• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
  • 类似技术
  • 同族专利
  • 引用文献
  • 法律状态
  • 优先权
    • 专利摘要:
    The present invention relates to a packing and weighing station with volume detection of a package using a camera and a control unit and a method.
    公开号:AT515738A2
    申请号:T51/2015
    申请日:2015-02-04
    公开日:2015-11-15
    发明作者:
    申请人:Bvs Verpackungs Systeme Gmbh；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    Pack weighing station with volume detection and method
    The present invention relates to a pack weighing station with volume detection and a corresponding method.
    In the field of wholesaling and mail order, and generally in each business with commercial end packaging individually wrapped goods are placed in larger outer packaging such as boxes and sent in these to the purchaser of the goods. This has been done for a long time on packing stations with weighing function, so that the total weight of the filled and sealed outer packaging can be determined. This information is of great importance to the packaging company as it means that appropriate capacities of a transport company can be ordered or its own transport capacities can be requested.
    Recently, it has become additionally interesting to determine the volume of the outer packaging and also to provide this information to the transport company. As a result, the transport can be made even more efficient, since the transport vehicles used can be optimally utilized in every respect, especially in terms of their cargo space volume. Furthermore, the terms outer packaging, packaging, cardboard and package are used interchangeably.
    For the detection of packing dimensions of the outer packaging, the use of ultrasonic sensors and 3D laser measuring devices is known. However, both systems are expensive and also disadvantageous, since they can not reliably rule out erroneous measurements, for example because of objects left unintentionally on the packing and weighing table.
    From DE 103 39 345 A1 a Postgutmeßgerät is known, determine the mechanical sensing means by touching the surface of the mail a dimension of the mail. In addition, a scale and a line scan camera are added as an optical measuring device that records the entire image of the mail.
    From DE 10 2006 015 314 B3 a device for determining the extent of a packet is known, in which an image camera arranged above the packet is used, which generates an image of the footprint in the camera image plane with the edges bounding the footprint. The object height is calculated using the basic edges and a side edge determined from the image.
    From US 5,841,541 A1 a device for determining volume using rotating sensors is known, wherein the package to be determined is placed in a corner of a measuring table. On the walls of the measuring table reflective measuring strips are provided, which are partially covered by the package. The length and width of the package are determined from the remaining free weights.
    From US 2006/0112023 A1 a volume determination device with integrated balance is known which uses two sensors. The height of a package located on a weighing table is determined by a first overhead sensor. The cross-sectional data of the package is determined by means of a horizontally oriented sensor, which sensors may be ultrasonic sensors for the height and a laser sensor for the cross-sectional area or one or more cameras.
    It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus and method for determining the volume of a parcel.
    This is according to the invention in a packaging and weighing station with volume detection of a package, comprising a frame, a height adjustable on this work surface, wherein the frame is a stop for the packaging forming by being adjacent to the work surface and this is outstanding, the work surface part a weighing device is provided, wherein at least one looking in the direction of the work surface camera for receiving images of the packaging and a control unit are provided, wherein the control unit, the volume of the packaging from a recording of the camera is automatically determined, achieved in that the work surface at least one Contrast surface has.
    With great advantage, an automatic image recognition method for determining the volume is used in this packing station, in which a device rather simple camera is used. The device of the invention requires no special design effort, existing packaging and weighing devices can be easily converted, while the image recognition is a safe, proven means for evaluation and data acquisition. The invention is not limited to manually operated packing and weighing stations, it can also be used in automated stations. It is advantageous that the frame is an abutment for the packaging by being adjacent to the work surface and this is outstanding. For reliable volume detection, it is necessary to bring the packaging into a defined recording position which is the same for all recordings.
    For this purpose, the invention proposes a stop for simplicity, against which the packaging is pushed by the operator. It is particularly simple when this stop is formed by the frame itself, by the latter projects beyond the work surface upwards.
    According to the invention would also be a separate, independent of the frame stop, as it could be formed for example by a rail or the like on the work surface, or by a height-graded work surface or the like. The provision of at least one contrast surface on the work surface is a particularly determinant and simple way of determining the volume. The contrasting surface need not be scaled, not held in a particular color as long as it has sufficient contrast, particularly to the package. By determining the edge position in the region of the contrast surface, which may be formed as a narrow or wide, long or short rectangle or in any other geometric shape, which may be formed as a single or multiple, then in particular parallel to each other, Konstrastflächen is advantageous The evaluation makes it easier to leave objects lying on the work surface, which do not disturb the volume determination process.
    Advantageously, the invention further proposes that the contrast surface is designed as a contrast strip, in particular along the stop.
    Such a strip is easy to manufacture and easy to attach, especially if it can be mounted guided along the stop. This contrast strip is preferably arranged in each case on two mutually orthogonal stops and extends in particular over the entire length of the respective stop. To increase the reliability of evaluation, a plurality of mutually parallel and spaced-apart contrast strips per stop side can be provided on the work surface. In this case, edge detection can be done redundantly on several contrast stripes.
    According to the invention, it is further provided that the camera is mounted on the frame and is an electronic camera, in particular a CCD camera. Due to the frame holder, a separate camera attachment can be omitted. However, according to the invention, it could also be fastened to a wall or ceiling in the installation area of the packing and weighing station, if this were possible or necessary. However, preferred is the attachment to the frame, as this allows a simple and easy to handle device. CCD cameras are preferred, but any other electronic camera is in accordance with the invention as long as it provides evaluable images, particularly those on which edges can be detected and detected, and where lengths can be deduced from the number of pixels exposed.
    If the device according to the invention has illuminants, in particular illuminants mounted on the frame and radiating in the direction of the working surface, it is advantageously ensured that the receptacles of the packages or cartons are always sufficiently exposed and illuminated. It is also advantageous that the same lighting means for illuminating the work surface are replaceable, so that an operator finds an optimal workplace. It is particularly preferred that the invention can also use the usually already existing bulbs of a packing station, so that they need only be retrofitted with a camera and appropriate software in order to become a packing station according to the invention with volume determination.
    In an embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the control unit determines the volume of the packaging on the basis of the number and position of the packaging-imaging pixels and associated pixel widths of the recording. This represents a particularly simple volume determination.
    If the control unit has a data input unit and a data output unit, in particular a unit with both functions, preferably a touch screen, then it is the modern one
    Requirements for data storage, processing and accessibility grew particularly well.
    The process task is solved by a method using the described apparatus with the following steps: 1) determining a blank image of the work surface in its pickup position, 2) taking an image of the sealed overpack, 3) determining the relevant edges within the at least one contrast surface from the imaging Pixels, 4) determining the length, height and width of the package from the number of those pixels of the image that record them and 5) outputting the determined volume.
    As already explained, the position of the edges is determined from the pixels of the recording, specifically in the region of the contrast surface, in particular in the region of the contrast strips, whereby more than one contrast strip can be provided per side of the cardboard and thus per working surface side. For the sake of simplicity, however, a contrasting strip along the respective stop of a work surface side is preferred.
    In an embodiment of this method, provision is also made to carry out one or more of the further steps listed below: 1a) input of packaging-related data into the control unit, in particular the order number; 1b) placing the outer packaging on the work surface, 1c) inserting goods into the packaging, 1d) taking pictures of individual packaging layers in the outer packaging including the final packaging layer, 3a) displaying the image on the data input output unit including the calculated calculation edges, enabling the Shifting of these edges by a user, 5a) storing the determined volume to the already stored data of the packaging in a database of the
    Control. The advantages of these steps are explained in more detail below.
    The invention will be described by way of example in a preferred embodiment with reference to a drawing, wherein further advantageous details are shown in the figures of the drawing.
    Functionally identical parts are provided with the same reference numerals.
    The figures of the drawing show in detail:
    1 shows a sketched device according to the invention,
    2 shows a flow chart of the method according to the invention, and FIG. 3 shows a volume determination process.
    Fig. 1 shows a sketched device according to the invention in a mixed representation. An indicated frame 1 carries a height-adjustable on this work surface 2, which is part of a weighing device 3. The work surface 2 has on its working side a corrugated sheet 9 as a surface and is surrounded by the frame 1 on three sides increased so that abutment edges 10 are formed as a system 6 for outer packaging 11 such as boxes or the like. Only two pages are shown. Above the work surface 2, a camera 4 is fixed with a view towards the work surface 2 on a boom of the frame 1. It is preferably a CCD camera, in each case to an electronic camera. Above or next to the camera 4 bulbs 7 are attached to the frame 1, which serve to illuminate the work surface 2 and whose light is advantageously used simultaneously by the camera 4, so that no further, camera-specific lighting devices are required. At least camera 4, weighing unit 3 and height-adjustable work surface 2 are connected to an electronic control unit 5, which in particular comprises data acquisition, data evaluation and data storage units. These data and control connections are shown in dashed lines. The control unit 5 also includes a data input unit 12, which is embodied here as a touchscreen monitor and thus functions as a data input / output unit 8. The weight of the package ready for shipment is detected by the weighing unit 3 and forwarded to the control unit 5. The volume of the package ready for shipment can be determined from an image captured by the camera 4 by image processing software of the control unit 5. Here, the image processing software is designed so that it is determining the spatial information of the outer packaging from the perspective distorted edges by comparison with the position of the frame edges in the image. In the lower part of Fig. 1 is a plan view of the work surface 2 is shown, which also contains the stops 6, here abutment edges 10 of the frame 1. The relevant for determining the volume center 13 of the work surface 2 is also shown. On the work surface 2 are two contrasting strips 16 can be seen, which are arranged along the stops 6, in particular glued to the work surface. The width of such a contrast strip is 3 cm, but may also be below or above it, in particular between 1 cm and 10 cm.
    Fig. 2 shows a flow chart of the method according to the invention.
    In a first step of a comprehensive operation with a large number of possible sub-steps of the method according to the invention, a reference image of the free, located in their receiving position work surface 2 is first recorded and stored in the control unit 5. In principle, it is also possible that such a reference image is taken only once when the device is first set up by the user or only a few times after repairs, conversions of the device, in particular the light source, cleaning of the device or the like. It is also conceivable, once or several times to make a daily time-dependent series of shots of the free work surface and deposit and let the control unit to select the matching for the actual work recording time blank image. In this case, this first step is omitted. The operator of the device according to the invention then places a package 11, for example a folded cardboard, on the work surface 2 and fills it there with goods. Before or after this step, the operator has details of the product entered into the control program, such as by manual input to a keyboard or touch screen, or by scanning the pact with a bar code scanner. Alternatively, these data can already be stored in a database belonging to the controller and displayed on a monitor, such as the touchscreen described, which then also serves as an input device for the control unit 5. These data include, among other things, the order number of the shipment. In a further step, a recording of the opened, filled carton 11 is made. According to the invention, this step can also take place several times per pack position within the carton 11, ie, for example, a photo after the first, second and third packing positions in a carton with three separate packing layers. This step can also be omitted, it is intended primarily for quality assurance. The packed carton is then sealed, labeled and provided with a delivery note, which is for example printed by a printer located at the packing station or kept there in stock. In any case, then a recording of the carton is made in this state, for which purpose the work surface 2 is adjusted in height to a defined, consistent receiving position. The determination of the cardboard volume from this
    Recording is explained in more detail in FIG. In this case, it is important for the operator to always apply the outer packaging to the abutment edge 10, preferably to abut two mutually orthogonal abutment edges 10 of the frame 1. It is also conceivable to provide a separate, independent from the frame stop 6, for example, a rail on the work surface 2 or the like. However, it is structurally simple to use the existing framework for this purpose.
    Fig. 3: shows schematically the volume determination in two partial images. The serving as a contact edge 10 inner edge 17 of the frame 1 is detected in the first shot and set as a zero line 14. When setting up the device for the first time, the center point 13 of the work surface 2 in the receiving position has already been determined and the pixel (s) deposited in the control unit 5 that represent this center. The optical position of the zero line 14 is translated into pixel values, so that the number of pixels between zero point 13 and contact edge 10 of the free working surface 2 can be determined. Since each pixel due to the known geometric relationships of height of the camera 4 on the work surface 2 in recording position and recording angle to the surface of the contact edge 10 of the frame 1 a physical width can be assigned, can on the known pixels of the measuring points of imaged zero line 14 and imaged center a physical length and width of the packet are determined. These result photographically from the position and length of the lower, the working surface assigning edges of the package 11, as can be seen in particular the second partial image, which represents the upper and lower main surface of a carton in sketched, simulated camera view. The control unit 5 is designed so that it determines and uses the longest edge of the electronic recording. As a result, interference elements such as a meter bar left on the work surface, a ballpoint pen, a package belt or the like are advantageously detected and can therefore be omitted from the volume calculation. The height of the carton is determined from the number of pixels that distinguishes the upper leading edge from the zero line 14, this pixel number being given a length value taking into account the perspective distortion due to the pickup angle. Particularly preferred, however, is the determination of the edge position over the contrast strips 16 also shown as a contrast surface 15 in a non-scale relationship. The determination of the edge 11 is preferably carried out only in the area in which this edge 11 covers the contrasting strip 16. Objects lying on the remaining work surface 2 can therefore not impair the measurement, since the area used to determine the edge position is advantageously minimized. Due to the increased contrast between the package and the strip, the position determination of the edge 11 is particularly safe and reliable, and reflections on the work surface do not interfere.
    The captured image is displayed on the monitor 8, 12 to allow the operator manual correction of zero line 14 and edge lines, which are also electronically inserted and manually slidable into the displayed image. This might be necessary if a measurement should not be quite accurate, for example, in older, already repeatedly used boxes by buckling, kinks and so on.
    From the known length and width and the height then gives the volume.
    The data thus determined are stored in the database of the controller and made accessible there for later access. The database therefore contains all the information necessary for quality assurance, such as customer, packing date, photographic evidence of the
    Packages, image of the volume determination, weight, packers, etc .. A subsequent selective pure read access by customers to their own data is also conceivable.
    The invention enables reliable optical volume determination with constructive use of the apparatus of a packing and weighing table and thus offers the user a high utility value.
    REFERENCE LIST 1 Frame 2 Work surface 3 Weighing device 4 Camera 5 Control unit 6 Stop 7 Illuminant 8 Data input / output unit 9 Checker plate 10 Contact edge 11 (Um) Packaging 12 Data input unit 13 Center point 14 Zero line 15 Contrast area 16 Contrast stripes 17 Inner edge
    权利要求:
    Claims (8)
    [1]
    CLAIMS 1. Packing and weighing station with volume recognition of a package, comprising a frame (1), a work surface (2) height-adjustable on the latter, the frame (1) forming a stop (6) for the package by being attached to the work surface (2) is adjacent and this is outstanding, wherein the work surface (2) is part of a weighing device (3), wherein at least one in the direction of the work surface (2) looking camera (4) for receiving images of the packaging and a control unit (5) are provided, wherein the control unit (5) the volume of the packaging from a recording of the camera (4) is automatically determined determining, characterized in that the working surface (2) has at least one contrast surface (15).
    [2]
    2. packing and weighing station according to claim 1, characterized in that the contrast surface (15) is designed as a contrast strip (16), in particular along the stop (6).
    [3]
    3. Packing and weighing station according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the camera (4) on the frame (1) supported and an electronic camera, in particular a CCD camera.
    [4]
    4. Packing and weighing station according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises lighting means (7), in particular on the frame (1) and held in the direction of the working surface (2) radiating bulbs (7).
    [5]
    Packing and weighing station according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control unit (5) determines the volume of the packaging on the basis of the number and position of the packaging-imaging pixels and associated pixel widths of the recording.
    [6]
    6. Packing and weighing station according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control unit (5) has a data input unit and a data output unit, in particular a unit (8) with both functions, preferably a touch screen.
    [7]
    Method for determining a volume of a package using a device according to one of claims 1 to 5, comprising the following subsequent steps: 1) determining a blank image of the work surface (2) in its pick-up position, 2) picking up an image of the sealed outer packaging, 3) determining the relevant edges within the at least one contrasting surface (15) from the imaging pixels, 4) determining the length, height and width of the packaging from the number of pixels of the image that image them and 5) outputting the determined volume.
    [8]
    8. A method for determining a volume of a package according to claim 6, further comprising one or more of the steps: la) inputting packaging-related data into the control unit (5), in particular the order number; lb) placing the outer packaging on the work surface (2), lc) placing goods in the outer packaging, 1d) taking pictures of individual packaging layers in the outer packaging including the final packaging layer, 3a) displaying the image on the data input output unit (8) including the determined calculation edges while allowing the displacement of these edges by a user, 5a) storing the determined volume to the already stored data of the packaging in a database of the controller (5).
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    同族专利:
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    AT515738A3|2016-12-15|
    DE102015101144A1|2015-08-27|
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    引用文献:
    公开号 | 申请日 | 公开日 | 申请人 | 专利标题
    US5841541A|1996-12-31|1998-11-24|Pitney Bowes Inc.|Apparatus and method for dimensional weighing utilizing a rotating sensor|
    WO2003087712A1|2002-04-09|2003-10-23|Cube Logic Systems Proprietary Limited|Cubing apparatus and methods|
    DE10339345A1|2003-08-25|2005-04-07|Wincor Nixdorf International Gmbh|The mail meter|
    DE102006015314B3|2006-03-30|2007-08-30|Siemens Ag|Object e.g. ashlar-shaped packet, expansion determining device, has light source and camera arranged adjacent to outer contour of object and adjacent to contact area such that image of object is displayed on side edge of side surface|EP3396310B1|2015-12-25|2020-11-25|Panasonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.|Dimension measurement device, parcel locker system and dimension measurement method|
    CN108254004A|2017-12-29|2018-07-06|柳忠洋|A kind of airport security generator terminal baggage volume and weight self-operated measuring unit|
    法律状态:
    2020-10-15| MM01| Lapse because of not paying annual fees|Effective date: 20200204 |
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    DE102014102347|2014-02-24|
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