Detecting apparatus, removing apparatus, detecting method, and removing method

A detection apparatus for detecting foreign substances or defective goods mingling in inspection objects according to images obtained by photographing the inspection objects, wherein the detection apparatus comprises:

• a transparent member for inspection objects to be put thereon;
• a partition defining a plurality of cells for separating the inspection objects on the transparent member so that each cell defined by the partition is adapted to contain only one piece of the inspection objects;
• a supplying unit for putting each piece of the inspection objects into each cell of the partition;
• a camera unit for photographing the inspection objects from above and below the transparent member;
• a control unit for detecting foreign substances or defective goods mingling in the inspection objects by analyzing images photographed with the camera unit;
• and
• a transport means for moving the partition, wherein the transparent member has a board-like shape and is fixed at a position, and the partition is structured to move on the transparent member in a belt conveyor-like manner.

A detection method for detecting, on the basis of images obtained by photographing inspection objects, foreign substances or defective goods mingling in the inspection objects, comprising:

• supplying each of the inspection objects to each cell of a partition while moving the partition on a transparent member, wherein each cell of the partition is adapted to receive only one piece of the inspection objects;
• photographing the inspection objects from above and below the transparent member;
• and
• analyzing images obtained by such photographing of the camera unit, and thereby detecting foreign substances or defective goods mingling in the inspection objects, wherein
• plural separated columns of the partition are provided, and
• the partition is united with the transparent member column by column, and
• the adjacent columns are mutually connected in a caterpillar-like manner.

A detection method for detecting, on the basis of images obtained by photographing inspection objects, foreign substances or defective goods mingling in the inspection objects, comprising:

• supplying each of the inspection objects to each cell of a partition while moving the partition on a transparent member, wherein each cell of the partition is adapted to receive only one piece of the inspection objects;
• photographing the inspection objects from above and below the transparent member;
• and
• analyzing images obtained by such photographing, and thereby detecting foreign substances or defective goods mingling in the inspection objects, wherein
• the transparent member has a board-like shape and is fixed at a position, and the partition is structured to move on the transparent member in a belt conveyor-like manner.