JPH09264721A - Image processing device and method for determining measuring region - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To execute measurement on a prescribed measuring region with high accuracy insusceptible of a defective position. SOLUTION: An edge section of a laver is determined at a time when the number of dark signals involved in an image signal outputted from an image sensor is counted by an edge section determining means (step 1) and the counted value becomes a value of edge section determining information W or more (step 2). As a result, even in the case where the laver has a cutout-shaped defect, a position of the edge section of the laver is surely detected when a portion except the defect blocks a scanning line. Therefore, a starting position of a measuring region which has been changed heretofore is not changed by the position of the defect so that it is possible to obtain the accurate measurement result in terms of the prescribed measuring region.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and a measurement area determining method thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in the process of producing seaweed, an image processing apparatus has been used to inspect the seaweed for breakage and holes (hereinafter referred to as defects). this is,
As shown in FIG. 11, an image sensor 22 having a linear scanning region (hereinafter referred to as a scanning line L) is installed above the transport line 21 for laver N, and an image sensor is provided below the transport line 21. Light source 23 facing
Is installed. Then, the seaweed N conveyed is passed between the light source 23 and the image sensor 22 to output an image signal from the image sensor 22 to a predetermined measurement region, and the defect inspection is performed based on this. It is like this.

By the way, the above-mentioned inspection is carried out before the cutting step of the seaweed N. At this stage, the seaweed N is shown in FIG.
As shown in, the peripheral edge is bent into an irregular shape, and if the inspection is performed from the outermost end, the part that slightly enters inside from the outermost end is regarded as a defect,
Most of them are considered defective. Therefore, the start position E1 and the end position E2 of the inspection are set at positions separated by a predetermined distance from the front end portion and the rear end portion of the seaweed N. Therefore, as shown in FIG. Laver detection sensors 24 and 25 are provided on both front and rear sides of the image sensor 22 at a predetermined distance, and the inspection is performed only when the two laver detection sensors 24 and 25 detect the laver N. That is, one seaweed detection sensor 2
At the position where the other seaweed detection sensor 24 detects the seaweed N after 5 has detected the seaweed N, the scanning line L of the image sensor 22 is inside the front end portion of the seaweed N (starting position E1 of the inspection), and , Then one seaweed detection sensor 2
Image sensor 2 at the position where 5 does not detect seaweed N
The second scanning line L is located inside the rear end of the seaweed N (the end position E2 of the inspection). As a result, the seaweed N is inspected only between E1 and E2, which are inner regions separated by a predetermined distance from the front end portion and the rear end portion. In FIG. 12, e and f are seaweed detection sensors 24 and 2.
5 detection points.

[0004]

However, as shown in FIG. 13, when the notch-like defect K happens to be on the detection line g of the nori detection sensors 24 and 25, both nori detection sensors 24 are detected. , 25 detects seaweed N at the time when the defect K is passed, the start position E of the inspection is
1 is inside the defect K. Therefore, originally, as shown in FIG. 12, since the inspection is performed from the position E1 which is separated from the front end portion of the seaweed N by a short distance, the defect K extending inside the position E1 (in FIG. 12). , The part indicated by the chain double-dashed line) enters the measurement area and is determined to be a defect, but since the defect K happens to be on the detection line g of the seaweed detection sensors 24 and 25, the measurement area is The defect K is misaligned, and the defect K cannot be determined to be a defect, so that it is erroneously determined to be a good product. The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an image processing apparatus and a measurement area determination method thereof that can obtain an accurate measurement result for a predetermined measurement area regardless of a defect position. There is a place to do it.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, an image processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises an image sensor having a linear scanning area, and the image sensor and an object to be measured are arranged in the scanning direction. Image processing is performed on a predetermined measurement area on the object to be measured by relatively displacing it in the direction intersecting with each other, and the measurement area is determined based on the distance from the end of the object to be measured. In the image processing device according to the present invention, the edge specifying means for specifying the edge of the DUT based on the plurality of image data output from the image sensor for the linear scanning area, and the edge specifying means Based on the end portion, based on the end portion specified by the start position specifying means and the end specifying means, the position separated from the end portion by a predetermined distance as the start end position of the measurement area, and the end portion thereof. Characterized in that comprising the end position specifying unit that the position spaced apart Luo predetermined distance between the end position of the measurement region.

Further, in the measuring area determining method of the image processing apparatus of the present invention, the image sensor having a linear scanning area and the object to be measured are relatively displaced in a direction intersecting the scanning direction. A method of determining a measurement area when performing image processing on a predetermined measurement area on an object to be measured, based on a plurality of image data output from an image sensor for a linear scanning area. It is characterized in that the end of the object to be measured is specified, and the start position and the end position of the measurement region are specified based on the distance from the end.

[0007]

According to the first and second aspects of the present invention, after the end of the object to be measured is specified, the start position and the end position of the measurement area are determined by the distance from the end. Specified. Here, the end is specified based on a plurality of image data output from the image sensor. That is, when the end of the object to be measured enters the line-shaped scanning region, the image data is output from the image sensor based on that, so that the end of the object to be measured is specified.

Therefore, even if a part of the object to be measured enters the scanning area, the end portion is specified by this, and therefore, regardless of the position of the defect, the other part enters the scanning area and the object is detected. The edge of the measured object is specified. As a result, the measurement area is always set to a predetermined distance from the end of the object to be measured, so that an accurate measurement result can be obtained.

[0009]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the image processing apparatus of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an image sensor, which is installed above the transport line 2 for laver N with the light receiving portion 1a facing downward. The image sensor 1 has a linear scanning region (hereinafter, scanning line L), and is adjusted so that the scanning direction is substantially orthogonal to the transport direction a of the seaweed N. The transport line 2 is composed of a plurality of belt conveyors 3, and the belt conveyors 3
A light source 4 is installed between them so as to face the image sensor 1, and the seaweed N is conveyed above the light source 4. Further, a control device 5 is connected to the image sensor 1, and the scanning signal, the image signal, and the clock signal output from the image sensor 1 at the timings shown in FIG. 2 are input thereto.

The scanning signal S is output (high level) when the image sensor 1 is scanning, and the rising portion thereof indicates the start of scanning. Further, the scanning signal S is output for each scanning of the scanning line L. Clock signal C
Is a signal indicating the scanning timing with respect to the scanning position on the scanning line L, and the scanning position on the scanning line L can be known by counting the number of clocks. The number of clocks in one scanning signal S corresponds to the resolution of the image sensor 1. The image signal G is a signal output in synchronization with the clock signal C, and is an analog signal whose voltage value changes according to the amount of received light.

On the other hand, in the control device 5, as shown in FIG. 3, a binarization circuit 6, a scanning signal counting circuit 8, a clock signal counting circuit 7, a central processing unit (hereinafter referred to as CPU) 9 and the like. Is provided. The binarization circuit 6 is a circuit for binarizing the image signal G output from the image sensor 1 with a certain threshold value. If light is received at the scanning position, it is at a high level (bright signal). ) And
If no light is received, it is converted to a low level (dark signal). Then, the image signal G converted into this digital signal
Is sent to the CPU 9.

The scanning signal counting circuit 8 is a circuit for counting the number of scanning signals S, and is configured such that every time the scanning signal S is input, the counting operation is performed at the rising timing thereof. That is, the count value in the scan signal counting circuit 8 indicates the number of scans, and the position of the scan line L with respect to the seaweed N can be known from this count value and the transport speed of the seaweed N. The count value is read by the CPU 9 each time it is counted. Furthermore, this counting operation is performed by the CPU
9 is configured to be controlled by the CPU 9
When the count start signal is output from, the operation is started, and a reset signal is output and reset.

The clock signal counting circuit 7 is constructed so that the counting operation is performed every time the clock signal C is input while the scanning signal S is being output (high level). That is, the count value of the clock signal counting circuit 7 indicates the scanning position on the scanning line L, and is read by the CPU 9 in the defect inspection processing described later.

Further, the control device 5 is provided with an operation panel 10, in which a plurality of setting keys 11 and mode setting keys 12 are arranged. The setting key 11 is for inputting information necessary for determining the measurement area for the defect inspection, and the input information is stored in the memory. The information input here is the end part specifying information W, the start end position specifying information X, the end position specifying information Y, the left mask range specifying information M1, and the right mask range specifying information M2.

The end portion specifying information W is information necessary for specifying the end portion of the seaweed N, and the position specified based on this information W is the end portion position A of the seaweed N shown in FIG. . The starting end position specifying information X is the number of scanning signals from the end position A, and the starting end position B1 of the measurement region in the carrying direction a is specified based on the relationship between the number of signals and the carrying speed of the laver N. The end position specifying information Y is the number of scanning lines from the start position B1, and the end position B2 of the measurement area with respect to the transfer direction a is specified based on the relationship between the number of signals and the transfer speed of the seaweed N.
The left mask range designation information M1 is the number of clocks from the scan start position on the scan line L, and the measurement start position C1 for the scan line L is determined by this designated number of clocks.
Is specified, and the image signal G is not processed until the measurement start position C1 is reached. The left mask range designation information M2 is the number of clocks from the scan end position on the scan line L,
The measurement end position C2 for the scanning line L is specified by the designated number of clocks, and the measurement end position C2 is determined.
Then, the processing of the image signal G ends.

The mode setting key 12 is for switching the state of the CPU 9 between a settable state and an inspectable state. In the settable state, various kinds of information can be input by the set key 11, and in the inspectable state, nori seaweed. The defect inspection process is performed on N. CPU9 is an end part identification means,
The measuring area is provided with a starting position specifying means and an ending position specifying means for determining the measuring area based on the information stored in the memory, and performing defect inspection processing on the measuring area. There is.

The end specifying means, the start position specifying means and the end position specifying means of the measurement area will be described with reference to the flow chart shown in FIG. The CPU 9 monitors the image signal G converted into a digital signal by the binarization circuit 6 and counts the number of dark signals in one scan (step 1). Then, the count value is compared with preset edge specifying information W (step 2). If the count value is smaller than the edge specifying information W, the procedure returns to step 1 to monitor the image signal G and perform one scan. Continue counting dark signals inside. When the count value is equal to or more than the end portion specifying information W, the position of the scanning line L with respect to the seaweed N at that time is set to the end portion position A.
(See FIG. 7). These steps 1 and 2
It corresponds to the edge specifying means in the present invention.

When the end position A is specified, the CPU 9 outputs a count start signal to the scanning signal counting circuit 8 (step 3). As a result, the scanning signal counting circuit 8 starts the counting operation and counts the number of scanning signals S after the end position A is specified. Further, the CPU 9 reads the count value of the scanning signal counting circuit 8 and compares the count value with the preset start position specifying information X (steps 4 and 5). If the count value is smaller than the start position specifying information X, the process returns to step 4, and the scanning signal counting circuit 8
The reading is continued until the count value of is equal to or larger than the starting position specifying information X. Further, when the count value is equal to or larger than the starting end position specifying information X, the scanning line L for the seaweed N at that time point
Is specified as the start position B1 of the measurement area (FIG. 7).
reference). The steps 3, 4, and 5 correspond to the starting end position specifying means according to the present invention.

After the start position B1 of the measurement area is specified,
The CPU 9 outputs a reset signal to the scanning signal counting circuit 8 to reset the count value once (step 6). As a result, the scanning signal counting circuit 8 counts the number of the scanning signals S again from the starting end position B1 and the defect inspection process described later is performed from the starting end position B1 of the specified measurement region (step 7). Then, the count value of the scanning signal counting circuit 8 is read and the count value is compared with the end position specifying information Y (steps 8 and 9). If the count value is smaller than the end position specifying information Y, step 7 Return to and continue the defect inspection process. If the count value is equal to or greater than the end position specifying information Y, the position of the scanning line L with respect to the seaweed N at that time is set as the end position B2 of the measurement area (see FIG. 7), and the defect inspection process is ended. The steps 6, 8 and 9 correspond to the end position specifying means of the measurement area according to the present invention.

Further, the defect inspection process will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. After the start position B1 of the measurement area is specified, the CPU 9 reads the count value of the clock signal counting circuit 7 (step 71) and compares the count value with the measurement start position C1 (step 72). If it is smaller than the measurement start position C1, the clock signal counting circuit 7 is operated until the count value becomes equal to or larger than the measurement start position C1.
Continue reading the count value of. When the count value is equal to or greater than the measurement start position C1, the measurement value is further compared with the measurement end position C2 (step 73). If the count value is smaller than the measurement end position C2, the image signal G is read (step 74), and it is determined whether the read image signal G is a dark signal or a bright signal. (Step 7
5). Then, the result of the determination is output to a display device (not shown) (step 76). Further, the determination with respect to the image signal G is repeated until the count value of the clock signal counting circuit 7 read in step 71 becomes the measurement end position C2 or more. If the count value becomes the measurement end position C2 or more, the image at that point The reading of the signal G and the like are completed.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described.
When the seaweed N conveyed on the conveyance line 2 interrupts the scanning line L, a digital signal as shown in FIG. 6 is sent from the binarization circuit 6 to the CPU 9, for example. As a result, if the number of dark signals (nine in FIG. 6) becomes equal to or more than the end portion specifying information W, the position of the scanning line L with respect to the seaweed N at that time is set as the end portion position A. Therefore, if the edge specifying information W is made small, the edge position A of the seaweed N can be surely specified by blocking the scan line L even if the edge of the seaweed N is small. However, it is desirable to set the edge specifying information W to a value that takes noise into consideration in order to prevent malfunction due to noise or the like.

After the end position A of the seaweed N is specified, the start end position specifying means starts specifying the start end position B1 of the measurement region as the seaweed N moves in the transport direction a. Then, when the seaweed N is conveyed to a predetermined position, the start end position specifying information X
The starting end position B1 is specified based on. When the start position B1 of the measurement area is specified, the defect inspection process for the seaweed N is started from that position, and the end position specifying means starts specifying the end position B2 of the measurement area.
The defect inspection process is performed until the seaweed N is conveyed to the end position B2 specified by the end position specification information Y, and when the seaweed N is conveyed to the end position B2, the defect inspection process is stopped at that position. . Then, if a defect is confirmed between the start position B1 and the end position B2, the result is displayed on a display device (not shown).

As described above, in this embodiment, the end portion of the seaweed N is specified by the number of dark signals included in the image signal G output from the image sensor 1. Therefore, as shown in FIG. Even when the seaweed N has a notch-shaped defect K, the end position A of the seaweed N is specified by the portion other than the defect K blocking the scanning line L. Therefore, since the start position B1 and the end position B2 are specified as shown in the figure, the defect K can be determined as a defect. That is, since the end of the seaweed N is surely specified regardless of the position of the defect, the start position of the measurement region does not change depending on the position of the defect as in the conventional case, and the end position of the measurement region does not change. Therefore, accurate measurement results can be obtained.

Further, in this embodiment, since the end portion of the seaweed N is specified by using the image sensor 1 for performing the defect inspection, the seaweed detection sensor and the like are separated from the image sensor as in the conventional case. Need not be provided, which simplifies the configuration and reduces the size of the entire system. Furthermore, in the conventional configuration using the seaweed detection sensor and the like, in order to widen and narrow the range of the measurement area, the distance between the seaweed detection sensor and the image sensor has to be different, which is very troublesome work. In the present embodiment, the end key specifying information W, the start end position specifying information X, and
The range of the measurement region can be changed widely by a simple operation of re-inputting the end position specifying information Y.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, but can be modified and implemented as follows, for example, and these embodiments also belong to the technical scope of the present invention. (1) In the above-described embodiment, the edge specifying means is configured to specify the edge of the seaweed N when the number of dark signals in one scan is equal to or greater than the edge specifying information W. The end of the seaweed may be specified when the number of continuous dark signals exceeds a predetermined value. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, when four dark signals are continuously confirmed, the end portion of the seaweed N is specified.

(2) Further, as shown in FIG. 10, the number of consecutive dark signals is counted as one unit, and when the counted value is not less than a predetermined value, the end of the seaweed is specified. May be.

(3) Furthermore, the end of the seaweed may be specified when the number of bright signals, not the number of dark signals, is set to a predetermined value or less.

(4) In the above embodiment, the defect is inspected by passing the seaweed N between the light source 4 and the image sensor 1. However, the seaweed is irradiated with light and the defect is detected. The defect may be inspected by reflected light. In this case, since light is reflected at the seaweed portion, a bright signal is sent to the CPU when scanning this portion, which is the reverse of the above embodiment.

(5) In the above embodiment, the end position specifying means is configured to specify the end position B2 based on the number of scanning signals from the starting end position B1, but according to the number of scanning signals from the end position of the seaweed. The end position may be specified. That is, in the above embodiment, the scanning signal counting circuit 8 is once reset after the start position B1 of the measurement region is specified, but the number of scanning signals from the end position of the seaweed is continuously counted without resetting, Moreover, the end position specifying information is set as the number of scanning signals from the end position of the seaweed.

(6) In the above embodiment, the scanning signal counting circuit 8 is configured to perform the counting operation at the rising timing of the scanning signal. However, the counting operation is performed at the falling timing of the scanning signal. You may comprise.

(7) In the above-described embodiment, the start position specifying means and the end position specifying means are configured to specify the start position or the end position by counting the number of scanning signals, but the end position is specified. After that, the start position or the end position may be specified by using the timer means.

(8) In the above embodiment, the edge specifying means counts the number of dark signals in one scanning, and when the count value is equal to or more than the edge specifying information W, the edge of the seaweed N is detected. Although it is configured to specify, the end of the seaweed may be specified by counting the number of dark signals for a plurality of scans or by the number of dark signals from the middle of one scan to the next scan. .

(9) In the above embodiment, the image signal G output from the image sensor 1 is an analog signal, but it may be a digital signal. In this case, the binarization circuit in the controller 5 is used. 6 is unnecessary. In addition, the present invention can be implemented with various modifications without departing from the scope.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the entirety of the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a timing chart of each signal.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a control device.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an end part specifying unit and the like.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a defect inspection process.

FIG. 6 is a waveform diagram showing an image signal.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a measurement region of seaweed.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of seaweed having defects.

FIG. 9 is a waveform diagram showing an image signal in another embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a waveform chart showing an image signal in another embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a conventional example.

FIG. 12 is a plan view showing a seaweed measurement region in a conventional example.

FIG. 13 is a plan view of seaweed having a defect in the conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 ... Image sensor L ... Scan line (scan area)

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An image sensor having a line-shaped scanning region is provided, and the image sensor and the object to be measured are relatively displaced in a direction intersecting with the scanning direction, whereby a predetermined amount on the object to be measured is provided. In the image processing device in which the image processing is performed on the measurement area, and the measurement area is determined based on the distance from the end of the measured object, the output from the image sensor for the linear scanning area is performed. An end part specifying means for specifying an end part of the object to be measured based on a plurality of image data, and based on the end part specified by the end part specifying means, a predetermined distance from the end part. Starting point position specifying means for setting a position as a starting end position of the measurement region, and based on the end part specified by the end part specifying means, the position at a predetermined distance from the end part is measured. An image processing apparatus comprising: an end position specifying means for setting an end position of an area. 2. An image for a predetermined measurement area on the object to be measured by relatively displacing an image sensor having a linear scanning area and the object to be measured in a direction intersecting the scanning direction. A method of determining the measurement area when performing processing, wherein the end of the object to be measured is specified based on a plurality of image data output from the image sensor for a linear scanning area, and A measurement area determination method for an image processing apparatus, characterized in that a start end position and an end position of the measurement area are specified based on a distance from an end portion.