JP3072077B2 - Discrimination device based on video signal - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a discriminating apparatus capable of discriminating the size of a discrimination target by processing a discrimination target video signal captured by an image pickup means. Can be used to determine whether is sand or gravel.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, in a ready-mixed concrete manufacturing plant,
Sand and gravel are brought in by truck, and the sand is stored in a sand storage area.
Gravel is dumped in the gravel storage. When removing sand or gravel from a truck, if the place where the sand and gravel is removed is incorrect, sand and gravel will be mixed, and the mixing ratio of sand and gravel during the production of ready-mixed concrete will change, and the quality of the product will deteriorate. You will have to do a lot of troublesome work such as separating

[0003] Conventionally, when sand or gravel is carried into a ready-mixed concrete manufacturing plant by truck, an attendant visually checks the cargo and instructs a storage place to unload the cargo. Such discrimination is not limited to discrimination between sand and gravel, but is also performed visually, for example, in a fruit processing plant such as oranges, and specifies the unloading location according to the type of discriminated fruit. .

[0004]

The above-described conventional discrimination method has a drawback in that it requires a human to perform the discrimination because it is performed by the naked eye. In addition, since the determination is made by the human eye, the determination may be erroneously made due to carelessness or the like. Even if the determination is made correctly, the subsequent instructions may be inadvertently mistaken.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems. By taking in a video signal to be discriminated and performing signal processing, the size of the grain to be discriminated can be reduced without requiring any human intervention. It is an object of the present invention to provide a discriminating apparatus that can discriminate whether the size is large or small, and that uses a highly reliable video signal without discrimination errors. Another object of the present invention is to provide a discriminating apparatus based on a video signal that can discriminate whether the size of a discrimination target is large, medium, or small.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the invention according to claim 1 comprises an image pickup means for capturing a video to be determined, and a frequency component of a video signal converted into a high frequency component and a low frequency component. A band-pass filter that separates, an integration circuit that converts the high-frequency component and the low-frequency component into DC signals corresponding to the respective component levels, and comparing whether each of the DC signals is equal to or higher than a predetermined level, And comparing means for determining whether the size of the grain to be determined is large or small.

[0007] The invention according to claim 2 is an imaging means for capturing an image to be determined, a band-pass filter for dividing a frequency component of the video signal into a high-frequency component, a middle-frequency component, and a low-frequency component;
An integration circuit that converts the high-frequency component, the middle-frequency component, and the low-frequency component into DC signals corresponding to the respective component levels, and a determination target by comparing whether each of the DC signals is at or above a predetermined level. And comparing means for discriminating large, medium and small of the size of the particles.

[0008] As the invention of claim 3, wherein, in the invention of claim 1 or 2 wherein, have to have desired to provide a priority circuit for selecting by priority to the determination target larger of the outputs of the comparing means .

As in the fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, it is preferable to provide a range designating means for designating a part of the fetched video signal of the discrimination target and setting it as an effective video signal. . The invention according to claim 1 can be used as a device for determining whether the material is sand or gravel, as in the invention according to claim 5 . Like the invention according to claim 6, in the invention according to claim 1, it is more preferable to provide a correction means for correcting the separated signal level.

[0010]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a discriminating apparatus based on a video signal according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, an image pickup means (not shown) is connected to an input terminal 1 so that a video signal to be determined is input. The input terminal 1 is connected to the three band-pass filters 41, 42, 43 and the synchronization separation circuit 8 via the buffer amplifier 2, and is connected to the monitor output terminal 3 with high impedance. Bandpass filter 4
1 passes the high frequency band, the band pass filter 42 passes the middle frequency band, and the band pass filter 43 passes the low frequency band. These three band-pass filters 41, 42, and 43 constitute a separating unit 4 that divides the frequency component of the video signal into a high-frequency component, a low-frequency component, and a middle-frequency component. The monitor output terminal 3 is connected to an appropriate monitor such as a CRT or a liquid crystal panel.

The synchronizing separation circuit 8 separates a horizontal synchronizing signal and a vertical synchronizing signal contained in a video signal, and the output is input to a gate pulse generator 9. The gate pulse generator 9 functions as a range designating unit that designates a part of the horizontal synchronizing signal and the vertical synchronizing signal from the fetched video signals to be determined to be effective video signals. More specifically, three switch means 31, 3
The effective video signal range is designated by controlling on and off of the switches 2 and 33. Although the switch means 31, 32, 33 are shown in the form of switch contacts for convenience of illustration, they can be constituted by appropriate switch means, for example, a gate circuit. The three switch means 31, 32, 33 are respectively connected between the output of the band-pass filter 41 and the input of the integration circuit 51, the output of the band-pass filter 42 and the integration circuit 52.
, And between the output of the band-pass filter 43 and the input of the integration circuit 53.

Each of the integrating circuits 51, 52, and 53 integrates the high frequency component, the low frequency component, and the middle frequency component separated by the band pass filters 41, 42, and 43, respectively, so that each component level is integrated. Function as a converting means 5 for converting the DC signal into a DC signal corresponding to. Each integrating circuit 51, 52 and 53 comprises an amplifier circuit as a correction means for correcting the level difference due to the frequency components. The output of the integration circuit 51 is input to the comparator 61, the output of the integration circuit 52 is input to the comparator 62, and the output of the integration circuit 53 is input to the comparator 63.
The output of 53 is binarized. As a reference voltage for each of the comparators 61, 62, and 63, a common voltage is input from a potentiometer 35 as sensitivity adjustment means. Since a level difference occurs in the entire input image depending on the ambient brightness, the brightness of the determination target, and other various conditions, the reference voltage is adjusted by the potentiometer 35 to correct the level difference. Each of the comparators 61, 62, and 63 is provided with each of the integration circuits 51, 52, and 53.
Comparing means for determining whether the size of the grain to be determined is large, small, or even medium by comparing whether or not each DC signal converted by the above is a predetermined level or more. 6. The discriminating function of each of the comparators 61, 62, and 63 is enabled or disabled by switching on and off a sensor on / off switch connected to the external connection terminal 28.

The size of the grain to be determined is determined in three stages, large, medium and small.
For example, if it is determined to be large gravel, small gravel, or sand, the video signal of the sand contains only the high frequency. On the other hand, the video signal of the small gravel contains not only the middle frequency but also the high frequency due to small irregularities on the surface of the small gravel. Further, the large gravel video signal includes a low frequency, a high frequency due to small irregularities on the surface of the large gravel, and further includes a middle frequency. Therefore, when the object to be discriminated is small gravel, a signal may be output from the comparator 62 and also a signal may be output from the comparator 61. Further, when the object to be discriminated is large gravel, a signal is output from the comparator 63 and the comparator 61 outputs the signal.
2 may also output a signal. Therefore, the outputs of the comparators 61, 62 and 63 are output to the large gravel priority circuit 7.
, And when signals are output from a plurality of comparators, the one having the larger grain to be determined is preferentially selected. The large gravel priority circuit 7 can be constituted by, for example, a logic circuit, and when large, medium and small outputs are mixed in the output from the comparison means 6, the smaller output can be negated.

The large gravel priority circuit 7 outputs a signal from an output terminal corresponding to any one of sand, small gravel, and large gravel. Relays 11, 12, and 13 are connected to output terminals of the large gravel priority circuit 7, respectively. Each relay 11, 1
LEDs 14, 15, and 16 are connected to 2 and 13 in parallel. Each of the LEDs 14, 15, and 16 is selected and lit according to whether the object to be determined is sand, small gravel, or large gravel. For example, the location where the cargo should be unloaded is illuminated. It may be. Each relay 1
1, 12, and 13 have make contacts 21, 22, and 23, respectively, and each make contact 21, 22, and 23 has connection terminals 25, 26, and 27, respectively, and indicates sand, small gravel, and large gravel. It is connected to the. These sand display means, small gravel display means and large gravel display means may be installed, for example, at a place where the cargo should be unloaded. In this case, it is possible to instruct the user to unload the truck at the location selected and displayed by the display means. Each of these display means may be a visual means by lighting display as described above, a means for displaying by voice, or a combination of these.

Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described.
Now, for example, it is assumed that a truck loaded with raw materials enters a ready-mixed concrete manufacturing plant. An image pickup means is installed at the entrance of a truck or on a passage, and the image pickup means inputs a video signal of a load of the truck from an input terminal 1. This video signal is input to a monitor connected to the monitor output terminal 3, and a video of the cargo is displayed. The video signal is separated by a bandpass filter 41, 42, 43 into a high frequency, a medium frequency, and a low frequency in the separating means 4. The frequency component of the video signal varies depending on the load. If the load is sand, it contains a high frequency component (for example, 2 to 3 MHz). If the load is small gravel, it contains a medium frequency component (for example, 800 to 900 KHz). In this case, a low frequency component (for example, 150 to 250 KHz) is included. The video signal is also separated into a horizontal synchronizing signal and a vertical synchronizing signal by a sync separation circuit 8, and a gate pulse generator 9
A gate pulse is generated to gate a portion of the video signal defined by the horizontal synchronization signal and the vertical synchronization signal that is not a cargo video signal (a blanking portion and its periphery).

Each band pass filter 41 of the separating means 4
The signals passed through 42 and 43 are electrically switched in the range specified by the gate pulse generator 9 so that only the effective image range is used, and only the effective image range is output. This effective video signal is input to integration circuits 51, 52, 53 constituting the conversion means 5 into a DC signal, respectively.
It is converted into a DC signal according to each frequency component.
When the frequency components are converted to DC by an integrating circuit, the DC signal level of the low-frequency component is higher than that of the high-frequency component.
The gains of the amplifier circuits included in the integration circuits 51, 52, and 53 are set so as to correct the level difference between the outputs of 1, 42, and 43.

Each of the integrating circuits 51, 5 converted into a DC voltage
The output signals of the comparators 2 and 53 are output from the comparators 6 of the comparing means 6.
1, 62 and 63 are compared with a predetermined reference voltage and binarized. If the discrimination target is sand, a signal such as “1” or “H” is output from the comparator 61. If the discrimination target is small gravel, the comparator 62 outputs the signal. A signal is output. Also, as described above, in the case of small gravel, a high frequency component may be included, and a signal may be output from the comparator 61 in addition to the comparator 62. In the case of large gravel, the middle frequency component and There is a case where a high frequency component is included, and a signal may be output from the comparator 62 in addition to the comparator 63 and the comparator 61. Therefore, each of the comparators 61, 62,
The output of 63 is input to the gravel priority circuit 7, and when a plurality of signals are input, the output of the comparator 63 is given the highest priority, and the output of the comparator 62 is selected first.

If the object to be determined is sand, a large gravel priority circuit 7
Selects the signal of the comparator 61 and energizes the relay 11, and if the determination target is small gravel, the large gravel priority circuit 7 selects the signal of the comparator 62 and energizes the relay 12,
If the determination target is large gravel, the large gravel priority circuit 7 selects the signal of the comparator 63 and energizes the relay 13. At the same time that one of the relays 11, 12, and 13 is selected and energized, one of the LEDs 14, 15, and 16 is selected and energized and emits light. , It can be determined whether it is small gravel or large gravel. Further, when one of the above-mentioned relays is selected and energized, the make contact is turned on, and, for example, a place to be unloaded is indicated visually or by voice using an indicator light or the like. Run the truck to the designated location and unload the cargo.

According to the above-described embodiment, an image to be discriminated is captured, and its frequency component is separated to discriminate whether it is sand, small gravel or large gravel, and the discrimination result is displayed. Therefore, it is possible to determine whether the discrimination target is sand, small gravel, or large gravel without manual intervention, and to make a mistake in discrimination that is likely to occur when discriminating manually or to give an instruction after discrimination. Can be prevented.

In the embodiment described above, whether sand, small gravel or large gravel is discriminated in three stages. However, sand, small gravel, sand or large gravel, small gravel or large gravel. The determination may be made in two stages such as gravel. In addition, although the description has been made on the assumption that sand and gravel are used as discrimination targets, the discrimination target is not limited to this, and can be applied to any object that can be discriminated based on the size of grains. For example, in a fruit processing plant, it can also be applied as a size discriminating device for the raw material fruits that are carried in
The present invention can also be applied as an apparatus for discriminating a variety of beans based on the size of grains. The shape of the grain to be determined is arbitrary, and may be round or angular.

[0021]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, an image pickup means for capturing a video to be determined, a band-pass filter for dividing a frequency component of a video signal into a high-frequency component and a low-frequency component, An integration circuit that converts the frequency component into a DC signal corresponding to each component level, and a comparison of whether each DC signal is at or above a predetermined level. Since it has a comparing means for determining whether or not the size of the target particle is large, it is possible to determine the size of the particle to be determined without manual operation, and it is possible to save labor. Error of the discrimination and an error of the instruction after the discrimination can be prevented.

According to the second aspect of the invention, the imaging means as described above, a band-pass filter and integrator circuit, the product
Since each of the DC signals converted and output by the branching circuit is compared with each other to determine whether the level is equal to or higher than a predetermined level, the DC signal has a comparing unit that determines the size of the grain to be determined, The size of the grain to be identified can be determined to be large, medium, or small without manual intervention, saving labor.In addition, errors in identification that are likely to occur when manual Errors can be prevented.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, a priority circuit for preferentially selecting one of the outputs of the respective comparing means having a larger grain to be discriminated is provided. Therefore, in addition to the low frequency component or the mid frequency component in the video signal to be determined,
Alternatively, even when the middle frequency components are mixed, it is possible to accurately determine that the target grain is large or medium.

[0024]

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a range designating means for designating a part of the video signal to be discriminated as a valid video signal. Only the effective range for the discrimination can be specified, and the reliability of the discrimination result can be improved.

The discriminating apparatus of the present invention, as the invention of claim 5, wherein, it can be used as one of the discriminating apparatus which is gravel or a sand.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the correction means for correcting the separated signal level is provided, so that the frequency component of the video signal is in the middle range irrespective of the high frequency range. Regardless of whether the signal is in the low frequency range or not, the signal level can be corrected to substantially the same level for determination, and the reliability of the determination result can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a circuit block diagram showing an embodiment of a discrimination device based on a video signal according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 4 separation means 5 conversion means 6 comparison means 7 priority circuit 9 range specification means 41 band pass filter 42 band pass filter 43 band pass filter 51 integration circuit 52 integration circuit 53 integration circuit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) G01N 15/00-15/14 JICST file (JOIS)

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] An image capturing means for capturing a video to be determined, and a bus for dividing a frequency component of a video signal into a high-frequency component and a low-frequency component.
A high-pass component and an integrating circuit for converting the high-frequency component and the low-frequency component into DC signals corresponding to the respective component levels, and determining whether each of the DC signals is equal to or higher than a predetermined level. A discriminating apparatus based on a video signal, comprising: comparing means for discriminating whether the size of a target grain is large or small. 2. An imaging means for capturing an image to be discriminated, a band-pass filter for dividing a frequency component of a video signal into a high-frequency component, a middle-frequency component, and a low-frequency component; An integrating circuit that converts the component into a DC signal corresponding to the level of each component, and determines whether the size of the grain to be determined is large or medium by comparing whether each of the DC signals is at or above a predetermined level. A discriminating device based on a video signal, comprising a comparing unit. 3. A priority circuit for preferentially selecting one of the outputs of each comparing means having a larger grain to be determined.
Or the discrimination device based on the video signal according to 2. 4. A part of a captured video signal to be determined.
With a range designating means for designating the effective video signal by designating
A discriminating apparatus based on the video signal according to claim 1 or 2 . 5. A method for determining whether the object is sand or gravel.
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein 6. A correction means for correcting a separated signal level.
The apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a step .