KR100186384B1 - Image inspection apparatus using multi-stage illumination - Google Patents

Abstract

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image inspection apparatus using multi-stage illumination, which enables a high speed acquisition of an image according to a change in illumination angle while varying the angles of a plurality of illuminations. The signal outputted sequentially according to the synchronous signal is processed according to the synchronous signal to supply power to the light to arbitrarily adjust the time at which the light is turned on / off to provide sufficient brightness at the point of time when the light becomes the maximum brightness. Images can be acquired by the camera, multiple angles of light are controlled to obtain multiple images continuously in a short time, and the on and off times are different for each light corresponding to n number of lights. In addition, as a driving circuit, it is possible to control the on-time and off-time of all lights at the same time. There are effective.

Description

Image inspection device using multi-stage lighting

1 is a block diagram of an image inspection apparatus using a conventional multi-stage lighting.

2 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of an image inspecting unit of FIG. 1.

3 is a block diagram of an embodiment of an image inspection apparatus using the multi-stage lighting of the present invention.

4 is a detailed configuration of the lighting control unit of FIG.

5 is a timing diagram of output signals of respective parts of FIG. 4;

6 is a detailed configuration of another embodiment of the third light control.

* Explanation of symbols for main parts of the drawings

1: object 2: camera

3: image inspection unit 4: lighting unit

5: main computer 6: lighting control unit

51 interface 100 memory section

201 to 200 + n: on / off point check unit 301 to 300 + n: comparison unit

401 to 400 + n: Lighting drive unit LT1 to LTn: Illumination

SREG1 to SREGn: Start register EREG1 to EREGn: End register

MSREG: Mode select register CREG: Control register

CNT1, CNT2: Counter SRAM: RAM

COMP11∼COMPn1: Start comparator COMP12∼COMPn2: End comparator

EXOR1 to EXORn: Exclusive O-Gate TR1 to TRn: Enfien Transistor

R11 to R1n: Pullup resistor R21 to R2n: Current limiting resistor

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image inspection apparatus, and more particularly, to an image inspection apparatus using multi-stage illumination, which enables to acquire images at high speed while changing the angles of a plurality of lights.

In general, the image inspection device is interlocked with an image acquisition camera to install a plurality of lights at various angles to obtain image data of an object to be inspected by sequentially turning on and off the lights, or a combination of lights installed at various angles. It is used to obtain data and check for defects such as quantity or defect of the test object.

1 is a block diagram of a conventional image inspection apparatus using multi-stage illumination, wherein an image acquisition camera 2 for acquiring an image of an object 1 and an image signal acquired by the camera 2 are converted into digital signals. And an image inspection unit (3) for determining the quantity / defect of an object by performing image processing, an illumination unit (4) for irradiating an illumination for acquiring an image of the object (1) consisting of a plurality of illuminations (LT1 to LTn), Illumination section 4 Relay section 5 for turning on and off the power of illumination LT1 to LTn, main computer 7 for controlling the whole system, driving of image inspection section 3 and main computer 7 It is composed of a relay driver 6 for outputting a drive command to the relay unit 5 in accordance with the command.

The operation of the conventional apparatus configured as described above is as follows.

In order to inspect the good / bad state of the object 1, in order to install necessary lights LT1 to LTn and to control these lights LT1 to LTn, control commands of the main computer 7 or the image inspection unit 3 are provided. Accordingly, the relay driver 6 generates a control signal for controlling each of the relays RY1 to RYn connected to the plurality of lights LT1 to LTn so that the relays RY1 to RYn operate to illuminate the lights LT1 to LTn. ) Is controlled on and off.

As shown in the operation flowchart of FIG. 2, the image acquisition camera 2 captures an image of the object 1 to be inspected and transmits the image to the image inspecting unit 3. The image inspecting unit 3 analyzes the acquired image to detect the object. Check the quantity / defect in (1) and transmit the result to the main computer 7.

In addition, among the plurality of lights LT1 to LTn installed at various angles, which lights are turned on and which lights are turned off, an on / off control command is applied to the relay driver 6, and accordingly, The relays RY1 to RYn operate to turn on or off the desired lights LT1 to LTn.

Therefore, the light of the turned-on lights (LT1 ~ LTn) is irradiated to the object (1) and the camera 2 acquires one image of the object (1) and repeats the above inspection determination process.

However, such an image inspection apparatus using a conventional multi-stage lighting, in order to acquire the image of a plurality of objects while sequentially controlling the lighting installed at various angles or control the lighting on and off in combination of various angles as necessary. When you need to control the relay on / off as many times as necessary, and receive the information about relay control every time from the image inspection device or the main computer and control the lighting power to obtain the image of lighting installed at various angles. Because it is performed repeatedly every time, it takes a long time to obtain a plurality of images of the object.

In order to solve this problem, the present invention uses an image synchronizing signal from an image acquisition camera as a synchronizing signal for image acquisition, stores on / off pattern data in a memory, and stores the pattern data of the stored memory. The signals output sequentially according to the synchronization signal are processed according to the synchronization signal to supply power to the illumination, and arbitrarily adjust the timing at which the illumination is turned on / off so that an image of sufficient brightness is obtained at the time when the illumination becomes the maximum brightness. It is aimed at obtaining multiple images in succession while controlling the illumination of various angles without taking much time.

In order to achieve the above object, the image inspection apparatus using the multi-stage lighting is provided with a plurality of lighting means installed on the periphery of an object and irradiates the object with illumination, and receives a video signal from an image acquisition camera as a digital video signal. An image inspection unit for converting and inspecting the quality / defect state of an object through image processing and recognition, and determining the on / off timing of the plurality of lighting means from the result of the image inspection unit and controlling the entire inspection system. The main computer and an illumination control unit which synchronizes with the synchronization signal of the image inspection unit received from the camera and controls the lighting according to a signal indicating the on / off timing from the main computer.

In addition, the lighting control unit receives a continuous light on / off pattern data for the on / off of a plurality of lighting means from the main computer to download and store, and the vertical and horizontal synchronization signals of the image inspection unit receives the input An on / off point check unit for counting and sequentially outputting on / off pattern data stored in the memory; and on / off points from the on / off pattern data output from the memory and on / off point check unit. Comparing unit for comparing the signal and outputting the drive signal, and a plurality of drive control unit consisting of the number of the lighting means for driving the lighting means by receiving the output of the comparison unit.

3 is a block diagram of an embodiment of an image inspection apparatus using the multi-stage illumination of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4), a camera (2) acquiring projection of the object (1) to be inspected, and a video signal received from the camera (2), converted into a digital video signal, and processed to inspect the good / bad state of the object. A main computer (5) which receives the inspection results of the image inspection unit (3) and the inspection result of the image inspection unit (3), determines the on / off time point of the illumination (LT1 to LTn) of the illumination unit (4), and controls the entire system (5). And a lighting control unit 6 that synchronizes with the horizontal synchronizing signal and the vertical synchronizing signal output from the image inspecting unit 3 and receives a count value indicating the on / off point of the main computer 5 to control the lighting at high speed. ).

Also, as shown in FIG. 4, the lighting control unit 6 stores the start register SREG1 for storing the count clock counter value for the lighting on time and the count clock for the off time through the main computer interface 51. As shown in FIG. A first on / off point check unit 201 including an end register EREG1 for storing a counter value, and data on on / off patterns for a plurality of lights LT1 to LTn are provided through the interface 51. RAM (SRAM) downloaded from the main computer (5) and a mode selection register for storing the base address value by connecting the output terminal to the upper four bits (A4 to A7) of the address input terminals of the RAM (SRAM) ( MSREG), a control register (CREG) which designates a starting point for outputting data stored in the RAM by connecting to the interface 51, a vertical synchronization signal of the image inspection unit 3, and an output terminal of the RAM. Lower of (SRAM) 4 bit counter (CNT1) which is connected to 4 bits (A0 to A3) and reset by the output of the control register (CREG) and specifies the address of RAM (SRAM), and inputs the horizontal synchronization signal of the image inspection unit (3). It is enabled by the memory unit 100 consisting of an 8-bit counter (CNT2) which is reset by the vertical synchronization signal, and the illumination control pattern output (Pout1) of the RAM (SRAM) and starts with the 8-bit counter (CNT2). The start comparator COMP11 to compare the output of the register SREG1, the end comparator COMP12 to compare the outputs of the 8-bit counter CNT2 and the end register EREG1, and the two comparators COMP11 and COMP12. The first comparator 301 which is composed of the exclusive noar gate EXNOR1 for combining the red Noa and the output signal of the first comparator 301 are applied through the current limiting resistor R21 to operate the pull-up resistor R11. NP transistor TR1 that supplies or cuts the power supply voltage Vcc through the lighting LT1. Is composed of a first illumination drive unit 401 is made.

In addition, the first on / off time check unit 201, the first comparison unit 301, and the first lighting driving unit 401 have n on / off points, respectively, when the number of the lights LT1 to LTn is n. The check units 201 to 200 + n, the comparison units 301 to 300 + n and the illumination driving units 401 to 400 + n are configured in parallel.

The operation of an embodiment of the image inspection apparatus using the multi-stage light of the present invention configured as described above will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

An image of the object 1 to be inspected is acquired by the camera 2 and transmitted to the image inspecting unit 3, which converts the image into digital image data, and converts the object into an image through image processing and recognition. Determination of whether or not to deliver the result of the determination to the main computer (5) to control the entire system.

The main computer 5 downloads the continuous lighting on / off pattern data for the on / off of several lights LT1 to LTn installed at various angles in order to acquire a continuous image, and controls commands for the lighting turn-on time. In order to operate in conjunction with the image inspection unit 3, the lighting control unit 6 issues a continuous image acquisition command and a continuous lighting control command, and the image inspection unit 3 issues a continuous image acquisition command. 6) performs individual on / off control for the lights LT1 to LTn installed at various angles.

At this time, the illumination control unit 6 is configured to obtain the continuous image pattern data previously downloaded from the host computer 5 so that the image inspection unit 3 acquires a continuous image of the object 1 through the camera 2. The power supply Vcc of each of the lights LT1 to LTn installed at various angles is turned on / off every time the screen is acquired continuously in synchronization with the image synchronization signal output from the image inspection unit 3 in the on / off order. To control.

Referring to the detailed operation of the lighting control unit 6, as shown in Figure 4, the main computer 5, through the interface 51, the counter for the lighting on time on the basis of the image horizontal synchronization signal ( The counter value of the count clock of CNT2) is stored in the start registers SREG1 to SREGn, and the count clock count value of the counter CNT2 for the illumination off time point based on the video horizontal synchronization signal is similarly stored to the end registers EREG1 to EREGn. ).

In addition, in order to take into account various lighting patterns necessary for continuously acquiring images, data on the on / off patterns of each of the lights LT1 to LTn installed at various angles are previously displayed at the host computer 5 through the interface 51. It is downloaded and stored in the RAM.

After downloading all the data for continuous light control as described above, a value of '0' is written in the control register CREG through the interface 51 so as to maintain an operation ready state.

In addition, the main computer 5 sends a continuous image acquisition command to the illumination control unit 6 and the image inspection unit 3, and the necessary continuous illumination control pattern among various types of illumination control patterns already stored in the RAM (SRAM). To select, the base address value of RAM is written in the mode selection register MSREG and the value of '1' is written in the control register CREG. do.

When the value of the control register CREG is '1', the 4-bit counter CNT1 counts the vertical synchronization signal output from the image inspecting unit 3 while the reset is released. The count output value and mode of the counter CNT1 are counted. On / off values for the respective illuminations LT1 to LTn for the continuous illumination control patterns already stored in the RAM are output by the value of the selection register MSREG, and a start comparator associated with each illumination control is output. Enable or disable (COMP11-COMPn1) and the end comparators (COMP12-COMPn2).

In this operation, each time the image inspection unit 3 acquires an image, the counter CNT1 value that designates the address of the RAM SRAM is increased by the counter CNT1 clock of the vertical synchronization signal. Each time is obtained, the address value of the RAM is increased, and another lighting control pattern value stored in advance in the RAM is output.

Therefore, when acquiring images continuously, the illumination pattern can be automatically changed in accordance with the image acquisition synchronously every time the image is acquired.If such an operation is performed continuously, eventually the illumination image is changed by changing the illumination pattern every time the image is acquired. Acquisition becomes possible.

In addition, for each image acquisition and lighting control during successive image acquisitions, information on when each light is turned on and off is stored in the main computer 5 in advance as described above with respect to the start registers SREG1 to SREGn. Since the data is stored in the end registers EREG1 to EREGn, the counter CNT2 counts the horizontal synchronizing signal among the image synchronizing signals output from the image inspecting unit 3, and the start comparators COMP11 through COMPn1 count the horizontal synchronizing signal of the counter CNT2. If the count value is greater than the start registers SREG1 to SREGn by comparing the value with the stored start registers SREG1 to SREGn, the output level is changed from the high state to the low state and outputted. The end comparator (COMP12 to COMPN2) Compares the count value of the horizontal synchronization signal of the counter CNT2 with the previously stored end registers EREG1 to EREGn, and if the count value of the counter CNT2 is greater than the end registers EREG1 to EREGn, The outputs by switching from a high state to a low state.

In addition, the output values of the start comparators COMP11 to COMPN1 and the end comparators COMP12 to COMPN2 are logically combined at the exclusive noar gates EXNOR1 to EXNORn to form an illumination power control signal, and the illumination power control signal is a high speed illumination power source. Is applied to the base of the NP transistors TR1 to TRn, and accordingly, the lighting power source Vcc is supplied to the lighting unit 4 and the lighting LT1 to LTn, and the respective parts of the lighting control unit 6 operating in this way are output. The timing diagram of the signal is shown in FIG.

In the above-described embodiment, an arbitrary illumination can be selected from n illuminations LT1 to LTn driven by the n illumination units 401 to 400 + n, and an on / off time point of each illumination can be arbitrarily selected. In contrast, FIG. 6 is a detailed circuit diagram of another embodiment of the lighting control unit of the image inspection apparatus using the multi-stage lighting according to the present invention. As illustrated therein, n illuminations driven by the n lighting units 401 to 400 + n are shown. Any light is selected at (LT1 to LTn) so that the on / off time point of the selected light can be determined in the same way.

Its configuration is the same as the first on / off point check unit 200 of the embodiment of the start register (SREG) and the end register (EREG) on / off point check unit 200 and the embodiment and Similarly, the memory unit 100 includes a RAM, a mode selection register MSREG, a control register CREG, a 4-bit counter CNT1, and an 8-bit counter CNT2, and the 8-bit counter CNT2. A start comparator COMP1 comparing the outputs of the start register SREG, an end comparator COMP2 comparing the outputs of the 8-bit counter CNT2 and the end register EREG, and these two comparators COMP1 COMP2. A comparator 300 comprising an exclusive OR gate EXOR that combines exclusive ORs, and an output of the comparator 300 and a plurality of lighting control patterns Pout1 to Poutn of the RAM 100 of the controller 100. The NAND gates NAND1 to NANDn to be combined and the outputs of the NAND gates NAND1 to NANDn are applied through current limiting resistors R21 to R2n. The first and nth driving units 501 to 500+ which are composed of NP transistors TR1 to TRn for operating or supplying or blocking the power supply voltage Vcc through the pull-up resistors R11 to R1n to the lighting LT1 to LTn. n).

With this configuration, the counter CNT2 counts the horizontal synchronizing signal among the image synchronizing signals output from the image inspecting unit 3, and the start comparator COMP1 calculates the count value of the horizontal synchronizing signal of the counter CNT2 and the previously stored start register SREG. If the count value is greater than the start register (SREG) value by comparing the values, the output level is converted from the high state to the low state and outputted. In the end comparator COMP2, the count value of the horizontal synchronization signal of the counter CNT2 is already stored. When the count value of the counter CNT2 is greater than the value of the end register EREG, the output level is switched from a high state to a low state by comparing the end register EREG.

In addition, the output values of the start comparator COMP1 and the end comparator COMP2 are logically combined at an exclusive OR gate EXOR to generate an illumination power control signal, and the illumination power control signal is the first and n-th driving units 501 to 500. + n) is logically combined with the lighting control pattern outputs Pout1 to Poutn of the RAM 100 of the memory unit 100 at each of the NAND gates NAND1 to NANDn, and applied to the bases of the NP transistors TR1 to TRn. do.

Therefore, unlike the exemplary embodiment, one on / off point checker 200 and one comparer 300 are configured, and a plurality of NAND gates NAND1 to NANDn are provided to the plurality of driving units 501 to 500 + n. By further configuring, it is possible to equally control the lighting power on time and the off time for the plurality of lights LT1 to LTn.

As described in detail above, the present invention stores the on / off pattern data in the memory, and the signal is sequentially output according to the synchronization signal of the stored pattern data of the stored memory to supply power to the illumination by processing according to the synchronization signal By arbitrarily adjusting the time of lighting on / off, the camera can acquire the image of sufficient brightness at the time of the maximum brightness, and the multiple angles of light can be controlled to obtain several images continuously in a short time. In addition, it is possible to control the on time and off time differently for each lighting corresponding to the number of n lights, and also to control the same on and off time of all lights as one driving circuit. There is.

Claims (11)

A number of lighting means installed around the object to illuminate the object and the image signal of the camera that acquires the image of the object are applied to convert it into a digital image signal, from which the object's good / bad state is processed by image processing and recognition. A synchronizing signal from an image inspecting unit which determines an on / off time point of the plurality of lighting means and controls the entire inspection system from the result of the image inspecting unit, and an image inspecting unit authorized from the camera And an illumination control unit for synchronizing with and controlling a plurality of lighting means in accordance with a signal indicating an on / off time point from the main computer. The image inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lighting control unit selects any lighting means among a plurality of lighting means and controls on / off timings of the lighting means differently. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the lighting controller receives horizontal and vertical synchronization signals from the image inspecting unit and downloads and stores continuous illumination on / off pattern data for on / off of a plurality of lighting means from the host computer. A plurality of on / off point checkers for receiving a memory unit, vertical and horizontal synchronization signals of the image inspection unit, counting the same, and outputting on / off pattern data stored in the memory unit; Drives the lighting means by logically combining the signals for the on-time and the off-time from the plurality of on / off-time checking units according to the on / off pattern data with the values of counting the horizontal synchronization signals of the memory unit, respectively. A plurality of comparing units for outputting a signal, and a driving unit for driving the plurality of lighting means by driving signals of the plurality of comparing units. An image inspection apparatus using multi-stage lighting. The image inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the lighting control unit selects any lighting means among a plurality of lighting means and controls the on / off time points of the selected lighting means in the same way. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the lighting controller receives horizontal and vertical synchronization signals from the image inspecting unit and downloads and stores continuous illumination on / off pattern data of on / off of a plurality of lighting means from the main computer. A memory unit, an on / off point check unit which receives the vertical and horizontal synchronous signals of the image inspection unit, counts them, and outputs on / off pattern data stored in the memory unit, and from the on / off point check unit A comparator for outputting a drive signal for driving the lighting means by logically combining the signal for the on-time and the signal for the off-time with the value of counting the horizontal synchronization signal of the memory unit; Multi-stage lighting, comprising: a driving unit for driving the plurality of lighting means by logical combination of a plurality of lighting control patterns Image inspection device using. The start register according to claim 3 or 5, wherein the on / off point check unit is a start register for storing the count clock counter value for the lighting on point and the end register for storing the count clock counter value for the off point through the main computer interface. Imaging device using a multi-stage light characterized in that the configuration. The memory unit of claim 3 or 5, wherein the memory unit stores memory for downloading and storing data on / off patterns for a plurality of lighting means from the host computer through an interface, and storing a base address value of the memory. A control register for designating a start point for outputting data stored in the memory by connecting to a mode selection register, the interface, a vertical synchronization signal of the image inspection unit, and being reset by an output of the control register to reset an address of the memory; And a second counter which receives a designated first counter and a second counter that is reset by a vertical synchronization signal by receiving a horizontal synchronization signal of the image inspection unit. 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the comparator is enabled by a plurality of lighting control patterns of the memory to compare a start comparator comparing the outputs of the second counter and the start register, and an end comparing the outputs of the second counter and the end register. And an exclusive Noah gate outputting the comparator and the output of the start comparator and the end comparator to the drive unit by combining the beta noir. The image inspection apparatus of claim 3, wherein the driving unit is a switching unit operating by an output signal of the comparing unit to supply or cut off a power supply voltage to a single light. 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the comparator comprises: a start comparator comparing the outputs of the second counter and the start register; an end comparator comparing the outputs of the second counter and the end register; and an output of the start comparator and the end comparator. An image inspection apparatus using multi-stage lighting, comprising an exclusive oragate outputted to the driving unit by combining orphans. The switching unit according to claim 5, wherein the driving unit operates by NAND combining the output signal of the comparator unit and the lighting control pattern output of the memory unit, and switching means for supplying or blocking a power supply voltage to the illumination by operating the output of the NAND gate. Imaging device using a multi-stage light, characterized in that consisting of.