Optical Character Recognition System

ocr.jpgThe OCR vision system is intended for recognition of printed characters using a laser. 

The system searches for a poorly printed or corrupted text and upon discovery reports it to the operator. With a help of an intelligent camera, the system has a capacity of analyzing up to 6 cigarette packs, having three character rows that can be comprised of up to 12 characters, simultaneously. One of the three character rows can be dynamic, i.e. it’s characters can change. 

This solution is extremely fast, it can analyze up to 1,000 packs per second.

The OCR vision system features special FlexXpect - OCR software. It is integrated into the software of the Omron FZ3 series controller.

The software offers a graphical user interface that can be used to manage system settings and operation. There are two main windows that are used for performing different operations: a settings management window and an operation window. The settings management window is intended for adjustment and testing of software settings. The operation window is used during analysis, when the system is testing cigarette packs. Depending on your preferences, either all frames or just the ones containing defects can be stored on the computer’s memory and/or a USB media. The frames can be used for a later review and analysis.

WORKING PRINCIPLE

Once powered on, the controller is loaded automatically and set into the operation mode. Simultaneously, the “System Ready” output signal is activated. In case of any system failure, the system reports about it by showing the “Error” indicator and outputting the “Failure” signal.

When the system is ready, it is started with the “Start” signal. Once the “Start” signal is given, the OCR system starts analyzing packs on every “Trigger” signal received. Having received the “Trigger” signal, the system captures an image of a pack and carries out its analysis. In case there’s any fault discovered, the process is immediately stopped and the error signal is sent.

If the system discovers a printing defect, the system outputs the “Stop” signal. The last captured image with a defect will be shown on the controller’s screen.

FEATURES

  • Vision system analyzes up to 6 cigarette packs;
  • System can process up to 1,000 packs a second;
  • Up to 3 analyzeable character rows per pack;
  • Possibility to analyze at least one dynamic row;
  • A row can comprise 12 characters;
  • It is possible to change analysis rules and patterns;
  • Possibility to save captured images with defects detected;
  • Data of rows recognized can be transfered over the Ethernet interface;
  • Detection of defects is reported about by a digital signal;

PACKAGE

  • OCR system controller.
  • 2 Mpix video camera.
  • Video camera lens.
  • Protective camera casing IP65.
  • FlexXpect Tobacco software.
  • Video camera holder.
  • Commutation software.