A NEW IMAGE CAPTURE DEVICE AND SYSTEM

Abstract

The invention relates to a Camera Module and System, which is a novel image capture device capable of reading codes (banderols, labels, barcodes, etc.) printed with secure ink used on tobacco products, alcoholic beverages, and other products with high accuracy and speed, and the software system that controls this device. The system is designed to optimize quality control and traceability processes in production lines, especially for products used within the Product Tracking System (PTS). High-speed image capture, advanced lighting control, parallel processing, and intelligent image processing algorithms make a significant contribution to the fight against counterfeit and smuggled products.

Description

1 TARIFF A NEW IMAGE CAPTURE DEVICE AND SYSTEM TECHNICAL AREA 5 The invention relates to the use of safety features in tobacco products, alcoholic beverages, and other goods. Ink-printed codes (tax stamps, labels, barcodes, etc.) with high accuracy. A new image capture device that can read images quickly, and the device that controls it. The invention relates to the Camera Module and System, which is the entire software system. Specifically, it concerns a new image capture device and system. 10 The system specifically targets products used within the Product Tracking System (PTS). to optimize quality control and traceability processes in production lines It has been designed. High-speed image capture, advanced lighting control, parallel processing, and Thanks to intelligent image processing algorithms, we can combat counterfeit and smuggled products. It makes a significant contribution. STATE OF THE ART 20 Today, counterfeit and smuggled products cause both economic losses and This also poses a threat to public health. Current monitoring systems in use, primarily BUIS, It is an important tool in combating the problem. However, the smart 25 used in current systems Cameras are generally expensive and also use non-standard coding. They may experience difficulties in reading. While the current system only allows for uniform marking using standard coding, Thanks to the new invention, a wider variety of 30 different products (imported / domestic and / or depending on the product type) are available. Coding can be done. The current system does this with a more expensive smart camera. Processes exist, but this computer-based invention makes it much cheaper. It has been appropriated. 2 The codes used on products such as cigarettes and alcohol were sometimes unreadable, and therefore... The old system had a higher failure rate because the codes were unreadable. Previous systems... It only had standard cameras capable of decoding standard codes. They lacked the ability to read and decode a code that wasn't in the standard. 5 Due to the problems mentioned above, a new development is necessary. He was born. DEFINITION OF INVENTION 10 The present invention eliminates the aforementioned disadvantages and the related technical a new image capture device developed to bring new advantages to the field and is related to the system. The invention relates to 15 safe materials used in tobacco products, alcoholic beverages, and other goods. By decoding ink-printed codes (banderols, labels, barcodes, etc.), it can print. by checking that its quality characteristics comply with the specified criteria, completes the quality control process and registers the product and code matches in the system. It enables listing. Thanks to the invention, waste rates have decreased. Thanks to the invention... The potential barcode reading problem has been eliminated. This has resulted in a significant additional 20... The cost has been avoided. The invention relates specifically to products used within the scope of the Product Tracking System (PTS). to optimize quality control and traceability processes in production lines It is designed. 25 The invention features high-speed image capture, advanced lighting control, and parallel... Thanks to processing and intelligent image processing algorithms, counterfeit and smuggled products can be detected. It makes an important contribution to the struggle. The invention concerns the use of safety products in tobacco products, alcoholic beverages, and other goods. Ink-printed codes (tax stamps, labels, barcodes, etc.) with high accuracy. He / She can read quickly. 3 The invention can also decode a code not included in the Standard. Therefore, each The invention eliminates the need for standard product tracking. The invention is a novel image capture device, consisting of 5 different types, both larger and smaller. They can be produced in various sizes and dimensions. Drawings The present invention, briefly summarized above and discussed in more detail below, applications, example applications of the invention are depicted in the attached drawings. This can be understood by referring to the reference. However, the attached drawings are only typical of this invention. It describes the applications and inventions, and therefore, other equally effective ones. Since it may allow applications, it cannot be assumed that it limits its scope. It should be noted. Figure 1: Exploded view of the device that is the subject of the invention. Figure 2: Isometric top view of the device that is the subject of the invention. Figure 3: Isometric rear view of the device that is the subject of the invention. To make it easier to understand, indicate the identical elements that are common to the shapes. 20 Identical reference numbers have been used where possible. Figures are to scale. It is not drawn and can be simplified for clarity. The elements of an application and Its features are useful to other applications without needing further explanation. It is thought that it can be included in this way. Explanation of Details in the Drawings The corresponding reference numbers shown in the figures are given below. 1. Top cover sheet metal 30 2. Windscreen flange 4 3. Optical Window 4. Glass seal 5. LED with aluminum PCB 6. LED Heat Sink 7. Camera lens module 5 8. Camera Lens Riser 9. Optical filter 10. Mounting bracket 11. GigE Camera Module 12. Polygon distance 10 13. L-shaped angle bracket 14. Pin connector 15. Ethernet 16. Rear body 17. Lower body 15 18. Control card DETAILED EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION This detailed explanation describes a novel image capture device and system that is the subject of the invention. The preferred alternatives to this structure only lead to a better understanding of the subject. This is explained in a way that is geared towards and does not create any limiting effects. The invention is a novel image capture device and system, as shown in Figures 1-3. including; Top cover sheet (1), Front glass flange (2), Optical Window (3), Glass seal (4), Aluminum PCB LED (5), LED Heat Sink (6), Camera lens module (7), Camera 25 Lens Riser (8), Optical Filter (9), Mounting Bracket (10), GigE Camera Module (11), Polygon distance (12), L bracket (13), Pin connector (14), Ethernet (15), Back It includes the body (16), lower body (17), and control board (18). The hardware specifications of the invention are as follows: 30 Top Cover Sheet (1); Covers the top surface of the device, protecting the internal components from dust and mechanical damage. It is a metal sheet that protects against impacts and environmental effects. Mounting holes and edges. Its curves provide a rigid connection to the body. Front Glass Flange (2); The optical window (3) is sealed and centered on the housing 5 It is a high-tolerance machined metal flange that allows for secure fastening in place. (Screw type) or it is assembled with a compression type connection. Optical Window with Anti-Reflective and Hydrophobic Coating (3); minimizes the reflection rate Featuring a multi-layered anti-reflective coating and water / oil repellent hydrophobic nano 10 It is an optical glass containing a coating. It both maximizes optical transmittance and... It reduces the risk of contamination. The micro between the glass seal (4); LED heatsink (6) and optical window (3) It is an elastomer seal that fills the gaps and prevents the entry of dust and moisture. UV, heat, 15 made of material resistant to mechanical fatigue and chemical solvents It has been produced. LED with aluminum PCB (5); Blue LED chip providing high luminous flux, heat dissipation quickly It is mounted on an aluminum-based PCB to dissipate heat. Thermal 20 It extends LED lifespan by increasing conductivity. PCB; printed-circuit board, meaning printed circuit board. It is a circuit board. LED Heat Sink (6); for the purpose of dissipating the heat generated from the LED module. The material used is an aluminum block with high thermal conductivity. LED PCBs are applied to the block surface at 25°C. Secured with thermal double-sided tape, it provides both mechanical adhesion and thermal conductivity. It is provided. Camera Lens Module (7); with focal length of 6mm-12mm, manual iris and This is a manual focus, low distortion (-0.39%) C-Mount industrial lens. 30 Suitable for 1 / 1.8" sensors and offers a wide viewing angle (D: 57.1°, H: 48.2°, V: 33.3°). It offers. The minimum focus distance is 0.1 m, and the riser adapter used in the system. It can be reduced to 3 cm. 6 Camera Lens Riser (8); Optical distance mounted between the lens and the camera It is an adapter. It reduces the minimum focus distance from 10 cm to 3 cm, allowing for close-up viewing. It allows for focusing in long-distance shots. Longpass Optical Filter (9); Rays emitted by the security ink to be examined a specific spectral range that prevents rays outside that range from reaching the camera It is a filter with high permeability. Thanks to its hard-coated structure, it lasts for a long time. It provides long-term optical stability and prevents wavelength selectivity shift. Filter-Lens Mounting Bracket (10); Mounts the longpass optical filter (9) to the lens on the optical axis. It is an adapter structure that allows it to be aligned and fixed in place. GigE Camera Module (11); High frame rate with global shutter CMOS sensor It is a functional industrial camera compliant with the GigE Vision standard. 1 / 2.9" sensor 15 in this format, low noise level, wide dynamic range and high light sensitivity. It offers monochrome image output with high contrast and clarity. C-Mount lens It has a connection and can work compatibly with lenses of different focal lengths. Optical with trigger input, synchronization outputs and multi-format digital I / O support. It performs precise timing synchronization with other components of the system. 20 45mm Polygonal Distance (12); Rigid distance between camera and mounting elements It is a metal fastening element that forms a polygonal, and preferably hexagonal, cross-section. Polygonal Alternatively, circular distension can also be used. L-shaped bracket (13); Mounts the camera body at a right angle to the LED heatsink (6) mounting surface. The securing mechanism is the L-profile metal support. Vibration-resistant connection points. includes. Pin Connector (14); Provides power supply and input / output control signals to the device 30 The connector used is preferably the M8, which is the industrial standard for transmitting signals. It has an IP67 protection level. It has different types of connectors that can be used. This invention is protected. It is included. 7 Ethernet (15); M12 with X-Coded pin layout, optimized for gigabit data transmission. It is a connector. It is EMC protected. It has an IP67 protection level. Different types Connectors can be used. This invention is covered by protection. Rear Housing (16); main housing where the Ethernet (15) and pin connectors (14) are mounted. This is the rear panel. It has device labeling and device mounting slots for M5 bolts. Available. Bolt sizes may vary. Lower Body (17); LED heatsink (6), rear body (16), camera and LED control 10 It is the main carrier structure to which the card (18) is fixed. Behind it is the mounting of the device to the system. M5 bolt holes are available. Bolt sizes may vary. Camera and LED Control Board (18); Activates LEDs when trigger signal is received. and it takes approximately 15 µs for the LED light intensity to reach its maximum level. It waits. When maximum light intensity is achieved, it sends a trigger signal to the camera and The image acquisition process begins. After approximately 500 µs, the LEDs are switched off and the system switches to a standstill. It is then prepared for the next shot. Additionally, the output produced by the camera... The signals are passed through a PNP / NPN conversion circuit before being transmitted to the IO line. In this way, the output signals are transmitted to the pin connector (14) as active level “1”. 20 The system operates with high-speed synchronization and low latency, making it particularly suitable for short-term projects. It provides optimum results in applications requiring high exposure. Furthermore, the invention in question, which is a software system running on a computer, is four. It consists of 25 main components. A) Camera Process, B) Labor Processes, C) Decoder Process, D) Result Processor. The invention is a detailed description of the components related to a software system that runs on a computer. The following explanations are provided for your attention: 8 A) Camera Process: Establishes camera connection, captures images, and assigns ROIs. It crops accordingly. Frame metadata is generated and sent to the frame queue. Images It is written to shared memory (for display by the GUI). ROI, gain, exposure, Parameters such as IP / MAC are dynamically controlled via the command queue. It can be updated. If the camera connection is interrupted, automatic reconnection will be provided. 5 B) Worker Processes: Processing frame metadata retrieved from the frame queue in different ways. It sends the image to the decoders. Each decoder processes the image and sends the DecoderResult to the result queue. It transmits the signal. When all decoders have finished their work, it sends a signal to the ready queue. C) Decoder Process: Each decoder initializes the relevant SDK. It preprocesses the image. (scale, rotate, CLAHE, etc.). Returns the result in DecoderResult format. Decoder 10 Interfaces are run through the BaseDecoder abstract class. D) Result Processor: Collects all DecoderResults and selects the fastest successful result. It triggers the process and sends the code to the code queue. If there is a successful solution, it is sent to the code_queue. (Displayed in the GUI). Statistics such as success, failure, timeout, and FPS. It is updated. Failed images are moved to directories for review if necessary. 15 or it will be deleted. This software can run with a computer and a camera module. The present invention, summarized above and discussed in more detail below. applications of the invention, example applications of which are depicted in the attached drawings. This can be understood by applying. 20 The invention described in this patent application controls hardware components and processes data. It is an integral part of the functioning software architecture. The system provides the benefits achieved through the combined work of hardware and software. 25 Software improves hardware performance and provides hardware-specific optimizations. It provides. The invention shown in Figures 1-3 involves markings on products moving along a production line. Detecting and evaluating codes printed with security ink 30 It is designed for this purpose. The working principles and methods of the invention, step by step, are as follows: 9 Step 1: Triggering and Lighting 1.1 When the product enters the camera's field of view, the external 5 from the Pin Connector (14) The trigger signal is detected by the Camera and LED Control Board (18). This trigger, It can come from production line sensors or PLC outputs. 1.2 Control board (18), LED (5) lighting modules with Blue Aluminum PCB It activates. LEDs are the preferred application of the technology around the camera. 10 PCBs arranged in a hexagonal shape with a symmetrical distribution. and the light beams are directed at an angle of approximately 45° to the camera's optical axis. 1.3 LED modules are thermally supported by the LED Heat Sink (6). 1.4 LED light emitted through an optical window with anti-reflective and hydrophobic coating (3) The light is transmitted homogeneously to the target surface. The reflection of light from the surface or... The rays emitted as a result of the emission of safety ink pigments are repeated in the same 15 Passing through the optical window (3) Camera Lens Module (7) and Longpass Optical Filter It reaches the sensor via (9). 1.5 Longpass optical filter (9) is hard-coated and angle-dependent. Lens and sensor designed to minimize spectral shift (blue shift) effects. It is positioned between them. This arrangement ensures that even with light rays deviating from the filter normal, 20 It maintains spectral stability. 1.6 LED switching on, camera triggering and LED switching off operations are performed on the control board (18) This is performed according to a timing sequence defined by the microcontroller. Timing, the time it takes for the LED light output to reach a stable state and the camera exposure It has been determined in a way that will ensure it is done under optimum conditions. 25 Step 2: Image Capture 2.1 The camera, thanks to its global shutter CMOS sensor, is suitable for moving objects. It captures images without blurring. 2.2 The lens alone focuses at 10cm, thanks to the riser it can focus at 30cm from a height of 30cm. This allows for focusing according to the target surface; Filter-Lens Assembly The apparatus (10) maintains optical alignment. 2.3 Camera exposure time is optimized via software according to production line speed. It is then set to the longest duration without motion blur. Step 3: Data Transfer and Preprocessing 5 3.1 The camera module transmits the image via the M12 X-Coded Connector, i.e., Ethernet (15) It transmits it to the computer. 3.2 The camera software process running on the computer converts the image into defined ROIs. It crops according to frame metadata (information containing specific characteristics of the image). It produces a frame set and sends it to the frame queue. Metadata, for example, the 10 times the image was captured It is a dataset from which information such as time and the number at which the image was taken is retrieved. 3.3 Images must be displayed on the computer's shared partition so they can be viewed on the operator interface. It is saved to memory. Step 4: Decoding and Quality Control 15 4.1 Worker Processes running on the computer decode frame metadata using different decoders. It performs parallel decoding by passing the data to its components. The number of decoders and their components... The number of workers grouped can be increased or decreased depending on the system configuration. 4.2 The Decoder Process running on the computer applies different pre-processing steps to the image. It applies (scaling, rotation, contrast enhancement, etc.) and performs decoding in 20 seconds. It does this. The parallel decoder structure decodes the code using different preprocessing combinations. increases the probability. 4.3 The Result Processor running on the computer selects the fastest and most successful result. It evaluates the print quality and records the code in the system. 4.4 Code readability is considered the primary quality control criterion. If the code is readable, 25 A PNP type digital trigger signal to the camera via an M8 4 Pin Connector (14). The signal is transmitted from the module to the automation system. If the connected system does not detect this signal... It separates the product into waste. 4.5 Failed or suspicious squares are separated on the computer for review.

Claims

11 REQUESTS 1- Invention: A safe substance used in tobacco products, alcoholic beverages, and other products. Optical detection of ink-printed codes (banderol, A new image 5 that can read labels, barcodes, etc. with high accuracy and speed. It relates to the capture device and system, and its features are as follows: - Triggered by a product detection sensor or production line control system. A Camera and LED Control Board (18) that receives the signal, - A polygon positioned at an angle to the camera's optical axis, surrounding the camera. 10 with multiple aluminum PCBs arranged in a form that increases thermal conductivity LED (5), - Aluminum LEDs that ensure the thermal stability of LED modules. Cooler (6), - Angle-dependent spectral light, which transmits only the desired spectral components. 15 between the camera lens module (7) and the sensor to reduce the sliding effect. Longpass Optical Filter (9), installed - Filter-Lens Mount that provides optical alignment between the filter and the lens. The apparatus (10), - Precise timing synchronization with global shutter CMOS sensor. GigE Camera Module (11) providing 20 - A computer that processes images, performs decoding and quality control. It is characterized by containing a software system that runs on it. 2- As in Claim 1, it relates to the device and system, and its feature is; anti-reflective coating and Glass with an optical transmittance of 25, containing a water / oil repellent hydrophobic nano-coating. It includes an optical window (3) that allows for maximization. 3- As in Claim 1, it relates to the device and system and its feature is the optical window (3) High-performance design ensures a leak-proof and centered fixation to the body. It includes a tolerance machined metal windshield flange (2). 30 4- As in Request 1, it is related to the device and system, its feature is; LED cooler (6) and elastomer gasket that fills the micro gaps between the optical window (3) It contains a glass seal (4). 12 5- As in Claim 1, it relates to the device and system, and its characteristic is; between the lens and the camera. an optical distance adapter that can be mounted and has a minimum focus distance of 10 It includes a camera lens riser (8) that reduces the width from cm to 3 cm. 6- As in Claim 1, it relates to the device and system, and its feature is camera mounting. Polygonal or circular cross-section, forming a rigid distance between its elements. polygonal distance (12) which is preferably a hexagonal cross-section metal connecting element It includes. 7- As in Claim 1, this relates to the device and system, and its feature is; the camera body is LED. L-profile metal support that fixes the cooler (6) to the mounting surface at a right angle. and includes L-shaped brackets (13) with connection points against vibration. 8- As in Claim 1, it relates to the device and system, and its characteristic is; the power supply of the device is 15 and a pin, preferably an M8 connector, that transmits input / output control signals. It includes connector (14). 9- As in Claim 1, it relates to the device and system, and its feature is; for gigabit data transmission. It includes an optimized M12 Ethernet (15) preferably with an X-coded pin layout. 20 10- As in Request 1, it relates to the device and system, and its feature is; Ethernet (15) and pin The main rear panel on which the connectors (14) are mounted and on which bolts rear housing (16) with device mounting slots and also LED heatsink (6), rear body (16), main 25 where the camera and LED control board (18) are fixed. It includes a lower body (17) which is the load-bearing structure and contains bolt holes. 11- As in Claim 1, it relates to the device and system, and its feature is; 6-12 mm focal length. C-Mount with manual iris and focus adjustment, -0.39% distortion. The camera contains a lens module (7) which is the lens. 30 12- As in Claim 1, it relates to the device and system, and its characteristic is; the top surface of the device. a protective metal sheet covering, with mounting holes and edge curves It includes a top cover sheet (1) which provides a rigid connection to the body. 35 13 13- Relating to the control card (18) mentioned in Claim 1, its feature is; LED activation. synchronizing camera exposure with a controlled timing sequence It contains a microcontroller that enables this. 14- Safe 5 used in tobacco products, alcoholic beverages and other products. Optical detection of ink-printed codes (banderol, a new imaging system capable of reading labels, barcodes, etc., with high accuracy and speed It relates to the capture device and method, and its characteristics are as follows: - When the product enters the camera's field of view, the signal from the Pin Connector (14) The external trigger signal is 10 by the Camera and LED Control Board (18). perception, - Control board (18), LED (5) lighting with Blue Aluminum PCB commissioning its modules, - Thermal support of LED modules with LED Heat Sink (6), - The light emitted from the LED is through an Anti-Reflective and Hydrophobic Coated Optical Window (3) 15 transmitted from there to the target surface, - Light reflection from the surface or from safety ink pigments The rays formed as a result of the spreading pass through the same optical window (3) again. Through the Camera Lens Module (7) and Longpass Optical Filter (9) to the sensor reaching, 20 - Angle-dependent spectral shift (blue shift) effect of longpass optical filter (9) placed between the lens and sensor in a way that minimizes - Control of LED on, camera triggering, and LED off operations. to a timing sequence defined by the microcontroller (18) on the card to be carried out according to, 25 - The camera's global shutter CMOS sensor allows for use with moving objects. image capture, - The lens alone focuses on 10cm, and with the riser, it reads from 3cm. ensuring that the mounting bracket (10) maintains optical alignment, - The camera exposure time can be adjusted via software to 30 based on the production line speed. optimization, - The camera module transmits the image via the M12 X-Coded Connector, i.e., Ethernet (15) transmitting it from there to the computer, 14 - The camera software process running on the computer defines the image. Cropping based on ROIs (Return on Image), frame metadata (specific characteristics of the image) (producing the information set containing the data) and sending it to the frame queue, - Saving the images to the computer's shared memory, - Worker Processes running on a computer store frame metadata in 5 different ways. It transmits the data to the decoder components and performs parallel decoding, - The Decoder Process running on the computer performs various pre-processing operations on the image. (Scaling, rotation, contrast enhancement, etc.) implementation and code to enable analysis, - The Results Processor running on the computer selects the result, print 10 evaluating its quality and registering the code in the system, - If the code is read, a PNP type digital trigger is triggered via the M8 4 Pin Connector (14). The signal is transmitted from the camera module to the automation system. - If the connected system does not detect this signal, it will discard the product as waste. - Failed or suspicious frames are analyzed on the computer for 15 days. It is characterized by the fact that the separation process involves several steps. 25

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