A method for sorting a wood board at a sawmill and a wood board sorting system

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and system for sawing wood log (1) into wood boards (2). The method comprises scanning the wood log (1) with a sawing scanner system (3, 8) to provide wood log data (10), generating wood log sawing instructions (11) based on the wood log model (102) and the wood log data (10), providing the wood log sawing instructions (11) to the saw line (300), sawing the wood log (1) into wood boards (2) based on the wood log sawing instructions (11). The method further comprises scanning the wood boards (2) with a board scanning system (9) and generating a wood board fingerprint data (20) of each wood board (2), associating the wood log data (10) and the wood board fingerprint data (20) at the central data server (100) for providing a log-to-board data record (21).

Description

[0001] A METHOD FOR SORTING A WOOD BOARD AT A SAWMILL AND A WOOD BOARD SORTING SYSTEM

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to a method for sorting a wood board at a sawmill and more particularly to a method described in the independent claim 1.

[0004] The present invention also relates to a wood board sorting system and more particularly to a wood board sorting system as described in the independent claim 13.

[0005] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In the prior art wood logs and wood boards and analysed using tomography methods in which dozens of X-ray images need to be taken of the wood logs so that wood logs can be analysed, and the structure of the wood can be detected in order to be processed properly according to the wood characteristics. Tomography scanning produces 3D images of the wood log which is taken from different directions with penetrating X-ray radiation. After taken dozens of X-ray images they are inverted, and a 3D density map is created. This must be done for each wood log.

[0007] One of the problems associated with the prior art is that the tomography methods are very expensive to implement at sawmills.

[0008] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide a method for sorting a wood board at a sawmill such that prior art disadvantages are solved or at least alleviated.

[0010] The objects of the invention are achieved by a method for sorting a wood board at a sawmill and a wood board sorting system for sorting wood boards and associated wood logs at a sawmill which are characterized by what is stated in the independent claims. The preferred embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims.

[0011] The invention is based on the idea of providing a method of sorting a wood board at a sawmill in which the method comprises maintaining a wood log model at a central data server, analysing wood log characteristics of a wood log at a saw line to identify the wood log and generating wood log data based on the analysing, the saw line having a first communication connection with the central data server, receiving the wood log data in the central data server from the saw line and providing the wood log data as input data to the wood log model, generating wood log sawing instructions for the wood log at the central data server based on the wood log model and the wood log data, providing the wood log sawing instructions as a data output from the wood log model to the saw line, sawing the wood log into wood boards at the saw line based on the wood log sawing instructions received from the central data server, scanning the wood boards and generating a wood board fingerprint data of each wood board based on the scanning, receiving the wood board fingerprint data in the central data server, associating the wood log data and the wood board fingerprint data at the central data server for generating a log-to-board data record to associate the wood log and the wood boards sawn from the wood log, and updating the wood log model with the log-to-board data record at the central data server.

[0012] In other words, the wood log is analysed at the saw line to receive the characteristics of the wood before sawing at the saw line. The characteristic of the wood can be received for example by capturing an end view of the wood log or scanning the wood log. The characteristics of the wood log that can be analysed are for example fresh knots, strength, detecting if the wood log is debarked badly, rot, blue stain, bad cracks, heart wood or growth centre. In other words, the analysing of the wood log before sawing gives information about the wood log quality. The characteristics of the wood log are received in the central data server as wood log data through the communication connection between the saw line and the central data server. The wood log data is provided as input data to the wood log model in the central data server which generates wood log sawing instructions based on the characteristics of the wood log. The wood log sawing instructions are then received at the saw line and the sawing is performed according to the wood log sawing instructions acknowledging the characteristics of the wood log. The wood boards resulting from the sawing process at the saw line are scanned in order to generate a wood board fingerprint data of each wood board. The wood board fingerprint data provides specific characteristics of each wood board. The wood board fingerprint data is communicated to the central data server which receives the wood board fingerprint data and generates a log-to-board data record based on associating the wood log fingerprint data and the wood log data received prior sawing. The wood log model is then updated with the log-to-board data record for defining that the wood log having certain type characteristics provide wood boards of certain type when sawn according to the sawing instructions given to that wood log. The capturing of the end view of the wood log can be combined in the scanning step.

[0013] According to the invention the method further comprises generating post-sorting instructions for the wood boards at the central data server based on the wood board fingerprint data or based on the wood board fingerprint data and the wood log model, receiving the post-sorting instructions in a post-sorting station via a second communication connection between the post-sorting station and the central data server, and sorting the wood boards at the post-sorting station based on the post-sorting instructions.

[0014] In other words, the wood boards can be sorted in a post-sorting station according to the wood board fingerprint data such that the post-sorting instructions are generated at the central data server either only based on the wood board fingerprint data or together with the wood log model. The post-sorting instructions can be used to sort similar wood boards to the same package or the post-sorting instructions can direct the wood boards based on quality to different sorting locations.

[0015] The fingerprint of the wood board means the grain of the wood board or grain pattern of the wood board. Accordingly, the fingerprint data means data defining the grain pattern of the wood board.

[0016] According to the invention the analysing wood log characteristics of the wood log comprises capturing an end view of the wood log with a camera for identifying the wood log and generating the wood log data based on the captured end view; or capturing an end view of the wood log with a camera for identifying the wood log and measuring the wood log and generating the wood log data based on the captured end view.

[0017] Capturing an end view of the wood log with a camera gives information about wood log characteristics that can be received from the end of the wood log such as the magnitude of the heart wood or about the pith of the wood log or the growth rings.

[0018] According to the invention the method further comprises defining the wood board dimensions during sawing at the saw line with an imaging system for providing dimension imaging results of the wood board, generating board dimension data based on the imaging results of the imaging system, receiving the board dimension data in the central data server, and updating the log-to-board data record with the board dimension data at the central data server.

[0019] The imaging system may be installed along the saw line for example such that it checks the dimensions of sawn wood during sawing from the cant, or thickness and width of the side boards and the heart pieces, or the bottom surface of the cant. Therefore, the imaging system may be placed in different places at the saw line. The imaging system may further identify knots and an overall quality of the wood log and sawn wood boards. Alternatively, or in addition, the imaging system may detect the position of knots in edging and the saw line may utilize this knowledge.

[0020] According to the invention the method further comprises scanning the wood log entering at a pre-sorting station to record the arrival of the wood log and generating a wood log entry data of the wood log based on the scanning, the presorting station having a third communication connection with the central data server, receiving the wood log entry data in the central data server, generating a wood log record of the wood log at the central data server, and updating the wood log model with the wood log record at the central data server.

[0021] By scanning the wood log entering the pre-sorting station and communicating the wood log entry data to the central data server, the wood log is entered into a knowledge system of the sawmill.

[0022] According to the invention the method further comprises associating the log-to-board data record of the wood log with the wood log record of the wood log at the central data server.

[0023] In other words, the log-to-board data record and the wood log record are combined or made to refer each other in such a way that the data of a specific wood log in the system is combined with the end result of that same specific wood log after sawing, i.e., the wood boards formed from said wood log.

[0024] According to the invention the method further comprises pre-analysing wood log characteristics of the wood log at the pre-sorting station to identify the wood log and generating a wood log pre-data based on the pre-analysing, the presorting station having the third communication connection with the central data server, receiving the wood log pre-data in the central data server, generating a wood log sorting instructions for the wood log at the central data server based on the wood log model and the wood log pre-data, receiving the wood log sorting instructions from the central data server in the pre-sorting station, and sorting the wood log to a correct location at the pre-sorting station based on the wood log sorting instructions received from the central data server.

[0025] In other words, the wood log entering to the system can further be analysed in order to identify the characteristics of the wood log for sorting the wood log to a correct process location. The wood log pre-data is provided as an input data to the wood log model to generate wood log sorting instructions as an output data from the wood log model.

[0026] According to the invention the pre-analysing wood log characteristics of the wood log comprises identifying the wood log arriving at the saw line by comparing the wood log data with the wood log pre-data in the central data server.

[0027] According to the invention the method further comprises analysing an orientation of the wood log with an orientation module setup at a start of a saw line to identify the orientation of the wood log and generating a wood log orientation data based on the analysing, receiving the wood log orientation data in the central data server, generating orientation instructions in the central data server based on the wood log orientation data and the wood log model, receiving the orientation instructions in the orientation module setup from the central data server, and rotating the wood log to a correct position based on the orientation instructions when entering to the saw line.

[0028] In other words, the correct orientation of the wood log during sawing is achieved by rotating the wood log to the most optimal sawing position before the wood log enters the sawing line. The most optimal sawing position is received by the orientation instructions from the central data server in which the instructions are generated according to the wood log orientation data and the wood log model.

[0029] According to the invention the pre-analysing wood log characteristics of the wood log comprises identifying the wood log quality by scanning knots and / or strength of the wood log for generating the wood log data.

[0030] According to the invention the method comprises scanning the wood log entering at the pre-sorting station to record the arrival of the wood log and generating the wood log entry data of the wood log based on the scanning, the presorting station having the third communication connection with the central data server, receiving the wood log entry data in the central data server, generating the wood log record of the wood log in the central data server, pre-analysing wood log characteristics of the wood log at the pre-sorting station to identify the wood log and generating the wood log pre-data based on the pre-analysing, receiving the wood log pre-data in the central data server, generating the wood log sorting instructions for the wood log in the central data server based on the wood log model and the wood log pre-data, and generating sorting rules in the central data server by using the log wood model comprising log-to-board data records with associated wood log records together with wood log sorting instructions for the associated wood log records. According to the invention the wood log model comprises one or more wood log processing algorithms; or the wood log model comprises one or more wood log processing algorithms, the one or more wood log processing algorithms comprising one or more machine learning algorithms; or the wood log model comprises one or more wood log processing algorithms, the one or more wood log processing algorithms comprising one or more neural networks.

[0031] In the method the wood log is sorted according to the wood log sorting rules and the data is stored in the central data server. Before sawing, the sawing position for each wood log is optimized for the saw batch of for each wood log. In the optimization, sawing positions are chosen so that they most effectively hide the defects of each wood log, and the optimization is stored to a central data server to a database. Before sawing, the wood log is identified, and the pre-optimized sawing position is selected from the data base.

[0032] An advantage of the invention is that the wood logs can be tracked throughout the process at a sawmill such that the wood boards sawn from the wood logs can be traced to know at the end of the process which wood board was sawn from which wood log. Also, a wood log-specific sawing optimization can be provided through the central data server and the data stored and received therein and thus get the best possible quality of the wood boards.

[0033] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] The invention is described in detail by means of specific embodiments with reference to the enclosed drawings, in which

[0035] Figure 1 shows schematically an embodiment of the method according to the invention in connection with the saw line; and

[0036] Figure 2 shows schematically an embodiment of the method according to the invention in which the wood log is processed along the system.

[0037] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0038] Figure 1 shows schematically a wood board sawing system having a saw line 300 for sawing wood logs 1 into wood boards 2.

[0039] The saw line 300 comprises a sawing device 310 arranged to saw a wood log 1 into wood boards 2. The sawing device 310 comprises one or more saws for sawing the wood log 1. The sawing device 310 may be any known or future sawing device enabling sawing the wood log 1 into the wood boards 2.

[0040] The saw line 300 is arranged to receive the wood log 1. The saw line 300 comprises a conveyor arranged to convey the wood log 1 in the saw line 300 and to the sawing device 310 and further the wood boards 2 formed by the sawing device 310 in a conveying direction.

[0041] The saw line further comprises a saw scanner system 3, 8 configured to scan the wood log 1. The saw scanner system 3, 8 is arranged upstream side of the sawing device 310 in the conveying direction.

[0042] The saw scanner system 3, 8 comprises one or more imaging devices configured to scan the wood log 1. The imaging device may comprise one or more of the following: an X-ray imaging device, digital color camera, digital grayscale camera, 3D scanner, laser scanner or optical scanner.

[0043] The X-ray imaging device is configured to generate X-ray image data comprising one or more X-ray images of the wood log 1. The X-ray images are configured to represent cross-sectional image views of the wood log 1. The X-ray imaging device is configured to capture the one or more X-ray images of the wood log 1.

[0044] The digital color and / or grayscale camera(s) are configured to generate surface image data comprising one or more surface images of the wood log 1. The surface images are configured to represent surface image views of a sheath surface of the wood log 1, meaning wood log side surface between ends of the wood log 1. The digital color and / or grayscale camera is configured to capture the one or more surface images of the wood log 1.

[0045] The 3D scanner is configured to detect point cloud or scan images of the wood log 1. The 3D scanner is configured to generate wood log shape data comprising the point cloud or the scan images of the wood log 1. The point cloud or the scan images are configured to represent three-dimensional outer shape of the wood log 1. The 3D scanner may be a laser scanner or any other optical scanner device.

[0046] In the embodiment of figure 1, the saw scanner system 3, 8 comprises an end view camera 3 configured to capture one or more end view images of one or both ends la of the wood log 1. The end view camera 3 comprises one or more camera devices configured to capture the end view images of one or both of the ends or end surfaces la of the wood log 1.

[0047] In some embodiments, the end view camera 3 comprises one or more digital color and / or grayscale cameras.

[0048] In the embodiment of figure 1, the saw scanner system 3, 8 comprises side view imaging device (s) 8 configured to capture one or more sheath surface images, X-ray images, and / or view images point cloud and / or scan images of the wood log 1. The side view imaging devices 8 comprise one or more of the flowing: an X-ray imaging device, digital color camera, digital grayscale camera, 3D scanner, laser scanner or optical scanner.

[0049] The saw scanner system 3, 8 is configured to generate wood log data 10 based on the images or data provided by the one or more imaging devices of the saw scanner system 3, 8.

[0050] Accordingly, the saw scanner system 3, 8 is configured to generate the wood log data 10 based on one or more of the following: the X-ray image data, the surface image data and the wood log shape data.

[0051] It should be noted that in alternative embodiment of the present invention, the saw scanner system 3,8 comprises only the end view camera(s) 3 or only the side view imaging device (s) 8. Alternatively, the saw scanner system 3,8 comprises both the end view camera(s) 3 and the side view imaging device(s) 8.

[0052] In the embodiment of figure 1, the saw line 300 comprises an orientation module 5 configured to analyse orientation of the wood log 1 around a longitudinal axis of the wood log 1 and to rotate wood log 1 around the longitudinal axis of the wood log 1. The orientation module 5 is arranged upstream side of the sawing device 310 in the conveying direction.

[0053] The orientation module 5 comprises one or more imaging devices and / or optical sensors configured to detect and measure orientation of the wood log 1 or angular position of the wood log 1 in relation to the longitudinal axis of the wood log 1.

[0054] The orientation module 5 is further configured to generating a wood log orientation data 60 based on the detected and measured orientation or angular position of the wood log 1 with the one or more imaging devices and / or optical sensors.

[0055] The orientation module 5 further comprises a rotating device arranged to rotate the wood log 1 around the longitudinal axis of the wood log 1 in the saw line 300.

[0056] The rotating device may be further arranged to rotate the wood log 1 around the longitudinal axis of the wood log 1 in conveyer during conveying the wood log 1 towards the sawing device 310.

[0057] The rotating device may be any known or future rotating device arranged to rotate the wood log 1.

[0058] It should be noted that, in some embodiments of the invention the orientation module 5 may be omitted. In the embodiment of figure 1, the saw line 300 comprises a control system 4 configured to analyse or determine dimensions of the wood boards 2 during sawing with the sawing device 310 in the saw line 300.

[0059] The control module 4 comprises one or more imaging device and / or sensor devices for analysing or determining the dimensions of the wood boards 2. The imaging devices may be digital cameras, scanning devices and / or optical sensors.

[0060] The control system 4 comprises one or more of the following: digital color camera, digital grayscale camera, laser scanner or optical scanner or optical imaging device.

[0061] The control system 4 is configured to scan or capture one or more side view images of the side surfaces of the wood boards 2. Alternatively or additionally, the control system 4 is configured to scan or capture one or more view images of the end surfaces of the wood boards 2 with the imaging devices.

[0062] The one or more imaging device may also be configured to detect or measure thickness and / or width of the side surfaces and / or end surfaces of the wood boards 2.

[0063] The control system 4 is further configured to generate a board dimension data 30 based on analysed or determined dimensions of the wood 2 boards with the one or more imaging device and / or sensor devices.

[0064] It should be noted that in some embodiments of the invention, the control system 4 may be omitted.

[0065] As shown in figure 1, the saw line 300 further comprises a board scanning system 9 configured to scan the wood boards 2. The board scanning system 9 is arranged downstream side of the sawing device 310 in the conveying direction.

[0066] The board scanning system 9 comprises one or more imaging devices configured to scan the wood boards 2 or capture one or more images of the wood boards 2.

[0067] The imaging device(s) may comprise one or more of the following: digital color camera, digital grayscale camera or optical scanner.

[0068] In some embodiments, the board scanning system 9 comprises at least one imaging device arranged capturing side view of one or more side surfaces of the wood boards 2. The boards scanning system 9 is configured to provide one or more side view images representing side surfaces of the wood board 2.

[0069] In some other embodiments, the board scanning system 9 comprises at least one imaging device arranged to capture end view of one or both end surfaces of the wood boards 2. The boards scanning system 9 is configured to provide one or more end view images representing end surfaces of the wood board 2.

[0070] In some embodiments, the board scanning system 9 comprises at least one imaging device arranged capturing side view of one or more side surfaces of the wood boards 2. The boards scanning system 9 is configured to provide one or more side view images representing side surfaces of the wood board 2.

[0071] In another embodiment, the board scanning system 9 comprises at least one imaging device arranged to capture end view of one or both end surfaces of the wood boards 2. The boards scanning system 9 is configured to provide one or more end view images representing end surfaces of the wood board 2.

[0072] In further embodiments, the board scanning system 9 comprises at least one imaging device arranged capturing side view of one or more side surfaces of the wood boards 2 and at least one imaging device arranged to capture end view of one or both end surfaces of the wood boards 2. The boards scanning system 9 is configured to provide one or more side view images representing side surfaces of the wood board 2 and one or more end view images representing end surfaces of the wood board 2.

[0073] The imaging devices of the board scanning system 9 are configured to capture one or more surface view images of the wood boards 2. The one or more surface view images comprising one or more side view images and / or one or more end view images of the wood board 2. The one or more surface view images configured to represent surface feature of the surfaces of the wood boards 2. The surface features comprising surface texture, or surface pattern or surface texture and surface pattern.

[0074] The board scanning system 9 is configured to generate wood board fingerprint data 20 of each wood board 2 based on the scanning with the one or more imaging devices.

[0075] The board scanning system 9 is configured to generate wood board fingerprint data 20 of each wood board 2 based on the one or more surface view images. Accordingly, the wood board fingerprint data 20 comprising one or more surface images of the wood board.

[0076] Accordingly, the wood board fingerprint data 20 representing the surface features of the side surfaces and / or end surfaces of the wood board 2.

[0077] The wood board sawing system further comprises a central data server 100. The central data server 100 comprises a wood log model 102. The wood log model 102 is stored in the central data server 102.

[0078] In the context of this application, the central data server 100 may be or may be comprised in a computing system comprising one or more computing devices. The central data server 10 ma comprise one or more local and / or external computing devices. The operations of the central data server may be distributed between the one or more computing devices in any suitable manner. Accordingly, the central data server 100 is to be understood as a logical unit.

[0079] The central data server 100 comprises at least one processor, at least one memory, at least one connectivity unit and at least one unit for receiving input and providing output. It is to be noted that the units described here are logical units and thus the actual implementation may vary. The at least one processor, at least one memory, at least one connectivity unit and at least one unit for receiving input and providing output may be connected to each other.

[0080] The at least one processor may also be referred to as core, a central processing unit (CPU), microprocessor or graphical processing unit (GPU). A processor may be understood as an integrated circuit for performing calculations according to instructions provided using computer code. The at least one memory may comprise volatile and / or non-volatile memory. Thus, the at least one memory may be understood to be one block of memory or a combination of different blocks of memory. The memory may be for storing different types of data. The at least one memory stores also computer program instructions, for example in the form of an application and / or an operating system. The at least one memory provides computer program instructions to the at least one processor for executing and the at least one processor may then be configured to store data into the at least one memory. Some examples of memory are random access memories (RAMs), such as static RAM (SRAM) and dynamic RAM (DRAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memories, optical discs, and magnetic computer storage devices, such as hard disk drives. The input and output unit may allow user input, such as pressing a button, touch input and / or voice input, to be received by the device and output such as audio, haptic or visual output to be provided to a user. The connectivity unit allows connection to be formed between the central data server 100 and another device. The connectivity unit may allow wireless and / or wired connections to be formed between the device and other devices. Examples of connection types that may be supported by the connectivity unit are cellular communication -based connections, local area networks, Bluetooth-connections, Wi-Fi connections, etc.

[0081] Accordingly, the at least memory may comprise instructions for performing the method according to the present by the at least one processor. Further, the wood log model and all the data received and generated may be stored in the at least memory.

[0082] The wood log model 102 comprises rules for operating the saw line 300. The central data server 100 further comprises a wood log data base 22. The wood log data base 22 comprise one or more log-to-board data records 21. Each of the log-to-board data records representing one wood log 1 and the wood boards 2 sawn from that wood log 1.

[0083] According to the present invention the wood board sawing system is configured to scan the wood log 1 with the sawing scanner system 3, 8 at the saw line 300 upstream of the sawing device 310 to analyse wood log characteristics of the wood log 1 and generate the wood log data 10 based on the analysing. The analysing comprises capturing or scanning the wood log 1 with the sawing scanner system 3, 8. The saw scanner system 3, 8 is configured to generate wood log data 10 based on the images or data provided by the one or more imaging devices of the saw scanner system 3, 8.

[0084] The sawing scanner system 3, 8 is connected to the central data server 100 with a first communication connection Cl, as shown in figure 2.

[0085] The central data server 100 is configured to receive the wood log data 10 from the saw line 300 and from the sawing scanner system 3, 8.

[0086] The wood log data 10 is configured to be provided as input data to the wood log model 102 in the central data server 100.

[0087] The wood model 102 comprises sawing rules for sawing the wood log 1 into wood boards 2.

[0088] The sawing rules are configured to determine at least the sawing pattern of the wood log 1. The sawing pattern defining how the wood log 1 is sawn in the sawing device 310.

[0089] There are at least the following generally known sawing patterns: flat sawn, quarter sawn, rift sawn, and live sawn.

[0090] The wood log model 102 is configured to generate wood log sawing instructions 11 for the wood log 1 at the central data server 100 based on the wood log model 102 and the inputted wood log data 10. The wood log model 102 is configured to provide the wood log sawing instructions 11 as a data output from the wood log model 102.

[0091] The wood log sawing instructions 11 defining how the wood log 1 is sawn in the saw line 300. The wood log sawing instructions 11 comprising at least the sawing pattern information for the wood log 1 to be sawn.

[0092] The saw line 300 or the sawing device 310 thereof is configured to receive the wood log sawing instructions 11.

[0093] The wood log sawing instructions 11 may be received via the first communication connection Cl or via a separate saw device communication connection.

[0094] The sawing device 310 is configured to saw the wood log 1 into wood boards 2 at the saw line 300 based on the wood log sawing instructions 11 received from the central data server 100.

[0095] The wood boards 2 are further scanned with the board scanning system 9 and the board scanning system 9 is configured to generate the wood board fingerprint data 20 of each wood board 2 based on the scanning.

[0096] The central data server 100 is configured to receive the wood board fingerprint data 20 from the board scanning system 9.

[0097] The central data server 100 is configured to receive the wood board fingerprint data 20 from the board scanning system 9 via the first communication connection Cl or via a separate board scanning system communication connection.

[0098] The wood log data 10 and the wood board fingerprint data 20 are associated together at the central data server 100 for providing a log-to-board data record 21 for the wood log 1. The log-to-boards data record 21 is configured to associate the wood log 1 with the wood boards 2 sawn from the wood log 1, and the wood log data 10 and the wood board fingerprint data 20 together.

[0099] Accordingly, the log-to-board data record 21 provides information which kind of wood boards 2 was sawn from the wood log 1.

[0100] The system is further configured to update the wood log model 102 with the log-to-board data record 21 at the central data server 100. Accordingly, the wood log model 102 and the sawing rules thereof are configured to become more accurate over time.

[0101] In some embodiments, the central data server 100 is configured to receive the board dimension data 30 generated by the control system 4. The central data server 100 is further configured to associate or store the board dimension data 30 to the log-to-board record 21 of the wood log 1.

[0102] The system may be further configured to update the wood log model 102 with the log-to-board data record 21 at the central data server 100. Accordingly, the wood log model 102 and the sawing rules thereof are configured to become more accurate over time by utilizing the board dimension data 30. In some embodiments, the central data server 100 is further configured to receive the wood log orientation data 60 in the central data server 100. The central data server 100 is configured to generate orientation instructions 13 in the central data server 100 based on the wood log orientation data 60 and the wood log model 102.

[0103] The wood log model 102 comprising wood log orientation rules for orienting the wood log 1 prior to sawing with the sawing device 310.

[0104] The central data server system 100 is configured to provide the wood log orientation data 60 as input data to the wood log model 102 and the generate orientation instructions 13 as a data output from the wood log model 10.

[0105] The orientation module setup 5 is configured to receive the orientation instructions 13 from the central data server 100 and rotate the wood log 1 to a sawing orientation based on the orientation instructions at the saw line 300.

[0106] In some embodiments, the central data server 100 is configured to receive the wood log orientation data 60 generated by the orientation module setup 5. The central data server 100 is further configured to associate or store the wood log orientation data 60 to the log-to-board record 21 of the wood log 1.

[0107] The system may be further configured to update the wood log model 102 with the log-to-board data record 21 at the central data server 100. Accordingly, the wood log model 102 and the sawing rules thereof are configured to become more accurate over time by utilizing the wood log orientation data 60.

[0108] Figure 2 shows schematically the wood board sawing system in connection with a saw mill. The system comprises the saw line 300.

[0109] The system further comprises a post-sorting station 400 configured to sort wood boards 2.

[0110] The post-sorting station 400 is arranged downstream of the saw line 300.

[0111] The saw mill and the system comprise the conveyor arranged to convey the wood boards 2 from the saw line 300 to the post-sorting station 400 and in the post-sorting station 400.

[0112] The post-sorting station 400 comprises a wood board sorting device 410 configured to sort the wood boards 2 to different board sort locations in the post-sorting station 400.

[0113] The wood board sorting device 410 may be any known or future board sorting device 410 capable of sorting the wood boards 2 to different board sort locations based on post-sorting instructions. The system is configured to generate post-sorting instructions 14 for the wood boards 2 at the central data server 100 based on the wood board fingerprint data 20 or based on the wood board fingerprint data 20 and the wood log model 102. The wood log model 102 comprises wood board sorting rules for sorting the wood bords 2.

[0114] The central data server system 100 is configured to provide the wood board fingerprint data 20 as input data to the wood log model 102 and generate post-sorting instructions 14 as a data output from the wood log model 10.

[0115] The post-sorting station 400 of the wood board sorting device 410 is configured to receive the post-sorting instructions 14 from the central data server 100 via a second communication connection C2 between the post-sorting station 400 and the central data server 100, and sort the wood boards 2 to different board sort locations in the post-sorting station 400 based on the post-sorting instructions 14.

[0116] The system further comprises a pre-sorting station 200 configured to sort wood logs 1.

[0117] The pre-sorting station 200 is arranged upstream of the saw line 300.

[0118] The saw mill and the system comprise the conveyor arranged to convey the wood log 1 in the pre-sorting station 200 and from the pre-sorting station 200 to the saw line 300.

[0119] The pre-sorting station 200 comprises a wood log sorting device 210 configured to sort the wood logs 1 to different log sort locations in the pre-sorting station 200.

[0120] The pre-sorting station 200 further comprises a log scanner 6 configured to scan the wood log 1 at the pre-sorting station 200 to analyse wood log characteristics of the wood log 1.

[0121] The log scanner 6 comprises one or more imaging devices configured to scan the wood log 1. The imaging device may comprise one or more of the following: an X-ray imaging device, digital color camera, digital grayscale camera, 3D scanner, laser scanner or optical scanner.

[0122] The X-ray imaging device is configured to generate X-ray image data comprising one or more X-ray images of the wood log 1. The X-ray images are configured to represent cross-sectional image views of the wood log 1. The X-ray imaging device is configured to capture the one or more X-ray images of the wood log 1.

[0123] The digital color and / or grayscale camera(s) are configured to generate surface image data comprising one or more surface images of the wood log 1. The surface images are configured to represent surface image views of a sheath surface of the wood log 1, meaning wood log side surface between ends of the wood log 1. The digital color and / or grayscale camera is configured to capture the one or more surface images of the wood log 1.

[0124] The 3D scanner is configured detect point cloud or scan images of the wood log 1. The 3D scanner is configured generate wood log shape data comprising the point cloud or the scan images of the wood log 1. The point cloud or the scan images are configured to represent three-dimensional outer shape of the wood log 1. The 3D scanner may be a laser scanner or any other optical scanner device.

[0125] In some embodiments, the log scanner 6 comprises an end view camera configured to capture one or more end view images of one or both ends la of the wood log 1. The end view camera comprises one or more camera devices configured capture the end view images of one or both of the ends or end surfaces la of the wood log 1.

[0126] In some embodiments, the end view camera comprises one or more digital color and / or grayscale cameras.

[0127] In some embodiments, the log scanner 6 comprises side view imaging device (s) configured to capture one or more sheath surface images, X-ray images, and / or view images point cloud and / or scan images of the wood log 1. The side view imaging devices comprise one or more of the flowing: an X-ray imaging device, digital color camera, digital grayscale camera, 3D scanner, laser scanner or optical scanner.

[0128] The log scanner 6 is configured to generate wood log pre-data 40 based on the images or data provided by the one or more imaging devices of the log scanner 6.

[0129] Accordingly, the log scanner 6 is configured to generate the wood log pre-data 40 based on one or more of the following: the X-ray image data, the surface image data and the wood log shape data.

[0130] It should be noted that in alternative embodiment of the present invention, the log scanner 6 comprises only the end view camera(s) or only the side view imaging device (s). Alternatively, the log scanner 6 comprises both the end view camera(s) and the side view imaging device (s).

[0131] In some embodiments, the log scanner 6 corresponds the sawing scanner system 3, 8.

[0132] In some embodiments of the invention, the wood board sawing system is configured to scan the wood log 1 with the log scanner 6 at the pre-sorting station 200 upstream of the saw line 300 to analyse wood log characteristics of the wood log 1 and generate the wood log pre-data 40 based on the analysing. The analysing comprises capturing or scanning the wood log 1 with the log scanner 6. The log scanner 6 is configured to generate wood the log pre-data 40 based on the images or data provided by the one or more imaging devices of the log scanner 6.

[0133] The log scanner 6 is connected to the central data server 100 with a third communication connection C3, as shown in figure 2.

[0134] The central data server 100 is configured to receive the wood log predata 40 from the pre-sorting station 200 and from the log scanner 6.

[0135] The wood log pre-data 40 is configured to be provided as input data to the wood log model 102 in the central data server 100.

[0136] The wood model 102 comprises wood log sorting rules for sorting wood logs 1 to different wood log sort locations in the pre-sorting station 200.

[0137] The wood log model 102 is configured to generate wood log sorting instructions 12 for the wood log 1 at the central data server 100 based on the wood log model 102 and the inputted wood log pre-data 40. The wood log model 102 is configured to provide the wood log sorting instructions 12 as a data output from the wood log model 102.

[0138] The wood log sorting instructions 12 defining wood log sort location for the wood log 1 in the pre-sorting station 200 and operation instructions to the wood log sorting device 210 for sorting the wood log 1 to the wood log sort location.

[0139] The pre-sorting station 200 or the wood log sorting device 210 thereof is configured to receive the wood log sorting instructions 12.

[0140] The wood log sorting instructions 12 may be received via the third communication connection C3 or via a separate wood log sorting device communication connection.

[0141] The wood log sorting device 210 is configured to sort the wood log 1 to a wood log sort location at the pre-sorting station 200 based on the wood log sorting instructions 12 received from the central data server 100.

[0142] In some embodiments, the central data server 100 is configured to associate the wood log pre-data 40 to the log-to-board record 21.

[0143] In some further embodiments, the central data server 100 is configured to update the wood log model 102 with the log-to-board record 21.

[0144] The invention has been described above with reference to the examples shown in the figures. However, the invention is in no way restricted to the above examples but may vary within the scope of the claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A method for sawing wood log (1) into wood boards (2) at a sawmill, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the method comprises: maintaining a wood log model (102) at a central data server (100), the wood log model (102) comprising sawing rules for sawing the wood log (1) into wood boards (2), scanning the wood log (1) with a sawing scanner system (3, 8) at a saw line (300) to analyse wood log characteristics of the wood log (1) and generating wood log data (10) based on the analysing, the saw line (300) having a first communication connection (Cl) with the central data server (100), receiving the wood log data (10) in the central data server (100) from the saw line (300) and providing the wood log data (10) as input data to the wood log model (102), generating wood log sawing instructions (11) for the wood log (1) at the central data server (100) based on the wood log model (102) and the wood log data (10), providing the wood log sawing instructions (11) as a data output from the wood log model (102) to the saw line (300), sawing the wood log (1) into wood boards (2) at the saw line (300) based on the wood log sawing instructions (11) received from the central data server (100), scanning the wood boards (2) with a board scanning system (9) and generating a wood board fingerprint data (20) of each wood board (2) based on the scanning, receiving the wood board fingerprint data (20) in the central data server (100), associating the wood log data (10) and the wood board fingerprint data(20) at the central data server (100) for providing a log-to-board data record (21) to associate the wood log (1) with the wood boards (2) sawn from the wood log (1), and updating the wood log model (102) with the log-to-board data record(21) at the central data server (100).

2. A method according to claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the method further comprises generating post-sorting instructions (14) for the wood boards (2) at thecentral data server (100) based on the wood board fingerprint data (20) or based on the wood board fingerprint data (20) and the wood log model (102), the wood log model (102) comprising wood board sorting rules for sorting the wood bords C2), receiving the post-sorting instructions (14) in a post-sorting station (400) via a second communication connection (C2) between the post-sorting station (400) and the central data server (100), and sorting the wood boards (2) at the post-sorting station (400) based on the post-sorting instructions (14).

3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the scanning the wood log (1) with the sawing scanner system (3, 8) at the saw line (300) comprises one or more of the following: capturing an end view (la) of the wood log (1) with a camera (3); capturing one or more x-ray images of the wood log (10); capturing one or more images of sheath surface of the wood log (1); capturing three-dimensional shape of the wood log (1).

4. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the scanning the wood boards (2) in the board scanner (9) at the saw line (300) comprises: capturing side view of one or more side surfaces of the wood boards (2) with the board scanner (9); or capturing end view of one or more end surfaces of the wood boards (2) with the board scanner (9); or capturing side view of one or more side surfaces of the wood boards (2) with the board scanner (9), and capturing end view of one or more end surfaces of the wood boards (2) with the board scanner (9).

5. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the method further comprises: scanning the wood boards (2) with a control system (4) during sawing at the saw line (300) for analysing dimensions of the wood boards (2), generating board dimension data (30) based on the scanning with the control system (4),receiving the board dimension data (30) in the central data server(100), and associating the board dimension data (30) to the log-to-board record (21) at the central data server (100); or scanning the wood boards (2) with a control system (4) during sawing at the saw line (300) for analysing dimensions of the wood boards (2), generating board dimension data (30) based on the scanning with the control system (4), receiving the board dimension data (30) in the central data server (100), associating the board dimension data (30) to the log-to-board record (21) at the central data server (100), and updating the wood log model (102) with the log-to-board record (21).

6. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the method further comprises: scanning the wood log (1) at a pre-sorting station (200) with a log scanner (6) to analyse wood log characteristics of the wood log (1), generating a wood log pre-data (40) of the wood log (1) based on the scanning with the log scanner (6), the pre-sorting station (200) having a third communication connection (C3) with the central data server (100), receiving the wood log pre-data (40) in the central data server (100), and associating the wood log pre-data (40) to the log-to-board record (21); or scanning the wood log (1) at a pre-sorting station (200) with a log scanner (6) to analyse wood log characteristics of the wood log (1), generating a wood log pre-data (40) of the wood log (1) based on the scanning with the wood log scanner (6), the pre-sorting station (200) having a third communication connection (C3) with the central data server (100), receiving the wood log pre-data (40) in the central data server (100), associating the wood log pre-data (40) to the log-to-board record (21), and updating the wood log model (102) with the log-to-board record7. A method according to claim 5, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the scanning the wood log (1) with the wood log scanner (6) at the pre-sorting station (200) comprises one or more of the following: capturing an end view of the wood log (1) with a camera (3); capturing one or more x-ray images of the wood log (10); capturing one or more images of sheath surface of the wood log (1); capturing three-dimensional shape of the wood log (1).

8. A method according to claim 6 or 7, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the method further comprises: providing the wood log pre-data (40) as input data to the wood log model (102), the wood log model (102) comprising wood log sorting rules for presorting wood logs (1), generating a wood log sorting instructions (12) for the wood log (1) at the central data server (100) based on the wood log model (102) and the wood log pre-data (40), receiving the wood log sorting instructions (12) from the central data server (100) in the pre-sorting station (200), and sorting the wood log (1) at the pre-sorting station (200) based on the wood log sorting instructions (12) received from the central data server (100); or generating the wood log sorting instructions (12) for the wood log (1) at the central data server (100) based on the wood log model (102) and the wood log pre-data (40), the wood log model (102) comprising wood log sorting rules for pre-sorting wood logs (1), providing the wood log sorting instructions (12) as a data output from the wood log model (10), receiving the wood log sorting instructions (12) from the central data server (100) in the pre-sorting station (200), and sorting the wood log (1) to a correct location at the pre-sorting station (200) based on the wood log sorting instructions (12) received from the central data server (100).

9. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the method comprises: identifying the wood boards (2) by comparing the wood log data (10)and the wood board fingerprint data (20) in the central data server (100); or identifying the wood boards (2) by comparing the wood log pre-data (30), the wood log data (10) and the wood board fingerprint data (20) in the central data server (100).

10. A method according to any one of claims 6 to 9, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the method comprises identifying the wood log (1) arriving at the saw line (300) by comparing the wood log data (10) with the wood log pre-data (40) in the central data server (100).

11. A method according to claim any one of claims 1 to 10, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the method further comprises: analysing an orientation of the wood log (1) with an orientation module setup (5) at the saw line (300) to identify the orientation of the wood log (1) and generating a wood log orientation data (60) based on the analysing, receiving the wood log orientation data (60) in the central data server (100), generating orientation instructions in the central data server (100) based on the wood log orientation data (60) and the wood log model (102), the wood log model (102) comprising wood log orientation rules, receiving the orientation instructions (13) in the orientation module setup (5) from the central data server (100), and rotating the wood log (1) to a sawing orientation based on the orientation instructions at the saw line (300); or analysing an orientation of the wood log (1) with an orientation module setup (5) at the saw line (300) to identify the orientation of the wood log (1) and generating a wood log orientation data (60) based on the analysing, receiving the wood log orientation data (60) in the central data server (100), providing the wood log orientation data (60) as input data to the wood log model (102), the wood log model (102) comprising wood log orientation rules, generating orientation instructions in the central data server (100) based on the wood log orientation data (60) and the wood log model (102), providing the orientation instructions as a data output from the wood log model (10), receiving the orientation instructions (13) in the orientation modulesetup (5) from the central data server (100), and rotating the wood log (1) to a sawing orientation based on the orientation instructions at the saw line (300).

12. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that:- the wood log model (102) comprises one or more wood log processing algorithms; or- the wood log model (102) comprises one or more wood log processing algorithms, the one or more wood log processing algorithms comprising one or more machine learning algorithms; or- the wood log model (102) comprises one or more wood log processing algorithms, the one or more wood log processing algorithms comprising one or more neural networks.

13. A method according to claim 12, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that:- the wood log model (102) comprises a sawing algorithm comprising the sawing rules for sawing the wood log (10) into wood boards (2); or- the wood log model (102) comprises a sawing algorithm comprising the sawing rules for sawing the wood log (10) into wood boards (2), and- the wood log model (102) comprises a board sorting algorithm comprising the wood board sorting rules for sorting the wood boards (2); or- the wood log model (102) comprises a sawing algorithm comprising the sawing rules for sawing the wood log (10) into wood boards (2),- the wood log model (102) comprises a board sorting algorithm comprising the wood board sorting rules for sorting the wood boards (2), and- the wood log model (102) comprises a log sorting algorithm comprising the wood log sorting rules for pre-sorting the wood logs (1).

14. A wood board sawing system for sawing wood logs (1) into wood boards (2) at a sawmill, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the sawing system comprises: a central data server (100) having a wood log model (102) stored therein, the wood log model comprising sawing rules for sawing the wood log (1) into wood boards (2), a sawing scanner system (3, 8) at a saw line (300) configured to scanthe wood log (1) a sawing device (310) arranged to saw the wood log (1) into wood boards (2) in the saw line (300), a board scanning system (9) arranged to scan the wood boards (2), the sawing system being configured to:- scan the wood log (1) with the sawing scanner system (3, 8) at the saw line (300) to analyse wood log characteristics of the wood log (1) and generate wood log data (10) based on the analysing, the saw line (300) having a first communication connection (Cl) with the central data server (100), receive the wood log data (10) in the central data server (100) from the saw line (300) and provide the wood log data (10) as input data to the wood log model (102), generate wood log sawing instructions (11) for the wood log (1) at the central data server (100) based on the wood log model (102) and the wood log data Cio), provide the wood log sawing instructions (11) as a data output from the wood log model (102) to the saw line (300), saw the wood log (1) into wood boards (2) at the saw line (300) based on the wood log sawing instructions (11) received from the central data server (100), scan the wood boards (2) with the board scanning system (9) and generating a wood board fingerprint data (20) of each wood board (2) based on the scanning, receive the wood board fingerprint data (20) in the central data server (100), associate the wood log data (10) and the wood board fingerprint data(20) at the central data server (100) for providing a log-to-board data record (21) to associate the wood log (1) with the wood boards (2) sawn from the wood log (1), and update the wood log model (102) with the log-to-board data record(21) at the central data server (100).

15. A wood board sawing system according to claim 14, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the system comprises a wood board sorting device (410) at a post-sorting station (400), the wood board sorting device (410) being arranged to sort wood boards (2), and the system is configured to:generate post-sorting instructions (14) for the wood boards (2) at the central data server (100) based on the wood board fingerprint data (20) or based on the wood board fingerprint data (20) and the wood log model (102), the wood log model (102) comprising wood board sorting rules for sorting the wood bords C2), receive the post-sorting instructions (14) in a post-sorting station (400) via a second communication connection (C2) between the post-sorting station (400) and the central data server (100), and sort the wood boards (2) at the post-sorting station (400) with the wood board sorting device (410) based on the post-sorting instructions (14).

16. A wood board sawing system according to claim 14 or 15, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the system comprises a log scanner (6) at a presorting station (200) and a wood log sorting device (210), the wood log sorting device (210) being arranged to sort wood logs (1), and the system is configured to: scan the wood log (1) at the pre-sorting station (200) with the log scanner (6) to analyse wood log characteristics of the wood log (1), generate wood log pre-data (40) of the wood log (1) based on the scanning with the log scanner (6), the pre-sorting station (200) having a third communication connection (C3) with the central data server (100), receive the wood log pre-data (40) in the central data server (100), provide the wood log pre-data (40) as input data to the wood log model (102), the wood log model (102) comprising wood log sorting rules for pre-sorting wood logs (1), generate wood log sorting instructions (12) for the wood log (1) at the central data server (100) based on the wood log model (102) and the wood log predata (40), receive the wood log sorting instructions (12) from the central data server (100) in the pre-sorting station (200), and sort the wood log (1) at the pre-sorting station (200) with the wood log sorting device (210) based on the wood log sorting instructions (12) received from the central data server (100).

17. A wood board sawing system according ay one of claims 14 to 16, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the system is configured to carry out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

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