System and method for continuously acquiring images

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system and method for continuously acquiring images. A transport mechanism continuously transports objects. A line scanner acquires image data by line scanning the objects according to an encoder signal generated based on the transport distance of the objects by the transport mechanism. A sensor is positioned ahead of the line scanner based on the transport path of the objects to sequentially recognize the objects. A system control unit receives image data output from the line scanner and object recognition data output from the sensor, and synchronizes and inserts the object recognition data into the valid image data for the object area.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a technology for continuously acquiring images in accordance with logistics. Background Technology

[0002] Generally, technology that acquires images of objects using vision methods involving cameras and lighting to determine whether there are external defects is utilized in various fields. Such inspection targets can be diverse, including flat panel displays, semiconductors, and secondary batteries. Below, we will explain using a secondary battery as an example.

[0003] Secondary batteries are classified according to the shape of the battery casing, such as cylindrical batteries and prismatic batteries in which the electrode assembly is embedded in a cylindrical or prismatic metal can, and pouch-type batteries in which the electrode assembly is embedded in an aluminum laminate pouch.

[0004] The electrode assembly consists of a structure in which a positive electrode and a negative electrode are stacked with a separator in between. If a secondary battery is manufactured with a defective electrode assembly, it can lead to defects such as performance degradation. In particular, if the electrode assembly is constructed with electrodes in a defective state, it causes secondary defects in the assembly; therefore, accurate inspection of the electrodes is required.

[0005] The electrode can be manufactured in a form having electrode cells by processing a metal foil that serves as the substrate for continuous electrode plates in cell units, and then coating an active material on each of the two surfaces of the plates. Such an electrode is continuously manufactured and transported by roll-to-roll equipment, and during this process, electrode images can be continuously acquired by line scanning the electrode surface.

[0006] As such, since the continuously acquired electrode images include valid images of the electrode cell regions and invalid images of the boundary regions of the electrode cells, accurate selection of valid images is required for the inspection of the electrode cells. Prior art literature

[0007] Registered Patent Publication No. 10-1076010 (Published on Oct. 21, 2011) The problem to be solved

[0008] The objective of the present invention is to provide a system and method that enables the acquisition of data synchronized with the actual object and the corresponding image during the process of continuously acquiring images of objects, and to utilize this data for accurate analysis. means of solving the problem

[0009] A system for continuously acquiring images according to the present invention for achieving the above objectives includes a transfer mechanism, a line scanner, a sensor, and a system control unit. The transfer mechanism continuously transfers objects. The line scanner acquires image data by line scanning the objects according to an encoder signal generated based on the transfer distance of the objects by the transfer mechanism. The sensor is positioned ahead of the line scanner based on the transfer path of the objects and sequentially recognizes the objects. The system control unit receives image data output from the line scanner and object recognition data output from the sensor, and inserts the object recognition data by synchronizing it with the valid image data for the object area.

[0010] Here, the system control unit can synchronize and insert object recognition data into the image data acquired at a time delayed by the time during which the number of encoder signal pulses corresponding to the transfer distance between the sensor and the line scanner is output, based on the time of object recognition by the sensor.

[0011] A method for continuously acquiring images according to the present invention comprises: a step of continuously transporting objects; a step of sequentially recognizing the transported objects by a sensor, and then acquiring image data by line scanning the objects by a line scanner according to an encoder signal generated according to the transport distance of the objects; and a step of synchronizing and inserting object recognition data into the acquired image data at a time delayed by the time during which the number of encoder signal pulses corresponding to the transport distance between the sensor and the line scanner is output, based on the time of object recognition by the sensor. Effects of the invention

[0012] The system and method for continuously acquiring images according to the present invention can acquire data that synchronizes the actual object with the corresponding image during the process of continuously acquiring images of objects and utilize it for analysis, thereby enabling accurate analysis of the objects. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a system for continuously acquiring images according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a control block diagram for the system illustrated in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating an example in which object recognition data is inserted into image data and utilized for analysis. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0014] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. Here, the same reference numerals are used for identical components, and repetitive descriptions and detailed descriptions of known functions and components that could unnecessarily obscure the essence of the invention are omitted.

[0015] The embodiments of the present invention are provided to more fully explain the invention to those with average knowledge in the art. Accordingly, the shapes and sizes of the elements in the drawings may be exaggerated for clearer explanation.

[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a system for continuously acquiring images according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the system illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example in which object recognition data is inserted into image data and utilized for analysis.

[0017] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, a system (100) for continuously acquiring images according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a transfer mechanism (110), a line scanner (120), a sensor (130), and a system control unit (140).

[0018] The conveying mechanism (110) continuously conveys the objects (10). For example, the conveying mechanism (110) may be a roll mechanism of a roll-to-roll equipment. The roll-to-roll equipment can manufacture electrodes that constitute an electrode assembly of a secondary battery.

[0019] The electrode can be manufactured in a form having electrode cells by processing a metal foil that serves as the substrate for continuous electrode plates in cell units, and then coating an active material on each of the two surfaces of the electrode plates. A roll-to-roll device can manufacture electrode cells by coating an active material on the electrode plate forming regions of the metal foil while transporting the metal foil by a roll mechanism. In this case, the objects (10) may correspond to electrode cells.

[0020] The line scanner (120) obtains image data by line scanning the objects (10) according to the encoder signal generated according to the transport distance of the objects (10) by the transport mechanism (110). The line scanner (120) may be configured to line scan the objects (10) by a line scan camera while the objects (10) are illuminated by a light source.

[0021] The line scan camera scans the object (10) by line scanning it and acquires an image for each scan line of the object (10), thereby enabling the acquisition of an image of the entire surface of the object (10) by synthesizing the images for each scan line.

[0022] The encoder (111) generates a pulse-shaped encoder signal according to the amount of rotation of the movable part of the transfer mechanism (110), such as a roll axis. The encoder (111) counts the encoder signal pulses to enable the detection of the movement speed of the object (10).

[0023] The encoder (111) synchronizes the movement speed of the object (10) with the scan rate of the line scanner (120) to enable the acquisition of an accurate two-dimensional image. The encoder (111) can output an encoder signal to the system control unit (140). The system control unit (140) controls the line scanner (120) according to the encoder signal to enable line scanning of the objects (10).

[0024] The sensor (130) is positioned ahead of the line scanner (120) based on the transport path of the object (10) to sequentially recognize the objects (10). The sensor (130) outputs object recognition data to the system control unit (140). The sensor (130) can recognize the presence or absence of the object (10) in a non-contact manner. The sensor (130) can be composed of various known configurations, such as an optical sensor.

[0025] The system control unit (140) receives image data output from the line scanner (120) and object recognition data output from the sensor (130). The system control unit (140) synchronizes and inserts the object recognition data into the valid image data for the object area.

[0026] For example, the system control unit (140) can synchronize and insert object recognition data into the image data obtained at a time delayed by the time at which the number of encoder signal pulses corresponding to the transfer distance between the sensor (130) and the line scanner (120) is output, based on the time at which the object is recognized by the sensor (130).

[0027] Since the distance between the sensor (130) and the line scanner (120) is fixed, the number of encoder signal pulses output while the object (10) is transported from the sensor (130) to the line scanner (120) is also fixed to a set value. Even if the transport speed changes while the object (10) is transported from the sensor (130) to the line scanner (120), only the time during which the set number of encoder signal pulses is output changes, and the set number of encoder signal pulses does not change.

[0028] When the system control unit (140) receives object recognition data from the sensor (130), it can determine the time when the object (10) reaches the line scanner (120) by counting the number of set encoder signal pulses. Then, the system control unit (140) can synchronize and insert the object recognition data into the image data acquired while the object (10) passes through the line scanner (120).

[0029] The line scanner (120) transmits image data to the system control unit (140) in fixed units, and the system control unit (140) can store the transmitted image data in the memory (150). Valid image data for the object area and invalid image data for the boundary area of ​​the objects can be continuously stored in the memory (150).

[0030] The system control unit (140) may store object recognition data in an area allocated near a memory area where valid image data acquired for an object (10) passing through the line scanner (120) is stored. The system control unit (140) may store object recognition data in a part of a memory area where invalid image data acquired immediately before or after the valid image data is stored.

[0031] The system control unit (140) can store the number assigned in the order in which the sensor (130) recognizes the objects (10) as object recognition data in the memory (150). Therefore, even if there is a deviation in the spacing between the objects (10), the valid image data with the object recognition data inserted can be position-synchronized with the actual objects (10).

[0032] As illustrated in FIG. 3, among the total image data (20) stored in memory (150), valid image data (21) with object recognition data inserted can be selected and extracted as needed. The extracted valid image data (21) can be utilized for accurate analysis through ROI (Region of Interest) inspection, etc., in a vision device.

[0033] A method for continuously acquiring images according to one embodiment of the present invention is as follows.

[0034] The objects (10) are continuously transported. Here, the objects (10) may correspond to electrode cells manufactured by a roll-to-roll equipment, and the electrode cells may be transported in a continuous form by the roll mechanism of the roll-to-roll equipment.

[0035] The transported objects (10) are sequentially recognized by the sensor (130). The sensor (130) is positioned ahead of the line scanner (120) based on the transport path of the objects (10) to recognize the presence or absence of the objects (10). The sensor (130) can transmit object recognition data to the system control unit (140).

[0036] Afterward, image data is obtained by line scanning the objects (10) using a line scanner (120) according to an encoder signal generated according to the transport distance of the objects (10). The line scanner (120) can line scan the objects (10) using a line scan camera while the objects (10) are illuminated by a light source. The line scanner (120) can transmit the line scanned image data to the system control unit (140).

[0037] Afterwards, the object recognition data is synchronized and inserted into the image data obtained at a time delayed by the time during which the number of encoder signal pulses corresponding to the transfer distance between the sensor (130) and the line scanner (120) is output, based on the time of object recognition by the sensor (130).

[0038] At this time, the system control unit (140) can store object recognition data in an area allocated near the memory area where valid image data acquired for an object (10) passing through the line scanner (120) is stored. As a result, the system control unit (140) can synchronize the position of the valid image data with the object recognition data inserted with the actual object (10).

[0039] Afterwards, among the entire image data (20) stored in memory (150), valid image data (21) with object recognition data inserted can be selected and extracted as needed and used for accurate analysis.

[0040] In this way, the system (100) and method for continuously acquiring images according to the present embodiment can acquire data that synchronizes the actual object (10) with the corresponding image during the process of continuously acquiring images for objects (10) and utilize it for analysis, thereby enabling accurate analysis of the object (10).

[0041] The present invention has been described with reference to an embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings, but this is merely illustrative, and those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and equivalent alternative embodiments are possible therefrom. Accordingly, the true scope of protection of the present invention should be determined only by the appended claims. Explanation of the symbols

[0042] 10..Object 20.. Total image data 21. Valid image data with object recognition data inserted 100.. A system that continuously acquires images 110..Transfer mechanism 111..Encoder 120..Line scanner 130..Sensor 140..System Control Unit 150..Memory

Claims

Claim 1 A system for continuously acquiring images, comprising: a transfer mechanism for continuously transferring objects; a line scanner for acquiring image data by line scanning objects according to an encoder signal generated according to the transfer distance of the objects by the transfer mechanism; a sensor positioned ahead of the line scanner based on the transfer path of the objects to sequentially recognize the objects; and a system control unit that receives image data output from the line scanner and object recognition data output from the sensor, and inserts the object recognition data into valid image data for an object area in synchronization, wherein the system control unit inserts the object recognition data into the image data acquired at a time delayed by the time during which the number of encoder signal pulses corresponding to the transfer distance between the sensor and the line scanner is output, based on the time of object recognition by the sensor. Claim 2 delete Claim 3 A method for continuously acquiring images by a system for continuously acquiring images as described in claim 1, comprising: a step of continuously transporting objects; a step of sequentially recognizing the transported objects by a sensor, and then acquiring image data by line scanning the objects by a line scanner according to an encoder signal generated according to the transport distance of the objects; and a step of synchronizing and inserting object recognition data into the acquired image data at a time delayed by the time in which the number of encoder signal pulses corresponding to the transport distance between the sensor and the line scanner is output, based on the time of object recognition by the sensor.

Images