JPH10318717A - Line sensor camera and adjusting method for its mounting position - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain an adjusting method in which part of an object the visual field of a line sensor camera can be recognized easily, in which the position of the line sensor camera is adjusted easily, and in which the measuring accuracy of the line sensor camera and the certainty of a monitoring operation are enhanced. SOLUTION: Two spot light sources 10 are built in a line sensor camera 1. The spot light sources 10 are arranged in such a way that a straight line formed by connecting two luminous dots generated at a time when beams of light radiated by the spot light sources 10 hit an object to be imaged becomes the imaging range of an image sensor 3. The two luminous dots on the object to be imaged are made to agree respectively with two end parts of the imaging range of the object to be imaged. The mounting position and the mounting direction of the line sensor camera 1 are adjusted. The line sensor camera 1 which is used to achieve this adjusting method is provided with a camera lens 8 and with the one-dimensional image sensor 3, the spot light sources 10 as one pair are installed, and the spot light sources 10 are arranged in such a way that the luminous dots projected onto the object to be imaged from the spot light sources 10 agree with points on the object to be imaged, corresponding to the end points of the visual field of the image sensor 3.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a line sensor camera and a field-of-view confirming method which can easily confirm the field of view of a line sensor for monitoring a work in a manufacturing process.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, the automation of production processes has become popular.
The importance of inspection or monitoring processes in production lines is increasing. A method using a line sensor camera is already known as a means for easily realizing this work. Here, the line sensor camera is a camera in which a lens is combined with an image sensor such as a one-dimensional CCD element as an image capturing means. Using this line sensor camera, an image of an object moving on a production line is captured as a one-dimensional video signal, and the video signal is subjected to arithmetic processing by a separately provided image processing device, thereby obtaining the dimensions and shape of the imaging target. Measurement, position measurement, or pattern recognition can be performed. Line sensors (one-dimensional sensors) are characterized by having higher resolution than two-dimensional sensors and capable of high-precision inspection, and are further capable of detecting an imaging target moving at a predetermined speed such as a production line. Since one-dimensional sensors are sufficient to perform inspections, they are widely used in manufacturing processes.

[0003]

Since the video information captured by the line sensor camera is a one-dimensional video signal, it is checked which portion of the captured object is the video information. Is difficult, and as a result, when installing the line sensor camera on the production line, it takes time to adjust the mounting of the line sensor camera,
There is a problem that productivity is poor.

[0004] As means for solving this problem, there is a method of inputting image information of a line sensor camera to a synchroscope and comparing the waveform appearing on the screen with the shape of the object to know the range of the object to be imaged. Attach the finder,
There is known a method in which an operator visually confirms. However, the method using a synchroscope has a disadvantage that the end point of the field of view cannot be detected unless it has a characteristic shape, and the method of attaching and confirming the viewfinder requires an operator depending on the position where the line sensor camera is installed. May not be able to look through the viewfinder.
There is a problem that it is difficult to identify which part of the field of view of the finder is the field of view of the CCD. Furthermore, if these conventional methods are used at high altitudes or places exposed to high heat, it takes a long time and requires delicate judgments, which increases the danger to workers and increases safety and safety. There is a problem that a considerable cost is required to secure a stable work place.

[0005] Further, when the range to be imaged by the line sensor camera is wide or when it is desired to increase the measurement accuracy, a plurality of line sensor cameras are arranged in parallel, and one line sensor camera covers a part of the monitoring range. However, there is a problem in that the position adjustment of the line sensor camera in this case requires too much time in a conventional method using an oscilloscope or a method of observing with a viewfinder.

The present invention has been made in view of these inconveniences, and makes it possible to easily recognize which part of the field of view of a line sensor camera is an object to be imaged and adjust the position of the line sensor camera. And to improve measurement accuracy and monitoring certainty.

[0007]

[MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS] A line sensor camera has two
Spot light sources are arranged, and the spot light sources are arranged such that a straight line formed by connecting two luminescent spots formed by the light emitted from the spot light source and hitting the imaging target is within the imaging range of the image sensor. Adjustment of the mounting position and the mounting direction of the line sensor camera is performed by matching the two bright points with the two end points of the imaging range of the imaging target.

A line sensor camera used for achieving this adjustment method includes a camera lens and a one-dimensional image sensor, is provided with a pair of spot light sources, and emits a bright spot projected from the spot light source onto an object to be imaged. The spot light source is arranged so as to coincide with a point on the imaging target object corresponding to a visual field end point of the image sensor.

Further, there is provided a mirror which is selectable between a first position which is substantially parallel to the optical axis and does not prevent light passing through the lens from reaching the image sensor and a second position which intersects the optical axis. Then, a mirror is arranged on the line sensor camera so that the light emitted from the spot light source is reflected by the mirror placed at the second position and connects a luminescent spot to the object to be imaged. The mirror for changing the course of light emitted from a spot light source that projects the bright spot on an imaging target is rotatably supported by a knob provided on a frame of the line sensor camera.

Any spot light source can be used as long as it can be clearly projected on an object to be imaged. In particular, a clear and high-brightness luminescent spot can be obtained by using a laser beam.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a partially sectional front view illustrating the structure of a line sensor camera according to the present embodiment, FIG. 2 is a partially sectional plan view, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a side sectional view seen from the lens 8 side, and FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram for explaining a mechanism of the line sensor camera of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, a camera lens 8 is held by a lens mount 9 provided on a frame 2, and a one-dimensional image sensor 3 is integrated with a printed circuit board 4 on an extension of an optical axis of the camera lens 8. In this state, it is fixed in a direction orthogonal to the optical axis of the camera lens 8, and is arranged so that light emitted from the object to be monitored passes through the camera lens 8 and forms an image at the position of the image sensor 3.

The image sensor 3 converts the formed image into an electric signal and sends it to an image control device (not shown) via the printed circuit board 4. The image control device performs image processing to measure or measure an object to be imaged. Inspection is underway. In the line sensor camera of this embodiment, a one-dimensional charge-coupled device (CCD) is used as the image sensor 3.

A mirror 5 is provided between the camera lens 8 and the image sensor 3 and is fixed to a mirror rotating shaft 6 provided in parallel with the image sensor 3. The mirror rotation knob 7 is attached to the end of one end of the mirror rotation shaft 6 extending outside the frame.
Thus, the mirror can be rotated from outside the frame.

Two spot light sources 10 are mounted on the frame 2 such that their optical axes are perpendicular to the optical axis of the camera lens 8 and also perpendicular to the direction of the image sensor 3. Image sensor 3
The fixed position can be moved in parallel with the direction of the visual field length, and the size is considered to be as small as possible. The spot light source 10 is connected to a light source control device (not shown) by a light source cable 11 such as an optical fiber. The light source control device controls the emission / stop of the spot light source 10 and the brightness.

The light emitted from the spot light source 10 is reflected by a mirror 5 inclined at 45 degrees to the optical axis, changes its direction in the direction of the optical axis of the camera lens 8, and forms an image of a luminescent spot on the object. tie. If the position of the spot light source 10 in the visual field length direction of the image sensor 3 is adjusted in advance so that the bright spot on the imaging object by the two spot light sources 10 coincides with the end point of the visual field of the one-dimensional image sensor 3. , Spot light source 10
Indicates that the positions of the pair of bright spots on the object to be imaged are the end points of the visual field of the image sensor 3 of the line sensor camera 1. That is, if the angle of inclination of the mirror 5, the position of the mirror in the optical axis direction and the position of the spot light source 10 in the direction of the image sensor 3 are accurately set, the light emitted from the spot light source 10 causes The straight line connecting the pair of bright spots is the image sensor 3 on the object to be imaged.
Will be the same as the imaging range.

Next, the actual operation will be described with reference to the conceptual diagram of FIG. FIG. 4A is an explanatory diagram when a normal monitoring operation or inspection operation is being performed, and FIG. 4B is an explanatory diagram when a camera position adjustment is being performed.

When a normal monitoring operation is performed, the mirror 5 is used.
Is set to be substantially parallel to the optical axis as shown in FIG. 4A, and light from the imaging target reaches the image sensor 3. On the other hand, at the time of the camera position adjustment work, the posture of the mirror 5 is inclined at 45 degrees with respect to the optical axis as shown in FIG. 4B, and the light emitted from the spot light source 10 is reflected by the mirror 5. Then, a luminescent spot is connected on the object to be imaged.

Next, a method for adjusting the field of view of the camera will be described in order. (1) Point the line sensor camera 1 at the object to be imaged, and fix the line sensor camera 1. Line sensor camera 1
Is mounted on the camera grip mounting portion G via a grip member, and the mounting position and direction of the line sensor camera 1 can be adjusted. Therefore, the line sensor camera 1 is temporarily fixed substantially in the direction of the imaging target. (2) Turn the mirror rotation knob 7 to set the angle of the mirror 5 to the second
Position (inclination position). When the mirror 5 is at the second position, the light emitted from the spot light source 10 is reflected by the mirror 5 and forms a spot image on the imaging target. (3) Turn on the spot light source 10. Spot light source 1
The light emitted from 0 is a mirror 5 fixed at the second position.
To change the direction and form a spot image on the imaging target. When a laser beam is selected as the spot light source 10, the spot image formed on the object to be imaged can be made extremely small and high in brightness, so that the position of the sensor camera can be adjusted with high accuracy. (4) The direction of the line sensor camera 1 is adjusted and fixed by adjusting a camera grip member (not shown) so that the end point of the range to be monitored of the imaging target coincides with the two spot images. (5) After turning off the laser oscillator, the knob is rotated to return the mirror 5 to the first position (horizontal position). As described above, the field of view of the liner camera 1 can be adjusted by a simple operation of turning the mirror 5 and turning on and off the spot light source 10.

Further, when the measurement range is wide or when it is desired to increase the measurement accuracy, a plurality of line sensor cameras may be arranged in parallel, and one line sensor camera may take charge of a part of the measurement range. By using the line sensor camera of the present invention, the same can be performed. That is, by simultaneously irradiating the laser spots of a plurality of cameras on a straight line serving as a visual field range, and adjusting the direction of each line sensor camera so that these laser spots are arranged on the straight line serving as the visual field range, Field of view adjustment of a plurality of cameras can be easily performed.

[0021]

As described above, according to the present invention, the line sensor camera is provided with the spot light source for displaying the end point of the field of view of the image sensor. Accurate recognition becomes possible, and the time required for the installation adjustment of the line sensor camera is shortened, and the accuracy of monitoring and measurement is also improved. It is also applicable to a case where a plurality of line sensor cameras are prepared when the measurement range is wide or measurement accuracy is to be improved, and one line sensor camera is in charge of a part of the measurement area. The properties are significantly improved.

As a result, even when the line sensor camera is installed in a place where there is a danger such as being exposed to a high place or high heat, the chances of being exposed to danger are reduced and the safety of the worker can be improved. In addition, the cost required for securing a stable work place is reduced, which contributes to an improvement in productivity.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a partial cross section of a line sensor camera according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a partial cross section of the line sensor camera according to the embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing a cross section of the line sensor camera according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram for explaining the principle of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Line sensor camera 2 Frame 3 Image sensor 4 Printed circuit board 5 Mirror 6 Mirror rotation axis 7 Mirror rotation knob 8 Camera lens 9 Lens mount 10 Spot light source 11 Light source cable 12 Image processing device connection port G Camera grip mounting part P Imaging Object

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] December 19, 1997

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Brief description of drawings

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing an embodiment of a line sensor camera of the present invention with a partial cross section.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing an embodiment of the line sensor camera of the present invention with a partial cross section.

FIG. 3 is a side view showing an embodiment of the line sensor camera of the present invention in cross section.

4A and 4B are views for explaining the concept of the position adjustment method of the line sensor camera of the present invention, wherein FIG. 4A is an explanatory diagram showing the line sensor camera at the time of normal monitoring work or inspection work, and FIG. () Is an explanatory diagram showing a line sensor camera at the time of camera position adjustment.

[Description of Signs] 1 Line sensor camera 2 Frame 3 Image sensor 4 Printed circuit board 5 Mirror 6 Mirror rotation axis 7 Mirror rotation knob 8 Camera lens 9 Lens mount 10 Spot light source 11 Light source cable 12 Image processing device connection port G camera Grip mounting part P Object to be imaged

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A line sensor camera comprising a camera lens and a one-dimensional image sensor projects a pair of bright points indicating an imaging end point of the image sensor onto an object to be imaged. And adjusting the position of the line sensor camera. 2. A line sensor camera comprising a camera lens and a one-dimensional image sensor, wherein a pair of spot light sources is provided, and a bright point projected from the spot light source to an object to be imaged corresponds to a visual field end point of the image sensor. A line sensor camera, wherein the spot light source is arranged so as to coincide with a point on an object. 3. A mirror which is selectable between a first position which is substantially parallel to the optical axis and does not prevent light passing through the lens from reaching the image sensor and a second position which intersects the optical axis. 3. The line sensor camera according to claim 2, wherein the light emitted from the spot light source is reflected by the mirror located at a second position to form a bright spot on the imaging target. 4. The line sensor camera according to claim 2, wherein a laser is used as the spot light source.