Imaging apparatus

An imaging apparatus for inspecting objects of interest, comprising:

• a first light source which, when selectively energized, emits non visible near infrared electromagnetic radiation which is directed towards a multiplicity of objects of interest to be inspected, and sorted, and which are moving along a given path of travel, and wherein the multiplicity of objects of interest include both acceptable and unacceptable objects of interest, and wherein the first light source is selectively energized and moves along a predetermined path of travel which is substantially transverse to the path of travel of the multiplicity of objects of interest;
• a second light source, which when selectively energized either alone, or in unison with the first light source emits predetermined invisible electromagnetic radiation which is directed towards the multiplicity of objects of interest, and along the same predetermined path of travel, and wherein the emitted electromagnetic radiation of the energized first and second light sources are reflected from the multiplicity of the objects of interest;
• an optical filter which is operable to pass predetermined bands of near infrared, and invisible electromagnetic radiation which is reflected from the multiplicity of the objects of interest;
• a camera positioned in optical receiving relation relative to the optical filter to process the invisible and near infrared electromagnetic radiation which is passed by the optical filter, and which produces a resulting image formed from both the invisible and near infrared electromagnetic radiation which is reflected from the multiplicity of objects of interest;
• a general purpose computer which receives and evaluates the resulting image formed by the camera and identifies unacceptable objects of interest within the multiplicity of objects of interest which are being inspected;
• and
• an ejector assembly operably coupled to the general purpose computer and which removes the unacceptable objects of interest which are identified by the general purpose computer.

A method for imaging an object of interest, comprising:

• providing a first optical filter for passing at least two discrete bands of electromagnetic radiation having individual wavelengths which are invisible, and near infrared;
• positioning a camera for receiving and processing the electromagnetic radiation which is passed by the first optical filter, and wherein the camera provides a resulting image formed from both of the discrete bands of electromagnetic radiation;
• providing a first light source which, when energized, emits electromagnetic radiation having near infrared wavelengths, and which is directed at an object of interest to be inspected, and then reflected back in the direction of the first optical filter;
• providing a second optical filter which passes the electromagnetic radiation which is emitted by the first light source;
• providing a second light source which, when energized, emits electromagnetic radiation having wavelengths which are invisible, and which are directed at an object of interest to be inspected, and then reflected from the object of interest in the direction of the first optical filter;
• selectively and sequentially energizing the first light source, and then the first and second light sources in unison;
• generating a first electrical signal with the camera and which corresponds to the reflected electromagnetic radiation which is generated by the first light source and which is further reflected by the object of interest and passed by the first optical filter so as to be received within the camera;
• generating a second electrical signal with the camera and which corresponds to the reflected electromagnetic radiation which is generated by the simultaneous energizing of the first and second light sources and which is passed by the first optical filter as to be received within the camera;
• and
• subtracting the second electrical signal from the first electrical signal to produce the resulting image generated by the camera.