JP2002162358A - Method for detecting a mutated part of an object to be detected - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting a mutated portion of an object that can accurately and reliably detect a predetermined item of the object without damaging the object or deteriorating the quality. A detection device is provided. A tangerine A is irradiated with detection light B emitted from a light projecting device 11, and transmitted light C transmitted through the tangerine A is received by a light receiving device 12. The CPU 20 compares the detection information output by the light receiving device 12 with the comparison information stored in the comparison information storage device 25, and changes the quality of the pericarp or inside of the mandarin orange A such as a deteriorated portion Aa (rot), discoloration, damage, and the like. It is determined whether or not there is a portion and the progress of the mutated portion. Based on the determination, the oranges A with no alteration and before alteration are sorted for each item based on the detection information. The oranges A in which the alteration Aa is in progress and in which the alteration Aa has advanced are discarded or recovered as nonstandard.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to, for example, oranges,
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for detecting a mutated portion of an object to be detected, such as fruit and vegetables such as apples, tomatoes, cucumber, persimmons, pears, peaches, and melons, agricultural products such as cucumbers, eggplants, carrots, and yams, seafood, and foods. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a method of measuring oranges in the above-described example, for example, light emitted from a light source is irradiated on the oranges, and reflected light reflected by the oranges is received by an imaging camera. At the same time, the light reception information output by the imaging camera is compared with the comparison information stored in the determination device in advance to determine whether there is any alteration (decay, crushing of the ginkgo biloba), discoloration, or a damaged portion in the peel or inside of the orange. In addition, there is a method of measuring the size and shape of a deteriorated portion.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned method, since the reflected light reflected by the orange is received by the imaging camera, the hue of the reflected light is substantially the same in the visible region, and the reflected light has a normal hue without deterioration. It is difficult to distinguish between the part and the degenerated, discolored, or damaged part of the pericarp or pulp, and the size or outline of the mutated part becomes unclear, so it is not possible to accurately detect predetermined items required for the sorting process There is a problem that.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above problems, the present invention receives light transmitted through an object by a light receiving means, and determines a predetermined item of the object based on detection information output from the light receiving means. It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for detecting a mutated portion of an object and a device for detecting the mutated portion, which can accurately and reliably detect a predetermined item of the object without damaging the object or deteriorating the quality.

[0005]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
By irradiating the detection object with the detection light transmitted through the detection object, and comparing the detection information of the transmission light transmitted through the detection object with the preset comparison information, whether the detection object has a mutated portion. The method is characterized in that the method is a method for detecting a mutated portion of an object to be detected.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a detection light projecting means for irradiating the detection object with the detection light transmitted through the detection object, and receiving the detection light transmitted through the detection object. Detection light receiving means for outputting detection information of the detection light, comparison information storage means for storing comparison information for determining a mutated portion of the detection object, detection information output by the detection light reception means, A mutated portion detecting device for an object to be detected, comprising: a mutated portion determining means for comparing presence / absence of a mutated portion by comparing with comparison information stored in a comparison information storage device.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first or second aspect, the detection light is light having a specific wavelength suitable for detecting a mutated portion of the object. The present invention is characterized in that it is a method for detecting a mutated portion of an object to be detected and a mutated portion detection device.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first or second aspect, the transmitted light is constituted by light having a specific wavelength within a range from a visible region to a near infrared region. It is a method for detecting a mutated portion of an object and a device for detecting the mutated portion.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first or second aspect, the near-infrared region of the transmitted light has a specific wavelength within a range of about 1000 nm to about 1200 nm. And a device for detecting a mutated portion of an object to be detected.

[0010]

According to the present invention, the transmitted light transmitted through the object is detected by the light receiving means, and the predetermined item of the object is determined based on the detection information output from the light receiving means. There is almost no change in the transmittance of the transmitted light passing through the normal part of the object, but the object to be detected deteriorates (rots), discolors,
If there is a mutated part such as damage, the transmittance of the detection light passing through the mutated part will be high, so it is only necessary to compare the detection information of the detection light detected at that time with the comparison information of the normal target In addition, the presence or absence of the mutated portion and the progress thereof can be reliably detected from the outside without damaging the object or deteriorating the quality. In addition, since the detection process and the detection work are performed mechanically, there is no or less determination error,
The determination as to whether there is a mutated portion in the detected object and the operation of sorting the detected object by item can be performed accurately and reliably.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings. The drawings show a mutated portion detection apparatus used for an operation of detecting a predetermined item of mandarin orange, which is an example of an object to be detected. In FIGS. A light projecting device 11 for receiving the detection light B transmitted through the orange A, and outputting a detection signal at the time of receiving the light, and a detection light B with the orange A placed in a fixed position. A mounting portion 13 made of a material (and color arrangement) that does not provide any support for receiving light, and a detection sensor 14 for detecting that orange A is mounted on the mounting portion 13, and the detection sensor 14 When A is detected, the light emitting device 11 irradiates the orange light A with the detection light B. The transmitted light C transmitted through the orange A is received by the light receiving device 12, and the detection signal is output.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control circuit of the mutant part detecting apparatus 10. A CPU 20 built in an apparatus main body 19 (for example, a personal computer) controls a light emitting apparatus 11 in accordance with a program stored in a ROM 21. , Light receiving device 12, detection sensor 14, comparison information storage device 24
, A display device 25, and a timer for controlling the driving and stopping of each circuit device and measuring the elapsed time.
On the other hand, the RAM 22 stores data necessary for a process of detecting a predetermined item.

The above-described light projecting device 11 is, for example, approximately
It is composed of a halogen lamp (light source) that projects a voltage of about 15 V, a power consumption of about 100 W, and emits light including visible light and near-infrared light. In the embodiment, the detection light B is applied to the orange A from below the mounting portion 13, but may be applied to the orange A from the side or above. In addition, the light amount of the detection light B is set to a light amount such that the light amount of the transmitted light C transmitted through the orange A has a specific wavelength included in a range of, for example, approximately 1000 nm to approximately 1200 nm.

The light projecting device 11 may be constituted by a light source having a luminance necessary for detecting an incandescent lamp, a fluorescent lamp, a xenon lamp, a tungsten lamp or the like. The light amount of the light C is, for example, approximately 1000 nm.
Hereinafter, the light amount may be set or changed to be approximately 1200 nm or more.

The aforementioned light receiving device 12 (monochrome camera)
Consists of a black-and-white (or color) camera equipped with a sensitivity (image element) for receiving transmitted light C in the visible region to the near-infrared region, but has a function of separating light into visible light and near-infrared light. A camera provided with the camera may be used. In the embodiment, the light receiving device 12 is
The upper part (approximately right above) facing the upper peripheral surface of the orange A placed on the placing part 13 and the side facing the side peripheral surface of the orange A are separated by a predetermined angle around the orange A. At a plurality of positions (four locations), predetermined items on the upper peripheral surface and the lateral peripheral surface of the oranges A, for example, a deteriorated portion Aa (rot, crushed squash, etc.) corresponding to the mutated portion are detected.

The citrus A before being deteriorated (decayed) is irradiated, and the transmitted light C transmitted through the citrus A is received. A signal proportional to the amount of the transmitted light C is digitized, and the signal is digitized as detection information. Output to the main body 19. Further, the light receiving device 12 may be constituted by a device such as a CCD camera or an image element.

In an embodiment, the visible region is, for example, approximately 380
nm to about 780 nm, and the near-infrared region is set, for example, to about 1000 nm to about 1200 nm.
A visible region of about 380 nm or less and a near infrared region of about 1000 nm or less are set.
It may be set or changed to the near infrared region of nm or more.

Further, the lower peripheral surface of the orange A (or the mounting portion 1)
When measuring or detecting a predetermined item (transformed portion Aa) of the portion (contact portion 3), the mandarin orange A is placed upside down with the lower surface side facing upward, and the transmitted light C transmitted through the mandarin orange A is received by the light receiving device 12. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 4, the detection light B may be applied to the orange A from above, and the transmitted light C transmitted through the orange A may be received by the light receiving device 12 from below or substantially below. .

The above-mentioned mounting portion 13 is formed such that a part or the whole on which the oranges A are mounted is made of a transparent or translucent material such as plastic or glass so as to be transparent or translucent. The oranges A are formed in a shape or a structure in which the oranges are placed in a stable posture at a fixed position. Further, the mounting portion 13 may be configured to have a shape that allows light transmission, such as a mesh shape (a mesh shape) or a striated body.

The above-mentioned detection sensor 14 is constituted by, for example, a reflection-type photoelectric sensor, and a signal for detecting that the orange A has arrived, that is, the fixed position of the mounting portion 13 substantially corresponding to the projection range of the projection device 11. Is output. In addition, the detection sensor 14
May be constituted by a detection sensor using, for example, a limit switch or a proximity switch.

The aforementioned comparison information storage device 24 stores, for example, P
It is composed of a writable and readable storage device such as a ROM, and stores in advance comparison information for comparing the deteriorated portion Aa (mutated portion). That is, when the detection light B is irradiated on the normal orange A before the deterioration, and the transmitted light C transmitted through the orange A is detected by the light receiving device 12, the light receiving device 12
Is stored as comparison information. Also,
Information necessary for detection may be input or changed using an input device such as a keyboard, a mouse, and an input pen.

The above-mentioned display device 25 is composed of a display and a monitor.
The judgment result of 0 is displayed. Further, according to the size and shape of the orange A, the light emitting angle and the light emitting range of the light emitting device 11 and the number of light emitting devices are arranged, and the light receiving angle and light receiving range of the light receiving device 12 and the number of light receiving devices are arranged. May be changed.

The illustrated embodiment is configured as described above, and a method of detecting the altered part Aa of oranges A by the mutant part detecting apparatus 10 will be described below. First, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, when the detection sensor 14 detects oranges A placed on the placement unit 13, the CPU based on the detection,
Reference numeral 20 irradiates a specific portion or substantially the entirety of the orange A with the detection light B emitted from the light emitting device 11, and receives the transmitted light C transmitted through the orange A by the light receiving device 12. Also, the detection light B
May be continuously applied to oranges A.

The CPU 20 compares the detection information output from the light receiving device 12 with the comparison information stored in the comparison information storage device 25, and determines whether or not there is a degenerated portion Aa in the pericarp or inside of the orange A. The degree of deterioration and the site and range of the deteriorated portion are determined. In addition, based on the light receiving information output by the light receiving device 12, the maximum value, the minimum value, and the average value of the transmitted light C transmitted through the orange A are calculated. The density value in the dark part and the degree of dispersion of the transmitted light C are calculated.

When the transmitted light amount of the transmitted light C received by the light receiving device 12 is small and the detection information output from the light receiving device 12 and the comparison information stored in the comparison information storage device 24 substantially match, no deterioration or deterioration occurs. It is determined that it is before. On the other hand, when the transmitted light amount and the degree of dispersion of the transmitted light C are larger than the reference value, it is determined that the alteration Aa is in progress.

The unmodified oranges A, which are substantially equal to or less than the preset numerical values, are sorted by item on the basis of the detection information, and the unmodified oranges A are excellent in quality. For example, to meet the standards
Sorting process can be performed for each item such as excellent and good. On the other hand, altered Aa is in progress and
Is determined to be out of specification, and is conveyed to, for example, a disposal process or a recovery process.

As described above, the pericarp and inside of mandarin orange A
If there is a mutated portion such as the altered portion Aa, discoloration, damage, etc., the transmitted light amount of the transmitted light C transmitted through the mutated portion is increased (in other expressions, large, high, and strong), so that the transmitted light C detected at that time is increased. When the detection information is compared with the comparison information of normal oranges stored in advance, it is possible to reliably detect the presence or absence of the mutated portion and the progress thereof from outside the oranges. In addition, since the detection processing and the detection work are performed mechanically, there is no artificial determination error, and it is determined whether or not the pericarp or the inside of the pericarp of the oranges A has a deteriorated part Aa, and the processing of sorting the oranges A by items is performed. Work can be performed accurately and reliably.

FIG. 5 shows another measuring method for measuring predetermined items while transporting the oranges A on the transporting conveyor 23 having a light transmitting property. The transporting conveyor 23 on which the oranges A are placed is shown.
Of the light projecting device 11 by forming the whole or a part of the light emitting device 11 from a material having a light transmitting property or forming a structure that allows transmission of the transmitted light C.
Is irradiated on the oranges A conveyed by the conveyor 23, and the transmitted light C transmitted through the oranges A is received by the light receiving device 12, and the light receiving device 1
2 is compared with the comparison information stored in the comparison information storage device 25 to determine whether there is a degenerated portion Aa in the pericarp or the inside of the orange, the degree of the degeneration, and the location of the degenerated portion. Since the range and the range are determined, substantially the same operation and effect as those of the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

For example, the oranges A are placed on a belt conveyor, a bucket conveyor, a roller conveyor, a free tray, or the like, and are transported. May be temporarily stopped at a fixed position for measurement.

In the correspondence between the structure of the present invention and the above-described embodiment, the object to be detected of the present invention corresponds to the orange A of the embodiment.
Although corresponding to a, the present invention is not limited to only the configuration of the above-described embodiment.

In the above-described embodiment, the oranges A are placed on the mounting portion 13.
Alternatively, a predetermined item is measured while being placed on the transport conveyor 23. For example, in the space where the oranges A are transferred from the front conveyor disposed at a predetermined interval to the rear conveyor, The emitted detection light B is converted to orange A
And the transmitted light C transmitted through the oranges A is received by the light receiving device 12.
May be received.

Further, if a predetermined item of orange A can be detected, the brightness and wavelength of the detection light B may be changed.
The detection light B is not limited to a specific wavelength, either.
Detection may be performed using far-infrared light or detection light having another wavelength, or detection light having a wavelength having a desired color (for example, red or blue).

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a method for measuring oranges using a mutant detection device.

FIG. 2 is a side view showing a measurement state of mandarin orange by a mutant detection device.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a control circuit of the deformed portion detection device.

FIG. 4 is a side view showing a state in which the back side of the orange is measured.

FIG. 5 is a side view showing another measurement method for measuring while transporting oranges.

[Explanation of symbols]

 A ... orange Aa ... altered part (mutated part) B ... detection light C ... transmitted light 10 ... mutation part detection device 11 ... light emitting device 12 ... light receiving device 13 ... mounting part 14 ... detection sensor 19 ... device main body 20 ... CPU 23: Conveyor 24: Comparison information storage device

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 2G051 AA05 AB02 AB20 BA01 BA06 BA20 CA03 CA04 CB02 DA01 DA06 DA13 EA12 EA14 EB01 EB02 EC03 FA10 2G059 AA05 BB11 DD12 EE01 GG03 GG10 HH01 HH02 HH06 JJ01 MM03 MM03

Claims (5)

[Claims] An object is illuminated with a detection light transmitted through the object, and the detection information of the transmitted light transmitted through the object is compared with predetermined comparison information, and the object is detected. A method for detecting a mutated portion of an object to be detected, which detects whether or not there is a mutated portion. A detection light projecting means for irradiating the detection object with detection light transmitted through the detection object; receiving the detection light transmitting through the detection object; Detection light receiving means for outputting, comparison information storage means for storing comparison information for determining a mutated portion of the detected object, detection information output from the detection light receiving means, and storage in the comparison information storage means A mutation part detection device for an object to be detected, comprising: a mutation part judging means for judging the presence or absence of a mutation part by comparing the obtained comparison information. 3. The method for detecting a mutated portion of an object according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the detection light comprises light having a specific wavelength suitable for detecting a mutated portion of the object. Mutation detection device. 4. The method for detecting a mutated portion of an object to be detected according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the transmitted light comprises light having a specific wavelength within a range from a visible region to a near-infrared region. Detection device. 5. The near infrared region of the transmitted light is approximately 1000 nm.
The method and apparatus for detecting a mutated portion of an object to be detected according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the method comprises a light having a specific wavelength within a range of about 1200 nm.