JP4402915B2 - Grain sorting device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for selecting grains such as rice, wheat, soybeans, and corn, other grains and seeds, or granules such as drugs and processing raw materials by color discrimination.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an imaging unit, an information processing unit, and a selection unit are provided, and an imaging process for obtaining image data related to a grain is performed by the imaging unit, and based on the image data related to the grain by the information processing unit. Generated based on a color image creation process for creating a color image, a binarized image creation process for creating a binarized image based on image data relating to the grain, and a color image and a binarized image A technology of a grain sorting device that performs a judgment process for judging the quality of each grain using the judgment image and sorts the grain based on the result of the judgment process by a sorting unit is known. For example, as described in Patent Document 1. In the grain sorting apparatus described in Patent Document 1, the grain to be sorted is rice, and from rice that is good in rice centers, country elevators, etc., damaged rice, dead rice, stone, glass, resin, ceramics, etc. (Hereinafter, what should be sorted and removed from non-defective rice, such as damaged rice, dead rice, stone, glass, resin, ceramics, etc., will be collectively referred to as “foreign matter, etc.”). Such a grain sorting apparatus includes a conveying unit that conveys a grain, an imaging unit provided in the middle of the conveying unit, and an information processing that performs information processing based on image data acquired by the imaging unit. And sorting means for sorting based on information processed by the information processing means. Then, image data relating to the grains conveyed by the conveying means (belt conveyor, chute, etc.) is acquired by the imaging means (camera, line sensor, various optical sensors, etc.), and information processing means (electronic computer such as a computer) In the order of color image creation processing, binarized image creation processing, and judgment processing based on the image data, the quality of each grain (one grain) is judged, and based on the judgment result, the conveyance means Foreign matter and the like are sorted and removed from the non-defective rice by sorting means (such as an air gun) provided in the middle and downstream of the imaging means.

JP 2002-312762 A

  However, conventionally, a color image creation process for creating a color image based on image data and a binarized image creation process for creating a binarized image based on image data have been performed in series (color Since the binarized image creation process was performed after the image creation process was completed), the time (delay time) required from the acquisition of the image data by the imaging means until the result of the determination process is increased. was there. That is, a relationship of L ≧ V × T is generally established between the delay time T, the moving speed V of the grain on the conveying means, and the distance L between the imaging means and the sorting means. . Accordingly, when the delay time becomes long or the moving speed V of the grain increases, it is necessary to increase the distance L between the imaging means and the sorting means. And if distance L becomes large, while it will cause the enlargement (lengthening) of a grain sorting device, it will cause the fall of the sorting precision by a sorting means (only foreign substances etc. can be accurately removed from good quality rice. It becomes difficult, and foreign matter etc. are mixed in the non-defective rice after sorting, or conversely, the non-defective rice is mixed in the foreign matter etc. sorted and removed).

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is as described above. Next, means for solving the problem will be described.

An imaging means (3), an information processing means (4), and a sorting means (5) are provided, and the information processing means (4) acquires image data relating to the grain by the imaging means (3). Imaging processing step (100), color image creation processing step (110) for creating a color image based on image data relating to the grain, and binary for creating a binarized image based on the image data relating to the grain And the information processing means (4) creates the color image created by the color image creation processing step (110) and the binarized image creation processing step (120). A determination processing step (130) for generating a determination image based on the binarized image and determining the quality of each grain based on the determination image, the determination processing step (130) In the binarized image creation processing step (120) On the basis of the binarized image processed, the information processing means (4) performs a labeling process step (140) for assigning a label to a grain region corresponding to each grain, and the color image creation process step (110). Based on the processed color image and the binarized image after the label is assigned, the information processing means (4) cuts out a single grain image corresponding to each grain from the color image ( 150) and the recognition processing step (160) for determining the quality of each grain based on the cut-out single grain image, and the result of the determination processing step (130). A processing step (170) for selecting a grain based on the color image creation processing step (110) and the binarized image creation processing step (120) in the information processing means (4) in parallel. Placed in the information processing hand In (4), after performing the imaging processing step (100), the image data is transmitted in parallel to the color image creation processing step (110) and the binarized image creation processing step (120). It is the grain sorter constituted so that processing may be performed in order, and processing may be subsequently performed in the order of the determination processing step (130) and the sorting processing step (170).

  As effects of the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

The present invention comprises an image pickup means (3), an information processing means (4), and a selection means (5) as described in the claims, and the information processing means (4) is connected to the image pickup means (3). ) To obtain the image data related to the grain, the color image creation processing step (110) to create the color image based on the image data related to the grain, and the image data related to the grain. A binarized image creating process (120) for creating a binarized image based on the color image created by the information processing means (4) in the color image creating process (110); A determination processing step (130) for generating a determination image based on the binarized image generated by the binarized image generation processing step (120) and determining the quality of each grain based on the determination image. The determination processing step (130) includes the binary Based on the binarized image processed in the image creation processing step (120), the information processing means (4) assigns a label to the grain region corresponding to each grain, and the color image Based on the color image processed in the creation processing step (110) and the binarized image after the label is assigned, the information processing means (4) uses the single image corresponding to each grain from the color image. The information processing means (4) comprises a recognition processing step (160) for determining the quality of each grain based on the cut-out single grain image and the cut-out processing step (150) for cutting out the grain. A color image creation processing step (110) and a binarized image creation processing step in the information processing means (4), comprising a sorting processing step (170) for sorting the grains based on the result of the processing step (130). (120) Arranged in a row, the information processing means (4) performs the imaging process (100), and then converts the image data into the color image creation process (110) and the binarized image creation process (120). The grain sorting device configured to perform the processing in the order of the determination processing step (130) and the sorting processing step (170) . It is possible to reduce the time required from the start to the end of the judgment process (that is, the delay time), shorten the distance between the imaging means and the sorting means, and reduce the size of the grain sorting apparatus, and the sorting. It is possible to improve the sorting accuracy by means.

  Next, embodiments of the invention will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing an embodiment of the grain sorting apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing one embodiment of the grain sorting apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing one embodiment of a conventional grain sorting apparatus .

  FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a grain flow rate measuring device, and FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a fine selector.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the grain sorting device 1 which is an embodiment of the grain sorting device and the grain sorting device of the present invention will be described in detail.

  In the grain sorting device 1 of the present embodiment, the grain to be sorted is rice, but is not limited to this, and the surface color of the grain or other grains (aggregate of granular materials) is changed. It can be widely applied to applications that use and sort.

  In addition, the present invention can also be applied to grains having a diameter smaller than that of grains and the like, depending on the resolution of the imaging means. Further, the basic grain configuration of the conventional grain sorting apparatus is substantially the same as the grain sorting apparatus 1.

  The grain sorting device 1 is mainly composed of a conveying means 2, an imaging means 3, an information processing means 4, a sorting means 5, and the like.

  The conveying means 2 is for conveying the grains (grains) to be selected from the imaging means 3 toward the selecting means 5, and in this embodiment is constituted by a tank 11, a feeder 12, a chute 13, and the like. The

  The tank 11 constitutes the most upstream part of the transport means 2 and is a container in which grains before sorting are stored. The internal shape of the tank 11 is substantially bowl-shaped, and a grain inlet 11a is formed on the upper surface. The grain before sorting is fed into the tank 11 from the grain inlet 11a. Moreover, the opening part 11b is formed in the lower part of the tank 11, and the grain stored in the tank 11 can be discharged | emitted from this opening part 11b.

  The feeder 12 discharges grains stored in the tank 11 from the tank 11 to the chute 13 while maintaining the discharge amount per unit time substantially constant. The feeder 12 in this embodiment is an electromagnetic type, and a feeder trough 12b is provided on a feeder base 12a via a leaf spring. The feeder trough 12 b is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped box with one of the upper surface and the four side surfaces opened, and is positioned below the opening 11 b of the tank 11. The open side of the feeder trough 12b faces the upstream end of the chute 13, and the feeder trough 12b vibrates with respect to the feeder base 12a by the electromagnet provided on the feeder base 12a, thereby discharging the grains to the chute 13. . Further, the feeder 12 prevents the grains from passing through the imaging means 3 while being overlapped vertically by conveying the grains by a certain amount toward the downstream of the conveying means 2 while vibrating the grains. The accuracy of the determination process in 4 is improved.

  The chute 13 is a slope having side walls. The grains discharged from the tank 11 by the feeder 12 slide down on the chute 13.

  The imaging means 3 is for acquiring image data relating to the grains being conveyed by the conveying means 2, and is arranged in the middle part of the conveying means 2. A specific example of the image pickup means 3 includes a CCD camera and other cameras, a line sensor, an optical sensor, and the like. However, the image pickup unit 3 is not limited to the specific example as long as it can acquire image data. Further, in this embodiment, the image pickup means 3 includes a total of two image pickup means, that is, an upper surface image pickup means 3a and a lower surface image pickup means 3b, and can acquire image information relating to the upper and lower surfaces of the grain passing through the image pickup means 3, respectively. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and image data may be acquired only on one side according to the type and application of the selected grains (grains), or three or more imaging means may be provided.

  Based on the image data relating to the grains acquired by the imaging means 3, the information processing means 4 determines whether each grain (one grain of each grain) is non-defective rice or foreign matter. And the sorting means 5 is operated based on the result of the judgment (selecting and removing foreign substances and the like from non-defective rice), and is constituted by a computer or other electronic computer. The information processing means 4 stores a program for determining the quality of each grain. The information processing means 4 is connected to the imaging means 3 and the sorting means 5, can acquire image data from the imaging means 3, and can transmit a signal for operating the sorting means 5.

  The sorting unit 5 sorts and removes foreign substances and the like from the non-defective rice based on the quality determination result for each grain, which is performed by the information processing unit 4, and is arranged in the downstream portion of the conveying unit 2. . The sorting means 5 in the present embodiment is an air gun, and the grains that have slid down the chute 13 by spraying compressed air are sorted into non-defective rice and foreign matter, and the non-defective product collecting unit 14 and the defective product collecting unit 15 are respectively selected. Collect them separately.

Hereinafter, the grain sorting device of the present invention and a conventional grain sorting device will be described in detail using FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG. The grain sorting device of the present invention and the conventional grain sorting device are all the same in that they perform imaging processing, color image creation processing, binarized image creation processing, determination processing, and sorting processing.

  “Imaging processing” means that the information processing means 4 acquires image data relating to the grains that are conveyed (flowed down) on the conveying means 2 by the imaging means 3. At this time, the format of the image data is not particularly limited. The process of performing the imaging process is hereinafter referred to as “imaging process process”.

  “Color image creation processing” means that the information processing means 4 converts the image data acquired by the imaging means 3 into a format that can be displayed on the display means (liquid crystal screen, CRT, etc.). Here, the image data converted into a format that can be displayed on the display means is referred to as a “color image”. In other words, the color image creation process refers to creating a color image based on image data. The color image has information related to the time when the image data that is the source of the color image is acquired, and each pixel constituting the color image also functions as position information on the transport unit 2. Accordingly, a certain pixel of the color image represents the color of a certain item (good rice, foreign matter, or background) that was in a certain position on the conveying unit 2 facing the imaging unit 3 at a certain time. Depending on the type, size, distribution, etc. of the grains and foreign matters, the color image can be converted into a normal color image as appropriate, even as a normal color image (raw image captured by a camera capable of capturing a color image). The correction may be applied and is not limited. The process of performing the color image creation process is hereinafter referred to as “color image creation process process”.

“Binarized image creation processing” means that the information processing means 4 can display the image data acquired by the imaging means 3 on the display means (liquid crystal screen, CRT, etc.), and the brightness of the image, for example, a predetermined threshold value. This means that the area brighter than the threshold is displayed in white and the area darker than the threshold is displayed in black. Here, the image data converted into a format that can be displayed on the display unit and displayed as white in an area brighter than a predetermined threshold and black in an area darker than the threshold is referred to as a “binarized image”. In other words, the binarized image creation process refers to creating a binarized image based on image data. At this time, an area displayed in black in the binarized image corresponds to a background (not a non-defective rice or a foreign object), and is hereinafter referred to as a “background area”. In addition, an area displayed in white in the binarized image corresponds to non-defective rice (or foreign matter or the like), and is hereinafter referred to as a “grain area”.
The binarized image has information related to the time at which the image data that is the source of the binarized image is acquired. Function. Accordingly, a certain pixel of the binarized image indicates whether a certain position on the conveying unit 2 facing the imaging unit 3 at a certain time is a background region or a grain region. In the present embodiment, the display is performed in two colors of white and black, but the display may be performed using the other two colors, and is not limited. In addition, the brightness threshold of the image needs to be appropriately selected according to the type, size, distribution, etc. of grains, foreign matters, etc., the light quantity of a light projecting means (lamp), the background color at the time of imaging, etc. is there. Further, the process of performing the binarized image creation process will be referred to as “binarized image creation process process” hereinafter.

  The “determination process” means that the information processing means 4 determines an image for determination based on the color image created by the color image creation process and the binarized image created by the binarized image creation process. It means creating and determining the quality of each grain based on the image for determination. The process for performing the determination process is hereinafter referred to as “determination process process”. In the case of the present embodiment, the determination process further includes a labeling process, a cutting process, and a recognition process.

  The “labeling process” means that the information processing unit 4 assigns a label to a grain region corresponding to each grain (or foreign matter or the like) based on the binarized image. Here, the label is information (number, symbol, etc.) assigned to identify individual grain regions. The process of performing the labeling process is hereinafter referred to as “labeling process process”.

  “Cutout process” means that the information processing means 4 cuts out a single grain image corresponding to each grain from the color image based on the binarized image after the color image and the label are assigned. That is, a color image and a binarized image based on the image data acquired at the same time are prepared, and a pixel on the color image (at the same position) corresponding to a pixel constituting the grain region of the binarized image It is possible to take out (cut out) a color image corresponding to one grain (or foreign matter). A color image corresponding to one grain (or foreign matter) cut out in this way is referred to as a “single grain image”. At this time, image rotation processing is performed on an object such as rice that has a clear ratio of length to width, and the target angle is unified (the posture of a single grain image relating to each grain) It is also possible to upgrade the data used in the recognition process. The process for performing the cutting process is hereinafter referred to as “cutting process process”.

  The “recognition process” means that the information processing means 4 determines the quality of each grain based on the single grain image. More precisely, the recognition processing means determining whether the single grain image represents non-defective rice or foreign matter based on color information relating to the single grain image. At this time, the information processing means 4 stores color information such as non-defective rice and various foreign matters in advance, and compares them with color information related to the single-grain image (template matching), so that the single grain Whether the image is non-defective rice or foreign matter is determined. Therefore, the image for determination in the determination process indicates a single grain image in this embodiment. Hereinafter, the process of performing the recognition process will be referred to as “recognition process process”.

  “Selection process” means that the information processing means 4 operates the selection means 5 based on the result of determination in the determination process (in this embodiment, the result of determination in the recognition process) to select foreign substances from non-defective rice. Say. As a result of the sorting process of the grains, the non-defective rice is collected by the non-defective product collecting unit 14, and the foreign matter is collected by the defective product collecting unit 15.

As shown in FIG. 3, the conventional grain sorting apparatus includes an imaging processing step 100, a color image creation processing step 110, a binarized image processing step 120, a determination processing step 130 (in this embodiment, a labeling processing step 140, The cutting process 150 and the recognition process 160 are arranged in series) and the sorting process 170 are all arranged in series. That is, the information processing means 4 performs an imaging process step 100 → a color image creation process step 110 → a binarized image process step 120 → a determination process step 130 → a selection process step 170 (imaging process step 100 → color image creation process step). 110 → binary image processing step 120 → labeling processing step 140 → cutout processing step 150 → recognition processing step 160 → selection processing 170).

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, in the grain sorting apparatus of the present invention, the color image creation processing step 110 and the binarized image processing step 120 are arranged in parallel. That is, after performing the imaging process 100, the information processing means 4 performs the color image creation process 110 and the binarized image process 120 in parallel (simultaneously), and subsequently the determination process 130 → selection. Work is performed in the order of processing 170.

  With this configuration, the time required from the start of the imaging process 100 to the end of the determination process 130 (that is, the delay time T) is shortened, and the distance L between the imaging unit and the selection unit is shortened. Thus, it is possible to reduce the size of the grain sorting device and improve the sorting accuracy by the sorting means.

  Note that in order to perform the color image creation processing step 110 and the binarized image processing step 120 in parallel, a high level information processing capability may be required for the information processing means 4 in some cases. In such a case, a neural network or the like may be used as the information processing means 4.

  Below, the grain flow rate measuring apparatus 20 is demonstrated in detail using FIG. The grain flow rate measuring device 20 detects, for example, the amount of grain to be provided by being provided above the tank 11 or detected in the downstream process of the chute 13 to detect the amount of grain to be shipped. . The grain flow rate measuring device 20 is a device for measuring a grain flow rate (flowing amount per unit time), and mainly includes a transport cylinder 21, a measurement window 22, a camera 23, a control means 24, a display means 25, and the like. Consists of.

  The transport cylinder 21 is a cylindrical member that branches into a bifurcated portion of the main transport section 21c and the sub transport section 21d at the upper part and joins again at the lower part. The upper end opening 21 a of the transport cylinder 21 is formed in a funnel shape, so that grains and the like can easily flow into the transport cylinder 21. The main transport unit 21c and the sub transport unit 21d are both cylindrical members, and are formed so as to merge with each other at the upper end and the lower end and to discharge the grain from the lower end opening 21b. The main conveyance part 21c has a larger inner diameter than the sub-conveyance part 21d, and most of the grains that have flowed into the conveyance cylinder 21 from the upper end opening 21a pass through the main conveyance part 21c. Part of the grain that has flowed into the transport cylinder 21 from the upper end opening 21a passes through the sub-transport part 21d. At this time, the ratio of the flow rate of the grain passing through the main transport unit 21c and the flow rate of the grain passing through the sub transport unit 21d is the ratio of the cross-sectional area of the main transport unit 21c and the cross-sectional area of the sub transport unit 21d. It almost agrees.

  The measurement window 22 is a hole drilled in the middle of the sub-conveying portion 21d, and a camera 23 is attached to the measurement window 22. With the camera 23, it is possible to acquire image data relating to the grains that pass through the sub-transport unit 21d.

  The control means 24 is a computer or other electronic computer, and binarizes the image data acquired by the camera 23 to create a binarized image. And the flow volume of the grain which passes through the sub conveyance part 21d is calculated by calculating the number of grains based on this binarized image. Therefore, the flow rate of the grain passing through the transport cylinder 21 is calculated based on the ratio of the flow rate of the grain passing through the main transport unit 21c and the flow rate of the grain passing through the sub transport unit 21d, which is a known value. It is possible.

  The display means 25 is composed of a liquid crystal screen, a CRT, or the like, and displays the grain flow rate calculated by the control means 24.

  When the flow rate of the grain flowing into the transport cylinder is large, when trying to measure the flow rate based on the image data, there is much overlap between the grains, and it is difficult to measure with high accuracy. In addition, in order to solve such problems, there is a method of spreading and flowing down on a wide slope so that the grains do not overlap each other, but the device becomes larger or even on any part of the slope There was a problem that it was difficult to let down the grain. In the case of the grain flow rate measuring device 20 of the present embodiment, these problems can be solved and the grain flow rate can be measured easily and accurately.

  Below, the refiner | selector 30 shown in FIG. 5 is demonstrated in detail. The refiner 30 is a device for selecting the dried rice cake (and a mixture of the rice cake attached grains, immature grains, crushed rice, etc.) and removing the edible leaf attached grains, crushed rice and the like from the cocoon. The refiner 30 is mainly composed of an indent cylinder type sorter comprising a first indent 31, a second indent 32, and a third indent 33, a raw material hopper 34, a sorting state monitoring unit 35, and the like. However, the sorter is not limited to the indent type, and may be a swing sort type or the like. In this embodiment, the selection target is rice, but it can also be applied to grains such as wheat and soybeans.

  The raw material hopper 34 is a container for transporting and temporarily storing dried rice cakes (mixtures of rice cakes, shoots adhering grains, immature grains, crushed rice, etc.) through a conveying means (chute etc.). Then, the soot is put into the first indent 31.

  The first indent 31 is mainly composed of a substantially cylindrical body portion 31a, a rotating shaft 31b, and a flange 31c. A large number of recesses into which the flanges are fitted are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the body portion 31a. The first indent 31 is pivotally supported on a casing (not shown) of the fine selector 30 around the rotation shaft 31b. Further, in the space in the first indent 31, a flange 31b is provided below the rotation shaft 31a. And the longitudinal direction of the rotating shaft 31a of the 1st indent 31 inclines with respect to the horizontal surface, and the soot from the raw material hopper 34 is thrown in in the 1st indent 31 from the upper end side of the rotating shaft 31a.

  Most of the hooks or the like thrown into the first indent 31 are inserted into the recesses of the body portion 31a, and the rotation of the body portion 31a is inserted into the space in the first indent 31 by a centrifugal force. Then it falls due to its own weight. At this time, there is a correlation between the rotational speed of the first indent 31, the weight of the kite and the like, and the flying distance of the kite. Therefore, when the first indent 31 is rotationally driven at a predetermined rotational speed, the rice bran and crushed rice whose weight is in the predetermined range are collected in the rice bran 31c. Since the longitudinal direction of the flange 31c is arranged so as to be substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the rotary shaft 31b, the flange 31c is also inclined similarly to the rotary shaft 31b, or a screw conveyor or the like is arranged. The soot collected in the soot 31c moves to the lower end side of the rotating shaft 31a along the slope of the soot 31c, and is put into the second indent 32 through the carrying means (chute etc.). Is done. In addition, shoots adhering grains, immature grains, etc. that have not been collected in the heel 31c move to the lower end side of the rotating shaft 31a along the inner peripheral surface of the trunk portion 31a, and are third indented via a conveying means (chute etc.). 33.

  The second indent 32 has substantially the same configuration as the first indent 31 and is mainly composed of a substantially cylindrical body portion 32a, a rotating shaft 32b, and a flange 32c, and a flange is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the body portion 32a. A large number of recesses to be inserted are formed. The second indent 32 is pivotally supported on a casing (not shown) of the fine selector 30 around the rotation shaft 32b. Further, in the space in the second indent 32, a flange 32b is provided below the rotation shaft 32a. And the longitudinal direction of the rotating shaft 32a of the 2nd indent 32 inclines with respect to the horizontal surface, and the rice cake from the straw 31c of the 1st indent 31 and the removed rice in the 2nd indent 32 from the upper end side of the rotating shaft 32a. And the mixture is charged.

  The mixture of rice bran and crushed rice put into the second indent 32 is inserted into the concave portion of the body portion 32a, and is inserted into the space in the second indent 32 by centrifugal force by the rotation of the body portion 32a. Then it falls due to its own weight. At this time, there is a correlation between the number of rotations of the second indent 31, the weight of the mixture of rice bran and crushed rice, and the flight distance of the mixture of rice bran and brewed rice. Therefore, when the second indent 32 is rotationally driven at a predetermined rotational speed, the deflated rice having a weight within a predetermined range is collected in the straw 32c. Since the longitudinal direction of the flange 32c is arranged so as to be substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the rotation shaft 32b, the flange 32c is inclined similarly to the rotation shaft 32b, or a screw conveyor or the like is disposed. The removed rice collected in the basket 32c moves to the lower end side of the rotary shaft 32a along the inclination of the basket 32c, and is removed outside via a conveying means (chute, etc.). It is recovered in the recovery container 41. Further, the kites that have not been collected by the kite 32c move to the lower end side of the rotating shaft 32a along the inner peripheral surface of the body portion 31a, and are collected outside in the carefully selected kit collection container 42 through the conveying means (chute etc.). Is done.

  The third indent 33 has substantially the same configuration as the first indent 31 and is mainly composed of a substantially cylindrical body portion 33a, a rotating shaft 33b, and a flange 33c, and a flange is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the body portion 33a. A large number of recesses to be inserted are formed. The third indent 33 is pivotally supported by a casing (not shown) of the fine selector 30 around the rotation shaft 33b. Further, in the space in the third indent 33, a flange 33b is provided below the rotation shaft 33a. The longitudinal direction of the rotation shaft 33a of the third indent 33 is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane, and branches from the inner peripheral surface of the body portion 31a of the first indent 31 into the third indent 33 from the upper end side of the rotation shaft 33a. Infarct-attached grains, immature grains, and partially mixed koji are added.

  Of the mixture of shoots attached to the third indent 33, immature grains, and partially mixed cocoons, the immature grains and partially mixed cocoons are inserted into the recesses of the trunk portion 33a. By rotation, a predetermined upper portion of the space in the third indent 33 is inserted by centrifugal force and then dropped by its own weight. At this time, there is a correlation between the rotational speed of the third indent 33, the weight of the mixture of immature grains and partially mixed soot, and the flight distance of the mixture of immature grains and partially mixed soot. Therefore, when the third indent 33 is rotationally driven at a predetermined rotational speed, soot having a weight within a predetermined range is collected in the basket 33c. Since the longitudinal direction of the flange 33c is arranged so as to be substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the rotating shaft 33b, the flange 33c is inclined similarly to the rotating shaft 33b, or a screw conveyor or the like is disposed. The soot collected in the scissors 33c is moved to the lower end side of the rotating shaft 33a along the inclination of the scissors 33c, and the finely selected soot collection container 42 is externally provided via a transport means (chute or the like). To be recovered. Further, the branch sticky grains and immature grains that have not been collected in the rod 33c move to the lower end side of the rotating shaft 33a along the inner peripheral surface of the trunk portion 33a, and branch outside by way of transport means (chute, etc.). It is collected in the infarction particle collection container 43.

  As described above, the refiner 30 sorts the carefully selected rice cakes, the crushed rice, the branch leaf attached grains, and the immature grains.

  In addition to the above, the selection machine 30 of the present embodiment includes a selection state monitoring unit 35. The sorting state monitoring unit 35 mainly includes a sample pan 36, a camera 37, a control unit 38, a display unit 39, and the like.

  The sample tray 36 is a dish-shaped member, and (1) the middle part of the conveying means for connecting the raw material hopper 34 and the first indent 31, (2) connecting the rod 31 c of the first indent 31 and the second indent 32. (3) Midway part of the transport means for connecting the body part 31a of the first indent 31 and the third indent 33, (4) The trough 32c of the second indent 32 and the crushed rice recovery container 41 (5) the middle part of the transport means for connecting the body part 32a of the second indent 32 and the rod 33c of the third indent 33 and the finely selected soot collection container 42, (6) the third part A part of the grain conveyed by the conveying means is collected as a sample from a total of six places, the middle part of the conveying means connecting the trunk 33a of the indent 33 and the branch rachis adhering grain collection container 43. You It is possible. The sample tray 36 is provided with a vibrating means (such as an electromagnet) that vibrates the sample tray 36 so that the grains collected on the sample tray 36 are thinly spread so that the grains do not overlap in the vertical direction. It is possible to Moreover, the sample of the grain after image data acquisition is returned to the middle part of the conveyance means which connects the trunk | drum 33a of the 3rd indent 33, and the branch rachis adhering grain collection | recovery container 43. FIG.

  The camera 37 acquires image data relating to the grain sample on the sample plate 36, and the image data is transmitted to the control means 38. The control means 38 is constituted by a computer or other electronic computer, and based on the image data relating to the grain sample obtained by the camera 37, the determination of the rice bran, defatted rice, immature grain, branch branch adhered grain and the ratio thereof are determined. calculate. In addition, about the determination method of this image data, the method (binarization, cutting, template matching, etc.) used with the said grain selection apparatus 1 etc. may be used, and another method may be used. The control means 38 of the present embodiment also serves as a means for controlling and supervising the entire selection machine 30 such as the rotation speed control of each of the first indent 31, the second indent 32, and the third indent 33. Alternatively, the control means 38 may be a control means specialized for determining a grain sample. The display means 39 displays the determination results and calculation results in the control means 38, and specific examples include a liquid crystal screen and a CRT. The number of the display means 39 may be one or more, and may be a touch panel provided on the side surface of the case of the fine selector 30 or a monitor in a centralized management room or the like located away from the fine selector 30.

  Conventionally, the sorting situation at each indent has been judged visually by the operator actually going to the side of the finer, taking out a sample from the middle of the conveying means. However, the determination results vary depending on the operator, and it is troublesome to record the determination results and statistically process them.

  By configuring the finer 30 as described above, the operator can take out and determine a grain sample without going to the finer, and statistically process the determination data. It is easy to display in real time and accumulate data. In addition, there is no variation among workers in the determination result, data reliability is improved, and the sorting device can be adjusted according to the sorting state. For example, the sorting performance can be improved by changing the rotation speed and angle of the indent. This adjustment can be automatically performed using an actuator such as a motor or a cylinder.

The schematic diagram which shows one Embodiment of the grain selection apparatus of this invention. The flowchart figure which shows one Embodiment of the grain selection apparatus of this invention. The flowchart figure which shows one Embodiment of the conventional grain selection apparatus . The schematic diagram of a grain flow measuring device. The schematic diagram of a selection machine.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Grain sorting apparatus 3 Imaging means 4 Information processing means 5 Sorting means

Claims (1)

An imaging means (3), an information processing means (4), and a sorting means (5) are provided, and the information processing means (4) acquires image data relating to the grain by the imaging means (3). Imaging processing step (100), color image creation processing step (110) for creating a color image based on image data relating to the grain, and binary for creating a binarized image based on the image data relating to the grain And the information processing means (4) creates the color image created by the color image creation processing step (110) and the binarized image creation processing step (120). A determination processing step (130) for generating a determination image based on the binarized image and determining the quality of each grain based on the determination image, the determination processing step (130) In the binarized image creation processing step (120) On the basis of the binarized image processed, the information processing means (4) performs a labeling process step (140) for assigning a label to a grain region corresponding to each grain, and the color image creation process step (110). Based on the processed color image and the binarized image after the label is assigned, the information processing means (4) cuts out a single grain image corresponding to each grain from the color image ( 150) and the recognition processing step (160) for determining the quality of each grain based on the cut-out single grain image, and the result of the determination processing step (130). And a sorting process step (170) for sorting grains based on the color image creation processing step (110) and the binarized image creation processing step (120) in the information processing means (4). The information processing The stage (4) transmits the image data in parallel with the color image creation processing step (110) and the binarized image creation processing step (120) after performing the imaging processing step (100). A grain sorting apparatus characterized in that processing is performed in progress, and subsequently processing is performed in the order of a determination processing step (130) and a sorting processing step (170).

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