Method and device for visually inspecting objects to be tested during the production and/or packaging of cigarettes

a method for setting up or presetting a testing device for the optical testing of a test object during the production and/or packaging of cigarettes, the method comprising:

• a) at least one of (i) storing feature values of visual features characterizing the test object by means of an input device in a data memory, and (ii) determining the feature values at least partly automatically using a computer by evaluation of at least one image of a reference test object recorded by means of an electrooptical testing element, the visual features being selected from the group consisting of physical, surface, and optical features of the test object;
• b) selecting at least one of the feature values by means of the input device and using the compute to automatically select at least one test method that is suitable for the test object to be tested from the a number of test methods that are stored in the data memory and by which the test objects are to be tested with the testing device;
• c) setting up or presetting at least one testing element of the testing device, the testing element being selected from the group consisting of an evaluating device, an illuminating device, and a suitable light detector, for subsequent testing operations on the test object, wherein the feature values influence the setting up of the testing device;
• and
• d) testing the test objects with the set-up or preset testing device, wherein the test objects are at least one of a cigarette pack and blank for cigarette pack.

A testing device for the optical testing of test objects during the production and/or packaging of cigarettes, comprising:

• a) a display means on which, for at least one visual feature characterizing the test object , a set of feature values for the corresponding visual feature that are stored in a data memory is displayed, the visual feature being selected from the group consisting of physical, surface, and optical features of the test objects;
• b) an input device with which the at least one visual feature of the displayed set of feature values is selected;
• and
• c) a control device with which at least one testing element of the testing device, the testing element being selected from the group consisting of an evaluating device, an illuminating device, and a suitable light detector, is automatically set up, wherein the selection of the at least one visual feature influences the setting up of the testing device,
• wherein the testing device is set up or preset for the optical testing of the test objects using a method comprising:
• i) displaying on the display means the set of feature values;
• ii) selecting at least one of the displayed feature values by means of the input device of the test device and using a computer to automatically select at least one test method is suitable for the test object to be tested object to be tested from a number of test methods that are stored in a data memory and by which the test objects are to be tested with the testing device;
• iii) automatically setting up or presetting the at least one testing element for subsequent testing operations on the test objects;
• and
• iv) testing the test objects with the set-up or preset testing device, wherein the test objects are at least one of a cigarette pack and a blank for a cigarette pack.

A testing device for the optical testing of test objects during the production and/or packaging of cigarettes, comprising:

• a) an input device with which feature values of visual features characterizing the test object to be tested and/or of a blank for the test object is stored in a data memory cooperating with an evaluating device, the visual features being selected from the group consisting of physical, surface, and optical features of the test object;
• and
• b) a control device with which the feature values are determined automatically or partly automatically by a computer by evaluation of images of a reference test object and/or of a blank for the reference test object that are recorded by means of an electrooptical test element , wherein the control device is used for setting up at least one testing element of the testing device, the testing element being selected from the group consisting of an evaluating device, an illuminating device, and a suitable light detector , wherein the feature values influence the setting up of the testing device,
• wherein the testing device is set up or preset for the optical testing of the test objects using a method comprising:
• i) at least one of (i) storing the feature values, the feature values being visual features characterizing the test object, by means of the input device in the data memory, and (ii) determining the feature values at least partly automatically by the evaluation of the images of the reference test object recorded by means of the electrooptical testing element;
• ii) selecting at least one of the feature values by means of the input device and using the computer to automatically select at least one test method that is suitable for the test object to be tested from a number of test methods that are stored in the data memory and by which the test objects are to be tested with the testing device;
• iii) setting up or presetting the at least one testing element for subsequent testing operations on the test object;
• and
• iv) testing the test objects with the set-up or preset testing device, wherein the test objects are at least one of a cigarette pack and a blank for a cigarette pack.