Measuring equipment for spectroscopic analysis of individual moving objects

Abstract

The present invention relates in particular to a measurement instrument (500) (1) that can be used in the context of the spectroscopic control of individual moving objects (2). The measurement instrument (500) comprises a probe (1) having a surface (100) from which emerge one or more illumination optical fibers (10) and measurement optical fibers (20). The optical fibers (10, 20) are arranged so that at least one of the second acceptance cones (21) intersects at least one first acceptance cone (11) less than 10 mm from the surface (100). The measurement instrument (500) also comprises a trigger device (8) that detects the object (2) upstream of the probe (1) in order to activate or deactivate the observation of the object (2) by the probe (1).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an instrument for spectroscopic control of moving objects, for example for spatially resolved infrared spectroscopic analysis of drugs. [Background technology]

[0002] There are instruments that have probes designed to be placed on moving objects. These probes have a surface into which illumination and measurement optical fibers open. A problem with known probes is that some objects or segments of objects are not observed by any of the fibers, or are not observed sufficiently to allow individualized spectroscopic analysis of each object.

[0003] WO2006116569 describes optical reflectance measurements applied to parts of the human body. WO2014116277 describes transcutaneous sensor configurations. In these types of measurements, the observed object is not moving and is not particularly small, so the above problems do not arise.

[0004] EP1674859 describes a detector for detecting a specific type of object among a plurality of objects. This document focuses on the processing of received data and does not address the above problem.

[0005] EP 3575776 describes a measurement system for large quantities of small items, which becomes particularly complicated as some fibers are above and below the object. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The object of the invention is a measuring instrument configured to improve the observation of moving objects, in particular for the purpose of spatially resolved infrared spectroscopic analysis of said individual objects.

[0007] To this end, the invention provides a measuring instrument comprising a probe for observing an object moving along a longitudinal direction, preferably for performing a spatially resolved spectroscopic analysis on said object, a trigger device offset from the probe along the longitudinal direction, and a control unit, The probe a surface extending along a longitudinal direction and along a transverse direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction; one or more first optical fibers open onto the surface and configured to emit electromagnetic radiation from at least one source, each first optical fiber having a first acceptance cone; a plurality of second optical fibers opening onto the surface and configured to capture and transmit electromagnetic radiation to a receiving device, each second optical fiber having a second acceptance cone, the plurality of second optical fibers being offset longitudinally from the one or more first optical fibers and located on the same side as the one or more first optical fibers; Equipped with the probe is such that at least one of the second acceptance cones intersects at least one of the first acceptance cones less than 10 mm from the surface; the trigger device is configured to detect a moving object; the measurement instrument is configured to actuate observation of the object by the probe in response to detection of the object by the trigger device; Propose measuring equipment.

[0008] The inventors have recognized that the problems with the current probe stem particularly from its arrangement, in which the second optical fibers (capture optical fibers) are distributed in two lateral groups on either side of the first optical fibers (illumination optical fibers). This is because, in this known arrangement, the central region of the conveyor is too far from the second optical fibers to be seen. The inventors first changed the orientation of the known probe relative to the direction of movement, but in this case, because the second optical fibers are distributed over a long length in the direction of movement, the number of images taken while the object passes under the probe becomes insufficient to perform high-quality spectroscopic analysis.

[0009] In the probe according to the present invention, all of the second optical fibers are offset along the direction of movement of the one or more first optical fibers and are located on the same side of the one or more first optical fibers. This allows for a better lateral distribution of the second optical fibers for a given number of second optical fibers, eliminating areas where objects are not visible. Therefore, small objects located in the center of the conveyor are particularly well observed.

[0010] The object of the present invention is to enable a rapid analysis in order to obtain a good flow of the object. Therefore, the total number of optical fibers is a constraint, since by distributing the optical fibers over a sufficiently small distribution surface of the optical fiber assembly in the direction of movement, a good spatial resolution is possible at high movement speeds while avoiding unnecessary optical fibers. The distribution of the fibers according to the present invention allows a better distribution for a given total number of optical fibers.

[0011] In addition, the number of second optical fibers actually in operation is also a constraint, since the length of processing the captured information increases with the number of second optical fibers. In the present invention, a better lateral distribution of the second optical fibers allows the number of second optical fibers in operation and therefore the information processing time per measurement to be reduced. Therefore, the frequency of measurements can be increased, and ultimately, the measurement results can be improved because they can be based on more measurements (e.g., averaging can be performed to reduce the signal-to-noise ratio).

[0012] The optical fiber arrangement of the present invention also allows each object to be viewed through photons that have traveled widely different distances within the object. This is because when electromagnetic radiation penetrates an object shallowly, it emerges near the point of penetration and is typically captured by a second optical fiber that is close to the first optical fiber that emitted the electromagnetic radiation, whereas when electromagnetic radiation penetrates deeper into the object, it emerges farther away from the point of penetration and is typically captured by a second optical fiber that is farther away from the first optical fiber that emitted the electromagnetic radiation. Thus, a large variation in the distance between the first and second optical fibers allows for the provision of richer spectral information.

[0013] Furthermore, in the present invention, the first and second optical fibers are close enough that the acceptance cones only diverge over a distance of at most 10 mm, so that capture of electromagnetic radiation reflected by the surface of an object located within this distance is particularly low, which is a great advantage in spatially resolved infrared spectroscopy, where scattered electromagnetic radiation is important and reflected electromagnetic radiation is harmful.

[0014] Furthermore, because the first and second fibers are offset in the direction of travel, the object is illuminated over a well-defined travel length and detected over a defined travel length, which simplifies processing of the received data.

[0015] Furthermore, since the maximum width for distributing all optical fibers is a technical constraint, the distribution of fibers according to the invention makes it possible to cover a particularly large part of this maximum width.

[0016] The probe is of the type used in an analytical technique called single particle counter, in which each photon is counted.

[0017] the second optical fiber is offset longitudinally from the one or more first optical fibers and is positioned on the same side of the one or more first optical fibers, and the second acceptance cone is separated from any first acceptance cone by a fixed distance of up to 10 mm measured from said surface; a first reference plane is located at most 10 mm from a portion of the surface where the first optical fibers open, each first optical fiber has a first acceptance cone whose intersection with the first reference plane forms a first circle, and the first circles of all the first optical fibers of the probe are inscribed in the first reference rectangle; a second reference plane is located at most 10 mm from the portion of the surface where the second optical fibers open, and each second optical fiber has a second acceptance cone whose intersection with the second reference plane forms a second circle, and the second circles of all second optical fibers of the probe are inscribed within the second reference rectangle; The first and second reference rectangles do not overlap.

[0018] Although some properties are described as relating to multiple first optical fibers, it should be understood that they also apply when the probe includes only one first optical fiber, unless otherwise specified.

[0019] The trigger device enables an object to be detected before it reaches the observation area of ​​the probe, so as to trigger activation of the probe at the moment the object reaches the observation area of ​​the probe. The trigger device is upstream of the probe with respect to object movement. Preferably, the trigger device transmits information to a control unit to activate or stop the probe. When the trigger device starts detecting an object, it transmits object detection information to the control unit, and the control unit uses this information and the linear speed of movement of the conveyor to calculate the moment of probe activation. When the trigger device finishes detecting the object, it transmits conveyor detection information to the control unit, and the control unit uses this information and the linear speed of movement of the conveyor to calculate the moment of probe stop.

[0020] Within the scope of this specification, an "active" probe is a probe capable of making observations. "Activation" of a probe preferably includes activation of at least some of the plurality of second optical fibers, and "deactivation" of a probe preferably includes deactivation of activated second optical fibers. It is possible, within the scope of the present invention, for one or more first optical fibers to remain activated even when the probe is deactivated.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the trigger device comprises two detector elements offset from each other in the lateral direction, each of which preferably detects a point on the conveyor, and information associated with each detector element, i.e., each point, is transmitted to the control unit.

[0022] According to one embodiment, each detector element is located on a separate laser detector, which is displaceable along the lateral direction so that its lateral position can be mechanically adapted to the size of the object on the conveyor. Examples of suitable laser detectors are the Keyence LK-G detector or the Panasonic HL-C detector.

[0023] In another embodiment, the trigger device emits a beam extending along a lateral direction, and each of the detector elements comprises a separate detector segment positioned to capture the beam after reflection from an object. The lateral and / or longitudinal positions of the detector elements can then be digitally adapted to the size of the object on the conveyor. An example of a suitable trigger device is the Keyence CMOS HSE detector.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the second optical fibers are distributed over the longitudinal and lateral extensions on the surface such that the longitudinal extension is smaller than the lateral extension.

[0025] Such an arrangement allows for a particularly wide distribution of the second optical fibers for a given number of second optical fibers. Furthermore, the small longitudinal extension allows for a greater number of measurements to be made for each object as it moves, thereby improving the quality of the results obtained from the measurements.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the first optical fibers are distributed over the surface over a longitudinal and lateral extension such that the longitudinal extension is smaller than the lateral extension. Such a configuration, which necessarily includes several first optical fibers, allows the first optical fibers to be distributed over a particularly wide width for a given number of first optical fibers. Furthermore, it is best to avoid illuminating the edges of the object, as this reduces the reproducibility of the measurements. This is because the signal from the top of the object is more homogeneous over the assembly of the object than the signal from the edge of the object.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the second optical fibers are distributed over a wider width than the one or more first optical fibers, the width being along the transverse direction. This allows for a particularly wide distribution of the second optical fibers for a given number of optical fibers. It is also preferable to avoid illuminating the edges of the conveyor, as this reduces the reproducibility of the measurements.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the second optical fibers are distributed over a shorter length, the length being along the longitudinal direction, than the one or more first optical fibers, which allows for a particularly wide distribution of the second optical fibers for a given number of optical fibers.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the first optical fibers are distributed in up to three rows extending in the transverse direction, which allows for a better distribution of the first optical fibers in width for a given number of first optical fibers.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the second optical fibers are distributed in up to three rows extending laterally, which allows for a better distribution of the second optical fibers in width for a given number of second optical fibers.

[0031] In embodiments where the probe comprises multiple first optical fibers, the second optical fibers are, on average, farther apart from each other than the first optical fibers, which allows for improved observation for a given number of optical fibers.

[0032] In one embodiment, the probe comprises more first optical fibers than second optical fibers. Indeed, the optical fiber assembly arrangement defined in the present invention makes it possible to limit the number of second optical fibers, thus increasing the number of first optical fibers and therefore the signal-to-noise ratio, for a given total number of optical fibers.

[0033] The present invention further provides a measurement system comprising an apparatus according to any one of the above embodiments, at least one electromagnetic radiation source, a receiving device, and a conveyor configured to transport an object along a movement direction (which is the longitudinal direction), whereby the object is detectable by a trigger device on a portion of the conveyor and observable by a probe on a portion of the conveyor. The first reference rectangle is preferably offset from the second reference rectangle along the movement direction of the moving object. In other words, the first reference rectangle is preferably located upstream or downstream of the second reference rectangle. The first reference rectangle and the second reference rectangle preferably have two sides parallel to the movement direction.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the system includes an object, the probe is above the object, and the system is positioned such that the top of the object is located between the surface and at least one intersection between the first and second acceptance cones, thereby avoiding capturing radiation reflected from the object, which is of particular interest for spatially resolved spectroscopic analysis using scattered radiation.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the system further comprises a spectral analysis device configured to receive information from the receiving device, thereby enabling to perform spatially resolved spectroscopy for each object.

[0036] The invention also proposes to install the device according to the invention in a measurement system.

[0037] The invention further proposes the use of a measuring instrument or system according to the invention, in which one or more first optical fibers emit electromagnetic radiation towards an object and second optical fibers receive electromagnetic radiation from the object, wherein during use, if it turns out that the electromagnetic radiation at the position of some of the second optical fibers is not sufficient to perform a high-quality spectroscopic analysis, for example, some of the second optical fibers can be stopped.

[0038] Preferably, detection of an object by a trigger device activates the probe.

[0039] The invention further proposes the use of a measurement system comprising the following steps: One or more first optical fibers emit electromagnetic radiation toward the object. A second optical fiber receives the electromagnetic radiation from the object and transmits it to a receiving device. A receiving device receives the electromagnetic radiation and transmits information about the received electromagnetic radiation to a spectrum analyzing device. A spectrum analysis device performs spectrum analysis. The measurement system transforms the results of the spectral analysis using mathematical models to determine the physical and / or chemical properties of the object. Then, after calculation, objects that do not meet one or more specified criteria can be discarded. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0040] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, for an understanding thereof, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which: [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic side view of a measurement system according to one embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2a] 1 is a schematic side view of a probe according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2b] FIG. 10 is a schematic side view of a probe according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of a probe and conveyor according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 2 is a schematic bottom view of a probe having an optical fiber arrangement according to a first embodiment of the probe; FIG. [Figure 5a] FIG. 10 is a schematic bottom view of optical fibers in a configuration according to a second embodiment of the probe. [Figure 5b] FIG. 10 is a schematic bottom view of optical fibers in an arrangement according to a third embodiment of the probe. [Figure 5c] FIG. 10 is a schematic bottom view of optical fibers in an arrangement according to a fourth embodiment of the probe. [Figure 6a]1A-1C are sequential schematic top views of the path of an object passing under the trigger device and then under the probe. [Figure 6b] 1A-1C are sequential schematic top views of the path of an object passing under the trigger device and then under the probe. [Figure 6c] 1A-1C are sequential schematic top views of the path of an object passing under the trigger device and then under the probe. [Figure 6d] 1A-1C are sequential schematic top views of the path of an object passing under the trigger device and then under the probe. [Figure 6e] 1A-1C are sequential schematic top views of the path of an object passing under the trigger device and then under the probe. [Figure 6f] 1A-1C are sequential schematic top views of the path of an object passing under the trigger device and then under the probe. [Figure 7a] FIG. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of a trigger device. [Figure 7b] FIG. 1 illustrates a first embodiment of a trigger device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0041] While the present invention will be described with reference to particular embodiments and drawings, the invention is not limited thereby. The drawings or figures described are only schematic, generally not to scale, and are non-limiting. Furthermore, the described functions may be performed by structures other than those described herein.

[0042] In the context of this document, the terms "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish between various elements and do not imply any ordering between these elements.

[0043] In the drawings, identical or similar elements may have the same reference numerals.

[0044] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a measuring system 9 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The measuring system 9 comprises a measuring device 500 according to the present invention and a conveyor 3 configured to transport an object 2 along a moving direction 4. The measuring device 500 comprises a probe 1 and a trigger device 8 upstream of the probe 1, such that the object 2 is detectable by the trigger device on a portion of the conveyor 3 (the detection area of ​​the trigger device 8) and observable by the probe 1 on a portion of the conveyor 3 (the observation area of ​​the probe 1). The measuring system 9 further comprises at least one electromagnetic radiation source 5, a receiving device 6, and a spectrum analysis device 7 preferably configured to receive information from the receiving device 6. The object 2 preferably has a horizontal extension of between 2 and 25 mm. These are, for example, drugs.

[0045] The trigger device 8 preferably comprises a laser detector which detects the presence of the object 2 on the conveyor 3. This makes it possible to activate the probe 1: i.e. the detection of the object 2 by the trigger device 8 results in the observation of the object 2 by the probe 1. In this way, only the object 2 is observed by the probe 1, and the conveyor 3 is not taken into account.

[0046] The measuring instrument 500 preferably comprises a control unit 510 which exchanges information with, inter alia, the trigger device 8 and the probe 1 .

[0047] The probe 1 has a surface 100 facing the conveyor 3, on which one or more first optical fibers 10 and multiple second optical fibers 20 are open. The ends of the one or more first optical fibers 10 and multiple second optical fibers 20 are preferably flush with the surface 100. The surface 100 extends along mutually perpendicular transverse and longitudinal directions 201 and 202 (shown in FIG. 3). The probe 1 is preferably fixed. The trajectory of the object 2 can be arbitrary. The linear speed of movement is preferably between 0.1 and 3.0 m / s.

[0048] The source 5 emits electromagnetic radiation, in particular having an infrared component, which is transmitted by one or more first optical fibers 10 and emitted by the ends of the one or more first optical fibers 10 towards the object 2. The object 2 reflects and scatters the electromagnetic radiation, in particular in the direction of the second optical fiber 20. When the electromagnetic radiation interacts with the object 2, the properties of the electromagnetic radiation change. This makes it possible to perform a spectroscopic analysis of the object 2 based on the electromagnetic radiation scattered by the object 2 and captured by the second optical fiber 20. Thus, the ends of the second optical fiber 20 capture the electromagnetic radiation from the object 2, and the second optical fiber 20 transmits this electromagnetic radiation to the receiving device 6.

[0049] The receiving device 6 preferably comprises a camera with a CCD for receiving the electromagnetic radiation. The receiving device 6 transmits information about the electromagnetic radiation to a spectrum analysis device 7. The spectrum analysis device 7 performs a spectrum analysis, preferably by infrared spectroscopy. The measurement system 9 can then compare the results of the spectrum analysis with theoretical models to determine the physical and / or chemical properties of the object 2. The calculation method is set up to take into account only relevant information and thus avoid influences by the edges of the object 2.

[0050] As shown schematically in Figures 2a and 2b, each of the first optical fibers 10 has a first acceptance cone 11, and each of the second optical fibers 20 has a second acceptance cone 21. Those skilled in the art know that the acceptance cone of an optical fiber is such that if a ray of light attempts to pass from this cone into the optical fiber, the ray will be guided by total internal reflection; otherwise, the ray will not be guided.

[0051] The measurement system 9 is preferably configured such that at least one intersection between the first acceptance cone 11 and the second acceptance cone 21 is between the top 2 a of the object 2 and the bottom of the object 2 .

[0052] In the present invention, the first optical fiber 10 and the second optical fiber 20 are arranged on the surface 100 of the probe 1 such that the second optical fiber 20 is offset from the one or more first optical fibers 10 along the longitudinal direction 202, but is located on the same side of the one or more first optical fibers 10, and at least one of the second acceptance cones 21 intersects at least one of the first acceptance cones 11 (or the first acceptance cone 11 if there is only one first optical fiber) less than 10 mm from the surface 100. Preferably, the first acceptance cone 11 and the second acceptance cone 21 intersect between 1 mm and 2 mm from the surface 100.

[0053] Figure 3 shows schematically a possible arrangement of probe 1 relative to conveyor 3. Conveyor 3 is preferably horizontal and carries objects 2. Probe 1 is positioned above conveyor 3 with surface 100 facing downwards. Objects 2 may be present on conveyor 3 in a single file (as shown in Figure 3), in multiple files, or in a random arrangement.

[0054] Within the scope of this specification, the transverse direction 201 is the width direction of the conveyor 3, and the longitudinal direction 202 is the direction of movement 4 and is perpendicular to the transverse direction 201. The transverse direction 201 may be referred to as the "first direction" and the longitudinal direction 202 may be referred to as the "second direction" or "direction of movement."

[0055] In the present invention, the first optical fibers 10 and the second optical fibers 20 are arranged on the surface 100 of the probe 1 such that all the first optical fibers 10 of the probe 1 are inscribed in a first rectangle 13, and all the second optical fibers 20 of the probe 1 are inscribed in a second rectangle 23 that does not intersect with the first rectangle 13. When the probe has only one first optical fiber 10, the one first optical fiber 10 is inscribed in the first rectangle 13 that does not intersect with the second rectangle 23.

[0056] The first rectangle 13 and the second rectangle 23 preferably have two sides parallel to the movement direction 4. The first rectangle 13 and the second rectangle 23 are preferably inscribed in a rectangle of 3 mm x 4 mm.

[0057] The first rectangle 13 is preferably located upstream or downstream of the second rectangle 23 along the direction of movement 4. The lateral centers of the first rectangle 13 and the second rectangle 23 are preferably located on the same central longitudinal plane 50 (seen in FIG. 4 ) that coincides with the longitudinal plane 31 that is centered relative to the conveyor 3.

[0058] 4 shows the arrangement of optical fibers in a first embodiment of the invention. Specific parameters of the invention are also shown, in particular the longitudinal extension 14 of the first optical fiber 10, the lateral extension 15 of the first optical fiber 10, the longitudinal extension 24 of the second optical fiber 20, and the lateral extension 25 of the second optical fiber 20 on the surface 100. When the probe 1 is taken away from the conveyor 3, the lateral direction 201 and the longitudinal direction 202 are perpendicular to each other and are considered independent of any external reference.

[0059] The arrows 41 and 42 show that the invention makes it possible to obtain both particularly short distances (arrow 41) and particularly long distances (arrow 42) between the first optical fiber 10 and the second optical fiber 20.

[0060] Figure 5a shows an optical fiber arrangement in a second embodiment of the present invention, Figure 5b shows an optical fiber arrangement in a third embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 5c shows an optical fiber arrangement in a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0061] The four illustrated embodiments are not limiting and make it possible to visualize certain features of the invention, which can be considered in combination or independently within the scope of the invention: the longitudinal extension 24 of the second optical fibers 20 is preferably smaller than their transverse extension 25 (FIGS. 4, 5a, 5b, 5c); the longitudinal extension 14 of the first optical fibers 10 is preferably smaller than their transverse extension 15 (FIGS. 4, 5a, 5b, 5c); the lateral extension 25 of the second optical fiber 20 is greater than the lateral extension 15 of the first optical fiber 10 (FIGS. 4, 5a, 5b, 5c); the longitudinal extension 14 of the first optical fiber 10 is greater than (FIGS. 5a, 5b) or equal to (FIGS. 4, 5c) the longitudinal extension 24 of the second optical fiber 20; the first optical fibers 10 are distributed in two (FIG. 5b) or three (FIGS. 4, 5a, 5c) rows extending laterally; the second optical fibers 20 are distributed in one (Fig. 5a), two (Fig. 4, Fig. 5b) or three (Fig. 5c) rows extending laterally; the second optical fibers 20 are, on average, farther apart from each other than the first optical fibers 10 (FIGS. 4, 5a, 5b, 5c); and / or There are more first optical fibers 10 than second optical fibers 20 (FIGS. 4, 5a, 5b, 5c).

[0062] 6a to 6f show the displacement of an object 2 by a conveyor 3. Considering a marker 91 on the trigger device 8 and a marker 92 on the probe 1, a distance 90 between these markers 91 and 92 is covered by the object 2 in a time t equal to the ratio between this distance 90 and the linear velocity of movement. The trigger device 8 comprises two detector elements 81a, 81b laterally offset from each other. Each of the detector elements 81a, 81b detects a point on the conveyor, and the trigger device 8 sends information associated with these points to the control unit 510. This information may be object detection information (if the detector element 81a or 81b detects the object 2) or conveyor detection information (if the detector element 81a or 81b does not detect the object 2 and therefore detects the conveyor 3).

[0063] In Figure 6a, the object 2 is upstream of the trigger device 8. The trigger device 8 detects the conveyor 3 and optionally transmits conveyor detection information. The probe 1 is stopped.

[0064] 6b, the first detection element 81a detects the object 2, whereas previously it detected the conveyor 3. The trigger device 8 sends the object detection information of the first detection element 81a to the control unit 510.

[0065] 6c, the second detection element 81b also detects the object 2, whereas previously it detected the conveyor 3. The trigger device 8 sends the object detection information of the first detection element 81a and the second detection element 81b to the control unit 510.

[0066] In Fig. 6d, the first detector element 81a and the second detector element 81b detect the conveyor 3, whereas previously they had detected the object 2. The trigger device 8 sends the conveyor detection information of the first detector element 81a and the second detector element 81b to the control unit 510. The control unit 510 optionally determines a model 85 of the object 2 and its arrival time within the observation field of the probe 1. The front side of the model 85 of the object 2 corresponds to the moment when the two detector elements 81a, 81b detect the object 2 (between Fig. 6b and Fig. 6c). The rear side of the model 85 of the object 2 corresponds to the moment when at least one of the two detector elements 81a, 81b detects the conveyor 3 (between Fig. 6c and Fig. 6d).

[0067] The control unit 510 uses the information received from the trigger device 8 and a time t equal to the ratio of the distance 90 and the linear velocity of movement to determine an observation period of the object 2 during which the probe 1 is actuated to observe the object 2. Preferably, a model 85 is used to determine the observation period of the object 2.

[0068] In Figure 6e, object 2 enters the observation region of probe 1 to be observed by probe 1. In Figure 6f, object 2 leaves the observation region of probe 1 and is no longer observed by probe 1. The observation period of object 2 preferably occurs when only object 2 is observable by probe 1 (between Figures 6e and 6f), for example when only model 85 is observable by probe 1. Thus, probe 1 does not observe anything other than object 2, making it possible to avoid parasitic or edge effects resulting from observing only a portion of the conveyor.

[0069] 7a shows a first embodiment of the trigger device 8, which comprises laser detectors 82a, 82b, each of which comprises one of the detection elements 81a, 81b. They are laterally displaceable. Preferably, each of the laser detectors 82a, 82b detects a point on the conveyor.

[0070] 7b shows a second embodiment of the trigger device 8, comprising an emitter emitting a laterally extending beam 83 and a detector capturing the beam upon reflection on the object 2 or conveyor 3. Each detector element 81a, 81b comprises a different segment of the detector and can detect a different position on the object 2 or conveyor 3. Each detector element 81a, 81b is formed, for example, by one or more pixels that are different from one or more pixels of the other detector elements. The trigger device may, for example, be a 2D profilometer.

[0071] In other words, the invention relates to a measuring instrument 500 that can be used in particular in the context of the spectroscopic control of individual objects 2 in motion. The measuring instrument 500 comprises a probe 1 having a surface 100 into which one or more illumination optical fibers 10 and measurement optical fibers 20 open. The optical fibers 10, 20 are arranged such that at least one of the second acceptance cones 21 intersects at least one first acceptance cone 11 less than 10 mm from the surface 100. The measuring instrument 500 also comprises a trigger device 8 for detecting the object 2 upstream of the probe 1 in order to activate or deactivate the observation of the object 2 by the probe.

[0072] While the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments and configurations, these are purely illustrative and should not be considered limiting. In general, the present invention is not limited to the examples shown and / or described above. The use of the verbs "comprise," "include," or any other variations and conjugations thereof, in no way excludes the presence of elements other than those mentioned. The use of the indefinite article "a," "an," or the definite article "the" to introduce an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of these elements. Reference numerals in the claims do not limit their scope.

Claims

1. A measuring instrument (500) comprising: a probe (1) for performing spatially resolved spectroscopic analysis on individual drugs (2) moving along a longitudinal direction (202) on a conveyor, for observing said drugs (2), a trigger device (8) offset from said probe (1) along said longitudinal direction (202), and a control unit (510), The probe (1) a surface (100) extending along said longitudinal direction (202) and along a transverse direction (201) perpendicular to said longitudinal direction (202); one or more first optical fibers (10) open onto said surface (100) and configured to emit electromagnetic radiation from at least one source (5), each first optical fiber (10) having a first acceptance cone (11); a plurality of second optical fibers (20) opening onto said surface (100) and configured to capture and transmit electromagnetic radiation to a receiving device (6), each second optical fiber (20) having a second acceptance cone (21), said second optical fibers (20) being offset from said one or more first optical fibers (10) along said longitudinal direction (202) and located on the same side of said one or more first optical fibers (10); Equipped with At least one of the second acceptance cones (21) intersects with at least one first acceptance cone (11) less than 10 mm from the surface (100); the trigger device (8) is configured to detect the presence of a drug (2) moving on the conveyor; the measuring device (500) is configured to activate the observation of the drug (2) by the probe (1) in response to detection of the drug (2) by the trigger device (8); Measuring equipment (500).

2. 2. The measuring instrument according to claim 1, wherein the trigger device (8) comprises two sensing elements (81a, 81b) offset from one another along the lateral direction (201).

3. 3. The measuring instrument according to claim 2, wherein the trigger device (8) comprises separate laser detectors (82a, 82b), the laser detectors (82a, 82b) being arranged displaceably along the lateral direction (201), and each of the laser detectors (82a, 82b) comprising one of the detection elements (81a, 81b).

4. 3. The measuring instrument of claim 2, wherein the trigger device (8) emits a beam (83) extending along the lateral direction (201), and each of the detection elements (81a, 81b) comprises a separate segment of a detector arranged to capture the beam (83) after reflection from the drug (2).

5. 5. The measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the second optical fibers (20) are distributed over the longitudinal extension (24) and the lateral extension (25) on the surface (100) such that the longitudinal extension (24) is smaller than the lateral extension (25).

6. 6. The measuring device of claim 1, wherein the second optical fibers (20) are distributed over a wider width than the one or more first optical fibers (10), the width being along the transverse direction (201).

7. 7. The measurement device of claim 1, wherein the second optical fibers (20) are distributed over a shorter length than the one or more first optical fibers (10), the length being along the longitudinal direction (202).

8. 8. The measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first optical fibers (10) are distributed in a maximum of three rows extending laterally.

9. 9. The measuring device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the second optical fibers (20) are distributed in up to three rows extending laterally.

10. The probe of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the second optical fibers (20) are, on average, farther apart from each other than the first optical fibers (10).

11. A measurement system (9) comprising a measurement device (500) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, at least one source (5) of electromagnetic radiation, a receiving device (6), and a conveyor (3) configured to transport the drug (2) along the longitudinal direction (202), whereby the drug (2) is detectable by the trigger device (8) on a portion of the conveyor (3) and observable by the probe (1) on a portion of the conveyor (3).

12. The measurement system (9) of claim 11 further comprises the drug (2), and the measurement system (9) is arranged so that the probe (1) is above the drug (2) and the apex (2a) of the drug (2) is located between the surface (100) and at least one intersection between a first light-receiving cone (11) and a second light-receiving cone (21).

13. 13. The measurement system (9) according to claim 11 or 12, further comprising a spectrum analysis device (7) configured to receive information from the receiving device (6).

14. Use of the measuring device (500) of any one of claims 1 to 10 or the measuring system (9) of any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the one or more first optical fibers (10) emit electromagnetic radiation towards the drug (2) and the second optical fiber (20) receives electromagnetic radiation from the drug (2).

15. 15. Use according to claim 14, wherein detection of a drug (2) by the trigger device (8) causes activation of the probe (1).

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