Fuzzy-Pattern-Classifier Based Sensor Fusion for Machine Conditioning

Sensor and Information fusion is recently a major topic not only in traffic management, military, avionics, robotics, image processing, and e.g. medical applications, but becomes more and more important in machine diagnosis and conditioning for complex production machines and process engineering. Several approaches for multi-sensor systems exist in the literature (e.g. Hall, 2001; Bosse, 2007). In this chapter an approach for a Fuzzy-Pattern-Classifier Sensor Fusion Model based on a general framework (e.g. Bocklisch, 1986; Eichhorn, 2000; Schlegel, 2004; Lohweg, 2004; Lohweg, 2006; Hempel, 2008; Herbst 2008; Monks, 2009; Hempel 2010) is described. An application of the fusion method is shown for printing machines. An application on quality inspection and machine conditioning in the area of banknote production is highlighted. The inspection of banknotes is a high labour intensive process, where traditionally every note on every sheet is inspected manually. Machines for the automatic inspection and authentication of banknotes have been on the market for the past 10 to 12 years, but recent developments in technology have enabled a new generation of detectors and machines to be developed. However, as more and more print techniques and new security features are established, total quality, security in banknote printing as well as proper machine conditions must be assured (Brown, 2004). Therefore, this factor necessitates amplification of a sensorial concept in general. Such systems can be used to enhance the stability of inspection and condition results for user convenience while improving machine reliability. During printed product manufacturing, measures are typically taken to ensure a certain level of printing quality. This is particularly true in the field of security printing, where the quality standards, which must be reached by the end-products, i.e. banknotes, security documents and the like, are very high. Quality inspection of printed products is conventionally limited to the optical inspection of the printed product. Such optical inspection can be performed as an off-line process, i.e. after the printed product has been processed in the printing press, or, more frequently, as an in-line process, i.e. on the printing press, where the printing operation is carried out. Usually only the existence or appearance of colours and their textures are checked by an optical inspection system. 14