A device for classifying objects, wherein it comprises a mechanical classification system and an electronic control system, the classification system comprising:
- (A) a first means for the storage of objects, organised in the form of a queue, i.e. enabling the objects to be removed in the order in which they entered, said means being provided for this purpose with a member for introducing the objects into the queue and a member for extracting the first object from the queue;
- (B) a second means for the storage of objects, organised in the form of a stack, i.e. enabling the objects to be removed in the opposite order from that in which they were inserted, said means being consequently provided with a member for introducing objects to the stack and member for extracting the first object from the stack;
- (C) a third means for storing objects, organised in a queue, i.e. able to remove the objects in the order in which they entered, said means being provided for this purpose with a member for introducing the objects into the queue and a member for extracting the first object from the queue;
- (D) means for conveying the objects to be classified, comprising an introduction branch located between an intake and the introduction member in the first storage means, a branch between the extraction member of the first means and the introduction member of the second storage means, said branch having first switching means, a branch between the extraction member of the second storage means and the introduction member of the third storage means, said branch having a second switching means, a branch between the first switching means and the second switching means, a branch between the second switching means and the introduction branch, a branch between the extraction member of the third storage means and the introduction branch, and wherein the electronic control system comprises:
- (E) means for reading a numerical code on the object passing on the introduction branch,
- (F) a control computer comprising:
- (a) a buffer input circuit connected to the reading means
- (b) a memory able to receive the codes of the different objects introduced into the classification system, said memory comprising a first zone operating in a queue in accordance with the first-in-first-out procedure, a second zone operating in a stack according to the last-in-first-out procedure, a third zone functioning as a queue, a fourth memory zone in which is stored information indicating whether there is an inversion of each code with respect to the code immediately following and a fifth zone comprising instructions, the stored codes being arranged in the first, second and third memory zones in the same way as the processed objects are respectively arranged in the first, second and third storage means;
- (c) a circuit for reading the data and instructions stored in the memory;
- (d) a logic unit performing instructions and able to control the transfer of codes from one memory zone to another in order to classify the codes in a given order in the first memory zone and for supplying control instructions able to displace the objects corresponding to said codes from one storage means to another in order to finally obtain, in the first storage means, the objects classified in the desired order;
- (e) an output buffer circuit connected to the logic unit and having 8 outputs connected to the introduction members, to the extraction members and to the two switching means.