JP4519789B2 - X-ray inspection equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus for inspecting an article by detecting X-rays transmitted through the article and generating an X-ray image corresponding to the quality state, and in particular, storing information on a plurality of types of products and performing an inspection by a product selection operation. The present invention relates to an X-ray inspection apparatus for switching the setting conditions.

  Conventionally, an article inspection apparatus for inspecting the quality state of articles in various production lines has been widely used. Such an article inspection apparatus is used to set parameters and the like that define operation conditions together with product type data for a plurality of types of articles. In many cases, data is stored in a storage means in advance, and the operation conditions at the time of inspection are automatically switched by a product selection operation.

  For example, in order to facilitate product identification, the setting data and the appearance image of the article are stored in combination, and the appearance image, product name, external dimensions, etc. of multiple types of products are displayed on the product selection screen. In some cases, setting data related to the product type can be read simply by selecting and specifying one of the display images, thereby reducing parameter input time and preventing input mistakes (for example, see Patent Document 1). ).

In addition, by displaying the appearance image and setting data such as product number, product name, performance, rating, etc. on the product selection screen or measurement screen that is being inspected, it is possible for an operator to mistake the product when selecting the product or measuring. (For example, refer to Patent Document 2).
JP 2000-301892 A JP 2004-286758 A

  However, in the conventional article inspection apparatus as described above, since the kind information is configured by combining the kind data and the appearance image of the article, it is necessary to provide appearance photographing means such as an optical camera in the article inspection apparatus. Even if it is not, it is necessary to provide this means, and there is a problem that the cost of the apparatus is increased.

  In addition, it is often not easy to capture the appearance image of the contents enclosed or stored in the packaging material or the packaging container immediately before the enclosure or storage, and in that case, it is difficult to capture the appearance image itself. .

  In addition, the appearance image of the inspected article is effective for identifying the inspected article, but usually does not include image information related to other inspection conditions, and can display various setting conditions effectively. There wasn't.

  In particular, in an X-ray inspection apparatus such as an X-ray foreign object detection apparatus that detects X-rays transmitted through an article and creates an X-ray image to inspect the article, there are various contents in articles having similar appearances. Since it is enclosed and stored in the product type and the storage form, and the inspection conditions are various, the product selection operation and the like cannot be facilitated even if an appearance image is taken.

  Therefore, the present invention facilitates or selects a product type by using an X-ray image capable of visually grasping the inspected article and its inspection conditions without using an appearance photographing means such as an optical camera. It is an object of the present invention to provide a low-cost X-ray inspection apparatus capable of facilitating the collation / judgment work of the type being inspected for the type.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides (1) X-ray detection means for detecting X-rays transmitted through an article, and X-rays corresponding to the quality state of the article based on detection information of the X-ray detection means. Image generating means for generating an image; setting means for setting information for each type of the article; operating conditions of the X-ray detecting means and the image generating means for each type; and setting information for the setting means. An X-ray inspection apparatus that inspects the quality state of the article based on the X-ray image, wherein the setting information storage means is configured to store the setting information for each product by the setting means. The X-ray image when the operating conditions of the X-ray detection means and the image generation means are set is stored as a setting X-ray image associated with information for each type, and the setting X-ray image is stored for each type Along with the information of A display unit for displaying, a product type selection screen generating unit for generating an image of a product type selection screen including a plurality of types of information for each article as a plurality of options based on the storage information of the setting information storage unit, A kind selection processing means for selecting a kind to be inspected according to a selection operation for selecting any of the choices, and an image of the kind selection screen is displayed by the display means, and the kind selection screen generation is performed. The means generates, as the image of the product type selection screen, an image including information on each of the plurality of product types and the setting X-ray image corresponding to at least one of the plurality of product types. Is.

  With this configuration, the X-ray image stored in association with the information for each product type stores the characteristics of the set conditions related to the conditions for detection and X-ray image generation (and further determination) for each product along with the specific quality state of the article. If this information is displayed on the screen, it will be possible to visually grasp the articles and their inspection conditions for each set product type, and information that can extract the characteristics of the setting conditions even if they are not displayed on the screen Thus, collation / determination (determination of suitability) between the set condition and the article to be inspected becomes possible. The X-ray image may be a compressed image having a smaller number of pixels than the X-ray image at the time of inspection.

Moreover, since the display means is provided to set the time of X-ray image display screen together with the information for each goods species, the visually easily grasp the article and conditions of the test for each set varieties from the display image.

Furthermore, since the information for each product type selected at the time of product type selection and the corresponding X-ray image at the time of setting can be confirmed, the product type to be selected can be easily grasped visually from the display image including its inspection conditions. Operation is facilitated.

  With this configuration, it is possible to check the information for each product type selected at the time of product type selection and the corresponding X-ray image at the time of setting, so that the product type to be selected can be easily grasped visually from the display image including its inspection conditions. Variety selection operation is facilitated.

In this case , (2 ) when the kind selection processing means can temporarily select any of the choices on the kind selection screen and the provisional selection operation is performed, the kind selection screen generation means is temporarily selected The setting X-ray image corresponding to the product type may be used as the setting X-ray image on the product type selection screen. In this way, since the number of displayed images can be reduced, an X-ray image can be displayed with a large image size at the time of setting the type temporarily selected before the selection is confirmed, and the image information can be more easily viewed and used effectively. be able to.

In the X-ray inspection apparatus of the present invention, ( 3 ) the X-ray image at the time of actual inspection and the X-ray image at the time of setting generated by the image generation means when the display means inspects the quality state of the article. May be displayed simultaneously. If comprised in this way, the X-ray image of an actual test | inspection will be collated with the set-time X-ray image displayed simultaneously with it whether the goods in test | inspection are suitable for the conditions of the test | inspection during a real test | inspection. This makes it possible to easily determine.

Furthermore, in the X-ray inspection apparatus of the present invention, ( 4 ) when the setting unit stores a predetermined mask processing condition for masking a portion unnecessary for detection as an operation condition of the image generation unit, the setting information storage The means may store an X-ray image partially masked corresponding to the mask processing condition as the setting X-ray image. With this configuration, it is possible to instantaneously determine whether or not a predetermined mask processing condition is set for each product from the X-ray image at the time of setting.

In the X-ray inspection apparatus according to the present invention, ( 5 ) the setting means designates an area for inspecting a missing part of the contents when the article includes a plurality of contents as operating conditions of the image generation means. When a predetermined shortage inspection area designation condition is set, the setting information storage means stores an X-ray image including a portion displaying the area according to the shortage inspection area designation condition as the setting time X-ray image. It is good to do. In this way, when referring to the product type information, it is possible to instantaneously determine whether or not a predetermined missing part inspection area designation condition is set from the setting X-ray image.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to easily grasp the articles for each set product type and the inspection conditions using the set-time X-ray image stored in association with the product type information without using an appearance photographing means such as an optical camera. Therefore, it is possible to provide a low-cost X-ray inspection apparatus capable of facilitating the operation of selecting the product type and facilitating the collation / determination of the product type being inspected with respect to the selected product type.

In addition, since the display means for displaying the X-ray image at the time of setting together with the information for each product type is provided, it is possible to easily visually grasp the product for each set product type and the inspection conditions from the display image.

Furthermore, an image including information for each of a plurality of types and a setting X-ray image corresponding to at least one of the plurality of types is generated as an image of the type selection screen, and the type selection is performed. The type information to be selected and the corresponding X-ray image at the time of setting can be confirmed, and the type to be selected can be easily grasped visually from the display image including the inspection conditions, and reliable type selection operation is facilitated. Can be done.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the X-ray image at the time of setting corresponding to the temporary selection operation is displayed, the number of display X-ray images at the time of setting in the product selection screen can be reduced, and the temporary operation before the selection operation is confirmed. When setting the selected product type, the X-ray image can be displayed in a large image size, and a more accurate selection operation can be performed.

According to the invention of claim 3 , the X-ray image at the time of the actual inspection is compared with the set-time X-ray image displayed at the same time as to whether or not the article to be inspected conforms to the inspection conditions during the actual inspection. This makes it easy to determine.

According to the invention of claim 4 , it is possible to instantaneously determine whether or not a predetermined mask processing condition is set from the set X-ray image.

According to the invention of claim 5 , it is possible to instantaneously determine whether or not a predetermined shortage inspection area designation condition is set from the set X-ray image.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[First embodiment]
1 to 3 are diagrams showing an X-ray inspection apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and show an example in which the present invention is applied to an X-ray foreign object detection apparatus.

  First, the configuration will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the X-ray inspection apparatus according to the present embodiment inspects a work that is an article to be inspected, for example, a work W containing a plurality of contents in a bag-shaped packaging material or a predetermined-shaped packaging container. And a detection means 10 (X-ray detection means) for detecting X-rays transmitted through the workpiece W and a conveyor conveyance path 11 for conveying the workpiece W in a predetermined direction.

  The conveyor conveyance path 11 is a belt conveyor driven at a predetermined conveyance speed by a conveyance drive motor (not shown), for example, and can move the workpiece W through the predetermined detection region 12. The movement of the workpiece W is not limited to conveyance by an external force. For example, the detection area 12 may exist in the movement path of the workpiece W due to its own weight (movement path due to rolling, sliding, dropping, etc.). .

  The detection means 10 includes an X-ray source 13 that irradiates X-rays toward the work W in the detection region 12, an X-ray detection unit 14 that detects X-rays transmitted through the work W among the irradiated X-rays, And a workpiece detection sensor 15 that detects that the workpiece W has reached a predetermined position upstream of the detection region 12 on the conveyor conveyance path 11.

  The X-ray source 13 has an X-ray tube that generates X-rays by colliding a thermoelectron from a cathode filament with an anode target by a high voltage between the cathode and the anode, for example. The X-ray detector 14 is shaped and irradiated with a fan-shaped beam extending in a direction (hereinafter referred to as a width direction) perpendicular to the conveying direction of the conveyor conveying path 11 by a slit (not shown).

  In addition, the X-ray detection unit 14 transmits X-rays that have passed through the workpiece W in each of a plurality of transmission regions adjacent to each other in the detection region 12 in a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the conveyor conveyance path 11 (hereinafter referred to as the width direction). And the accumulated transmission amount data for each predetermined time in each transmission region is output as a detection signal. Although not shown in detail, the X-ray detection unit 14 is configured by, for example, an X-ray line sensor. The X-ray line sensor has a width of a detection element including a scintillator that is a phosphor and a photodiode or a charge coupled device. X-ray detection can be performed at a predetermined resolution with a known array arranged in a direction at a predetermined pitch. That is, the X-ray detection unit 14 generates and outputs a detection signal indicating the quality state of the workpiece W when the workpiece W passes through the detection region 12 in the conveying direction from the left side to the right side in FIG. It has become.

  Also in the transport direction, the transport speed of the conveyor transport path 11 is such that the X-ray transmission amount of the workpiece W is sequentially sampled at a sampling pitch corresponding to the X-ray dose sampling pitch on the element row line of the X-ray detector 14. Is set, and X-ray transmission amount detection signals from a plurality of detection elements of the X-ray detection unit 14 are accumulated and stored in the entire conveyance direction of the workpiece W, whereby data for creating an X-ray image can be acquired. It is like that.

  The detection signal of the X-ray detection unit 14 is captured by the control device 20.

  Although the detailed hardware configuration is not illustrated, the control device 20 includes, for example, a microcomputer having a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and an I / O interface, an auxiliary storage device such as a hard disk, and driver circuits for each functional unit. Based on the detection signal from the X-ray detection unit 14, the CPU executes predetermined arithmetic processing while exchanging data with the RAM in accordance with a control program stored in advance in a ROM or the like. X-ray image data is created to determine the presence or absence of foreign matter in the workpiece W, for example.

  As shown in FIG. 1, this control device 20 is functionally based on the detection information of the X-ray detection unit 14, such as the quality state of the workpiece W, for example, the presence or absence of mixed foreign matter (or the presence or absence of missing items, contents X-ray image generation unit 21 (image forming means) for generating an X-ray image corresponding to the shape / size / accommodation state of the material, density / thickness / volume or mass distribution, and the like for each type of workpiece W Setting operation unit 22 (setting unit) for setting information and operation conditions of detection unit 10 and X-ray image generation unit 21 for each product type, and setting information storage unit 23 (for storing setting information of setting operation unit 22) A determination to determine whether the quality state of the workpiece W is acceptable or not by executing a known predetermined processing program based on the X-ray image for each workpiece W created by the setting information storage means) and the X-ray image generation unit 21 Part 24 and the judgment part 24 It includes a display control unit 25 and a display 26 that display the examination result information corresponding to the result on the screen or display the setting information stored in the setting information storage unit 23 according to the operation of the setting operation unit 22. It is configured. The display device 26 is a display means constituted by, for example, a flat panel display.

  Here, the X-ray image generation unit 21 performs determination / confirmation work by an operator corresponding to the X-ray absorption level of each part of the workpiece W (substance) based on, for example, detection information from the X-ray detection unit 14 for each workpiece W. In addition, an X-ray image subjected to image processing (for example, an image in which a gradation level is set as a result of logarithmic conversion from a detection signal level according to the sensitivity of the human eye) is generated.

  The setting operation unit 22 has an operation input unit on the screen such as a menu button 46 displayed on the operation screen shown in FIG. 3 and an operation unit 22s on the selection screen shown in FIG. A menu screen (not shown) is displayed in response to the operation of 46, and operation buttons for setting various parameters and changing the product type are arranged on the menu screen to enable the setting operation. Note that the product type selection screen 30 shown in FIG. 2 is displayed when product type switching is selected on the menu screen, and the operation screen 40 shown in FIG. 3 is displayed when repeated inspections are performed by normal continuous operation.

  The setting information storage unit 23 generates X-rays generated by the X-ray image generation unit 21 when the setting operation unit 22 sets operation conditions of the detection unit 10 and the X-ray image generation unit 21 for each type of workpiece W. X-ray at the time of setting in which an image is associated with setting information for each type (for example, type number, name, number of contents, weight, shape, tube current, tube voltage, conveyance speed, determination threshold, mask processing condition, etc.) It is memorized as an image.

  The display control unit 25 performs display control so that the setting X-ray image stored in the setting information storage unit 23 is displayed on the display 26 together with the information for each type of workpiece W.

  Specifically, the control device 20 further generates an image of the product type selection screen 30 (see FIG. 2) including information on a plurality of types of the articles as a plurality of options based on the stored information in the setting information storage unit 23. A selection screen generation unit 27 (type selection screen generation means) and a type selection process for selecting the type of work W to be inspected in accordance with a selection operation for selecting any of the plurality of options 31 to 33 in the type selection screen 30 It has a function with the unit 28 (product type selection processing means), and the image of the product type selection screen 30 is displayed on the screen by the display unit 25.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 2, for example, the selection screen generation unit 27 configures option images 31, 32, and 33 for each type of a plurality of types of workpieces W as an image of the type selection screen 30 and a part of the setting operation unit 22. An image including the operation unit image 22s to be generated is generated. Here, the option image 31 is identified as text information having a product number 31a indicated by “No. 001” in the figure, a product name 31c represented by “sausage A”, and the product number 31a and product name 31c. And an X-ray image 31b at the time of setting corresponding to a workpiece W of a different type. Similarly, the option image 32 includes a product number 32a indicated by “No. 002” in the drawing, a product name 32c represented by “sausage B”, and a work of a specific product having the product number 32a and the product name 33c. A selection time X-ray image 32b corresponding to W, and an option image 33 includes a product number 33a indicated by “No. 003” in the figure, a product name 33c indicated by “retort curry C”, and these It is composed of a set-time X-ray image 33b corresponding to a work W of a specific product type having a product type number 33a and a product name 33c. That is, each option image 31, 32, or 33 is an X-ray image when the article information for each type of workpiece W and various parameters are set for the type and detection conditions and determination conditions at the time of inspection are set, that is, at the time of setting X The line image 31b, 32b or 33b is displayed as a representative image of the product type.

  The operation unit image 22 s is an up / down movement key for changing one of the options 31, 32, or 33 highlighted among the plurality of options 31, 32, 33 displayed on the product type selection screen 30. 35a, 35b, a change key 37 for temporarily selecting one of the highlighted options 31, 32 or 33, and a determination key 36 for setting the temporarily selected state to a final state , And a return key 38 for returning to the menu screen from the product type selection screen 30 based on the valid state of the provisional selection by the change key 37.

  When the determination key 36 is operated on the operation unit image 22s and the selection of the type is confirmed, the type selection processing unit 28 reads setting information corresponding to the selected type from the setting information storage unit 23, and an X-ray image generation unit. 21, the setting parameter of the selected product type is supplied to the determination unit 24, the display control unit 25, the selection screen generation unit 27, and the detection control unit 29. Conditions for image generation by the generation unit 21, determination by the determination unit 24, and screen display control are changed to those corresponding to the selected product type.

  The detection control unit 29 controls the tube current and tube voltage of the X-ray tube of the X-ray source 13 and corrects the sensitivity of the X-ray detection unit 14, while depending on the workpiece detection signal of the workpiece detection sensor 15. The X-ray detection unit 14 has a function of setting a measurement period that is a detection signal capturing period for each work W from the X-ray detection unit 14 to the X-ray image generation unit 21.

  On the other hand, the display control unit 25 takes in the operation input content from the setting operation unit 22 via the setting information storage unit 23, and switches the screen display mode, for example, and displays the display data of the display 26 in the designated display mode. create. Further, the display control unit 25 acquires an X-ray image from the X-ray image generation unit 21, setting information from the setting information storage unit 23, and information on the selected product from the product selection processing unit 28, and Operation screen information for simultaneously displaying the X-ray image at the time of the actual inspection and the X-ray image at the time of setting generated by the X-ray image generation unit 21 at the time of the actual inspection in which the inspection of the quality state of the workpiece W is continuously performed. It is generated and displayed on the display 26.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the operation screen 40 includes an X-ray image display unit 41 that displays an X-ray image Wi at the time of the actual inspection in the main screen area 40 a and its side (right side in FIG. 3). ) And the same type information (type number 32a, setting X-ray image 32b and item name 32c in FIG. 3) that is displayed when the current type is selected on the selection operation screen 30 is displayed. Product type information display unit 42 to display, result display unit 43 to display the inspection result (pass / fail) as “OK” or “NG”, non-defective product production amount, NG emission amount (number of inspections and inspection results), etc. are displayed numerically And a setting parameter display unit 45 for displaying main parameters (for example, foreign object detection limit, foreign object area ratio, density limit) for specifying the determination condition.

  In addition to the main screen area 40a, the operation screen 40 includes a menu button 46 for a common screen operation and a shift operation to a menu screen, a start button 47 for instructing start of conveyance and inspection, a conveyance and inspection operation, and the like. An operation unit area 40b for displaying operation keys such as a stop button 48 for instructing stop, an examination time display, help information, an operation state display indicating that X-ray irradiation is being performed ("Driving" in FIG. 3), etc. Display area 40c. Here, the “total inspection amount” displayed on the numerical value display unit 44 corresponds to the total number of foreign object inspections. In addition, the “number of non-defective products” is the cumulative number of workpieces W that do not contain foreign matter in units of each inspection target quantity W in the case of loose or paste-like, and the NG number is the same as this. Indicates the total number of workpieces W that included.

  Next, the operation will be described.

  First, when registering a work W of a new product type, first, a product type number, product name, number of contents, weight, shape, etc., which are information on the product of that product type, are set and inputted.

  In addition, the driving conditions of the X-ray source 13 of the detection means 10 (tube voltage, tube current, etc. for specifying the irradiation intensity) are set to an appropriate level according to the type of workpiece W, and on the non-conveying conveyor conveyance path 11. The detection sensitivity of the X-ray detection unit 14 is adjusted so that the X-ray transmission amount of each transmission region on the belt surface alone is equal throughout the width direction, and then the belt surface of the conveyor transport path 11 when not transported is covered. Detection conditions are set as a reference surface without an inspection article, and a noise cut threshold value of data to be taken into the X-ray image generation unit 21 is set.

  Further, using the workpiece W sample, detailed settings such as the conveyance speed of the conveyor conveyance path 11, threshold values and other parameters related to the determination by the determination unit 24, mask processing conditions in the X-ray image generation unit 21, and the like are made.

  At this time, the X-ray image generated by the determination unit 24 is sent to the display control unit 25 through the determination unit 24, and is used as a density distribution image suitable for determination / confirmation of the presence or absence of foreign matter by an operator who inspects using the display unit 26. Although displayed, the X-ray image at the time of setting is compressed (reduced) to an appropriate image size and stored in the setting information storage unit 23 from the display control unit 25. When the set value is updated, the setting X-ray image obtained at the time of the update setting is stored in the setting information storage unit 23, so that the setting X-ray image in the setting information storage unit 23 is also updated. The

  The initial setting data input with the above-described setting is written in the setting information storage unit 23 as, for example, a model parameter file, and is held in a readable state when an input for specifying the model is made.

  After such setting, a series of inspection control programs are executed. For example, when an input for specifying the type of workpiece W to be inspected as shown in FIG. When the setting information is read from the product type parameter file in the setting information storage unit 23 and then there is an operation input such as a start button for instructing start of measurement, the conveyance of the work W by the conveyor conveyance path 11 is started. Therefore, the operating condition of the apparatus at this time is a condition for performing X-ray foreign object detection (quality state inspection) under the detection condition and determination condition set in advance for the selected product type.

  Next, the workpiece W is detected by the workpiece detection sensor 15.

  Subsequently, the detection signal from the X-ray detection unit 14 is started to be taken into the X-ray image generation unit 21, the line scanning is repeated, and the number of detection elements of the X-ray line sensor is stored in the memory in the X-ray image generation unit 21. The transmission amount data for n pieces are sequentially stored, and the above-described appropriate conversion processing is performed to generate X-ray image data corresponding to the X-ray absorption amount distribution for each workpiece W. 24. Further, the X-ray image generation unit 21 further performs image processing added to the X-ray image data corresponding to the detection signal, for example, mask processing, region division processing, and display frame setting of the inspection target region based on the setting information of each product type. When there is a process or the like, necessary data is output to the determination unit 24 so that the processed image is output to the display control unit 25.

  Next, the determination unit 24 compares the data of the maximum pixel density in the data for each line scan with a predetermined threshold value, and compares the detected density level with the threshold value to determine whether or not metal foreign matter having a large X-ray absorption rate is mixed. The results are sequentially output to the display control unit 25. In addition, display control of X-ray image data from the X-ray image generation unit 21 (image data after processing when mask processing, region division processing, display frame setting processing of the inspection target region, or the like is performed) is also performed. Is output to the unit 25.

  Then, at a predetermined timing after the workpiece is detected, the display control unit 25 creates image data such as the operation screen 40 as shown in FIG. 3 and outputs it to the display 26. In the operation screen 40 at this time, the determination result in the determination unit 24 is displayed as OK or NG on the result display unit 43, while the X-ray image display unit 41 displays the X at the time of the actual inspection on the workpiece W being inspected. A line image Wi is displayed, and a set-time X-ray image 32b, which is a representative image of the currently selected product type, is displayed on the product type information display unit 42.

  In this state, the set-time X-ray image 32b stored in association with the information for each product type specifies the setting conditions such as the detection parameters for each product type, the setting parameters required for X-ray image generation, and the determination condition setting parameters. Since the image information is stored together with the quality state (including the arrangement state of the contents and the conveying posture), it is possible to easily grasp the article for each set product type and the inspection conditions visually.

  Moreover, since the display unit 26 displays the X-ray image at the time of the actual inspection and the X-ray image at the time of setting at the same time, whether or not the actual inspection product conforms to the conditions of the inspection during the actual inspection. The determination can be easily made by simply comparing the X-ray image Wi of the inspection with the set-time X-ray image displayed at the same time.

  Here, for example, when the menu button 46 is operated and a type change instruction is issued on the menu screen, the list of types already set in the selection screen generation unit 27 can be scrolled based on information from the type selection processing unit 28. Partially displayed.

  In this state, it is possible to confirm the product number 31a, 32a, 33a and product name 31c, 32c, 33c, which are information for each product type as an option, and the set-time X-ray images 31b, 32b, 33b corresponding to each product type. Therefore, the type to be selected can be easily grasped visually from the display image including the inspection conditions, and the type selection operation is facilitated.

  As described above, in the X-ray inspection apparatus of the present embodiment, the workpiece W for each set type and the inspection conditions can be easily grasped by the set-time X-ray image stored in association with the type information, and the appearance of the optical camera or the like Even without using imaging means, it is possible to easily grasp the product type to be selected from the displayed image including the inspection conditions, thereby facilitating the product selection operation, and checking and judging the product type being inspected for the selected product type. Can be made easier, and it becomes a low-cost X-ray inspection apparatus.

[Second Embodiment]
4 and 5 are views showing an X-ray inspection apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and show an example in which the present invention is applied to an X-ray foreign matter detection apparatus. The X-ray inspection apparatus according to the present embodiment is different from the above-described embodiment only in the method of displaying the set-time X-ray image on the product type selection screen and the operation screen, and other configurations and operations are the same as those in the first embodiment. Since the configuration is the same as that of the above-described embodiment, the same reference numerals as those in FIGS.

  In the X-ray inspection apparatus of the present embodiment, the selection screen generation unit 27 generates a product type selection screen 50 as shown in FIG. An image that displays option images 51, 52, and 53 for each type, and a setting-time X-ray image 55 b corresponding to a work W of a specific type having a type number and name corresponding to any one of the option images 51, 52, or 53 The display unit 55 and an operation unit image 22 s constituting a part of the setting operation unit 22 are included. Here, the option image 51 displays text information composed of a product number 51 a indicated by “No. 001” and an item name 51 c indicated by “sausage A” in the figure. The image 52 is composed of a product number 52a indicated by “No. 002” in the figure and a product name 52c indicated by “sausage B”, and the option image 53 is a product type indicated by “No. 003” in the figure. It consists of a number 53a and a product name 53c represented by “retort curry C”.

  The image display unit 55 displays the setting X-ray image 55b for any one of the currently selected option images 51, 52 or 53 as a representative image of the product type. That is, in the present embodiment, for a smaller number than the option images 51 to 53, for example, one option, various parameters are set for the product information for each product type and the workpiece W for that product type, and the detection conditions at the time of inspection are set. The X-ray image 55b and the like are displayed on the selection screen 50.

  In this case, the product type selection processing unit 28 can set any one of the options 51 to 53 on the product type selection screen 50 to the temporary selection state with the change key 37, and when the operation of the temporary selection is performed, the selection is made. The screen generation unit 27 sets the setting X-ray image 55b corresponding to the temporarily selected product as the setting X-ray image on the product selection screen 50.

  Also in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the display control unit 25 uses the X-ray image Wi at the time of actual inspection generated by the X-ray image generation unit 21 when inspecting the quality state of the workpiece W. The X-ray image 55b at the time of setting for the current product is displayed on the display device 26 in the form of the operation screen 60 at the same time.

  In FIG. 5, the operation screen 60 is provided in the main screen area 60a on the X-ray image display unit 61 for displaying the X-ray image Wi at the time of the actual inspection and on the side (right side in FIG. 3). A product type information display unit 62 for displaying product type information (product type 52a and product name 52c in FIG. 5) that is substantially the same as that displayed when the current product type is selected on the selection operation screen 50; A result display unit 63 that displays “OK” or “NG”, a numerical display unit 64 that displays the non-defective product production amount, NG emission amount, and the like as numerical values, and a setting parameter display that displays main parameters for specifying the determination conditions And a product type image display unit 66 for displaying a set-time X-ray image 55b corresponding to the product type information displayed on the first product type information display unit 62.

  In addition to the main screen area 60a, the operation screen 60 has an operation section area 60b that displays operation keys such as the menu button 46, the start button 47, and the stop button 48 in the same manner as the operation section area 40b of the operation screen 40 described above. And the display area 60c such as the examination time display, help information, and the operation state display during the X-ray irradiation, like the display area 40c of the operation screen 40 described above.

  Also in the present embodiment, as in the above-described embodiment, the image of the product type selection screen 50 includes information on a plurality of types of products and a set-time X-ray image 55b corresponding to at least one of the plurality of types. Is generated and the product type is selected, so that the product type information selected at the time of product type selection and the corresponding setting X-ray image 55b can be confirmed, and the product type to be selected can be visually checked from the display image including its inspection conditions. Can be easily grasped and a reliable product selection operation can be easily performed. In addition, in this embodiment, the X-ray image at the time of setting one type corresponding to the temporary selection operation by the operation of the change key 37 and the up / down movement keys 35a and 35b is displayed on the type selection screen 50. The number of display X-ray images on the type selection screen 50 can be reduced, and the type X-ray image 55b of the type temporarily selected before the selection operation is confirmed is displayed in a large image size for more accurate selection operation. Can be performed.

  Further, during the actual inspection, whether or not the article to be inspected conforms to the inspection condition is determined by the X-ray image Wi at the time of the actual inspection on the operation screen 60 and the set-time X-ray image 55b displayed at the same time. In this case, the product type image is displayed on the product type image display unit 66 with a large image size, so that it can be verified and determined more accurately.

[Third embodiment]
FIG. 6 is a view showing an X-ray inspection apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and shows an example in which the present invention is applied to an X-ray foreign object detection apparatus. The X-ray inspection apparatuses of the following embodiments are different from the above-described embodiment only in the way of displaying the setting-time X-ray image on the product selection screen and the operation screen, and other configurations and operations are the same as those described above. Since the configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals as those in FIGS. 1 to 3 are used for the same configuration as the above-described embodiment, and only differences from the above-described embodiment will be described.

  In the X-ray inspection apparatus of the present embodiment, for a certain product type, the setting operation unit 22 masks a portion unnecessary for detection, such as a metal clip or a container of packaging, as an operation condition of the X-ray image generation unit 21. When a condition for processing (predetermined mask processing; for example, see Japanese Patent No. 3737950) is set, the setting-time X-ray image masked according to the setting condition is stored in the setting information storage unit 23. Then, a masked setting X-ray image corresponding to at least one of a plurality of options is displayed on a product selection screen (not shown).

  FIG. 6 shows an example in which an X-ray image Wi at the time of actual inspection and an X-ray image 72b at the time of setting are displayed on the operation screen 70. Container portions around the actual inspection image Wi and the X-ray image at the time of setting, respectively. The mask frame line Li of the frame portion masked with is displayed. Although not colored in the drawing, for example, it may be displayed as a chromatic frame line different from the binary grayscale image, or may be displayed with a different line type such as a dotted line.

  In the present embodiment, since the setting information storage unit 23 stores an X-ray image partially masked corresponding to the mask processing condition as the setting X-ray image, in addition to the effects of the above-described embodiments. Whether or not a predetermined mask processing condition is set can be instantaneously determined from the set X-ray image.

[Fourth embodiment]
FIG. 7 is a view showing an X-ray inspection apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, and shows an example in which the present invention is applied to an X-ray foreign object detection apparatus.

  In the X-ray inspection apparatus according to the present embodiment, a predetermined shortage inspection region designation condition, for example, a plurality of contents in a predetermined condition in a container is set as an operation condition of the X-ray image generation unit 21 by the setting operation unit 22 for a certain product type. When conditions for processing (for example, refer to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-24453) are set for the workpiece W arranged in a predetermined posture at the position, each of the arrangement areas is set as an out-of-stock inspection area. A setting-time X-ray image 82b in which a portion for displaying an inspection area, for example, a chromatic color transparent window C1 and / or a frame line C2 including each shortage inspection area is displayed is stored in the setting information storage unit 23. Let Then, a set time X-ray image 82b including such a shortage inspection area display portion C1, C2 corresponding to at least one of a plurality of options is displayed on a product selection screen (not shown).

  FIG. 7 shows an example in which the setting X-ray image 82b is displayed on the operation screen 80 together with the X-ray image Wi at the time of actual inspection.

  In the present embodiment, the setting information storage unit 23 sets the X-ray image including the transparent window C1 and the frame line C2 that are partially colored corresponding to the missing part inspection area designation condition in the setting X-ray image 82b. Since it is stored in such a format, in addition to the effects of the above-described embodiment, it can be instantaneously determined from the set X-ray image whether or not a predetermined shortage inspection region designation condition is set.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, in addition to adopting the set-time X-ray image as a product type representative image that also indicates detection conditions, image generation conditions, and judgment conditions for each product type, a display means is provided and a screen is provided. Although the display allows the articles for each set product and the inspection conditions to be easily grasped visually, the present invention can be applied even when the screen is not displayed. For example, by executing the process of extracting the characteristics of the setting conditions from the X-ray image at the time of setting, the material is used as a material for automatic verification / determination (determination of whether or not there is a match) between the setting conditions and the actually inspected article Something can be considered. In addition, the set X-ray image can be stored as a so-called thumbnail image with a small image file size, or only the display can be reduced.

  As described above, the present invention makes it possible to easily grasp the articles for each set product and the inspection conditions thereof by using the set-time X-ray image stored in association with the product information, and does not use appearance photographing means such as an optical camera. It is possible to provide a low-cost X-ray inspection apparatus capable of facilitating the operation of selecting the product type or facilitating the collation / determination of the product type being inspected with respect to the selected product type, An X-ray inspection apparatus that detects X-rays transmitted through an article and generates an X-ray image corresponding to the quality state and inspects the article, in particular, stores a plurality of types of product information, and performs a product selection operation at the time of the inspection. This is useful for all X-ray inspection apparatuses that switch setting conditions.

1 is an overall schematic configuration diagram showing an X-ray inspection apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is explanatory drawing of the kind selection screen which shows the X-ray inspection apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the operation screen which shows the X-ray inspection apparatus which concerns on the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the kind selection screen which shows the X-ray inspection apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the operation screen which shows the X-ray inspection apparatus which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the driving | operation screen which shows the X-ray inspection apparatus which concerns on the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing of the driving | operation screen which shows the X-ray inspection apparatus which concerns on the 4th Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

10 Detection means (X-ray detection means)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Conveyor conveyance path 12 Detection area | region 13 X-ray source 14 X-ray detection part 15 Work detection sensor 20 Control apparatus 21 X-ray image generation part (image generation means)
22 Setting operation section (setting means)
23 Setting information storage unit (setting information storage means)
24 determination part 25 display control part 26 indicator (display means)
27 Selection screen generation unit (type selection screen generation means)
28 Type selection processing unit (type selection processing means)
29 Detection control unit 30, 50 Product selection screen 31, 32, 33, 51, 52, 53 Option image 31a, 32a, 33a, 51a, 52a, 53a Product number (product information)
31b, 32b, 33b Setting X-ray image 31c, 32c, 33c Product name (product information)
40, 60, 70, 80 Operation screen C1 Transparent window (display part of missing item inspection area)
C2 Frame C (Display part of missing item inspection area)
W Work (article)
Wi-ray X-ray image during actual inspection

Claims (5)

X-ray detection means (10) for detecting X-rays transmitted through the article (W);
Image generation means (21) for generating an X-ray image corresponding to the quality state of the article based on detection information of the X-ray detection means;
Setting means (22) for setting the information for each kind of the article and the operating conditions of the X-ray detection means and the image generating means for each kind;
Setting information storage means (23) for storing setting information of the setting means,
An X-ray inspection apparatus that inspects the quality state of the article based on the X-ray image,
The setting information storage means includes the X-ray images (31b, 32b, 33b; 55b; 72b; 82b) when operating conditions of the X-ray detection means and the image generation means for each product type are set by the setting means. ) As an X-ray image at the time of setting associated with the information for each product type ,
Display means (26) for displaying the set-time X-ray image together with information for each product type, and a plurality of options (31, 32, 33; 51, 52, 53) according to the type selection screen generation means (27) for generating an image of the type selection screen (30; 50) and a selection operation for selecting one of the options in the type selection screen. And a kind selection processing means (28) for selecting the kind to be inspected,
The image of the product type selection screen is displayed by the display means,
The product type selection screen generation unit generates an image including information on the plurality of types of the product type and the setting X-ray image corresponding to at least one of the plurality of types as an image of the product type selection screen. X-ray inspection apparatus characterized by the above. When the type selection processing means can temporarily select any of the options on the type selection screen and the temporary selection operation is performed, the type selection screen generation means performs the setting corresponding to the temporarily selected type. The X-ray inspection apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the time X-ray image (55b) is a set time X-ray image in the product type selection screen . The display means simultaneously displays the X-ray image (Wi) at the time of actual inspection and the X-ray image at the time of setting generated by the image generation means when inspecting the quality state of the article. The X-ray inspection apparatus according to claim 1 . When a predetermined mask processing condition for masking a portion unnecessary for detection is set as the operation condition of the image generating means by the setting means,
2. The X-ray according to claim 1 , wherein the setting information storage unit stores an X-ray image (72 b) partially masked corresponding to the mask processing condition as the setting X-ray image. 3. Inspection device. When a predetermined shortage inspection area designation condition for designating a shortage inspection area of the contents when the article includes a plurality of contents as the operation conditions of the image generation means is set by the setting means,
The setting information storage means stores an X-ray image (82b) including a portion (C1, C2) for displaying the area in accordance with the shortage inspection area designation condition as the setting X-ray image. Item 2. The X-ray inspection apparatus according to Item 1 .

Images