JP4439433B2 - Tablet counting inspection device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a tablet counting inspection apparatus that picks up and counts the packaged tablets without taking them out of the package, and more particularly to a tablet counting inspection apparatus that transports and continuously processes a strip of wrapped packaging paper.

  Based on prescription information, etc., tablets are placed one after another into the wrapping paper, and are installed adjacent to the tablet wrapping machine that continuously forms the wrapping (packaging) of the tablets by heat sealing. 2. Description of the Related Art A tablet counting inspection device is known that receives dispensed wrapping paper (packaging band) and sequentially feeds each wrapping with an imaging device and automatically confirms the number of agents in the wrapping paper (for example, see Patent Document 1). ). The number of agents in the package is automatically measured, and the count result is matched with prescription information and the like to automatically determine whether or not there is excess or deficiency.

In such automatic tablet counting, in order to improve the discrimination ability, the spread mechanism that makes the tablet accommodation state in the wrapping in a detachable state without breaking the wrapping prior to imaging can be improved (for example, see Patent Document 2), In order to improve the transfer capability, an improvement has been devised in which perforations are extracted from the imaging data and the transfer mechanism eliminates twisting of the wrapping paper (see, for example, Patent Document 3 FIG. 4).
In addition, in order to obtain clear imaging data, an illumination device that illuminates the imaging range on the wrapping paper transfer path of the transfer mechanism is also provided, but this is done by arranging the imaging device and the illumination device on the same side of the transfer path. There are some (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 3), and an imaging device and an illuminating device that are arranged opposite to each other on both sides of an imaging range on a transfer path (for example, see Patent Document 2).

In any case, the image processing means for automatically confirming the number of agents in the package that has come to the imaging range based on the imaging data of the package extracts a narrower agent image area from the imaging data of the imaging range. Then, the agent images in the agent image area are counted (see, for example, Patent Document 1 FIG. 7S2, Patent Document 3 FIG. 5 (d)).
When the counted value is equal to the number of prescription agents, it is assumed that the corresponding packet is correctly packaged, and processing is performed one after another. On the other hand, when the number of prescription drugs and the counting result are different, depending on the operation mode setting, an image is displayed on a display or the like, and an alarm is issued to the audit operator to prompt visual confirmation of the displayed image. .

JP-A-11-206855 (first page, FIG. 7) JP 2004-238066 A (first page) Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-255100 (FIGS. 1, 4 and 5)

By the way, in order to extract the agent image region from the imaging data, it is necessary to demarcate the region, and for the demarcation, it is important to detect the end of the packet in the imaging data.
In the conventional tablet counting / inspection apparatus described above, the detection of the wrapping end is performed by detecting the marking line when the wrapping end is marked in advance by the tablet wrapping machine. When there is no line, this is done by detecting an image of the perforation that forms the break of the packet.

However, since mark detection is premised on tablet packaging using a tablet packaging machine with a marking function, its use is limited. In the perforation detection, since the perforation is small, the perforation is easily deformed or crushed, and the image is not clear, so it is difficult to improve accuracy and accuracy. In addition, the heat-sealed part near the perforation is a wrapping end parallel to the perforation, but its color and shade are not much different from those of the non-sealed part. It is also difficult to detect the boundary of different regions.
Therefore, it is a technical problem to improve the imaging mechanism and the like of the tablet counting inspection device so that the image of the wrapping end portion appears clearly in the imaging data even if there is no mark on the wrapping paper.

The tablet counting inspection apparatus of the present invention (Solution means 1) was created to solve such a problem, and includes a transfer mechanism that sequentially feeds the wrapping papers that are formed by heat sealing. An imaging device having an illuminating device and an imaging device arranged opposite to each other on both sides of an imaging range on the transfer path to obtain imaging data by taking the packet with the imaging device, and an agent image area from the imaging data In a tablet counting inspection device comprising an image processing means for automatically confirming the number of agents in the package by extracting and counting the number of agent images therein, the illumination device comprises a scattering surface illumination unit And a background image forming means for generating a background image distinguishable from the surface illumination unit in the data of the imaging device taken without placing anything in the imaging range, wherein the image processing means is a heat-seal of the packet. Characterized in that it adapted to define said agent image region based on the perspective image of the background image forming means for expressing the part.
Here, the above “scattering” means that the light scattering function only needs to be exhibited to such an extent that the illuminance in the imaging range is substantially uniform.

Moreover, the tablet counting inspection apparatus of the present invention is (the solution means 2), the tablet counting inspection apparatus of the solution means 1, wherein the background image forming means is a light shielding member that covers a part of the surface illumination unit. It is characterized by.
Furthermore, the tablet counting inspection apparatus of the present invention (solving means 3) is the tablet counting inspection apparatus of the above-described solving means 1, wherein the background image forming means is placed between the transfer path and the illumination device. It is a member.
The tablet counting / inspecting apparatus according to the present invention (solving means 4) is the tablet counting / inspecting apparatus of the above-described solving means 1, wherein the background image forming means is an outer edge member of the surface illumination section. .

  In such a tablet counting inspection apparatus of the present invention (Solution means 1), a wrapping paper imparted with the property of scattering light is used. Currently used wrapping paper has a transparent base and base layer, but has a light scattering surface called a mat on one side and looks white like ground glass. By illuminating such a light-scattering wrapping paper from the back side and taking it from the front side, a negative image that eliminates the influence of the color of the tablets in the wrapping and the markings can be obtained. However, the non-sealed part such as the tablet containing part of the wrapping paper remains in a polished glass shape, but the heat sealing part of the wrapping paper loses light scattering properties by heat fusion bonding at the time of wrapping, It looks like transparent glass. In the present invention, based on the difference in scattering properties at the time of light transmission between the heat seal part and the non-seal part, the background image on the illumination side is wrapped up and only clearly appears at the end part.

  For this reason, both the illumination device and the imaging device that are arranged to face both sides of the imaging range are separated from the imaging range, and the surface illumination unit of the illumination device is provided with light scattering properties. The scattering of this surface illumination and the separation distance from the imaging range are combined with the light scattering properties of the illuminator and the light scattering properties of the wrapping paper. Designed and set so that imaging data without shadows can be obtained. Also, there is provided a background image forming means for generating a background image that can be distinguished from the surface illumination unit in the data of the imaging device taken without placing anything in the imaging range, but from the imaging range of the background image forming means and the imaging device. Separation distance gives the clearest image of the pills in the packet when the packet is taken, and is easy to identify even if the background image of the background image forming means is slightly blurred It is designed and set to be a massive image.

In the imaging data obtained by wrapping the wrapping paper under such circumstances, the background image of the background image forming means does not appear in the agent image area of the non-seal part at the center of the wrapping containing the tablet. In the image region of the heat seal part at the wrapping end, the image is clearly expressed as a perspective image.
And the accuracy and precision of agent image area | region definition improve by detecting the edge part of a packet in imaging data based on such a fluoroscopic image.
Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to realize a tablet counting inspection apparatus in which an image of a wrapping edge is clearly expressed in imaging data even if there is no mark on the wrapping paper.

  Further, in the tablet counting inspection apparatus of the present invention (solution means 2), the background image forming means is embodied by a light shielding member that covers a part of the surface illumination unit, so that the illumination device in the imaging mechanism of the existing apparatus Can be easily modified by attaching a tape-shaped light shielding member.

  Furthermore, in the tablet counting inspection apparatus of the present invention (solution means 3), the background to the imaging mechanism of the existing apparatus is realized by embodying the background image forming means with a member between the transfer path and the illumination device. The addition of the image forming means can be easily performed by installing a bar-like member. For example, when the background image forming unit is provided at the surface illumination unit, the transparent image of the background image forming unit is not clear, but when the background image forming unit is separated from the surface illumination unit, the perspective image of the background image forming unit is clear. Etc. are useful.

  Moreover, in the tablet counting inspection apparatus of the present invention (solution 4), the background image forming means is embodied by the outer edge member of the surface illumination unit, so that compact mounting by integration is realized and the illumination light is reduced. There is little waste.

About the tablet counting inspection apparatus of such this invention, the specific form for implementing this is demonstrated by the following Examples 1-3.
The embodiment 1 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 embodies the above-described solving means 1 and 2 (claims 1 and 2 as originally filed), and the embodiment 2 shown in FIG. The means 3 (claim 3 at the beginning of the application) is embodied, and the third embodiment shown in FIG. 4 embodies the above-described solution means 4 (claim 4 at the beginning of the application).
In these drawings, for simplification and the like, a support member such as a frame, a fastener such as a bolt, a coupling tool such as a hinge, a drive source such as an electric motor, a transmission member such as a cam, and an electric power such as a motor driver. The details of electronic circuits such as circuits and controllers are not shown in the figure, and those necessary and related to the explanation of the invention are mainly shown.

  A specific configuration of the tablet counting inspection apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1A is a front view of the whole, FIG. 1B is a front view of a transfer-spreading imaging mechanism 30 as a main interior member, FIG. 1C is a perspective view of imaging mechanisms 40 to 45, and FIG. The plan view of the apparatus 42, (e) is the imaging data 50 at the time when no wrapping paper is set, (f) is the bottom view of the wrapping 11, (g) is the top view of the wrapping 11, and (h) is the wrapping paper. This is imaging data 50 when 10 is set. FIG. 2A is an external view of the wrapping paper 10 in which a large number of wrappings 11 are partitioned and arranged.

  This tablet counting inspection device is for performing a count audit for each wrapping 11 (packaging body) partitioned and formed continuously in the longitudinal direction of the wrapping paper 10 (see FIG. 2A). , Roughly (see FIG. 1 (a)), a spread imaging mechanism 30 for taking in the wrapping paper 10 and imaging the wrapping 11, and an electronic device for automatically confirming the number of agents in the package in addition to controlling its operation Circuit part (20-22).

  In the case shown in the figure (see FIGS. 1A and 1B), the spread imaging mechanism 30 is stored in the housing, and draws the wrapping paper 10 from the opening on the left side and discharges it from the opening on the right side. It has become. The electronic circuit units (20 to 22) (see FIG. 1A) employ a programmable arithmetic control device such as a personal computer, and the main controller 20 as a main body unit or an operation unit 21 such as a keyboard. A display unit 22 such as a display is mounted on the housing for easy use. Although illustration is omitted, a part of the housing, for example, the upper part may be assigned to the electrical component, and the electronic circuit unit (20 to 22) may be stored therein together with the power supply unit or the like (see, for example, Patent Document 3).

  Note that the packet 11 (see FIGS. 1 (f), (g), and FIG. 2 (a)) is separated from the front and rear (left and right in the figure) adjacent packets 11 by a separator 12 such as a perforation. Two adjacent sides (that is, both ends of the packet 11) and the other side are heat-sealed, and the other side is bent. The non-sealed portion 13 that is not fused even when facing each other so as to overlap in the two folds remains in a polished glass shape and allows light to pass through, but it is scattered and cannot be seen through. On the other hand, the heat-sealed part 14 in which the two folded and overlapped sheets are heated under pressure and fused is transparent like a transparent glass so that the background can be seen. The tablet 9 is not accommodated in the heat seal part 14 but is accommodated in the non-seal part 13 surrounded by the heat seal part 14. In many cases, the lower surface side of the wrapping paper 10 (see FIG. 1 (f)) is preliminarily printed with a printing ground portion 15 to the extent that it does not significantly affect the light transmittance. The number of agents obtained from is overwritten at the time of packaging.

  The transfer spread imaging mechanism 30 will be described in detail (see FIG. 1B). The transfer roller 31 is a front stage of the transfer mechanism, the print information reading units 35 to 36, the spread mechanism 32, and the imaging mechanism 40. ˜45, a transfer roller 33 that forms the rear stage of the transfer mechanism, and a marker 34, which face the wrapping paper transfer path extending horizontally across the left and right openings from upstream to downstream. They are arranged in that order (from left to right in the figure). In addition, they are supported at a predetermined position by an appropriate support or frame plate (not shown) (see Patent Document 3).

The transfer mechanism 31 + 33 is configured to transfer the wrapping paper 10 between a pair of rollers by rotating the transfer rollers 31 and 33 with a motor or a drive mechanism (not shown). Each of the transfer rollers 31 and 33 is made of a sponge or the like that is easily deformed so as not to be affected by the thickness change of the wrapping paper 10 (see Patent Documents 2 and 3).
A portion where the print information reading units 35 to 36 face between the transfer roller 31 and the spreading mechanism 32 in the wrapping paper transfer path is a character reading stage, and the default font is displayed on the print base unit 15 of the wrapping paper 10. Information such as the number of prescriptions printed with OCR (optical character reading) characters or the like is read by the OCR 35 (see Patent Document 3).

The spreading mechanism 32 applies a mechanical action to the packet 11 to spread the tablets 9 therein, that is, moves the brush group as shown in the figure as long as the tablets 9 are not stacked or agglomerated. However, although not shown, a combination of a clamp mechanism and a vibration mechanism may be used (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
The part where the imaging mechanisms 40 to 45 face between the spreading mechanism 32 and the transfer roller 33 in the wrapping paper transfer path is an imaging stage for agent image counting, and the imaging range 40 in the imaging stage is illuminated with an illuminating device. The image pickup apparatus 41 is adapted to illuminate with 42 (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3).

In the imaging range 40 (see FIGS. 1B and 1C), an opening is formed to allow illumination light to pass through. The opening may be filled with a transparent member (see, for example, Patent Document 2). An imaging device 41 such as a CCD camera and an illumination device 42 such as a halogen lamp are disposed on both sides of the imaging range 40 away from the imaging range 40. For example, the imaging device 41 is disposed above and the illumination device 42 is disposed below. Also, the imaging direction / illumination direction is directed to the imaging range 40 (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
Although the above may be the same as the conventional one (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3), the surface illumination unit 43 of the illumination device 42 is explicitly provided with a scattering property, and a background image is provided at the surface illumination unit 43. The imaging mechanisms 40 to 45 are different from conventional imaging mechanisms in that a forming unit 45 is provided.

  The surface illumination unit 43 of the illuminating device 42 (see FIGS. 1B to 1D) is a point illumination with only a light source such as a halogen lamp, and unevenness in illumination occurs in the imaging range 40. For this purpose, for example, a diffusion plate is placed in front of a point light source to impart light diffusibility. It is desirable that the degree of diffusibility is such that scattered light emitted from any point of the surface illumination unit 43 covers the entire imaging range 40 (see the dashed line in FIG. 1B). Since the wrapping 11 is a rectangle obtained by dividing the wrapping paper 10, the imaging range 40, the background range 44, and the surface illumination unit 43 are rectangular. In this example, the size of the surface illumination unit 43 follows that of the prior art, and is one size larger than the background range 44 in which the imaging range 40 is projected (see FIGS. 1C and 1D).

  The background image forming unit 45 is a light-shielding member that is provided on the surface illumination unit 43 and covers a part thereof. For example, a black-coated plastic tape or stainless steel belt is attached with an adhesive or fixed with screws at both ends. (Refer to FIGS. 1C and 1D), surface illumination is performed on the imaging data 50 obtained by imaging the imaging range 40 and the background range 44 with the imaging device 41 in a state where nothing is placed in the imaging range 40. A background image distinguishable from the portion 43 is generated (see FIG. 1E). The background image forming means 45 extends in the paper transporting direction along one side of the surface illumination unit 43 in order to contribute to detection of both ends of the packet 11, and the width is wider from the viewpoint of clearing the background image. However, from the viewpoint of reducing the decrease in the amount of light of the surface illumination unit 43, the narrower one is better, so the width is slightly wider than the minimum width at which the background image clearly appears.

In order to express the background image of the background image forming unit 45 in the imaging data 50, the distance L1 between the imaging device 41 and the imaging range 40 and the distance L2 between the surface illumination unit 43 and the background image forming unit 45 and the imaging range 40 are also set. It is necessary to set appropriately (see FIGS. 1B and 1C).
These distances L1 and L2 can be easily designed if an image pickup apparatus 41 having a deep focal depth is adopted. Specifically, first, the distance L1 is set to the focal distance of the image pickup apparatus 41. That is, the imaging device 41 is focused on the imaging range 40 so that the shadow image of the tablet 9 in the package is most clearly obtained when the packet 11 is taken.

  In addition, even if the background image of the background image forming means 45 in the imaging data 50 is somewhat blurred when taken in a state where nothing is placed in the imaging range 40 in the set state, it becomes an easily recognizable lump image ( 1 (e)), the distance L2 related to the background image forming unit 45 is determined. In this example (see FIGS. 1B and 1C), the distance L2 is also related to the surface illumination unit 43, and is also subject to restrictions due to its light scattering properties, etc. The distance L2 is determined so that the scattered light emitted from any point of 43 covers the entire imaging range 40, and when the imaging paper 41 is taken by placing the wrapping paper 10 before the wrapping 11 is formed in the imaging range 40 The distance L2 is also determined so that image data without shadows can be obtained.

  The imaging mechanisms 40 to 45 satisfying such design conditions are arranged so that when the packet 11 containing the tablet 9 (see FIGS. 1 (f) and (g)) is transferred to the imaging range 40, the packet 11 When illuminating with the illumination device 42 from the bottom (see FIG. 1 (f)) and taking the image with the imaging device 41 from the top (see FIG. 1 (g)), in the imaging data 50 (see FIG. 1 (h)), polished glass An agent image 53 that is a negative image of the tablet 9 is clearly expressed in an image region corresponding to the non-seal portion 13 or the printing base portion 15 that maintains the state, but the background image of the background image forming unit 45 is not expressed. It has become. In addition, a transparent image 51 (partial image through which the background image is seen) of the background image forming means 45 is applied to an image area corresponding to a portion of the heat seal portion 14 that is in a transparent glass state and is out of the printing base portion 15. It is to be expressed.

  Next, the electronic circuit unit and the drive unit controlled by the electronic circuit unit will be described in detail (see FIG. 1A). The controller 20 is composed of a microprocessor system or the like as described above. In addition to the operation unit 21 and the display unit 22 described above, the OCR 35 and the illumination device 36 are also connected by a signal cable or the like. While controlling illumination and reading timing, printing information such as the number of prescriptions read from the wrapping paper 10 is input. The imaging device 41 and the surface illumination unit 43 are also connected to the controller 20 by a signal cable or the like, and the controller 20 takes in the imaging data 50 while controlling the timing of illumination and imaging. A marker 34 for writing a defective mark or the like on the wrapping paper 10 is also connected to the controller 20 and is under its control.

Further, the controller 20 includes a sensor input circuit for inputting detection results of various sensors, such as the presence / absence information of the packet 11, a control drive circuit for a transfer motor for rotating the transfer rollers 31 and 33, and a brush provided in the spreading mechanism 32. A control drive circuit for a spread motor for spreading the group is attached.
The controller 20 is provided with an image memory for temporarily storing the imaging data 50 captured from the imaging device 41, and is transferred to perform the tablet counting audit process using the peripheral circuit and the like as described above. Programs for performing control, spread control, character reading control, imaging control, and the like are installed (see Patent Documents 1 to 3).

  Further, the controller 20 also performs calculation as an image processing means, extracts the agent image region 52 from the imaging data 50 of the packet 11 (see FIG. 1 (h)), and counts the agent image 53 therein. As described above, the number of agents in the packet 11 is automatically confirmed in the same manner as in the past (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3). Yes. That is, the fluoroscopic image 51 of the background image forming means 45 that appears in the image area of the heat seal portion 14 is detected in the imaging data 50 of the packet 11, and the agent image area 52 is defined based on this. The specific procedure will be described in detail in the following operation description.

  The use mode and operation of the tablet counting inspection apparatus of the first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. 2A is an external view of the wrapping paper 10 in which a large number of wrappings 11 are arranged, FIG. 1F is a bottom view of the wrapping 11, FIG. 1G is a plan view of the wrapping 11, and FIG. (B)-(h) are the imaging data 50 at the time of wrapping paper conveyance, and are in time series.

  The wrapping paper 10 to be counted and audited (see FIG. 2 (a)) is a series of wrappings 11, and each wrapping 11 is partitioned by a partition 12 and contains one or more tablets 9. A typical size of the packet 11 (see FIGS. 1F and 1G) is about 70 mm in width (up and down in the figure) and about 80 mm in length (left and right in the figure). The width of the end portion (between the adjacent packets 11 on the left and right in the figure) is about 10 mm, in which straight and broken line perforations forming a partition 12 are formed, and heat seal portions are formed on both sides of the partition 12. 14 are running side by side. A typical example of the tablet 9 is a ball having a diameter of several millimeters or a capsule longer than that, and these are often mixed.

  When such a wrapping paper 10 is set in the spread imaging mechanism 30, it is intermittently transferred in units of 11 wraps by the transfer mechanism 31 + 33, and at each upstream reading stage, the prescription agent is printed by the print information reading units 35-36. In the middle spreading stage, the spreading mechanism 32 performs spreading processing on the tablet 9 in the wrapping, and in the downstream imaging stage, the imaging of the packet 11 is performed by the imaging mechanisms 40 to 45. In the electronic circuit unit, the operation control is performed according to the program, and the main controller 20 performs a counting process and the like. Since the transfer of the wrapping paper 10, the reading of the number of prescription agents, the spread of the tablets 9, etc. are the same as in the past, the detailed description is omitted (see Patent Documents 1 to 3). The imaging data 50 and the definition of the agent image area 52 by the controller 20 will be described in detail.

  If the wrapping paper 10 is not set in the imaging range 40 (see FIG. 2B), the background image of the background image forming means 45 appears near one side (lower side in the figure) without being lost. The image processing program of the controller 20 checks the monitoring areas 54 allocated to both ends of the background image every time the captured image data 50 is taken in, and waits for a specific pattern of the fluoroscopic image 51 to appear there. That is, in the state where the wrapping paper 10 is not set in the imaging range 40 (see FIG. 2B), since the monitoring area 54 is occupied by the background image of the background image forming means 45 over the entire area, the agent image area 52 is not defined.

  Even when the wrapping paper 10 is set, the agent image area 52 is not defined even when the fluoroscopic image 51 is out of the monitoring area 54 because it is in the middle of transfer (see FIG. 2C). . Then, four fluoroscopic images 51 obtained by adding the fluoroscopic images 51 of the heat seal portions 14 of the adjacent packets 11 to the fluoroscopic images 51 of the heat seal portions 14 at both ends of the packet 11 to be counted are divided into two, and the monitoring area 54 is obtained. (See FIG. 2D), an attempt is made to define the agent image area 52. However, since there is no agent image 53 in the idle feed state immediately after the start of transfer, the agent image region 52 is not defined.

  With further transfer, imaging data 50 including not only the fluoroscopic image 51 but also the drug image 53 is obtained (see FIG. 2E), and the drug image 53 approaches the center of the imaging data 50 (see FIG. 2). 2 (f)), the agent image area 52 is not defined until the above-described pattern of the fluoroscopic image 51 appears. When the pattern appears, that is, when two fluoroscopic images 51 are accommodated in the left and right monitoring areas 54 (see FIG. 2G), a rectangular area sandwiched between the inner fluoroscopic images 51 is used as the agent image area 52. Defined.

In this way, a drug image region 52 that reliably contains the drug image 53 that is an image of the tablet 9 is cut out, subjected to noise removal processing, drug image division processing, and the like, and further subjected to image processing and calculation such as pattern matching and feature extraction. The number of masses of the drug image 53 is counted from the drug image area 52, and this is the number of drugs in the packet 11.
Then, whether the counting result is correct or not is determined, and the determination result, instructions on the operation unit 21, and the like are displayed on the display unit 22.

  Here, the agent image area 52 is defined as soon as both ends of the packet 11 are detected based on the fluoroscopic image 51. However, the perforation (12) is detected after the end is detected, and the agent is determined according to the inclination. The image region 52 may be adjusted or the transport direction of the wrapping paper 10 may be changed (see, for example, Patent Document 3). Since the image area where the perforation is to be found is known, for example, the binarization of the corresponding area is performed again using a threshold value intermediate between the lightness of the perforation (12) and the lightness of the printing ground portion (15). As a result, the accuracy and accuracy of perforation detection can be improved.

  A specific configuration of the tablet counting inspection apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 3A is a front view of the imaging mechanisms 40 to 45, FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the imaging mechanisms 40 to 45, FIG. 3C is a plan view of the illumination device 42, and FIG. 50 and (e) are the imaging data 50 when the wrapping paper 10 is set.

This tablet counting inspection device is different from that of the first embodiment described above in that the background image forming means 45 is placed between the imaging range 40 on the wrapping paper transfer path and the surface illumination unit 43 of the illumination device 42. (Refer to FIGS. 3A to 3C).
Since the background image forming unit 45 is separated from the illumination device 42, a black matte rod-shaped member is easy to use, and is constructed by, for example, support or latching at both ends. Accordingly, the distance L2 between the background image forming unit 45 and the imaging range 40 is shorter than the distance L3 between the surface illumination unit 43 and the imaging range 40.

  These distances L2 and L3 are designed and set so that the background image of the background image forming unit 45 is clearly expressed in the imaging data 50 together with the distance L1. Specifically, according to the above example, the distance L1 is taken as the focal length of the imaging device 41, and the distance L2 related to the background image forming unit 45 is somewhat the background image of the background image forming unit 45 in the imaging data 50. Even if it is blurred, the image is determined to be an easily distinguishable mass image (see FIG. 3D), and the scattered light emitted from any point of the surface illumination unit 43 by the distance L3 related to the surface illumination unit 43 is the imaging range 40. Is determined so as to cover the whole area of the image and to obtain image data without shadows when the pre-heat-seal wrapping paper 10 is taken.

In this case, the background image of the background image forming unit 45 can be easily clarified by shortening the distance L2. However, if the distance L2 is too short, it is difficult to adjust the distance L3, so a compromise is required.
By imposing such design conditions on the imaging mechanisms 40 to 45, in this case as well, when the packet 11 that contains the tablet 9 and is transferred to the imaging range 40 is taken by the imaging device 41, Similar imaging data 50 is obtained (see FIG. 3E). In the imaging data 50, since a clear transparent image 51 appears on the heat seal part 14 at the end of the packet 11, the agent image region 52 can be accurately defined even if the wrapping paper 10 has no mark.

  A specific configuration of the tablet counting inspection apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 4A is a plan view of the illumination device 42, FIG. 4B is imaging data 50 when it is empty, and FIG. 4C is imaging data 50 when the wrapping paper 10 is set.

This tablet counting inspection apparatus is different from that of the first embodiment described above in that the background image forming unit 45 also serves as an outer edge member of the surface illumination unit 43.
In this case (see FIG. 4A), one side portion (lower side portion in the figure) of the surface illumination unit 43 is narrower than the background range 44, and an outer edge member serving also as the background image forming unit 45 is provided so as to occupy the area reliably. It has been spread. The black frosting process on the outer edge member of the surface illumination unit 43 may be performed on the entire surface, or may be performed only on the portion that also serves as the background image forming unit 45.

  Also in this case, the above-described design conditions imposed on the light diffusibility of the surface illumination unit 43 and the distances L1, L2, etc. are satisfied, so that the imaging data 50 taken without placing anything in the imaging range 40 has surface illumination. A background image of the background image forming unit 45 that can be distinguished from the unit 43 is developed (see FIG. 4B), and the imaging data 50 obtained by taking the packet 11 that has been accommodated in the tablet 9 and transferred to the imaging range 40 is obtained. In addition to the agent image 53, a transparent image 51 from the heat seal part 14 at the end of the wrap 11 is also expressed (see FIG. 4C), so that the agent image region 52 is defined even if the wrapping paper 10 has no mark. Can be done accurately.

[Others]
In each of the above embodiments, the case where the left side is upstream and the right side is downstream is illustrated. However, the flow of the wrapping 11, that is, the wrapping paper transfer path is not limited to this, and spreading can be performed prior to imaging. As long as this is the case, the right side may be upstream and the left side may be downstream, or a U-turn may be made.
The background image forming unit 45 only needs to be able to express a clear background image in the imaging data 50. Therefore, the background image forming unit 45 is not limited to the above-described black matte product. For example, when the imaging device 41 is an infrared camera, infrared light is used. An absorbent material is sufficient, and it may be colored in the visible light region.

Example 1 of the present invention shows the structure of a tablet counting inspection device, (a) is a front view of the whole, (b) is a front view of main interior members, (c) is a perspective view of an imaging mechanism, (d) ) Is a plan view of the illuminating device, (e) is imaging data in the sky, (f) is a bottom view of the wrapping, (g) is a plan view of the wrapping, and (h) is imaging data when the wrapping paper is set. . The operation | movement of the tablet count inspection apparatus is shown, (a) is an external view of the wrapping paper in which a large number of wrappings are arranged in rows, and (b) to (h) are imaging data when the wrapping paper is transferred. About Example 2 of this invention, the structure of a tablet counting inspection apparatus is shown, (a) is a front view of an imaging mechanism, (b) is a perspective view of an imaging mechanism, (c) is a top view of an illuminating device, (d). Is the imaging data when empty, and (e) is the imaging data when setting the wrapping paper. About Example 3 of this invention, the structure of a tablet count inspection apparatus is shown, (a) is a top view of an illuminating device, (b) is imaging data when empty, (c) is imaging data at the time of packaging paper setting is there.

Explanation of symbols

9 ... tablets, 10 ... wrapping paper, 11 ... wrapping (packets to be counted),
12 ... Separation (perforation), 13 ... Non-seal part (light scattering part),
14 ... Heat seal part (perspective viewable part), 15 ... Print base part,
20 ... Controller (control unit, image processing unit), 21 ... Operation unit, 22 ... Display unit,
30 ... Transmission spread imaging mechanism, 31 ... Transfer roller, 32 ... Spread mechanism, 33 ... Transfer roller,
34 ... marker, 35 ... OCR (character reader), 36 ... lighting device,
40 ... Imaging range (imaging stage), 41 ... Imaging device, 42 ... Illumination device,
43 ... surface illumination unit, 44 ... background range, 45 ... background image forming means,
50 ... Imaging data, 51 ... Perspective image, 52 ... Agent image area, 53 ... Agent image, 54 ... Monitoring area

Claims (4)

  A transfer mechanism that sequentially feeds the wrapping paper that is formed by wrapping the packets formed by heat sealing; and an illuminating device and an imaging device that are arranged opposite to each other on both sides of the imaging range on the transfer path. An imaging mechanism that captures a packet and obtains imaging data, and an image processing unit that automatically checks the number of agents in the packet by extracting a drug image region from the imaging data and counting the drug images therein. In the tablet counting inspection device, the illumination device includes a scattering surface illumination unit, and the background of the imaging device data taken without placing anything in the imaging range is distinguishable from the surface illumination unit Background image forming means for generating an image is provided, and the image processing means delimits the agent image area based on a perspective image of the background image forming means expressed in the heat seal portion of the packet. Tablets counting auditing apparatus according to symptoms.   The tablet counting inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the background image forming unit is a light shielding member that covers a part of the surface illumination unit.   The tablet counting inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the background image forming unit is a member placed between the transfer path and the illumination device.   The tablet counting inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the background image forming unit is an outer edge member of the surface illumination unit.

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