JP7499097B2 - X-ray inspection method and apparatus - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an X-ray inspection method and device, and in particular to an X-ray inspection method and device for inspecting packaging.

X-ray inspection devices are known as devices that inspect whether foreign objects are present in packages containing products in bags. X-ray inspection devices irradiate the packages with X-rays from an X-ray irradiation unit, and detect the X-rays that penetrate the packages with an X-ray detection unit to obtain an X-ray transmission image, and determine the presence or absence of foreign objects based on the shading level of the image.

Some recent X-ray inspection devices are equipped with a function to inspect for pinching defects in the seal portion. Pinching defects occur when a product or the like is pinched when the opening of the package is sealed, or when the bag becomes wrinkled. The sealed area is identified from the X-ray image of the package, and a pass/fail judgment is made based on the shading level of the sealed area. For example, the X-ray inspection device in Patent Document 1 extracts an outline area from the X-ray image of the package, identifies the sealed area by reducing the width of the sealed area by a preset value based on the outline area, and judges whether the sealed area is pinched or not based on the shading level of the sealed area.

Patent No. 6556671

However, in actuality, packages swell when they contain products, and the bag's outer shape is often distorted. For example, the bulging package may cause part of the outer edge to become distorted or the bag to become tilted, which can cause the problem of not being able to accurately identify the sealing area. The X-ray inspection device of Patent Document 1 described above identifies the sealing area by reducing the width dimension of the sealing area based on the outer shape area, which causes problems such as only being able to find a sealing area with a simple shape similar to the outer shape area, and not being able to accurately identify the sealing area if the outer shape is distorted.

As a result, conventional X-ray inspection devices had difficulty in accurately identifying the sealing area, and there was a problem in that they were unable to accurately determine any jamming defects (especially jamming defects that occur at the boundary of the sealing area).

The present invention was made in consideration of these circumstances, and aims to provide an X-ray inspection method and device that can handle cases where the outer shape is irregular or the sealing area has a complex shape.

To achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 provides an X-ray inspection method for inspecting a package having a storage area and a sealing area by irradiating X-rays to the package, the method comprising a pre-processing step of performing X-ray opacity treatment on one of the storage area and the sealing area of a sample of the package, and acquiring a sample image showing the storage area or the sealing area of the sample from an X-ray transmission image obtained by irradiating the sample with X-rays, and an inspection step of acquiring an X-ray transmission image of the package by irradiating X-rays to the package, identifying the storage area or the sealing area of the package by matching the sample image to the X-ray transmission image of the package, and determining whether the identified area is good or bad.

In the present invention, an X-ray transmission image in which the storage area or seal area is clearly indicated is obtained by subjecting a sample of the package to X-ray impermeability. The sample image is then matched to the X-ray transmission image of the package to identify the storage area or seal area of the package. By obtaining the sample image in this way and matching it to the X-ray transmission image of the package, the area is identified by comparing the images. This makes it possible to reliably identify the area even if the storage area or seal area has a complex shape. Furthermore, it is possible to reliably identify the area even if the external shape of the package is irregular. Therefore, according to the present invention, the storage area or seal area can be correctly identified, and pass/fail judgment can be performed accurately. The X-ray transmission image of the package is matched to the sample image by image matching techniques such as pattern matching.

To achieve the above object, the invention of claim 2 provides an X-ray inspection method for inspecting a package having a storage area and a sealing area by irradiating X-rays to the package, the method comprising a pre-processing step of acquiring a sample image by displaying an X-ray transmission image obtained by irradiating X-rays to a sample of the package on a screen and identifying the storage area or sealing area of the sample on the screen, and an inspection step of acquiring an X-ray transmission image of the package by irradiating X-rays to the package, identifying the storage area or sealing area of the package by matching the sample image to the X-ray transmission image of the package, and determining whether the identified area is good or bad.

In the present invention, an X-ray transmission image of a sample is displayed on a screen, and the storage area or sealing area is identified on the screen. Therefore, a sample image in which the storage area or sealing area is clearly indicated can be obtained, and the area can be identified reliably even if the storage area or sealing area has a complex shape. Furthermore, the area can be identified reliably even if the external shape of the package is irregular. Therefore, according to the present invention, the storage area and sealing area can be correctly identified, and pass/fail judgment can be performed accurately.

The invention of claim 3 is the same as claim 1 or 2, and is characterized in that the pre-processing step acquires a plurality of the sample images, and the inspection step selects and adapts a sample image from the plurality of sample images suitable for comparison with the X-ray transmission image of the package. According to the present invention, even if the shape of each product differs slightly, the region can be accurately identified by selecting an appropriate sample image from the plurality of sample images.

The invention of claim 4 is the same as claim 1 or 2, in which the pre-processing step extracts feature points from the X-ray image of the sample, and the inspection step extracts feature points corresponding to the feature points of the sample from the X-ray image of the package, and matches the sample image to the X-ray image of the package based on the feature points of the sample and the feature points of the package. According to the present invention, feature points are extracted from two images, and the two images are matched based on the feature points, so that matching is possible even if there is a misalignment between the two images (for example, one is deformed or rotated, or the images are different in size, etc.).

To achieve the above object, the invention of claim 5 provides an X-ray inspection device comprising an X-ray irradiation unit that irradiates X-rays onto a package having a storage area and a sealing area, and an X-ray detection unit that acquires an X-ray transmission image of the package, the X-ray inspection device further comprising: a sample image acquisition means that acquires a sample image of the storage area or the sealing area from an X-ray transmission image of a sample of the package acquired using the X-ray irradiation unit and the X-ray detection unit; and a specific area determination means that identifies the storage area or the sealing area of the package by matching the sample image to the X-ray transmission image of the package and determines whether it is good or bad.

The invention of claim 6 is characterized in that in claim 5, the sample image acquisition means acquires the sample image by identifying an X-ray opaque portion that has been previously applied to one of the storage area and the sealing area.

The invention of claim 7 is the same as in claim 5, and is characterized in that the sample image acquisition means includes a touch panel on which an X-ray transmission image of the sample is displayed, and an identification means for identifying the sample storage area or sealing area by detecting contact with the X-ray transmission image of the sample displayed on the touch panel.

According to the present invention, a sample image of the sealing area or the containing area is obtained and the sample image is adapted to the X-ray image of the package, so that the sealing area or the containing area of the package can be more accurately identified and the quality of the area can be accurately determined.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of an X-ray inspection apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Schematic diagram showing the packaging and sample configuration FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a flow of X-ray inspection in the first embodiment. FIG. 1 shows an example of feature points. Diagram explaining the matching process FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the first embodiment; FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the first embodiment; FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of an X-ray inspection apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a sample image setting screen in the second embodiment; FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a flow of X-ray inspection in the second embodiment.

A preferred embodiment of the X-ray inspection device according to the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of the configuration of the X-ray inspection device according to the present invention. The X-ray inspection device 10 shown in the figure is a device that uses X-rays to inspect packages 12, and has the function of inspecting the packages 12 for foreign objects and jamming defects.

2(a) shows an example of the package 12, in which the product 12Y is contained in the outer bag 12X. The outer bag 12X has a sealed area 12A formed by sealing the entire outer periphery, and a storage area 12B for the product 12Y is formed inside the sealed area 12A. A zipper 12C is provided on one side of the sealed area 12A, and the product 12Y can be put in and taken out of the storage area 12B through the zipper 12C. In addition, a hole 12D is formed near the zipper 12C, and the package 12 can be hung by inserting a hook of a product shelf or the like into the hole 12D. Furthermore, a cut 12E is formed near the zipper 12C, and the outer bag 12Y can be torn from the cut 12E. Note that the package 12 is not limited to the above-mentioned configuration, and may have a sealed area 12A provided only on one side of the package 12, or only on two opposing sides. Additionally, the chuck 12C, hole 12D, and notch 12E are provided as needed and are not required.

Figure 2(b) shows a sample 14 of the package 12. The sample 14 has the same structure as the package 12, and the outer periphery of the outer bag 14X is sealed all around to form a sealed area 14A, with a storage area 14B formed inside. A zipper 14C is formed on one side of the sealed area 14A, and a hole 14D and a cut 14E are formed nearby. The sample 14 does not need to have a product 12Y in the storage area 14B, and instead a sample of a foreign object may be provided. This sample 14 is inspected by the X-ray inspection device 10 after being processed to be opaque to X-rays, as described below.

As shown in FIG. 1, the X-ray inspection device 10 mainly comprises a conveying unit 20, an X-ray irradiation unit 22, an X-ray detection unit 24, an operation unit 26, a display unit 28, and a control unit 30. The conveying unit 20 is a belt conveyor that conveys packages 12 and samples 14 (hereinafter referred to as conveyed items 12, etc.), and the conveying speed, etc. are controlled by the control unit 30.

An X-ray irradiation unit 22 is provided above the conveyor unit 20, and X-rays are emitted downward from this X-ray irradiation unit 22. An X-ray detection unit 24 is provided below the belt of the conveyor unit 20, and this X-ray detection unit 24 detects X-rays that have passed through the packages 12, etc.

The X-ray detection unit 24 is connected to the control unit 30, and a detection signal from the X-ray detection unit 24 is input to the control unit 30. The control unit 30 performs various signal processing on the detection signal to determine foreign body inspection and jamming inspection, and includes an image generation unit 32, a sample image generation unit 34, a compatibility processing unit 36, a pass/fail judgment unit 38, a memory 40, etc.

The detection signal from the X-ray detection unit 24 is first sent to the image generation unit 32, which generates an X-ray transmission image. The output destination of this X-ray transmission image signal is switched depending on the inspection object; if the inspection object is a package 12, it is output to the compatibility processing unit 36, and if the inspection object is a sample 14, it is output to the sample image generation unit 34.

The sample image generating unit 34 determines whether the gray level density of the X-ray transmission image of the sample 14 exceeds a reference value, extracts the exceeding portion as the seal area 14A of the sample 14, and displays the extracted image on the display unit 28. The operator checks the image of the seal area 14A displayed on the display unit 28, operates the operation unit 26 to correct the image as necessary, and then operates a confirmation button (not shown) on the operation unit 26 to confirm it as a sample image. By confirming it as a sample image, the image data of the seal area 14A is stored in the memory 40.

On the other hand, when the X-ray transmission image of the package 12 is input, the matching processing unit 36 performs an image matching process between the X-ray transmission image and the sample image stored in the memory 40. That is, it searches for and identifies where in the X-ray transmission image there is a shape similar to the sample image (= the image of the seal area 14B). In this way, the image of the seal area 12A is identified from the X-ray transmission image of the package 12. Note that the type of image matching process is not particularly limited, but feature-based matching is preferable, as described below.

The compatibility processing unit 36 identifies the seal area 12A from the X-ray transmission image of the package 12, and then outputs the extracted image data to the pass/fail judgment unit 38. The pass/fail judgment unit 38 makes a judgment based on the shading density of the image of the seal area 12A, and judges it as "OK (no bite defects)" if the shading density does not exceed the standard value. Conversely, if the shading density exceeds the standard value, it judges it as "NG (there is a bite defect)" and displays an image of the seal area 12A with the exceeding part highlighted on the display unit 28. In this manner, the inspection for bite defects is performed.

In addition to inspecting for jamming defects, foreign object inspection inside the storage area 12B can also be performed at the same time. Specifically, when the compatibility processing unit 36 identifies the sealing area 12A, it identifies the storage area 12B, which is its internal area. The compatibility processing unit 36 then extracts an image of the storage area 12B and outputs it to the quality determination unit 38, which determines whether the shading density exceeds a reference value. If it does exceed the reference value, it is determined to be "NG (foreign object present)" and an image with that part highlighted is displayed on the display unit 28. This allows the storage area 12B to be inspected for foreign objects.

The operation unit 26 in FIG. 1 is a button provided around the display unit 28 or a button displayed on the screen of the display unit 28. Details of the operation unit 26 are omitted, but for example, a mode switching button (not shown) is provided. The mode switching button is a button that switches depending on whether the inspection target is the package 12 or the sample 14, and sets the inspection mode in the case of the package 12, and switches to the sample mode in the case of the sample 14. In the sample mode, after X-raying the sample 14, an extracted image of the seal area 14A is displayed on the display unit 28, so that the extracted image can be corrected or confirmed. On the other hand, in the inspection mode, after X-raying the package 12, the judgment result of the bite defect is displayed on the display unit 28, so that the inspection can be performed continuously.

Next, the processing flow of the X-ray inspection device 10 configured as described above will be explained with reference to FIG.

First, the sample 14 is subjected to an opaque processing (step S1). The opaque processing is performed by processing the entire sealing area 14A of the sample 14 so that X-rays do not pass through. For example, X-ray blocking tape is applied to the entire surface of the sealing area 14A, or X-ray opaque paint is applied to the entire surface of the sealing area 14A. Note that in this embodiment, the entire sealing area 14A of the sample 14 is subjected to the opaque processing, but as long as the shape of the sealing area 14A can be determined, it is also possible to process along the edge of the sealing area 14A, for example.

Next, the sample 14 is X-rayed (step S2). That is, after the sample mode is selected by the operation unit 26, the sample 14 is irradiated with X-rays from the X-ray irradiation unit 22 while being transported by the transport unit 20, and the X-rays are detected by the X-ray detection unit 24, thereby obtaining an X-ray transmission image of the sample 14. In the X-ray transmission image of the sample 14, the part that was opaque processed in step S1 (i.e. the entire seal area 14A) does not transmit X-rays, so this area is clearer than other parts.

Next, the seal area 14A is identified from the X-ray transmission image of the sample 14, and the image is acquired as a sample image (step S3). At this time, since the seal area 14A is clearly indicated in the X-ray transmission image of the sample 14, it can be reliably identified by simple image processing, for example, binarization. The image of the identified seal area 14A is displayed on the display unit 28 so that the operator can confirm it. Furthermore, the operator may correct the image of the seal area 14A as necessary. The acquired sample image is stored in the memory 40. The above steps S1 to S3 are pre-processing steps, which are performed in advance before the inspection of the packages 12 is continuously performed.

Next, an inspection step is performed to continuously inspect the packages 12. In the inspection step, first, an X-ray is taken of the packages 12 (step S4). That is, after the inspection mode is selected by the operation unit 26, the packages 12 are irradiated with X-rays from the X-ray irradiation unit 22 while being transported by the transport unit 20, and the X-rays are detected by the X-ray detection unit 24 to obtain an X-ray transmission image of the packages 12 (hereinafter referred to as an inspection image).

Next, the seal area 12A of the inspection image is identified by matching the inspection image with the sample image (step S5). That is, the seal area 12A of the package 12 in the inspection image is identified by performing an image matching process on the inspection image and the sample image (i.e., the image of the seal area 14A of the sample 14). Details of the matching process will be described later.

Then, the specified sealing area 12A is judged to be good or bad (step S6). That is, the judgment is made based on the shading level within the sealing area 12A, and if there is any part where the shading level exceeds a predetermined value, it is judged that there is a jamming defect. If it is judged that there is a jamming defect, an inspection image in which that part is highlighted is displayed on the display unit 28, and "NG" is displayed. Then, if necessary, the package 12 is discharged from the inspection line by downstream processing equipment (not shown). On the other hand, if there is no part where the shading level exceeds the predetermined value, it is judged that there is no jamming defect, and the process proceeds to the next step (step S7). The above steps S4 to S6 are the inspection steps, and are repeated continuously unless the operation is stopped by the operation unit 26.

The above-mentioned matching process will now be explained using an example of feature-based matching. In feature-based matching, it is necessary to identify multiple feature points. Figure 4 shows an image of the seal area 14A extracted from an X-ray transmission image of the sample 14, and shows an example of feature points 16A to 16H. Note that the seal area 14A on the screen would normally be displayed in black (or inverted shading and displayed as white), but for the sake of explanation it is shown with diagonal lines.

When the image of the seal area 14A is displayed on the display unit 28 in the above-mentioned sample mode, the operator selects the feature points 16A to 16H as shown in FIG. 4. The feature points 16A to 16H are selected from the seal area 14A (the portion indicated by diagonal lines) that have a characteristic shape and that appear even without X-ray opacity processing (i.e., points that can be read from the X-ray transmission image of the package 12). For example, the feature points 16A to 16D are the corners of the outer shape, the feature points 16E and 16F are both ends of the zipper 14C, the feature point 16G is the position of the hole 14D, and the feature point 16H is the position of the notch 14E. The number and positions of the feature points 16A to 16H are not limited to these, but since the more the feature points 16A to 16H, the more accurate the image matching process, three or more is preferable, and four or more is more preferable. Candidates for feature points 16A-16H may be automatically selected and displayed by image analysis, and the worker may correct, confirm, and identify them. Furthermore, feature points 16A-16H may be automatically or manually selected by comparing with an X-ray transmission image of sample 14 that has not been subjected to X-ray opacity processing.

Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram explaining feature-based matching, where the top diagram shows an image of the seal area 14A of the sample 14 (the image in Figure 4). The bottom left diagram shows an X-ray transmission image of the package 12 acquired in inspection mode, and the bottom right diagram shows the image after matching.

In the inspection mode, as shown in the lower left of Figure 5, feature points 18A-18H are automatically searched for in the X-ray transmission image of the package 12. Feature points 18A-18H correspond to the aforementioned feature points 16A-16H, and are automatically searched for. Then, image matching processing is performed by matching feature points 18A-18H with feature points 16A-16H, and the sample image (= image of seal area 14A) is adapted to the X-ray transmission image of the package 12. This identifies the seal area 12A of the package 12, as shown in the lower right.

By performing the image matching process as described above, it is possible to reliably identify the sealing area 12A (and the containing area 12B) of the package 12, even if the sealing area 12A (and the containing area 12B) has a complex shape. For example, in FIG. 6(a), the inner boundary of the sealing area 12A is arc-shaped at each corner. If a sealing area 12A of such a shape were identified using conventional methods, very complex calculations would be required, and depending on the shape, there is a problem that the area cannot be accurately identified even with the calculations. However, in this embodiment, images are matched, so even complex shapes can be identified simply and accurately.

Figure 6(b) shows an example in which the sealing area 12A (and the storage area 12B) is formed to match the shape of the product 12Y. In this case, the sealing area 12A differs for each type of product 12Y, and has a complex shape. Conventional methods have the problem of being completely unable to handle sealing areas 12A with complex shapes. However, in this embodiment, images are matched, so even complex shapes can be easily and accurately identified.

Furthermore, by performing the image matching process as described above, it is possible to identify the storage area 12A even if the package 12 is rotated or tilted, or if the external shape is distorted. For example, FIG. 7(a) shows a case where the package 12 has been rotated from the position shown by the two-dot chain line. In this case, a problem with conventional devices is that the storage area 12A cannot be identified until the rotated angle is calculated and the package is returned to its original position. However, with the image matching process described above, it is possible to easily identify the seal area 12A by extracting the characteristic points 18A-18H of the package 12 and comparing them with the characteristic points 16A-16H of the sample 12 to perform image matching.

Figure 7(b) is a side view of the package 12, showing the package 12 tilted. As shown in the figure, if the storage area 12A of the package 12 is inflated, it may tilt. In that case, an error occurs in the length dimension (or width dimension) of the outer shape, and if the sealing area 12A is identified using the conventional method, there is a problem that the sealing area 12 cannot be correctly identified. In contrast, in the present embodiment, characteristic points 18A-18H of the package 12 are extracted and compared with characteristic points 16A-16H of the sample 12 for image matching, so that even if the package 12 is tilted, it is automatically corrected, and the sealing area 12A can be correctly identified.

Figure 7 (c) shows a situation where a deformed portion 12F has occurred in the bag of the package 12. This deformed portion 12F is caused by the edge of the outer bag 12X being bent upward or downward. In such a case, with conventional methods, the calculation results of the sealing area 12A would be affected by the distortion of the outer shape, but by performing a matching process between images as in this embodiment, the sealing area 12A can be correctly identified.

Next, we will explain another example of the matching process, where the center of gravity is used as the reference point.

In sample mode, the seal area 14A of the sample 14 is binarized and identified, and then the center of gravity of the sample 14 is calculated and identified based on this. The center of gravity position is then stored in memory 40 together with the image of the seal area 14A. If the image of the seal area 14A is tilted, it is recommended to rotate the image to correct it.

On the other hand, in the inspection mode, an X-ray transmission image of the package 12 is acquired, and the center of gravity of the package 12 is identified from the X-ray transmission image. Then, an image of the seal area 14A of the sample 14 is superimposed on the X-ray transmission image of the package 12 so that the center of gravity of the sample 14 is superimposed on the center of gravity of the package 12. Then, using the center of gravity as a reference, one or both images are rotated or enlarged/reduced to match the image of the seal area of the sample 14 with the X-ray transmission image of the package 12. In this way, the seal area 12A of the package 12 is identified. When images are matched in this way, it is possible to identify the seal area 12A even if it has a complex shape, as described above.

In the above embodiment, only one sample 14 is prepared and only one image of the sealing area 14A is obtained, but this is not limited thereto. A plurality of samples 14 may be prepared and a plurality of images of the sealing area 14A may be obtained. In this case, in the inspection mode, the image that is most similar to the X-ray transmission image of the package 12 is automatically selected from the plurality of sample images. This allows the sealing area 12A of the package 12 to be identified more accurately. To be more specific, the outer bag 12X of the package 12 may have a bend or fold depending on the type of package 12, and the shape of the sealing area 12A may change slightly depending on the pattern. In addition, the sealing area 12A may be deformed in several patterns due to the offset of the product 12Y. In such a case, by preparing a plurality of patterns of the sealing area 14A, the sealing area 12A of the package 12 can be identified more accurately.

In the above embodiment, the sealing area 14A of the sample 14 is opaque, but this is not limiting, and other areas may be opaque as long as the shape of the sealing area 14A is known. For example, the shape of the storage area 14B may be identified by applying X-ray blocking tape or X-ray blocking paint to the entire storage area 14B, or filling the inside of the storage area 14B with an X-ray opaque liquid, and the sealing area 12A may be identified from the X-ray transmission image of the identified storage area 14B and the package 12.

In the above-described embodiment, the opaque processing may be performed so that a clear feature appears in the X-ray transmission image. For example, the X-ray blocking tape may be a tape with a blocking effect with a distinctive pattern such as a striped pattern, a dotted pattern, a star pattern, or a wave pattern. In this case, when an X-ray opaque image of the sample 14 is obtained, the pattern appears on the X-ray transmission image, so that the sealing area 14A (or the storage area 14B) can be easily identified. Therefore, even if there is an X-ray opaque part other than the sealing area 14A (for example, when a product is stored in the sample storage area 14B), the sealing area 14A on the X-ray transmission image can be easily identified, and the sealing area 14A can also be automatically identified.

Furthermore, the opaque processing is not limited to processing that completely blocks X-rays, but rather it is sufficient that the X-ray transmission image is clearly different from the surrounding area. For example, a blocking tape with an X-ray transmittance of about 50% may be used, and the blocking tape may be overlapped and attached at the marker position.

Next, we will explain the X-ray inspection device 11 of the second embodiment. Note that parts with almost the same configuration as those of the first embodiment described above will be given the same reference numerals and their explanation will be omitted.

Figure 8 shows a schematic configuration of an X-ray inspection device 11 of the second embodiment. The X-ray inspection device 11 shown in the figure is different from the X-ray inspection device 10 of the first embodiment in the display unit 29 and the sample image generating unit 35 of the control unit 31. The display unit 29 is a touch panel that can display an X-ray transmission image on the screen and can detect the location of a finger or the like when the screen is touched.

On the other hand, when the sample image generating unit 35 of the control unit 31 receives a signal of the X-ray transmission image of the sample 14 generated by the image generating unit 32, it outputs a signal to the display unit 29 to display a sample image setting screen. The sample image setting screen is a screen for identifying the seal area 14A (or the storage area 14B) on the X-ray transmission image of the sample 14, and displays the X-ray transmission image of the sample 14 and a number of operation buttons 29a to 29e, as shown in FIG. 9 for example. The operation buttons 29a to 29e include an operation button 29a for starting identification of the seal area 14A, an operation button 29b for completing and confirming the identification, an operation button 29c for correcting (or erasing) a portion once identified, an operation button 29d for changing the thickness (size) of the portion detected during identification, and an operation button 29e for enlarging or returning a portion of the X-ray transmission image to its original state, and the seal area 14A is identified by operating these operation buttons 29a to 29e or touching the X-ray transmission image of the sample 14.

Figure 10 shows the process flow of the X-ray inspection device 11 of the second embodiment. As shown in the figure, first, the sample 14 is X-rayed (step S11). That is, after the sample mode is selected by the operation unit 26, the sample 14 is irradiated with X-rays from the X-ray irradiation unit 22 while being transported by the transport unit 20, and the X-rays are detected by the X-ray detection unit 24 to obtain an X-ray transmission image of the sample 14.

Next, the sample image setting screen is displayed on the display unit 29, and a process for identifying the seal area 14A (or the storage area 14B) is performed (step S12). As shown in FIG. 9, the sample image setting screen displays the X-ray transmission image of the sample 14, so the operator presses the start operation button 29a and then traces all of the parts of the X-ray transmission image on the screen that are likely to be the seal area 14A with his/her finger (or pen, etc.). The parts of the screen that the finger touches are displayed in a color different from the X-ray transmission image, for example, red, and the operator identifies the seal area 14A so that all of the seal area 14A is red. At that time, since the operator knows the approximate shape of the seal area 14A, even if the difference in shading between the seal area 14A and the storage area 14B is slight (i.e., the boundary line is somewhat unclear), the seal area 14A can be reliably identified. In addition, since the operator only needs to touch the part on the screen that is likely to be the seal area 14A, the seal area 14A can be easily identified even if it has a complex shape. During a specific task, if the red part goes beyond the seal area 14A, the user can press the correction button 29c and then touch the protruding part to erase the red color of that part. Also, if the shape of the seal area 14A is complex, the user can press the thickness change operation button 29d to change the thickness of the red color, or press the size change operation button 29e to enlarge the X-ray transmission image.

When the operator determines that the process of identifying the sealing area 14A is complete, he or she presses the confirmation operation button 29b to confirm the sealing area 14A (step S13). This causes the data of the sealing area 14A to be stored in the memory 40. The above steps S11 to S13 are pre-processing steps, and are performed in advance before the inspection of the packages 12 is carried out continuously. Note that in the second embodiment, one of the packages 12 may be used instead of the sample 14.

Next, an inspection step is carried out to continuously inspect the packages 12. The inspection step is the same as in the first embodiment, so a detailed description will be omitted, but an X-ray image is taken of the packages 12 (step S14), the inspection image is matched with a sample image to identify the seal area 12A of the inspection image (step S15), and a pass/fail judgment is made for the identified seal area 12A, with the result and the inspection image being displayed on the display unit 29 (step S16). This makes it possible to judge the presence or absence of a jamming defect based on the shading level within the seal area 12A.

As described above, with the X-ray inspection device 11 of the second embodiment, the operator identifies the sealing area 14A of the sample 14 on the screen while checking the X-ray transmission image of the sample 14 on the screen, so that the sealing area 14A can be identified easily and reliably even if the shape is complex.

In the second embodiment described above, the X-ray transmission image of the sample 14 is displayed on the display unit 29, and the seal area 14A is identified by touching and filling in the area that is thought to be the seal area 14A with red, but this is not limiting and various other aspects are possible. For example, the X-ray transmission image of the sample 14 may be displayed on the display unit 29, and the remaining area may be identified as the seal area 14A by touching and filling in the area that is thought to be "not the seal area 14A" with white.

Alternatively, the lines indicating the outline of the sealing area 14A and the lines indicating the boundary between the sealing area 14A and the storage area 14B inside the sealing area 14A may be traced with a pen or the like to identify the enclosed area as the sealing area 14A.

In the second embodiment described above, a sample image setting screen is displayed on the display unit 29 of the X-ray inspection device 11 (i.e., a display means for displaying the inspection image and the judgment result in the inspection step) and the seal area 14A etc. are identified on that screen, but this is not limited to this and another display means may be used. For example, a sample image setting screen may be displayed on the display screen of an external device such as a smartphone, tablet, or personal computer by wireless or wired communication, the seal area 14A may be identified on that screen, and the identification result may be communicated to the control unit 31 of the X-ray inspection device 11. In this case, the seal area 14A may be automatically identified by using image processing software etc. installed in the external device.

10...X-ray inspection apparatus (of first embodiment), 11...X-ray inspection apparatus (of second embodiment), 12...package, 14...sample, 16A to 16H...feature points, 18A to 18H...feature points, 20...conveying section, 22...X-ray irradiation section, 24...X-ray detection section, 26...operation section, 28...display section (of first embodiment), 29...display section (of second embodiment), 30...control section (of first embodiment), 31...control section (of second embodiment), 32...image generating section, 34...sample image generating section (of first embodiment), 35...sample image generating section (of second embodiment), 36...conformity processing section, 38...pass/fail determining section, 40...memory

Claims (7)

1. An X-ray inspection method for inspecting a package having a containing area and a sealing area by irradiating the package with X-rays, comprising:
a pre-processing step of subjecting a sample having the same structure as the package to an X-ray impermeable treatment on one of the storage area and the seal area of the sample, and obtaining a sample image showing the storage area or the seal area of the sample from an X-ray transmission image obtained by irradiating the sample with X-rays;
an inspection step of acquiring an X-ray transmission image of the package by irradiating the package with X-rays, identifying a containing area or a sealing area of the package by matching the sample image to the X-ray transmission image of the package, and determining whether the identified area is good or bad;
1. An X-ray inspection method comprising:
1. An X-ray inspection method for inspecting a package having a containing area and a sealing area by irradiating the package with X-rays, comprising:
a pre-processing step of displaying an X-ray transmission image obtained by irradiating an X-ray on a sample having the same structure as the package on a screen and acquiring a sample image by identifying a storage area or a seal area of the sample on the screen;
an inspection step of acquiring an X-ray transmission image of the package by irradiating the package with X-rays, identifying a containing area or a sealing area of the package by matching the sample image to the X-ray transmission image of the package, and determining whether the identified area is good or bad;
1. An X-ray inspection method comprising the steps of:
The pre-processing step includes acquiring a plurality of sample images;
3. The X-ray inspection method according to claim 1, wherein the inspection step selects and adapts a sample image suitable for comparison with the X-ray transmission image of the package from among the plurality of sample images.
3. The X-ray inspection method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the preprocessing step extracts feature points from the X-ray transmission image of the sample, and the inspection step extracts feature points from the X-ray transmission image of the package that correspond to the feature points of the sample, and matches the sample image to the X-ray transmission image of the package based on the feature points of the sample and the feature points of the package.
An X-ray inspection device including an X-ray irradiation unit that irradiates X-rays onto a package having a storage area and a sealing area, and an X-ray detection unit that obtains an X-ray transmission image of the package,
a sample image acquisition unit that acquires a sample image of the containing area or the sealing area from an X-ray transmission image of a sample having the same structure as the package, the X-ray irradiation unit and the X-ray detection unit being acquired;
a specific area determination means for determining a containing area or a sealing area of the package by matching the sample image with an X-ray transmission image of the package and determining whether the containing area or the sealing area is good or bad;
An X-ray inspection apparatus comprising:
The X-ray inspection device according to claim 5, wherein the sample image acquisition means acquires the sample image by identifying an X-ray opaque portion that has been previously applied to one of the storage area and the sealing area.
The sample image acquisition means includes:
a touch panel on which an X-ray transmission image of the sample is displayed; and
a detection unit for detecting contact with the X-ray transmission image of the sample displayed on the touch panel, thereby detecting a region where the sample is contained or a region where the sample is sealed;
6. The X-ray inspection apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising:

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