JPH0588239A - Illuminating image-pickup device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain an image with uniform brightness by uniformly illuminating an object to be illuminated having a cylindrical shape or a curved surface shape such as a columnar or a conical container. CONSTITUTION:Diffusion light sources 12 and 14 are arranged behind of the object 10, an image-pickup camera 16 is arranged ahead of the object 10, then reflecting members 18 and 20 which reflect diffused light from the deffusing light sources 12 and 14 so as to irradiate the object 10 are arranged between the camera 16 and the object 10. Polarizers 22, 24 and 26 whose polarizing directions are intersected orthogonally with each other are provided on the front surfaces of the light sources 12 and 14 and the camera 16. The object 10 is uniformly illuminated with indirect light obtained by reflecting the diffused light from the light sources 12 and 14 by the reflecting members 18 and 20. Direct light from the deffusing light source to the image pickup device 16 is shielded by the polarizers 22, 24 and 26.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an illumination image pickup device for illuminating and photographing an object to be illuminated having a curved shape.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As containers for foods, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, etc.
A cylindrical or conical container may be used in consideration of ease of use. Manufacturing data such as product number and manufacturing date are written on the side of the cylindrical or conical container. When reading the manufacturing data of these containers, or in the case of visual inspection or label position inspection of containers, the cylindrical or conical container is illuminated, and the reflected light is imaged by an imaging camera, and the captured image is displayed. Processing.

FIG. 6 shows a conventional illumination image pickup device for illuminating and imaging a cylindrical or conical container. An image pickup camera 102 for picking up an image of the illuminated object 100 is provided, and diffused light sources 104 and 106 are provided on both sides of the image pickup camera 102. Diffuse light source 10
The object to be illuminated 100 is illuminated by the diffused light from the light sources 4 and 106, and the reflected light from the object to be illuminated 100 is captured by the imaging camera 102.

[0004]

However, in the conventional illumination image pickup apparatus, if the surface of the object to be illuminated is a curved surface, the center of the object to be illuminated 100 is strongly reflected even when illuminated with diffused light, resulting in unevenness. Therefore, there is a problem that it is difficult to accurately read the manufacturing data such as the product number and the manufacturing date.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an illumination image pickup apparatus capable of uniformly illuminating an object to be illuminated having a curved surface such as a cylindrical or conical container and obtaining an image with uniform brightness. is there.

[0006]

The above object is to provide a diffused light source which is arranged behind an object to be illuminated and which emits diffused light in the direction of the object to be illuminated, and which is arranged in front of the object to be illuminated. An imaging device for imaging an illuminating object, and provided between the imaging device and the illuminated object so that the imaging device can image the illuminated object, and reflects diffused light from the diffused light source. And a reflector for illuminating the object to be illuminated, a light source polarizer provided on the front surface of the diffused light source to polarize diffused light from the diffused light source, and a light source polarizer provided on the front surface of the imaging device for the light source The polarizer and the polarization direction are substantially at right angles, the diffused light from the diffused light source polarized by the light source polarizer is blocked, and the light reflected from the illuminated object illuminated by the reflecting member is transmitted. Having a polarizer for an imaging device It is accomplished by illuminating the imaging device according to symptoms.

[0007]

According to the present invention, since the diffused light source is provided behind the object to be illuminated and the diffused light from the diffused light source is reflected by the reflecting member to illuminate, the object to be illuminated can be uniformly illuminated. Moreover, since the diffused light source and the image pickup device are provided with polarizers that are substantially orthogonal to each other, the direct light from the diffused light source to the image pickup device is blocked, and the light from the uniformly illuminated object is imaged by the image pickup device. can do.

[0008]

FIG. 1 shows an illumination image pickup apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Will be explained. For example, two diffused light sources 12 and 14 are provided behind a columnar or conical object 10 to be illuminated, which is a container for food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and the like. An imaging camera 16 that captures an image of the illuminated object 10 is provided in front of the illuminated object 10. Imaging camera 16 and illuminated object 10
Two curved reflecting members 18 and 20 are provided between the two so as to surround the illuminated object 10.
The diffused light from Nos. 2 and 14 is reflected and applied to the illuminated object 10. The surfaces of the reflecting surfaces of the reflecting members 18 and 20 are matt-treated. The reflecting member 18 and the reflecting member 20 are arranged with a gap therebetween, and the imaging camera 16 images the illuminated object 10 through this gap.

The positions where the diffused light sources 12 and 14 are arranged, the positions where the reflecting members 18 and 20 are arranged, and the radii of curvature of the curved surfaces of the reflecting members 18 and 20 are adjusted according to the size of the object to be illuminated 10. Diffused light is emitted from the diffused light sources 12 and 14 in the direction of the imaging camera 16, and the emitted diffused light is reflected by the reflecting members 18 and 20 to illuminate the illuminated object 10. Instead of directly illuminating the illuminated object 10 with diffused light from the diffused light sources 12, 14, the reflecting members 18, 2
Since it is illuminated by the light reflected by 0, it is possible to uniformly illuminate the illuminated object 10 by the indirect light.

However, in this state, the diffused light source 1
Direct light from 2 and 14 enters the imaging camera 16 through the gap between the reflecting members 18 and 20, and the diffused light sources 12 and 14 become brighter than the image of the irradiation target 10, and the irradiation target is uniformly illuminated. The image of 10 cannot be taken accurately. For this reason,
In this embodiment, light source polarizers 22 and 24 for polarizing diffused light are provided in front of the diffused light sources 12 and 14, and the imaging camera 1
6 is also provided in front of the image capturing camera polarizer 26 so that the polarization direction of the image capturing camera polarizer 26 is orthogonal to the polarization directions of the light source polarizers 22 and 24.
Direct light from is blocked. On the other hand, since the reflected light from the illuminated object 10 that has been uniformly irradiated is mixed with light in various polarization directions, it can pass through the imaging camera polarizer 26 and be imaged by the imaging camera 16.

As described above, according to this embodiment, since the diffused light source is provided behind the object to be illuminated and the diffused light from the diffused light source is illuminated by the indirect light reflected by the reflecting member, the object to be illuminated is uniformly illuminated. Moreover, since the diffused light source and the image pickup camera are provided with polarizers that are substantially orthogonal to each other, the direct light from the diffused light source to the image pickup camera is blocked, and the light from the illuminated object is illuminated uniformly. Can be imaged by an imaging camera.

An illumination image pickup apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The same components as those in the above-described embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. The illumination image pickup apparatus according to the present embodiment is adjustable so as to appropriately illuminate objects to be illuminated 10 having different sizes. The imaging camera 16 is housed and fixed in the camera case 30. Shaft fixing blocks 32 and 34 are provided on both sides of the camera case 30, and shafts 36 and 38 penetrate the shaft fixing blocks 32 and 34. Fixing screw 4
The shafts 36 and 38 are fixed to the shaft fixing blocks 32 and 34 by 0 and 42.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the shaft fixing blocks 32 and 34 are slid on the shafts 36 and 38 and fixed to the shafts 36 and 38 by fixing screws 40 and 42, whereby the reflecting members 18 and 20 are formed. And the object 10 to be illuminated is adjusted (direction A). Reflecting members 18 and 20 are rotatably attached to the tips of the shafts 36 and 38 via fixing blocks 44 and 46. Fixing screw 4
The fixing blocks 44 and 46, that is, the reflecting members 18 and 20 are fixed to the shafts 36 and 38 by 8, 50.

As shown in FIG. 3B, the reflecting member 18,
By rotating 20 around the fixing blocks 44 and 46 and fixing it to the shafts 36 and 38 with fixing screws 48 and 50, the angle adjustment (B direction) of the reflecting members 18 and 20 is performed. The reflection members 18 and 20 are the boxes 18a and 2
Curved reflectors 18b and 20b are housed in the housing 0a. The reflecting surfaces of the reflecting plates 18b and 20b are matt-treated. One ends of the reflection plates 18b and 20b are fixed to the boxes 18a and 20a, and the other ends are in contact with the sliding L-shaped plates 18c and 20c. L for slide
Each of the letter plates 18c and 20c has two slide screws 18
It is supported by d, 18e, 20d and 20e.

As shown in FIG. 3C, the slide screw 1
By sliding the sliding L-shaped plates 18c, 20c in the front-rear direction (C direction) by 8d, 18e, 20d, 20e, the reflecting plates 18b, 20 of the reflecting members 18, 20 are moved.
The radius of curvature of b is adjusted. Two diffuse light sources 12,
14 is provided with shaft fixing blocks 52 and 54,
The horizontal shaft 56 is the shaft fixing blocks 52, 54.
Penetrates through. It is fixed to the shaft fixing blocks 52 and 54 by fixing screws 58 and 60.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the shaft fixing blocks 52 and 54 are slid on the shaft 56 and fixed to the shaft 56 by fixing screws 58 and 60.
The position adjustment (D direction) of the diffused light sources 12 and 14 is performed.
An adjustment method for changing the illuminated object 10B having a large diameter to the illuminated object 10A having a small diameter will be described.

First, the fixing screws 40, 42 are loosened, the shafts 36, 38 are slid to bring the reflecting members 18, 20 closer to the object 10 to be irradiated by an appropriate distance, and then the fixing screws 40, 42.
It is fixed to the shaft fixing block 32 by 42. Next, the fixing screws 48 and 50 are loosened, and the angle of the reflecting members 18 and 20 is adjusted so that the reflecting members 18 and 20 face inward by an appropriate angle while observing the irradiation state of the irradiation target 10. While adjusting the angles of the reflecting members 18 and 20, at the same time, the slide screws 18d, 18e, 20d and 20e of the reflecting members 18 and 20 are screwed in and adjusted so that the radius of curvature of the reflecting plates 18b and 20b becomes small.

The reflection members 18 and 20 are adjusted on each side. Only the diffused light source 12 or 14 on the adjustment side is turned on,
The diffused light source 14 or 12 on the opposite side is turned off. While changing the positions and angles of the reflecting members 18 and 20 and the radii of curvature of the reflecting plates 18b and 20b, as shown in FIG. 3 (d), the irradiation surface slightly digs into the opposite side from the center of the irradiation object 10. adjust.

The diffused light sources 12 and 14 are the objects to be illuminated 1
Normally, it is not necessary to adjust even if the size of 0 is slightly different, but it may be necessary when the size of the illuminated object 10 is extremely different. FIG. 4 shows a state in which the illumination imaging device according to the present embodiment is applied to a conveyor line. The same components as those in the above-described embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

The illumination / imaging device of this embodiment is suitable for illuminating and imaging the product 72 flowing on the conveyor line 70.
As shown in FIG. 4, the diffused light sources 12 and 14 are arranged on one side of the conveyor line 70, and the reflection members 18 and 20 and the imaging camera 16 are arranged on the other side. The product 72, which is the object to be irradiated, flows on the conveyor line 70, and the product 72 is imaged by the imaging camera 16 at the timing when the product 72 passes the intermediate position between the reflecting member 18 and the reflecting member 20.

In this way, the uniformly illuminated product can be imaged without obstructing the flow of the product 72 in the conveyor line 70. An illumination image pickup apparatus according to still another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The same components as those in the above-described embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. The illumination image pickup apparatus according to the present embodiment has one diffused light source 8
The feature is that it is illuminated by 0. A light source polarizer 82 that polarizes the diffused light is provided on the front surface of the diffused light source 80. Since the diffused light source 80 is also directly behind the illuminated object 10, direct light from the diffused light source 80 is applied to the imaging camera 16. However, since the polarization direction of the light source polarizer 82 provided on the front surface of the diffused light source 80 and the polarization direction of the imaging camera polarizer 26 provided on the front surface of the imaging camera 16 are set to be orthogonal to each other, diffusion is performed. The direct light from the light source 80 is blocked and does not enter the imaging camera 16.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but various modifications can be made. For example, although two reflecting members are used in the above embodiment, three or more reflecting members may be used in conformity with the shape of the irradiation target. For example, if the object to be irradiated has a spherical shape, two reflecting members may be provided above and below according to the outer shape of the object to be irradiated.

[0023]

As described above, according to the present invention, the diffused light source is provided at the rear of the object to be illuminated, and the diffused light from the diffused light source is illuminated by the indirect light reflected by the reflecting member. Since the diffused light source and the image pickup device are provided with polarizers that are substantially orthogonal to each other, the direct light from the diffused light source to the image pickup device is blocked, and the uniformly illuminated object is illuminated. This light can be picked up by the image pickup device. Also, by arranging the diffused light source and the reflection member across the conveyor line, it is possible to uniformly illuminate and image the product without hindering the flow of the product on the conveyor line. It is very effective for reading, visual inspection of illuminated objects, and label position inspection.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an illumination image pickup apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an illumination image pickup apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a method of adjusting an illumination image pickup device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state in which an illumination imaging device according to another embodiment of the present invention is applied to a conveyor line.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an illumination image pickup apparatus according to still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a conventional illumination image pickup device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10, 10A, 10B ... Illuminated object 12, 14 ... Diffuse light source 16 ... Imaging camera 18, 20 ... Reflecting member 18a, 20a ... Box 18b, 20b ... Reflecting plate 18c, 20c ... L-shaped plate for sliding 18d, 18e, 20d , 20e ... Slide screws 22, 24 ... Light source polarizer 26 ... Imaging camera polarizer 30 ... Camera case 32, 34 ... Shaft fixing block 36, 38 ... Shaft 40, 42 ... Fixing screw 44, 46 ... Fixing block 48, 50 ... Fixing screw 52, 54 ... Shaft fixing block 56 ... Shaft 58, 60 ... Fixing screw 70 ... Conveyor line 72 ... Product 80 ... Diffuse light source 82 ... Light source polarizer 100 ... Illuminated object 102 ... Imaging camera 104, 106 ... Diffuse light source

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A diffused light source, which is arranged behind an object to be illuminated and emits diffused light in the direction of the object to be illuminated, and an imaging device which is arranged in front of the object to be illuminated and which images the object to be illuminated. Provided between the imaging device and the illuminated object so that the imaging device can image the illuminated object,
A reflecting member that reflects diffused light from the diffused light source to irradiate the object to be illuminated, a light source polarizer that is provided in front of the diffused light source and polarizes the diffused light from the diffused light source, and the imaging device. Is provided on the front surface of the diffuser and has a polarization direction substantially perpendicular to that of the light source polarizer, blocks diffused light from the diffused light source polarized by the light source polarizer, and is illuminated by the reflecting member. An illumination image pickup device, comprising: an image pickup device polarizer that transmits light reflected from an illumination object. 2. The illumination imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the reflection member is provided so that a reflection surface thereof surrounds the object to be illuminated, and the reflection surface of the reflection member is an outer diameter shape of the object to be illuminated. An illumination imaging device further comprising a curvature adjusting member that adjusts according to the above.