Method and apparatus for detecting damage in plant products
AssigneeSunkist Growers, Inc.
InventorsJuan Ibarra, James Sheffler, Matias Gonzales, Richard Heck, Henry Affeldt
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Abstract
A method and apparatus of sorting plant products based on damage to the plant products is disclosed. A beam emitter emits an illumination light toward the outer surface of a plant product. A beam detector detects substantially a single wavelength of a reflected light produced by the plant product responsive to the illumination light. A control unit determines at least one of a presence, an amount, and a severity of damage responsive to the reflected light. The control unit assigns a damage category to the plant product responsive to the determination of damage.
Claims58
A method of sorting plant products based on damage to the plant products, the method comprising the steps of:
- emitting an illumination light toward an outer surface of a plant product;
- detecting substantially a single wavelength of a reflected light produced by the plant product responsive to the illumination light;
- determining at least one of a presence, an amount, and a severity of damage responsive to the reflected light;
- and
- assigning a damage category to the plant product responsive to the determination of damage.
An apparatus for inspecting plant products for damage to the plant products, comprising:
- a first beam emitter for providing a first illumination light to a plant product;
- a first beam detector for detecting substantially a single wavelength of first reflected light from the plant product and responsively producing a first reflection signal;
- and
- a control unit for receiving at least one first reflection signal and responsively assigning a damage category to the plant product;
- wherein
- the control unit determines at least one of a presence, an amount, and a severity of damage responsive to the first reflection signal and assigns the damage category to the plant product responsive to the determination of damage.
An apparatus for sorting plant products based on damage, comprising:
- means for determining, responsive to substantially a single wavelength of light, at least one of a presence, an amount, and a severity of damage to a surface of the plant product;
- and
- means for sorting the plant products into one of two or more damage categories responsive to the determination of damage.
An apparatus for scanning a plant product to detect damage to the plant product, comprising:
- at least one beam emitter for providing an illumination light to the plant product;
- at least one beam detector for detecting a reflected light from the plant product and responsively producing at least one reflection signal;
- and
- a control unit for receiving the at least one reflection signal and responsively generating a plant product image;
- wherein the reflected light has substantially a single wavelength and wherein damage to the plant product is detected responsive to the plant product image.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.