JPS6356076A - Still picture camera for object inspection - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To detect an object without a special sensor and to finely execute the inspection of a high speed moving object by detecting the object with comparing the magnitude of the signal for a video of a specific picture element with a set value. CONSTITUTION:A decision part 11 inputs the signal tor the video from an amplification part 8 and a command signal and a vertical synchronizing signal VD from a counter 10. And corresponding to the command signal the signal for the video in the specific picture element transferred from a horizontal shift register 5 is inputted and the magnitude of the signal for the video is compared with the set value so as to output an object detecting signal when the signal does not coincide with the set value. A picture process part 14 incorporates the picture data in a secondary memory 13 considering the object detecting signal as a trigger and outputs it as a video signal to a monitor 16 and VTR 17 respectively through a picture memory 15 to record. And at the same time the picture process part 14 compares the still picture based on the picture data with a reference still picture and decides whether it is non-defective or defective to display the inspected result on an inspected result display part 18.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of the Invention) The present invention provides a CCD solid-state imaging device comprising a CCD imaging section, a CCD storage section, and a horizontal shift register, for automatically inspecting objects such as products; (-heter beggar) A first circuit that outputs a vertical synchronizing signal VD and, in response to the vertical synchronizing signal VD, transfers the accumulated signal charge of one field of the CCD imaging section to the COD storage 12' by 1X. a transfer pulse Pi; a second transfer pulse Ps for sending the signal charge of the CCD storage section to the horizontal shift reno star;
a timing generation unit that outputs a third transfer pulse Ph for transferring signal charges of the horizontal shift register;
The present invention relates to an FT (frame transfer) type still imaging camera for object inspection.

(Prior art and its problems) In this type of conventional static imaging camera for object inspection, an object detection sensor such as a photoelectric sensor is installed at a predetermined location in the middle of the object conveyance line, and when the sensor detects an object. The camera was configured so that the shutter would be released.

However, in the case of the conventional example having such a configuration, in addition to requiring an object detection sensor, a synchronization circuit must be added to release the shutter in response to the detection of an object by the object detection sensor. The drawback was that it was complicated and expensive.

In addition, precision is required to match the detection position by the object detection sensor and the photographing position by the static imaging camera, and there is a drawback that installation of the object detection sensor and the static imaging camera requires time and effort.

Furthermore, conventional still imaging cameras can only take images at 0 shutter speed for about 1760 seconds, and have the drawback that images of objects moving at high speed are blurred, making it impossible to obtain clear still images.

(Object of the Invention) The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is possible to detect an object with a simple and inexpensive structure without requiring a special sensor, and to detect an object that moves at high speed. The object of the present invention is to enable clear still images of objects to be obtained and to enable good inspection of objects.

(Structure and Effects of the Invention) In order to achieve such an object, the present invention provides a still imaging camera for object inspection described at the beginning (after the output of the first transfer pulse Pi, one field of horizontal line The set number of second transfer pulses Ps smaller than
and a counter that outputs a command signal when it measures that a set number of third transfer pulses ph smaller than the number of vertical lines in one field have been output, and a counter that outputs a command signal from the horizontal shift register in response to the command signal. a determination unit that inputs the transferred video signal, compares the magnitude of the video signal with a set value, and outputs an object detection signal when the magnitude of the video signal does not match the set value; and in response to the object detection signal. and an image extracting means for extracting a video signal for one field.

According to this configuration, the signal charges for the set number of horizontal lines accumulated in the COD storage section are transferred to the horizontal shift register, and further, the signal charges for the set number of vertical lines are transferred from the signal charges transferred to the horizontal shift register. When the charge is transferred, a command signal is output from the counter. Based on this, a video signal of a specific pixel is extracted, and the magnitude of this video signal is compared with a set value in the determination section. An object detection signal is output by capturing the change in the magnitude of the video signal, and when this object detection signal is output, one field of video signal is extracted by the image extraction means, and the still image in which the object is being photographed is extracted. You can get the image.

Therefore, since the object is detected by the object inspection static imaging camera itself, there is no need for a special sensor, and there is no need for a synchronization circuit to release the shutter based on object detection by the sensor, making the configuration simple and inexpensive. It is now possible to accurately obtain a still image of an object, and it also eliminates the need to match the detection position of an object detection sensor with the shooting position of a still imaging camera, making installation easier. became.

Furthermore, by transferring the signal charges accumulated in the CCD imaging section, a video signal is extracted via the COD accumulation section and the horizontal shift register, and a still image is obtained based on the video signal, so the transfer timing must be set appropriately. This makes it possible to take pictures with a high shutter speed, and it is now possible to obtain clear still images without blur, even when objects are moving at high speed.

(Description of Examples) Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on examples shown in the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a still imaging camera according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, 1 is a photographic lens, and 2 is a CCD solid-state image sensor, which converts an optical signal incident through the photographic lens 1 into an electrical signal.

A is a belt conveyor that conveys an object B such as a product.

The CCD solid-state imaging device 2 includes a CCD imaging section 3 and a CC
A D bond storage unit 4 and a horizontal shift register 5 are provided.

As a result, during imaging, the CCD imaging unit 3 accumulates signal charges that have been photoelectrically converted according to the brightness of the incident light, and among the image data accumulated in the CCD imaging unit 3, horizontal lines The image data (signal charges) for 4 horizontal lines are transferred to the COD accumulation by inputting one clock of the first transfer pulse Pi, and the image data (signal charges) for 4 horizontal lines are transferred to the second transfer pulse Ps.
The accumulated signal charges of one field of the CCD Jl image section 3 are transferred to the horizontal shift register 5 by the input of 1 clock of The data is then transferred to the horizontal shift register 5.

Furthermore, one field's worth of image data transferred to the horizontal shift register 5 is transferred to the outside manually by the third transfer pulse Pn.

Reference numeral 6 denotes a timing generator, which outputs a vertical synchronizing signal VD and a horizontal synchronizing signal HD, and in response to the vertical synchronizing signal VD, transmits each of the first transfer pulse Pi and the second transfer pulse Ps to a dry nozzle (-circuit). CC via 7
The third transfer pulse ph is outputted to the D imaging section 3, and the third transfer pulse ph is applied to the COD storage through the driver circuit 7.

The timing generator 6 is equipped with a counter (not shown), which is cleared by the input of the vertical synchronizing signal VD, and configured to count the horizontal synchronizing signal HD, and when the counter is set to a set value. and when the count value matches the set value, the start signal is COD.
It is designed to be output to the clear pulse generator. This setting value is the horizontal synchronization signal HD in one field period.
The setting value is set to a value smaller than the number of , and the setting value can be changed. In the COD clear pulse generation section,
In response to the activation signal from the counter, a number of clear pulses (same as the first transfer pulse Pi and second transfer pulse Ps) greater than the number of pixels of the CCD imaging unit 3 and the COD storage unit 4 are generated. , the CCD imaging section 3 and C
The signal charge remaining or accumulated in the CD storage section 4 is transferred and cleared, this point is set as the shutter timing, and the period from there until the next output point of the vertical synchronization signal VD is set as the shutter period (shutter speed). ing.

It is preferable to provide two set values for the counter and output the activation signal twice at close timings.

The signal charges (image data) transferred from the horizontal shift register 5 are amplified through an amplifying section 8 and stored in a primary memory 9.

The first transfer pulse Pi, the second transfer pulse Ps, and the third transfer pulse Ph from the timing generator 6 are each input to a counter 10, and compared with a set number of pulses in the counter 10, the first transfer pulse After the output of the transfer pulse Pi, a set number of second transfer pulses Ps smaller than the number of horizontal lines of the L field, and a third transfer pulse Ps of a set number smaller than the number of vertical lines of the L field.
When it is determined that h is output, a counter output is output as a command signal.

ll is a determination section, and this determination section 11 receives the video signal from the amplification section 8, the command signal, and the timing generation section 6.
In response to the command signal, the video signal transferred from the horizontal shift lens star 5 is input, the magnitude of the video signal is compared with the set value, and the set value and the set value are compared. An object detection signal is output when there is no match.

In this way, an object is detected from a change in the magnitude of the video signal at a specific pixel. This specific pixel includes the second transfer pulse Ps and the third transfer pulse T.
The respective set numbers can be changed, thereby making it possible to detect the presence or absence of an object at a desired position within the photographic field of view.

The object detection signal is input to the primary memory 9, and in response to the object detection signal, the analog image data is digitized by the A/D converter 12 and stored in the secondary memory 13 as digital image data. ing.

The object detection signal is also input to the image processing section 14, and the object detection signal is used as a trigger to capture data in the secondary memory 13, and output the image data as a video signal to the monitor 16 via the image memory I5. In addition to outputting and recording to each rRI 7, the still image stored in the image data from the secondary memory 13 is compared with the standard still image, and it is determined whether the product is good or defective depending on the political change, and the inspection results are The test results are displayed on the test result display section 18.

A vertical synchronizing signal VD and a horizontal synchronizing signal I (D) from the timing generating section 6 are respectively input to the monitor 16 and the VTR+7, and upon playback, the video signal for the ■ field is taken out and the still image is made into a good quality. It can be played back and displayed.

The image processing section 14, the image memory 15, the monitor I6 and the VTRI 7 are referred to as image retrieval means.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained using the time charts shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

As shown in FIG. 2(a), a vertical synchronizing signal VD is output every predetermined period T (1/60 seconds), and a predetermined shutter speed T is output between adjacent vertical synchronizing signals VD.
1 nt (11500~l/2000 seconds), Figure 2 (
As shown in b), the first transfer pulse Pi is output, and at a predetermined timing while the first transfer pulse Pi is being output, as shown in FIG. Outputs a counter output as a command signal.

Then, the determination unit 11 compares the magnitude of the video signal from the amplification unit 8 with the setting value, and if they do not match, the output of the establishment unit as an object detection signal is determined as shown in FIG. 2(d). put out. With this enactment section output, Figure 2 (e
), close the input gate of the determination unit 11-\,
And in order to output the enactment section output to the primary memory 9,
The video signal from the amplifying section 8 is input manually to the primary memory 9, as shown in Figure 2 ([), and the video signal is input from the primary memory 9 as shown in Figure 2 (g). As shown in FIG. 2(h), a video signal is output only in response to the output of the enactment section, and the video signal is output from the secondary memory 13 to the image processing section 14 as shown in FIG. 2(h). do.

The image processing unit 14 determines whether the object is a good product or a defective product based on an image based on this video signal.

Next, input/output in the above-mentioned determination section 11 will be explained.

As shown in FIG. 3(a), the second transfer pulse Ps responsive to the first transfer pulse Pi is input to the counter 10, and between adjacent second transfer pulses Ps,
As shown in FIG. 3(b), the third transfer pulse ph is input. On the other hand, the primary memory 9 has a
As shown in C), the primary memory power as a video signal from the amplifying section 8 is obtained. Then, when a set number of second transfer pulses Ps and third transfer pulses T are input, a counter output is output from the counter 10 as shown in FIG. 3(d), and the counter output is responded to. At that time, the magnitude of the video signal corresponding to the specific pixel inputted to the determination unit +1 is compared with the set value, and if the two match, the established value is determined as shown in FIG. 3(e). On the other hand, when there is a discrepancy, the third
As shown in Figure (f), the enactment section output is output, and based on it, the process proceeds to the above-mentioned process.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a still imaging camera for object inspection according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a time chart explaining the operation of the embodiment, and FIG. 3 is an input of the determination unit. 3 is a time chart illustrating an output operation. 2... Solid-state imaging device, 3... CCD imaging section, 4... COD storage section, 5... Horizontal shift register, 6... Timing generation section, 1O... Counter, 11... Judgment department.

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) A CCD solid-state imaging device consisting of a CCD imaging section, a CCD storage section, and a horizontal shift register, and a vertical synchronization signal V
a first transfer pulse Pi that outputs signal D and transfers one field's worth of accumulated signal charge of the CCD imaging section to the CCD storage section in response to the vertical synchronization signal VD;
For object inspection, comprising a timing generating section that outputs a second transfer pulse Ps that transfers the signal charge of the CD storage section to the horizontal shift register, and a third transfer pulse Ph that transfers the signal charge of the horizontal shift register. A still imaging camera, wherein after outputting the first transfer pulse Pi, a set number of second transfer pulses Ps smaller than one horizontal line of one field is provided.
and a counter that outputs a command signal when it measures that a set number of third transfer pulses Ph smaller than the number of vertical lines in one field have been output; and a counter that outputs a command signal from the horizontal shift register in response to the command signal. a determination unit that inputs the transferred video signal, compares the magnitude of the video signal with a set value, and outputs an object detection signal when the magnitude of the video signal does not match the set value; and in response to the object detection signal. A still imaging camera for object inspection, comprising an image extraction means for extracting one field worth of video signals.