Inspection apparatus

Abstract

To provide an inspection apparatus which allows a user to easily find foreign substances mixed in or attached to an article to inspect and can improve the accuracy of an inspection.SOLUTION: An inspection apparatus for inspecting an article to be inspected includes, at least partially, an opaque region capable of transmitting visible light. The inspection apparatus also includes: a light source unit 2 for irradiating the article with visible light at an inspection position P1; an imaging unit 3 disposed on a side opposite to the light source unit 2, with the article being interposed in between, the imaging unit taking an image of transmission light having passed through the article; and an inspection unit 40 for performing inspection of the article on the basis of the image captured by the imaging unit 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an inspection device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, as an inspection device for inspecting articles, a tablet inspection device has been known which irradiates a continuously conveyed PTP film with X-rays from a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction, and sequentially captures (exposes) the X-rays that have passed through the PTP film one-dimensionally using an imaging means such as an X-ray line sensor camera, thereby obtaining an X-ray transmission image of the entire PTP film, and then inspects for the presence or absence of tablets, cracks, chips, etc. based on the obtained X-ray transmission image (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-85190 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in an inspection device that inspects an object using light that easily penetrates the object, such as radiation including X-rays as described in Patent Document 1, if a foreign object that penetrates radiation is mixed in or attached to the object being inspected, it may be difficult to find the foreign object, and the accuracy of the inspection may be reduced.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned circumstances, and aims to provide an inspection device that can easily find foreign matter that has become mixed in or attached to an item being inspected, thereby improving the accuracy of the inspection. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The inspection device of the present invention is an inspection device that inspects an object to be inspected, which includes at least a portion of an opaque area that is capable of transmitting at least one of visible light and near-infrared light, and is equipped with a light source unit that irradiates at least one of visible light and near-infrared light onto the object at the inspection position, an imaging unit that is positioned on the opposite side of the light source unit across the object and images the transmitted light that has passed through the object, and an inspection unit that inspects the object based on the image captured by the imaging unit.

[0007] With this configuration, in the inspection device according to the present invention, the light source unit irradiates the object to be inspected with at least one of visible light and near-infrared light, and the imaging unit captures the light transmitted through the object, and the inspection unit inspects the object based on the obtained image, so that foreign matter mixed in or attached to the object to be inspected can be imaged using at least one of visible light and near-infrared light, making it easy to find foreign matter mixed in or attached to the object to be inspected and improving the accuracy of the inspection.

[0008] Furthermore, the inspection device according to the present invention uses at least one of visible light and near-infrared light, which are harmless to the human body, and is therefore safer than using light that has an effect on the human body, such as radiation, and does not require any shielding mechanisms or other configurations, allowing the device to be simplified.

[0009] It is preferable that the inspection device of the present invention further includes a second imaging unit that images the item from a different direction than the first imaging unit, with the imaging unit serving as a first imaging unit, and that the inspection unit inspects the item based on the images captured by the first imaging unit and the second imaging unit.

[0010] With this configuration, the inspection device of the present invention is equipped with a first imaging unit arranged on the opposite side of the light source unit across the item, as well as a second imaging unit that images the item from a different direction than the first imaging unit, and the inspection unit inspects the item based on the images captured by the first imaging unit and the second imaging unit, so that inspection can be performed with fewer blind spots for the item, and foreign matter that has become mixed in or attached to the item being inspected can be more reliably found.

[0011] In the inspection device according to the present invention, it is preferable that the second imaging section includes a plurality of imaging devices, and the plurality of imaging devices are arranged so as to capture images of the item from different directions.

[0012] With this configuration, the inspection device according to the present invention can further reduce blind spots for the article, since the second imaging unit includes a plurality of imaging devices arranged to capture images of the article from different directions.

[0013] In the inspection device according to the present invention, it is preferable that a light blocking member for blocking stray light is provided between the article and the imaging unit at the inspection position.

[0014] With this configuration, the inspection device of the present invention has a light-shielding member that blocks stray light between the object and the imaging unit at the inspection position, thereby preventing light that has not passed through the object from entering the imaging unit as stray light.

[0015] In the inspection device of the present invention, it is preferable that the light source unit is configured to be able to emit non-directional light, and that an aperture member for narrowing the light directed from the light source unit to the item is provided between the item and the light source unit at the inspection position.

[0016] With this configuration, the inspection device of the present invention has an aperture member provided between the object and the light source unit at the inspection position, so that unnecessary light other than that incident on the object, of at least one of the visible light and near-infrared light irradiated from the light source unit, is prevented from heading toward the imaging unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an inspection device that can easily find foreign matter that has become mixed in or adhered to an item to be inspected, thereby improving the accuracy of the inspection. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an inspection device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 2(a) to 2(c) are perspective views showing an example of a conveying unit that conveys tablets to the inspection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing another example of the transport unit that transports tablets to the inspection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an image of a tablet captured by the inspection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 5(a) is an image of the appearance of a tablet, and FIG. 5(b) is an image of light transmitted through the tablet captured by the inspection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a modified example of the inspection device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a modified example of the light source unit of the inspection apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of an inspection device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a modified example of the inspection device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] 10 is a diagram showing an example of an image of a tablet captured by a second imaging unit of the inspection device according to the modified example shown in FIG. 9. FIG. [Figure 11] 10 is a diagram showing another example of the image of the tablet captured by the second imaging unit of the inspection device according to the modified example shown in FIG. 9. FIG. [Figure 12]FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a modified example of the inspection device according to the second embodiment of the present invention as viewed from above. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] An inspection device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0020] (First embodiment) 1, the inspection device 1 according to the first embodiment aligns and individually transports items to be inspected using an existing transport unit, irradiates the items with visible light at a predetermined inspection position, captures an image of the light transmitted through the items as the visible light is irradiated, and inspects the quality of the items based on the captured image. Examples of the quality of items inspected by the inspection device 1 of this embodiment include the presence or absence of foreign matter (including, for example, liquid or powder paint) mixed in or attached to the items.

[0021] Examples of existing conveying units include conveying units configured to align and convey articles individually, such as a conveying belt, a conveying disk, a conveying chute, etc. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which a conveying belt 10 having a horizontal conveying surface 10a (see FIG. 1) is used as the existing conveying unit.

[0022] The items to be inspected are those that are entirely opaque and capable of transmitting visible light, or that contain such opaque areas in part. These include items with an outer diameter of several to several tens of mm that can be transported individually without packaging, bite-sized items, as well as items and molded products of a predetermined shape manufactured using existing manufacturing equipment or manufacturing equipment without inspection capabilities, and in particular items that do not change shape during transportation.

[0023] Examples of such articles include pharmaceutical preparations such as tablets, capsules, lozenges, and drops, as well as candy. The following description will be given taking as an example an article to be inspected a tablet W that is circular in plan view, has a height (thickness) smaller than its diameter, and is roughly cylindrical in side view. Note that the article to be inspected is not limited to a circular shape in plan view, and articles of various shapes such as an oval shape or a polygonal shape can also be used.

[0024] The inspection device 1 according to this embodiment includes a light source unit 2, an imaging unit 3, and a control device 4.

[0025] The inspection device 1 of this embodiment irradiates visible light onto a tablet W being transported by a conveyor belt 10 at a predetermined inspection position P1, captures an image of the transmitted light that passes through the tablet W as this visible light is irradiated, and inspects the quality of the tablet W based on the captured image of the tablet W.

[0026] As shown in Figure 2(a), the conveyor belt 10 is composed of, for example, a first conveyor belt 10A and a second conveyor belt 10B arranged parallel to each other with a predetermined gap 10b in between, and is configured to convey the tablets W by adsorbing their lower surfaces to the conveyor surface 10a using air through the predetermined gap 10b.

[0027] The conveying surface 10a is composed of the upper surface of the first conveying belt 10A and the upper surface of the second conveying belt 10B. In Fig. 1, the conveying surface 10a of the conveying belt 10 is the conveying path for the tablets W, and the conveying path extends in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in Fig. 1.

[0028] An existing conveyor belt that conveys tablets W by adsorbing their lower surfaces to the conveying surface in the same manner as in this embodiment may be, for example, a conveyor belt that is composed of a single conveyor belt 10 and has a loading hole 10e formed on its conveying surface, as shown in Fig. 2(b). The loading hole 10e has a stepped shape, and the tablet W fits into the stepped shape. It may also be configured to further stabilize the tablet W by suctioning air.

[0029] Further, as shown in FIG. 2(c), the conveyor belt 10 may be configured to convey a tablet W sandwiched between a conveyor belt 10C and a conveyor belt 10D.

[0030] Furthermore, when a transfer disk is used as an existing transfer unit, for example, a transfer disk 11 as shown in Fig. 3 can be used. As shown in Fig. 3, the transfer disk 11 is a transfer unit configured to suck tablets W into suction holes in its outer peripheral surface 11a and transfer them in the circumferential direction while rotating horizontally. In the transfer disk 11, the tablets W are transferred with their upper and lower surfaces kept horizontal by their sides being sucked into the suction holes. When the transfer disk 11 is used, the plane perpendicular to the outer peripheral surface 11a, i.e., the plane on which the lower surface of the tablets W moves, is defined as the transfer plane.

[0031] [Light source section] 1, the light source unit 2 is disposed on the opposite side of the imaging unit 3 (below the conveyor belt 10 in this embodiment) across the tablet W at the inspection position P1 and the conveyor belt 10, and is configured to irradiate visible light onto the tablet W at the inspection position P1. Specifically, the light source unit 2 irradiates visible light toward the surface of the tablet W opposite the imaging unit 3 side (the lower surface in this embodiment).

[0032] The light source unit 2 is held by a bracket (not shown) at a position spaced a predetermined distance from the conveyor belt 10 .

[0033] The light source unit 2 may be any light source capable of emitting visible light, and various light sources may be used, such as a broadband light source represented by a halogen lamp, or a visible light LED light.

[0034] The light source unit 2 is configured to be able to adjust the amount of visible light it irradiates. The adjustment of the amount of light from the light source unit 2 may be performed automatically by the control device 4, for example, or may be performed by a user's operation via the operation unit 6, which will be described later.

[0035] Furthermore, the light source unit 2 may be configured to be able to change the wavelength of visible light depending on, for example, the characteristics of the inspection object or an abnormality that is expected in the inspection object.

[0036] [Image capture unit] The imaging unit 3 is positioned on the opposite side of the light source unit 2 (in this embodiment, above the conveying belt 10) across the tablet W at the inspection position P1 and the conveying belt 10, and is configured to image the transmitted light that is irradiated from the light source unit 2 at the inspection position P1 and passes through the tablet W.

[0037] The imaging unit 3 is held by a bracket (not shown) at a position spaced a predetermined height from the conveying surface 10a of the conveyor belt 10 so that the optical axis is perpendicular to the conveying surface 10a.

[0038] The imaging unit 3 is an area camera that uses a two-dimensional element in which pixels are arranged two-dimensionally on the light receiving surface as an imaging element. Note that the imaging unit 3 may also use a line camera that uses a one-dimensional element in which pixels are arranged one-dimensionally on the light receiving surface as an imaging element.

[0039] The imaging unit 3 is configured to be able to adjust the imaging time, i.e., exposure time, for the tablet W. The exposure time of the imaging unit 3 may be adjusted automatically by the control device 4, for example, or may be adjusted by a user's operation via the operation unit 6, which will be described later.

[0040] [Control device] The control device 4 has a CPU and a memory as a storage area or a working area for control programs, and controls the entire inspection device 1. The control contents of the control device 4 include control of the display content and display form of the display unit 5, as well as control of various requests and settings in response to operation input via the operation unit 6, for example.

[0041] A display unit 5 and an operation unit 6 are connected to the control device 4.

[0042] The display unit 5 is configured with a flat display or the like, and is configured to display and output to the user. The display unit 5 is configured to display images of the test results and the like from the control device 4.

[0043] For example, the display unit 5 may display the inspection results of the tablets W using letters or symbols such as "OK" or "NG", or may display statistical values ​​such as the total number of inspections, the number of good products, and the total number of NG products.

[0044] The display unit 5 may also display an image of the tablet W captured by the imaging unit 3. In this case, the user can visually inspect the quality based on the image of the tablet W displayed on the display unit 5.

[0045] The display content and display mode of the display unit 5 are determined based on, for example, a default setting or a request made by a predetermined key operation on the operation unit 6.

[0046] The operation unit 6 is, for example, a touch panel display, and is operated by a user to perform various settings and display various information. The operation unit 6 and the display unit 5 may be integrated as a touch panel display.

[0047] The control device 4, display unit 5, and operation unit 6 may be configured, for example, as an integrated unit with the light source unit 2 and imaging unit 3, or may be configured as a terminal (for example, a personal computer or a mobile terminal) provided separately from the light source unit 2 and imaging unit 3.

[0048] The control device 4 has an inspection unit 40 that inspects the tablets W based on the images of the tablets W captured by the imaging unit 3.

[0049] The inspection unit 40 performs image processing such as binarization and edge detection on the image of the tablet W captured by the imaging unit 3, and identifies the region of the tablet W in the image. The inspection unit 40 determines whether or not foreign matter that transmits, for example, radiation or infrared rays, is mixed in or attached to the tablet W in the region of the image that indicates the tablet W identified as described above. The inspection unit 40 can, for example, detect an abnormal portion from the image of the tablet W captured by the imaging unit 3, and determine whether or not the foreign matter is mixed in or attached to the tablet W based on whether or not the detected abnormal portion is present in the region of the tablet W.

[0050] [Example of captured image] Next, an image of the tablet W captured by the imaging unit 3 of this embodiment will be described using the images shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 as examples.

[0051] FIG. 4 is an example of an image captured of a tablet W with hair attached to its surface (top surface in this embodiment).

[0052] As shown in image Im1 in Fig. 4, the tablet W is imaged with its inside illuminated by visible light emitted from the light source unit 2. In Fig. 4, the portion indicated by Wi is an image showing the area of ​​the tablet W in image Im1.

[0053] As shown in Figure 4, when the tablet W is illuminated, hair (indicated by arrow A in Figure 4), which has a different visible light transmittance than the tablet, is projected as a shadow. This makes it easy to determine whether hair is mixed in or attached to the tablet W based on the image Im1.

[0054] Furthermore, in this embodiment, visible light is transmitted up to the peripheral portion of the tablet W, so the peripheral portion of the tablet W is brightly illuminated without being shaded, as shown in image Im1. Therefore, even if a foreign object such as a hair is present on the peripheral portion of the tablet W, it can be easily detected.

[0055] FIG. 5 is an example of an image captured of a tablet W having paint on its surface (top surface in this embodiment).

[0056] Tablet W with paint attached will be explained by comparing the image showing the appearance in Fig. 5(a) with the image captured using transmitted light in Fig. 5(b). In Fig. 5(a) and Fig. 5(b), the portion indicated by Wi is an image showing the area of ​​tablet W in each of images Im2 and Im3.

[0057] Depending on the type of paint attached to tablet W, it may be difficult to determine whether paint is attached to tablet W from an image of the appearance of tablet W, as shown in Figure 5(a).

[0058] In this embodiment, even if the tablet W has paint on it whose presence or absence is difficult to determine from its appearance as described above, the presence of paint can be easily detected by obtaining an image Im3 in which the interior is illuminated by visible light irradiated from the light source unit 2, as shown in Fig. 5(b). In image Im3, the paint (indicated by arrow B in Fig. 5(b)), which has a different transmittance of visible light from the tablet portion, is projected as a shadow.

[0059] [Action and effect] As described above, in the inspection device according to this embodiment, the light source unit 2 irradiates the tablet W to be inspected with visible light, and the imaging unit 3 captures the light transmitted through the tablet W, and the inspection unit 40 inspects the tablet W based on the image obtained, so that foreign matter mixed in or attached to the tablet W to be inspected can be displayed by visible light. This makes it possible to easily find foreign matter mixed in or attached to the tablet W to be inspected, and improves the accuracy of the inspection.

[0060] Furthermore, the inspection device according to this embodiment uses visible light, which is harmless to the human body, and is therefore safer than using light that has an effect on the human body, such as radiation, and does not require configurations such as shielding mechanisms, allowing the device to be simplified.

[0061] [Variations] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 6, a light-shielding member 7 that blocks stray light may be provided between the tablet W and the imaging unit 3 at the inspection position P1. The light-shielding member 7 has a circular opening 7a formed in accordance with the shape of the tablet W. The opening area and shape of the opening 7a are set appropriately according to the size and shape of the inspection target.

[0062] The light-shielding member 7 ideally allows only the transmitted light that has passed through the tablet W out of the visible light irradiated from the light source unit 2 to pass through the opening 7a, thereby preventing, for example, light that has not passed through the tablet W from entering the imaging unit 3 as stray light.

[0063] The light-shielding member 7 may be supported, for example, by a bracket that holds the imaging unit 3, or by the lens barrel of the imaging unit 3, or by other supporting means.

[0064] In this embodiment, a diaphragm member 8 that diaphragms the visible light directed from the light source unit 2 to the tablet W may be provided between the tablet W and the light source unit 2 at the inspection position P1.

[0065] The aperture member 8 can be a light-shielding plate having a circular opening 8a formed therein that matches the shape of the tablet W. The aperture member 8 is not limited to a light-shielding plate, and may be, for example, an iris or a tapered cylindrical member whose diameter gradually decreases toward the tablet W, as long as it is a member that can narrow the visible light directed toward the tablet W. Furthermore, a condenser lens may be used as the aperture member 8.

[0066] The aperture member 8 prevents unnecessary light other than that incident on the tablet W, out of the visible light irradiated from the light source unit 2, from heading toward the imaging unit 3. The aperture member 8 is effective when the visible light irradiated from the light source unit 2 is light with low directionality.

[0067] The diaphragm member 8 may be supported, for example, by a bracket that holds the light source unit 2, or may be supported by the light source unit 2 itself, or may be supported by other supporting means.

[0068] The above-mentioned light blocking member 7 and diaphragm member 8 may both be provided as shown in FIG. 6, or a configuration in which only one of them is provided may also be used.

[0069] 7, a laser light source capable of emitting highly directional laser light may be used as the light source unit 2. In this case, since the visible light irradiated onto the tablet W becomes highly directional light, it is possible to eliminate the need for both or either of the light blocking member 7 and the aperture member 8 described above.

[0070] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a configuration in which visible light is irradiated from the light source unit 2 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration in which near-infrared light, or visible light and near-infrared light, may also be irradiated from the light source unit 2. In the case of a configuration in which near-infrared light is irradiated from the light source unit 2, it is preferable that the object to be inspected is an object whose entire area is opaque and capable of transmitting near-infrared light, or an object that partially includes such an opaque area. Furthermore, in the case of a configuration in which visible light and near-infrared light are irradiated from the light source unit 2, it is preferable that the object to be inspected is an object whose entire area is opaque and capable of transmitting visible light or near-infrared light, or an object that partially includes such an opaque area.

[0071] (Second embodiment) Next, an inspection apparatus 101 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0072] This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the number of imaging units, but other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, so a description of the same configuration as the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 8, the inspection device 101 according to this embodiment further includes, in addition to the imaging unit 3, a second imaging unit 13 that images the tablet W from a different direction (in this embodiment, from the side of the tablet W) from the imaging unit 3, as a configuration for imaging the tablet W. The second imaging unit 13 is made up of an area camera, similar to the imaging unit 3. Note that a line camera may also be used as the second imaging unit 13.

[0074] The second imaging unit 13 is disposed to the side of the tablet W at the inspection position P1, and images the tablet W from the side. The second imaging unit 13 is connected to the control device 4, similar to the imaging unit 3. Therefore, the control device 4 can obtain an image of the tablet W viewed from the side, in addition to the image of the tablet W imaged by the imaging unit 3. The inspection unit 40 inspects the tablet W based on the image of the tablet W imaged by the imaging unit 3 and the image of the tablet W imaged by the second imaging unit 13.

[0075] [Action and effect] As described above, the inspection device of this embodiment is equipped with, in addition to the imaging unit 3 arranged on the opposite side of the light source unit 2 across the tablet W, a second imaging unit 13 that images the tablet W from a different direction than the imaging unit 3, and the inspection unit 40 inspects the tablet W based on the images captured by the imaging unit 3 and the second imaging unit 13, so that the inspection can be performed with reduced blind spots for the tablet W, and foreign matter that has become mixed in or adhered to the tablet W being inspected can be more reliably found.

[0076] [Variations] In this embodiment, the second imaging unit 13 may be disposed obliquely above the tablet W as shown in FIG. 9, and may capture an image of the tablet W from an obliquely above direction of the tablet W, which is a direction different from that of the imaging unit 3.

[0077] In this way, when the second imaging unit 13 is disposed obliquely above the tablet W, the image of the tablet W captured by the second imaging unit 13 becomes, for example, an image as shown in FIG. 10 or FIG.

[0078] Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an image Im4 of the same tablet W as in Fig. 4 described in the first embodiment, captured by the second imaging unit 13 shown in Fig. 9. Fig. 11 is a diagram showing an image Im5 of the same tablet W as in Fig. 5(b) described in the first embodiment, captured by the second imaging unit 13 shown in Fig. 9.

[0079] In this embodiment, too, a hair (indicated by arrow A in FIG. 10) appears as a shadow in image Im4, as shown in Fig. 10. Furthermore, it can be identified in image Im4 that the hair is located on the upper surface side of tablet W.

[0080] 11, the paint (indicated by arrow B in FIG. 11) adhering to the tablet W is projected as a shadow in the image Im5. Furthermore, it can be identified in the image Im5 that the paint is located on the upper surface side of the tablet W.

[0081] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the second imaging unit 13 is configured to include one imaging device such as an area camera, but the second imaging unit 13 may be configured to include multiple imaging devices (two in the example shown in FIG. 12) as shown in Fig. 12. Note that the number of imaging devices is not limited to two, and may be three or more.

[0082] As shown in FIG. 12, the second imaging section 13 includes an imaging device 31 and an imaging device 32, and these imaging devices 31 and 32 are arranged so as to capture images of the tablet W from different directions.

[0083] The imaging device 31 and the imaging device 32 may be arranged upstream or downstream in the conveying direction of the tablet W relative to the tablet W at the inspection position P1. Furthermore, they may be arranged in a direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the tablet W. In this way, the imaging device 31 and the imaging device 32 only need to be able to capture images of the tablet W from different directions when viewed from above, and are preferably arranged in optimal positions depending on the specifications of the inspection device 101 and the type of object to be inspected.

[0084] 12, the second imaging unit 13 includes imaging devices 31 and 32 arranged to capture images of the tablet W from different directions, which can further reduce blind spots for the tablet W. Note that although an example in which the light-shielding member 7 is provided is disclosed in FIG. 12, the light-shielding member 7 does not necessarily have to be provided.

[0085] Furthermore, the imaging device 31 and the imaging device 32 may be arranged so as to capture images of the tablet W from different directions in the vertical direction. For example, the imaging device 31 may be arranged to the side of the tablet W as shown in Fig. 8, and the imaging device 32 may be arranged diagonally above the tablet W as shown in Fig. 9.

[0086] While an embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that modifications may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention, and it is intended that all such modifications and equivalents be included in the following claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] 1, 101 Inspection equipment 2 Light source section 3. Imaging unit (first imaging unit) 4. Control device 5 Display section 6 Control section 7 Light blocking material 7a aperture 8. Aperture member 8a aperture 10 conveyor belt 11 Transfer disk 13 Second imaging unit 31, 32 Imaging device 40 Inspection Department W Tablet (item) P1 Inspection position Im1, Im2, Im3, Im4, Im5 images

Claims

1. An inspection device for inspecting an object (W) to be inspected, the object (W) including at least a portion of an opaque region that is transmissive to at least one of visible light and near-infrared light, a light source unit (2) that irradiates the object with at least one of visible light and near-infrared light at an inspection position (P1); an imaging unit (3) disposed on the opposite side of the light source unit across the object, and configured to capture an image of transmitted light that has passed through the object; and an inspection unit (40) that inspects the item based on the image captured by the imaging unit.

2. The imaging unit is a first imaging unit, and a second imaging unit (13) is further provided to image the item from a direction different from that of the first imaging unit, The inspection device according to claim 1 , wherein the inspection unit inspects the item based on the images captured by the first imaging unit and the second imaging unit.

3. the second imaging unit includes a plurality of imaging devices (31, 32); The inspection device according to claim 2 , wherein the plurality of imaging devices are arranged to capture images of the article from different directions.

4. 4. The inspection device according to claim 1, wherein a light blocking member (7) for blocking stray light is provided between the object and the imaging unit at the inspection position.

5. the light source unit is configured to be able to emit non-directional light, 4. The inspection device according to claim 1, wherein a diaphragm member (8) for narrowing down light directed from the light source unit toward the object is provided between the object and the light source unit at the inspection position.

6. the light source unit is configured to be able to emit non-directional light, 5. The inspection device according to claim 4, wherein a diaphragm member (8) for diaphragming light directed from the light source unit to the object is provided between the object and the light source unit at the inspection position.

Images