JP7650667B2 - Granular material inspection equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a granular material inspection device.

Patent Document 1 describes a granular material sorting device. In this device, a transport means (vibrating feeder, chute, etc.) passes rice grains in a single layer spread across multiple rows in the width direction through a measurement target area. Light from the measurement target area is incident on a light receiving device equipped with multiple unit light receiving parts (pixels). Whether or not the rice grain is defective is determined based on the output of each unit light receiving part. Rice grains determined to be defective are separated from the other rice grains by an air blowing device at a separation point downstream of the measurement target area.

The granular material sorting device of Patent Document 1 is equipped with one each of a supply lifting and conveying device, a transfer means, a light receiving device, and an air blowing device. Rice grains are supplied from the supply lifting and conveying device to the transfer means.

JP 2012-250193 A

In order to increase the processing capacity (the amount of granular material that can be processed per unit time), it is possible to equip the granular material inspection device with multiple inspection units that inspect the granular material and detect defective products. In this case, the granular material fed into the granular material inspection device is distributed to multiple inspection units. Each inspection unit then inspects the distributed granular material. Since the defect rate (proportion of defective products contained) of the granular material inspected by each inspection unit is in principle the same, it is preferable that the sorting sensitivity (the number of defective products detected per unit time) when the inspection unit is operated is the same among the multiple inspection units.

However, due to individual differences in the inspection units (for example, individual differences in the sensitivity of the light receiving device, individual differences in the brightness of the lighting, individual differences in the vibration strength of the vibrating feeder, etc.), the sorting sensitivity of each inspection unit may differ. In such a case, even though the inspection population (a group of granular materials fed into the granular material inspection device) is the same, the number of granular materials determined to be defective by one inspection unit may differ from the number of granular materials determined to be defective by another inspection unit. In this case, either one of the inspection units detects non-defective products as defective (sorting sensitivity is unreasonably high), or it does not detect defective products and treats them as non-defective products (sorting sensitivity is unreasonably low). In either case, it cannot be said that the granular material inspection device is exhibiting appropriate inspection performance.

Such problems do not arise in an apparatus that has one each of a supply lifting and conveying device, a transfer means, a light receiving device, and an air blowing device, such as the granular material sorting apparatus of Patent Document 1.

The object of the present invention is to provide a means for achieving appropriate inspection performance in a granular material inspection device equipped with multiple inspection units.

As a means for solving the above-mentioned problems, the granular material inspection device of the present invention is characterized by comprising a plurality of inspection units for inspecting granular material and detecting defective products, and a modification unit for modifying the operating parameters of the adjusted units so as to reduce the difference between the sorting sensitivity, which is the number of defective products detected per unit time, of a reference unit, which is one of the plurality of inspection units, and the sorting sensitivity of the adjusted units, which are the remaining inspection units.

With this configuration, the operating parameters of the adjusted unit are changed so that the difference between the sorting sensitivity of the reference unit and the sorting sensitivity of the adjusted unit is reduced, so that the difference in sorting sensitivity of multiple inspection units is reduced, and appropriate inspection performance can be achieved in a granular material inspection device equipped with multiple inspection units.

In the present invention, the inspection unit includes a sending device that sends the granular material to an inspection area, a sensor that detects light from the inspection area, and a detection device that detects defective granular material based on the output of the sensor, and the sending device controls the sending amount of the granular material based on a set sending amount as an operating parameter of the adjusted unit, and the change unit preferably increases the set sending amount of the adjusted unit when the sorting sensitivity of the adjusted unit is smaller than the sorting sensitivity of the reference unit.

According to this configuration, when the sorting sensitivity of the adjusted unit is smaller than the sorting sensitivity of the reference unit, the set output amount of the adjusted unit is increased. This increases the sorting sensitivity of the adjusted unit, thereby reducing the difference in sorting sensitivity of multiple inspection units, and achieving appropriate inspection performance in a granular material inspection device equipped with multiple inspection units.

In the present invention, it is preferable that the change unit reduces the set transmission amount in the adjusted unit when the sorting sensitivity in the adjusted unit is greater than the sorting sensitivity in the reference unit.

According to this configuration, when the sorting sensitivity of the adjusted unit is greater than the sorting sensitivity of the reference unit, the set output amount of the adjusted unit is reduced. This reduces the sorting sensitivity of the adjusted unit, thereby reducing the difference in sorting sensitivity of multiple inspection units, and achieving appropriate inspection performance in a granular material inspection device equipped with multiple inspection units.

In the present invention, the inspection unit includes a sending device that sends the granular material to an inspection area, a sensor that detects light from the inspection area, and a detection device that detects the granular material as a defective product based on the output of the sensor, and the detection device detects the granular material as a defective product when the intensity of light detected by the sensor is lower than a sorting threshold based on a sorting threshold as an operating parameter of the adjusted unit, and the change unit preferably increases the sorting threshold in the adjusted unit when the sorting sensitivity in the adjusted unit is lower than the sorting sensitivity in the reference unit.

According to this configuration, when the sorting sensitivity of the adjusted unit is smaller than the sorting sensitivity of the reference unit, the sorting threshold of the adjusted unit becomes higher. This increases the sorting sensitivity of the adjusted unit, thereby reducing the difference in sorting sensitivity of multiple inspection units, and achieving appropriate inspection performance in a granular material inspection device equipped with multiple inspection units.

In the present invention, it is preferable that the change unit lowers the sorting threshold value in the adjusted unit when the sorting sensitivity in the adjusted unit is greater than the sorting sensitivity in the reference unit.

According to this configuration, when the sorting sensitivity of the adjusted unit is greater than the sorting sensitivity of the reference unit, the sorting threshold of the adjusted unit is lowered. This reduces the sorting sensitivity of the adjusted unit, thereby reducing the difference in sorting sensitivity of multiple inspection units, making it possible to achieve appropriate inspection performance in a granular material inspection device equipped with multiple inspection units.

In the present invention, the inspection unit includes a sending device that sends the granular material to the inspection area, a sensor that detects light from the inspection area, a detection device that detects defective granular material based on the output of the sensor, and an illumination device that illuminates the inspection area, and it is preferable that the change unit changes the light emission intensity of the illumination device as an operating parameter of the adjusted unit based on the difference between the sorting sensitivity of the reference unit and the sorting sensitivity of the adjusted unit.

According to this configuration, the emission intensity of the lighting device as an operating parameter of the adjusted unit is changed based on the difference between the sorting sensitivity of the reference unit and the sorting sensitivity of the adjusted unit, so that the emission intensity of the adjusted unit becomes appropriate. Therefore, the difference in sorting sensitivity of multiple inspection units becomes small, and appropriate inspection performance can be achieved in a granular material inspection device equipped with multiple inspection units.

In the present invention, the inspection unit includes a sending device that sends the granular material to the inspection area, a sensor that detects light from the inspection area, and a detection device that detects defective granular material based on the output of the sensor, and it is preferable that the change unit changes the sensitivity of the sensor as an operating parameter of the adjusted unit based on the difference between the sorting sensitivity of the reference unit and the sorting sensitivity of the adjusted unit.

According to this configuration, the sensor sensitivity as an operating parameter of the adjusted unit is changed based on the difference between the sorting sensitivity of the reference unit and the sorting sensitivity of the adjusted unit, so that the sensor sensitivity of the adjusted unit becomes appropriate. Therefore, the difference in sorting sensitivity of multiple inspection units becomes small, and appropriate inspection performance can be achieved in a granular material inspection device equipped with multiple inspection units.

In the present invention, it is preferable that the change unit changes the operating parameters of the sending device with priority over the operating parameters of the detection device.

With this configuration, the operating parameters of the sending device are changed with priority over the operating parameters of the detection device, so the difference in sorting sensitivity between multiple inspection units tends to be small. Therefore, it becomes easier to achieve appropriate inspection performance in a granular material inspection device equipped with multiple inspection units.

In the present invention, it is preferable that the modification unit calculates the time average of the sorting sensitivity for a predetermined period for each of the reference unit and the adjusted unit, and modifies the operating parameters of the adjusted unit so as to reduce the difference therebetween.

According to this configuration, the time average of the sorting sensitivity over a specified period is calculated for each of the reference unit and the adjusted unit, and the operating parameters of the adjusted unit are changed so that the difference between them becomes small. This suppresses the adverse effects of sudden or accidental changes in sorting sensitivity, making it easier to achieve appropriate inspection performance in a granular material inspection device equipped with multiple inspection units.

FIG. 2 is a right side view of the particulate material inspection device. FIG. 2 is a front view of the particulate material inspection device. FIG. 4 is a right side view showing a main part of the inspection unit. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a control system of the granular material inspection device. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overview of optical inspection performed by a particle inspection device. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an output of a sensor. 13 is a flowchart of an operation parameter changing process. 13 is a flowchart of a sensitivity setting process.

The following describes an embodiment of a granular material inspection device according to the present invention with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention. In each figure, the direction indicated by the symbol (FR) is the front side of the device, the direction indicated by the symbol (BK) is the rear side of the device, the direction indicated by the symbol (LH) is the left side of the device, the direction indicated by the symbol (RH) is the right side of the device, the direction indicated by the symbol (UP) is the top side, and the direction indicated by the symbol (DW) is the bottom side.

The granular material inspection device optically inspects whether the granular material fed into the device is normal or defective, and then separates and discharges the normal and defective products. In this embodiment, the granular material is grain such as brown rice or polished rice. The granular material may also be resin pellets, etc.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the granular material inspection device includes an input hopper 1, a first lifting conveyor 2, a storage hopper 3, an inspection unit 4, a second lifting conveyor 5, an operation and display device 6, a control device 7 (Figure 4), and an alarm device 8 (Figure 4).

The input hopper 1 is located at the bottom rear of the device and receives the granular material to be inspected.

The first lifting conveyor 2 is located at the center of the left and right rear of the device, and transports the granular material fed into the feeding hopper 1 upwards and feeds it into the storage hopper 3.

The storage hopper 3 stores the granular material fed from the first lifting conveyor 2 and supplies the granular material to the inspection unit 4.

The inspection unit 4 inspects the granular material supplied from the storage hopper 3, detects defective products, and separates the granular material into normal products and defective products for discharge. In this embodiment, the granular material inspection device includes a left inspection unit 4L and a right inspection unit 4R.

The second lifting conveyor 5 is located on the left side of the rear of the device and transports granular material that is rejected as normal from the inspection unit 4 upward and discharges it outside the device.

The operation display device 6 is provided in the center of the front of the device. The operation display device 6 accepts manual operations from the operator and transmits them to the control device 7. The operation display device 6 is also controlled by the control device 7 to display various screens. In this embodiment, the operation display device 6 is a liquid crystal display with a touch panel. The operation display device 6 may also be a device that combines push buttons and a liquid crystal display.

The control device 7 controls the overall operation of the granular material inspection device.

The notification device 8 is controlled by the control device 7 to notify the operator of device abnormalities, etc. The notification device 8 is, for example, a buzzer, a speaker, a lamp, or an information display device. The operation and display device 6 may also function as the notification device 8.

[Inspection unit]
An overview of the configuration and operation of the inspection unit 4 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. The left inspection unit 4L and the right inspection unit 4R have the same configuration and perform the same operation. Hereinafter, as shown in Fig. 3, the moving direction of the granular material is referred to as the Z direction, the upstream side of the moving direction of the granular material is referred to as the Z1 side, the downstream side of the moving direction of the granular material is referred to as the Z2 side, the direction perpendicular to the Z direction in a plane perpendicular to the left-right direction of the device is referred to as the Y direction, the front side of the device in the Y direction is referred to as the Y1 side, and the rear side of the device in the Y direction is referred to as the Y2 side.

The granular material to be inspected falls from the chute 12 to the Z2 side and is sent to the inspection area IA. The inspection area IA is illuminated by the lighting device 21. Light from the inspection area IA is incident on the front camera 22A, rear camera 22B, and transmission camera 22C, and is detected by the front sensor 23A, rear sensor 23B, and transmission sensor 23C (hereinafter, the front camera 22A, rear camera 22B, and transmission camera 22C are collectively referred to as "camera 22". The front sensor 23A, rear sensor 23B, and transmission sensor 23C are collectively referred to as "sensor 23").

In more detail, light reflected on the Y1 side of the granular material enters the front camera 22A and is detected by the front sensor 23A. Light reflected on the Y2 side of the granular material enters the rear camera 22B and is detected by the rear sensor 23B. Light that transmits through the granular material from the Y1 side to the Y2 side enters the transmission camera 22C and is detected by the transmission sensor 23C.

The output of the sensor 23 is sent to the control device 7. The control device 7 determines whether the granular material is normal or defective based on the output of the sensor 23. The control device 7 activates the air blowing device 31 when a granular material determined to be defective falls to the front of the air blowing device 31. The granular material blown with air is pushed toward the Y1 side and falls into the defective product collection section 41. The other granular material falls into the normal product collection section 42.

[Configuration of the inspection unit]
The inspection unit 4 includes a sending device 10, a detecting device 20, and a rejecting device 30. As described above, the left inspection unit 4L and the right inspection unit 4R have the same configuration.

The sending device 10 is a device that sends out multiple granular materials in parallel (in the left-right direction of the device, perpendicular to the paper surface of Figure 3) to the inspection area IA. The sending device 10 is equipped with a vibrating feeder 11 and a chute 12.

The vibrating feeder 11 receives the granular material flowing down from the storage hopper 3 in the trough 11a and vibrates the trough 11a to send the granular material to the chute 12. The operation of the vibrating feeder 11 is controlled by the control device 7.

The chute 12 is a plate-shaped member. On the top surface of the chute 12, multiple linear grooves are formed in a row parallel to the left and right. The width of the grooves is set to a size that allows the granular material to flow down in a single line. The granular material that falls from the trough 11a of the vibrating feeder 11 into the chute 12 is guided by the grooves of the chute 12, flows down the top of the chute 12 in multiple parallel rows, and is sent to the inspection area IA.

The detection device 20 is a device that detects light from the inspection area IA, and includes the above-mentioned lighting device 21, camera 22, sensor 23, and mirror 24.

The lighting device 21 includes background members 21A, 21B, and 21C, and lighting units 21D, 21E, 21F, and 21G.

The background members 21A, 21B, and 21C are members that guide light from a light emitting device (not shown) to illuminate the inspection area IA. The background members 21A, 21B, and 21C function as a background for the granular material in the light that reaches the camera 22 from the inspection area IA. The light emitting device that serves as the light source for the background members 21A, 21B, and 21C is controlled by the control device 7 so that the illumination of the inspection area IA is of an appropriate intensity.

Illumination units 21D, 21E, 21F, and 21G are equipped with LED packages whose light emission intensity is controlled by control device 7, and illuminate inspection area IA. Illumination units 21D and 21E are disposed on the Y1 side of inspection area IA, and illuminate inspection area IA from the Y1 side. Illumination units 21F and 21G are disposed on the Y2 side of inspection area IA, and illuminate inspection area IA from the Y2 side.

The front camera 22A is equipped with a front lens device 25A. The front sensor 23A is disposed inside the front camera 22A. The optical axis 26A of the front camera 22A is shown in FIG. 3. Light reflected by the Y1 side surface of the granular material and light emitted from the background member 21A are emitted from the inspection area IA to the Y1 side. The light is reflected by the mirror 24, converged by the front lens device 25A, and irradiated to the front sensor 23A. That is, the front sensor 23A of the front camera 22A detects the light reflected by the Y1 side surface of the granular material and the light emitted from the background member 21A.

The rear camera 22B is equipped with a rear lens device 25B. A rear sensor 23B is disposed inside the rear camera 22B. The optical axis 26B of the rear camera 22B is shown in FIG. 3. Light reflected by the Y2 side surface of the granular material and light emitted from the background member 21B are emitted from the inspection area IA to the Y2 side. The light is reflected by the mirror 24, converged by the rear lens device 25B, and irradiated to the rear sensor 23B. That is, the rear sensor 23B of the rear camera 22B detects the light reflected by the Y2 side surface of the granular material and the light emitted from the background member 21B.

The transmission camera 22C is equipped with a transmission lens device 25C. A transmission sensor 23C is disposed inside the transmission camera 22C. The optical axis 26C of the transmission camera 22C is shown in FIG. 3. The light transmitted through the granular material from the Y1 side to the Y2 side and the light emitted from the background member 21C are emitted from the inspection area IA to the Y2 side. The light is reflected by the mirror 24, converged by the transmission lens device 25C, and irradiated to the transmission sensor 23C. That is, the transmission sensor 23C of the transmission camera 22C detects the light transmitted through the granular material from the Y1 side to the Y2 side and the light emitted from the background member 21C.

Hereinafter, the front lens device 25A, the rear lens device 25B, and the transmission lens device 25C may be collectively referred to as "lens device 25."

The front sensor 23A, rear sensor 23B, and transmission sensor 23C detect light over time and transmit output data to the control device 7 at each specified time.

A light shielding member 27 is disposed in the inspection area IA. The light shielding member 27 prevents light reflected by the granular material and illumination light from the illumination units 21D, 21E, 21F, and 21G from directly entering the transmission camera 22C.

The rejection device 30 is a device that rejects granular material that has been determined to be defective. The rejection device 30 is composed of an air blowing device 31. The air blowing device 31 has multiple injection ports S arranged in the left-right direction of the device. The injection ports S are arranged at positions corresponding to the granular material that falls from the multiple grooves of the chute 12.

[Control device]
The control device 7 is an ECU, and includes a pass/fail determination unit 7a, a storage unit 7f, a selection sensitivity calculation unit 7g, and a change unit 7h, as shown in Fig. 4. The control device 7 is connected to the inspection unit 4 and the notification device 8, and is configured to be able to control them. The control device 7 includes a memory (HDD, non-volatile RAM, etc., not shown) that stores programs and control parameters corresponding to the above-mentioned functional units, and a CPU (not shown) that executes the programs. The functions of each functional unit are realized by the CPU executing the programs. The control device 7 may be configured of multiple ECUs that can communicate with each other.

The quality determination unit 7a determines whether the granular material is normal or defective based on the output of the sensor 23 received by the control device 7. Details of the operation of the quality determination unit 7a and other functional units will be described later with reference to Figures 5 and 6.

The memory unit 7f stores, for example, the operating parameters of the inspection unit 4, threshold values used to determine the quality of granular material, etc.

The sorting sensitivity calculation unit 7g calculates the sorting sensitivity, which is the number of defective products detected per unit time, for each of the multiple inspection units 4 based on the judgment results by the pass/fail judgment unit 7a.

The modification unit 7h modifies the operating parameters of the adjusted unit so as to reduce the difference between the sorting sensitivity of a reference unit, which is one of the multiple inspection units 4, and the sorting sensitivity of the adjusted unit, which is the remaining inspection unit 4.

[Determining whether granular material is good or bad]
5 and 6, the determination of the quality of granular bodies and the removal of defective products performed in the inspection unit 4 will be described. Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of the inspection area IA viewed from the front side of the apparatus in a direction perpendicular to the Y direction and the Z direction, with the right side of the figure corresponding to the right side of the apparatus and the top of the figure corresponding to the Z1 side.

The granular material discharged from the grooves of the chute 12 falls in the Z2 direction, passes through the inspection area IA, and passes in front of the air blowing device 31. The paths along which the granular material moves are referred to as paths R1, R2, R3, ... Rn from left to right. n is the same as the number of grooves in the chute 12.

The nozzles S of the air blowing device 31 are arranged to correspond to each of the routes R1 to Rn. The nozzles S corresponding to the routes R1, R2, ... Rn are called nozzles S1, S2, S3, ... Sn. In other words, the granular material falling along route R1 passes in front of nozzle S1.

As described above, light from the inspection area IA travels along the optical axis 26A, enters the front camera 22A, and reaches the surface of the front sensor 23A. In this embodiment, the front sensor 23A is a line sensor and has a number of pixels E1, E2, ... Em arranged in a row. m is the total number of pixels that the front sensor 23A has. The light from the inspection area IA that is detected by the front sensor 23A is light from a long and narrow area that extends from the optical axis 26A in the left-right direction of the device. This area is called the detection area DU. As shown in Figures 3 and 5, light from the detection area DU enters the front sensor 23A. The multiple pixels E1, E2, ... Em are arranged in a direction that corresponds to the parallel direction (left-right direction of the device) of the granular material in the inspection area IA (detection area DU).

In this embodiment, the rear sensor 23B of the rear camera 22B is also a line sensor. As shown in FIG. 3, the optical axis 26B of the rear camera 22B passes through the detection area DU. That is, light from the detection area DU is incident on the rear sensor 23B.

In this embodiment, the transmission sensor 23C of the transmission camera 22C is also a line sensor. As shown in FIG. 3, the optical axis 26C of the transmission camera 22C passes through the Z2 side of the detection area DU (the lower side in the vertical direction of the device). The light from the inspection area IA that is detected by the transmission sensor 23C of the transmission camera 22C is the light from a long and narrow area extending from the optical axis 26C in the horizontal direction of the device. This area is called the detection area DL (FIGS. 3 and 5). As shown in FIG. 3, the light from the detection area DL is incident on the transmission sensor 23C. The detection area DL is located below the detection area DU (Z2 side).

An example of the output of the front sensor 23A is shown in the lower part of Figure 5. In the illustrated example, a drop in output is seen at two points in the output of the front sensor 23A. This is because the granular material G1 falling along path R2 and the granular material G2 falling along path R4 are located in the detection area DU, and the light reflected from the granular material G1 and the granular material G2 is incident on the front sensor 23A. In other words, the intensity of the light reflected from the granular material and incident on the front sensor 23A is smaller than the intensity of the light from the background member 21A. In this way, when the granular material passes through the detection area DU (and the detection area DL), a change occurs in the output of the sensor 23.

Figure 6 shows an example in which the granular material G1 is defective. In the illustrated example, the granular material G1 is a rice kernel, and has a normal area A1, a colored area A2, and a black area A3. The color of the colored area A2 is darker than the color of the normal area A1. Therefore, the intensity of the light reflected by the colored area A2 is less than the intensity of the light reflected by the normal area A1. The color of the black area A3 is darker than the color of the colored area A2. Therefore, the intensity of the light reflected by the black area A3 is less than the intensity of the light reflected by the colored area A2. When the granular material G1 is in the position shown in Figure 6 relative to the detection area DU, the output of the front sensor 23A has areas where the output is reduced due to the normal area A1, the colored area A2, and the black area A3.

Specifically, background light (light from background member 21A) is incident on pixels E41-E44. The outputs of pixels E41-E44 are smaller than the upper second threshold SU2 and larger than the granular material detection threshold SH. Light from normal region A1 is incident on pixels E45-47, E53-54, and E57-58. The outputs of these pixels are smaller than the granular material detection threshold SH and larger than the lower second threshold SL2. Light from colored region A2 is incident on pixels E48-52. The outputs of these pixels are smaller than the lower second threshold SL2 and larger than the lower first threshold SL1. Light from black region A3 is incident on pixels E55-56. The outputs of these pixels are smaller than the lower first threshold SL1.

The quality determination unit 7a determines that the granular material is defective when the output of the front sensor 23A contains a pixel whose output is smaller than the lower first threshold value SL1 or the lower second threshold value SL2. In more detail, the quality determination unit 7a determines that the granular material is defective due to a lower first defect when the output of the front sensor 23A contains a pixel whose output is smaller than the lower first threshold value SL1. The lower first defect is, for example, "stink bug damage." The quality determination unit 7a determines that the granular material is defective due to a lower second defect when the output of the front sensor 23A contains a pixel whose output is smaller than the lower second threshold value SL2. The lower second defect is, for example, "discoloration."

The quality determination unit 7a also determines that the granular material is defective when the output of the front sensor 23A contains a pixel whose output is greater than the upper first threshold value SU1 or the upper second threshold value SU2. In more detail, the quality determination unit 7a determines that the granular material is defective due to an upper first defect when the output of the front sensor 23A contains a pixel whose output is greater than the upper first threshold value SU1. The upper first defect is, for example, "glass" or "transparent resin." The quality determination unit 7a determines that the granular material is defective due to an upper second defect when the output of the front sensor 23A contains a pixel whose output is greater than the upper second threshold value SU2.

Here, the quality determination unit 7a may perform quality determination based on the number of pixels whose output is below the threshold value in addition to the magnitude of the output relative to the threshold value. For example, the quality determination unit 7a determines that the granular body is a defective product related to the lower first defect when the output of the front sensor 23A includes pixels whose output is smaller than the lower first threshold value SL1 and the number of such pixels is greater than the lower first quantity threshold value. The quality determination unit 7a determines that the granular body is a defective product related to the lower second defect when the output of the front sensor 23A includes pixels whose output is smaller than the lower second threshold value SL2 and the number of such pixels is greater than the lower second quantity threshold value. The quality determination unit 7a determines that the granular body is a defective product related to the upper first defect when the output of the front sensor 23A includes pixels whose output is larger than the upper first threshold value SU1 and the number of such pixels is greater than the upper first quantity threshold value. The quality determination unit 7a determines that the granular material is a defective product related to the upper second defect when there is a pixel in the output of the front sensor 23A whose output is greater than the upper second threshold value SU2 and the number of such pixels is greater than the upper second quantity threshold value.

The quality determination unit 7a determines whether the granular material is good or bad based on the output of the rear sensor 23B, in the same manner as in the case of the output of the front sensor 23A described above. The rear sensor 23B detects light emitted from the detection area DU of the inspection area IA toward the Y2 side. Therefore, the quality determination unit 7a determines whether the granular material is good or bad for the reflected light on both the Y1 side and the Y2 side of the granular material.

The quality determination unit 7a determines the quality of the granular material based on the output of the transmission sensor 23C, in the same manner as in the case of the output of the front sensor 23A described above. When the granular material is rice kernels, the quality determination unit 7a determines that the lower first defect is a defect that is less transparent to light than normal products, such as "rice", "white rice", or "milky white", based on the output of the transmission sensor 23C. The upper first defect is a defect that is more transparent to light than normal products, such as "non-glutinous rice in glutinous rice" or "green rice".

〔channel〕
The quality judgement unit 7a judges the quality of the granular material for each of the multiple routes R1, R2, ... Rn based on the output of the front sensor 23A. Specifically, the quality judgement unit 7a distributes the multiple pixels E1, E2, ... Em of the front sensor 23A to correspond to the multiple parallel routes R1, R2, ... Rn, sets multiple channels CH1, CH2, ... CHn, and judges the quality of the granular material for each of the multiple channels. That is, the multiple channels CH1, CH2, ... CHn correspond to the multiple routes R1, R2, ... Rn, and correspond to the multiple injection ports S1, S2, ... Sn of the air blowing device 31 (exclusion device 30).

In the example of FIG. 6, light from the portion of detection area DU that overlaps with path R2 is incident on pixels E41-63 in front sensor 23A. Therefore, pixels E41-63 corresponding to path R2 are set as channel CH2. A predetermined number of pixels up to pixel E40 corresponding to path R1 are set as channel CH1. A predetermined number of pixels from pixel E64 onwards corresponding to path R3 are set as channel CH3. The channels are initially set when the device is manufactured. The set values for the distribution of pixels E1, E2, ... Em to channels CH1, CH2, ... CHn are stored in memory unit 7f.

When the above-mentioned criteria are met in the portion of the output of the front sensor 23A that corresponds to a certain channel, the quality determination unit 7a determines that the granular material in the path corresponding to that channel is defective. The quality determination unit 7a then activates the air blowing device 31 (exclusion device 30) to spray air from the nozzle S that corresponds to that channel. In more detail, the quality determination unit 7a activates the air blowing device 31 a predetermined time after determining that the granular material is defective.

Similarly, the quality judgment unit 7a judges the quality of the granular body based on the output of the rear sensor 23B for each of the multiple paths R1, R2, ... Rn. Specifically, the quality judgment unit 7a distributes the multiple pixels E1, E2, ... Em of the rear sensor 23B to correspond to the multiple parallel paths R1, R2, ... Rn, and sets multiple channels CH1, CH2, ... CHn, and judges the quality of the granular body for each of these multiple channels. Also, the quality judgment unit 7a judges the quality of the granular body based on the output of the transmission sensor 23C for each of the multiple paths R1, R2, ... Rn. Specifically, the quality judgment unit 7a distributes the multiple pixels E1, E2, ... Em of the transmission sensor 23C to correspond to the multiple parallel paths R1, R2, ... Rn, and sets multiple channels CH1, CH2, ... CHn, and judges the quality of the granular body for each of these multiple channels. That is, the channel distribution of the front sensor 23A, the rear sensor 23B, and the transmission sensor 23C is set so that channels with the same number correspond to paths R and nozzles S with the same number. Note that the number and number of pixels E distributed to the same channel number may differ between the front sensor 23A, the rear sensor 23B, and the transmission sensor 23C.

The pixel distribution setting for each sensor channel is stored in memory 7f. The pass/fail judgment unit 7a reads data indicating the correspondence between channels and pixels from memory 7f and performs pass/fail judgment for each channel on the granular material based on the output of each sensor.

[Change of operation parameters]
In this embodiment, the change unit 7h automatically changes the operation parameters of the inspection unit 4 so as to reduce the difference in sorting sensitivity between the two inspection units 4. The change of the operation parameters by the change unit 7h may be performed while the inspection unit 4 is operating (while the inspection is being performed) or while the inspection unit 4 is stopped (while the inspection is stopped).

Below, an example will be described in which the operating parameters of the right inspection unit 4R are changed based on the left inspection unit 4L. That is, the left inspection unit 4L is the "reference unit, which is one of the multiple inspection units" described in the claims. The right inspection unit 4R is the "adjustable unit, which is the remaining inspection unit" described in the claims. The opposite configuration, in which the right inspection unit 4R is the reference unit and the left inspection unit 4L is the adjusted unit, is also possible. The reference unit may be determined from the multiple inspection units 4 based on operation input from the operator.

[Sorting sensitivity]
The sorting sensitivity calculation unit 7g calculates a sorting sensitivity, which is the number of defective products detected per unit time, for each of the multiple inspection units 4 based on the judgment result by the pass/fail judgment unit 7a. For example, the sorting sensitivity calculation unit 7g stores the time, the type of the inspection unit 4, the type of the sensor 23, and the type of defect as defective product data in the memory unit 7f every time the pass/fail judgment unit 7a detects a defective product. For example, the sorting sensitivity calculation unit 7g stores "time 15:07:24, right inspection unit 4R, front sensor 23A, lower first defect" in the memory unit 7f. The sorting sensitivity calculation unit 7g calculates the sorting sensitivity by referring to the defective product data stored in the memory unit 7f.

The "unit time" that is the basis for the sorting sensitivity calculation unit 7g to calculate the sorting sensitivity is determined in advance and stored in the memory unit 7f. The unit time may be changed by an operation input from an operator. The sorting sensitivity calculation unit 7g may detect the sorting sensitivity for multiple unit times (e.g., 30 seconds and 1 hour).

The following six types of selection sensitivity can be calculated by the selection sensitivity calculation unit 7g.

Sorting sensitivity of the front sensor 23A of the left inspection unit 4L (hereinafter referred to as "left front sorting sensitivity")

The sorting sensitivity of the rear sensor 23B of the left inspection unit 4L (hereinafter referred to as "left rear sorting sensitivity")

The sorting sensitivity of the transmission sensor 23C of the left inspection unit 4L (hereinafter referred to as "left transmission sorting sensitivity")

Average sorting sensitivity of left inspection unit 4L (average of left front sorting sensitivity, left rear sorting sensitivity, and left transmission sorting sensitivity, hereafter referred to as "left average sorting sensitivity")

The sorting sensitivity of the front sensor 23A of the right inspection unit 4R (hereinafter referred to as the "right front sorting sensitivity")

The sorting sensitivity of the rear sensor 23B of the right inspection unit 4R (hereinafter referred to as the "right rear sorting sensitivity")

The sorting sensitivity of the transmission sensor 23C of the right inspection unit 4R (hereinafter referred to as "right transmission sorting sensitivity")

Average sorting sensitivity of right inspection unit 4R (average of right front sorting sensitivity, right rear sorting sensitivity, and right transmission sorting sensitivity, hereafter referred to as "right average sorting sensitivity")

The sorting sensitivity calculation unit 7g may calculate the sorting sensitivity for each type of defect (lower first defect (e.g., "stink bug damage"), lower second defect (e.g., "discoloration")).

[Operation parameters]
The operational parameters to be changed by the change unit 7h include the following: The operational parameters below are stored in the storage unit 7f.

Setting output amount of the output device 10 (operation strength, operation time, operation interval of the vibrating feeder 11)

Sorting thresholds for each camera 22 (lower first threshold SL1, lower first quantity threshold, lower second threshold SL2, lower second quantity threshold, upper first threshold SU1, upper first quantity threshold, upper second threshold SU2, upper second quantity threshold)

Light emission intensity of the lighting device 21 (light-emitting devices of background members 21A, 21B, 21C, lighting units 21D, 21E, 21F, 21G)

Sensitivity of each sensor 23 (multiplication of output voltage from pixel, multiplication during quantization, etc.)

Here, the control device 7 controls the delivery device 10 (vibration feeder 11) based on the set delivery amount as an operating parameter. In other words, the delivery device 10 controls the delivery amount of the granular material based on the set delivery amount.

The quality determination unit 7a determines whether the granular material is good or bad based on the sorting threshold as an operating parameter. In other words, the detection device 20 detects the granular material as defective based on the sorting threshold.

The control device 7 controls the lighting device 21 based on the emission intensity as an operating parameter. In other words, the lighting device 21 illuminates the inspection area IA based on the emission intensity.

The control device 7 processes the output data from each sensor 23 based on the sensitivity of each sensor 23 as an operating parameter. In other words, the sensitivity of each sensor 23 is controlled by the control device 7.

[First change of operating parameters: set delivery amount]
The change unit 7h changes the set sending amount of the sending device 10 so that the difference between the sorting sensitivity of the right inspection unit 4R and the sorting sensitivity of the left inspection unit 4L becomes smaller. Specifically, the change unit 7h increases the set sending amount of the right inspection unit 4R when the sorting sensitivity of the right inspection unit 4R is smaller than the sorting sensitivity of the left inspection unit 4L. When the set sending amount increases, the amount of granular material sent from the sending device 10 increases. As the inspection population increases, the number of granular materials determined to be defective increases, and the sorting sensitivity of the right inspection unit 4R increases. Therefore, the difference in sorting sensitivity becomes smaller.

Conversely, when the sorting sensitivity in the right inspection unit 4R is greater than the sorting sensitivity in the left inspection unit 4L, the change unit 7h reduces the set sending amount in the right inspection unit 4R. When the set sending amount is reduced, the amount of granular material sent from the sending device 10 is reduced. By reducing the inspection population, the number of granular materials determined to be defective is reduced, and the sorting sensitivity in the right inspection unit 4R is reduced. Therefore, the difference in sorting sensitivity is reduced.

In the first modification, the selection sensitivity used by the modification unit 7h for comparison can be, for example, the following combinations:

Left average sorting sensitivity and right average sorting sensitivity

Left front sorting sensitivity and right front sorting sensitivity

Left rear selection sensitivity and right rear selection sensitivity

Left transmission sorting sensitivity and right transmission sorting sensitivity

[Second modification of the operating parameter: sorting threshold]
The change unit 7h changes the sorting threshold of each camera 22 so that the difference between the sorting sensitivity of the right inspection unit 4R and the sorting sensitivity of the left inspection unit 4L is reduced. Specifically, when the sorting sensitivity of the right inspection unit 4R is smaller than that of the left inspection unit 4L, the change unit 7h changes the sorting threshold of the right inspection unit 4R in a direction that makes sorting stricter. When the sorting threshold is changed in a direction that makes sorting stricter, the number of granular bodies determined to be defective increases, and the sorting sensitivity of the right inspection unit 4R increases. Therefore, the difference in sorting sensitivity is reduced.

The changes to the selection threshold in the direction of making selection stricter are as follows.
Lower first threshold value SL1 or lower second threshold value SL2: High Lower first quantity threshold value or lower second quantity threshold value: Small Upper first threshold value SU1 or upper second threshold value SU2: Low Upper first quantity threshold value or upper second quantity threshold value: Small

That is, with regard to the "lower" threshold, the detection device 20 detects the granular material as defective when the intensity of light detected by the sensor 23 is lower than the sorting threshold based on the sorting threshold. The change unit 7h increases the sorting threshold in the right inspection unit 4R when the sorting sensitivity in the right inspection unit 4R is lower than the sorting sensitivity in the left inspection unit 4L.

Furthermore, with regard to the "upper" threshold, the detection device 20 detects the granular material as defective when the intensity of light detected by the sensor 23 is higher than the sorting threshold based on the sorting threshold. The change unit 7h lowers the sorting threshold in the right inspection unit 4R when the sorting sensitivity in the right inspection unit 4R is lower than the sorting sensitivity in the left inspection unit 4L.

Conversely, when the sorting sensitivity in the right inspection unit 4R is greater than the sorting sensitivity in the left inspection unit 4L, the change unit 7h changes the sorting threshold in the right inspection unit 4R in a direction that makes sorting less severe. When the sorting threshold is changed in a direction that makes sorting less severe, the number of granular objects determined to be defective decreases, and the sorting sensitivity in the right inspection unit 4R decreases. Therefore, the difference in sorting sensitivity becomes smaller.

The change in the selection threshold to make the selection less strict is as follows.
Lower first threshold value SL1 or lower second threshold value SL2: low Lower first quantity threshold value or lower second quantity threshold value: large Upper first threshold value SU1 or upper second threshold value SU2: high Upper first quantity threshold value or upper second quantity threshold value: large

That is, with regard to the "lower" threshold, the detection device 20 detects the granular material as defective when the intensity of light detected by the sensor 23 is lower than the sorting threshold based on the sorting threshold. The change unit 7h lowers the sorting threshold in the right inspection unit 4R when the sorting sensitivity in the right inspection unit 4R is greater than the sorting sensitivity in the left inspection unit 4L.

Furthermore, with regard to the "upper" threshold, the detection device 20 detects the granular material as defective when the intensity of light detected by the sensor 23 is higher than the sorting threshold based on the sorting threshold. The change unit 7h increases the sorting threshold in the right inspection unit 4R when the sorting sensitivity in the right inspection unit 4R is higher than the sorting sensitivity in the left inspection unit 4L.

In the second modification, the selection sensitivity used by the modification unit 7h for comparison can be, for example, the following combinations:

Left average sorting sensitivity and right average sorting sensitivity: In this case, it is preferable to change the sorting thresholds for all sensors 23.

Left front sorting sensitivity and right front sorting sensitivity: In this case, it is preferable to change the sorting threshold for the front sensor 23A.

Left rear sorting sensitivity and right rear sorting sensitivity: In this case, it is preferable to change the sorting threshold for the rear sensor 23B.

Left transmission sorting sensitivity and right transmission sorting sensitivity: In this case, it is preferable to change the sorting threshold for the transmission sensor 23C.

The sorting sensitivity calculated for each type of defect may be used for comparison by the change unit 7h. In this case, it is preferable to change the sorting threshold (e.g., the lower first threshold SL1 and/or the lower first quantity threshold) corresponding to the type of defect (e.g., the lower first defect).

[Third modification of the operating parameters: light emission intensity]
The change unit 7h changes the light emission intensity of the illumination device 21 so as to reduce the difference between the sorting sensitivity of the right inspection unit 4R and the sorting sensitivity of the left inspection unit 4L. Specifically, when the sorting sensitivity of the right inspection unit 4R is smaller than the sorting sensitivity of the left inspection unit 4L, the change unit 7h reduces the light emission intensity of the right inspection unit 4R. When the light emission intensity is reduced, the inspection area IA becomes darker, the number of granular bodies determined to be defective increases, and the sorting sensitivity of the right inspection unit 4R increases. Therefore, the difference in sorting sensitivity is reduced.

Conversely, when the sorting sensitivity in the right inspection unit 4R is greater than the sorting sensitivity in the left inspection unit 4L, the change unit 7h increases the emission intensity in the right inspection unit 4R. When the emission intensity increases, the inspection area IA becomes brighter, the number of granular objects determined to be defective decreases, and the sorting sensitivity in the right inspection unit 4R decreases. Therefore, the difference in sorting sensitivity becomes smaller.

In the third modification, the selection sensitivity used by the modification unit 7h for comparison can be, for example, the following combinations:

Left average sorting sensitivity and right average sorting sensitivity: In this case, it is preferable to change the light emission intensity for the entire lighting device 21 (all light-emitting devices related to all background members and all lighting units).

Left front sorting sensitivity and right front sorting sensitivity: In this case, it is preferable to change the light emission intensity of the lighting device 21 (light-emitting device related to the background member 21A, lighting units 21D, 21E) related to the front sensor 23A.

Left rear sorting sensitivity and right rear sorting sensitivity: In this case, it is preferable to change the light emission intensity of the lighting device 21 (light-emitting device related to the background member 21B, lighting units 21F, 21G) related to the rear sensor 23B.

Left transmission sorting sensitivity and right transmission sorting sensitivity: In this case, it is preferable to change the emission intensity of the lighting device 21 (light-emitting device related to the background member 21C, lighting units 21D, 21E) related to the transmission sensor 23C.

[Third modification of the operating parameters: light emission intensity]
The change unit 7h changes the sensitivity of the sensor 23 so that the difference between the sorting sensitivity of the right inspection unit 4R and the sorting sensitivity of the left inspection unit 4L is reduced. Specifically, when the sorting sensitivity of the right inspection unit 4R is smaller than the sorting sensitivity of the left inspection unit 4L, the change unit 7h increases the sensitivity of the sensor 23 in the right inspection unit 4R. When the sensitivity of the sensor 23 is increased (more sensitive), the number of granular bodies determined to be defective increases, and the sorting sensitivity of the right inspection unit 4R increases. Therefore, the difference in sorting sensitivity is reduced.

Conversely, when the sorting sensitivity in the right inspection unit 4R is greater than the sorting sensitivity in the left inspection unit 4L, the change unit 7h reduces the sensitivity of the sensor 23 in the right inspection unit 4R. When the sensitivity of the sensor 23 becomes lower (less sensitive), fewer granular objects are determined to be defective, and the sorting sensitivity in the right inspection unit 4R becomes smaller. Therefore, the difference in sorting sensitivity becomes smaller.

In the fourth modification, the selection sensitivity used by the modification unit 7h for comparison can be, for example, the following combinations:

Left average sorting sensitivity and right average sorting sensitivity: In this case, it is preferable to change the sensitivity for all sensors 23.

Left front sorting sensitivity and right front sorting sensitivity: In this case, it is preferable to change the sensitivity for the front sensor 23A.

Left rear sorting sensitivity and right rear sorting sensitivity: In this case, it is preferable to change the sensitivity for rear sensor 23B.

Left transmission sorting sensitivity and right transmission sorting sensitivity: In this case, it is preferable to change the sensitivity of the transmission sensor 23C.

[Operation parameter change process]
The operation parameter changing process executed by the granular material inspection device will be described with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 7. The operation parameter changing process is repeatedly executed while the granular material inspection device is in operation. The operation parameter changing process may be executed at a set predetermined time interval, or may be executed in response to an operation input from an operator.

The sorting sensitivity calculation unit 7g calculates the sorting sensitivity of the reference unit (left inspection unit 4L, same below) and the adjusted unit (right inspection unit 4R, same below) (step #101).

The change unit 7h calculates the difference between the sorting sensitivity of the adjusted unit and the sorting sensitivity of the reference unit based on the calculation result of step #101, and determines whether the difference is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value (step #102). If the difference is equal to or smaller than the predetermined value (step #102: Yes), the operation parameter change process ends.

If the difference in sorting sensitivity is not less than the predetermined value (step #102: No), the change unit 7h determines whether the sorting sensitivity of the adjusted unit is less than the sorting sensitivity of the reference unit (step #103).

If the sorting sensitivity of the adjusted unit is smaller than the sorting sensitivity of the reference unit (step #103: Yes), the change unit 7h reduces the set transmission amount of the adjusted unit (step #104).

If the sorting sensitivity of the adjusted unit is not smaller than the sorting sensitivity of the reference unit (step #103: No), the change unit 7h increases the set transmission amount of the adjusted unit (step #105).

After executing step #104 or step #105, the selection sensitivity calculation unit 7g again calculates the selection sensitivity of the reference unit and the adjusted unit (step #106)

Based on the calculation result of step #106, the change unit 7h calculates the difference between the sorting sensitivity of the adjusted unit and the sorting sensitivity of the reference unit, and determines whether the difference is equal to or smaller than a predetermined value (step #107). If the difference is equal to or smaller than the predetermined value (step #107: Yes), the operation parameter change process ends.

If the difference in sorting sensitivity is not less than the predetermined value (step #107: No), the change unit 7h determines whether the sorting sensitivity of the adjusted unit is less than the sorting sensitivity of the reference unit (step #108).

If the sorting sensitivity of the adjusted unit is lower than the sorting sensitivity of the reference unit (step #103: Yes), the change unit 7h increases the sorting threshold of the adjusted unit (step #109), reduces the illumination of the lighting device 21 (step #110), and decreases the sensitivity of the sensor 23 (step #111).

If the sorting sensitivity of the adjusted unit is not smaller than the sorting sensitivity of the reference unit (step #103: No), the change unit 7h lowers the sorting threshold of the adjusted unit (step #112), increases the illumination of the lighting device 21 (step #113), and increases the sensitivity of the sensor 23 (step #114).

After step #111 or step #114 is executed, step #101 is executed again. That is, the operation parameter change process is executed until the difference between the sorting sensitivity of the adjusted unit and the sorting sensitivity of the reference unit becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value (step #102: Yes, or step #107: Yes).

As described above, in this embodiment, the change unit 7h prioritizes changing the operating parameters of the transmission device 10 (steps #104, 105) over changing the operating parameters of the detection device 20 (steps #109-114).

[Sensitivity setting process]
The sensitivity setting process executed in the particle inspection apparatus will be described with reference to the flow chart of Fig. 8. The sensitivity setting process is started by an operation input from the operator.

The control device 7 causes the operation display device 6 to display a screen that prompts the operator to select and input the sensitivity to be adjusted (step #201). On the screen, buttons labeled with the text "Stink bug damage," "Discoloration," "White rice/milky white/rice," and "Green rice" are displayed as targets for selecting and inputting the sensitivity to be adjusted.

The control device 7 waits for an operation input from the operator to the operation display device 6 (step #202). The control device 7 waits until a selection input is received (step #202: No).

When the control device 7 receives a selection input of the sensitivity to be adjusted (step #202: Yes), the control device 7 executes test sorting (step #203). In detail, the control device 7 operates the grain discharge device in response to the operation display device 6 receiving an operation input from the operator to start test sorting, and stops the grain discharge device in response to the operation display device 6 receiving an operation input from the operator to end test sorting.

When step #203 is completed, the control device 7 causes the operation display device 6 to display a screen that prompts the operator to select and input the results of the test sorting (step #204). The screen displays buttons labeled "No problem," "Many sorting errors," and "Low yield" as options for selecting and inputting the results of the test sorting.

The control device 7 waits for an operation input from the operator to the operation display device 6 (steps #205, #206). The control device 7 waits until a selection input is received (step #205: No, step #206: No).

When "many sorting errors" or "poor yield" is selected and input as a result of the test sorting (step #205: No, step #206: Yes), the control device 7 displays a screen on the operation display device 6 that prompts the operator to select and input the sensitivity adjustment range (step #207). On the screen, buttons with the text "I want to reduce a little" and "I want to reduce a lot" are displayed as options for selecting and inputting the sensitivity adjustment range.

The control device 7 waits for an operation input from the operator to the operation display device 6 (step #208). The control device 7 waits until a selection input is received (step #208: No).

When the selection input of the sensitivity adjustment range is received (step #208: Yes), the control device 7 changes the sensitivity for determining defective products in the inspection unit 4 and displays a screen showing the changed sensitivity on the operation display device 6 (step #209).

In more detail, the control device 7 performs a sensitivity change for the sensitivity to be adjusted, input of which was received in step #201, based on the test selection results input of which was received in step #205 and the sensitivity adjustment range input of which was received in step #207.

If the result of the test sorting is "many sorting errors", the control device 7 changes the sensitivity in a direction to make it stronger. If the result of the test sorting is "poor yield", the control device 7 changes the sensitivity in a direction to make it weaker. The direction to make the sensitivity stronger is the direction in which each threshold value is changed as follows. The direction to make the sensitivity weaker is the opposite direction.
Lower first threshold value SL1 or lower second threshold value SL2: High Lower first quantity threshold value or lower second quantity threshold value: Small Upper first threshold value SU1 or upper second threshold value SU2: Low Upper first quantity threshold value or upper second quantity threshold value: Small

When the adjustment range of the sensitivity is "want to decrease it a little," the control device 7 changes the threshold value described in the previous paragraph by a predetermined amount (first predetermined amount). When the adjustment range of the sensitivity is "want to decrease it a lot," the control device 7 changes the threshold value described in the previous paragraph by a greater amount than when "want to decrease it a little" (a second predetermined amount that is greater than the first predetermined amount).

When the sensitivity to be adjusted is "stink bug damage," the control device 7 changes the lower first threshold value SL1 and/or the lower first quantity threshold value for the front sensor 23A and the rear sensor 23B.

When the sensitivity to be adjusted is "burnt," the control device 7 changes the lower second threshold SL2 and/or the lower second quantity threshold for the front sensor 23A and the rear sensor 23B.

When the sensitivity to be adjusted is "white/milky/rice", the control device 7 changes the lower first threshold SL1 and/or the lower first quantity threshold for the transmission sensor 23C.

When the sensitivity to be adjusted is "green rice," the control device 7 changes the upper first threshold SU1 and/or the upper first quantity threshold for the transmission sensor 23C.

When step #209 is completed, step #203 is executed again.

When "No problem" is selected and input as a result of the test selection (step #205: Yes), the control device 7 displays a screen on the operation display device 6 that suggests a recommended sensitivity and prompts the operator to select and input the subsequent processing (step #210). The current sensitivity (the changed sensitivity) is displayed on the screen as "recommended sensitivity," and buttons with the text "Redo" and "Set to this sensitivity" are displayed as options for selecting and inputting the subsequent processing.

The control device 7 waits for an operation input from the operator to the operation display device 6 (steps #211, #212). The control device 7 waits until a selection input is received (step #211: No, step #212: No).

When the selection input of "Retry" is received (step #211: Yes), step #204 is executed again.

When the selection input of "Set to this sensitivity" is accepted (step #212: Yes), the control device 7 causes the operation display device 6 to display a screen that prompts the operator to select whether to end the process or adjust other sensitivities (step #213). Buttons labeled "End" and "Adjust other sensitivities" are displayed on the screen as selection input targets.

The control device 7 waits for an operation input from the operator to the operation display device 6 (steps #214, #215). The control device 7 waits until a selection input is received (step #214: No, step #215: No).

When the selection input for "Adjust other sensitivities" is received (step #214: Yes), step #201 is executed again.

When the "End" selection input is received (Step #215: Yes), the sensitivity setting process ends.

Other Embodiments
(1) The particle inspection device may include three or more inspection units 4.

(2) The modification unit 7h may be configured to calculate the time average of the sorting sensitivity for each of the reference unit and the adjusted unit during a specified period, and modify the operating parameters of the adjusted unit so as to reduce the difference between them. By using the calculated time average of the sorting sensitivity, adverse effects due to sudden or accidental changes in sorting sensitivity are suppressed. The "specified period" may be set in advance and stored in the memory unit 7f, or may be changed in response to operational input from the operator. The modification unit 7h may be configured to calculate the time average of the sorting sensitivity for multiple "specified periods".

(3) The change unit 7h may be configured to change only the set transmission amount of the transmission device 10.

(4) The change unit 7h may be configured to change at least one of the sorting threshold of each camera 22, the light emission intensity of the lighting device 21, and the sensitivity of each sensor 23, without changing the set transmission amount of the transmission device 10.

(5) The amount of change in the operating parameters by the change unit 7h may be set in advance or may be determined each time depending on the magnitude of the difference in sorting sensitivity.

(6) The change unit 7h may include a machine-learned neural network. For example, the neural network of the change unit 7h may be configured to learn the calculated sorting sensitivity, the manner in which the operating parameters are changed, and the amount of change in the sorting sensitivity due to the change in the operating parameters using the calculated sorting sensitivity as training data, and to output the amount of change in the operating parameters in response to an input of the current sorting sensitivity.

(7) The inspection unit 4 may be provided in separate units across multiple devices. For example, in an inspection system including multiple granular material inspection devices, the inspection unit 4 may be provided in separate units across multiple granular material inspection devices. The inspection unit 4 provided in one granular material inspection device may function as the reference unit, and the inspection unit 4 provided in the other granular material inspection device may function as the adjusted unit.

(8) The control device 7 may activate the notification device 8 to notify the operator that the change unit 7h has changed the operating parameters.

The present invention is applicable to granular material inspection devices, color sorters, optical sorters, etc. that are equipped with multiple inspection units. The present invention is also applicable to multiple granular material inspection devices (inspection systems) in which granular material is distributed and supplied from a single supply source.

4: Inspection unit 4L: Left inspection unit (reference unit)
4R: Right inspection unit (adjusted unit)
7h: change unit 10: transmission device 20: detection device 21: lighting device 23: sensor IA: inspection area

Claims (7)

a plurality of inspection units each including a sending device for sending a granular material to an inspection area, a sensor for detecting light from the inspection area, and a detection device for detecting defective granular material based on an output of the sensor, the inspection unit inspecting the granular material to detect defective products;
a change unit that changes an operating parameter of the adjusted unit so as to reduce a difference between a sorting sensitivity, which is the number of defective products detected per unit time, of a reference unit that is one of the plurality of inspection units and the sorting sensitivity of an adjusted unit that is the remaining inspection unit;
the delivery device controls the delivery amount of the granular material based on a delivery amount set as an operation parameter of the adjusted unit,
the change unit increases the set transmission amount of the adjusted unit when the number of defective products detected per unit time in the adjusted unit is smaller than the number of defective products detected per unit time in the reference unit ;
the detection device detects the granular body as a defective product when the intensity of the light detected by the sensor is lower than a sorting threshold based on a sorting threshold as an operating parameter of the adjusted unit;
A granular material inspection device in which the change unit increases the sorting threshold in the adjusted unit when the number of defective products detected per unit time in the adjusted unit is smaller than the number of defective products detected per unit time in the reference unit . The granular material inspection device according to claim 1, wherein the change unit reduces the set delivery amount in the adjusted unit when the number of defective products detected per unit time in the adjusted unit is greater than the number of defective products detected per unit time in the reference unit. The granular material inspection device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the change unit lowers the sorting threshold in the adjusted unit when the number of defective products detected per unit time in the adjusted unit is greater than the number of defective products detected per unit time in the reference unit. a plurality of inspection units each of which is configured to inspect the granular material and detect defective products, the inspection unit including a sending device which sends the granular material to an inspection area, a sensor which detects light from the inspection area, a detection device which detects defective products of the granular material based on an output of the sensor, and an illumination device which illuminates the inspection area;
a change unit that changes an operating parameter of the adjusted unit so as to reduce a difference between a sorting sensitivity, which is the number of defective products detected per unit time, of a reference unit that is one of the plurality of inspection units and the sorting sensitivity of an adjusted unit that is the remaining inspection unit;
A granular material inspection device, wherein the change unit changes the light emission intensity of the lighting device as an operating parameter of the adjusted unit based on the difference between the sorting sensitivity of the reference unit and the sorting sensitivity of the adjusted unit. a plurality of inspection units each including a sending device for sending a granular material to an inspection area, a sensor for detecting light from the inspection area, and a detection device for detecting defective granular material based on an output of the sensor, the inspection unit inspecting the granular material to detect defective products;
a change unit that changes an operating parameter of the adjusted unit so as to reduce a difference between a sorting sensitivity, which is the number of defective products detected per unit time, of a reference unit that is one of the plurality of inspection units and the sorting sensitivity of an adjusted unit that is the remaining inspection unit;
The change unit changes the sensitivity of the sensor as an operating parameter of the adjusted unit based on the difference between the sorting sensitivity of the reference unit and the sorting sensitivity of the adjusted unit. a plurality of inspection units each including a sending device for sending a granular material to an inspection area, a sensor for detecting light from the inspection area, and a detection device for detecting defective granular material based on an output of the sensor, the inspection unit inspecting the granular material to detect defective products;
a change unit that changes an operating parameter of the adjusted unit so as to reduce a difference between a sorting sensitivity, which is the number of defective products detected per unit time, of a reference unit that is one of the plurality of inspection units and the sorting sensitivity of an adjusted unit that is the remaining inspection unit;
the delivery device controls the delivery amount of the granular material based on a delivery amount set as an operation parameter of the adjusted unit,
the change unit increases the set transmission amount of the adjusted unit when the number of defective products detected per unit time in the adjusted unit is smaller than the number of defective products detected per unit time in the reference unit;
The change unit changes the operating parameters of the sending device with priority over the operating parameters of the detection device. a plurality of inspection units each including a sending device for sending a granular material to an inspection area, a sensor for detecting light from the inspection area, and a detection device for detecting defective granular material based on an output of the sensor, the inspection unit inspecting the granular material to detect defective products;
a change unit that changes an operating parameter of the adjusted unit so as to reduce a difference between a sorting sensitivity, which is the number of defective products detected per unit time, of a reference unit that is one of the plurality of inspection units and the sorting sensitivity of an adjusted unit that is the remaining inspection unit;
A granular material inspection device in which the change unit calculates the time average of the sorting sensitivity over a predetermined period for each of the reference unit and the adjusted unit, and changes the operating parameters of the adjusted unit so as to reduce the difference between them.

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