Edible item and marking device and marking information reading system

Abstract

The present invention provides a kind of edible article identification device, which is the device (1) for forming a mark pattern on an edible article by scanning a laser spot, and the mark pattern includes additional information based on the position information of the removed index point (I1) obtained by removing a part of the basic pattern formed by a plurality of laser spots. The edible article identification device can contain a large amount of information without causing discomfort to consumers, and is also effective as an anti-counterfeiting measure. The index point (I1) can also be a point where a part of the point is deformed or a newly added point.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to an edible object identification device, a laser-identified edible object, and an edible object identification information reading system. BACKGROUND

[0002] In the prior art, an edible object such as a tablet or a capsule is provided with inherent information such as a manufacturing date or a manufacturing lot. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a medicine with a two-dimensional data code, in which a two-dimensional data code containing information on the usage, storage method, manufacturing date, expiration date, and the like of the medicine is recorded on the surface of the medicine.

[0003] PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

[0004] PATENT DOCUMENTS

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-712 SUMMARY

[0006] PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0007] With the above-described medicine with a two-dimensional data code, a large amount of information can be recorded in a small space on the surface of the medicine. On the other hand, unlike characters and the like, since a mechanical pattern that is difficult for a consumer to understand is displayed, the tablet itself is likely to cause a sense of discomfort, and the consumer can be caused to feel uneasy. In addition, with a general two-dimensional data code, anyone can easily grasp the information using a general reading device, and thus there is a problem in that the manufacture of counterfeit medicines cannot be effectively prevented.

[0008] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an edible object identification device, a laser-identified edible object, and an edible object identification information reading system, which can contain a large amount of information without causing a sense of discomfort to a consumer, and which is also effective as an anti-counterfeiting measure.

[0009] TECHNICAL SOLUTION FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS

[0010] The above object of the present invention can be achieved by an edible object identification device for forming an identification pattern on an edible object by scanning a laser spot, in which the identification pattern contains position information of an index point that is transformed, removed, or added from a basic pattern obtained by a plurality of points of the laser spot, as additional information.

[0011] In the edible object identification device, the additional information can be constituted by information based on the number of points from a reference point of the identification of the basic pattern to the index point.

[0012] The above-mentioned identification pattern can have a plurality of the above-mentioned basic patterns each containing the above-mentioned additional information inherent thereto.

[0013] The above-mentioned basic pattern can be any one of a character, a numeral, a figure, or a symbol. As a specific example, the above-mentioned basic pattern can be a non-verbal expression (representation) of at least one of an efficacy of the edible product or a part or organ of a human body on which the edible product exerts the efficacy.

[0014] In addition, the above-mentioned object of the present application can be achieved by a laser-identified edible product that is an edible product formed with an identification pattern by scanning of laser spots, wherein the above-mentioned identification pattern contains position information of a transformed, removed, or newly added index point as additional information by transforming a part of points obtained with respect to points forming a plurality of laser spots, or removing the part of points, or adding new points.

[0015] In addition, the above-mentioned object of the present application can be achieved by an identification information reading system for an edible product that is a device for reading the above-mentioned additional information of the above-mentioned laser-identified edible product, the device having: an imaging section that images the above-mentioned identification pattern of the edible product; a control section that acquires the above-mentioned additional information based on imaging data of the above-mentioned identification pattern; and a display section that displays output information based on the extracted (acquired) above-mentioned additional information.

[0016] The identification information reading system further has an identification information storage section that stores identification information containing information on a formation order of points constituting the above-mentioned basic pattern, and the above-mentioned control section acquires the above-mentioned additional information based on the number of points from a reference point of identification of the above-mentioned basic pattern to the above-mentioned index point with reference to the above-mentioned identification information.

[0017] In addition, it is preferable to further have a conversion table storage section that stores a conversion table for converting the above-mentioned additional information into the above-mentioned output information, and the above-mentioned control section converts the acquired above-mentioned additional information into the above-mentioned output information based on the above-mentioned conversion table.

[0018] Effects of the Invention

[0019] According to the present application, it is possible to provide an identification device for an edible product, a laser-identified edible product, and an identification information reading system for an edible product that can contain a large amount of information without causing discomfort to a consumer and is also effective as an anti-counterfeiting measure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 is a schematic configuration view of an identification device for an edible product according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0021] Figure 2 is Figure 1An enlarged view of the main part of the labeling device for edible items shown.

[0022] Figure 3 It means Figure 1 A block diagram of another major part of the labeling device for edible items shown.

[0023] Figure 4 It means to utilize Figure 1 The illustration shows an example of an edible item with a labeling device forming a label pattern.

[0024] Figure 5 It means to utilize Figure 1 The illustration shows another example of an edible item with a labeling device forming a label pattern.

[0025] Figure 6 It means to utilize Figure 1 The diagram shows another example of an edible item with a labeling device forming a label pattern.

[0026] Figure 7 This is a block diagram illustrating the schematic structure of an identification information reading system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] Figure 8 This is a diagram representing an example of a conversion table.

[0028] Figure 9 This is an example of a basic pattern contained in a logo design.

[0029] Figure 10 This is another example of a basic pattern contained in a logo design. Detailed Implementation

[0030] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 This is a schematic structural diagram of an edible product labeling device according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 As shown, the edible article labeling device 1 includes: a supply device 10 for supplying edible articles; a first conveying device 20 for receiving and conveying the edible articles supplied from the supply device 10; a second conveying device 30 for receiving and conveying the edible articles from the first conveying device 20; and a discharge device 40 for receiving the edible articles from the second conveying device 30 and discharging them to the outside.

[0031] The supply device 10 includes: a hopper 11 for feeding solid edible articles such as tablets, capsules, and empty capsules; a feeder 12 for arranging the edible articles in the hopper 11; and a supply drum 13 for conveying the edible articles guided by the feeder 12, wherein the edible articles are supplied from the supply drum 13 to the first conveying device 20 via an intermediate drum 14. The supply drum 13 and the intermediate drum 14 have a large number of holding portions 13a and 14a formed by recesses arranged along the axial and circumferential directions of the outer circumferential surface of the cylinder, which can attract, hold, and convey the edible articles contained in the holding portions 13a and 14a respectively.

[0032] The first conveying device 20, like the supply drum 13 or the intermediate drum 14, is drum-shaped. Figure 2 As shown in the partial cross-sectional view, the holding portion 22 for holding the edible article T has multiple portions evenly spaced along both the circumferential and axial directions. The holding portion 22 has a suction hole 24 formed at its bottom. By pressurizing the interior of the first conveying device 20 using a vacuum suction device (not shown), the edible article T contained in the holding portion 22 can be attracted and held through the suction hole 24, preventing the orientation of the edible article T from changing during conveying, while simultaneously conveying the edible article T along the rotational direction of the first conveying device 20.

[0033] The second conveying device 30 is configured similarly to the first conveying device 20, and a holding portion 32 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the drum. Edible articles conveyed by the first conveying device 20 are transferred to the second conveying device 30 with their front and back sides reversed, and are conveyed to the discharge device 40. In this embodiment, both the first conveying device 20 and the second conveying device 30 are configured as conveying drums, but they could also be conveying devices such as flat conveyor belts or belt conveyors.

[0034] In the edible product labeling device 1 having the above-described structure, a first labeling pre-inspection unit 210, a first laser processing unit 220, and a first labeling inspection unit 230 are sequentially arranged near the first conveying device 20 along the conveying direction of the first conveying device 20.

[0035] The first pre-marking inspection unit 210 includes: an illumination unit 212 that illuminates edible articles transported to the inspection area A1; and an imaging unit 214, such as a CCD area camera or a CCD line scan camera, that captures images of the edible articles illuminated by the illumination unit 212. In the case of pre-inspection of the marked surface of the edible articles and marking along the marking lines, the direction of the marking lines is detected. If pre-inspection of the marked surface of the edible articles or detection of the marking line direction is not required, the first pre-marking inspection unit 210 may be omitted.

[0036] Figure 3This is a module diagram of the first laser processing unit 220. (See diagram for example.) Figure 3 As shown, the first laser processing unit 220 includes: a light source unit 222 that emits laser light; a scanning unit 224 that scans the laser light emitted from the light source unit 222 using a galvanometer scanner; a storage unit 226 that stores information about the marking pattern; and a control unit 228 that controls the output of the light source unit 222 and the scanning of the scanning unit 224. The marking pattern can be formed on the marking surface of an edible item that has been moved to the marking area A2 by scanning the laser spot. Furthermore, the storage unit 226 is built into the first laser processing unit 220, but a separate storage device can also be used.

[0037] The laser emitted from the light source 222 can be, for example, a solid-state laser such as a YVO4 laser, a YLF laser, or a YAG laser, or a gas laser such as an excimer laser or a carbon dioxide laser, or a liquid laser such as a dye laser. For marking edible items, a preferred method is to contain color-inducing oxides such as titanium dioxide, yellow iron oxide (iron oxide yellow), or ferric oxide on the surface of the edible item, thereby changing the surface color. A marking pattern can be formed by shaving off a portion of the surface of the edible item, but there are no particular limitations.

[0038] The storage unit 226 stores a basic pattern obtained by forming multiple laser spots at predetermined locations, and additional information added to the basic pattern. The basic pattern consists of text, numbers, graphics, symbols, etc., that are easily recognizable to consumers through visual inspection. Additional information is added to one or more basic patterns to form a label pattern. When a label pattern has multiple basic patterns, each basic pattern can have its own inherent additional information.

[0039] Additional information is information that is difficult for consumers to discern visually. Specifically, it is information based on the position of indicator points (markers) after deformation, removal, or addition of a portion of the multiple points that constitute the basic pattern, or by adding new points. Details regarding additional information will be discussed later.

[0040] The first label inspection unit 230 includes an illumination unit 232 that illuminates edible items transported to the inspection area A3, and an imaging unit 234 that captures images of the edible items using a CCD area camera or a CCD line scan camera, etc., to detect whether the label pattern is correctly formed. In cases where label inspection is performed in a later process, the first label inspection unit 230 may be omitted.

[0041] Furthermore, near the second conveying device 30, along the conveying direction of the second conveying device 30, a second pre-marking inspection unit 310, a second laser processing unit 320, and a second marking inspection unit 330 are sequentially arranged. The structures of the second pre-marking inspection unit 310, the second laser processing unit 320, and the second marking inspection unit 330 are the same as those of the first pre-marking inspection unit 210, the first laser processing unit 220, and the first marking inspection unit 230, respectively. The second conveying device 30 receives and conveys the edible article from the first conveying device 20. During the conveying based on the first conveying device 20, the second laser processing unit 320 forms the marking pattern on the side opposite to the side where the marking pattern is formed. The marking device 1 for edible articles of this embodiment can form marking patterns on both sides of the edible article. If the marking pattern is formed only on one side of the edible article, it may also be without the second conveying device 30, or the structure of the second pre-marking inspection unit 310, the second laser processing unit 320, and the second marking inspection unit 330.

[0042] The discharge device 40 has a distribution unit 42 that distributes edible items based on the label inspection structure in the first label inspection unit 230 and the second label inspection unit 330, and guides only good products to the discharge conveyor belt 44 and discharges them.

[0043] Next, a method for forming a marking pattern on an edible article using the marking device 1 having the above-described structure will be described. From Figure 1 The edible articles such as tablets supplied by the supply device 10 to the first conveying device 20 are independently housed in the holding part 22 and conveyed to the detection area A1 of the first marking pre-inspection part 210. After the marking pre-inspection is performed, the articles are conveyed to the marking area A2 of the first laser processing part 220, and a marking pattern is formed on one side of the edible articles.

[0044] Figure 4 This diagram illustrates an example of a marking pattern formed on an edible article T. In the storage unit 226 of the first laser processing unit 220, the letters “A,” “B,” and “C” are stored as three basic patterns formed on the edible article, and the numbers “3,” “5,” and “9” are stored as additional information added to each basic pattern. This additional information corresponds to the position information of the index points (i.e., the number of points up to the index point when the starting point S of the marking is taken as the 0th point) when the basic pattern is formed on the edible article, using points removed from the multiple points constituting the basic pattern as index points.

[0045] exist Figure 4 In the diagram, the laser spot points D are formed in the order indicated by solid arrows (dashed arrows indicate non-marked states) to form the letter "A". The third point from the starting point S corresponding to the additional information is removed as the indicator point I1.Figure 4 In the diagram, to distinguish indicator point I1 from the usual point D, it is represented by a dashed line. Similarly, for the text "B", the fifth point from the starting point S is removed as indicator point I1, and for the text "C", the fifth point from the starting point S is also removed as indicator point I1. The reference point used to calculate the number of points does not necessarily have to be the marked starting point S; for example, the marked ending point E can also be used as the reference point.

[0046] Because only one point, designated as indicator point I1, is removed from the multiple points D constituting the basic pattern, consumers can visually identify this pattern as the same as a typical basic pattern without indicator point I1, thus enabling them to grasp information visually. Therefore, more information than a typical basic pattern can be included in the logo pattern through additional information without causing undue discomfort to consumers. Furthermore, not only is indicator point I1 visually inconspicuous, but its position can also change depending on the content of the additional information, making it difficult for third parties to accurately replicate the same logo pattern, thus serving as an effective anti-counterfeiting measure.

[0047] The indicator point I1 relative to a basic pattern is preferably single, as shown in this embodiment. However, multiple indicator points I1 can be set at different positions on the basic pattern if consumers can recognize it without discomfort. The additional information can itself be information such as the manufacturing date or batch (batch group / group), or it can be converted into other numbers, letters, hiragana, words, or other symbols based on a conversion table prepared in advance for each basic pattern. Thus, a variety of information can be included as additional information. A manufacturing batch is a group of edible products with a common manufacturing date, time, or factory. Since the edible products constituting this group share the same identification pattern, the distribution path in the event of counterfeit edible products can be quickly and easily determined, effectively utilizing this information as an anti-counterfeiting measure.

[0048] Edible items bearing identifiable patterns are transported to... Figure 1 After the markings are inspected in inspection area A3 of the first marking inspection unit 230, the product is transferred from the first conveying device 20 to the second conveying device 30. It is then sequentially conveyed to the second marking pre-inspection unit 310, the second laser processing unit 320, and the second marking inspection unit 330. Similarly, marking patterns containing additional information are formed on other sides of the edible product. The additional information included in the marking patterns on other sides of the edible product may be the same as the additional information included in the marking patterns on one side of the edible product, or it may be different. Alternatively, the additional information may be provided only on one side of the edible product.

[0049] Subsequently, edible items are transferred from the second conveying device 30 to the discharge device 40. Edible items deemed good are guided to the discharge conveyor belt 44 via the distribution section 42. On the other hand, edible items deemed defective are blown out by air in the defect discharge section 45 and guided to the defect discharge chute 46. The defect discharge confirmation sensor 47 checks whether there are any defective edible items remaining in the second conveying device 30. If defective edible items remain, the edible items are guided to the waste chute 48 in the distribution section 42.

[0050] Additional information for this embodiment suggests that a point removed from the plurality of points constituting the basic pattern can be used as an index point, or any of the plurality of points constituting the basic pattern can be deformed and used as an index point. For example, in Figure 5 In the illustrated identification pattern for edible item T, the diameter of the circle at indicator point I2 is made larger than the diameter of the circles at other points D, allowing the positional information of indicator point I2 to be used as additional information. Indicator point I2 can be multiple consecutive indicator points, or a portion of the text or graphics constituting the basic pattern can be thickened, with that portion used as additional information. Indicator point I2 can also be deformed into an oval shape, etc.

[0051] Alternatively, a new point can be added relative to the multiple points constituting the basic pattern, and this added point can be used as an index point. For example, for Figure 6 The label pattern shown is formed by adding a new indicator point I3 near the top of the letter "A" which serves as the basic pattern. The positional information of the point D near the indicator point I3 (e.g., the positional information of points D1 and D2 that are in contact with the indicator point I3) is included as additional information. For points formed by laser spots, clear formation is possible because ink bleeding, as is seen in gravure or inkjet printing, is avoided. Figure 6 As shown, even when the dense area of ​​point D forms the index point I3, a small non-irradiated area A surrounded by point D and index point I3 can still be formed. Therefore, index point I3 can be easily determined based on point D, and the presence or absence of the non-irradiated area A can be used to determine if the drug is counterfeit. In addition to the above, the addition of a new index point I3 can also be done by forming an edge with an acute angle relative to the corner of a text or graphic.

[0052] Next, I will describe the identification information reading system that reads additional information from edible items marked with laser using the identification device 1 for edible items. Figure 7 This is a block diagram illustrating the schematic structure of an identification information reading system according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 7As shown, the identification information reading system 100 has a portable terminal 110 and a server 120, with the portable terminal 110 connected to the server 120 via a network 130 such as the Internet.

[0053] The portable terminal 110 is a portable device such as a smartphone or tablet terminal held by consumers of edible products, and has a camera unit 111 consisting of a CCD camera or the like, and a display unit 112 consisting of an LCD panel or the like. A dedicated program for exchanging information with the server 120 can be pre-downloaded into the portable terminal 110.

[0054] The server 120 includes a control unit 121, an identification information storage unit 122, a conversion table storage unit 123, and a communication unit 124. The control unit 121 has a CPU that performs image processing on the identification pattern received from the portable terminal 110, obtains the position information of the index points relative to the basic pattern, and generates output information.

[0055] The labeling information storage unit 122 stores labeling information about the labeling pattern formed on the edible article. The labeling information includes information about the formation order of the dots that make up the basic pattern of the labeling pattern, information about the reference points of the labeling pattern, etc. The control unit 121 can obtain additional information by comparing the image data of the labeling pattern with the image data of the basic pattern of the labeling pattern by referring to the labeling information.

[0056] The conversion table storage unit 123 stores a conversion table for generating output information based on additional information. The conversion table is a table that pre-sets text, numbers, graphics, symbols, etc., corresponding to the additional information, and the control unit 121 can convert the additional information into output information based on the conversion table. Figure 8 In one example of a transformation table, additional information, consisting of the number of points from the reference point (e.g., the starting point) to the indicator point, is associated with different text. The output information corresponding to this additional information is not necessarily limited to a single text or graphic; for example, it can be associated with terms or sentences related to performance.

[0057] The identification information reading system 100 with the above structure allows consumers to capture an identification pattern formed on an edible product using the camera unit 111 of a portable terminal 110 and send it to the server 120. The control unit 121 of the server 120 then obtains additional information based on the captured image data of the identification pattern and converts it into output information, which is then displayed on the display unit 112 of the portable terminal 110. Therefore, consumers can quickly and easily grasp the content of the additional information contained in the identification pattern (e.g., information inherent to the edible product, such as the manufacturing date or batch number). The acquisition of the additional information is based on the identification information stored in the identification information storage unit 122 of the server 120, making it difficult for third parties without the identification information to obtain it, thus serving as an effective anti-counterfeiting measure. The additional information may also include a security code. The control unit 121 compares the security code obtained from the captured image data of the identification pattern with the security code contained in the identification information pre-stored in the identification information storage unit 122, thereby determining the authenticity of the edible product.

[0058] The conversion table stored in the conversion table storage unit 123 can be set for each of the multiple identification patterns when an edible item has multiple identification patterns. When each identification pattern contains multiple indicator points, a variety of information can be output as output information by combining multiple identification patterns and multiple indicator points. On the other hand, it is also possible to display additional information as output information while keeping it as is, in which case a structure without a conversion table can be formed.

[0059] The identification information reading system 100 of this embodiment is configured by connecting a portable terminal 110 and a server 120 via a network 130. By storing the identification information and conversion table stored in the identification information storage unit 122 and the conversion table storage unit 123 in the memory of the portable terminal 110 or an external hard disk, the identification information reading system 100 can be configured as an independent structure.

[0060] The basic pattern included in the labeling, as described above, can be formed into a graphic that allows consumers to easily identify information visually. By forming the basic pattern into a non-verbal representation (e.g., a pictogram) of at least one of the "efficacy" or "body part or organ" that exerts the efficacy when the edible product represented by the basic pattern is consumed, the efficacy or purpose of the edible product can be easily and reliably conveyed to consumers, regardless of their language or age. Furthermore, this can prevent accidental ingestion or misuse of the edible product, and from a pharmaceutical perspective, it can be expected to aid in obtaining informed consent.

[0061] Figure 9(a) through (e) represent specific examples of basic patterns depicting the "efficacy" of edible substances, showing efficacy for (a) headache, (b) sore throat, (c) nasal congestion, (d) cough, and (e) fever, respectively. Additionally, Figure 10 (a) to (d) represent specific examples of basic patterns depicting "parts or organs of the human body" that represent the effectiveness of edible items, indicating that they are effective for (a) the stomach, (b) the lungs, (c) the knee (pain), and (d) the knee (range of motion). Figure 9 (a)~(e) and Figure 10 Each of the basic patterns represented in (a) to (d) can be used individually or in appropriate combinations.

[0062] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0063] 1. Identification device for edible items

[0064] 100 Identification Information Reading System

[0065] 110 Portable Terminal

[0066] 111 Camera Department

[0067] 112 Display Section

[0068] 120 Servers

[0069] 121 Control Department

[0070] 122 Identification Information Storage Department

[0071] 123 Conversion Table Storage Department

[0072] T Edible items

[0073] Indicator points I1, I2, and I3.

Claims

1. A labeling device for edible articles, comprising a device for forming a labeling pattern on edible articles by scanning a laser spot, and having a storage unit for storing information about the labeling pattern, characterized in that: The identification pattern is a basic pattern obtained relative to the points forming multiple laser spots. A portion of these points is deformed, removed, or new points are added, and the positional information of the deformed, removed, or added indicator points is included as additional information. The additional information is based on the number of points from the reference point of the basic pattern's identifier to the index point. The storage unit stores the basic pattern and the additional information.

2. The labeling device for edible articles as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The logo pattern has multiple basic patterns, each of which contains inherent additional information.

3. The labeling device for edible articles as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The basic pattern can be any of text, numbers, graphics, or symbols.

4. The labeling device for edible articles as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The basic pattern is a non-verbal expression of at least one of the effects of an edible substance or a part or organ of the human body in which the edible substance exerts its effects.

5. A system for reading identification information, characterized in that, In a device for reading additional information about laser-marked edible items, the edible items are marked with a pattern by scanning a laser spot. The pattern is formed by deforming, removing, or adding new points to a basic pattern obtained relative to points forming multiple laser spots, and the positional information of the deformed, removed, or added points is included as additional information. The marking information reading system includes: A camera unit that captures the logo pattern on edible items; A control unit that acquires the additional information based on the camera data of the identified pattern; and A display unit shows output information based on the extracted additional information. The system further includes an identification information storage unit that stores identification information, the identification information including information about the formation order of the points constituting the basic pattern. The control unit refers to the identification information and obtains the additional information based on the number of points from the reference point of the identification of the basic pattern to the index point.

6. The identification information reading system as described in claim 5, characterized in that: It further includes a conversion table storage unit, which stores a conversion table that converts the additional information into the output information. The control unit converts the acquired additional information into the output information based on the conversion table.

7. A method for identifying edible items, characterized in that, Using the marking device for edible articles as described in claim 1, a marking pattern is formed on the edible article by scanning a laser spot.

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