JP2017083523A - Photographing device, photographing method, and meat quality evaluation method for carcass - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a photographing device capable of acquiring a focused image in the whole area of a plane, even when photographing the plane existing in the narrow space of a gap including the incision surface of carcass from an oblique direction and to provide a photographing method and a meat quality evaluation method for the carcass.SOLUTION: A photographing device 1 for photographing the plane forming the gap from a diagonal upper side includes a lens 32, an imaging element 50 which receives light after passing through the lens 32, and a rotation support part 40 to which the imaging element 50 is fixed and which adjusts the inclination of the imaging element 50 with respect to the lens 32. The photographing device 1 can adjust the inclination of the imaging element 50, so that the image element surface of the imaging element 50 crosses a straight line formed by crossing the plane and the lens main surface of the lens 32.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a photographing apparatus and a photographing method. More specifically, the present invention relates to a photographing apparatus and photographing method for photographing a carcass incision surface, and a carcass quality evaluation method.

  Appropriate evaluation of meat quality, especially the degree of marbling, ie marbling, is an important factor in determining the price of beef carcass for the distribution of beef cattle. In many meat centers, meat quality is evaluated by incising beef carcass by a slight incision width, for example, a length of about 3 cm, and inspecting the incision surface having a narrow gap from an oblique direction.

  However, visual assessment of meat quality may cause variations in the assessment of meat quality, and since the market price is determined by the assessment, there is a great mental burden on the inspector. For this reason, a method for objectively evaluating meat quality as disclosed in Patent Document 1 has been proposed. In order to objectively evaluate the quality of the beef carcass, it is necessary to obtain an image obtained by clearly photographing the cut surface of the beef carcass.

  In recent years, the number of meat centers that employ a mechanism that prevents purchasers and the like from directly observing beef carcass is increasing due to hygiene considerations. In order for a purchaser or the like who is not close to the beef carcass to observe the cut surface of the beef carcass, it is necessary to acquire an image obtained by clearly photographing the cut surface of the beef carcass. However, as shown in the imaging device 301 of FIG. 19, the cut surface 110 of the beef carcass 100 with a narrow gap cannot be imaged from above. For this reason, for example, Patent Document 2 discloses a photographing method for photographing the cut surface 110 of the beef carcass 100 having a narrow gap from an oblique direction, as shown in the photographing device 302 of FIG.

JP 2014-071018 A JP 2014-206839 A

  In the imaging method of Patent Document 2, since the cut surface of the beef carcass is simply taken from an oblique direction, the front side and the back side of the cut surface of the beef carcass are not in focus, and the cut surface of the beef carcass is It's hard to say that you can shoot clearly. For this reason, the imaging method disclosed in Patent Document 2 has a problem that an in-focus image cannot be acquired over the entire cut surface of beef carcass. The same problem arises not only when photographing the cut surface of beef carcass from an oblique direction but also when photographing a plane existing in a narrow space from an oblique direction.

  The present invention has been made on the basis of such a background, and even when a plane existing in a narrow space is photographed from an oblique direction, it is possible to obtain a focused image over the entire plane. An object is to provide an apparatus, a photographing method, and a carcass quality evaluation method.

In order to achieve the above object, a photographing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention provides:
An imaging device for imaging a plane forming a gap from obliquely above,
A lens,
An image sensor that receives light that has passed through the lens;
Rotation support means for adjusting the tilt of the image sensor with respect to the lens, the image sensor being fixed,
The tilt of the image sensor can be adjusted so that the image sensor surface of the image sensor intersects a straight line formed by the plane and the lens main surface of the lens intersect.

  You may provide the positioning means for positioning the said imaging device in the predetermined position which focuses with respect to the said plane.

  The predetermined position may be defined by an inclination of the imaging device with respect to the plane and a distance from the plane to the imaging device.

The positioning means includes at least three pairs of laser light sources,
The at least three pairs of laser light sources may be arranged such that laser beams intersect at different positions on the plane.

The positioning means includes at least two pairs of line laser light sources each capable of emitting line laser light along the same plane,
The at least two pairs of line laser light sources may be arranged such that the line laser beams intersect at different positions on the plane forming the gap.

The positioning means includes at least three laser distance meters fixed in a predetermined direction with respect to the photographing apparatus,
The laser distance meter may measure a distance from the laser distance meter to the plane.

  The cut surface of the carcass may be photographed as the plane.

The imaging method according to the second aspect of the present invention is:
A photographing method using the above photographing device,
Adjusting the position of the imaging device to a position where the plane is in focus using the positioning means;
Photographing the plane from an oblique direction with the position of the photographing apparatus adjusted;
including.

The carcass quality evaluation method according to the third aspect of the present invention is:
A carcass quality evaluation method using an image of the cut surface of the carcass photographed by the photographing apparatus,
A step of converting an image of the cut surface of the carcass into a front image by a control means;
A step of evaluating the degree of crossing of the carcass based on the image of the cut surface of the carcass converted into a front image by the control means;
including.

  According to the present invention, even if a plane existing in a narrow space is photographed from an oblique direction, a photographing apparatus and a photographing method capable of acquiring a focused image over the entire plane, and a carcass meat quality evaluation method Can be provided.

It is a front view of the imaging device which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. 1 is a top view of a photographing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. It is a side view of the imaging device which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the inside of the imaging device which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows a mode that a plane is specified using six laser light sources in the imaging device which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the principle which extends the focus range in the imaging device which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the usage method of the imaging device which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention, Comprising: (a) is a flowchart which shows the start of the initial setting of an imaging device, (b) shows the start of imaging | photography and meat quality evaluation. It is a flowchart. It is a schematic diagram which shows a mode that the incision surface of a beef carcass is image | photographed using the imaging device which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the state before positioning of the imaging device which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the state after completion | finish of positioning of the imaging device which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a front view of the imaging device which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows a mode that a plane is specified using four line laser light sources in the imaging device which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the state before positioning of the imaging device which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the state after completion | finish of positioning of the imaging device which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is a front view of the imaging device which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the state before positioning of the imaging device which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the state after completion | finish of positioning of the imaging device which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is a front view which shows the modification of the imaging device which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is the schematic diagram which showed a mode that the cut surface of a beef carcass was image | photographed using the conventional imaging device.

  Hereinafter, an imaging device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or equivalent parts are denoted by the same reference numerals.

(Embodiment 1)
1-4 is a figure which shows the imaging device 1 which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. In the present specification, the horizontal direction of the cut surface of the beef carcass is the direction parallel to the cut surface of the beef carcass and the cut direction of the beef carcass is the X axis, An orthogonal coordinate system is used in which the direction is the Y axis, and the direction perpendicular to the X axis and the Y axis is the Z axis.

  The imaging apparatus 1 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is an apparatus for acquiring a clear image by imaging a plane formed in a narrow gap, particularly an incision surface of beef carcass. The photographing apparatus 1 includes a housing 10, a handle 20, a lens unit 30, a rotation support unit 40, an image sensor 50, a positioning unit 60, an illumination unit 70, and a control unit 80.

  The housing 10 is a member that accommodates the rotation support unit 40, the image sensor 50, and the control unit 80 therein. The housing 10 includes a main body 11 and a cover 12. The main body 11 is a member that includes a bottom wall and four side walls, and an opening is formed on the top surface. On the upper surface of the bottom wall of the main body 11, a rotation support unit 40, an image sensor 50 and a control unit 80 are fixed. The cover 12 is a member that covers the opening formed in the main body 11. In a state where the cover 12 is attached to the main body 11, a space 13 is formed therein, and the rotation support unit 40, the image sensor 50, and the control unit 80 are accommodated in the space 13. On the other hand, when the cover 12 is removed from the main body 11, the rotation support unit 40, the image sensor 50, and the control unit 80 can be accessed.

  The handle 20 is a means for the photographer to hold the photographing apparatus 1 with both hands. The handle 20 is fixed to both side surfaces of the housing 10 and extends upward from the housing 10. The handle 20 includes a grip portion 21 for gripping with a hand. The grip portion 21 is processed to prevent slipping. As shown in FIG. 2, at the tip of at least one grip portion 21, a shutter button 22 for photographing a cut surface of beef carcass is provided. The photographer can fix the distance and angle of the photographing apparatus 1 with respect to the cut surface of the beef carcass at a predetermined position by holding the grip portion 21 with both hands.

  The lens unit 30 is means for forming an image of the cut surface of beef carcass on the image sensor 50. The lens unit 30 includes a lens barrel 31 and a lens 32. The lens barrel 31 is a cylindrical member whose base end is fixed to the front surface of the housing 10. An opening is formed in the base end portion of the lens barrel 31 and is connected to the opening formed in the front surface portion of the housing 10. For this reason, the lens barrel 31 serves as an optical path for allowing light from the outside to pass through the imaging device 50.

  The lens 32 collects light and forms an optimal image on the image sensor 50. A plurality of lenses 32 are attached to the lens barrel 31 in order to suppress aberrations. The lens 32 is fixed to the distal end portion of the lens barrel 31 so that the photographing apparatus 1 has a fixed focus whose focus is fixed in advance at a predetermined position. As such a lens part 30, a commercially available industrial lens can be used. The lens unit 30 can be configured to be detachable from the housing 10.

  The rotation support unit 40 is a means for inclining the image sensor 50 with respect to the lens 32. The rotation support unit 40 is roughly provided with a support unit 41 and a rotation unit 42. The support portion 41 is fixed to the inner surface of the bottom wall of the housing 10. The rotating portion 42 is rotatably attached to the upper surface of the support portion 41 and can be fixed to the support portion 41 at an arbitrary angle. An image sensor 50 is fixed on the upper surface of the rotating unit 42. As such a rotation support part 40, a gonio stage can be used, for example. The photographer can remove the cover 12 from the housing 10 and hold the rotating unit 42 with his / her hand so as to incline it to a desired angle.

  The image sensor 50 is an electronic component that converts an optical image of a subject into an electrical signal. The imaging element 50 is fixed to the upper surface of the rotating unit 42 so that the light receiving surface faces the lens 32. For this reason, the image sensor 50 can be inclined at a desired angle with respect to the lens 32. The light that has passed through the lens 32 is converted into an electrical signal by the image sensor 50 and further converted into image data by an image engine provided in the control unit 80. As the imaging element 50, a charge coupled device (CCD), a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) sensor, or the like can be used.

  The positioning means 60 is a means for assisting the photographer to position the inclination and distance of the photographing apparatus 1 with respect to the cut surface of the beef carcass. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the positioning means 60 includes six laser light sources 61 to 66 that emit laser light forward. The laser light sources 61 to 66 are arranged on the upper surface of the housing 10 so as to be separated from each other. The laser light sources 61 to 66 are attached to the casing 10 so as to be able to swing vertically and horizontally so that the direction of the laser light can be adjusted.

  The six laser light sources 61 to 66 are configured to be in pairs, and as a result, the positioning means 60 is configured from three pairs of laser light sources. As shown in FIG. 5, the pair of laser light sources 61 and 62 are adjusted in a direction in which the laser beams intersect at a point A on the in-focus plane 120 of the imaging apparatus 1 that is a fixed focus. Similarly, the directions of the pair of laser light sources 63 and 64 and the pair of laser light sources 65 and 66 are adjusted so that the laser beams intersect at points B and C on the in-focus plane 120.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 5, the inclinations of the laser light sources 61 to 66 are adjusted so that the three intersections A to C formed on the plane 120 in which the six laser lights are in focus are different from each other. The By defining the three intersections A to C with the laser light, it is possible to specify the plane 120 on which the photographing apparatus 1 is focused.

  The illumination unit 70 is a light emitting device that illuminates the cut surface of beef carcass brightly. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the illumination units 71 and 72 are respectively fixed to both side surfaces of the housing 10. Thereby, even when the photographing apparatus 1 is brought close to the cut surface of the beef carcass, the cut surfaces of the beef carcass can be illuminated brightly by the illumination units 71 and 72. The illumination parts 71 and 72 are comprised from light emitting elements, such as LED.

  It is desirable that the light emission intensity of the illuminating unit 70 be set large enough not to damage the photographer's eyes. This is because in the photographing apparatus 1, it is necessary to narrow the aperture as much as possible (increase the F value) in order to increase the depth of field, but if the aperture is narrowed, the amount of light decreases and the shutter speed becomes slow. Since slow shutter speed causes camera shake, it is desirable to set the light emission intensity of the illumination unit 70 as large as possible to suppress the delay of the shutter speed.

  The control unit 80 is means for controlling the operation of the photographing apparatus 1 based on an instruction from the photographer. The control unit 80 electrically controls the exposure time of the image sensor 50 and controls the light emission of the illumination unit 70. The control unit 80 includes a processor that executes an operation program and a memory that stores the operation program. Furthermore, the control unit 80 includes an image engine that converts an electrical signal from the image sensor 50 into image data.

  When the control unit 80 detects that the photographer has pressed the shutter button 22, the lighting unit 70 emits light at the same time while opening the electronic shutter, and the image sensor 50 receives the light reflected from the cut surface of the beef carcass. Make it possible. The power necessary for the operation of the illumination unit 70 and the control unit 80 is acquired from the outside via the power cable 90 shown in FIG.

  Next, with reference to FIG. 6, the principle of widening the in-focus range of the photographing apparatus 1 by tilting the image sensor 50 with respect to the lens 32 will be described.

  In a normal photographic device, it is formed at the intersection of the image sensor surface (a plane that includes the light receiving surface of the image sensor) and the lens main surface (a straight line that extends light rays incident in parallel to the optical axis) and a straight line that extends emitted light rays. The imaging element surface and the lens main surface do not cross each other. In this case, the surface on which the photographing apparatus is focused is a flat surface located a certain distance ahead.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6, when the imaging element surface P ₁ and the lens main surface P ₂ are arranged not parallel to each other, the surface on which the photographing apparatus 1 is focused is the imaging element surface P ₁ and the lens main surface P ₂ . It is not parallel to it. When intersect at one line there is an imaging element surface P ₁ and the lens principal plane P _2, the photographing device 1 is known to be plane P ₃ focused the relation intersect collinear (Scheimpflug principle). In FIG. 6, this same straight line is a straight line perpendicular to the paper surface at point C. If capturing apparatus 1 arrow A ₃ as shown in FIG. 6 to the plane P ₃ focused are arranged, the direction in the image arrow A ₁ is inverted as shown in FIG. 6 in the imaging element surface P ₁ Will be tied. If you make this kind of an image pickup element surface P ₁ and the lens principal plane P ₂ in the arrangement not parallel, it is possible to greatly expand the surface P ₃ connecting the imaging apparatus 1 is focused, as shown in FIG. 6, planar object It is possible to focus from the near side to the far side.

  Next, a method of using the photographing apparatus 1 will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (b).

  The opening of the cut surface of the beef carcass and the distance the photographer can approach the beef carcass are different for each meat center. On the other hand, in the same meat center, the degree of opening of the cut surface and the distance that the photographer can approach are almost the same for each carcass. Therefore, the adjuster of the imaging device 1 performs initial setting of the rotation support unit 40 and the positioning unit 60 before imaging the cut surface of the beef carcass for each meat center. A method for performing the initial setting will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, as shown in FIG. 8, the adjuster of the imaging device 1 adjusts the beef carcass incision surface at the meat center, the distance from the beef carcass to the photographer, etc. An angle θ formed by the optical axis A of the lens 32 of the imaging device 1 in the Z-axis direction with respect to the cut surface 110, and the X-axis direction from the front end of the cut surface 110 of the beef carcass 100 to the tip of the lens unit 30 Distance x is determined (step S101). Considering the influence on the sanitary aspect of beef carcass due to the approach of the photographing device and the photographer, the light emission intensity of the illumination unit in the photographing device, etc., for example, it is preferable to determine the angle θ as 10 ° and the distance x as 40 cm. .

The adjuster of the photographing apparatus 1 removes the cover 12 from the housing 10 and, based on the angle θ and the distance x of the photographing apparatus 1 set with respect to the cut surface of the beef carcass, the image pickup apparatus 1 is placed on the cut surface of the beef carcass. The angle of the rotating unit 42 is adjusted so that the in-focus is in focus (step S102). When the imaging apparatus 1 is positioned at a predetermined angle θ and distance x with respect to the cut surface of the beef carcass, the plane P extended from the cut surface of the beef carcass to the front side based on the Scheinproof principle _a line ₃ and the lens principal plane P ₂ of the lens 32 are formed to cross to adjust the angle of the rotation unit 42 while the image of a relationship the imaging element surface P ₁ intersect.

  Next, the adjuster of the photographing apparatus 1 adjusts the inclinations of the six laser light sources 61 to 66 constituting the positioning unit 60 (step S103). As shown in FIG. 5, the two laser beams emitted from the pair of laser light sources 61 and 62 intersect at a point A on the plane 120 where the photographing apparatus 1 is focused, and are emitted from the pair of laser light sources 63 and 64. The two laser beams crossed at a point B on the plane 120 where the photographing apparatus 1 is focused, and the two laser beams emitted from the pair of laser light sources 65 and 66 are on the plane 120 where the photographing apparatus 1 is focused. The inclinations of the six laser light sources 61 to 66 are adjusted so as to intersect at point C.

  Specifically, using a camera tripod or the like, the imaging device 1 is positioned so that the angle θ of the imaging device 1 is 10 ° and the distance x is 40 cm with respect to an appropriate flat plate. Thereafter, the power sources of the six laser light sources 61 to 66 are turned on, and six laser light beams are emitted from the six laser light sources 61 to 66. Then, except for exceptional cases, the six laser beams are irradiated to different positions on the flat plate.

  The directions of the pair of laser light sources 61 and 62 are adjusted so that the laser beams emitted from the pair of laser light sources 61 and 62 intersect at one point on the flat plate. Similarly, the directions of the pair of laser beams 63 and 64 and the pair of laser light sources 65 and 66 are also adjusted. Here, the laser beam emitted from the pair of laser light sources 61 and 62, the pair of laser light sources 63 and 64, and the pair of laser light sources 65 and 66 intersects on the flat plate at different positions. The direction of the light sources 61 to 66 is adjusted. By adjusting so that the laser beams emitted from the three pairs of laser light sources 61 to 66 intersect at three points, the plane 120 in focus can be specified. With the above procedure, the initial setting of the photographing apparatus 1 performed for each meat center is completed.

  Next, the photographing of the beef carcass and the evaluation of the meat quality are performed using the photographing apparatus 1 that is initially set in accordance with the procedure of FIG. With reference to FIG.7 (b), the imaging | photography method and meat quality evaluation method of a beef carcass are demonstrated.

  The photographer grasps the handle 20 with both hands and confirms the laser beam from the positioning means 60, and for each beef carcass hung and fixed in the facility of the meat center, the photographing apparatus 1 for the cut surface of the beef carcass The angle θ and the distance x are adjusted (step S104). Specifically, laser light emitted from six laser light sources 61 to 66 is applied to the cut surface of beef carcass.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 9, six points A ′, B ′, C ′, D ′, E ′, and F ′ irradiated with laser light can be confirmed on the cut surface 110 of the beef carcass. it can. From this state, as shown in FIG. 10, the imaging apparatus 1 for the cut surface 110 of the beef carcass 110 is irradiated with the three laser beams crossing the cut surface 110 of the beef carcass and irradiating the three points A, B, and C. Is positioned at an angle θ and a distance x. When the six laser beams are applied to the three points A, B, and C on the cut surface 110 of the beef carcass, the photographer can determine that the photographing apparatus 1 is positioned at an appropriate position.

  The photographer photographs the cut surface of the beef carcass while maintaining this positioning state (step S105). Specifically, when the photographer presses the shutter button 22 while maintaining the positioning state in step S <b> 104, the electronic shutter is released according to an instruction from the control unit 80. In addition, the illumination unit 70 emits light in conjunction with the operation of releasing the electronic shutter, and necessary illumination is given to the cut surface of the beef carcass. The image sensor 50 receives the light reflected from the cut surface of the beef carcass by this series of operations, and acquires image data relating to the cut surface of the beef carcass. The acquired image data is taken into a memory (not shown) provided in the control unit 80.

  After that, the image stored in the memory via the communication line is transferred to an external computer (control means), and the image of the cut surface of the beef carcass taken from the oblique direction with respect to the cut surface of the beef carcass is viewed from the front. To a correct image (front image) (step S106). A perspective method can be used to convert this image. The image conversion using the perspective method can be performed using, for example, commercially available image processing software. In this way, a front image of the cut surface of beef carcass can be acquired.

  Next, the meat quality of the beef carcass is evaluated using the front image of the cut surface of the beef carcass obtained in step S106 (step S107). The objective evaluation of the meat quality can be performed by an external computer (control means), for example, using the method disclosed in Patent Document 1. In the imaging method according to Embodiment 1, since the front image of the cut surface of beef carcass is obtained with higher accuracy than before, when the meat quality of beef carcass is evaluated by the method of Patent Document 1, the meat quality is higher than before. Can be properly evaluated.

By the way, it is also known among those skilled in the art that a so-called tilt camera is used as a method for expanding the focus range using the principle of Scheinproof. The tilt camera is a camera that tilts a lens with respect to an image sensor fixed to a housing. However, unlike the tilt camera, the imaging device 1 according to the first embodiment tilts the imaging device 50 with respect to the lens 32 fixed to the housing 10, thereby allowing the imaging device surface P ₁ and the lens principal surface P to be tilted. It is comprised so that it may become the arrangement | positioning which is not parallel with ₂ .

  When the tilt camera is employed, special skills are required for the operation of the tilt lens, and the weight and size are large, so that it is not suitable for the work of repeatedly photographing the cut surface of many beef carcasses at a meat center or the like. On the other hand, when the configuration in which the image sensor 50 attached to the rotation support unit 40 is inclined with respect to the housing 10 as in the embodiment of the present invention is adopted, a normal industrial lens can be used as the lens unit 30, so No special skill like a camera is required for the operation of 1 and the photographing apparatus 1 can be configured to be lightweight and compact. For this reason, it becomes possible to comprise the imaging device 1 suitable for repeatedly imaging the cut surface of many beef carcasses in a meat center or the like.

  As described above, in the imaging apparatus and the imaging method according to the first embodiment, the lens 32 is controlled according to the degree of opening of the cut surface of the beef carcass that is different for each meat center and the distance that the photographer approaches the beef carcass. Since the image sensor 50 can be tilted at an appropriate angle, the focus can be adjusted in the range from the near side to the far side of the cut surface of the beef carcass. For this reason, even if the cut surface of the beef carcass with a narrow gap is photographed from an oblique direction, it is possible to provide a photographing device and a photographing method capable of acquiring a focused image over the entire cut surface of the beef carcass. .

In the imaging apparatus and imaging method according to the _first embodiment, the imaging element surface P ₁ of the imaging element 50 and the lens 32 are configured by tilting the imaging element 50 instead of the lens 32 with respect to the housing 10. It is inclined to the main lens surface P ₂ of the. For this reason, special skill is not required for operation of the photographing apparatus 1, and the photographing apparatus 1 can be configured to be lightweight and compact.

  Further, in the meat quality evaluation method for beef carcass according to the first embodiment, the meat quality of the beef carcass is evaluated using the focused image in the entire cut surface of the beef carcass, so that it is more accurate than the conventional method. The quality of beef carcass can be evaluated.

(Embodiment 2)
The positioning means 60 is not limited to the configuration including the six laser light sources 61 to 66 described in the first embodiment, and any other means can be used as long as the imaging apparatus 1 can be positioned so as to focus on the cut surface of the beef carcass. It may be a configuration. For example, as will be described below, the positioning means 60 can also be configured from line laser light sources 161-164.

  With reference to FIGS. 11-14, the imaging device 1 which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention is demonstrated. The basic configuration of the photographing apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the photographing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment, but is different in that the positioning unit 60 includes four line laser light sources 161 to 164. Different from Form 1.

  In the second embodiment, the positioning means 60 includes four line laser light sources 161 to 164 for irradiating linear laser light as shown in FIG. The line laser light sources 161 to 164 are laser light sources that emit laser light that linearly spreads in a direction perpendicular to the emission direction. The pair of line laser light sources 161 and 162 are attached to the upper surface of the housing 10 at a predetermined interval. The other pair of line laser light sources 163 and 164 are attached to the lower surface of the housing 10 at a predetermined interval. The line laser light sources 161 to 164 can swing up and down and right and left with respect to the housing 10 so that the direction of the laser light can be adjusted.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the pair of line laser light sources 161 and 162 are arranged so that the line laser beams are on the same plane and intersect with each other on a straight line G on the in-focus plane 120 of the photographing apparatus 1. The orientation with respect to the body 10 is adjusted. Similarly, the direction of the pair of line laser light sources 163 and 164 is adjusted so that the line laser light intersects with a straight line H on the in-focus plane 120 of the photographing apparatus 1. On the in-focus plane 120 of the photographing apparatus 1, the intersecting line laser beams overlap each other exactly. For this reason, the lengths of the straight lines G and H formed by the intersecting line laser beams are the same as the width of the line laser beams.

  At this time, as shown in FIG. 12, two straight lines G formed on the plane 120 where the laser beams of the pair of line laser light sources 161 and 162 and the pair of line laser light sources 163 and 164 are in focus on the photographing apparatus 1, H are arranged so as to be different from each other. By defining the two straight lines G and H by the laser light, the photographer can specify the plane 120 on which the photographing apparatus 1 is focused.

  A positioning method of the photographing apparatus 1 in the second embodiment will be described. First, it is necessary to adjust the inclinations of the four line laser light sources 161 to 164 constituting the positioning means 60. Specifically, when the imaging device 1 is positioned so as to have a predetermined angle θ and a distance x with respect to the cut surface of the beef carcass, the line laser light emitted from the pair of line laser light sources 161 and 162 is The four line laser light sources 161 intersect such that the line laser beams irradiated from the pair of line laser light sources 163 and 164 intersect at a straight line H on the cut surface of the beef carcass. Adjust the slope of ~ 164.

  Next, the photographer positions the angle θ and the distance x of the photographing apparatus 1 toward the cut surface of the beef carcass while confirming the laser light from the positioning means 60. Specifically, laser light emitted from four line laser light sources 161 to 164 is applied to the cut surface of beef carcass. Then, as shown in FIG. 13, four straight lines G ′, H ′, I ′, and J ′ irradiated with laser light can be confirmed on the cut surface 110 of the beef carcass. From this state, as shown in FIG. 14, the angle of the imaging apparatus 1 with respect to the cut surface 110 of the beef carcass is such that the four laser beams intersect on the cut surface 110 of the beef carcass to form two straight lines G and H. Position θ and distance x.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, the imaging apparatus 1 is configured such that the line laser beams emitted from the four line laser light sources 161 to 164 form two straight lines G and H on the cut surface of the beef carcass. The angle θ and the distance x are positioned. For this reason, compared with the case where the six laser light sources 61-66 are used as the positioning means 60, it becomes easy to position the angle (theta) of the imaging device 1 with respect to the cut surface of a beef carcass more correctly.

(Embodiment 3)
With reference to FIGS. 15-17, the imaging device 1 which concerns on Embodiment 3 of this invention is demonstrated. The basic configuration of the photographing apparatus 1 according to the third embodiment is the same as that of the photographing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment, but is different in that the positioning unit 60 includes three laser distance meters 261 to 263. Different from Form 1.

  As shown in FIG. 15, in the third embodiment, the positioning unit 60 includes three laser distance meters 261 to 263. The first and second laser rangefinders 261 and 262 are attached to the upper surface of the housing 10 with a predetermined interval in the left-right direction. The first laser distance meter 261 is attached to the right side of the housing 10, and the second laser distance meter 262 is fixed to the left side of the housing 10. The third laser distance meter 263 is fixed to the right side of the lower surface of the housing 10.

  The laser rangefinders 261 to 263 are all fixed to the housing 10 so as to measure the distance to the front object along the direction parallel to the optical axis of the lens 32. That is, the three laser distance meters 261 to 263 measure distances in directions parallel to each other. By irradiating the cut surface of the beef carcass with the laser light from the laser distance meters 261 to 263, the distance from the tip surface of the laser distance meters 261 to 263 to the cut surface of the beef carcass can be measured.

  As described above, the three laser distance meters 261 to 263 are fixed at a predetermined angle with respect to the housing 10 in a direction in which the laser light is emitted in a direction parallel to the optical axis, that is, three lasers. Based on the distances measured by the distance meters 261 to 263, three points for the photographing apparatus 1 can be specified. If three points are determined for the photographing apparatus 1, the plane can be specified with the photographing apparatus 1 as a reference. In the third embodiment, the positions of the three points, that is, the target distances of the laser rangefinders 261 to 263 are set so that the plane specified by these three points coincides with the in-focus plane of the photographing apparatus 1. Set the target distance.

  Next, a method for positioning the photographing apparatus 1 in the third embodiment will be described. First, the target distances from the three laser distance meters 261 to 263 to the in-focus plane of the photographing apparatus 1 are determined.

Next, the three laser distance meters 261 to 263 are operated to measure the parallel distance from the laser distance meters 261 to 263 to the cut surface of the beef carcass. At this time, as shown in FIG. 16, the laser distance meters 261 to 263 measure the distances to the points K ′, L ′, and M ′ on the cut surface 110 of the beef carcass, and the measured distances. Is d ₁ ′, d ₂ ′, d ₃ ′ different from the target distances d ₁ , d ₂ , d ₃ . Therefore, as shown in FIG. 17, the photographer takes images so that the distances to the cut surface 110 of the beef carcass measured by the laser distance meters 261 to 263 become the target distances d ₁ , d ₂ , and d _3. The apparatus 1 is positioned. Three laser distance meters 261 to 263 measure the distances to the points K, L, and M on the cut surface 110 of the beef carcass, and the measured distances are within an allowable error from the target distances d ₁ , d ₂ , and d _3. In some cases, the photographer can determine that the photographing apparatus 1 is positioned at an appropriate position.

  As described above, in the third embodiment, the angle θ and the distance of the imaging device 1 with respect to the cut surface of the beef carcass according to the distance to the cut surface of the beef carcass measured by the three laser distance meters 261 to 263. x is positioned. Therefore, the incision of the beef carcass is more objectively compared to the method of specifying the position by superimposing the laser light emitted from the laser light source as shown in the first and second embodiments on the incision surface of the beef carcass. The angle θ and the distance x of the imaging device 1 with respect to the surface can be positioned.

  Further, in the third embodiment, the imaging device 1 is not easily affected by the surface shape such as local irregularities present on the cut surface of the beef carcass, and is shot in a state where the cut surface of the beef carcass is in focus. be able to. As a result, since the exact area of the loin core can be measured from the image of the cut surface of the beef carcass, the meat quality of the beef carcass can be appropriately evaluated using the method of Patent Document 1.

  In addition, said embodiment is an illustration, This invention is not limited to these, Various embodiment is possible in the range which does not deviate from the meaning of the invention described in the claim. The components described in each embodiment and modification can be freely combined. The invention equivalent to the invention described in the claims is also included in the present invention.

(Modification)
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the handle 20 is used to fix the photographing apparatus 1 at a predetermined position, but the present invention is not limited to this. The housing 10 may be connected to a balance arm attached to a pedestal so that the photographing apparatus 1 can be easily held in a predetermined position.

  For example, in the above embodiment, beef carcass is hung and fixed in the facility of the meat center, and the photographer moves the photographing device 1 for each beef carcass and performs photographing. Not. The imaging device 1 is fixedly installed in the facility of the meat center, and the beef carcass is sequentially moved in front of the imaging device 1 using means such as a rail, and the cut surface of the beef carcass is placed at a predetermined position. In this case, the cut surface of beef carcass may be photographed.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the photographer positions the photographing apparatus 1 with respect to the cut surface of the beef carcass, and then presses the shutter button 22 to photograph the cut surface of the beef carcass. It is not limited to. For example, when the control unit 80 determines that the imaging device 1 is positioned at a predetermined position with respect to the cut surface of beef carcass, the shutter of the imaging device 1 is automatically opened, the illumination unit 70 is caused to emit light, and the imaging device The reflected light from the cut surface of beef carcass may be received by 50.

In relation to the above modification, for example, when the control unit 80 detects that the laser distance meters 261 to 263 have measured the distances within the allowable error from the target distances d ₁ , d ₂ , and d ₃ , the control unit 80 The image pickup device 50 is controlled to automatically open the electronic shutter of the photographing apparatus 1, and the illumination unit 70 is controlled to illuminate the cut surface of the beef carcass so as to photograph the cut surface of the beef carcass. You may comprise as follows. As a result, the time lag from the positioning of the photographing apparatus 1 to the photographing is eliminated, so that the positional deviation of the photographing apparatus 1 can be effectively prevented.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the photographer observes the state of the positioning means 60 and determines whether or not the photographing apparatus 1 is positioned at an appropriate position with respect to the cut surface of the beef carcass. It is not limited to anything. The control unit 80 determines whether or not the photographing apparatus 1 is positioned at an appropriate position with respect to the cut surface of the beef carcass according to the state of the positioning means 60, and informs the photographer by an informing means such as a lamp or a speaker. You may comprise so that it may alert | report.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the laser light sources 61 to 66 and the line laser light sources 161 to 164 constituting the positioning unit 60 are always turned on, but the present invention is not limited to this. In order to reduce power consumption, the laser light sources 61 to 66 and the line laser light sources 161 to 164 constituting the positioning unit 60 may be configured to blink.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the laser light sources 61 to 66, the line laser light sources 161 to 164, and the laser distance meters 261 to 263 constituting the positioning unit 60 are fixed to the upper surface or the lower surface of the housing 10. It is not limited to anything. The laser light sources 61 to 66, the line laser light sources 161 to 164, and the laser distance meters 261 to 263 may be fixed to the side surface of the housing 10, for example, or may be fixed to the peripheral portion of the lens barrel 31 of the lens unit 30. .

  For example, in the first and second embodiments, the positioning means 60 is constituted by three pairs of laser light sources 61 to 66 or two pairs of line laser light sources 161 to 164, but is not limited to this. For example, the positioning means 60 may be composed of four or more pairs of laser light sources or three or more pairs of line laser light sources so that the photographing apparatus 1 can be positioned more accurately with respect to the cut surface of the beef carcass.

  For example, in the third embodiment, the positioning unit 60 is configured by the three laser distance meters 261 to 263, but is not limited to this. The number of laser distance meters constituting the positioning means 60 may be three or more. For example, as shown in FIG. 18, the positioning means 60 is composed of four laser distance meters 261 to 264, and the beef carcass cut surface is cut. Thus, the photographing apparatus 1 may be positioned more accurately.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the laser distance meters 261 to 263 constituting the positioning means 60 measure the distance in directions parallel to each other, but are not limited to such. For example, the laser distance meters 261 to 263 may be fixed to the housing 10 so as to measure distances in different directions according to the size of the carcass incision surface. However, it goes without saying that the configuration in which the laser distance meters 261 to 263 measure the distance in directions parallel to each other can intuitively perform the positioning operation.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the illumination unit 70 is fixed to the housing 10, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the illumination unit 70 may be attached to the housing 10 via a movable arm so that the orientation of the illumination unit 70 can be adjusted with respect to the housing 10. Further, the housing 10 and the illumination unit 70 may be separated, and the illumination unit 70 may be further brought closer to the cut surface of the beef carcass.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which power is supplied from the outside to the image sensor 50 and the control unit 80 via the power cable 90 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. A battery may be housed inside the housing 10 to supply power to the image sensor 50 and the control unit 80.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the conversion of the captured image into the front image and the meat quality evaluation of beef carcass are performed using an external computer, but the present invention is not limited to this. You may comprise so that the conversion to the front image of the image image | photographed using the control part 80 of the imaging device 1 and the meat quality evaluation of a beef carcass may be performed.

  In the above-described embodiment and modification, the cut surface of beef carcass is the subject, but the subject of the photographing apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to this. In addition to beef carcasses, carcasses of other domestic animals such as pork carcasses and lamb carcasses may be used as subjects. Further, any object can be taken as long as it is a plane existing in a narrow space. For example, the wall surface existing in the gap between the ruins may be photographed by the photographing apparatus 1 of the present invention, and the wall surface image may be acquired without destroying the ruins.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image pick-up device 10 Case 11 Main body part 12 Cover 13 Space 20 Handle 21 Grip part 22 Shutter button 30 Lens part 31 Lens tube 32 Lens 40 Rotation support part 41 Support part 42 Rotation part 50 Image sensor 60 Positioning means 61, 62, 63 , 64, 65, 66 Laser light source 70 Illumination unit 80 Control unit 90 Power cable 100 Beef carcass 110 Cutting surface 120 Focus plane of imaging device 161, 162, 163, 164 Line laser light source 261, 262, 263, 264 Laser distance Total 301, 302 Imaging device

Claims (9)

An imaging device for imaging a plane forming a gap from obliquely above,
A lens,
An image sensor that receives light that has passed through the lens;
Rotation support means for adjusting the tilt of the image sensor with respect to the lens, the image sensor being fixed,
An imaging apparatus capable of adjusting an inclination of the image sensor so that an image sensor surface of the image sensor intersects a straight line formed by intersecting the plane and a lens main surface of the lens.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising positioning means for positioning the imaging apparatus at a predetermined position that is in focus with respect to the plane.   The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined position is defined by an inclination of the imaging apparatus with respect to the plane and a distance from the plane to the imaging apparatus. The positioning means includes at least three pairs of laser light sources,
The imaging device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the at least three pairs of laser light sources are arranged such that laser beams intersect at different positions on the plane. The positioning means includes at least two pairs of line laser light sources each capable of emitting line laser light along the same plane,
The imaging device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the at least two pairs of line laser light sources are arranged such that the line laser beams intersect at different positions on the plane forming the gap. The positioning means includes at least three laser distance meters fixed in a predetermined direction with respect to the photographing apparatus,
The imaging apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the laser distance meter measures a distance from the laser distance meter to the plane.   The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the imaging device is configured to image a cut surface of a carcass as the plane. A photographing method using the photographing apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 6 and claim 7 that cites claim 2.
Adjusting the position of the imaging device to a position where the plane is in focus using the positioning means;
Photographing the plane from an oblique direction with the position of the photographing apparatus adjusted;
Including shooting method. A carcass meat quality evaluation method using an image of the cut surface of the carcass photographed by the photographing apparatus according to claim 7,
A step of converting an image of the cut surface of the carcass into a front image by a control means;
A step of evaluating the degree of crossing of the carcass based on the image of the cut surface of the carcass converted into a front image by the control means;
Of meat quality evaluation of carcass including

Images