing system can be obtained.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of an image processing system and a filling container inspection apparatus including the image processing system according to the invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 is a detailed view of a filling container that is an object to be inspected in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The filling container 10 is, for example, a resin tube filled with toothpaste, and has an end 11 having a screw 11 attached to one end and a thermocompression-bonded seal at the other end. 11b.

  In the process prior to the process of applying the thermocompression seal, the soft-viscous filling 12 is injected. However, if there is an adhesion failure in the bonded end portion 11b, the filling 12 enters the defective portion 13. Become. Therefore, the image area 14 indicated by the alternate long and short dash line is an imaging area including the adhesion end portion 11b to be taken in to check the presence or absence of adhesion failure.

  FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a filling container inspection apparatus including the image processing system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The filling container inspection apparatus includes a transport mechanism unit 20, an overall control unit 30, an image processing unit 40, a far infrared light heater 51, and a far infrared light electronic camera 61.

  Further, the transport mechanism unit 20 includes an intermittent transfer means 21, a jig rod 22 having a pair of side walls 22a and a bottom wall 22b, a rotary pulley 23, a drive motor 24, and a motor control unit 25, and is an object to be inspected. The filled container 10 is sequentially supplied to the part to be inspected in which the far infrared light heater 51 and the far infrared light electronic camera 61 are installed.

  The overall control unit 30 includes a stop confirmation unit 31, an inspection determination control unit 32, a heating control unit 33, and a drive control unit 34. The conveyance control of the conveyance mechanism unit 20 and the heating control of the far infrared light heater 51. And the control of the image processing unit 40. Next, control signals transmitted and received by the overall control unit 30 between the transport mechanism unit 20, the far infrared light heater 51, and the image processing unit 40 in order to perform such overall control will be described.

  First, control signals between the overall control unit 30 and the transport mechanism unit 20 will be described. There are two control signals, a drive start command ST and a stop confirmation signal SP. In the transport mechanism 20, the intermittent transfer means 21 is constituted by a timing belt. In addition, the jig end 22 is protruded to the outside of the intermittent transfer means 21 so that the image area 14 shown in FIG. Thus, the filling container 10 is stored.

  The intermittent transfer means 21 is intermittently driven by a drive motor 24 via a rotary pulley 23 so that the filled containers 10 are sequentially supplied to the part to be inspected. Here, the drive motor 24 is powered by a motor control unit 25 that is a servo amplifier. The motor control unit 25 rotationally drives the drive motor 24 based on the drive start command ST from the drive control means 34 in the overall control unit 30, and a predetermined amount necessary for sequentially feeding the filled containers 10 to the part to be inspected. The drive motor 24 is automatically stopped along with the movement, and a stop confirmation signal SP is returned to the stop confirmation means 31 of the overall control unit 30.

  Next, control signals for the overall control unit 30 and the far infrared light heater 51 will be described, including the operations of the image processing unit 40 and the far infrared light electronic camera 61. As this control signal, there is a heating control command TC. In the inspected part, the far-infrared light heater 51 and the far-infrared light electronic camera 61 are installed at positions facing each other with the filling container 10 in between. The far-infrared light heater 51 generates a far-infrared light 52a having a wavelength band of, for example, 8 to 12 μm with respect to the bonding end portion 11b of the filling container 10 according to a heating control command TC from the overall controller 30. Constant temperature heating is controlled.

  Further, the transmitted far-infrared light 52 b that has passed through the bonded end portion 11 b of the filling container 10 is imaged by the far-infrared photoelectronic camera 61. In this way, the far-infrared optical electronic camera 61 can capture the filling filling fluoroscopic image of the adhesive end portion 11b of the filling container 10, and this filling filling fluoroscopic image is used as a photosensitive charge level signal to the image processing unit 40. Output.

  The image processing unit 40 is configured by a personal computer, and captures a filling fluoroscopic image by receiving a photosensitive charge level signal as an NTSC signal that is a serial signal from the far-infrared photoelectronic camera 61. Further, the image processing unit 40 includes a storage unit (not shown) that stores in advance a reference fluoroscopic image relating to the normal sample product of the filling, and stores the filling fluoroscopic image from the far-infrared photoelectronic camera 61 and the storage. By comparing with the reference transmission image stored in the part, it is determined whether or not there is an abnormality in the adhesion end 11b.

  Here, the transmittance of far infrared light is high in the space portion and the resin material portion, and the filling portion having a large specific heat is low, and when the captured image is binarized at a predetermined threshold level, the filling matter is filled. Only 12 portions are extracted, and an image in which the resin material portion is seen through is obtained.

  For such a filling filling fluoroscopic image, image data of the standard sample product is stored in advance in the storage unit of the image processing unit 40, and the defective portion 13 is obtained by performing a comparison test with the filling filling fluoroscopic image of the actual product to be inspected. The presence or absence of an abnormal part such as is determined.

  Next, control signals for the overall control unit 30 and the image processing unit 40 will be described. There are three control signals: an adhesion abnormality determination request REC, an exposure completion signal END, and a defect detection signal NG. The inspection determination control unit 32 in the overall control unit 30 receives the stop confirmation signal SP received from the motor control unit 25 by the stop confirmation unit 31, so that the filled container 10 to be inspected from now on is conveyed to the part to be inspected and stopped. Judge that it is in a state. Then, the inspection determination control unit 32 generates an adhesion abnormality determination request REC for inspecting the presence or absence of adhesion abnormality of the adhesion end portion 11b, and transmits the adhesion abnormality determination request REC to the image processing unit 40.

  On the other hand, the image processing unit 40, based on the serial transmission data periodically received from the far infrared photoelectronic camera 61 according to the reception timing of the adhesion abnormality determination request REC, the far infrared photoelectronic camera 61. The exposure completion time END is estimated and an exposure completion signal END is generated and returned to the inspection determination control means 32.

  Furthermore, the image processing unit 40 reads the photosensitive charge level signal from the serial transmission data periodically received from the far-infrared photoelectronic camera 61 in accordance with the reception timing of the adhesion abnormality determination request REC, and at the time of the adhesion abnormality determination request. The filling filling fluoroscopic image is taken out and the comparison processing described above is performed to determine the bonding abnormality of the bonding end portion 11b. Further, when it is determined that the image processing unit 40 is defective, the image processing unit 40 transmits a defect detection signal NG to the inspection determination control unit 32.

  On the other hand, the overall control unit 30 performs the following control on the transport mechanism unit 20 based on the exposure completion signal END and the defect detection signal NG received by the inspection determination control unit 32 from the image processing unit 40. Do. When the drive control unit 34 in the overall control unit 30 receives the exposure completion signal END from the inspection determination control unit 32, the timing of the adhesion abnormality determination request REC previously output from the inspection determination control unit 32 to the image processing unit 40. Corresponding to the above, it is determined that the exposure of the far-infrared optical electronic camera 61 is completed, and the imaging of the adhesive end portion 11b of the filling container 10 in the stopped state at the inspected portion is completed.

  Further, the drive control means 34 determines that the imaging of the adhesion end portion 11b is completed, so that the filling container 10 of the part to be inspected can be moved and the next filling container 10 can be carried into the part to be inspected. A drive start command ST is generated and output to the motor control unit 25.

  Note that the overall control unit 30 controls the transport mechanism unit 20 based on the defect detection signal NG transmitted from the image processing unit 40 to the inspection determination control unit 32, thereby discharging the filled container 10 that has been determined to be abnormal in crimping. The processing can be executed, and details thereof will be described later with reference to FIG.

  As described above, the overall control unit 30 includes the stop confirmation unit 31 and the drive control unit 34 that control the transport mechanism unit 20, the inspection determination control unit 32 that controls the image processing unit 40, and the far infrared light heater 51. The overall control processing of the entire inspection apparatus is performed in cooperation with the heating control means 33 to be controlled.

  Next, details of the image processing unit 40 generating the exposure completion signal END and the defect detection signal NG based on the adhesion abnormality determination request REC will be described. In the present invention, the image processing unit 40 realizes a function of using a cheap far-infrared electronic camera 61 that does not have an electronic shutter function and taking out a filling filling fluoroscopic image when an adhesion abnormality determination request is made. This is a technical feature.

  The far-infrared photo-electronic camera 61 performs periodic exposure on a large number of planarly arranged CCD (Charge Coupled Device) pixels regardless of the operation state of the transport mechanism unit 20. The simultaneous sweeping operation of the charges charged in the CCD pixels by the exposure is performed.

  After the exposure is performed, the charge charge level of each pixel is sequentially read, and the read is completed before the next charge sweeping operation. That is, the far-infrared optical electronic camera 61 does not have an electronic shutter function, and repeats charge sweeping and exposure at a constant period, and converts a photosensitive charge level signal as serial transmission data together with a horizontal synchronization signal and a vertical synchronization signal. Output regularly.

  As described above, in order to effectively use the far-infrared photoelectronic camera 61 that is performing one-sided repetitive operation asynchronously with the movement of the transport mechanism unit 20, the filling container 10 is stopped at the part to be inspected. It is necessary to consider that only the photosensitive charge level signal obtained at this exposure timing is used by extracting the exposure timing at the time of exposure.

  The NTSC signal transmitted from the far-infrared photoelectronic camera 61 includes a horizontal synchronization signal and a vertical synchronization signal together with the photosensitive charge level signal, and these synchronization signals are used as signals for determining the above timing. . The period during which the filling container 10 must be stopped at the part to be inspected is a period during which the CCD pixels are exposed, and does not have to be stopped during the charge charge reading process. In practice, however, an appropriate stop time is required in view of the process of carrying the filling container 10 into the intermittent transfer means 21 or carrying it out of the intermittent transfer means 21.

  The far-infrared electronic camera having an electronic shutter function can read out the charge of the CCD pixel exposed immediately after the electronic shutter is operated by giving an electronic shutter drive command while the intermittent transfer means 21 is stopped. It is automatically performed and is designed so that the user does not need to be aware of the timing of details.

  Next, the charge reading process realized by the image processing unit 40 based on serial transmission data transmitted from the far-infrared photoelectronic camera 61 will be described using a time chart. FIG. 3 is a time chart showing image acquisition timing in the first embodiment of the present invention.

  3A to 3D show signals generated by the far-infrared photoelectronic camera 61. FIG. FIG. 3A shows the waveform of the horizontal synchronizing signal HD included in the NTSC signal which is serial transmission data. The horizontal synchronization signal HD is transmitted when the transmission of the charge charge level for the CCD pixels for one row in the horizontal direction is completed.

  FIG. 3B shows the waveform of the vertical synchronization signal VD included in the NTSC signal that is serial transmission data. The vertical synchronization signal VD is transmitted when transmission of the charge charge level for the CCD pixels for one screen is completed. However, in the interlace method in which one screen is separated into even-numbered CCD pixels and odd-numbered CCD pixels, even-numbered screens or odd-numbered screens are alternately transmitted in one vertical synchronization signal period. become.

  In the case of the NTSC system, the interval of the vertical synchronization signal VD is 1/60 seconds, whereas in the case of the PAL system, it is 1/50 seconds.

  FIG. 3C shows the waveform of the charge sweep signal RST generated inside the far infrared photoelectronic camera 61. With the generation of the charge sweep signal RST, the charge charges accumulated in the CCD pixels are discharged all at once.

  FIG. 3D shows the waveform of the exposure signal FLc generated inside the far-infrared photoelectronic camera 61. With the generation of the exposure signal FLc, charges corresponding to the amount of received light are accumulated in the CCD pixel.

  Signals generated in the image processing unit 40 based on these signals generated by the far-infrared photoelectronic camera 61 are shown in FIGS. 3E to 3H2. FIG. 3E shows a waveform of the estimated exposure period FL generated in the image processing unit 40 based on the NTSC signal transmitted from the far infrared photoelectronic camera 61.

  This estimated exposure period FL becomes the logic level “H” when the number of times of generation of the horizontal synchronization signal HD reaches the first count value CN1 with the vertical synchronization signal VD generated at time t1 as a base point, and the second count value It is generated by returning to the logic level “L” when CN2 is reached.

  The first count value CN1 and the second count value CN2 are values determined in advance according to the specifications of the far-infrared photoelectronic camera 61, and the image processing unit 40 calculates the estimated exposure period based on these count values and the NTSC signal. Can be calculated. Actually, it is conceivable that the determination is made with a margin with respect to the specification value. For example, the first count value CN1 is set to the generation point of the charge sweep signal RST in FIG. CN2 can be the time when the vertical synchronization signal VD is generated at time t2.

  FIG. 3 (F 1) shows the waveform of the charge readout start signal TR generated in the image processing unit 40 by the NTSC signal transmitted from the far infrared photoelectronic camera 61. This charge readout start signal TR is generated every time immediately after the generation of the vertical synchronization signal VD in the case of a normal video image screen.

  On the other hand, the image processing unit 40 according to the first embodiment generates the charge read start signal TR so that only a signal generated at time Ta described later is made valid. As a result, it is possible to extract the filling filling transmission image at a necessary timing and prevent the image from being renewed.

  FIG. 3 (G1) shows the waveform of the exposure completion signal END generated in the image processing unit 40. The exposure completion signal END becomes the logic level “L” when the adhesion abnormality determination request REC is received from the inspection determination control means 32 in the overall control unit 30 at time T1, and the estimated exposure period FL in FIG. At time T2 when the logic level becomes “L”, the logic level returns to “H”.

  Since the logical level of the exposure completion signal END is “L” due to the adhesion abnormality determination request REC generated based on the stop confirmation signal SP from the motor control unit 25, the intermittent transfer means 21 is stopped at this time. Therefore, the exposure period in this stop period is a stationary exposure period.

  Further, the time of the vertical synchronization signal VD that is first generated after the logic level of the exposure completion signal END becomes “H” corresponds to Ta, and the image processing unit 40 charges the charge readout start signal TR only at the timing of this Ta. Is generated. Further, the image processing unit 40 reads the photosensitive charge level signal included in the NTSC signal during a charge reading period determined as a certain period after the generated charge reading start signal TR, and fills at the time of the adhesion abnormality determination request REC. A filling perspective image is extracted.

  FIG. 3 (H1) is a time chart of the comparison test operation generated in the image processing unit 40 by the NTSC signal transmitted from the far infrared electronic camera 61. This comparison test operation is started at time T3 immediately after the vertical synchronization signal VD generated at time t3 after the charge read period after time Ta. Thereby, a comparative test can be performed immediately after extracting the filling filling fluoroscopic image.

  As described above, FIGS. 3 (F1) to 3 (H1) are time charts when the reception timing T1 of the adhesion abnormality determination request REC is a time before the estimated exposure period shown in FIG. 3 (E). Show. On the other hand, when the reception timing of the adhesion abnormality determination request REC is during the estimated exposure period (corresponding to time T4), the following different measures are required. The time chart in this case is shown in FIGS. 3 (F2) to (H2).

  FIG. 3 (G2) shows the waveform of the exposure completion signal END generated in the image processing unit 40. The exposure completion signal END becomes the logical level “L” when the adhesion abnormality determination request REC is received from the inspection determination control means 32 in the overall control unit 30 at time T4, and the second estimated exposure period in FIG. It returns to the logic level “H” at the time T5 when FL becomes the logic level “L”.

  Since the logical level of the exposure completion signal END is “L” due to the adhesion abnormality determination request REC generated based on the stop confirmation signal SP from the motor control unit 25, the intermittent transfer means 21 is stopped at this time. Therefore, the exposure period in this stop period is a stationary exposure period.

  However, since the time T4 at which the adhesion abnormality determination request REC is received is included in the estimated exposure period FL, the filling container 10 is still stopped at the inspected part at the start of the estimated exposure period FL. It is considered to be before. Therefore, as described above, the logic level of the exposure completion signal END is returned to “H” at the time T5 when the second estimated exposure period FL becomes the logic level “L”.

  FIG. 3 (F2) shows the waveform of the charge readout start signal TR generated in the image processing unit 40 by the NTSC signal transmitted from the far infrared photoelectronic camera 61. The time of the vertical synchronization signal VD generated first after the logic level of the exposure completion signal END becomes “H” corresponds to Tb, and the image processing unit 40 generates the charge readout start signal TR only at the timing of Tb. To do. Further, the image processing unit 40 reads the photosensitive charge level signal included in the NTSC signal during a charge reading period determined as a certain period after the generated charge reading start signal TR, and fills at the time of the adhesion abnormality determination request REC. A filling perspective image is extracted.

  FIG. 3 (H2) is a time chart of the comparison test operation generated in the image processing unit 40 by the NTSC signal transmitted from the far infrared electronic camera 61. This comparison test operation is started at time T6 immediately after the vertical synchronization signal VD generated at time t4 after passing the charge reading period after time Tb. Thereby, a comparative test can be performed immediately after extracting the filling filling fluoroscopic image.

  In short, an image when the total exposure estimation period from the start to the end of exposure is stopped during the intermittent transfer means 21 is effective, and an image signal read out immediately after such a static exposure period is used. Based on this, a comparison test operation is performed.

  When reading immediately after the still exposure period is completed, the charge charge is swept out as shown in FIG. 3C in the far-infrared electronic camera 61, and the exposure is repeated as shown in FIG. 3D. Is done. However, since the charge readout start signal TR is not generated after this re-exposure, the image data for comparison test is not renewed.

  Next, operation processing of the image processing unit 40 and the overall control unit 30 will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a series of operation processing performed by the image processing unit 40 and the overall control unit 30 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  Steps 410 to 418 shown on the left side of FIG. 4 show a flow of a series of operation processes performed by the image processing unit 40. Also, Steps 450 to 457 and Step 460 shown on the right side of FIG. 4 show a flow of a series of operation processes performed by the overall control unit 30.

  Step 410 is an operation start step of the image processing unit 40. In subsequent step 411, the image processing unit 40 determines whether or not the adhesion abnormality determination request REC has been received from the overall control unit 30, and is in a standby state until it is received, and upon reception, upon receipt, an exposure completion signal END (FIG. 3 (G1 ) Or FIG. 3 (G2)) is set to “L”, and the process proceeds to the next step 412a.

  In the subsequent step 412a, the image processing unit 40 starts exposure when the logical level of the estimated exposure period FL (see FIG. 3E) generated based on the NTSC signal from the far-infrared photoelectronic camera 61 becomes “H”. It is determined whether or not it has been performed, and it is in a standby state until the exposure is started, and when the exposure is started, the process proceeds to the next step 412b.

  In the subsequent step 412b, the image processing unit 40 determines whether the exposure is completed with the logical level of the estimated exposure period FL being “L”, and waits until the exposure is completed. Proceed to the next step 413.

  In subsequent step 413, the image processing unit 40 sets the logical level of the exposure completion signal END to “H” (corresponding to time T2 in FIG. 3 (G1) or time T5 in FIG. 3 (G2)). The exposure completion signal END is transmitted to the overall control unit 30, and the overall control unit 30 receives and processes the timing at which the logic level of the exposure completion signal END is switched from “L” to “H”. It becomes.

  Next, in step 414, the image processing unit 40 specifies the charge readout period, and reads out the photosensitive charge level signal received from the far-infrared photoelectronic camera 61 during the specified charge readout period. Specifically, in step 414a, a charge read start signal TR is generated (corresponding to time Ta in FIG. 3 (F1) or time Tb in FIG. 3 (F2)). The process waits until the generation of the charge read start signal TR is completed, and proceeds to the next step when the generation is completed.

  In the subsequent step 414b, the image processing unit 40 specifies a charge reading period as a predetermined period after the generation of the charge reading start signal TR, and performs a photosensitive charge level signal reading operation. In the subsequent step 414c, the image processing unit 40 determines whether or not the reading operation is completed. If the reading operation is not completed, the image processing unit 40 returns to step 414b to continue reading, and if the reading operation is completed, proceeds to step 415a. .

  Next, in Step 415, the image processing unit 40 generates a filling filling fluoroscopic image at the time of the adhesion abnormality determination request REC, and inspects whether there is an adhesion abnormality. Specifically, in step 415a, the filling charge perspective image of the filling 12 is generated by binarizing the photosensitive charge level signal read in step 414b with reference to a predetermined threshold.

  In the subsequent step 415b, the image processing unit 40 performs a comparison test between the reference fluoroscopic image of the filling 12 relating to the standard sample product stored in advance in the storage unit and the filling fluoroscopic image generated in the previous step 415a (FIG. 3 (H1) after time T3, or equivalent to processing after time T6 in FIG. 3 (H2)).

  In subsequent step 416, the image processing unit 40 determines the presence or absence of a comparative abnormality as a comparison test result in the previous step 415b. Further, in step 417, the image processing unit 40 generates a defect detection signal NG when the determination result in the previous step 416 is “abnormal adhesion”. The defect detection signal NG is received by the overall control unit 30 in step 460 described later, and a defective product discharge process is performed.

  In step 418, a series of processes by the image processing unit 40 is completed. Note that the image processing unit 40 proceeds to step 410 again after executing another control operation after step 418 is completed.

  Next, corresponding to the control operation of the image processing unit 40, the control operation of the overall control unit 30 will be described. In step 450, the inspection determination control unit 32 in the overall control unit 30 generates the adhesion abnormality determination request REC by receiving the stop confirmation signal SP received by the stop confirmation unit 31 from the motor control unit 25, and the image processing unit 40. Send to.

  In the subsequent step 451, the overall control unit 30 carries in the loading operation of the filling container 10 to the upstream position of the intermittent transfer means 21 by the operation of the station control means 36 (not shown in FIG. 2) or after the inspection at the downstream position. The discharging / unloading operation of the filling container 10 is started.

  In subsequent steps 453a to 453c, the station control means 36 performs a defective product discharge process. Here, when receiving the defect detection signal NG generated in step 417 from the image processing unit 40 in step 460, the station control unit 36 stores it as an exclusion command.

  Therefore, in step 453a, the station control unit 36 determines whether or not the exclusion command is generated and stored. If there is a storage, the station control unit 36 proceeds to step 453b.

  In step 453b, the station control means 36 determines whether or not the filling container 10 determined to be defective has reached the position of a defective product discharge station (not shown). If the determination in step 453b is the arrival of the exclusion position, the process proceeds to step 453c, and if not, the process proceeds to step 454.

  In step 453c, the station control unit 36 operates an actuator (not shown) to discharge the filled container 10 determined to be defective from the jig rod 22. The carry-in operation and the discharge / carry-out operation will be described later in the second embodiment with reference to FIG. The station control unit 36 controls the transport operation, the discharge operation, and the carry-out operation of the transport mechanism unit 20, and generates a station processing completion signal when all of these operations are completed.

  Next, in step 454, the inspection determination control means 32, when the determination of step 453a or step 453b is NO, or after the processing of step 453c is completed, the exposure completion transmitted by the image processing unit 40 in step 413. Wait for reception of signal END.

  In the subsequent step 455, the drive control unit 34 waits for reception of both the station processing completion signal from the station control unit 36 and the exposure completion signal END from the inspection determination control unit 32.

  In the subsequent step 456, the drive control means 34 generates a drive start command ST for the motor control unit 25 by receiving both the station processing completion signal and the exposure completion signal. In the subsequent step 457, the stop confirmation unit 31 waits for reception of a stop confirmation signal SP transmitted from the motor control unit 25 after completion of a predetermined amount of movement as a response to the drive start command ST previously transmitted from the drive control unit 34. It will be.

  According to the first embodiment, the estimated exposure period is calculated based on the NTSC signal from the far-infrared photoelectronic camera, and an appropriate charge readout period is specified according to the reception timing of the adhesion abnormality determination request from the overall control unit. Therefore, it is possible to construct an image processing system that does not require the electronic shutter function of the far infrared light electronic camera.

  Furthermore, by using a far-infrared photoelectronic camera, it is possible to perform an adhesion inspection after the adhesion state is stabilized without depending on the thermal image of the adhesion end portion. By using far-infrared light, transparent images with different shades can be obtained between the space and the resin container part and the filling part, and even with a resin container that is thick and opaque at room temperature, the shade degree can be adjusted. By performing binarization at a predetermined threshold level, it is possible to obtain a filling fluoroscopic image suitable for adhesion abnormality inspection.

  Furthermore, the operation of the overall control unit that performs overall control of the transport mechanism unit and the image processing system makes it possible to minimize the stop time of the filling container in the part to be inspected. It becomes possible to carry out continuously.

  Further, by the function of the station control means, the defect detection signal received from the image processing unit is stored as an exclusion command, and a discharge command is issued to the transport mechanism unit at the timing when the defective container has reached the defective product discharge station. It is possible to output, and it becomes possible to sort the filled containers according to the inspection result.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
The second embodiment describes a more specific form of the inspection apparatus described in the first embodiment, and includes a station for carrying in, carrying out, and discharging the filled container 10, and a far infrared electronic camera. Two units are used. Furthermore, the second embodiment also has functions of labeling and appearance inspection, which will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a filling container inspection apparatus including the image processing system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 1 and 2 in the first embodiment indicate the same configuration, and detailed description thereof will be omitted, and the newly added components will be mainly described. However, in the configuration of FIG. 5, the far-infrared optical electronic camera or the like is composed of two units, and these two units are described separately by subscripts a and b.

  The intermittent transfer means 21 in FIG. 5 includes 24 jig rods 22 on the timing belt, and sequentially moves counterclockwise by the drive motor 24. For convenience of explanation, in FIG. 5, the stop position of the jig rod 22 on the upper surface of the intermittent transfer means 21 is first position to eleventh position in order from the right side, and is represented by a circle numeral.

  The drive motor 24 is powered by a motor control unit 25 that is a servo amplifier. In addition, the motor control unit 25 starts rotation driving by a drive start command ST which is a control command from the overall control unit 30 and automatically stops with a predetermined amount of movement, and controls the stop confirmation signal SP overall. It is generated for the part 30.

  The far-infrared light heaters 51a and 51b are installed at the second position and the third position. The image data from the far-infrared light electronic cameras 61a and 61b installed at positions facing the far-infrared light heaters 51a and 51b are respectively sent to the adhesion inspection units 41a and 41b provided in the image processing unit 40, respectively. It is designed to be entered.

  In addition to the adhesion inspection units 41a and 41b, the image processing unit 40 includes appearance inspection units 42a and 42b having a visible light image processing function as appearance inspection means. The visible light electronic cameras 63a and 64a installed at the sixth position of the intermittent transfer means 21 transmit appearance image data of each part of the filling container 10 to the appearance inspection unit 42a. Similarly, the visible light electronic cameras 63b and 64b installed at the ninth position of the intermittent transfer means 21 transmit appearance image data of each part of the filling container 10 to the appearance inspection unit 42b.

  The overall control unit 30 constituted by a programmable controller exchanges a drive start command ST and a stop confirmation signal SP with the motor control unit 25, and also performs a heating control command (not shown) for the far infrared light heaters 51a and 51b. )).

  The image processing unit 40 configured by a plurality of personal computers receives NTSC signals that are serial signals from the far-infrared electronic cameras 61a and 61b and the visible-light electronic cameras 63a, 63b, 64a, and 64b. Furthermore, after receiving the adhesion abnormality determination request REC from the overall control unit 30, the image processing unit 40 uses ENDa and ENDb as exposure completion signals or NG1a, NG1b, NG2a, and NG2b as control signals as overall control units. To 30.

  Here, ENDa represents an exposure completion signal generated by the adhesion inspection unit 41a, and ENDb represents an exposure completion signal generated by the adhesion inspection unit 41b. NG1a is a defect detection signal generated by the adhesion inspection unit 41a, NG1b is a defect detection signal generated by the adhesion inspection unit 41b, NG2a is a defect detection signal generated by the appearance inspection unit 42a, and NG2b is Each of the defect detection signals generated by the appearance inspection unit 42b is shown.

  The carry-in station 26 is provided at a first position that is the most upstream position of the intermittent transfer means 21, and the filling container 10 is mounted in the jig rod 22 by an actuator (not shown). Further, the label sticking means 62a and 62b are actuators for peeling and adsorbing a print label stuck on a scroll sheet (not shown) and pressing and sticking to the outer surface of the filling container 10. It is installed at 5 positions. In addition, the 4th and 5th positions where label sticking is performed are upstream positions from the 6th and 9th positions where appearance inspection is performed.

  The discharge station 27 is provided at a tenth position, which is a downstream position of the intermittent transfer means 21, and discharges the filled container 10 determined to be defective from the jig rod 22 by an actuator (not shown). Is a downstream position from the sixth and ninth positions where the appearance inspection is performed.

  The carry-out station 28 is provided at the eleventh position, which is the most downstream position of the intermittent transfer means 21, and the filled container 10 determined to be non-defective is carried out from the jig rod 22 by an actuator (not shown) and sent to the packing / shipping process. It is supposed to be.

  In the inspection apparatus having the configuration shown in FIG. 5, the intermittent transfer means 21 moves and stops the jig rod 22 in units of two, and moves the jig rod 22 in units of two in the arrangement shown in the figure. Then, the filling container 10 subjected to the adhesion inspection at the second position is affixed with the label affixing means 62a installed at the fourth position, and the visual inspection with the visible light electronic cameras 63a and 64a installed at the sixth position. Will be done.

  Similarly, the filling container 10 subjected to the adhesion inspection at the third position is attached with a label by the label attaching means 62b installed at the fifth position, and the external appearance by the visible light electronic cameras 63b and 64b installed at the ninth position. An inspection will be performed.

  If an empty space is created between the installation position of the far-infrared optical camera 61a and the label attaching means 62a and only one jig rod 22 is shifted from the illustrated position, the adhesion inspection is performed at the first position. In the filled container 10 in which the labeling is performed, the label is pasted by the label pasting means 62b installed at the fifth position, and the appearance inspection is performed by the visible light electronic cameras 63b and 64b installed at the ninth position.

  Similarly, the filling container 10 subjected to the adhesion inspection at the third position is pasted with the label by the label pasting means 62a installed at the fourth position, and the external appearance by the visible light electronic cameras 63a and 64a installed at the sixth position. An inspection will be performed.

  Next, operations of the far-infrared photoelectronic cameras 61a and 61b and the adhesion inspection units 41a and 41b will be described using a time chart. FIG. 6 is a time chart showing the image acquisition timing in the second embodiment of the present invention. Various signal processing in the adhesion inspection units 41a and 41b is the same as the processing performed by the image processing unit 40 in the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 6A1 shows the waveform of the estimated exposure period FLa related to the far-infrared photoelectronic camera 61a, which is generated by the adhesion inspection unit 41a. This waveform corresponds to the waveform of the estimated exposure period FL in FIG. FIG. 6B1 shows the waveform of the charge readout start signal TRa related to the far-infrared photoelectronic camera 61a, which is generated by the adhesion inspection unit 41a. This waveform corresponds to the waveform of the charge read start signal TR in FIG.

  On the other hand, FIG. 6A2 shows a waveform of the estimated exposure period FLb related to the far-infrared photoelectronic camera 61b, which is generated by the adhesion inspection unit 41b. This waveform corresponds to the waveform of the estimated exposure period FL in FIG. FIG. 6B2 shows the waveform of the charge readout start signal TRb related to the far-infrared photoelectronic camera 61b, which is generated by the adhesion inspection unit 41b. This waveform corresponds to the waveform of the charge read start signal TR in FIG.

  FIG. 6C1 shows the waveform of the exposure completion signal ENDa related to the far-infrared photoelectronic camera 61a, which is generated by the adhesion inspection unit 41a. The exposure completion signal ENDa becomes the logic level “L” when the adhesion abnormality determination request REC is received from the overall control unit 30 at time T1, and the estimated exposure period FLa in FIG. 6 (A1) becomes the logic level “L”. At time T2, the logic level returns to "H".

  On the other hand, FIG. 6C2 shows the waveform of the exposure completion signal ENDb related to the far-infrared optical camera 61b, which is generated by the adhesion inspection unit 41b. The exposure completion signal ENDb becomes a logical level “L” when the adhesion abnormality determination request REC is received from the overall control unit 30 at time T1, and the estimated exposure period FLb in FIG. 6 (A2) becomes the logical level “L”. At time T3, the logic level returns to "H".

  FIG. 6 (D1) is a time chart of the comparison test operation for the far-infrared photoelectronic camera 61a, and the comparison test operation starts at time T4 immediately after the first vertical synchronization signal VD after the charge readout period has passed. ing.

  On the other hand, FIG. 6D2 is a time chart of the comparative verification operation for the far-infrared photoelectronic camera 61b, and the comparative verification operation is performed at time T5 immediately after the first vertical synchronization signal VD after the charge readout period. It is supposed to start.

  The overall control unit 30 transmits an adhesion abnormality determination request REC as the same control signal to the image processing unit 40. As a response, the overall control unit 30 receives the exposure completion signal ENDa and the exposure completion signal ENDb from the image processing unit 40 at individual timings. Will receive. Then, the image processing unit 40 generates a drive start command ST for the motor control unit 25 based on the exposure completion signal ENDa corresponding to the one received late between the exposure completion signal ENDa and the exposure completion signal ENDb. It has become.

  By performing such processing, the image processing unit 40 issues a drive start command ST to the motor control unit 25 immediately after the exposure of the two far infrared electronic cameras 61a and 61b is completed. It is possible to control a plurality of far infrared electronic cameras.

  Next, operation processing of the image processing unit 40 and the overall control unit 30 will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a series of operation processes performed by the image processing unit 40 and the overall control unit 30 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  Steps 710 to 718 shown on the left side of FIG. 7 show a flow of a series of operation processes performed by the adhesion inspection unit 41 a in the image processing unit 40. Further, the process 720 collectively shown in the lower right of FIG. 7 collectively shows a flow of a series of operation processes performed by the adhesion inspection unit 41b in the image processing unit 40, and is performed by the adhesion inspection unit 41a. This is the same as a series of operation processing.

  Further, Steps 450 to 457 and Steps 760a and 760b shown on the right side of FIG. 7 show a flow of a series of operation processes performed by the overall control unit 30.

  Step 710 is an operation start step of the adhesion inspection unit 41 a in the image processing unit 40. In subsequent step 711, the adhesion inspection unit 41a determines whether or not the adhesion abnormality determination request REC has been received from the overall control unit 30, and is in a standby state until it is received. Upon reception, the exposure completion signal ENDa (FIG. 6 (C1 )) Is set to "L", and the process proceeds to the next step 712a.

  In the subsequent step 712a, the adhesion inspection unit 41a starts exposure when the logical level of the estimated exposure period FLa (see FIG. 6A1) generated based on the NTSC signal from the far-infrared optical camera 61a becomes “H”. It is determined whether the exposure has been performed, and the process waits until the exposure is started. When the exposure is started, the process proceeds to the next step 712b.

  In the subsequent step 712b, the adhesion inspection unit 41a determines whether the exposure is completed with the logical level of the estimated exposure period FLa being “L”, and waits until the exposure is completed. Proceed to the next step 413.

  In subsequent step 713, the adhesion inspection unit 41a sets the logic level of the exposure completion signal ENDa to “H” (corresponding to time T2 in FIG. 6C1). The exposure completion signal ENDa is transmitted to the overall control unit 30, and the overall control unit 30 receives and processes the timing at which the logic level of the exposure completion signal ENDa switches from “L” to “H” in step 754a described later. It becomes.

  Next, in Step 714, the adhesion inspection unit 41a specifies the charge readout period, and reads out the photosensitive charge level signal received from the far-infrared optoelectronic camera 61a during the specified charge readout period. Specifically, in step 414a, a charge read start signal TRa is generated (corresponding to time Ta in FIG. 6B1). The process waits until generation of the charge read start signal TRa is completed, and proceeds to the next step when the generation is completed.

  In subsequent step 714b, the adhesion inspection unit 41a specifies the charge reading period as a predetermined period after the generation of the charge reading start signal TRa, and performs the reading operation of the photosensitive charge level signal. In subsequent step 714c, the adhesion inspection unit 41a determines whether or not the reading operation is completed. If the reading operation is not completed, the process returns to step 714b to continue reading, and if the reading operation is completed, the process proceeds to step 715a. .

  Next, in Step 715, the adhesion inspection unit 41a generates a filling filling fluoroscopic image at the time of the adhesion abnormality determination request REC and inspects whether there is an adhesion abnormality. Specifically, in step 415a, the filling charge perspective image of the filling 12 is generated by binarizing the photosensitive charge level signal read in step 714b with reference to a predetermined threshold.

  In the subsequent step 715b, the adhesion inspection unit 41a performs a comparison test between the reference fluoroscopic image of the filling 12 relating to the standard sample product stored in the storage unit in advance and the filling fluoroscopic image generated in the previous step 715a (FIG. 6 (corresponding to processing after time T4 of (D1)).

  In the subsequent step 716, the adhesion inspection unit 41a determines whether or not there is a comparative abnormality as a comparison test result in the previous step 715b. Further, in Step 717, the adhesion inspection unit 41a generates a defect detection signal NGa when the determination result in the previous Step 716 is “There is an adhesion abnormality”. The defect detection signal NGa is received by the overall control unit 30 in step 760a to be described later, and is used as a judgment material for defective product discharge processing.

  In step 718, a series of processes by the adhesion inspection unit 41a is completed. When the process 718 is completed, the adhesion inspection unit 41a moves to the process 710 again after executing another control operation.

  The process block 720 collectively shows the control operation of the adhesion inspection unit 41b as one block, and the content of the process block is the same as the control operation up to steps 710 to 718 regarding the adhesion inspection unit 41a. It is.

  In the above description, one adhesion inspection unit 41a, 41b is used for each of the far-infrared optical cameras 61a, 61b. However, one unit is used according to the required processing speed. It is also possible to process.

  Next, the control operation of the overall control unit 30 will be described corresponding to the control operation of the adhesion inspection units 41a and 41b. In step 750, the inspection determination control unit 32 in the overall control unit 30 generates the adhesion abnormality determination request REC by receiving the stop confirmation signal SP received from the motor control unit 25 by the stop confirmation unit 31, and the image processing unit 40. Send to.

  In subsequent step 751, the overall control unit 30 carries the operation of carrying the filling container 10 into the first position, which is the upstream position of the intermittent transfer means 21, by the action of the station control means 36 (not shown in FIG. 5), downstream. The discharging operation at the 10th position, or the carrying out operation at the 11th position, is started.

  In the subsequent step 752, the sticking control means (not shown in FIG. 5) in the overall control unit 30 starts the sticking operation by the label sticking means 62a and 62b. In subsequent steps 753a to 753c, the station control means 36 performs a defective product discharge process. Here, when receiving the defect detection signal NGa generated in Step 717 from the adhesion inspection unit 41a in Step 760a, the station control means 36 stores it as an exclusion command.

  Therefore, in step 753a, the station control means 36 determines whether or not the exclusion command is generated and stored, and if there is a storage, the process proceeds to step 753b, and if there is no storage, the process proceeds to step 754a.

  In addition, in the appearance inspection described later with reference to FIG. 8, when an appearance defect is detected, defect detection signals NG2a and NG2b are read and stored as exclusion commands in steps 860a and 860b. In the case where there is also an appearance inspection as described above, in step 753a of FIG. 7, the station control means 36 determines the presence / absence of an exclusion command based on each of the defect detection signals NG1a, NG1b, NG2a, NG2b, and at least one defect is detected. If a detection signal has been generated, a determination of YES is made and the process proceeds to step 753b.

  In step 753b, the station control means 36 determines whether or not the filling container 10 determined to be defective has reached the position of the defective product discharge station corresponding to the tenth position in FIG. If the determination in step 753b is the arrival of the exclusion position, the process proceeds to step 753c, and if not, the process proceeds to step 754a.

  In step 753c, the station control unit 36 operates an actuator (not shown) to discharge the filled container 10 determined to be defective from the jig rod 22. Further, the station control unit 36 performs overall control of the conveying operation of the filling container 10 at the first position, the discharging operation of the filling container 10 at the tenth position, and the unloading operation of the filling container 10 at the eleventh position. Is completed, a station processing completion signal is generated.

  Next, in step 754a, the inspection determination control unit 32 completes the exposure transmitted by the adhesion inspection unit 41a in step 713 when the determination in step 753a or step 753b is NO or after the processing in step 753c is finished. Wait for reception of the signal ENDa. In the subsequent step 754b, the inspection determination control means 32 waits for reception of the exposure completion signal ENDb transmitted by the adhesion inspection unit 41b in the block of step 720.

  In the subsequent step 755a, the drive control means 34 waits for the label sticking operation completion signal started in step 752 to be transmitted from the sticking control means 35. In the subsequent step 755b, the drive control means 34 receives a station processing completion signal notifying that the loading / unloading operation of the filling container 10 started in step 751 and the defective product discharging operation started in step 753c are completed. Wait for transmission from means 36.

  In the subsequent step 756, the drive control means 34 generates a drive start command ST for the motor control unit 25 by receiving all of the label sticking completion signal, the station processing completion signal, and the exposure completion signal. In the subsequent step 757, the stop confirmation unit 31 waits for reception of a stop confirmation signal SP transmitted from the motor control unit 25 after completion of a predetermined amount of movement as a response to the drive start command ST previously transmitted from the drive control unit 34. It will be.

  Next, an appearance inspection operation process will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a series of operation processes for appearance inspection according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Step 810 is an operation start step of the appearance inspection unit 42a. In subsequent step 811, the appearance inspection unit 42 a determines whether or not the adhesion abnormality determination request REC is received from the overall control unit 30, and enters a standby state until it is received.

  In subsequent step 812a, the appearance inspection unit 42a generates an electronic shutter operation command SH1a for the first visible light electronic camera 63a. In the subsequent step 813a, the appearance inspection unit 42a waits for the operation time of the electronic shutter. In the subsequent step 814a, the appearance inspection unit 42a performs a reading operation of the charges charged in the CCD pixels.

  In subsequent step 815a, the appearance inspection unit 42a determines whether or not the reading of the electric charge is completed. If the reading is not completed, the process returns to step 814a to continue the reading. If the reading is completed, the visual inspection unit 42a proceeds to step 812b. To do.

  Next, in step 812b, an electronic shutter operation command SH2a is generated for the second visible light electronic camera 64a. In the subsequent step 813b, the appearance inspection unit 42a waits for the operation time of the electronic shutter. In the subsequent step 814b, the appearance inspection unit 42a performs a reading operation of the charges charged in the CCD pixels.

  In subsequent step 815b, the appearance inspection unit 42a determines whether or not the reading of the electric charge is completed. If the reading is incomplete, the visual inspection unit 42a returns to step 814b and continues the reading. To do.

  Next, in step 816a, the appearance inspection unit 42a generates an appearance image of a partial region of the filling container 10 by binarizing the image data read in step 814a with reference to a predetermined threshold value. To do. In the subsequent step 817a, the appearance inspection unit 42a performs a comparison test between the reference appearance image of a partial area of the filling container 10 and the appearance image generated in the previous step 816a regarding the standard sample product stored in advance in the storage unit. .

  Similarly, in step 816b, the appearance inspection unit 42a binarizes the image data read out in step 814b with reference to a predetermined threshold value, so that an appearance image of another partial region of the filling container 10 is obtained. Is generated. In the subsequent step 817b, the appearance inspection unit 42a performs a comparison test between the reference appearance image of the other partial region of the filling container 10 and the appearance image generated in the previous step 816b regarding the standard sample product stored in the storage unit in advance. Do.

  Next, in step 818, the appearance inspection unit 42a determines the presence / absence of an appearance abnormality as a comparison test result in steps 817a and 817b. In step 819, the appearance inspection unit 42a generates the defect detection signal NG2a when the determination in step 818 is “abnormal appearance”. In step 820, the appearance inspection unit 42a finishes a series of appearance inspection operation processes.

  The process block 830 relates to the control operation of the appearance inspection unit 42b, and the content of the process block is the same as the control operation from the process 810 to the process 820 regarding the appearance inspection unit 42a.

  Therefore, in step 832a, the appearance inspection unit 42b generates an electronic shutter operation command SH1b for the visible light electronic camera 63b, and in step 832b, the appearance inspection unit 42b generates an electronic shutter operation command SH2b for the visible light electronic camera 64b. In step 839, a defect detection signal NG2b is generated.

  When defect detection signals NG2a and NG2b are generated in steps 819 and 839, they are transmitted to the overall control unit 30, and the generation of the defect detection signals NG2a and NG2b is stored as an exclusion command in steps 860a and 860b. . As a result, the defective product is discharged in step 753c through steps 753a and 753b in FIG.

  In the above description, two visible light electronic cameras for visual inspection are used in one place to share the inspection target area. However, in practice, for example, six visible light electronic cameras are used in one place, and the inspection target area is shared, and a personal computer serving as a visible light image processing unit corresponds to three visible light electronic cameras per unit. It is also possible to perform image processing.

  According to the second embodiment, the same effect as in the first embodiment can be obtained by using a plurality of far-infrared photoelectronic cameras. By using a plurality of far-infrared photoelectronic cameras, the process capability of adhesion inspection can be obtained. Can be enhanced.

  Furthermore, the presence or absence of appearance abnormality can be determined by comparing the appearance image of each part obtained by the visible light electronic camera group with the reference appearance image, and the adhesion inspection means is installed in the final process, and the appearance inspection means is also provided. By doing so, the intermittent transfer means can be shared.

  In addition, for visual inspections with a large area to be inspected, multiple visible light electronic cameras are used, and adhesive inspections and visual inspections are installed at multiple positions, respectively, to build a system that meets the required process capability. it can.

  Furthermore, even if a label attaching function is added, if there is a label sticking failure, it can be detected by a visual inspection in a later process, and the label sticking mechanism can be applied to the filling container in a stopped state. Can be simplified.

  Furthermore, even when the stationary exposure period is ended, the intermittent transfer means can be kept stopped until the loading / unloading of the filling container 10 at each station is ended by the action of the station control means. Therefore, the loading / unloading / unloading of the filling container can be performed with the intermittent transfer means stopped, and the loading / unloading / unloading mechanism can be simplified.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
In the third embodiment, a case where the determination of the estimated exposure period in the image processing unit 40 is simplified will be described. FIG. 9 is a time chart showing image acquisition timing in the third embodiment of the present invention. The configuration in the third embodiment is the same as the configuration in FIG. 2 in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 9A shows the waveform of the horizontal synchronizing signal HD included in the NTSC signal, which is the same as FIG. FIG. 9B shows the waveform of the vertical synchronization signal VD included in the NTSC signal, which is the same as FIG. 3B.

  FIG. 9C shows the waveform of the charge sweep signal RST generated in the far-infrared photoelectronic camera 61, which is the same as FIG. 3C. FIG. 9D shows the waveform of the exposure signal FLc generated inside the far-infrared photoelectronic camera 61, which is the same as FIG. 3D. With the generation of the exposure signal FLc, charges corresponding to the amount of received light are accumulated in the CCD pixel.

  FIG. 9E shows a waveform of the estimated exposure period FL generated in the image processing unit 40 by the NTSC signal transmitted from the far infrared photoelectronic camera 61. This estimated exposure period FL is at the logic level “H” in the period from the end of the previous vertical synchronization signal VD to the next generation of the vertical synchronization signal VD.

  FIG. 9F shows the waveform of the charge readout start signal TR generated in the image processing unit 40 by the NTSC signal transmitted from the far infrared photoelectronic camera 61. This charge readout start signal TR is generated every time immediately after the generation of the vertical synchronization signal VD in the case of a normal video image screen.

  On the other hand, as described in the first embodiment, only the charge read start signal TR generated at time T3 in FIG. 9 is valid in the image processing unit 40 of the first embodiment.

  FIG. 9G shows the waveform of the exposure completion signal END generated in the image processing unit 40. The exposure completion signal END becomes a logical level “L” when the adhesion abnormality determination request REC is received from the inspection determination control means 32 in the overall control unit 30 at time T1, and the estimated exposure period FL in FIG. At time T2 when the logic level changes from “H” to “L”, the logic level returns to “H”.

  When the logical level of the exposure completion signal END is “L”, the intermittent transfer means 21 is stopped, so that the exposure period in this stop period is a still exposure period.

  FIG. 9H is a time chart of a comparison test operation generated in the image processing unit 40 by the NTSC signal transmitted from the far-infrared photoelectronic camera 61. The comparison test operation starts at time T4 immediately after the vertical synchronization signal VD generated at time t4.

  In the signal processing as shown in FIG. 9, the image processing unit 40 determines the exposure start timing and end timing based on the generation period of the vertical synchronization signal, and during the operation of the stop confirmation signal SP of the intermittent transfer means 21, An exposure completion signal END that permits activation of the intermittent transfer means 21 is generated by receiving the next second vertical synchronization signal 92 after receiving the first vertical synchronization signal 91 in FIG.

  According to the third embodiment, the image processing unit can simply estimate the estimated exposure period of the far-infrared electronic camera based only on the vertical synchronization signal. Therefore, the signal processing load of the image processing unit can be reduced, the effect of the first embodiment can be obtained, and an inexpensive image processing system can be constructed.

It is detail drawing of the filling container in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram of the inspection apparatus of the filling container provided with the image processing system in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a time chart which shows the image acquisition timing in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is the flowchart which showed a series of operation | movement processes by the image process part and the whole control part in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram of the inspection apparatus of the filling container provided with the image processing system in Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a time chart which shows the image acquisition timing in Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is the flowchart which showed a series of operation processing by the image processing part and the whole control part in Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is the flowchart which showed a series of operation | movement processes of the external appearance inspection in Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a time chart which shows the image acquisition timing in Embodiment 3 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Filling container, 20 Conveyance mechanism part, 30 Whole control part, 31 Stop confirmation means, 32 Inspection determination control means, 33 Heating control means, 34 Drive control means, 35 Sticking control means, 36 Station control means, 40 Image processing part, 51 Far-infrared light heater, 61, 61a, 61b Far-infrared light electronic camera, 62a, 62b Label attaching means, 63a, 63b, 64a, 64b Visible light electronic camera.

Claims (11)

An image processing system for determining the presence or absence of adhesion abnormality of a filling container in which the opening end is adhesively sealed after injecting filling from the opening end of the container,
A far-infrared light heater for irradiating far-infrared light to the bonded end of the filling container;
A far-infrared optical electronic camera that is installed at a position facing the far-infrared light heater with the filling container in between, and outputs a filling-stuff fluoroscopic image of the adhesive end of the filling container as a photosensitive charge level signal;
A storage unit that stores a reference fluoroscopic image in advance, and the adhesive end portion by comparing the filling fluoroscopic image captured from the far-infrared electronic camera with the reference fluoroscopic image stored in the storage unit An image processing unit for determining the presence or absence of adhesion abnormality,
The far-infrared photoelectronic camera outputs the photosensitive charge level signal as a serial transmission data together with a horizontal synchronization signal and a vertical synchronization signal while repeatedly performing charge sweeping and exposure at a constant period.
The image processing unit periodically calculates an estimated exposure period by counting an elapsed time from the reception time of the vertical synchronization signal from the far-infrared photoelectronic camera, and the estimated exposure period and an adhesion abnormality from the outside The charge reading period is specified based on the reception timing of the determination request, and the filling at the time of the adhesion abnormality determination request is performed by reading the photosensitive charge level signal received from the far-infrared photoelectronic camera during the specified charge reading period. An image processing system for generating a filling fluoroscopic image. The image processing system according to claim 1,
The image processing unit periodically calculates an estimated exposure period by counting an elapsed time from the reception time of the vertical synchronization signal based on the horizontal synchronization signal from the far infrared photoelectronic camera. Image processing system. The image processing system according to claim 1 or 2,
When the image processing unit receives the adhesion abnormality determination request within the estimated exposure period, the image processing unit reads out charges based on an estimated exposure period next to the estimated exposure period and a reception timing of the adhesion abnormality determination request. An image processing system characterized by specifying a period. An image processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A transport mechanism for sequentially supplying the filled containers to the inspected portion;
An overall control unit that controls the transport mechanism unit, the far infrared light heater, and the image processing unit;
The far-infrared light heater and the far-infrared light electronic camera are installed in the inspected part,
The image processing unit receives an external adhesion abnormality determination request from the overall control unit, specifies the charge readout period based on the estimated exposure period and the reception timing of the adhesion abnormality determination request, and the charge Generate an exposure completion signal at the end time of the estimated exposure period immediately before the readout period, and output the generated exposure completion signal to the overall control unit,
The overall control unit includes a stop confirmation unit that receives a stop confirmation signal indicating the state where the filling container is stopped at the part to be inspected from the transport mechanism unit, and a heating control command to the far infrared light heater. The heating control means for outputting the inspection, the stop confirmation signal received by the stop confirmation means is transferred to the image processing section as the adhesion abnormality determination request, and the inspection judgment is received from the image processing section. Drive control that receives the exposure completion signal received by the control means and the inspection determination control means, generates a drive start command for sequentially supplying the filled containers to the part to be inspected, and outputs the drive start command to the transport mechanism part And a filling container inspection device. The inspection apparatus for a filled container according to claim 4,
A plurality of the far-infrared photoelectronic cameras are installed in the inspected part, and capture a filling filling perspective image of each bonded end of a plurality of filling containers,
The image processing unit calculates an estimated exposure period for each of the plurality of far infrared photoelectronic cameras by counting an elapsed time from the reception time of each of the vertical synchronization signals from the plurality of far infrared photoelectronic cameras, The charge readout period is specified for each of the plurality of far infrared photoelectronic cameras based on the estimated exposure period and the reception timing of the adhesion abnormality determination request from the overall control unit, and corresponds to the plurality of far infrared photoelectronic cameras. An exposure completion signal is generated in accordance with the latest end time among the estimated exposure period end times, the generated exposure completion signal is output to the overall control unit, and the presence or absence of an adhesion abnormality of the plurality of filling containers Is determined by a single adhesion abnormality determination request. In the inspection device of the filling container according to claim 4 or 5,
The far-infrared photoelectronic camera has a detection wavelength of far-infrared light in a band of 8 to 12 μm. The filling container inspection device according to any one of claims 4 to 6,
A visible light electronic camera that is installed in a second inspected part located downstream of the inspected part and that captures a container appearance image for inspecting the appearance of the filled container;
The image processing unit further stores a reference appearance image relating to a normal sample product of the filling container in advance in the storage unit, the container appearance image captured from the visible light electronic camera based on the adhesion abnormality determination request, and the storage An inspection apparatus for a filled container, wherein the presence or absence of an appearance abnormality is determined by comparing with the reference appearance image stored in a section. The filling container inspection device according to claim 7,
A plurality of the visible light electronic cameras are installed in the second inspected part, and each container appearance image of a plurality of filled containers is captured,
The said image processing part determines the presence or absence of each external appearance abnormality of these filling containers based on the said adhesion abnormality determination request | requirement. The inspection apparatus of the filling containers characterized by the above-mentioned. The filling container inspection device according to claim 7 or 8,
A label affixing unit that is installed in a label affixing part located upstream of the second inspected part, and affixes a label on the exterior surface of the filling container;
The overall control unit further includes a sticking control means for outputting a label sticking command to the label sticking means and receiving a sticking completion signal from the label sticking means,
The drive control unit generates a drive start command in a state where both the exposure completion signal from the inspection determination control unit and the paste completion signal from the paste control unit are received, and outputs the drive start command to the transport mechanism unit. An inspection apparatus for a filled container. The inspection apparatus for a filled container according to any one of claims 4 to 9,
The transport mechanism is provided on the upstream side of the inspected part and discharges a loading station on which the filling container is mounted and a downstream of the inspected part, which is determined to be abnormal. A discharge station that is provided on the downstream side of the inspected part, and a discharge station that takes out the filled container determined to be normal,
The overall control unit performs overall control of permission for loading / unloading to the loading station, permission for discharging / unloading from the discharging station, and permission for unloading / unloading from the unloading station, and completion of loading, discharging Station control means for generating a station processing completion signal in a state where the completion and the unloading completion are all received,
The apparatus for inspecting a filled container, wherein the drive control means generates the drive start command on condition that the station processing completion signal is received from the station control means. The filling container inspection apparatus according to claim 10,
When the image processing unit determines that there is an adhesion abnormality at the adhesion end in response to the adhesion abnormality determination request, it generates a defect detection signal and outputs it to the overall control unit,
The station control means receives the defect detection signal to store an instruction for removing the filling container in the part to be inspected, and discharges it to the transport mechanism unit when the filling container reaches the discharge position. An inspecting device for a filled container characterized by outputting a command.

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