Image analysis – Applications – Manufacturing or product inspection
Patent
1997-12-01
2000-10-24
Boudreau, Leo H.
Image analysis
Applications
Manufacturing or product inspection
250223, 348127, G06K 900, G06M 700, G01N 904, H04N 947
Patent
active
06137900&
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method and a device for detecting containers, e.g., bottles of glass or plastic, or cans made of metal, wood, glass or plastic, which for the recycling of materials or reuse of the container, are transported in a lying position and with their axis parallel to the direction of transport past a detection zone associated with a detector station containing a video camera, a video image analysis of the container being carried out.
It is previously known to view containers with the aid of a video camera, such as described, e.g., in U.S. Pat. No. 4,625,107, where the object is to measure in particular the width of the container.
However, the object of the present invention is to solve the problems associated with detection of containers which are transported in lying position and where the manner in which the containers are inserted must be taken into consideration.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the invention is therefore to provide technical solutions used for the detection of containers.
According to the invention the method is characterised by: conveyed past the video camera; and region of the video camera on the basis of continuous detection of the position and movement of the container in the video image; and/or the container which moves into the detection zone (the video image) whether the container enters the video camera field of view either mouth first (e.g., top portion or neck of bottle) or bottom first, and causing the container to be fed back to a container insertion portion if it comes mouth first, and signalling the need to turn the container so that it is inserted bottom first when reinserted, or causing the container to be conveyed on to a discharge station if it comes bottom first.
On the basis of the video picture of the container, it will also be possible to calculate a characteristic expression of the shape of the container, e.g., contour, surface area in the video image, cross-section or the like.
It would be advantageous to be able to produce a colour video image of a container which is a bottle of plastic or glass, and determine the colour of the container in the video image based on the bottle'light transmittivity to light which is emitted in a cluster of wave lengths.
In order to ensure best possible analysis results, it is also advantageous to determine the most suitable video image with a view to recognition and identification of the container.
It will also be advantageous to scan continuously a field of the video image of the container to search for and register a bar code located on the container.
The invention may also conceivably be used to detect any longitudinal markings in the video image of a container which is a bottle, to emit a signal indicating that the container wholly or partly contains liquid or another substance, and possibly to return the container to the user for emptying prior to reinsertion.
To obtain a most unambiguous indication, it would be advantageous to weight the container, at the same time as a capacitance measurement is carried out.
In addition, it will be preferred to analyse whether the container is of a specific metal type, and this can be carried out using one or more known metal detectors.
According to the invention, the device is characterised in that analyse a sequence of video images whilst the container is conveyed past the video camera, the video analyser containing: container in a viewing region of vision of the video camera on the basis of continuous detection of the position and movement of the container in the video image, and/or detection zone (the video image), whether the container enters the video camera field of view mouth first (e.g., top portion or neck of bottle) or bottom first, and container insertion portion if it comes mouth first, and which has a signalling means for signalling the need to turn the container so that it is inserted bottom first when reinserted, or causes the container to be fed on to a discharge station if it comes bottom first.
In the anal
REFERENCES:
patent: 5007096 (1991-04-01), Yoshida
patent: 5150307 (1992-09-01), McCourt et al.
patent: 5443164 (1995-08-01), Walsh et al.
patent: 5675516 (1997-10-01), Bone et al.
patent: 5692029 (1997-11-01), Husseiny et al.
Flem Lennart
Nordbryhn Andreas
Steidel Tom
Boudreau Leo H.
Cage Shawn B.
Tomra Systems ASA
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