JP5688770B2 - Tablet printer - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a tablet printing apparatus capable of performing printing processing according to the posture of a tablet at a high speed on a randomly supplied tablet.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-20325 proposes a printing apparatus that can easily and efficiently perform printing on a randomly supplied workpiece. In this printing apparatus, a workpiece introduced into a predetermined photographing area is photographed by a CCD camera, and workpiece information including the position and posture of the workpiece is detected based on an image photographed by the CCD camera, and the workpiece is detected. A print pattern to be created on the work is generated based on the information, and the work is printed based on the print pattern.

  In this case, even if the supplied workpiece position, posture, etc. are random and random, there is no need to position the workpieces one by one, and moreover, a plurality of workpieces can be processed in a lump. The printing process can be made efficient and high-speed processing is possible. In addition, it is not necessary to prepare a conveyor according to the shape of the workpiece to convey the workpiece, and the workpiece conveying means can be simplified.

  In the above-mentioned publication, an area sensor camera such as a CCD camera is used as a workpiece imaging means. Therefore, when workpiece information is detected, the images shot in the shooting areas are connected and processed. Need to do. However, in an application where a large amount of tablets are randomly supplied and detection or printing processing is performed on these tablets, a state where the tablets protrude from each imaging area frequently occurs. It is not necessarily an imaging means suitable for such an application.

  Also, some tablets are oriented, for example, like a scored tablet, and it is necessary to perform a printing process according to the orientation of the tablets on such oriented tablets. For this reason, in an application in which a large amount of tablets are randomly supplied, it is required to accurately detect the orientation of each tablet and the presence / absence of a dividing line at high speed. However, it is difficult for conventional area sensor cameras to meet such demands.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a conventional situation, and the problem to be solved by the present invention is a tablet capable of performing a printing process according to the posture of the tablet at a high speed on a randomly supplied tablet. To provide a printing apparatus. In particular, the present invention is intended to enable a printing process corresponding to the direction of the dividing line to be performed at a high speed with respect to the dividing line lock having the dividing line. Further, the present invention provides not only a scored tablet having a scored line on both the front and back sides of the tablet, but also a scored tablet having a scored line on only one of the front and back sides. A printing process corresponding to the direction of the secant line can be performed on a certain surface at high speed.

In order to solve the above problems, a tablet printing apparatus according to the present invention includes a first line sensor camera that photographs randomly supplied tablets, and a memory that stores image data captured by the first line sensor camera. Only when the brightness of the image data determined by the determination means is equal to or higher than a certain level and the state continues for a certain span or more. Control means for controlling the image data to be taken into an image processing unit, which will be described later, as image data of a tablet that is a printing object, and the position, posture, and front / back of the tablet based on the tablet image data taken in by the control means An image processing unit that generates print data according to the image data, and a printing unit that performs print processing on the tablet based on the print data generated by the image processing unit ( Motomeko reference 1).

Oite the present invention, the tablets supplied at random are taken by the first line sensor camera. The line sensor camera captures one pixel row image at a time, but can obtain one continuous image along the direction of tablet movement, so a large number of tablets can be randomly supplied at one time. Even in such a case, continuous image data can be obtained, whereby accurate image data can be obtained at high speed. As a result, each tablet is detected at a high speed, and a printing process corresponding to the posture of each tablet can be performed at a high speed. In addition, in this case, print data corresponding to the position, posture, and front and back of the tablet is created by the image processing unit based on the image data of the tablet photographed by the first line sensor camera. In combination with the use of the line sensor camera, printing processing according to the posture (orientation) and front and back of the tablet can be performed at high speed.

In addition, since determination means for determining the luminance of the image data photographed by the first line sensor camera is provided, the position of the tablet, the presence / absence of non-defective / defective products, and the like can be determined based on the luminance of the image data. Furthermore, only when the brightness of the image data is above a certain level and the state continues for a certain span or more, the image data is fetched into the image processing unit as image data for printing, so it is supplied randomly. However, not all of the image data of the photographed work is captured as image data for printing into the image processing unit, but only the image data whose brightness is above a certain level and whose state has continued for a certain span or more are imaged. Thus, the amount of image data to be processed by the image processing unit can be reduced. As a result, it is possible to perform image processing at high speed using, for example, software of a general-purpose computer without constructing a large-scale computer system.

In the present invention, the tablet is a scored tablet having a score line, and the image processing unit creates print data in accordance with the direction of the score line of the scored tablet (refer to claim 2). In this case, the direction of the dividing line of the supplied tablet is random, but print data corresponding to the direction of the dividing line is created by the image processing unit, which is combined with the use of the first line sensor camera. Thus, printing processing can be performed at high speed for the scored lock.

In the present invention, the printing unit is constituted by an ink jet printer (see claim 3). In this case, since the printing process for the tablet can be performed in a non-contact manner, a clear printing process is possible regardless of the dosage form or shape of the tablet.

The present invention further includes a second line sensor camera for photographing the tablet after the printing process by the printing unit (see claim 4). In this case, the tablets supplied at random after the printing process are continuously photographed by the second line sensor camera. As a result, continuous image data can be obtained even when a large amount of tablets are randomly supplied at a time, so that accurate image data can be acquired at high speed, and as a result, each tablet can be inspected at high speed. .

In the present invention, when the inspection of the tablet after the printing process by the printing unit is performed, a predetermined printing pattern stored in advance is applied to the image of the tablet printing surface photographed by the second line sensor camera after printing on the tablet. It includes an image recognition process for superimposing (that is, a pattern matching process) (see claim 5). Thereby, even when a large amount of tablets are supplied, the print inspection can be performed at high speed.

As described above , according to the present invention, since the randomly supplied tablets are photographed by the first line sensor camera , continuous image data can be obtained even when a large amount of tablets are randomly supplied at one time. Therefore, accurate image data can be acquired at high speed. Thereby, each tablet is detected at high speed, and the printing process according to the posture of each tablet can be performed at high speed.

1 is a schematic front view showing an overall configuration of a tablet printing line including a tablet printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The first line sensor camera for detection, the first line sensor camera for inspection, and the first ink jet printer that constitute the tablet printing device provided on the first conveyor side in the tablet printing line together with a reversing device FIG. Schematic front view of a second detection line sensor camera, a second inspection line sensor camera, and a second inkjet printer constituting the tablet printing apparatus provided on the second transport conveyor side in the tablet printing line. It is. It is a schematic block block diagram of the control part which controls each part relevant to tablet printing in the said tablet printing line. It is a flowchart which shows the main control flow by the said control part. It is a flowchart which shows the subroutine of the image process in the said flowchart (FIG. 5). It is a top view which shows each pixel row | line | column in the said 1st, 2nd line sensor camera for a detection or a test | inspection (FIG. 2, FIG. 3) with a tablet. FIG. 2 shows the luminance of image data picked up by the first and second detection or inspection line sensor cameras (FIGS. 2 and 3) in numerical form and corresponds to the tablet arrangement shown in FIG. ing. It is a figure for demonstrating each process with respect to the tablet on a 1st conveyance conveyor time-sequentially, Comprising: It is a top view which shows the state at the time of a detection process. It is a figure for demonstrating each process with respect to the tablet on a 1st conveyance conveyor time-sequentially, Comprising: It is a top view which shows the state at the time of a detection process and a printing process. It is a figure for demonstrating each process with respect to the tablet on a 1st conveyance conveyor time-sequentially, Comprising: It is a top view which shows the state at the time of a detection process, a printing process, and an inspection process. It is a figure for demonstrating each process with respect to the tablet on a 2nd conveyance conveyor in time series, Comprising: It is a top view which shows the state at the time of a detection process. It is a figure for demonstrating each process with respect to the tablet on a 2nd conveyance conveyor in time series, Comprising: It is a top view which shows the state at the time of a detection process and a printing process. It is a figure for demonstrating each process with respect to the tablet on a 2nd conveyor in time series, Comprising: It is a top view which shows the state at the time of a detection process, a printing process, and an inspection process.

Hereinafter, a tablet printer according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Here, a scored tablet is taken as an example of the tablet, but the tablet with orientation can be applied to other than the scored tablet.

FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of a tablet printing line including a tablet printing apparatus according to this embodiment.
As shown in the figure, the tablet printing line includes a first transport conveyor 10 that randomly transports a large amount of tablets supplied from the hopper 120 and transports each of the loaded tablets randomly in the direction of the arrow. Have. The tablet printing apparatus 1 is disposed above the first conveyor 10 and is a first detection line sensor camera (detection imaging means) for detecting each tablet during conveyance by the first conveyor 10. ) 2 and the detection data of each tablet detected by the first detection line sensor camera 2, that is, printing on each tablet being transported based on the position, posture (orientation), front or back of each tablet, etc. The first inkjet printer (printing unit) 3 to be performed and the printing state of each tablet by the first inkjet printer 3, that is, whether the printing is faint, whether the printing is at a predetermined position, etc. A first inspection line sensor camera (inspection imaging means) 4 is provided.

  Further, this tablet printing line has a reverse roller 12 at the downstream end of the first conveyor 3. The first conveyor 10 is composed of, for example, a timing belt, and its upstream end is wound around a pulley 11 and its downstream end is wound around a reverse roller 12. The reversing roller 12 is for reversing the front and back of each tablet on the first conveyor 10, and has a plurality of suction holes (not shown) for sucking and holding each reversing tablet. ing. Below the first transport conveyor 10, a second transport conveyor 10 'that transports the tablets that are reversed by the reversing roller 12 and randomly delivered in the direction of the arrow is disposed. The second conveyor 10 'is also composed of a timing belt, for example, and its upstream end is wound around a pulley 11' and its downstream end is wound around a pulley 12 '. A driving servomotor (not shown) is drivingly connected to the reversing roller 12 and the pulley 12 ′, and the rotational axis of the reversing roller 12 is detected by detecting the rotational position of the reversing roller 12. A rotary encoder 13 for detecting the movement position of the first conveyor 10 is attached.

  A tablet printing apparatus 1 'is arranged above the second transport conveyor 10'. The tablet printing apparatus 1 ′ includes a second detection line sensor camera (detection imaging means) 2 ′ for detecting each tablet during conveyance by the second conveyance conveyor 10 ′, and a second detection line sensor. Second ink jet printer (printing unit) that prints on each tablet being transported based on detection data of each tablet detected by the camera 2 ', that is, the position, orientation (orientation), front or back of each tablet, etc. 3 'and the second inspection line sensor camera for inspecting the printing state of each tablet by the second ink jet printer 3', that is, whether the printing is faint, whether the printing is in a predetermined position, etc. (Inspection imaging means) 4 '.

  On the downstream side of the second transport conveyor 10 ′, defective products including printing defects based on the inspection results of the first and second inspection line sensor cameras 4 and 4 ′ are sucked and discharged during tablet transport. A defective product discharge unit 121 is provided.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the first detection line sensor camera 2 includes a line sensor (CMOS sensor) 20 and a camera lens 22 attached to the line sensor 20 via a lens mount 21. The photographing line of the first detection line sensor camera 2 is arranged in the width direction (vertical direction in FIG. 2) of the first conveyor 10.

  With this configuration, when imaging (line scanning) is started by the first detection line sensor camera 2 while the tablets are being transported by the first transport conveyor 10, one pixel row is displayed while the first transport conveyor 10 is stopped. Even if this data (line data) is used, continuous area data having a larger number of pixels than the area sensor can be obtained by moving the first conveyor 10. Thus, since the first detection line sensor camera 2 is capable of continuous imaging, the address data of the rotary encoder 13 and the detection data of the first detection line sensor camera 2 can be combined. At this time, since the tablet conveyance position and the imaging data (image data) always coincide with each other, the tablet can be accurately detected.

  Below the first detection line sensor camera 2, a pair of illumination units (for example, LED illumination units) 5 </ b> A and 5 </ b> B for irradiating the tablets on the first transport conveyor 10 with light are provided.

  The first inspection line sensor camera 4 has the same configuration, and includes a line sensor (CMOS sensor) 40 and a camera lens 42 attached to the line sensor 40 via a lens mount 41. . Similarly, the photographing line of the first inspection line sensor camera 4 is arranged in the width direction of the first conveyor 10.

  With this configuration, when imaging (scanning) is started by the first inspection line sensor camera 4 while the tablets are being transported by the first transporting conveyor 10, one pixel row is stopped while the first transporting conveyor 10 is stopped. Even in the case of data (line data), continuous area data having a larger number of pixels than that of the area sensor can be obtained by moving the first conveyor 10. As described above, since the first inspection line sensor camera 4 is capable of continuous imaging, the address data of the rotary encoder 13 and the detection data of the first inspection line sensor camera 4 can be synthesized. At this time, since the tablet conveyance position and the imaging data (image data) always coincide with each other, the tablet can be accurately detected.

  Below the first inspection line sensor camera 4, a pair of illumination units (for example, LED illumination units) 6 </ b> A and 6 </ b> B for irradiating the tablets on the first transport conveyor 10 with light are provided.

  The first inkjet printer 3 is disposed between the first detection line sensor camera 2 and the first inspection line sensor camera 4, and preferably has a line head type inkjet head (IJP head) 30. doing. The inkjet head 30 is attached to the support plate 31 and is disposed in the width direction of the first transport conveyor 10. The ink jet printer 3 is provided so as to be able to appear and retract in the front-rear direction (perpendicular to FIG. 2) with respect to the opening 14a formed through the front panel 14 of the tablet printing apparatus 1.

  The inkjet head 30 employs, for example, a piezo method, but at the time of printing, information data such as the position, posture (orientation), front and back of each tablet detected by the first detection line sensor camera 2 is used. Is processed at high speed, and based on the processing result, data indicating what number of nozzles of the inkjet head 30 the ink is to be ejected is sent to the inkjet head 30, and the printing position of the inkjet head 30 is fixed. .

  At the time of printing, the printing timing of the first inkjet printer 3 is synchronized with the moving speed of the tablets (that is, the conveying speed of the first conveying conveyor 10), and thus the printing process is accurately performed on the moving tablets. be able to.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the second detection line sensor camera 2 ′ includes a line sensor (CMOS sensor) 20 ′ and a camera lens 22 ′ attached to the line sensor 20 ′ via a lens mount 21 ′. Similarly, the second inspection line sensor camera 4 ′ includes a line sensor (CMOS sensor) 40 ′ and a camera lens 42 ′ attached to the line sensor 40 ′ via a lens mount 41 ′. have. In this example, the cameras 2 ′ and 4 ′ are disposed sideways, and are placed on the second conveyor 10 ′ via mirrors 15 and 16 disposed in front of the camera lenses 22 ′ and 42 ′, respectively. An image of the tablet is taken. In the vicinity of the mirror 15, a pair of illumination units 5A 'and 5B' (for example, LED illumination units) for irradiating the tablets on the second transport conveyor 10 'are provided. Are provided with a pair of illumination units 6A ′ and 6B ′ (for example, LED illumination units) for irradiating the tablets on the second conveyor 10 ′ with light.

  The photographing lines of the second detection and inspection line sensor cameras 2 'and 4' are arranged in the width direction of the second transport conveyor 10 '(in the direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 3). Even in this case, when imaging (line scanning) by the second detection and inspection line sensor cameras 2 ′ and 4 ′ is started while the tablets are being transported by the second transport conveyor 10 ′, the second transport conveyor 10 is started. Even during the stop of ', even if it is data for one pixel column (line data), continuous area data having a larger number of pixels than the area sensor can be obtained by moving the second conveyor 10'. It will be. As described above, since the second detection and inspection line sensor cameras 2 ′ and 4 ′ are capable of continuous imaging, the address data of the rotary encoder 13 and the second detection and inspection line sensor camera 2 are used. The detection data of “4” can be synthesized. At this time, since the tablet conveyance position and the imaging data (image data) always coincide with each other, the tablet can be accurately detected.

  The second inkjet printer 3 ′ is disposed between the second detection line sensor camera 2 ′ and the second inspection line sensor camera 4 ′, and is preferably a line head type inkjet head (IJP head). 30 '. The ink jet head 30 'is attached to the support plate 31', and is disposed in the width direction of the first transport conveyor 10 '. The ink jet printer 3 ′ is provided so as to be able to appear and retract in the front-rear direction (vertical direction in FIG. 3) with respect to an opening 14 a ′ formed through the front panel 14 of the tablet printing apparatus 1.

  The inkjet head 30 ′ employs, for example, a piezo method, as in the inkjet head 30, but at the time of printing, the position and posture of each tablet detected by the second detection line sensor camera 2 ′. (Direction), information data such as front and back is processed at high speed, and based on the processing result, data on which number of nozzles of the ink jet head 30 'ink is ejected is sent to the ink jet head 30', The printing position of the inkjet head 30 'is fixed.

  At the time of printing, the printing timing of the second inkjet printer 3 ′ is synchronized with the moving speed of the tablets (that is, the conveying speed of the second transfer conveyor 10 ′), thereby accurately printing on the moving tablets. Can be applied.

  Since tablets are generally white, it is preferable that the transport surfaces of the first and second transport conveyors 10, 10 'be black. This is because the contrast is increased (that is, the contrast ratio is increased) at the time of photographing by the first detection and inspection line sensor cameras 2 and 4 and the second detection and inspection line sensor cameras 2 ′ and 4 ′. This is because the difference in luminance between the tablet and its surroundings is increased.

Next, a schematic block configuration of the control unit of the tablet printing line described above will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in the figure, the tablet printing line has a control unit 100. Although not shown, the control unit 100 has a main memory and a buffer memory (storage means) in addition to a processing device (determination means / control means) such as a CPU or MPU. The input port of the control unit 100 is connected to the first and second detection line sensor cameras 2, 2 ′, the first and second inspection line sensor cameras 4, 4 ′, and the rotary encoder 13 described above. Furthermore, the other input part 101 is connected. The servo motor 102 and the other output unit 103 described above are connected to the output port of the control unit 100.

  An image processing unit 110 is connected to the control unit 100. The image processing unit 110 creates a print pattern to be printed on each tablet based on the detection data of each tablet photographed and detected by the detection line sensor cameras 2 and 2 ′, and after printing on each tablet. In order to perform image recognition processing for overlaying a predetermined print pattern stored in advance on the image data of each tablet imaged by the inspection line sensor cameras 4, 4 ′ and incorporated in a general-purpose personal computer or the like Software. An IJP controller 111 that drives and controls the IJP heads 30 and 30 ′ is connected to the image processing unit 110.

Next, a control flow by the control unit 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 with reference to FIGS.
First, in step S1 of FIG. 5, the detection and inspection line sensor cameras 2, 2 ′, and 4, 4 ′ are turned on to start imaging. Next, in step S2, the servo motor 102 is driven to start transporting the first and second transport conveyors 10, 10 ′. In step S3, the supply of tablets to the first transport conveyor 10 is started. The tablets are randomly supplied from the hopper 120 to the upstream end (left end in FIG. 1) of the first transport conveyor 10. The supplied tablets are scattered on the front and back sides, and the direction of the dividing line is also varied, and in this state, the tablets are transported in the direction of the arrow toward the downstream side (right side in FIG. 1) of the first transport conveyor 10. . Here, the case where printing is performed on the surface on the side where the secant line is formed is taken as an example.

  Each tablet is photographed by the camera lens 22 of the first detection line sensor camera 2 while being conveyed by the first conveyor 10, and the photographed image data is input to the line sensor 20 and detected. The detection data of each tablet detected by the line sensor 20 includes the tablet position, posture (orientation), front and back information, and the like. Next, a printing process is performed on the tablet by the IJP head 30 of the first inkjet printer 3. Thereafter, the image is captured by the camera lens 42 of the first inspection line sensor camera 4, and the captured image data is input to the line sensor 40 and inspected. In addition, each tablet is reversed by the reversing roller 12, and then taken by the camera lens 22 ′ of the second detection line sensor camera 2 ′ while being conveyed by the second conveyor 10 ′. Data is input to the line sensor 20 ′ and detected. Similarly, the detection data of each tablet detected by the line sensor 20 'includes the position, posture (orientation), front and back information, and the like of the tablet. Next, the tablet is subjected to a printing process by the IJP head 30 ′ of the second inkjet printer 3 ′. Thereafter, the image is taken by the camera lens 42 ′ of the second inspection line sensor camera 4 ′, and the taken image data is input to the line sensor 40 ′ and inspected.

  In step S4 in FIG. 5, buffering of the image data captured by each of the line sensor cameras 2, 4 and 2 ', 4' is started. That is, the image data captured by each line sensor camera 2, 4 and 2 ′, 4 ′ is sequentially stored in the buffer memory of the control unit 100.

  Next, in step S5, it is determined whether or not the luminance of the image data stored in the buffer memory is equal to or higher than a certain level. If the determination in step S5 is “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S6 to determine whether or not the luminance continues for a certain span or more. If the determination in step S6 is “Yes”, the process proceeds to step S7.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the transfer surfaces of the first and second transfer conveyors 10 and 10 'are black, thereby increasing the contrast ratio between tablets that are generally white. The tablet is designed so that the brightness of the tablet is higher than the surrounding brightness. For this reason, when each line sensor camera 2 and 4 and 2 'and 4' image | photograph on each conveyance conveyor 10, 10 ', the brightness | luminance of image data changes with the presence or absence of a tablet. Therefore, in the processing of the stations S5 to S7, it is determined that the tablet exists in the high luminance range only when the image data has a luminance of a certain level or more and the luminance continues for a certain span or more. I tried to do that.

  Here, it is assumed that images taken by the line sensor cameras 2 and 4 and 2 'and 4' are as shown in FIG. In the figure, for the sake of simplicity of illustration and convenience of explanation, the dividing lines and printing of each tablet T are omitted.

  Images taken at one time by each of the line sensor cameras 2 and 4 and 2 ′ and 4 ′ are images of one pixel column (for example, 40 μm), and in FIG. Image data (line data) for one pixel column is shown. These image data are sequentially stored in the buffer memory, and the brightness is determined based on the stored image data.

  Assume that the luminance determined based on each image data is as shown in FIG. In the figure, the luminance of each image data is shown in numerical form, and the arrangement of the numbers corresponds to the arrangement of tablets in FIG. For example, if the luminance value is set to 100 as the Yes / No determination criterion in step S5, and the span length is set to three columns of luminance values as the Yes / No determination criterion in step S6, for example. 8, in a portion where a luminance value of 100 or more continues in three or more rows along the arrow direction (the portion of the length T of the tablet T in FIG. 7), the determination in steps S <b> 5 and S <b> 6. Becomes “Yes”, and the process proceeds to step S7.

  In step S7, a certain range p (that is, a portion having a luminance of a certain level 100 or more and a portion where the luminance continues for three or more columns of a certain span) is surrounded by a broken line in FIG. (Rectangular part) image data. After the processing in step S7, the process proceeds to step S8.

  In step S8, the image data cut out in step S7 is taken into the image processing unit 110. Next, in step S9, the image processing unit 110 performs image processing based on the captured image data.

  In this image processing, if the image data captured in step S8 is image data captured by the first and second detection line sensor cameras 2, 2 ′, the image data is converted into image data in step T1 of the subroutine of FIG. Determine whether there is a secant. If it is determined that there is a dividing line, the process proceeds to step T2 to create a print pattern corresponding to the direction of the dividing line. Next, in step T3, printing processing is performed by the IJP heads 30 and 30 'on the surface on the side where the dividing line of the tablet is present in accordance with the printing pattern created in step T2. After the processing in step T3, the process returns to the main control flow in FIG. If it is determined in step T1 that there is no secant in the image data, the process returns to the main control flow in FIG. 5 without performing the printing process.

  Further, when the image data captured in step S8 is image data captured by the first and second inspection line sensor cameras 4, 4 ′, in the image processing in step S9, An image recognition process (pattern matching process) or the like that superimposes a predetermined print pattern stored in advance is performed to check whether the print is faint or whether the print is at a predetermined position.

  After the processing in step S9, the process proceeds to step S10. In step S10, it is determined whether or not the process should be terminated. If the determination in step S10 is “Yes”, the process ends. If the determination in step S10 is “No”, the process returns to step S5, and the processes in steps S5 to S9 are repeated.

  On the other hand, if the determination in step S5 is “No”, the process of steps S6 to S9 is skipped and the process proceeds to step S10. This will correspond to the case where the luminance of the image data is less than 100, which is the case where the image data stored in the buffer memory does not include the tablet image data. At this time, it is determined that the brightness of the image data is not above a certain level, and the process proceeds to step S10.

  Further, if the determination in step S6 is “No”, the process of steps S7 to S9 is skipped and the process proceeds to step S10. This is equivalent to the case where the brightness of the image data is 100 or more and does not continue for 3 or more rows, and this corresponds to the case where a part of the tablet T is missing. To do. At this time, it is determined that the luminance above a certain level is not above a certain span, and the process proceeds to step S10.

  As described above, in the tablet printing line, all the image data obtained by photographing with the first and second detection and inspection line sensor cameras 2, 2 ′ and 4, 4 ′ is image processing data. Rather than capturing as image data, only image data having a certain level of brightness and having continued for a certain span or more is captured as image processing data into the image processing unit. The amount of image data to be image processed can be reduced by this, so that even when a large amount of tablets are supplied, it is possible to use high-speed computer software without constructing a large-scale computer processing system. Now you can do image processing.

  When the determination in step S5 is “No”, image data (buffer data) whose luminance is not above a certain level may be discarded (cleared) from the buffer memory. An example of image data to be discarded is indicated by a span s in FIG. Similarly, when the determination in step S6 is “No”, image data (buffer data) whose luminance is not greater than a certain span may be discarded (cleared) from the buffer memory.

  Next, detection, printing, and inspection processes for the tablets T on the first and second transport conveyors 10, 10 'will be described with reference to FIGS. Among these drawings, FIGS. 9 to 11 show processes for the tablets T on the first conveyor 10, and FIGS. 12 to 14 show processes for the tablets T on the second conveyor 10 ′. Each is shown.

  In each figure, for convenience of illustration and explanation, a state in which the tablets T on the first and second transport conveyors 10 and 10 'are aligned in the width direction (up and down directions in each figure) perpendicular to the transport direction is shown. However, in actual operation, the tablets T on the first and second transport conveyors 10 and 10 ′ are not aligned in the width direction orthogonal to the transport direction, and are randomly arranged.

  Also, in each figure, the position of the alternate long and short dash line indicated as “detection” indicates the detection position by the first and second detection line sensor cameras 2 and 2 ′, and the position of the alternate long and short dash line indicated as “IJP”. The position indicates the printing position by the first and second ink jet printers 3 and 3 ′, and the position of the alternate long and short dash line marked “inspection” is by the first and second inspection line sensor cameras 4 and 4 ′. The inspection position is indicated. For convenience of illustration, the dividing line of each tablet in the last row in FIGS. 10 and 13 and the dividing line of each tablet in the last row in FIG. 11 and FIG. Yes.

  Each tablet T supplied by the first conveyor 10 is detected by the first detection line sensor camera 2 at the detection position shown in FIG. In this example, a state is shown in which a dividing line is formed on each tablet T at the uppermost level in the figure and the lower third level at the detection position.

  Each tablet T detected by the first detection line sensor camera 2 is subjected to a printing process by the first inkjet printer 3 at the printing position, as shown in FIG. At this time, the first inkjet printer 3 performs a printing process on each tablet T being conveyed based on the detection data of each tablet T detected by the first detection line sensor camera 2. In this printing process, as described above, printing corresponding to the direction of the dividing line (that is, matching the direction of the dividing line) is performed on the surface having the dividing line. In this example, “ABC” is printed on one side of the dividing line, and “123” is printed on the other side. At this time, since printing is performed by an ink jet method, printing can be performed in a non-contact manner on a tablet, and clear printing can be obtained.

  Each tablet T subjected to the printing process by the first ink jet printer 3 is photographed by the first inspection line sensor camera 4 at the inspection position as shown in FIG. 11, and the inspection is performed based on the image data. Done.

  The above-described detection / printing / inspection processing for each tablet T is continuously performed while each tablet T is being transported by the first transport conveyor 10. That is, as shown in FIG. 11, while each tablet T on the upstream side in the transport direction is subjected to the inspection process at the inspection position, the printing process is performed on the tablet on the downstream side in the transport direction at the print position. At this time, detection processing is performed on each tablet further downstream in the transport direction.

  Each tablet T that has undergone detection, printing, and inspection processing on the first conveyor 10 is reversed on the front and back by the reversing roller 12 (FIG. 1), and delivered to the second conveyor 10 '. Each delivered tablet T is randomly transported in the direction of the arrow by the second transport conveyor 10 'as shown in FIG. At this time, the front and back of each tablet T is opposite to the state of the front and back on the first conveyor 10.

  Each tablet T is detected by the second detection line sensor camera 2 'at the detection position shown in FIG. Each tablet T detected by the second detection line sensor camera 2 'is subjected to a printing process by the second inkjet printer 3' at the printing position shown in FIG. At this time, the second inkjet printer 3 ′ performs a printing process on each tablet T being conveyed based on the detection data of each tablet T detected by the second detection line sensor camera 2 ′. In this printing process, as in the case of the tablet before inversion, printing according to the direction of the dividing line (that is, matching the direction of the dividing line) is performed on the surface having the dividing line. That is, “ABC” is printed on one side of the dividing line, and “123” is printed on the other side. Also in this case, since printing is performed by a non-contact ink jet method, clear printing processing is possible. Next, each tablet T subjected to the printing process by the second inkjet printer 3 ′ is photographed by the second inspection line sensor camera 4 ′ at the inspection position shown in FIG. 14, and based on the image data. Inspection is performed.

  The above-described detection / printing / inspection processing for each tablet T is continuously performed while each tablet T is being transported by the second transport conveyor 10 ′. That is, as shown in FIG. 14, while each tablet T on the upstream side in the conveyance direction is subjected to the inspection process at the inspection position, the printing process is performed on the tablet on the downstream side in the conveyance direction at the printing position. At this time, detection processing is performed on each tablet further downstream in the transport direction.

  As described above, according to this embodiment, randomly supplied tablets are imaged and detected by the detection line sensor camera, and the tablets after the printing process are imaged and inspected by the inspection line sensor camera. That is, since all the image data before and after printing of randomly supplied tablets are imaged by the line sensor camera, accurate image data can be acquired at high speed even when a large amount of tablets are randomly supplied at one time. Thereby, each tablet is detected at high speed, and the printing process according to the posture of the tablet (particularly the direction of the secant) can be performed at high speed, and each tablet after the printing process can be inspected at high speed.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, the tablet printing devices are arranged before and after the reversal of the tablets, respectively, and each detection and inspection process of the tablets is performed by each line sensor camera of each tablet printing device. Each of the inkjet printers prints tablets, so not only tablets that have a score line on both the front and back sides, but also tablets that have a score line only on either the front or back side, before and after the tablet is inverted. The printing process according to the direction of the dividing line can be performed at high speed on the surface of the side having the dividing line of each tablet supplied to the tablet.

  As described above, the present invention is useful for an image processing apparatus for performing a printing process according to the posture of a tablet at a high speed on a randomly supplied tablet.

1: Tablet printer

2: First detection line sensor camera (detection imaging means)
3: First inkjet printer (printing section)
4: First inspection line sensor camera (inspection imaging means)

2 ': Second detection line sensor camera (detection imaging means)
3 ': 2nd inkjet printer (printing part)
4 ': Second inspection line sensor camera (inspection imaging means)

100: Control unit

110: Image processing unit

T: Tablet

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2011-20325 (see paragraphs [0041] to [0054] and FIGS. 1 to 9)

Claims (5)

A tablet printing device,
A first line sensor camera for photographing randomly supplied tablets ;
Storage means for storing image data captured by the first line sensor camera;
Determination means for determining the brightness of the image data stored in the storage means;
Only when the brightness of the image data determined by the determination means is a certain level or more and the state continues for a certain span or more, the image data is used as image data for a tablet that is a print target, and image processing to be described later Control means for controlling to be taken into the part,
An image processing unit that creates print data corresponding to the position, posture, and front and back of the tablet based on the image data of the tablet captured by the control unit ;
A printing unit that performs a printing process on the tablet based on the print data created by the image processing unit;
A tablet printing apparatus. In claim 1,
The tablet is a scored tablet having a score line, and the image processing unit creates print data according to the direction of the score line of the scored lock ,
A tablet printer characterized by the above. In claim 1 ,
The printing unit is constituted by an inkjet printer ;
A tablet printer characterized by the above. In claim 1,
A second line sensor camera for photographing the tablet after the printing process by the printing unit ;
A tablet printer characterized by the above. In claim 4 ,
An image in which the inspection of the tablet after the printing process by the printing unit superimposes a predetermined print pattern stored in advance on the image of the tablet print surface taken by the second line sensor camera after printing on the tablet. Including recognition processing ,
A tablet printer characterized by the above.

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