KR20190085867A - Apparatus and method for testing rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus (32) and method for optically inspecting rod-shaped articles (2) in a tobacco processing industry. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a tobacco industry apparatus for optically inspecting the rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry and a method for optically inspecting the rod-shaped articles of the tobacco processing industry, in which accurate inspection of the rod-shaped articles can be conducted in high resolution, but a low design effort is maintained. The rod-shaped articles (2) are each a free packaging of a plurality of segments (6a to 6e). The apparatus (32) includes a transfer member (34) including a plurality of receiving recesses (36) to receive the rod-shaped articles (2) and transferring the rod-shaped articles (2) in a horizontal direction. The apparatus (32) additionally includes an image capture device (18) which is capable of capturing the rod-shaped articles (2) disposed within the receiving recesses (36) during transferring of the rod-shaped articles (2) in the horizontal direction. The image capture device (18) includes a camera assembly (14) having a plurality of cameras (16a to 16e) for capturing images disposed side by side in a longitudinally extending direction (A) of the receiving recesses (36). The cameras (16a to 16e) include entocentric objective lenses (4a to 4e). Image fields (20a, 20b) of the cameras (16a to 16e) each include central imaging regions (22a, 22b) in which the objective lenses (4a to 4e) are surrounded by imaging edge regions (24a, 24b) imaged without distortion and having a larger distortion. The cameras (16a to 16e) are disposed such that the central imaging regions (22a, 22b) of adjacent cameras (16a to 16e) are overlapped with each other. A processing unit (38) is constructed to calculate image data captured in the central imaging regions (22a, 22b) by at least two cameras (16a to 16e) as a common image of the camera assembly (14).

Description

[0001] APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR TESTING ROD-SHAPED ARTICLES OF THE TOBACCO PROCESSING INDUSTRY [0002]

The present invention relates to an apparatus in the tobacco processing industry for optically inspecting rod shaped products in the tobacco processing industry, each of the rod shaped products being a prepackaging of a plurality of segments, Wherein the transfer member includes a plurality of receiving recesses through which the rod-shaped product can be received or received, the device including a plurality of receiving recesses for receiving the rod-shaped product < RTI ID = 0.0 > And / or < / RTI > the image capture device. In addition, the present invention relates to a method for optically inspecting a rod-shaped product of a tobacco processing industry, wherein each of the rod-shaped products is a prepackage of a plurality of segments, Lt; / RTI >

The rod shaped product of the tobacco processing industry, which is a prepackage of a plurality of segments, is known, for example, as a multi-segment filter. Errors such as, for example, reversal of a filter segment, omission of a filter segment, erroneous position, or insertion of a filter segment with an incorrect length may occur when assembling the filter segment. In addition, gaps may occur between the filter segments, or the filter segments may be tilted with respect to each other.

To detect such errors during manufacture, EP 1 769 689 A1 discloses an apparatus for measuring properties of a multi-segment filter or pre-packaging of a filter segment in the tobacco processing industry. The multi-segment filter assembly is illuminated with a line laser. The light reflected from the surface of the filter segment is received by the line scan camera, and the data captured by the line scan camera is evaluated accordingly.

Another device which is inspected while the multi-segment filter is transported transversely on a hauling drum is known, for example, from DE 10 2009 041 320 A1. A lighting apparatus is provided in the halling drum. The multi-segment filter is accommodated in the slot-like receiving portion of this conveying member, for example, the receiving recess. A further provided sensor device absorbs radiation passing through the multi-segment filter or through the assembly of a plurality of segments present in the receiving recess. The observations are made through a mirror, the emitted radiation is collimated through the lens and sent to the CCD camera. In this transmission light method, filter segments filled with activated carbon can be preferably detected.

If the distance between the segments of the rod-shaped product transported in the transverse direction on the hauling drum is measured with high precision, a line scan camera with a very high resolution in the above-mentioned conventional solution will be required. However, these cameras are expensive to operate and expensive to purchase. Also, the segment assembly must be imaged without distortion or distortion on a line scan camera, in which case telecentric optics are required. In the case of a telecentric optical device, the light bundle of the considered object area is incident parallel to the optical axis into the front lens of the objective lens. For this reason, the telecentric objective lens is required to include a front lens of the same size or larger than the maximum size of the object to be observed. This requirement makes telecentric optics especially expensive. Also, since the telecentric optics are fairly large and heavy, the design effort to implement the measurement assembly is accordingly complex and expensive. In addition, since a large space is required, this causes a lot of problems in actual implementation.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device of the tobacco processing industry for optically inspecting the rod shaped product of the tobacco processing industry and a device of the tobacco processing industry which can perform accurate inspection of the rod shaped product at high resolution, And to provide a method for optically inspecting a rod shaped product.

The object is achieved by an apparatus for optically inspecting a rod-shaped product of a tobacco processing industry, the rod-shaped product being each of a plurality of segments of prepackage, the apparatus comprising a feed for transporting the rod- Wherein the transfer member includes a plurality of receiving recesses through which the rod shaped product can be received or received and which can capture a rod shaped product disposed within the receiving recess during transverse axial transfer, The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus further comprises a camera assembly having a plurality of cameras for capturing images, the cameras being particularly adapted for capturing images simultaneously Synchronized, and this camera is arranged side by side in the longitudinal extension direction of the receiving recess Wherein each camera of the camera assembly includes an entocentric or at least approximately an entropic trick objective so that an object field passing through the rod shaped product disposed within the receiving recess during a transverse directional transfer, Wherein the image field comprises a central imaging area in which the objective lens is imaged without distortion or at least with a distortion below a predetermined or preset threshold value and surrounded by imaging edge areas with greater distortion, Wherein the central imaging area of the adjacent camera is disposed within the camera assembly such that the center imaging areas of the adjacent cameras overlap each other and wherein the image capture device further comprises a processing unit that processes the image captured by the central imaging area by at least two of the camera assembly, Data into a common image of the camera assembly And to calculate the total amount of the tobacco.

The apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention can be used with a camera assembly comprising a plurality of individual cameras arranged side by side so that the effort normally operated, especially the use of telecentric optics and the use of a large line scan camera with high resolution, Based on technical considerations that can be avoided. The individual images captured by these individual cameras are computed together after capture. In this context, it is advantageous that when the cameras are synchronized, that is, individual images of the camera are simultaneously captured. Such a camera assembly is generally less expensive than a correspondingly large line scan camera because individual cameras can be standard products available at manageable prices. It is also advantageous that a conventional entropenetic optical device can be used, rather than a special optical device, such as, for example, a telecentric optical device. This means a greater cost advantage. Distortions, such as cushioning or barrel-shaped distortions, that are inherently disadvantageous for measuring operations, do not play an important role in the camera assembly according to aspects of the present invention. It does not have a negative effect on the measurement. This is achieved by excluding the edge region of the image region with a large distortion from the measurement operation. In other words, only the imaging area of the camera, which is located in the central area where the entropic optical device is also almost free of distortion, is used for the measurement operation.

Finally, it is very advantageous that the device according to an aspect of the present invention does not require a large structural space. Entrocenic optics are not too large and can be purchased with good quality at reasonably low prices. Further, the object distance may be selected to be relatively small, for example, 100 mm, 200 mm, 300 mm or less than 500 mm.

The camera assembly is preferably arranged such that the rod shaped article is imaged directly by the entropenetric objective lens of the individual camera, without additional optical elements, such as, for example, one or more prisms.

The camera of the camera assembly is a camera equipped with an area sensor (2D image sensor). Therefore, especially line scan cameras are not used. The camera of the camera device is particularly synchronized. In other words, especially image capture is performed simultaneously by all cameras in the camera assembly.

In particular, the camera assembly can include a large number of individual cameras to fully image the rod shaped product in the central area of the camera as a whole. After subsequent calculation of the captured image data as a common image, there is a complete imaging of the rod shaped product for subsequent analysis.

The apparatus is further characterized in that the processing unit is further adapted to quantitatively measure at least one intermediate space between two adjacent segments and / or at least one length of a segment of the rod-shaped product.

In addition to quantitative assessment, qualitative assessment can also be performed. For example, it is possible to evaluate the quality of the cutting edge of an individual segment. This is advantageously possible because of the optical inspection being carried out by the camera assembly of the device according to an aspect of the present invention, with a top view, i.e. looking directly above. The viewing direction is at least approximately perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the rod shaped article. In contrast, when an optical inspection is performed with a single entropenetric objective lens, a view of the end face of the individual segment at least in the outer segment is formed due to the angle of view in the edge region. This view makes the qualitative evaluation of the cutting edge difficult or inaccurate. In addition, quantitative measurements of the intermediate space between adjacent segments or segments of the rod shaped product are difficult and inaccurate due to the blurred edges. However, according to the apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention, this is possible with substantially the same or similar quality and accuracy as in the case of the use of a telecentric objective, at a substantially lower cost and substantially smaller structural space.

In connection with quantitative evaluation, the apparatus is also particularly suitable for at least one distance between the two adjacent segments in which the image capture device and the processing unit are oriented in the longitudinal extension direction of the receiving recess and / In particular with a better accuracy than 0.1 mm.

For example, the resolution of the camera of the camera assembly is selected to be large enough to achieve the desired resolution of the camera at the selected object distance and the optical device used. For example, the object distance is 200 mm and the maximum object length is 200 mm. The resolution of the camera is, for example, 8,000 to 10,000 pixels. For example, more than four cameras are used in the camera assembly. Also, for example, the camera assembly includes 4, 6, 8, or 10 cameras. Advantageously, the device enables a very accurate measurement of the length of the segments of the rod-shaped product as well as a very precise measurement of the width of the individual spaces between the segments.

The apparatus is also further configured to calibrate the camera of the camera assembly, such that the processing unit is adapted to evaluate image data of an adjacent camera captured in a central image area overlapping with each other and a displacement vector between adjacent image areas of the camera is determined .

The displacement vectors determined in the area of the calibration are applied to subsequent pictures so that they are aligned with respect to each other so that an objective and accurate faithful representation of the rod shaped product is available globally, i.e. in the common image. Of course, this calibration is performed especially on all cameras. Likewise, for example, calibration may be repeated during a measurement operation at regular intervals.

It is also particularly provided that the camera of the camera assembly is sensitive in the visible spectrum region. For example, the rod shaped article is illuminated with overhead light or transmitted light. More particularly, it is further provided that the illumination is continuous light or especially flash light or the like. In other words, for example, no continuous illumination is performed. Synchronization of flash light and camera device is required for this. This synchronization is performed, for example, by a processing device. The corresponding flash light operates simultaneously with the triggering of the individual cameras of the camera assembly. Thus, the image capture is performed at the moment when the rod shaped article accommodated in the receiving recess is illuminated by the flash light. The flash device is therefore synchronized with the camera of the camera assembly. The image capture is also performed when the rod shaped article received in the receiving recess is carried through the image field of the camera assembly. According to another embodiment, in particular, the conveying member is provided as a halling drum in which the rod-like product is conveyed in the horizontal direction.

The object is also achieved by an assembly of a tobacco processing industry comprising an apparatus according to one or more of the embodiments described above, the assembly further comprising a rolling device, the device for optically inspecting a rod- And is disposed upstream of the rolling device with respect to the direction of conveyance of the rod shaped product.

The rolling apparatus includes, for example, a drilling drum in which the rod-shaped product is transported in the transverse direction and supplies the rod-shaped product to the roller block. The device for optically inspecting the rod shaped product is arranged such that the prepackage of this segment is captured directly on the holing drum, for example, just before the prepacking of the segment is rolled into the lamella. In other words, the device for optically checking is placed just before the rolling process.

According to a further aspect, it is provided that by means of said device for optically inspecting a rod-shaped product, a parameter set is obtained which particularly fully describes the pre-packaging of a plurality of segments. This set of parameters includes, for example, information about:

- presence of one or more segments,

- the number of segments present in the prepackage,

The location and / or type of segment, where the type of segment is understood to mean, for example, its type and dimension,

The size of at least one gap between two adjacent segments,

The size of the length of at least one segment

And / or

- the presence and / or location of the thin film layer provided to wrap the pre-packaging of the segments in the rolling device.

According to another embodiment, the assembly is configured to perform process control and / or adjustment based on this set of parameters. For this purpose, the assembly is configured, for example, to perform an assignment between a rod shaped product and a parameter set. If the rod shaped article does not meet a predefined quality criterion due to a deviation from a predetermined set of one or more parameters, the assembly is also configured to, for example, eject the rod shaped article after the rolling process to exclude it from further processing. It is also particularly provided that the parameter set or the individual value / parameter is used for subsequent control and / or adjustment of the process of prepackaging the segment. If, for example, the gap between the segments is too small, this information can be used to subsequently adjust the prepackage so that the desired setpoints can be maintained in subsequent prepackages.

It is also particularly provided that the parameter set is used in the context of quality control for the detection of an error source. For example, a defective base material can be identified.

The object is also achieved by a method for optically inspecting a rod-shaped product of a tobacco processing industry, each of the rod-shaped products being a prepackage of a plurality of segments and being transported transversely in the receiving recess of the carrying member by the carrying member Characterized in that the method is characterized in that the rod-shaped product is captured by a plurality of cameras during the transverse axial transport, the cameras are particularly synchronized and the rod-shaped products are particularly captured simultaneously, Wherein each camera implements an object field that partially contains a rod shaped product in an entropy trick or at least approximately an entropy trick in an image field, Or at least a distortion below a predetermined or preset limit value Wherein the rod-shaped product is imaged so that the central imaging regions of the adjacent cameras are superimposed on each other, and at least two, in particular all cameras, are imaged by central imaging And the image data captured in the region is calculated as a common image.

In the above method for optically inspecting the rod shaped product, the same or similar advantages as already mentioned above with respect to the apparatus are applied, so that repetition is avoided.

In particular, image capture is provided that is performed with the aid of a camera including a two-dimensional image sensor. It is also particularly provided that the capturing of the image of the rod-shaped product is carried out, without the presence of other optical elements, for example one or more prisms or mirrors, in the beam path. In other words, the camera captures the rod shape product directly through its entrantenic objective.

According to an advantageous embodiment, it is provided that at least one intermediate space between two adjacent segments and / or at least one length of a segment of the rod-shaped product is quantitatively measured.

In addition, the method is also provided for qualitatively inspecting a rod shaped product or segment, for example with regard to the quality of the cutting edge.

In particular, it is also provided that the width of one of the intermediate spaces oriented in the longitudinal extension direction of the receiving recess and / or the length of the segment is measured with better accuracy than 0.1 mm in particular. Advantageously, the method allows a very precise measurement of the width of the intermediate space between the individual segments.

More particularly, the camera is provided to be calibrated by evaluating image data of an adjacent camera captured in a central image area overlapping each other and determining a displacement vector between imaging areas of adjacent cameras.

The method is also particularly characterized in that the rod-shaped product is captured while being transported in the transverse direction on the drilling drum.

This object is also achieved by a method for controlling and / or controlling a rolling device in an assembly of the tobacco processing industry. The assembly includes a device and a rolling device for optically inspecting a rod shaped product according to one or more of the embodiments described above. The pre-packaging of the segments in the rolling apparatus is covered with a thin film layer. The rod shaped product of the tobacco processing industry is inspected according to a method for optically inspecting the rod shaped product of the tobacco processing industry according to one or more of the embodiments described above. This inspection is performed upstream of the rolling device with respect to the direction of conveyance of the rod shaped product.

The rolling apparatus includes, for example, a drilling drum in which the rod-shaped product is transported in the transverse direction and supplies the rod-shaped product to the roller block. The inspection is performed directly on the holing drum, for example, just before the prepacking of the segments is rolled into the thin film layer, while the segments are prepackaged.

According to another aspect, it is provided that, when optically checking the rod shaped article, a set of parameters is obtained that specifically describes the pre-packaging of the plurality of segments. This set of parameters includes, for example, information about:

- presence of one or more segments,

- the number of segments present in the prepackage,

The location and / or type of segment, where the type of segment is understood to mean, for example, its type and dimension,

The size of at least one gap between two adjacent segments,

The size of the length of at least one segment

And / or

- the presence and / or location of the thin film layer provided to wrap the pre-packaging of the segments in the rolling device.

For example, process control and / or adjustment is performed based on this set of parameters. For example, an assignment between a load configuration product and a parameter set may be performed. If the rod shaped product does not meet a predefined quality criterion due to a deviation from a predetermined set of one or more parameters, then the rod shaped product may be ejected after the rolling process and excluded from further processing. It is also particularly provided that the parameter set or the individual value / parameter is used for subsequent control and / or adjustment of the process of prepackaging the segment. If, for example, the gap between the segments is too small, this information can be used to subsequently adjust the prepackage so that the desired setpoints can be maintained in subsequent prepackages. It is also particularly provided that the parameter set is used in the context of quality control for the detection of an error source. For example, a defective base material can be identified.

Other features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings and the accompanying drawings. Embodiments in accordance with the present invention can meet individual features or combinations of features.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will now be described, by way of example, without restricting its general inventive concept with reference to the drawings, and all details of the invention which are not described in detail in the Detailed Description are clearly set forth in the Drawings .

1 is a schematic simplified illustration of a structure according to the prior art in which optical imaging of a rod-shaped product consisting of a plurality of segments of prepackaged segments can be performed by an entropenic objective lens.
Figure 2 shows an image acquired by the assembly of Figure 1;
3 shows a camera assembly with a plurality of cameras for capturing an image of a rod-shaped product comprising a plurality of segments of pre-packaging in an apparatus of the tobacco processing industry.
Figure 4 shows the image fields of the first and second cameras of the camera assembly.
Figure 5 shows the image fields corrected for each other by the first and second cameras of the camera assembly.
6A shows an image acquired by the camera assembly, which is calculated by the processing unit from the image data of the individual images of the camera of the camera assembly.
Figure 6b shows an image already known from Figure 2 in comparison.
Figure 7 shows an apparatus in the tobacco processing industry for optically inspecting rod shaped products in the tobacco processing industry, wherein the apparatus comprises a hauling drum for transporting the rod shaped product in the transverse direction, A plurality of receiving recesses in which the article is received and also includes an image capturing device in which the rod shaped article disposed within the receiving recess is captured during the transverse axial transport.

In the drawings, identical or similar elements and / or components are provided with the same reference numerals, respectively, and are provided separately from the new events, respectively.

Figure 1 schematically and simplified the optical structure according to the prior art for imaging rod-shaped articles 2 by means of an objective lens 4 of entrocenic or almost entropenic. For reasons of simplicity, the entropenic objective lens 4 is represented by a single lens. The rod shaped product 2 is a prepackage of a plurality of segments 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d and 6e. The entropic trick objective 4 captures an object in the object space at an opening angle [alpha]. The outside light beam in this angular range enters the incident lens of the objective lens 4 at an angle. As a result, the outer segments 6a, 6b and 6d and 6e, in particular the two outer segments 6a and 6e, are not observed directly from above but are therefore perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L Can be observed from the viewing direction.

Fig. 2 illustrates, by way of example, a resulting image of a rod-shaped product in a known assembly from Fig. The images of the segments 6a ... 6e are represented by 8a..8e. In addition to the intermediate segment 6c (see reference numeral 8c), all of the segments 8a ... 8e are represented at least in part of the end face 10 inwardly, that is, toward the center of the rod- This situation prevents the edges 12 of the segments 6a ... 6e of the rod shaped product 2 shown in solid lines in the ideal schematic of Figure 2 from being selectively captured. Accurate measurement of the distances Dl to D4 between the segments 6a ... 6e can thus be achieved with the help of the entropenetic optical system 4 as exemplarily shown in Figure 1, It is possible only in a state where it is significantly reduced. Distances D2 and D3 can still be captured to a reasonable degree, but it is no longer clear about distances D1 and D4. Also, it is not possible to capture the quality of the edge 12 with sufficient accuracy.

An apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention will present a solution here, and its various embodiments will be described below. This apparatus includes a conveying member which will be described later in detail with reference to Fig. The apparatus also includes an image capture device through which the rod shaped article 2 can be captured or captured while being transported transversely on the transport member.

The image capture device includes a camera assembly 14, as shown schematically and briefly in FIG. The camera assembly 14 includes a plurality of cameras 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, and 16e. Each camera 16a. 16e is provided with an entropic trick objective lens 4a. 4e. The camera 16a. 16e of the camera assembly 14 forms an image capture device 18 with its associated entropenetric objective 4a. 4e. The image capture device 18 further includes means for ensuring that the cameras 16a. 16e of the camera assembly 14 are synchronized, for example, an appropriate control or adjustment device. That is, the camera 16a. 16e is triggered simultaneously, i.e. simultaneously captures the image data.

The image capture device 18 is configured to capture a rod shaped article 2 disposed in a receiving recess of a feeding member, e.g., a holing drum, during its transverse axial movement. The individual cameras 16a. 16e of the camera assembly 14 are arranged side by side in the longitudinal extension direction of the receiving recess of this conveying member. This longitudinal extension direction A is shown in dashed lines in Fig. 3 (see also Fig. 7).

The objective lens 4a. 4e of the camera 16a. 16e of the camera assembly 14 is an entropic optical device or an approximate entropic optical device. For reasons of simplicity, the entropenic objective lens 4a. 4e is each represented by a single lens. Each objective lens 4a. 4e captures the object field and implements it on the sensor of the associated camera 16a. 16e. The time of the camera 16a. 16e is shown as having respective opening angles? 1,? 2,? 3,? 4,? 5. The opening angle ([alpha] .. [alpha] 5) is at least approximately the same size. The light incident into the objective lens 4a. 4e at the opening angle? 1.? 5 is imaged on the central imaging region of the sensor of the camera 16a. 16e. The opening angles? 1?? 5 of the entropenetric objective lens 4a. 4e of the camera assembly 14 are all determined according to the prior art to the opening angle? ). The opening angles (? 1 ...? 5) of the entropenic objective lens 4a. 4e overlap each other in the object space. This overlapping area within the object space should be denoted by reference numeral 26 '. Light incident from the overlap area 26 'is received by two cameras 16a. 16e, for example, two adjacent cameras 16a and 16b, respectively, and imaged in the central imaging areas 22a and 22b, respectively . The rod shaped article 2 passes through the object field during the transverse direction transport and is captured by the camera 16a. 16e.

Figure 4 illustrates by way of example the image field 20a of the first camera 16a when imaged onto the area sensor of this camera, for example a CMOS sensor, by means of an associated objective lens 4a. An image field 20b of the second camera 16b of the camera assembly 14 is also shown. Each of the image fields 20a, 20b includes central imaging regions 22a, 22b. Light incident from the object space into the objective lens 4a of the first camera 16a under the angle alpha 1 is imaged into the central imaging area 22a. This also applies similarly to other cameras 16b. 16e. Each central image area in the object space should be denoted by 22a 'through 22e'. In these regions, the associated objective lenses 4a and 4b are imaged without distortion or roughly without distortion. At least the distortion of the associated objective lenses 4a, 4b is below a predetermined threshold value. For example, this is expressed as a percentage of the ideal imaging. This limit value is for example less than 1%, especially less than 2%, more particularly less than 2.5%, more particularly less than 5%, and also imaging error is less than 7.5%, more particularly less than 10%, more particularly less than 15%.

The central imaging regions 22a and 22b are surrounded by imaging edge regions 24a and 24b that are more distorted than the central imaging regions 22a and 22b. In particular, the distortion in the imaging edge areas 24a, 24b is more than one of the above limits. The cameras 16a. 16e of the camera assembly 14 are arranged so that the central imaging areas 22a, 22b of the adjacent cameras 16a, 16e overlap each other. The overlap area 26 is the intersection between the adjacent central imaging areas 22a, 22b of the adjacent camera 16a. 16e.

The image capture device 18 is provided with a processing unit that processes the image data of the camera assembly 14 by evaluating the image data of the adjacent camera 16a. 16e captured in the central image areas 22a, 16e of camera 16a. For example, cross correlation between image data of images of adjacent cameras in overlapping area 26 is calculated. By this comparison, a displacement vector 28 can be calculated in which the image fields 20a, 20b of the adjacent cameras 16a, 16b are displaced with respect to each other. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the displacement vector 28 is directed exclusively vertically. If the overlap area 26 is wider than desired or narrower than desired, the displacement vector 28 will additionally include a corresponding horizontal component. The displacement vector 28 is calculated for every adjacent camera 16a. 16e of the camera assembly 14.

The processing unit is now configured to calculate the image data captured by the camera 16a. 16e of the camera assembly 14 in the central imaging regions 22a, 22b as a common image of the camera assembly 14.

Figure 5 shows two image fields 20a and 20b of the exemplary cameras 16a and 16 that have been corrected by the displacement vector 28 where the image field 20b of the second camera 16b has been clarified For the sake of simplicity. The two central receiving areas 22a, 22b are merged, in which case the image data of one or another camera, optionally in the overlap area 26, can be used.

By the corresponding application of the mechanisms described above, a complete image of the rod-shaped product 2 can be obtained from the individual image fields 20a-20e, as schematically and briefly shown in Fig. Unlike the actual embodiment, in Fig. 3, the image fields 20a. 20e are shown and are not duplicated for reasons of clarity only.

As a result of this measurement, the image of the rod-shaped product 2 can be provided as shown schematically and schematically in Figure 6a. Immediately below in FIG. 6b, there is shown an image of a rod shaped product 2 already known from FIG. 2, as can be obtained by a single entendentian objective 4. Preferably, an apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention provides imaging of a rod-shaped product 2, wherein edges 2, where only a few are provided with reference numbers for clarity, are clear and clearly recognizable . As a result, the distances D1 ... D4 between the individual segments 6a ... 6e can be determined very accurately, where they are the distance between the images 8a ... 8e of the corresponding segments 6a ... 6e Is calculated under the recognition of the imaging scale of the objective lens 4a. 4e from the diodes D1 ', ..., D4'.

In other words, the arrangement is such that the intermediate spaces 30 between adjacent segments 6a ... 6e of the rod-shaped product 2 (see Figure 3, only a few of which are provided for clarity, . ≪ / RTI > This applies equally to the length of the segments 6a ... 6e.

The image capture device 18 is further configured to measure distances D1..D4 between the segments 6a ... 6e, particularly with better accuracy than 0.1 mm. 3, depending on the resolution of the objective lens 4a. 4e and the resolution of the sensor used in the camera 16a. 16e, The number of pixels or the number of pixels per length) is selected such that the desired resolution is obtained.

Figure 7 shows an apparatus 32 of the tobacco processing industry for optically inspecting a rod shaped product 2, wherein the rod shaped product 2 is shown in Figure 7 as a prepackage of a plurality of segments for reasons of simplicity It was not. The apparatus 32 comprises a halling drum 34 which is shown section by section as a conveying member. On the surface of the drilling drum 34, there is a receiving recess 36 in which the rod-like product 2 is accommodated during the conveying in the transverse direction in the conveying direction R. [ The feeding direction R corresponds to the rotating direction of the drum. At the top of the receiving recess 36 there is already the image capture device 18 described above, and only a few camera units, each of which includes a camera and an entrantenic objective, are schematically shown. The receiving recess 36 has a longitudinal extension direction A, which has already been mentioned in connection with FIG. 3 and is likewise shown in broken lines in FIG. The longitudinal direction A is oriented at least substantially perpendicular to the transport direction R. [ The individual cameras 16a, 16e of the camera assembly 14 of the image capture device 18 are arranged side by side in this longitudinal direction of extension A. [ Therefore, it is possible to optically inspect the rod-like product 2 during the transportation in the transverse direction on the conveying member 34.

The apparatus 32 further includes a processing unit 38 such as a computer, a workstation or the like that controls and reads the image capture device 18 in particular, performs the mentioned calibration, ) Of the image.

It is to be understood that not only all features mentioned which may be solely deduced from the drawings, but also individual features disclosed in combination with other features are considered to be essential to the invention, alone and in combination. Embodiments according to the present invention can be achieved by a single feature or a combination of a plurality of features. In the context of the present invention, the features expressed by "particularly" or "preferably" should be understood as optional features.

2: Rod shape product 4, 4a..4e: Entropion trick objective lens
6a..6e: Segment 8a..8e: Image
10: end face 12: cutting edge
14: camera assembly 16a.16e: camera
18: Image capture device 20a, 20b: Image field
22a, 22b, 22a '.. 22e': central imaging area
24a, 24b: imaging edge area 26, 26 ': overlap area
28: Displacement vector 30: Intermediate space
32: Device of the tobacco processing industry 34: Transferring member
36: receiving recess 38: processing unit
alpha, alpha 1 .. alpha 5: opening angle L: vertical axis direction
D1..D4, D1 '.. D4': Distance A: longitudinal extension direction
R: Feed direction

Claims (11)

An apparatus (32) for a tobacco processing industry for optically inspecting a rod shaped product (2) of a tobacco processing industry, the rod shaped product (2) comprising a plurality of segments (6a - , Said device (32) comprising a transfer member (34) for transferring said rod shaped product (2) in a transverse direction, said transfer member (34) being capable of receiving said rod shaped product Wherein the device is capable of capturing or capturing the rod-shaped product (2) disposed in the receiving recess (36) during the transverse axial transfer, (32) of the tobacco processing industry, further comprising an image capture device (18)
The image capture device 18 comprises a camera assembly 14 having a plurality of cameras 16a. 16e for image capture, the cameras 16a. 16e being synchronized in particular for capturing images simultaneously , The camera (16a. 16e) is arranged side by side in the longitudinal extension direction (A) of the receiving recess (36), and each camera (16a. 16e) of the camera assembly (14) (2) disposed in the receiving recess (36) during the transverse axial transfer, the object field passing through the rod shaped product (2) Image fields 20a and 20b, wherein the image fields 20a and 20b are arranged such that the objective lens 4a. 4e is imaged without distortion or at least with a distortion below a predetermined or pre- The imaging edge areas 24a, 2 Wherein the camera comprises a central imaging area surrounded by a central imaging area of the camera and a central imaging area of the camera, Wherein the image capturing device further comprises a processing unit and wherein the processing unit comprises at least two of the camera assembly and at least two cameras, ) Of the camera assembly (14) to image data captured in the central imaging area (22a, 22b) by a camera (14). 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the processing unit (38) comprises at least one intermediate space (30) between two adjacent segments (6a ... 6e) and / ≪ / RTI > of the tobacco industry. 3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image capture device (18) and the processing unit (38) are arranged between two adjacent segments (6a ... 6e) oriented in the longitudinal extension direction (A) Characterized in that it is further arranged to measure the length of the segment (6a ... 6e) oriented in at least one distance (D1 ... D4) and / or in the longitudinal direction (A) Apparatus of the tobacco processing industry. 4. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the processing unit (38) is arranged to determine whether the image data of an adjacent camera (16a, 16b) captured in the overlapping central image areas (22a, 22b) The camera 16a is further configured to calibrate the camera 16a. 16e of the camera assembly 14 by determining a displacement vector 28 between the image fields 20a, 20b of the evaluated and adjacent camera 16a, Of the tobacco processing industry. 5. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the conveying member (34) is a hauling drum. 7. An assembly of a tobacco processing industry comprising a device and a rolling device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
Characterized in that the device for optically inspecting the rod shaped product (2) is arranged upstream of the rolling device with respect to the transport direction of the rod shaped product (2). A method for optically inspecting a rod shaped product (2) in a tobacco processing industry, wherein the rod shaped product (2) is a prepackage of a plurality of segments (6a ... 6e), respectively, In the above-described method of being transported in the transverse direction at the receiving recess (36)
The rod shaped article 2 is captured by the plurality of cameras 16a. 16e during the transverse axial feed, and the camera 16a. 16e is particularly synchronized, And the camera (16a. 16e) is arranged side by side in the longitudinal extension direction (A) of the receiving recess (36), and each camera (16a. (20a, 20b) of the camera (16a, 16e) to an objective lens (20a, 20b) of the camera (16a, 4 includes a central imaging area 22a, 22b that is imaged without distortion or at least with a distortion below a predetermined or pre-settable threshold value and surrounded by imaging edge areas 24a, 24b with greater distortion , The rod-shaped product (2) The central imaging regions 22a and 22b of the camera 16a. 16e are imaged to be superimposed on each other and captured by the central imaging regions 22a and 22b by at least two, in particular all cameras 16a. Wherein the image data is calculated as a common image. 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein at least one intermediate space (30) between two adjacent segments (6a ... 6e) and / or at least one length of segments (6a ... 6e) of the rod- Characterized in that it is measured quantitatively. 9. A device according to claim 8, characterized in that the width of the intermediate space (30) oriented in the longitudinal direction (A) of the receiving recess (36) and / or the width of the segment (6a. 6e) is measured with an accuracy of better than 0.1 mm in particular. 10. A method according to any one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the camera (16a. 16e) comprises a camera (16a. 16e) for capturing the image of the adjacent camera (16a. 16e) captured in the overlapping central image areas Characterized in that the data is evaluated and the displacement vector (28) between the imaging areas (22a, 22b) of the adjacent camera (16) is determined. 11. A method as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the rod-shaped product (2) is captured during transport in the transverse direction on the holing drum.

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