JPH09192611A - Image reader - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to pickup the image over approximately the entire part of an image pickup plane without changing the placement posture of objects to be inspected and to improve inspection accuracy by disposing pixel elements for picking up the image of the image pickup surfaces of the objects to be inspected in proximity to the loading surface of an inspecting object loading section and evaluating and deciding the quality of the objects to be inspected in accordance with the image data obtd. by such image pickup. SOLUTION: Many pieces of mandarin oranges A... are aligned and transported in the same direction by respective conveyors 2 for assorting and the grades and classes of the respective mandarin oranges A are individually evaluate and decided by an image reader 3 in the case the mandarin oranges are assorted. This image reader 3 encloses the entire part of an inspection position with a light shielding box 9 and is disposed with three units of cameras 10, 11, 11 for image pickup in the upper positions facing the upper peripheral surfaces of the mandarin oranges A. A pair of the respective pixel elements 12, 12 composed of elements (CCDs), etc., are installed in the right and left positions facing the lower peripheral surfaces on both sides of the mandarin oranges A. As a result, the image pickup over approximately the entire part of the peripheral surfaces of the respective mandarin oranges A is made possible without changing the loading postures of the mandarin oranges and the working time required for the quality inspection is shortened.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to, for example, mandarin orange, apple, pear, persimmon, peach, or cucumber, eggplant, carrot,
The present invention relates to an image reading device used in a work or process of inspecting an object to be inspected such as a long potato.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an apparatus for evaluating and judging the quality of mandarin oranges as in the above-mentioned example, as shown in FIG. 14, for example, the upper peripheral surface of each mandarin orange A ... The image pickup camera 23 picks up an image from directly above, and both side peripheral surfaces of the oranges A ... Are picked up by the image pickup cameras 24, 24 from the left and right directions. Each imaging camera 23, 24, 24
The image reading device 25 evaluates and judges the equal class of each mandarin A ... on the basis of the image data picked up in 1., and based on the judgment, a large number of each mandarin A ... There is a sorting device.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned apparatus, since both side peripheral surfaces of the oranges A mounted on the sorting conveyor 22 are imaged from the left and right by the respective imaging cameras 24, 24, the sorting is performed. On the lower peripheral surface of each mandarin orange A, which is close to the mounting surface of the conveyor 22, for example, discoloration, decay,
Imaging is difficult even if there is a damaged portion such as damage, and there is a problem that the equivalence class of each mandarin orange cannot be accurately determined. In addition, it is necessary to secure a space for installing the imaging cameras 24, 24 on both sides of the sorting conveyor 22, and the size of the entire apparatus increases. When a plurality or a large number of sorting conveyors 22 are arranged side by side, a large installation space is required because the sorting conveyors 22 are installed in parallel at predetermined intervals, but it is difficult to secure the installation location. Therefore, there is a problem that the installation work is troublesome.

As another method for solving the above-mentioned problems, for example, the sorting conveyor 22 is divided into front and rear parts with respect to the feeding direction, and the imaging camera 23 is arranged upward in the gap formed in the divided part. There is a method in which the lower peripheral surface of each mandarin orange A ... Is imaged by the imaging camera 23 from the gap of the divided part, but since the gap formed in the divided part is narrow and the passing speed of each mandarin A. It is difficult to accurately image the lower peripheral surface of each mandarin orange with the image capturing camera 23, and there is a problem that the equal rank cannot be accurately determined.

In view of the above problems, the present invention takes an image of an image pickup surface of an object to be inspected, which is close to the mounting surface of the object to be inspected portion, by using an image element, thereby changing the mounting posture of the object to be inspected. An object of the present invention is to provide an image reading apparatus capable of picking up an image of substantially the entire image pickup surface, accurately performing quality inspection of an inspection object, and improving inspection accuracy.

[0006]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
Close to the mounting surface of the inspection object mounting part on which the inspection object is mounted,
An image element for picking up an image pickup surface of the inspection object placed on the mounting surface is provided, and quality determination means for evaluating and determining the quality of the inspection object based on the image data picked up by the image element is provided. Image reading device.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the structure of the first aspect, the object to be inspected placed on both sides of the inspection object placing portion in proximity to the placing surfaces. The image reading device is provided with a pair of respective image pickup elements for picking up the image pickup surfaces on both sides of.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first or second aspect, a plurality of image elements are arranged in a shape corresponding to the image pickup surface of the object to be inspected. The image reading device is configured.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, in addition to the configuration of the first or second aspect, the image element is formed by forming one image element in a shape corresponding to the image pickup surface of the object to be inspected. Image reading device.

[0010]

According to the image reading apparatus of the present invention, the upper image pickup surface of the inspection object placed on the inspection object placing portion is, for example, CC.
An image pickup means such as a D camera or an image element built in the camera picks up an image, and an image pickup surface picks up an image pickup surface of an object to be inspected which is close to the placement surface of the inspection object placement part. In the image pickup area close to the mounting surface of, for example, discoloration, decay,
An image can be reliably captured even if there is a damaged portion such as damage, and the quality of the inspected object can be accurately evaluated and determined by the quality determination means based on the image data captured by the image sensor.

According to the image reading apparatus of the second aspect, in addition to the operation of the first aspect, a pair of image elements are provided on both side image pickup surfaces of the object to be inspected which are close to the both side mounting surfaces of the object mounting portion. The image quality can be accurately evaluated and determined by the quality determination means based on the image data captured by each image element.

According to the image reading apparatus of the third aspect, in addition to the operation of the first or second aspect, the inspection object placed on the inspection object placing portion corresponds to the imaging surface of the inspection object. The quality of the inspected object can be evaluated and judged by the quality judging means on the basis of the image data picked up by each of the image elements by picking up an image by a large number of image elements arranged in the shape.

According to the image reading device of the fourth aspect, in addition to the operation of the first or second aspect, the object to be inspected placed on the object to be inspected part corresponds to the imaging surface of the object to be inspected. By taking an image with the image element formed in the shape described above, the quality of the inspected object can be evaluated and determined by the quality determining unit based on the image data captured by the image element.

[0014]

According to the present invention, the image pickup surface of the object to be inspected, which is close to the mounting surface of the inspection object mounting portion, is imaged by the image sensor. In addition, for example, even if there is an altered portion such as discoloration, decay, damage, etc., it is possible to reliably capture an image, and the quality of the inspection object can be accurately evaluated and determined based on the image data captured by the image sensor.
Moreover, the entire imaging surface can be imaged without changing the mounting posture of the object to be inspected, the work time for quality inspection can be shortened, and the efficiency of inspection work can be improved.

Moreover, by disposing the image element close to the mounting surface of the inspection object mounting portion, the installation space of the image element is smaller than that of the image pickup camera used in the conventional apparatus, and the entire apparatus is Can be miniaturized. In addition, a plurality or a large number of respective inspection object placement parts can be installed close to each other, so that the installation place can be secured and the installation work can be easily performed. The body can be miniaturized. For example, it is possible to arrange a plurality of or a large number of respective inspection object placement parts in close proximity, and the installation space of the inspection facility or the inspection place is small. For example, it is not necessary to secure them on both sides of the placement part, Installation work of the device can be done easily.

[0016]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The drawings show the fruit and vegetable sorting apparatus of the first embodiment used for sorting mandarin oranges, which is a kind of fruit and vegetables, into equal ranks as an example of the inspected object. In FIG. The sorting apparatus 1 sequentially mounts a large number of mandarin oranges A ... brought in from a producer on each sorting conveyor 2 having four rows arranged in parallel and conveys them in the same direction. At the inspection position a set on the starting end side conveyance path of each sorting conveyor 2, ..., each mandarin orange A, etc. placed on each sorting conveyor 2 by the image reading device 3 arranged at the same position a. Evaluate and judge each class individually. Based on the determination, at the distribution positions b to g set on the conveying path of the sorting conveyors 2 ..., the distribution conveyors 4 arranged at the positions b to g.
, Each of the oranges A ... Is discharged in equal ranks, and at the collection position h set on the terminal side conveyance path of each sorting conveyor 2, the standard for the collection conveyor 5 arranged at the same position h Release each mandarin orange ...

As shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and FIG. 4, the above-mentioned sorting conveyor 2 has endless belts 6 and 6 composed of chains, belts, etc. arranged parallel to the feeding direction on both sides of the conveying path. The endless belts 6 and 6 between the opposite side edges, for example,
A large number of mounting rollers 7 formed of appropriate materials such as synthetic resin, metal, wood, and ceramics are mounted in a direction orthogonal to the feed direction, and the mounting rollers 7 ... The mandarin oranges A are arranged at intervals so as to be placed, and the outer peripheral surfaces of the respective mounting rollers 7 are formed in a drum shape having a large diameter from the outer peripheral surface of the central portion toward the outer peripheral surfaces of both ends. That is, the endless belts 6 and 6 are synchronously rotated in the feeding direction by the driving force of a feed motor (not shown) with a speed reducer to feed the mounting rollers 7 mounted between the endless belts 6 and 6. While being orbited in the direction, each mandarin orange A mounted between the mounting rollers 7 is transported to each position b to g on the transport path. In addition, instead of the above-mentioned drum-shaped mounting rollers 7 ...
As shown in FIG. 2, a large number of each mounting roller 8 ... Are axially mounted between the two endless belts 6 and 6 provided on both sides of the transport path at intervals where the mandarin A is mounted. Each mounting roller 8
The outer peripheral surface may be formed in a cylindrical shape or a columnar shape having the same diameter from the outer peripheral surface on one end side to the outer peripheral surface on the other end side. For example, fruit vegetables such as cucumber, eggplant, carrot and the like are placed on each mounting roller 7 When placed between ... The mounting position and mounting posture are stable. Moreover, the entire outer peripheral surface of each mounting roller 7, 8 may be covered with, for example, synthetic rubber, leather, cloth, etc., and the outer peripheral surface of each mandarin A ... is scratched during transfer and transportation. Can be prevented.

In the image reading device 3 described above, the entire inspection position a set on the sorting conveyor 2 is covered by the light shielding box 9
The upper part of the mandarin orange, which is moved in the light-blocking box 9 and faces the upper peripheral surface of the mandarin orange.
Three imaging cameras 10 and 1 each composed of a camera or the like
1, 11 are provided, and, for example, at the left and right positions facing the lower peripheral surfaces on both sides of the mandarin orange that is moved in the light shielding box 9, for example, C
A pair of picture elements 12 and 12 composed of elements (CCD) and the like built in the CD camera are provided, and at a proper position facing the upper peripheral surface of the mandarin orange that is moved in the light shielding box 9, for example, , A plurality of illumination lamps 14 composed of halogen lamps and the like are arranged above, and each imaging camera 10, 11, 11 and a pair of each image element 12, 12 are evaluated for equal rank of mandarin A. Judgment device body 1 for judgment
5 and a monitor 16 for displaying an image of oranges A.

Each of the above-mentioned image pickup cameras 10, 11, 11
Is arranged with the imaging camera 10 in the vertical direction at a position directly above the top surface of the mandarin orange A mounted between the mounting rollers 7 of the sorting conveyor 2 ...
The image pickup cameras 11 and 11 are tilted at an appropriate angle at positions near the left and right of 0 and diagonally above the both upper peripheral surfaces of the mandarin orange A mounted between the mounting rollers 7. I have set up. Further, the respective image elements 12, 12 are located at the left and right positions facing the lower peripheral surfaces on both sides of the mandarin orange placed between the respective mounting rollers 7 ... A pair of respective picture elements 12, 12 are arranged in close proximity to each other. Each of the three image receiving surfaces 1 constituting one picture element 12
2a ... are tilted and bent at an appropriate angle to orient the image receiving surfaces 12a of the image element 12 in a direction facing the lower peripheral surface of the orange, and the image receiving surfaces 12a of the image element 12 are moved to the orange A. Are arranged in an arc shape corresponding to the lower peripheral surface.

At the lower part of the inspection position a set on the sorting conveyor 2, in correspondence with the images picked up by the image pickup cameras 10, 11, 11 and the pair of image elements 12, 12, the placement rollers 7 ... An address reader 17 for reading an address is provided, and in response to the address reading by the address reader 17, each mandarin A mounted between the mounting rollers 7 ... 11 and a pair of picture elements 12, 12
The determination device main body 15 determines the equal rank of each mandarin orange A ... on the basis of the image data of the substantially entire circumferential surface captured by the image capturing cameras 10, 11, 11 and the pair of image elements 12, 12. The determination data and the address data are stored in the determination device body 15 in association with each other.

That is, the upper peripheral surface and the upper peripheral surfaces on both sides of each mandarin orange A mounted between the respective mounting rollers 7 of the sorting conveyor 2 are imaged by the respective imaging cameras 10, 11, 11.
At the same time, each mandarin A mounted between each mounting roller 7 ...
The lower peripheral surfaces on both sides of the image sensor 12 are imaged by the image sensors 12 and 12, and the image capturing cameras 10, 11 and 11 and the pair of image devices 12 and 1 are captured.
2 is compared with the image data of the entire peripheral surface output from No. 2 and the equal rank data stored in the determination device body 15, and each mandarin A ... has any equal rank (for example, grade of excellent, excellent, good, etc.). And 2L, L, M, S, etc.) are evaluated and determined, and each mandarin orange A ... Mounted on each mounting roller 7 ... The time lag is counted until the placement rollers 7 move to the distribution positions b to g corresponding to the determination, and the placement rollers 7 move to the distribution positions b to g corresponding to the determination made by the image reading device 3. At this time, for example, a pusher-type discharging means that pushes a pusher (not shown) against each mandarin orange A mounted between the mounting rollers 7 ... By driving the discharging means such as an air-type discharging means, which moves in the discharging direction by spraying with, to discharge each mandarin orange A ... to each distribution conveyor 4 arranged at each distribution position b to g. To do.

The illustrated embodiment is configured as described above, and the sorting operation of the oranges A ... by the fruit and vegetable sorting apparatus 1 will be described below. First, a sorting conveyor 2 in which four mandarin oranges A ... brought in from the producer are arranged side by side.
Are sequentially placed on the sorting conveyors 2, and each mandarin orange A is conveyed to the inspection position a set on the sorting conveyors 2 at a time, and at the inspection position a set on the sorting conveyors 2 ... , Each mounting roller 7 ... each mandarin orange A mounted between them ...
The respective imaging cameras 10 that constitute the image reading device 3,
11, 11 and a pair of image elements 12 and 12 are used for imaging, and each imaging camera 10, 11, 11 and a pair of image elements 1 are used.
Each orange A based on the image data captured in 2 and 12 ...
The image reading device 3 evaluates and judges the equal class of the.

That is, at the inspection position a set on the sorting conveyor 2, corresponding to the address reading of each mounting roller 7 by the address reader 17, it is mounted between the respective mounting rollers 7. The camera 1 for imaging the upper surface of each mandarin orange ...
At 0, images are taken from directly above, and the upper peripheral surfaces on both sides of each mandarin orange A mounted between the mounting rollers 7 ...
1, 11 image pickup from diagonally above,
The image data of the upper peripheral surface picked up by 11, 11 and the address data of each mounting roller 7 are stored in the determination device main body 15 constituting the image reading device 3 in association with each other.

At the same time, images of the lower peripheral surfaces on both sides of each mandarin orange A mounted between the mounting rollers 7 are picked up by the image elements 12 and 12, and contacted with the outer peripheral surfaces of the mounting rollers 7. Since the lower peripheral surfaces on both sides of each mandarin orange A ... which are close to the peripheral surface and the lower central surface are imaged, for example, on the lower peripheral surfaces on both sides of the mandarin orange that cannot be imaged by the respective imaging cameras 10, 11, 11. Even if there are altered parts such as discoloration, decay, and damage, it is possible to reliably capture images. The image data of the lower peripheral surfaces on both sides taken by the respective image elements 12, 12 and the address data of the respective mounting rollers 7 are stored in the determination device main body 15 in association with each other.

Next, the image data of the substantially entire peripheral surface imaged by each of the image pickup cameras 10, 11, 11 and the pair of image elements 12, 12 is compared with the equal class data stored in the determination device body 15. Then, the equal rank of each mandarin orange A mounted between the mounting rollers 7 is evaluated. Each mounting roller 7 is placed at each of the distribution positions b to g corresponding to the determination made by the determination device body 15.
When ... moves, the discharging means (not shown) such as the one disposed at a position corresponding to the determination is driven to move each distribution position b to
Each mandarin A for each distribution conveyor 4 ...
Are discharged by equal rank, and each mandarin orange A placed on each of the distribution conveyors 4 is boxed by artificial work or mechanical work. Each non-standard mandarin orange A ... Which does not correspond to the equal rank is discharged to the collecting conveyor 5 at the collecting position h to be collected.

As described above, each mandarin orange A ... which is close to the outer peripheral surface of each mounting roller 7 ... Which constitutes the sorting conveyor 2.
Since the lower peripheral surface of is imaged by each image element 12, 12,
For example, even if the lower peripheral surface of the mandarin orange A, which is difficult to be imaged by each of the imaging cameras 10, 11, and 11, has an altered portion such as discoloration, decay, or damage, the imaging can be performed reliably. , 11, 11 and a pair of picture elements 12, 12
The quality of each mandarin orange A can be accurately evaluated and determined based on the image data captured in. Moreover, it is possible to take an image of the substantially entire circumferential surface without changing the placement posture of each mandarin orange A, so that the work time required for the quality inspection can be shortened and the efficiency of the inspection work can be improved.

Moreover, since the image elements 12 and 12 are arranged close to the upper peripheral surfaces on both sides of the mounting rollers 7 ..., The image elements 12 are more than the image pickup cameras 11 and 11 used in the conventional apparatus. , 12 has a smaller installation space, and the overall size of the device can be reduced. In addition, a plurality or a large number of respective sorting conveyors 2 ... Can be installed close to each other, so that the installation place can be secured and the installation work can be easily performed.

FIG. 6 shows an image pickup method of the second embodiment in which the image pickup camera 10 and the image pickup elements 13 and 13 pick up images of each mandarin orange A placed between the mounting rollers 7 of the sorting conveyor 2. , A pair of multi-sided shapes which are located at the left and right positions facing both side peripheral surfaces of the mandarin A mounted between the mounting rollers 7 and close to the upper peripheral surfaces on both sides of each mounting roller 7. The picture elements 13 and 13 are arranged to face each other. The plurality of image receiving surfaces 13a forming one image element 13 are inclined and bent at an appropriate angle, and the image receiving surfaces 13a of the image element 13 are set to face the side peripheral surface of the mandarin A. At the same time, each image receiving surface 13a of the image element 13 is arranged in a curved shape corresponding to the side peripheral surface of the orange A.

That is, since the pair of image elements 13, 13 are arranged close to the upper peripheral surfaces on both sides of each mounting roller 7 ... Both side peripheral surfaces of each mandarin orange A, which are close to the peripheral surface and the lower central surface, can be imaged by the respective picture elements 13, 13. Since the imaging range of each of the image elements 13 and 13 is larger than that of each of the above-described image elements 12 and 12, it is possible to reliably image the lower peripheral surfaces of both sides of the mandarin orange, which cannot be imaged by the imaging camera 10. Since the image reading device 3 evaluates and judges the equal rank of each mandarin A ... on the basis of the image data captured by the imaging camera 10 and each image element 13, 13, the same as in the first embodiment. It is possible to capture an image of substantially the entire peripheral surface without changing the mounting posture, and it is possible to accurately evaluate and determine the equal rank of each mandarin orange. Instead of the mounting rollers 7 described above, for example, both side peripheral surfaces of the oranges A mounted between the mounting rollers 8 may be imaged by the pair of image elements 13 and 13. .

FIG. 7 shows an image of the lower peripheral surface on both sides of each mandarin orange A mounted between the mounting rollers 7 of the sorting conveyor 2 with the image elements 12 and 12 or the image elements 13 and 13. Three
An imaging method according to the embodiment is shown, in which each mounting roller 7 is axially supported in a direction orthogonal to the feed direction on the conveying side edge portion of the endless belt 6 installed on one side of the conveying path, and each mounting roller is supported. 7, the image elements 12, 12 of the first embodiment or the image elements 13, 13 of the second embodiment are arranged in proximity to the upper peripheral surfaces of both sides, and contact with the outer peripheral surfaces of the mounting rollers 7 ,. The lower peripheral surfaces on both sides of each mandarin orange A ...
2 or each image element 13 and 13, while taking an image, based on the image data captured by each imaging camera 10, 11 and 11 and each image element 12 or 12 or each image element 13 and 13, each orange A ... Since the image reading apparatus 3 evaluates and judges the equal rank of each of the mandarin oranges, as in the first embodiment, it is possible to image the substantially entire circumferential surface without changing the mounting posture of each mandarin orange. It is possible to accurately evaluate and judge the equal class of.

Further, when the mounting rollers 7 move to the respective distribution positions b to g corresponding to the judgment by the image reading device 3, the oranges A mounted on the mounting rollers 7 are discharged. It is discharged to one side or left and right by means (not shown), or each mounting roller 7 is vertically swung in a discharging posture to discharge each mandarin orange A by equal rank. Instead of the mounting rollers 7 described above, for example, cylindrical or columnar mounting rollers 8 may be pivotally supported so as to be vertically swingable in a direction orthogonal to the feed direction.

FIGS. 8 and 9 image the lower peripheral surfaces on both sides of each mandarin orange A mounted on each mounting cup 18 of the sorting conveyor 17 with the image elements 12 and 12 or the image elements 13 and 13. The imaging method of the fourth embodiment will be described, in which each mounting cup 18 ...
Of the respective picture elements 12, 1 of the first embodiment in the vicinity of both mounting surfaces of
2 or each of the picture elements 13 of the second embodiment is arranged, and both side lower peripheries of the mandarin oranges A, which are adjacent to the partial peripheral surface and the lower central surface which are in contact with the mounting surfaces of the respective mounting cups 18 ... The surface is imaged by each picture element 12, 12 or each picture element 13, 13, and
Each imaging camera 10, 11, 11 and each image element 12, 1
2 or each image element 13 and 13, the image reading apparatus 3 evaluates and determines the equal rank of each mandarin orange A ... Based on the image data, the same as each of the mandarin oranges A ...
It is possible to capture an image of the substantially entire circumferential surface without changing the mounting posture of, and it is possible to accurately evaluate and determine the equal rank of each mandarin orange.

Further, when the mounting cups 18 move to the respective distribution positions b to g corresponding to the judgment by the image reading device 3, the mandarin oranges A mounted on the mounting cups 18 ... (Not shown) to discharge to one side or to the left or right, or to rotate each mounting cup 18 ...
Open to the left or right or front and back to release each mandarin orange A ... in equal rank.

FIG. 10 and FIG. 11 show images of the lower peripheral surfaces on both sides of each mandarin orange A mounted on the mounting belt 20 of the sorting conveyor 19 by the image elements 12, 12 or the image elements 13, 13. An imaging method according to a fifth embodiment will be described. For example, each image element 1 of the first embodiment is placed close to both sides of the mounting belt 20 having a flat shape such as a belt conveyor or a thrust conveyor.
2, 12 or the respective picture elements 13, 13 of the second embodiment are arranged, and both side lower circumferences of the mandarin oranges A, which are close to the partial peripheral surface and the lower central surface in contact with the mounting surface of the mounting belt 20. The surface is imaged by each image element 12, 12 or each image element 13, 13, and each imaging camera 10, 11, 11 and each image element 1 are taken.
2, 12 or each image element 13, 13 based on the image data imaged by the image reading device 3 of each orange A.
As described in the first embodiment, the entire peripheral surface can be imaged without changing the mounting posture of each mandarin orange A, and the equal rank of each mandarin orange A can be accurately evaluated. You can judge.

When the mandarin oranges A ... Are moved to the respective distribution positions b to g corresponding to the judgment by the image reading device 3,
Each mandarin orange A ... Mounted on the mounting belt 20 is discharged to one side or left and right by a discharging means (not shown), or the mounting belt 20 is tilted left and right in the width direction to classify each mandarin orange A ... discharge.

FIG. 12 shows the image pickup method of the sixth embodiment in which the image pickup camera 10 takes an image of the upper peripheral surface of each mandarin orange A placed between the mounting rollers 7 of the sorting conveyor 2. The upper peripheral surface of each mandarin orange A ... Mounted between the mounting rollers 7 is imaged by the imaging camera 10, and the lower peripheral surfaces on both sides of each mandarin orange A ... are image elements 12, 12 of the first embodiment or. The image elements 13 and 13 of the second embodiment are used for image capturing, and the image data captured by the image capturing camera 10 and the image data captured by the image elements 12 and 12 or the image elements 13 and 13 are used. Since the equal class of mandarin oranges is evaluated and determined by the image reading device 3, the same class of mandarin oranges can be accurately evaluated and judged as in the first embodiment, and the number of installed cameras is reduced. To reduce the manufacturing cost by simplifying the overall configuration. It can be. The upper peripheral surface of each mandarin orange A ... Conveyed by each sorting conveyor 2, 17, 19 of the third, fourth, or fifth embodiment may be imaged by a single imaging camera 10.

FIG. 13 shows the sorting conveyors 2, 17, 1
The upper peripheral surface of each mandarin orange A ... which is conveyed to the inspection position a on 9 is imaged by the image element 21, and the both side peripheral surfaces of each mandarin orange A ... are imaged by each image element 12, 12 or each image element 13, 13. 7th
The image pickup method of the embodiment is shown, and in each of the above-described embodiments, the image pickup cameras 10, 11 and 11 and the image elements 12 and 12 or the image elements 13 and 13 are used in combination for image pickup. The upper peripheral surface of each mandarin orange A ... Conveyed to the inspection position a on the conveyors 2, 17, 19 may be imaged by the image element 21, and each image receiving surface 21a ... Arranged in a shape corresponding to the upper peripheral surface of the
The upper peripheral surface of each mandarin orange that has been conveyed to is imaged by the image element 21, and both side peripheral surfaces of each mandarin A ... are imaged by the image element 12, 12 or each image element 13, 13. That is, each mandarin orange A
It is possible to capture an image of the substantially entire circumferential surface of each of the image elements 12, 13, and 21, and the image capturing cameras 10, 11, and 11 are unnecessary, and the overall size of the apparatus can be reduced.

In the correspondence between the configuration of the present invention and the above-described embodiment, the inspected object of the present invention corresponds to the mandarin orange A of the embodiment, and similarly, the inspected object mounting portion is the sorting conveyor 2 Each mounting roller 7 and each mounting roller 8 ...
And each mounting cup 18 that constitutes the sorting conveyor 17
... and a mounting belt 20 that constitutes the sorting conveyor 19
The image element corresponds to each of the image elements 12, 13 and 21, and the quality determination unit corresponds to the determination device main body 15. However, the present invention is limited to only the configuration of the above-described embodiment. Not a thing.

In the first, second and third embodiments described above, the mandarin oranges A, which are mounted between the mounting rollers 7 of the sorting conveyor 2, are placed at substantially the same circumference without changing the mounting posture. An image of the entire surface is taken. For example, a member having a large contact resistance is pressed against each mounting roller 7 on which each mandarin A is mounted and rotated in an arbitrary direction to mount between each mounting roller 7. The mounted posture may be changed by rotating each of the mandarin oranges ... In the front-back direction or the horizontal direction, and the entire outer peripheral surface of each mandarin orange ...
2, 12 or each image element 13, 13 can be imaged.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall view showing a configuration of a fruit and vegetable sorting device including an image reading device according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing an imaging state of a mandarin orange placed on a sorting conveyor.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing an image pickup state by a pair of image elements.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing an imaging state by a pair of image elements.

FIG. 5 is a front view showing an imaging state of being placed on each of the cylindrical placing rollers.

FIG. 6 is a front view showing an image pickup state of a mandarin orange by each image element of the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a plan view showing an image pickup state of a mandarin orange placed on a sorting conveyor according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a plan view showing an image pickup state of a mandarin orange placed on a sorting conveyor according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a front view showing an imaging state of a mandarin orange placed on a placing cup.

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing an image pickup state of the oranges placed on the sorting conveyor of the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a front view showing an imaging state of a mandarin orange mounted on a mounting belt.

FIG. 12 is a front view showing an imaging state of oranges placed on a sorting conveyor of a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a front view showing an imaging state of oranges placed on a sorting conveyor of a seventh embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a front view showing an image pickup state of a mandarin orange by each image pickup camera of the conventional apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 A ... Mikan 1 ... Fruit and vegetable sorting device 2 ... Sorting conveyor 3 ... Image reading device 4 ... Distribution conveyor 5 ... Collection conveyor 7, 8 ... Placement roller 10, 11 ... Imaging camera 12, 13, 21 ... Pixel Child 15 ... Judgment apparatus main body 17 ... Sorting conveyor 18 ... Loading cup 19 ... Sorting conveyor 20 ... Loading belt

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An image element for picking up an imaging surface of an object to be inspected mounted on the mounting surface is provided in the vicinity of a mounting surface of an inspection object mounting portion on which the object to be inspected is mounted. An image reading apparatus provided with quality evaluation means for evaluating and determining the quality of an object to be inspected based on image data picked up by the image element. 2. A pair of image elements for picking up both imaging surfaces of an object to be inspected mounted on the mounting surface are provided in the vicinity of both mounting surfaces of the inspection object mounting portion. Item 1. The image reading device according to item 1. 3. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image element is formed by arranging a large number of image elements in a shape corresponding to the image pickup surface of the object to be inspected. 4. The image element according to claim 1, wherein one image element is formed in a shape corresponding to the image pickup surface of the object to be inspected.
Or the image reading device described in 2.