JPH0989805A - Device for inspecting container with self-diagnostic function - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To check if an inspection device properly and superbly operates by storing the judgment data of a dummy defective container in the memory of an image processing device in advance and comparing the resultant output judgment data with the storage judgment data in a memory every time the dummy container is inspected. SOLUTION: The judgment data of the defect of a dummy container are stored in the memory of an image processing machine in advance 40 and the inspection data are compared with judgment data being stored in the memory in advance 41, thus automatically self-diagnosing the performance of the inspection device. Also, a dummy mark is mounted to a dummy container so that the inspection device can detects the dummy container 33, thus further ensuring the operation of self-diagnosis. Further, by eliminating the dummy container as a fault one regardless of the inspection judgment result when detecting the dummy mark 33, the mixture of the dummy container into a conforming article line by mistake can be prevented when the inspection device is defective.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a container made of glass, plastic, or the like, or a container filled with beer, liquor, drinking water, etc., illuminated with illumination light from a light source, and imaged by a video camera. In an inspection device that processes the image signal from the camera with an image processor and determines the presence of defects in the container or the container filled with the liquid and the liquid, throw a dummy defective container with foreign matter attached in the production line, The present invention relates to a container inspection device having a self-diagnosis function capable of checking whether or not the inspection device is normally operating.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in order to regularly check whether or not the performance of an inspection device is normally operating, a defective container or a dummy defective container with a foreign substance attached is inspected. Measures have been taken to ensure that detection is eliminated.

For example, not only when a defect occurs in the image processing machine, but also when the camera lens is fogged, when the mounting position of the camera is deviated, or when the inspection timing of the transport device is incorrect, etc. This is because the correct inspection of the inspection device may not be performed due to various reasons.

Therefore, the operator of the production line regularly passes a dummy defective container having a foreign substance mark or a defective defective container such as a flaw through the inspection device as a dummy so that the inspection device operates normally. I was checking if the dummy defective container was detected and eliminated.

[0005]

However, in the prior art, whether or not the dummy container is correctly output to the defective container discharge system path, and when the inspection device is abnormal, the dummy container is not used in the normal manufacturing process side. Since it is output, it requires an inspection assistant to identify and confirm them, which is troublesome and costly.

Further, when diagnosing the inspection apparatus, it is necessary to temporarily suspend the manufacturing operation and change the manufacturing process to the diagnostic state, which deteriorates the manufacturing efficiency. Furthermore, if the inspection device has the above-mentioned malfunction in the diagnostic operation, the dummy container will flow out to the regular manufacturing process as it is.
Since it is necessary to constantly check the manufacturing process, the diagnosis work including the check of the defective container discharge system path becomes more complicated. The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and a container having a scratch or a container to which a foreign matter is attached in advance is used as a dummy defective container, and when the inspection and determination is performed through an inspection device, the size of the defect in the dummy container Judgment data such as level and position in the image is stored in advance in the memory of the image processing machine, and the judgment data when the dummy container is inspected is compared with this to determine whether the performance of the inspection device is normal. It is designed to allow self-diagnosis.

[0007]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a container inspection device having a self-diagnosis function, which comprises an inspection / determination means for inspecting and judging a dummy defective container having a defect such as a scratch or having a foreign substance attached. , Defect size, light and dark level,
A memory in which inspection data such as a position in an image is stored in advance in the memory as determination data, and a comparing means for comparing the determination data stored in the memory with inspection data output when a dummy defective container is inspected. It is characterized by further comprising output means for outputting a determination signal as to whether or not the inspection device is operating normally, based on the comparison result by the comparison means.

According to the container inspection apparatus having the self-diagnosis function of the second aspect of the present invention, the dummy defect used for preliminarily storing the judgment data such as the size of the defect, the brightness level and the position in the image in the memory. A dummy container in which a dummy mark indicating that it is a dummy container is attached to a part of the surface of the container, detection means for detecting the dummy mark, and inspection data by detecting the dummy mark are stored in the memory in advance. And a switching means for switching the operation mode of the inspection device so as to perform a self-diagnosis operation of outputting a determination signal as to whether or not the inspection device normally operates in comparison with the determination data stored in. Claim 3
A container inspection apparatus having a self-diagnosis function according to the invention of claim 2, wherein a plurality of video cameras for inspecting one container to be inspected by dividing it into a plurality of inspection ranges and a dummy mark are detected. Each dummy mark sensor is provided with a plurality of dummy mark sensors provided for each inspection range, and a plurality of memories for storing the data obtained by the inspection in association with the inspection range divided in advance as discrimination data. It is characterized in that the inspection data of the corresponding inspection range is compared with the determination data stored in the memory corresponding to each inspection range, and a determination signal as to whether or not the inspection device normally operates is output.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a container inspection apparatus having a self-diagnosis function, wherein a plurality of video cameras for dividing one inspection container into a plurality of inspection ranges for inspection are provided. A plurality of dummy mark sensors that detect a plurality of dummy marks mounted at different positions corresponding to a plurality of inspection ranges, and the data obtained by inspecting corresponding to the pre-divided inspection ranges are used as discrimination data. It has a plurality of memories to store, and determines whether the inspection device operates normally by comparing the inspection data of the inspection range corresponding to each dummy mark sensor with the discrimination data stored in the memory corresponding to each inspection range. It is characterized in that it outputs a signal.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a container inspection device having a self-diagnosis function, wherein when a dummy container is inspected, the judgment result is good. It is characterized by including an excluding device adapted to forcibly exempt the dummy container from the defect by detecting the dummy mark regardless of whether the defect or the self-diagnosis function is operated.

A container inspection machine having a self-diagnosis function according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the container inspection apparatus having the self-diagnosis function according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, in which data and dummy defects previously stored in the memory of the image processing machine are defective. It is characterized by comprising output means for comparing and judging the data when the container is inspected and outputting the cause of the performance deterioration of the inspection device and its countermeasure to an external output device such as a monitor or a printer.

According to the present invention, a major feature is that determination data such as the size of the defect of the dummy defective container, the brightness level, and the position in the image are stored in advance in the memory of the image processing apparatus. Thus, every time the dummy container is inspected, the determination data output as a result can be compared with the determination data stored in the memory in advance to confirm whether the operation of the inspection device is normal.

Further, by attaching a dummy mark indicating a dummy defective container to a part of the surface of the container, the inspection device recognizes the dummy mark by detecting the dummy mark during inspection. You can do it. When there are multiple defective containers with different defective states, each judgment data is stored in multiple memories and the position of the dummy mark on the surface of each container is changed corresponding to each defective container. Alternatively, different types may be attached and inspected separately.

Similarly, when a single container is inspected by dividing the inspection range with a plurality of video cameras, the position of the dummy mark attached to the container is changed, and the like. It is possible to separately judge a plurality of pieces of judgment data having different inspection ranges stored in a memory in advance and a plurality of pieces of judgment data having different inspection ranges captured by a plurality of video cameras, depending on whether or not the sensor detects.

Further, since the dummy defective container is detected by the dummy mark and eliminated regardless of the inspection judgment, the dummy defective container is erroneously mixed with the normal non-defective container and the production line. You can prevent it from being sent up.

In other words, the function of the dummy mark not only automatically switches the inspection device to the self-diagnosis mode, but in an inspection machine having a plurality of inspection points, it also serves as data indicating each inspection position. It can also have the function of eliminating.

[0017]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION As an embodiment, first, the structure of a general bottle inspection apparatus for beer, liquor, drinking water, etc. will be described below. Bottles such as beer, liquor, and drinking water are collected after the contents are consumed, and the inner and outer surfaces of the bottles are first washed in the manufacturing process, and are conveyed to an inspection device by a conveyor to inspect the quality.

FIG. 1 shows an example of a bottle inspecting apparatus. A bottle 1 to be inspected is introduced into an inlet star wheel 3 by a carrying-in device 2. The inlet star wheel 3 conveys the bottles 1 one by one in a state where the body and neck of the bottle 1 are suspended by the star wheel 4 and the belts 7 and 8 provided on the outside, and transported to the position 4a in the figure, and the bottle not shown The upper surface of the bottle is inspected with the illumination light source and the video camera provided on the upper part, and then the illumination light source provided on the bottom of the bottle (not shown) and the video camera provided on the upper part of the bottle are conveyed to the position 4b. To inspect the bottom of bottles. The bottle 1 is conveyed to the next table 5, and the table on which the bottle is placed is structured such that the bottle is held while the bottle mouth is held at the upper part and the bottle is rotated (JP-A-63-63). No. 258795, see FIG. 2),
The entire circumference of the bottle side surface is inspected (at the position 5a) by the illumination light source provided on the side surface of the bottle and the video camera provided on the opposite side of the light source while being conveyed while being rotated. In this case, as will be described later, the side surface of the bottle is divided into a neck part and a body part.
Inspect with one video camera.

The image signal captured by the video camera is processed by an image processing apparatus (not shown) composed of an arithmetic processing unit (CPU) or the like to determine whether or not the bottle has a defect such as a foreign substance or a scratch. If there is, a defective signal is output. The output defective signal is shifted by a shift register (not shown) synchronized with the movement of the bottle, and the defective device is driven by a vacuum pad (not shown). to eliminate the defective bottles to the defective bottle discharge conveyor 9 _2. If no defect is detected as a result of the inspection, it is carried out as a normal bottle to the normal bottle transfer passage 9 ₁ .

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing the operation of the inspection device taking the inspection of the side surface of the bottle as an example. Bottle to be inspected 1
Is supported and conveyed on a support base 52 provided on the rotary table 5 which rotates around a rotary shaft 51. In addition, bottle 1
While being transported on the rotary table 5, the bottle head is pressed by the pressing rod 53 and is held on the support base 52.

A light source 10 and a video camera 11 are installed in a part of the movement path of the bottle so as to face each other across the movement path of the bottle 1. The image signal from the video camera 11 is processed by the image processing apparatus 12 to determine whether the bottle has a defect such as a foreign substance or a scratch, and if there is a defect, a defect signal is output.

As an example of the processing operation performed by the image processing apparatus 12, after converting an image signal from the video camera 11 into a digital signal by an A / D converter, a defect due to foreign matter, scratches or the like below a preset threshold value is detected. Detects changes in light and dark,
If the pixel group below the threshold (dark area) is above a certain size,
A defect determination signal is output and input to the shift register 13.

The defective signal input to the shift register 13 is generated every time the bottle moves by one pitch (interval between bottles).
Rotary encoder 14 attached to the drive
It is shifted by a 1-pulse shift signal output from the. The mounting position of the rotary encoder 14 may be any one of the star wheels 3 and 4 and the table 5 in the transport passage in FIG.

Thus, the image signal from the video camera 11 is processed by the image processing device to determine whether it is defective or not. If a defective signal is output, the image signal is synchronized with the movement of the bottle. A signal is transmitted to the defective bottle removing device 6 through the shift register 13 that shifts the defective bottle, and the defective bottle is excluded from the good bottle line to the defective bottle discharge line.

According to the present invention, the judgment data such as the size of the defect of the defective container made as a dummy, the brightness level, the position in the image and the like are stored in advance in the memory of the image processor.
It is characterized by using this to determine whether the inspection device is operating normally.Next, regarding how to make a defective container as a dummy, how to make a dummy mark, or the range, An example is given.

FIG. 3 shows a dummy bottle with a foreign matter mark used for diagnosing the inspection device at the bottom of the bottle. In order to make a dummy container that is defective in the inspection of the bottle bottom, there is a method of sticking a small piece such as black vinyl tape as a foreign matter mark on the bottle bottom. FIG.
Star wheel 4 is a bottle bottom inspection dummy bottle 1a in which black vinyl tape 1a ₁ is attached as a foreign matter mark on the bottle bottom.
Video camera 15 and light source 1 for bottle bottom inspection
6 shows the state inspected by 6.

FIG. 4 shows a small black mark as a foreign matter mark on the bottom of the bottle.
Piece 1a₁Image of bottle 1a with affixed by video camera
The image of the image element of the camera in the image is shown.
Relationship between horizontal and vertical addresses and imaged bottle bottom
It shows. CCD as a video camera
A camera is used, but the size of a single image element
Assuming that the size is 1 mm x 1 mm, a dummy foreign material is placed on the bottom of the bottle.
Mark 1a ₁The size shown on the screen is 3mm x 3mm
If the mark is attached, the video camera
Depending on the case, the number of image elements for detecting the peak is 2 to 4 × 2.
It varies from ~ 4. This is the configuration of the image element of the CCD camera
Since the matrix has a matrix, for example
When the range is located in the middle of the image element of the camera,
This is because a difference may occur depending on the threshold setting.

The foreign object mark detection data obtained by the CCD camera is collected as the judgment data such as the address where the mark is located, the brightness level, the size, etc., and is input to the memory so that the same dummy bottle can be used later. Used to diagnose the function of the test equipment.

Therefore, in consideration of the above, when comparing the judgment data concerning the foreign matter stored in the memory with the judgment data obtained by inspecting the dummy container thereafter, the judgment of the difference in the image processing machine is made. A margin is given to the permissible range of the process, and the value is set as a criterion in the range of 2 to 4 × 2 to 4 as normal.

In a defect inspection apparatus for electronic parts or the like by image processing of a CCD camera, it is generally judged by a pattern matching function whether or not the shape is the same as the standard pattern. However, in the inspection of the recycling container and the glass container for food, the image has uneven glass thickness and variations in coloring and the like, and thus the defect inspection by the pattern matching function is impossible.

In the self-diagnosis function of the present invention, the comparison of the foreign object mark address, the light and dark level, and the size (number of pixels) judgment data is different from the pattern matching, and the position of the mark on the dummy inspection object is not displaced. By deciding whether or not the image is clearly in focus, it is diagnosed whether the inspection device is operating normally.

Further, when inspecting the bottle bottom, since the shape is circular, if a dummy foreign particle mark is attached to the center of the bottle bottom, the detection position of the foreign particle mark will be constant regardless of the rotation angle of the bottle. . In the bottle bottom image of FIG. 4, for example, a CCD camera is used to display 324 horizontal pixels × 243 vertical pixels.
If a pixel with a pixel count of 25 is used, the horizontal pixel count is 25
A range of 6 × vertical pixels 192 is taken into the image memory and utilized for signal processing.

When the position of the camera is set so that the center of the bottle is at the horizontal address 160 and the vertical address 128 (the size of the object to be inspected is 1 mm × 1 mm corresponds to one pixel, and the foreign matter mark is 3 mm × 3 mm). The black tape is used as a dummy mark), and the address of the pixel for which the foreign substance mark is to be detected is given a horizontal address (pixel N ₀ ) 157 to 163 and a vertical address 125 to 131 with a margin width. this is,
In addition to the bottle not being a perfect circle and the diameter being uneven,
This is because the wheels that hold the bottles are subject to wear and the centers of all the bottles do not always coincide.

When the dummy foreign matter mark is inspected and judged and the judgment signal is not outputted, it is judged that there is a position shift of the camera, and when the signal is not outputted from the picture elements inside and outside this address, the camera is judged. It is presumed that there may be cases such as out-of-focus blurring or clouding of the lens.

The above-mentioned addresses indicating the positions of the foreign matter marks are necessary only for the inspection judgment of the dummy container, and in the case of the inspection of the general container which is not the dummy container, the position of the defect. Is not constant, no comparison of the determination data regarding the address is performed.

Next, regarding the level of the image signal generated by the contrast of the foreign matter mark, for example, when the image signal from the camera is converted into a digital signal by an 8-bit A / D converter, a signal of 256 levels of contrast level. Therefore, if you store the minimum number of bits of the light and dark level in memory, compare this with the light and dark level of the dummy foreign matter when inspecting the dummy container, and check whether the detection state of the dummy foreign matter is normal. Can be determined.

For example, in the bottle bottom image described above,
Horizontal addresses 157 to 16 at which foreign matter marks should be detected
3. When the number of bits of pixels in the range of vertical addresses 125 to 131 is summed up, for example, the total number of bits of 7 × 7 pixels in the address where the foreign matter mark should be set is 9000 at maximum.
If the bit is used as the reference data and it is larger than this (the foreign matter mark looks bright), it is determined that the image is blurred, the aperture is opened too much, or the foreign matter mark is out of the reference address due to the camera center misalignment. .

Further, when there are a plurality of dummy containers to which foreign matter marks having different states are attached, each inspection determination data is stored in a separate memory. By attaching a dummy mark indicating that it is a dummy container to a defective container made as a dummy for inspection,
The signal processing for inspection and the subsequent handling of bottles can be facilitated.

When inspecting the bottle bottom, the dummy mark indicating that it is a dummy container may be painted black on the top surface of the bottle mouth that does not affect the inspection of the bottle bottom or taped. To be When inspecting the side surface of the body of the bottle, a ring-shaped dummy mark may be attached around the outer periphery of the upper portion or bottom of the bottle that does not affect the inspection of the side surface of the bottle. Further, the dummy mark may also be used as the foreign matter mark. For example, by using a bar code as the dummy mark, the foreign substance information is represented by the bar code pattern.

FIG. 5 shows a case where the side surface of the bottle is divided into a neck portion and a body portion by two video cameras for inspection.
As described in the description of the configuration of the inspection device shown in FIG. 2, the side surface of the bottle is inspected on the entire circumference of the side surface while the bottle is conveyed while rotating on the support base 52.

In the bottle 1, the neck and the body are individually inspected by the light source 21, the neck inspection video camera 22 and the neck inspection video camera 23. FIG. 6 shows a method of attaching a dummy mark that allows the inspection to be carried out separately when the inspection range of the container is divided and inspected by the above two cameras.

In this case, two types of dummy marks are attached to different parts to set the inspection range. That is, as shown in the figure, the neck inspection dummy bottle 1b, together with previously subjected foreign marks 1b ₁ to neck, a ring-shaped dummy marks 1b showing that the bottom is a dummy bottle for the neck portion inspection
_I will add ₂ .

In addition, in the body inspection dummy bottle 1c,
Square foreign material mark 1c₁And put it on the mouth
Is a ring-shaped dummy that indicates that it is a dummy bottle for body inspection.
Mark 1c₂Is attached. Light source and video camera
Each of the dummy marks 1b described above is attached to the placed inspection unit.₂, 1c ₂
For neck inspection sensor 24 for detecting
The sensor 25 is provided. There is only one dummy mark
You may share the kind. In this case, the inspection device control
Confirm the inspection range of the dummy mark information that the roller has.
Be aware.

FIG. 7 shows an arrangement position of a sensor for detecting a dummy mark in a body inspection. The bottle of the object to be inspected is rotated once while passing through the transport passage while passing through the inspection area R constituted by the light source 21 and the video camera 22 (23), and the inspection is performed during that time. The dummy mark inspection sensor 24 (25) is provided at a position immediately before entering the inspection area R.

As the sensors used as the dummy mark detecting sensors 24 and 25, various kinds of sensors can be considered according to the kind of the dummy mark attached to the bottle as follows. For example, if the dummy mark is a metal ring, the proximity switch is a plastic ring, the photoelectric switch is a colored tape, the color sensor is a color sensor, and the bar code is a bar code reader. Can be used as a sensor.

The above-mentioned inspection dummy bottles 1b and 1c are used for diagnosing whether the inspection device shown in FIG. 5 is operating normally. The inspection for the self-diagnosis of the neck is performed on the outer periphery of the bottle bottom. By doing only when the sensor detects the attached ring-shaped dummy mark, and by performing the inspection of the body part only when the sensor detects the ring-shaped dummy mark attached to the upper end of the neck of the bottle, Division inspection becomes possible.

FIG. 8 shows an example of an image of a bottle body imaged on a video camera and foreign matter marks attached to the side surface of the bottle. Since the bottle is conveyed while being rotated and is inspected, the horizontal address position of the foreign matter mark at the time of inspection is not constant with respect to the rotation angle of the bottle, so it is not added to the determination data.

However, since the position of the foreign matter mark in the vertical direction is constant, the determination data for the foreign matter mark to be stored in the memory of the image processing apparatus includes the vertical address as the address in addition to the size and the level of light and dark. Only remember. Note that the inspection of the neck portion that is handled by another camera is the same as the method of inspecting the trunk portion, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

Next, an inspection apparatus having a self-diagnosis function of storing the determination data of the dummy foreign matter in the memory and comparing it with the inspection data of the dummy container and the processing executed by the inspection apparatus will be described. FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an inspection device having a self-diagnosis function.

The inspection device 30 includes a video camera 31, an A / D converter 32 for A / D converting an image signal of the video camera 31, a dummy mark sensor 33 for detecting a dummy mark of a dummy bottle, and a star wheel for carrying a bottle. Rotary encoder 34 for detecting the rotation speed of
An arithmetic processing unit (CPU) 35 for performing various arithmetic operations on input data from the D converter 32, the dummy mark sensor 33, and the rotary encoder 34, an image memory 37 for temporarily storing a digitized image signal of the inspection object, an image memory Defect detection circuit 38 in which a group of pixels whose image signal is less than or equal to a threshold value (dark) is a defect, a determination data memory 40 in which data obtained by previously inspecting a dummy bottle is stored as determination data, the determination data and the dummy bottle Is provided with a comparator 41 for comparing data obtained when inspected for self-diagnosis.

The inspection apparatus also outputs a monitor 42 for outputting a self-diagnosis determination result obtained by various arithmetic processing based on data obtained from the video camera 31, and an image defect detection circuit 38.
An exclusion signal generating circuit 43 is provided for outputting an exclusion signal for eliminating a bottle that has been determined to be defective and a bottle that has been detected as a dummy bottle by the dummy mark sensor 33.

The monitor 42 includes a printing device in addition to the image display device CRT. Next, the inspection flow performed by the inspection device 30 will be described with reference to FIG.

The inspection device 30 is used, for example, for any one of the bottle mouth inspection, the bottle bottom inspection, and the bottle body inspection of the inspection device shown in FIG. First, the video camera 31 outputs an image signal of a bottle to be inspected (step 2). The image signal of the bottle of the inspection object obtained by the video camera 31 is converted into a digital signal by the A / D converter 32 (step 4). The detection data converted into a digital signal is used as detection data in the image memory 37.
Are stored together with the screen address (step 6).

Next, the defect detection circuit 38 inspects for the presence or absence of a defect, but before that, it is judged whether or not a dummy mark is detected by the dummy mark sensor 33 from the bottle (step 10). When the dummy mark sensor 33 detects the dummy mark bottle, the defect analysis circuit 38a connected to the defect detection circuit 38 operates to enter the self-diagnosis mode and analyze the address of the foreign matter mark, the brightness level, and the size of the foreign matter. (Step 16). This data is compared with the determination data stored in the determination data memory 40 obtained by previously inspecting the dummy mark bottle by the comparator 41 (step 18).

It is judged whether or not the comparison result by the comparator 41 is within the set value (step 20). If it is within the set value, it can be diagnosed that the inspection device is operating normally, The output signal of the judgment is displayed on the monitor 42 (step 22). If the comparison result is out of the set range, it means that the inspection device does not have the original detection performance, and it is determined that there is a defect (step 24), and the cause of the content of the defect is as shown in FIG. 13 later. Monitor 42
Is displayed (step 26).

If no dummy mark is detected in step 10, normal defect inspection is performed (step 12). In the case of normal inspection, the defect detection circuit 3
When a foreign object having a threshold value or less (dark portion) is detected in 8, the exclusion signal generation circuit 43 generates an exclusion signal. However, in the case of a dummy mark bottle, regardless of the inspection result of the defect detection circuit 38,
If the dummy mark sensor operates, an exclusion signal is generated (step 14), and the exclusion device 6 shown in FIG. 1 is operated to recover the dummy bottle.

As described above, the inspection device 30 has a so-called self-diagnosis function which can grasp its own operating state by using the dummy container with the dummy foreign matter mark. Next, collecting the information (judgment data) of the dummy foreign matter through the inspection device in advance for the dummy bottle will be described.

FIG. 11 shows an inspection device used to collect the judgment data. The inspection device used here is the same as the inspection device 30 shown in FIG. The inspection device 30 has an inspection mode for performing a normal inspection,
The final output can be used by switching to the data collection mode where it only collects data and displays it.
The judgment data is collected by switching to the data collection mode.

The image signal obtained by the video camera 31 using the container with the dummy foreign matter mark is digitized by the A / D converter 32 and stored in the image memory 37 as detection data. The data stored in the image memory 37 is the address x ₁ y ₁ , x ₁ y ₂ , ... Of each pixel determined by each X coordinate and Y coordinate in the image represented by XY coordinates as shown in FIG. The digitized light / dark level (N _11, N _{12 ,} ...) Is converted into a numerical value, and the total number of bits of the addresses in the range is stored as a criterion.

For each data stored in the image memory, the defect analysis circuit 38a analyzes the total number of pixels, addresses, and the number of bright and dark bits of the pixel group of the defect (dark portion) of the foreign matter which is less than the threshold value of the defect detection circuit 38, and the CPU Is displayed and displayed on the monitor 42. A keyboard connected to the CPU in order not to store the data of the foreign mark of the dummy mark bottle displayed on the monitor 42 as the determination data in the determination data memory 40 as it is, but to set the minimum data to be secured by the inspection device. The data is finely corrected by 44.
For example, as the data of the foreign matter mark in the center of the bottle bottom described above, the address of the pixel group to be detected as the foreign matter is the horizontal address (pixel address) 157 to 163, the vertical address 125 to 131, and the lowest address to be detected. Number of pixels 2 x
2 = 4, modify the total number of digitized bits in this address range to 9000 bits. This judgment data is determined by repeatedly collecting data of dummy mark bottles when the inspection device is operating normally, and stores the optimum value in the judgment data memory 40 via the CPU from the keyboard 44.

FIG. 13 shows an example of judgment data collected for a dummy bottle in which a dummy foreign matter mark is attached to the body of the bottle. The number of pixels detected corresponding to the vertical address for the pixel in which the defect is detected. And a state in which the sum of the numbers of bits of the light and dark levels is stored is shown. The total count of the number of pixels in this data indicates the size of the defect, and the brightness level can be used for estimating the cause of the defect.

In the case of the inspection of the body, the inspection is performed while rotating the container, and therefore the judgment data to be the reference for comparison is set as follows.
The horizontal address of the defect cannot be determined, and only for the vertical address, the number of defective pixels and the brightness level corresponding to the address are determined. As described above, the inspection device according to the present invention has the self-diagnosis function and displays the self-diagnosis result on the monitor. Whether the inspection device is operating normally as information to be displayed on the monitor. Various information can be displayed according to the diagnosis result as well as whether or not the information is provided.

FIG. 14 shows the contents of the processing of analyzing the diagnostic data and displaying the judgment result thereof in step 18 and subsequent steps of the processing flow shown in FIG. First, from the diagnostic data obtained using the dummy container, the number of bits of the vertical address is counted for the detected pixel (step 3).
0). Then, the total number of bits is compared with the reference number of bits (step 32). If the number of bits is larger than the standard number of bits, it means that the image is too bright and the monitor 4
On the upper side of the screen 2, the iris of the camera is opened too much or the camera is misaligned. If the number of counted bits is equal to or less than the reference number of bits, then the number of pixels having a threshold value (defect) or more is counted, and the address of the pixel is counted (step 36). Then, the count pixel number is compared with the reference pixel number (step 38), and if the count pixel number is less than the reference pixel number, the image is too dark, and sensitivity setting failure, lens fogging, strobe light amount insufficient, out-of-focus, over-aperture, etc. Is displayed on the monitor (Step 4)
0).

If the count pixel number is larger than the reference pixel number, then it is judged whether the address count is within the range of the reference address count (step 42). If it is not within the range, the misalignment of the camera, the star wheel, Possible causes such as the abrasion of the bottle stand are displayed on the monitor (step 44). If the address count is within the range of the reference address count, the inspection device can be considered to be operating normally, and that fact is displayed on the monitor (step 46). FIG. 15 shows another embodiment of the diagnostic data analysis and determination flow. The diagnostic data obtained from the dummy container marked with the dummy foreign matter mark and the determination data stored in the determination data memory of the dummy container previously collected are compared, but in the present embodiment, Although there is basically no difference from the processing shown in FIG. 14, in the diagnostic data analysis, first, the number of pixels is analyzed, and then the bit analysis is performed. It is a thing.

First, it is determined whether or not the number of pixels determined to be a defect equal to or less than the threshold value is within an allowable range by comparing with the value stored in the determination data memory (step 50). here,
If it is within the allowable range, it is then determined whether or not the address of the pixel in which the defect is detected is different from that of the determination data (step 52). If there is no misalignment in the addresses, it is determined that the device is operating normally, and it is displayed on the monitor that it is operating normally (step 56). If there is a misalignment in the address, the cause may be that the camera is misaligned or the star wheel that conveys the DUT at the inspection position is worn. A certain cause is displayed (step 54).

In step 50, if the number of pixels determined to be defective is compared with that in the determination data memory and the difference is within the allowable range, the process proceeds to step 58, and the brightness level is compared with that in the determination data memory. To do. Here, the count bit number is compared with the reference bit number, and it is determined whether or not the brightness level is higher than that of the determination data. If the count level is higher, the whole image is too bright. The reason is that the aperture is opened too much, the foreign matter mark is not included in the reference address, and the like is displayed on the monitor (step 60).

If the brightness level is smaller than the judgment data, the whole image is too dark, which may be caused by the fog of the camera lens, out-of-focus camera, insufficient flash light amount, excessive aperture of the camera diaphragm, etc. These are displayed (step 62).

As described above, when the inspection device determines that a malfunction has occurred as a result of self-diagnosis, the possible cause is displayed together with the result,
Maintenance and inspection of the inspection device can be easily performed. that's all,
Regarding the self-diagnosis function of the inspection device, it was described that it is performed using a dummy container with a dummy mark.
Instead of using the dummy container or the sensor for detecting the dummy mark, the dummy mark may be placed in the field of view of the video camera and the presence thereof may be detected by the image processor.

[0069]

In order to regularly check whether or not the performance of the inspection device is normally operating, the operator of the production line has conventionally used a defective defective container such as a dummy with a mark of a foreign substance or a defect such as a scratch. A certain defective container is regularly passed through the inspection device as a dummy, and it is checked whether the inspection device operates normally to detect and eliminate the dummy defective container.

However, in the case where a malfunction occurs in the inspection device and the normal operation is not performed, since the judgment data when the dummy container is inspected and judged is not recorded, it is not possible to specify what kind of defect has occurred. It took a lot of time to investigate the cause and readjust it. In the present invention, the determination data of the defect of the dummy container is stored in advance in the memory of the image processing machine with a sufficiently adjusted inspection device, and when inspecting the dummy container, the inspection data is stored in advance in the memory. Since the comparison is made with the judgment data provided, it becomes possible to automatically perform self-diagnosis of the performance of the inspection device based on the result.

Thus, the operation of the inspection device can be confirmed by
Since it is performed very accurately in a short time, and the cause of the malfunction of the device can be easily identified, its practical effect is great. In addition, if a dummy mark is attached to a container that is a dummy and the inspection device detects that it is a dummy container,
It is possible to make the operation of self-diagnosis more reliable.

Furthermore, when a dummy mark is detected,
Regardless of the inspection determination result, if the dummy container is excluded as a defect, it is possible to prevent the dummy container from being erroneously mixed into the non-defective line when the inspection device is defective.

Further, since the abnormal portion and the cause of the inspection device can be specified based on the data comparison result, it is possible to take prompt action.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system diagram of a general bottle inspection apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an operation of the inspection device taking the inspection of the bottle side surface as an example.

FIG. 3 is an example in which a foreign matter mark is attached to the bottle bottom of a dummy container.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a bottle bottom camera image receiving screen with a dummy mark.

FIG. 5 is an example in which the inspection range of a container is divided and inspected by two cameras.

FIG. 6 is an example in which a foreign matter mark is attached to the bottle side surface of a dummy container.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an inspection range in a body inspection.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an image of a bottle body taken by a video camera.

FIG. 9 is a block configuration diagram of an inspection apparatus having a self-diagnosis function according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a processing flow of an inspection apparatus having a self-diagnosis function in the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a configuration for collecting determination data using a dummy container.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing image data obtained by imaging a dummy foreign matter mark.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing determination data obtained due to a foreign matter defect in a bottle body.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a processing flow for displaying diagnostic data analysis results and self-diagnosis results on a monitor.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing another processing flow for analyzing the diagnostic data and displaying the self-diagnosis result on the monitor.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1a, 1b, 1c Bottle with dummy mark 3 Entrance star wheel 4 Star wheel 5 Table 6 Bad bottle removing device 4a Bottle top surface inspection position 4b Bottle bottom inspection position 5a Bottle side surface inspection position

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An inspection determination means for inspecting and determining a dummy defective container having a defect such as a scratch or having a foreign substance attached, and inspection data such as the size of the defect, the brightness level and the position in the image are determined in advance. As a memory, the comparing device for comparing the judgment data stored in the memory with the inspection data output when the dummy defective container is inspected, and the comparison result by the comparing device, the inspection device is An apparatus for inspecting a container having a self-diagnosis function, comprising output means for outputting a determination signal as to whether or not it is operating normally. 2. A dummy container is provided on a part of the surface of a dummy defective container used for preliminarily storing in memory a judgment data such as a size of a defect, a brightness level, a position in an image and the like. By comparing the inspection data with the judgment data stored in the memory in advance by detecting the dummy mark, the dummy container with the dummy mark attached, the detecting means for detecting the dummy mark, and the inspection device are normal. And a switching means for switching the operation mode of the inspection device so as to perform a self-diagnosis operation of outputting a determination signal as to whether the container has operated. 3. A plurality of video cameras for dividing one inspected container into a plurality of inspection ranges for inspection, and a plurality of video cameras for detecting dummy marks according to claim 2. A plurality of dummy mark sensors and a plurality of memories for storing the data obtained by the inspection in association with the inspection range divided in advance as the discrimination data are provided, and the inspection data of the inspection range corresponding to each dummy mark sensor and each An apparatus for inspecting a container having a self-diagnosis function, which is configured to output a determination signal as to whether or not the inspection apparatus operates normally by comparing with the determination data stored in a memory corresponding to the inspection range. 4. A plurality of video cameras for dividing one inspected container into a plurality of inspection ranges for inspection, and a plurality of video cameras mounted at different positions corresponding to a plurality of inspection ranges. Equipped with multiple dummy mark sensors that detect multiple dummy marks and multiple memories that store the data obtained by inspecting corresponding to the pre-divided inspection range as discrimination data. Self-diagnosis characterized by outputting a determination signal as to whether or not the inspection device has normally operated by comparing the inspection data of the inspection range to the discrimination data stored in the memory corresponding to each inspection range. Inspection device for containers with functions. 5. The container inspection apparatus having a self-diagnosis function according to claim 2, wherein when a dummy container is inspected, the dummy An inspection device for a container having a self-diagnosis function, which includes an excluding device configured to forcibly eliminate defects in a dummy container by detecting a mark. 6. The container inspection device having a self-diagnosis function according to claim 1, wherein the data stored in advance in the memory of the image processing machine and the data when the dummy defective container is inspected are compared and judged, and the inspection device. A container inspection device having a self-diagnosis function, which is provided with an output means for outputting the cause of the performance deterioration of the device and its countermeasure to an external output device such as a monitor or a printer.