JPH0821805A - Appearance inspecting method and device thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve detection accuracy and reliability. CONSTITUTION:Tablets M to be inspected are stored in a storage recess 2 provided on a belt-like storage body made of a light-permeable material and conveyed. The conveyed tablets M are illuminated by a surface illuminating means 11. A random shutter control section 15 controls a random shutter camera 13 based on the image input timing signal, and the illuminated tablets M are momentarily photographed. The momentary image data digitally converted by an A/D conversion section 16 and read out from an image memory 17 are compared with the reference data by an image process section 18, and the presence of a defect is detected. When the density level of an image is changed during the detection, a power source section 12 is controlled by an illumination control section 21 so that the light quantity of the surface illuminating means 11 is returned to the normal state.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention inspects the external appearance of a drug, such as tablets and capsules, while it is being transported in the process of enclosing various specimens in storage recesses that are arranged in a line in a strip storage container. The present invention relates to a visual inspection method and its apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Tablets, capsules and the like are enclosed in storage recesses arranged in a line in a strip-shaped storage body for the sake of easy handling. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the strip-shaped storage body 1 is made of a transparent plastic film or sheet such as polyethylene, polypropylene, or polyethylene terephthalate so as to transmit light. The storage recesses 2 are formed in a plurality of rows (10 rows in the illustrated example) by drawing. On the other hand, the band-shaped cover 3 that is adhered to the band-shaped container 1 so as to close the storage recess 2 and encloses the tablet M is formed of a sheet of opaque aluminum or the like.

Then, the tablets M are sequentially supplied to the respective storage recesses 2 of the running strip-shaped storage body 1, and the strip-shaped cover 3 is sequentially bonded to the portion of the strip-shaped storage body 1 to which the tablets M have been supplied, thereby forming the tablets. M can be enclosed. After encapsulation, cut lines 4 for division such as perforations are formed for each desired number of tablets (for example, 5 tablets × 2 rows = 10 tablets).

When the above-mentioned tablet M or the like is a defect due to different kinds, it may pose a danger to the human body, and it is of course necessary to eliminate it. Even if there is a defect such as cracking or chipping, it must be eliminated. Further, even if a foreign matter is placed on the strip-shaped storage body 1, it is necessary to remove it before the strip-shaped cover 3 is bonded.

Conventionally, for example, in order to inspect the appearance of the tablet M, after the tablet M is supplied to the storage recess 2 of the running strip-shaped storage body 1 and before being sealed, the tablet M is strobed by a strobe.
By illuminating C from the outside (below) of the storage recess 2
An image is taken by a CD camera, and this instantaneous image data is compared with the reference data with an allowable value, and the presence or absence of a defect is detected.

[0006]

However, in the prior art as described above, since the strobe light emission voltage is high and the voltage control is difficult, the light emission variation is large, and the strobe light is expensive and used as a point light source. However, since it is impossible to illuminate the entire tablet M with uniform brightness, there are problems such as poor detection accuracy and poor reliability.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and an object thereof is to provide a visual inspection method and an apparatus therefor capable of improving detection accuracy and reliability. It is what

[0008]

A visual inspection method of the present invention for achieving the above object illuminates the specimen by an illumination means so that an image of the specimen to be conveyed can be obtained, and an imaging control means is used. The imaging means is controlled to instantaneously image the sample illuminated by the illumination means, and the instantaneous image data is compared with reference data to detect the presence or absence of a defect.

Another appearance inspection method of the present invention for achieving the above object is the appearance inspection method, wherein when the density level of an image changes, the illumination control means restores the illumination means to a normal state. It is designed to control.

In the appearance inspection method, the specimen is stored and conveyed in a storage recess formed in a strip-shaped storage body made of a light-transmissive material by drawing, and the sample is stored in the storage recess. It is possible to illuminate the outside from the outside. In this case, it is preferable that the portion of the strip-shaped storage body other than the storage recess of the sample is imaged by the image capturing unit together with the sample via the transmitted light amount limiting filter.

The illuminating means can illuminate continuously or intermittently, and in either case, it is preferable to illuminate the surface.

Further, it is preferable that the reference data has an allowable value, and if the comparison result exceeds the allowable value, it is determined that there is a defect.

The sample is selected from tablets and capsules, and the presence or absence of defects can be detected in the shape and area of the sample.

The appearance detecting apparatus of the present invention for achieving the above object comprises an illuminating means for illuminating the sample so as to obtain an image of the transported sample, and an imaging means for imaging the illuminated sample. And an imaging control means for instantaneously imaging the illuminated sample by the imaging means, and a detection means for detecting the presence or absence of a defect by comparing the instantaneous image data obtained by imaging by the imaging means with reference data. It is equipped with and.

Another appearance detecting apparatus of the present invention for achieving the above object is the appearance inspection apparatus, wherein when the density level of an image picked up by the image pickup means changes, the light quantity of the lighting means whose light quantity can be adjusted is changed. It is provided with an illumination control means for controlling to return to a normal state.

In the appearance inspection apparatus, the specimen is stored and transported in a storage recess formed in a strip-shaped storage body made of a light-transmitting material by drawing, and the illumination means stores the specimen. It is possible to perform transillumination from the outside of the recess. In this case, it is preferable to interpose a filter for limiting the amount of transmitted light between the imaging unit and a portion of the band-shaped container other than the recess for containing the sample.

Further, the illumination means can be selected from a halogen lamp, a tank stainless lamp and an LED for continuous illumination, or an LED can be used as the illumination means for intermittent illumination. Also in this case, surface illumination is preferable.

Further, it is preferable that the detecting means determines that there is a defect when the comparison result exceeds an allowable value held in the reference data.

Further, the sample is selected from tablets or capsules, and the detecting means can detect the presence or absence of a defect in the shape and area of the sample.

[0020]

According to the invention of the above technical means, the transported sample is illuminated by the illuminating means, the imaging means is controlled by the imaging control means to instantaneously image the illuminated sample, and the detecting means is used. Presence or absence of a defect is detected by comparing the instantaneous image data with reference data. As described above, since the image pickup control unit controls the image pickup unit to instantaneously pick up the image of the illuminated sample, the flash voltage is high as in the conventional case, and the stroboscopic light with a large light emission variation due to the difficulty in voltage control. Since it is not necessary to use, the detection accuracy can be improved.

When the density level of the image picked up by the image pickup means changes while the appearance of the sample is being inspected,
Since the illumination control unit controls the light amount of the illumination unit to return to the normal state, it is possible to suppress variations in the light amount and further improve the detection accuracy.

[0022]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing an appearance inspection apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a plan view for explaining the order of storing and sealing tablets in a storage recess of a band-shaped storage body. 3 is a vertical sectional view of FIG.

First, the appearance inspection apparatus will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, a belt-shaped cover is provided on the belt-shaped container 1 at the downstream side in the traveling direction of the belt-shaped container 1 from the position where the tablets M are stored in the storage recess 2 of the belt-shaped container 1 that is running. The surface illumination means 11 is arranged below the strip-shaped container 1 at the upstream side of the position where 3 is adhered and the tablets M are enclosed.
This surface illumination means 11 is a large number of LEDs (light emitting diodes)
Are arranged vertically and horizontally, and are driven by the power supply unit 12 so that the amount of light can be adjusted, so that the tablet M can be continuously illuminated from below the storage recess 2. The random shutter camera (CCD camera) 13 can take an image of the tablet M for each of a plurality of blocks illuminated and transmitted. In this embodiment, four random shutter cameras 13 are arranged in the width direction of the belt-shaped storage body 1 (the direction perpendicular to the paper surface in FIG. 1) corresponding to the imaging ranges A1 to A4 indicated by chain lines in FIG.

When an image capture timing signal is generated from a photoelectric sensor (not shown) or the like when the sample enters the field of view of the random shutter camera 13, the image capture synchronization signal generator 14 generates a horizontal synchronization signal and a vertical synchronization signal. Generate and send. When the signal is sent from the image capture sync signal generator 14, the random shutter controller 15 sends the horizontal sync signal and the random shutter pulse signal to the random shutter camera 13. Based on this, the random shutter camera 13 starts exposure, and charges are charged for a set exposure time, and the charged charges can be output as an image signal in synchronization with a synchronization signal of the image processing apparatus.

The A / D converter 16 converts the video signal from the random shutter camera 13 into a digital signal.
The image memory 17 is a random shutter control unit 1.
The digital instantaneous image data converted by the A / D conversion unit 16 is stored under the control of 5, and is output in synchronization with the synchronization signal of the image processing apparatus. The image processing unit 18 includes an image memory 17
The data of the shape and area (size) of the tablet M is obtained from the instantaneous image data stored in the memory and stored in the memory, and the density level of the image is obtained and stored in the memory. The determination unit 19 is a tablet M stored in the memory of the image processing unit 18.
Shape and area data and the shape and area reference data stored in the memory of the image processing unit 18 or another memory are compared with an allowable value, and different shapes and sizes are obtained. The presence or absence of defects such as foreign matter, cracks, and chips is detected.

When the result output unit 20 determines that the tablet M is defective in the determination unit 19 or determines that a foreign substance is mixed in the storage recess 2, the result output unit 20 outputs a command and outputs an alarm lamp, a buzzer, or the like. Only the divided pack in which the defective tablet M is enclosed is discharged on the downstream side. The illumination control unit 21 uses the tablets M stored in the memory of the image processing unit 18.
The density level of the image is monitored, and when this density level changes during the above-mentioned detection work, the power source unit 12 is controlled to restore the light amount of the surface illumination means 11 to the initial normal state.

Next, the appearance inspection method in the first embodiment of the present invention will be described together with the operation of the above appearance inspection apparatus. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the strip-shaped storage bodies 1 travel, and during the traveling, tablets M are sequentially supplied to the storage recesses 2 of each row of the strip-shaped storage bodies 1 by a supply device (not shown). Then, the belt-shaped cover 3 is conveyed to a sealing position.

Between the supply position and the enclosing position of the tablet M, the surface illumination means 11 driven by the power source section 12 continuously and sequentially transmits the tablet M from below the storage recess 2 to transmit it. To do. Then, as described above, the random shutter control unit 15 causes the image capture synchronization signal generation unit 14 to operate.
A plurality of random shutter cameras (CCD cameras) 1 according to a horizontal synchronizing signal and a vertical synchronizing signal sent from
By controlling the shutter of No. 3, the tablet M that is transmitted and illuminated is instantaneously imaged in the imaging range for each block, the video signal is converted into a digital signal by the A / D conversion unit 16, and the digitally converted instantaneous image Data in the image memory 17
To be stored.

The image processing unit 18 obtains data on the shape and area of the tablet M based on the instantaneous image data read from the image memory 17 under the control of the random shutter control unit 15 and stores the data in the memory, and also the image density. Get the level and store it in memory. The determination unit 19 allows the shape and area data of the tablet M stored in the memory of the image processing unit 18 and the shape and area reference data stored in the memory of the image processing unit 18 or another memory. Have a value and compare. Then, if the data of the shape and area of the tablet M exceeds the allowable value,
It is judged that foreign matter is mixed, cracked, or chipped. In this way, the determination unit 19 makes the random shutter camera 13
If it is determined that the imaged tablet M is a defective product or that foreign matter is mixed, the result output unit 19 outputs a command and operates an alarm lamp, a buzzer, and the like.

When the tablet M passes through this visual inspection device,
The strip-shaped cover 3 is adhered to the strip-shaped storage body 1 so that the storage recess 2 is closed, and the tablet M is enclosed. After that, perforations and the like dividing cut lines 4 are formed in the band-shaped container 1 and the band-shaped cover 3 by a cutting line cutter device (not shown) to form a divided pack for each required number of tablets M. Thereafter, the tablet M having the defect as described above is enclosed, the tablet M is enclosed in a state where the foreign matter is mixed in the storage recess 2, and the divided pack determined to be defective is discharged.

While detecting the defect of the tablet M as described above, the illumination control section 21 monitors the density level of the image of the tablet M stored in the memory of the image processing section 18, and this density level is detected. When there is a change, the power supply unit 12 is controlled to control the light amount of the surface illumination unit 11 to return to the initial normal state.

As described above, according to the first embodiment,
The random shutter camera 13 is controlled by the random shutter control unit 15 and the like so that the tablet M, which is uniformly illuminated by the surface illumination means 11 using LEDs, is instantaneously imaged. The whole is not illuminated with uniform brightness, and since it is not necessary to use a strobe that emits a large amount of light due to high light emission voltage and difficulty in voltage control, detection accuracy can be improved and reliability can be improved. . Moreover, since the defects of the tablet M can always be detected under a substantially uniform light amount, the detection accuracy can be further improved and the reliability can be improved. Further, by causing the surface illumination means 11 to emit light continuously, the work of uniformly controlling the light amount can be easily performed.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway side view showing a part of the appearance inspection apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a part of the appearance inspection apparatus.

The characteristic feature of this embodiment is that a filter 22 for limiting the amount of transmitted light made of acrylic resin or the like is provided on the belt-shaped housing 1, as shown in FIGS. The transmitted light amount limiting filter 22 has a hole 23 corresponding to the recess 2 for storing the tablet M in the strip-shaped container 1, and the filter 22 is interposed in the recess 2 for storing, that is, the portion of the tablet M. Instead, the portions other than the storage recess 2 in the belt-shaped storage body 1 are imaged by the random shutter and the camera 13 via the filter 22.

According to the present embodiment, a portion other than the storage recess 2 in the strip-shaped storage body 1 is imaged while limiting the amount of transmitted light through the filter 22, so that a portion other than the storage recess 2 in the strip-shaped storage body 1 is captured. It is possible to prevent halation from occurring at the time of imaging the portion, and to reliably detect the presence of the foreign matter F on this portion and discharge it. Other configurations are the same as those of the appearance inspection apparatus and the appearance inspection method of the first embodiment.

In each of the above-mentioned embodiments, since the tablets M and the like are continuously illuminated by the surface illuminating means 11, the amount of light can be easily adjusted, but the stability and durability of the amount of light are generated by heat generation. May be inferior to. Therefore, as another embodiment, by intermittently illuminating the surface illuminating means 11, it is possible to suppress heat generation, increase the amount of light, and stabilize and improve durability. Further, as another embodiment of the present invention, the surface illumination means 11 may be replaced with an LED, and may be constituted by a halogen lamp or a tungsten lamp which is cheaper than a strobe, and in this case also, continuous illumination is performed, or It can be illuminated intermittently.

In the above embodiment, the case where the sample is a tablet has been described, but it may be a capsule or an electronic component. The present invention can also be applied to the case of detecting the surface state of a sample, and in this case, reflective illumination may be adopted instead of transmitted illumination. It can also be applied to the case of simultaneously detecting the outer shape and the surface state of a sample, and in this case, it is sufficient to use both transmitted illumination and reflected illumination. Furthermore, in addition to the shape and size inspection of the tablet M and the like, color inspection can be performed. In addition, the present invention can be modified in various ways without departing from the basic technical idea thereof.

[0038]

As described above, according to the present invention, the transported specimen is illuminated by the illumination means, and the imaging control means controls the imaging means to instantaneously capture and detect the illuminated specimen. The means compares the instantaneous image data with the reference data to detect the presence or absence of a defect. As described above, it is necessary to control the image pickup means by the image pickup control means to instantaneously pick up an image of the illuminated sample, and to use a strobe that has a high light emission voltage and has large light emission variation due to difficulty in voltage control as in the conventional case. Therefore, the detection accuracy can be improved and therefore the reliability can be improved.

Further, if the density level of the image picked up by the image pickup means changes while the appearance of the sample is being inspected,
By controlling the light quantity of the lighting means to be returned to the normal state by the lighting control means, it is possible to suppress variations in the light quantity and further improve the detection accuracy. Therefore,
The reliability can be further improved.

Further, in the case where the sample is stored in a storage recess formed by drawing in a band-shaped storage body made of a light-transmitting material and conveyed, the portion other than the storage recess of the sample in the band-shaped storage body is transported. By imaging with the image pickup means together with the sample through the filter for limiting the amount of transmitted light, halation is prevented from occurring at the time of imaging a portion other than the storage recess in the strip-shaped storage body, and foreign matter on this portion is prevented. Presence can be detected reliably.

Further, since the illuminating means continuously illuminates, the light quantity of the illuminating means can be easily adjusted,
Further, since the lighting means intermittently illuminates, heat generation can be suppressed, the amount of light can be increased, and the stability can be stabilized, and the durability can be improved. Further, by using the surface illuminating means, it is possible to illuminate the entire specimen with substantially uniform brightness, so that the detection accuracy can be further improved.

If the comparison result exceeds the allowable value set in the reference data, it is determined that the defect is a defect.
Flexibility in defect inspection can be provided.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing an appearance inspection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a state in which a tablet, which is a sample, is housed in a belt-shaped container and conveyed.

FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway side view showing a part of the appearance inspection apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a part of the appearance inspection apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 band-shaped storage body 2 storage recess 3 band-shaped cover 11 surface illumination means 12 power supply section 13 random shutter camera 15 random shutter control section 17 image memory 18 image processing section 19 determination section 20 result output section 21 illumination control section 22 transmitted light amount limitation Filter M Tablet F Foreign matter

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Yoshitaka Hikami 1-5, Kamitoba Oyanagicho, Minami-ku, Kyoto Duck Engineering Co., Ltd.

Claims (18)

[Claims] 1. A specimen is illuminated by an illuminating means so that an image of the specimen to be conveyed can be obtained, and the imaging means is controlled by an imaging control means to instantaneously illuminate the specimen illuminated by the illuminating means. A visual inspection method in which an image is taken and the presence or absence of a defect is detected by comparing this instantaneous image data with reference data. 2. The appearance inspection method according to claim 1, wherein when the density level of the image changes, the illumination control means controls the illumination means so that the light amount thereof returns to a normal state. 3. The specimen is stored and transported in a storage recess formed in a strip-shaped storage body made of a light-transmissive material by drawing, and the sample is transmitted from outside the storage recess by transillumination. The visual inspection method according to claim 1 or 2. 4. The appearance inspection method according to claim 3, wherein a portion of the strip-shaped container other than the recess for accommodating the sample is imaged by the imaging means together with the sample through the transmitted light amount limiting filter. 5. The appearance inspection method according to claim 1, wherein the illumination means continuously illuminates. 6. The appearance inspection method according to claim 1, wherein the illumination means illuminates intermittently. 7. The illumination means provides surface illumination.
The visual inspection method according to any one of 1. 8. The appearance inspection method according to claim 1, wherein the reference data has an allowable value, and if the comparison result exceeds the allowable value, it is determined that there is a defect. 9. The appearance inspection method according to claim 1, wherein the sample is selected from tablets and capsules, and the presence or absence of defects in the shape and area of the sample is detected. 10. An illuminating unit that illuminates the sample so that an image of the transported sample can be obtained, an image capturing unit that captures the illuminated sample, and an image of the illuminated sample is instantaneously captured by the image capturing unit. The visual inspection apparatus includes: an image pickup control unit that makes a positive image pickup; and a detection unit that compares the instantaneous image data obtained by the image pickup unit with reference data to detect the presence or absence of a defect. 11. The external appearance according to claim 10, further comprising illumination control means for controlling the illumination means capable of adjusting the light quantity so that the light quantity returns to a normal state when the density level of the image captured by the imaging means changes. Inspection device. 12. The specimen is stored and transported in a storage recess formed in a strip-shaped storage body made of a light-transmissive material by drawing, and the illumination means is provided outside the storage recess by the illumination means. The visual inspection device according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the visual inspection device performs transillumination. 13. The appearance inspection apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising a filter for limiting the amount of transmitted light, which is interposed between the imaging means and a portion other than the recess for storing the specimen in the band-shaped storage body. 14. The appearance inspection apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the illumination means is selected from a halogen lamp, a tungsten lamp, and an LED and continuously illuminates. 15. The visual inspection apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the illuminating means is an LED and illuminates intermittently. 16. The illuminating means surface illuminates the sample.
The visual inspection device according to any one of 0 to 15. 17. The appearance inspection apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the detection means determines that the defect is a defect when the comparison result exceeds an allowable value held in the reference data. 18. The appearance inspection apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the sample is selected from any of tablet capsules, and the detection unit detects the presence or absence of a defect in the shape and area of the sample.