Patent Description:
<CIT> relates to a board production state monitoring system disposed between a component mounting machine and a reflow furnace, and including a camera unit disposed in a board work machine which carries out work for a board, wherein the camera unit is configured to image a progress of the work by using a moving image. A trigger factor detection unit detects at least one of a change factor in which working conditions of the work are changed inside the board work machine in a sign of error occurrence which shows that a working error may occur in the work, as a trigger factor. An imaging start device causes the camera unit to start moving image capturing if the trigger factor detection unit detects the trigger factor.

<CIT> relates to a substrate inspection apparatus comprising an imaging means for capturing the actual mounting state of electronic parts as image data. An image processing means is configured for determining the degree of matching between an image indicating the actual mounting state and a correct image indicating the correct mounting state. If image processing judgement means determine that no match is found between image data and reference data, the images are displayed for an inspector to visually compare the images. If the inspector judges that the two images are not the same, he presses a button, in response to which the bad image data is transferred to bad image data memory.

<CIT> relates to an inspection machine for inspecting a substrate loaded with electronic components. A defective substrate data acquisition means acquires data of a defective substrate determined to include a defective portion. High compression is performed on the whole substrate image data, while low compression or non-compression is applied to the defective portion image data.

<CIT> discloses a component mounting machine for inclusion in a board work line, and which includes an inspection machine having a camera. The inspection machine applies lossless compression of image data when an error occurs, and applies lossy compression when an error does not occur.

An inspector disclosed in Patent Literature <NUM> includes an inspector main body, defective board data acquisition means, storage data creation means, and data storage means. The inspector main body inspects a board on which an electronic component is mounted. The defective board data acquisition means acquires data of a defective board determined to include a defective portion with respect to inspection result data obtained by the inspection of the inspector main body.

The storage data creation means extracts image data of the entire board and image data of the defective portion from the data of the defective board, and compresses the image data of the entire board with high compression, and compresses the image data of the defective portion with low compression (including non-compression). The data storage means stores the image data of the entire board with high compression and the image data of the defective portion with low compression.

However, Patent Literature <NUM> discloses a technique of storing image data by setting a compression ratio in accordance with a portion of a board with respect to an inspected board, and does not disclose handling of image data acquired by a board work machine with respect to a board work after an inspection result is obtained.

In view of such circumstances, the present specification discloses an image data storage device and an image data storage method capable of instructing storage or non-storage of image data to be acquired by a board work machine with respect to a board work after an inspection result is obtained based on an inspection result.

The object of the present invention is to provide an image data storage device and an image data storage method for improving inspection of board work.

This object is solved by the subject-matter of the independent claims.

Embodiments of the present invention are defined by the dependent claims.

With the image data storage device described above, the instruction section is provided. Therefore, the image data storage device can instruct storage or non-storage of the image data acquired by the board work machine with respect to the board work after the inspection result is obtained based on the inspection result. The above description of the image data storage device is also applicable to the image data storage method.

In board work line WML, a predetermined board work is performed on board <NUM>.

A type and the number of board work machines WM constituting board work line WML are not limited. As illustrated in <FIG>, board work line WML of the present embodiment includes multiple (five) board work machines WM of printer WM1, printing inspector WM2, component mounter WM3, reflow furnace WM4, and appearance inspector WM5. Multiple (five) board work machines WM are disposed in the order of printer WM1, printing inspector WM2, component mounter WM3, reflow furnace WM4, and appearance inspector WM5 from an upstream side. Board <NUM> is conveyed in printer WM1 located at a leading end of board work line WML. Then, board <NUM> is conveyed to a downstream side by a board conveyance device (not illustrated) of board work line WML, and is conveyed out from appearance inspector WM5 located at an end of board work line WML.

Printer WM1 prints solder at a mounting position of each of multiple components <NUM> on board <NUM>. The solder printed on board <NUM> is paste-like and has a predetermined viscosity. The solder functions as a bonding material for bonding board <NUM> and multiple components <NUM> to be mounted on board <NUM>. Printing inspector WM2 inspects a print state of the solder printed by printer WM1. Component mounter WM3 mounts multiple components <NUM> on the solder printed by printer WM1. Component mounter WM3 may be one, or may be multiple. As illustrated in <FIG>, in a case where multiple component mounters WM3 are provided, multiple component mounters WM3 can be shared to mount multiple components <NUM>.

Reflow furnace WM4 heats board <NUM> on which multiple components <NUM> are mounted by component mounter WM3, and melts the solder to perform soldering. Appearance inspector WM5 inspects the mounting state of multiple components <NUM> mounted by component mounter WM3, or the like. Specifically, appearance inspector WM5 recognizes appropriateness of each of multiple components <NUM> mounted on board <NUM>, mounting states (X-axis coordinate, Y-axis coordinate, and mounting angle) of each of multiple components <NUM>, and the like, and transmits them to management device WMC. As described above, board work line WML can produce a board product by using multiple (five) board work machines WM, conveying boards <NUM> in order, and executing a production process including an inspection process.

Board work line WML can include, for example, a functional inspector that is board work machine WM. The functional inspector performs a functional inspection of soldered board <NUM> by reflow furnace WM4. In addition, in board work line WML, a configuration of board work line WML can be appropriately added, and the configuration can be appropriately changed, for example, in accordance with the type of the board product to be produced or the like. Board work line WML may also include, for example, a board work machine WM such as a buffer device, a board supplying device, a board flipping device, a shield mounting device, an adhesive application device, and an ultraviolet ray irradiation device.

Multiple (five) board work machines WM and management device WMC constituting board work line WML are electrically connected by communication section LC. Communication section LC may be wired or wireless. A communication method is not limited. In the present embodiment, a local area network (LAN) is configured by multiple (five) board work machines WM and management device WMC. Therefore, multiple (five) board work machines WM can communicate with each other via communication section LC. In addition, multiple (five) board work machines WM can communicate with management device WMC via communication section LC.

Management device WMC controls multiple (five) board work machines WM constituting board work line WML, and monitors an operation status of board work line WML. Management device WMC stores various data for controlling multiple (five) board work machines WM. Management device WMC transmits the data to each of multiple (five) board work machines WM. In addition, each of multiple (five) board work machines WM transmits the operation status and a production status to management device WMC.

Management device WMC may be provided with an image storage server, a production information server (both of which are not illustrated), or the like. The image storage server can store various image data captured by board work machine WM. The production information server can store various production information related to the production of board <NUM>. For example, the component data included in the production information includes information on a shape of each type of component <NUM>, information on an electrical characteristic, information on a handling method of component <NUM>, or the like. In addition, inspection results of the inspectors such as the printing inspector WM2 and appearance inspector WM5 are included in the production information.

Component mounter WM3 mounts multiple components <NUM> on board <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, component mounter WM3 includes board conveyance device <NUM>, component supply device <NUM>, component transfer device <NUM>, part camera <NUM>, board camera <NUM>, and control device <NUM>. Board conveyance device <NUM> is, for example, constituted by a belt conveyor or the like, and conveys board <NUM> in a conveyance direction (X-axis direction). Board <NUM> is a circuit board, and at least one of an electronic circuit and an electrical circuit is formed. Board conveyance device <NUM> carries board <NUM> into component mounter WM3 and positions board <NUM> at a predetermined position in the machine. The mounting process of multiple components <NUM> is completed by component mounter WM3 and then board conveyance device <NUM> carries out board <NUM> to an outside of component mounter WM3.

Component supply device <NUM> supplies multiple components <NUM> to be mounted on board <NUM>. Component supply device <NUM> includes multiple feeders <NUM> provided along the conveyance direction (X-axis direction) of board <NUM>. Each of multiple feeders <NUM> pitch-feeds a carrier tape (not illustrated) in which multiple components <NUM> are stored to pickably supply component <NUM> at a supply position located on a distal end side of feeder <NUM>. In addition, component supply device <NUM> can also supply a relatively large electronic component (for example, a lead component or the like) as compared with a chip component or the like in a state of being disposed on a tray.

Component transfer device <NUM> includes head driving device <NUM> and moving table <NUM>. Head driving device <NUM> is configured such that moving table <NUM> is movable by a linear motion mechanism in X-axis direction and Y-axis direction. Moving table <NUM> is detachably (exchangeably) provided with component mounting head <NUM> by a clamp member (not illustrated). Component mounting head <NUM> uses at least one holding member <NUM> to pick up and hold component <NUM> supplied by component supply device <NUM>, and mounts component <NUM> on board <NUM> positioned by board conveyance device <NUM>. As holding member <NUM>, for example, a suction nozzle, a chuck, or the like can be used.

As part camera <NUM> and board camera <NUM>, for example, it is possible to use a digital imaging device having an imaging element. As the imaging element, for example, it is possible to use an image sensor such as a charge coupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS). Part camera <NUM> and board camera <NUM> perform imaging based on a control signal transmitted from control device <NUM>. Image data of images captured by part camera <NUM> and board camera <NUM> is transmitted to control device <NUM>.

Part camera <NUM> is fixed to a base of component mounter WM3 such that an optical axis is upward (vertical upward direction) in Z-axis direction. Part camera <NUM> can image component <NUM> which is held by holding member <NUM> from below. Board camera <NUM> is provided on moving table <NUM> of component transfer device <NUM> such that an optical axis is downward (vertical downward direction) in Z-axis direction. Board camera <NUM> can image board <NUM> from above.

Control device <NUM> includes a known central arithmetic unit and a storage device, and is configured of a control circuit (all of which are not illustrated). The central arithmetic unit is a central processing unit (CPU) and can perform various calculation processes. The storage device includes a first storage device and a second storage device. The first storage device is a volatile storage device (random access memory (RAM)) and the second storage device is a non-volatile storage device (read only memory (ROM)). Information, image data, and the like output from various sensors provided in component mounter WM3 are input into control device <NUM>. Control device <NUM> transmits a control signal to component transfer device <NUM> based on a control program, a predetermined mounting condition which is set in advance, or the like.

Specifically, control device <NUM> allows holding member <NUM> to pick up and hold component <NUM> supplied by the component supply device <NUM>, and part camera <NUM> to image holding member <NUM> holding component <NUM>. Control device <NUM> performs image processing of the image captured by part camera <NUM> and recognizes a holding posture of component <NUM> with respect to holding member <NUM>. For example, control device <NUM> can recognize the holding posture of component <NUM> by grasping a portion serving as a reference for positioning, a characteristic portion in the appearance of component <NUM>, or the like by the image processing.

Control device <NUM> moves holding member <NUM> above a mounting planned position which is set in advance by a control program or the like. Further, control device <NUM> corrects the mounting planned position based on the holding posture of component <NUM> to set the mounting position at which component <NUM> is actually mounted. The mounting planned position and the mounting position include a rotation angle in addition to the position (X-axis coordinate and Y-axis coordinate). Control device <NUM> corrects a target position (X-axis coordinate and Y-axis coordinate) of holding member <NUM> and the rotation angle in accordance with the mounting position. Control device <NUM> lowers holding member <NUM> of which the position (X-axis coordinate and Y-axis coordinate) and the rotation angle are corrected to mount component <NUM> on board <NUM>. Control device <NUM> repeats the pick-and-place cycle described above to execute the mounting process of mounting multiple components <NUM> on board <NUM>.

Image data storage device <NUM> includes instruction section <NUM> when being regarded as a control block. It is preferable that image data storage device <NUM> further includes at least one of storage section <NUM> and setting section <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, image data storage device <NUM> of the present embodiment includes instruction section <NUM>, storage section <NUM>, and setting section <NUM>. In addition, image data storage device <NUM> of the present embodiment is provided in management device WMC. Image data storage device <NUM> can also be provided in, for example, an image storage server that stores image data captured by board work machine WM.

Further, image data storage device <NUM> executes a control program in accordance with a flowchart illustrated in <FIG>. Instruction section <NUM> performs processing illustrated in step S13. Storage section <NUM> performs a determination illustrated in step S14, and performs processing illustrated in step S15. Setting section <NUM> performs a determination illustrated in step S11, and performs processing illustrated in step S12. Flowcharts illustrated in <FIG> are detailed processing illustrated in step S13.

Instruction section <NUM> instructs board work machine WM to store or not to store image data acquired with respect to the board work after the inspection result is obtained, based on the inspection result obtained by inspecting whether the board work in board work machine WM that executes the predetermined board work is good or no-good on board <NUM>.

In a case where the inspection result is no-good, it is highly necessary to reproduce the board work performed with high accuracy by board work machine WM from the stored image data to investigate a cause of the defective inspection result. Conversely, in a case where the inspection result is good, it is less necessary to reproduce the board work performed with high accuracy by board work machine WM from the stored image data. In addition, in a case where the inspection result is good, the storage itself of the image data may not be necessary. Therefore, instruction section <NUM> instructs the storage or non-storage of the image data acquired by board work machine WM with respect to the board work after the inspection result is obtained, based on the inspection result.

It is preferable that instruction section <NUM> causes the data capacity at the time of storing the image data to be reduced when the inspection result is good, as compared with when the inspection result is no-good. Specifically, it is preferable that instruction section <NUM> causes the image data to be irreversibly compressed and stored when the inspection result is good, and causes the image data to be reversibly compressed and stored when the inspection result is no-good.

The irreversible compression is a compression method in which a portion of image information included in the image data is lost in a compression process, and it is difficult to restore the image data before the compression with high accuracy as compared with the reversible compression. However, the irreversible compression can reduce the data capacity of the image data as compared with the reversible compression. A joint photographic experts group (JPEG) is an example of the irreversible compression. The reversible compression is a compression method in which image information included in the image data is not lost in the compression process, and the same image data as the image data before the compression is obtained. A graphics interchange format (GIF) and portable network graphics (PNG) are examples of the reversible compression.

As illustrated in <FIG>, it is preferable that board work machine WM is component mounter WM3 for mounting component <NUM> on board <NUM>, and the inspection result is an appearance inspection result for each type of component <NUM> mounted on board <NUM> by component mounter WM3. As described above, appearance inspector WM5 recognizes an appropriateness of each of multiple components <NUM> mounted on board <NUM>, a mounting state (X-axis coordinate, Y-axis coordinate, and mounting angle) of each of multiple components <NUM>, or the like. These recognition results are included in the appearance inspection result.

For example, it is assumed that the inspection result obtained by inspecting the mounting state of component <NUM> of a specific component type is no-good. In this case, for example, at least one of the imaging method (for example, a light exposure time, an aperture, an irradiation method of lighting, or the like) of part camera <NUM> imaging component <NUM> which is held by holding member <NUM> and the imaging processing method of the image data may not be suitable for component <NUM>. Therefore, it is necessary to reproduce the holding state of component <NUM> or the like with high accuracy from the stored image data, and to investigate the cause of the defective inspection result, or the like.

Therefore, instruction section <NUM> determines whether the inspection result by appearance inspector WM5 is good (step S21 illustrated in <FIG>). In a case where the inspection result is good (in a case of Yes), instruction section <NUM> causes the image data to be irreversibly compressed and stored (step S22). In a case where the inspection result is no-good (in a case of No), instruction section <NUM> causes the image data to be reversibly compressed and stored (step S23). Therefore, image data storage device <NUM> can reduce the data capacity at the time of storing the image data when the inspection result is good. In addition, image data storage device <NUM> can store the image data such that the board work (holding work of component <NUM>) of component mounter WM3 can be reproduced with high accuracy from the stored image data when the inspection result is no-good.

Instruction section <NUM> can also store the image data by increasing the compression ratio of the image data when the inspection result is good, as compared with when the inspection result is no-good. As the compression ratio increases, the loss of image information increases, and thereby it is difficult to restore the image data before compression with high accuracy. However, as the compression ratio increases, the data capacity of the image data can be reduced. The compression ratio can be expressed by, for example, <NUM> to <NUM>%.

For example, instruction section <NUM> causes the image data to be reversibly compressed and stored regardless of the inspection result, and increases the compression ratio of the image data when the inspection result is good as compared with when the inspection result is no-good, and thereby it is possible to store the image data. More specifically, instruction section <NUM> determines whether the inspection result by appearance inspector WM5 is good (step S31 illustrated in <FIG>). In a case where the inspection result is good (in a case of Yes), instruction section <NUM> sets the compression ratio of the image data to a first compression ratio (step S32). In a case where the inspection result is no-good (in a case of No), instruction section <NUM> sets the compression ratio of the image data to a second compression ratio (step S33). It is assumed that the first compression ratio is higher than the second compression ratio. Instruction section <NUM> causes the image data to be reversibly compressed and stored at the set compression ratio (step S34). In the present specification, the "setting of the compression ratio" includes, for example, a case where the compression ratio is set by setting a quality level of image storage or the like in addition to a case where the compression ratio itself is set as described above.

Further, as described above, instruction section <NUM> can irreversibly compress and store the image data when the inspection result is good, reversibly compress and store the image data when the inspection result is no-good, and also set each compression ratio. Specifically, instruction section <NUM> sets the compression ratio of the image data to the first compression ratio in step S22 illustrated in <FIG>. In addition, instruction section <NUM> sets the compression ratio of the image data to the second compression ratio in step S23 illustrated in <FIG>. In either case, image data storage device <NUM> can reduce the data capacity at the time of storing the image data when the inspection result is good. In addition, image data storage device <NUM> can store the image data such that the board work (holding work of component <NUM>) of component mounter WM3 can be reproduced with high accuracy from the stored image data when the inspection result is no-good.

Instruction section <NUM> can also store the image data by reducing the number of gradation bits of the image data when the inspection result is good as compared with when the inspection result is no-good. As the number of gradation bits decreases, the number of colors of the image decreases, and it is difficult to restore the image data before compression with high accuracy. However, as the number of gradation bits decreases, the data capacity of the image data can be reduced. The number of gradation bits can be set to, for example, <NUM> bits, <NUM> bits, <NUM> bits, <NUM> bits, <NUM> bits, <NUM> bits, <NUM> bits, <NUM> bits, <NUM> bits, <NUM> bits, <NUM> bits, or the like. For example, in a case where the number of gradation bits is <NUM> bits, the image is represented by <NUM> colors. In a case where the number of gradation bits is <NUM> bits, the image is represented by approximately <NUM> million colors (full color).

For example, instruction section <NUM> causes the image data to be reversibly compressed and stored regardless of the inspection result, and can store the image data by reducing the number of gradation bits of the image data when the inspection result is good as compared with when the inspection result is no-good. Specifically, instruction section <NUM> determines whether the inspection result by appearance inspector WM5 is good (step S41 illustrated in <FIG>). In a case where the inspection result is good (in a case of Yes), instruction section <NUM> sets the number of gradation bits of the image data to the number of first gradation bits (step S42). In a case where the inspection result is no-good (in a case of No), instruction section <NUM> sets the number of gradation bits of the image data to the number of second gradation bits (step S43). It is assumed that the number of first gradation bits is smaller than the number of second gradation bits. Instruction section <NUM> causes the image data to be reversibly compressed by the set number of gradation bits and causes the image data to be stored (step S44).

Further, as described above, instruction section <NUM> can irreversibly compress and store the image data when the inspection result is good, reversibly compress and store the image data when the inspection result is no-good, and also set each number of gradation bits. Further, instruction section <NUM> can irreversibly compress and store the image data when the inspection result is good, reversibly compress and store the image data when the inspection result is no-good, and also set each of both the compression ratio and the number of gradation bits.

Specifically, instruction section <NUM> sets the number of gradation bits of the image data to the number of first gradation bits in step S22 illustrated in <FIG>. In step S23 illustrated in <FIG>, Instruction section <NUM> sets the number of gradation bits of the image data to the number of second gradation bits. In addition, in step S22 illustrated in <FIG>, instruction section <NUM> sets the compression ratio of the image data to the first compression ratio, and sets the number of gradation bits of the image data to the number of first gradation bits. In step S23 illustrated in <FIG>, instruction section <NUM> sets the compression ratio of the image data to the second compression ratio, and sets the number of gradation bits of the image data to the number of second gradation bits. In either case, image data storage device <NUM> can reduce the data capacity at the time of storing the image data when the inspection result is good. In addition, image data storage device <NUM> can store the image data such that the board work (holding work of component <NUM>) of component mounter WM3 can be reproduced with high accuracy from the stored image data when the inspection result is no-good.

Instruction section <NUM> can compress and store the image data when the inspection result is good, and non-compress and store the image data when the inspection result is no-good. In this case, the compression method may be the irreversible compression (for example, JPEG or the like) as described above, or the reversible compression (for example, GIF, PNG, or the like). In addition, a bit map image (BMP) is also an example of the non-compression.

Specifically, instruction section <NUM> determines whether the inspection result by appearance inspector WM5 is good (step S51 illustrated in <FIG>). In a case where the inspection result is good (in a case of Yes), instruction section <NUM> causes the image data to be compressed and stored (step S52). In a case where the inspection result is no-good (in a case of No), instruction section <NUM> causes the image data to be non-compressed and stored (step S53). In addition, instruction section <NUM> can compress and store the image data when the inspection result is good, non-compress and store the image data when the inspection result is no-good, and set each of the number of gradation bits.

Specifically, in step S52 illustrated in <FIG>, instruction section <NUM> sets the number of gradation bits of the image data to the number of first gradation bits. In addition, in step S53 illustrated in <FIG>, instruction section <NUM> sets the number of gradation bits of the image data to the number of second gradation bits. In either case, image data storage device <NUM> can reduce the data capacity at the time of storing the image data when the inspection result is good. In addition, image data storage device <NUM> can store the image data such that the board work (holding work of component <NUM>) of component mounter WM3 can be reproduced with high accuracy from the stored image data when the inspection result is no-good.

Instruction section <NUM> can instruct non-storage of the image data when the inspection result is good. Specifically, instruction section <NUM> determines whether the inspection result by appearance inspector WM5 is good (step S61 illustrated in <FIG>). In a case where the inspection result is good (in a case of Yes), instruction section <NUM> instructs non-storage of the image data (step S62). In a case where the inspection result is no-good (in a case of No), instruction section <NUM> instructs storage of the image data (step S63). Therefore, image data storage device <NUM> can set the data capacity at the time of storing the image data to zero when the inspection result is good. In a case where the image data is stored when the inspection result is no-good, it is preferable that instruction section <NUM> causes the image data to be reversibly compressed and stored. Therefore, image data storage device <NUM> can store the image data such that the board work (holding work of component <NUM>) of component mounter WM3 can be reproduced with high accuracy from the stored image data when the inspection result is no-good.

In any of the embodiments described above, it is preferable that instruction section <NUM> determines that the inspection result is good when at least one state of a first state where the inspection result is good continuously for a predetermined period and a second state where the inspection result is good continuously for a predetermined count number. The predetermined period of the first state and the predetermined count number of the second state can be arbitrarily set. The predetermined period of the first state and the predetermined count number of the second state may be set for each type of component <NUM>. Thus, for example, image data storage device <NUM> easily determines whether the imaging method of part camera <NUM> and the imaging processing method of the image data described above are suitable for component <NUM>. For example, in a case where at least one state of the first state and the second state is established, it can be said that the imaging method of part camera <NUM> and the imaging processing method of the image data are suitable for component <NUM>.

Storage section <NUM> stores the image data. It is preferable that storage section <NUM> is provided in, for example, a non-volatile storage device (read only memory (ROM)). In this case, storage section <NUM> can store the image data even in a state where power is not supplied. Storage section <NUM> may be provided in, for example, a storage device such as a flash memory or an electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM). In addition, storage section <NUM> may be provided in, for example, a magnetic storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD), an optical storage device such as an optical disk, or the like.

It is preferable that storage section <NUM> stores the image data of which data capacity is reduced by board work machine WM. For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, instruction section <NUM> instructs control device <NUM> of component mounter WM3 to perform the storage or non-storage of the image data acquired by component mounter WM3 in relation to the board work (for example, the holding work of component <NUM>) after the inspection result is obtained. Instruction section <NUM> can also instruct the storage or non-storage of the image data for each type of component <NUM>. For example, control device <NUM> can temporarily store the image data of the image captured by part camera <NUM>. Control device <NUM> reduces the data capacity of the image data when the inspection result by appearance inspector WM5 is good, as compared with when the inspection result is no-good, by the method described above.

Storage section <NUM> determines whether the image data is transmitted from control device <NUM> of component mounter WM3 (step S14 illustrated in <FIG>). In a case where the image data is transmitted (in a case of Yes), storage section <NUM> stores the image data (step S15). In a case where the image data is not transmitted (in a case of No), the control returns to the determination illustrated in step S14, and storage section <NUM> waits until the image data is transmitted. In a case where instruction section <NUM> instructs the non-storage of the image data when the inspection result is good, the determination illustrated in step S14 and the processing illustrated in step S15 are omitted. In other words, in this case, image data storage device <NUM> can omit storage section <NUM>.

Storage section <NUM> can sequentially store the image data each time the image data is transmitted. In addition, when a predetermined number of pieces of image data is accumulated, storage section <NUM> can store the predetermined number of pieces of image data at a time or divided into multiple times. In this case, management device WMC may include, for example, a ring buffer capable of temporarily storing multiple image data, or the like. Further, in order to reduce a computing load, management device WMC may include, for example, a direct memory access (DMA) controller or the like. It is preferable that storage section <NUM> stores unique information capable of identifying the image data, the acquisition date, the acquisition time, version information of the control program of component mounter WM3, and the like, together.

Storage section <NUM> can also reduce the data capacity of the image data transmitted from board work machine WM and store the image data. In this case, instruction section <NUM> instructs storage section <NUM> to perform the storage or non-storage of the image data. For example, control device <NUM> of component mounter WM3 transmits the image data to storage section <NUM> without reducing the data capacity of the image data. Storage section <NUM> stores the data capacity of the image data when the inspection result by appearance inspector WM5 is good by reducing the data capacity as compared with when the inspection result is no-good by the method described above.

Setting section <NUM> sets at least one of the predetermined period of the first state and the predetermined count number of the second state in accordance with an instruction of an operator who operates board work machine WM. Management device WMC includes a known input device (for example, a keyboard or the like) and the operator can input at least one of the predetermined period of the first state and the predetermined count number of the second state.

Specifically, setting section <NUM> determines whether an instruction is issued by the operator (step S11 illustrated in <FIG>). In a case where there is an instruction by the operator (in a case of Yes), setting section <NUM> changes at least one of the predetermined period of the first state and the predetermined count number of the second state based on the instruction (input value) by the operator (step S12). In a case where there is no instruction by the operator (in a case of No), the control proceeds to the processing illustrated in step S13. In this case, setting section <NUM> uses the predetermined period of the first state and the predetermined count number of the second state which are set in advance. The operator can also instruct the parameters previously described (for example, irreversible compression or reversible compression, compression or non-compression, storage or non-storage, compression ratio, the number of gradation bits, and the like). In this case, setting section <NUM> can also set parameters in accordance with an instruction of the operator.

Board work machine WM may be printer WM1 for printing the solder at the mounting position of component <NUM> in board <NUM>, the inspection result may be a solder inspection result for each print region PD1 of the solder printed on board <NUM> by printer WM1. For example, it is assumed that the print state of the solder in a specific print region is determined to be no-good by printing inspector WM2. In this case, for example, at least one of an imaging method (for example, a light exposure time, an aperture, an irradiation method of lighting, or the like) of a camera (not illustrated) that captures an image of the print region and the imaging processing method of the image data may not be suitable for the print region. Therefore, it is necessary to reproduce the print state of the solder in the print region from the stored image data with high accuracy to investigate the cause of the defective inspection result. As described above, the above description of the appearance inspection result of component <NUM> can be similarly applied to the solder inspection result obtained by inspecting the print state of the solder. Board work machine WM, the board work, the inspection result, and the image data are only examples, and are not limited to those described above.

The above description for Image data storage device <NUM> is also applicable to the image data storage method. Specifically, the image data storage method includes an instruction step. The instruction step instructs storage or non-storage of image data acquired by board work machine WM with respect to a board work after an inspection result is obtained, based on the inspection result obtained by inspecting whether the board work is good or no-good in board work machine WM that executes a predetermined board work on board <NUM>. That is, the instruction step corresponds to the control performed by instruction section <NUM>. Further, it is preferable that the image data storage method includes at least one of a storage step and a setting step. The storage step corresponds to the control performed by storage section <NUM>, and the setting step corresponds to the control performed by setting section <NUM>.

Image data storage device <NUM> includes instruction section <NUM>. Therefore, image data storage device <NUM> can instruct the storage or non-storage of the image data acquired by board work machine WM with respect to the board work after the inspection result is obtained based on the inspection result. The above description of image data storage device <NUM> is also applicable to the image data storage method.

Claim 1:
A board work line comprising:
a reflow furnace (WM4),
an appearance inspector (WM5) located at an end of the board work line (BWL), wherein the appearance inspector (WM5) is disposed downstream from the reflow furnace (WM4);
an image data storage device for storing images acquired by a board work machine of the board work line, the image data storage device comprising:
an instruction section (<NUM>) configured to instruct storage of image data acquired by the board work machine that executes a predetermined board work on a board, with respect to the board work after an inspection result is obtained, based on the inspection result, wherein the board is a circuit board, wherein the instruction section (<NUM>) is configured to receive the inspection result from the appearance inspector (WM5), wherein the appearance inspector (WM5) is configured for obtaining the inspection result by inspecting whether the board work is good or no-good in the board work machine,
wherein the instruction section (<NUM>) causes the image data to be stored by reducing the number of gradation bits of the image data when the inspection result by the appearance inspector (WM5) is good as compared with when the inspection result by the appearance inspector (WM5) is no-good
wherein the board work machine is a component mounter (WM3) configured to mount a component on the board, and wherein the appearance inspector (WM5) is configured to recognize appropriateness and mounting states of each of multiple components mounted on the board.