Apparatus and method for determining the volume, form and weight of objects

A method for assessing an object with an apparatus comprising:

• a camera located above and aimed at a conveyor belt;
• a mirror adjacent the conveyor belt positioned to reflect to the camera an image of an object on the conveyor belt;
• and
• a processor, connected to the camera for determining the volume form and weight of the object by combining a direct image of the object received directing by the camera and a reflected profile image;
• the method comprising the steps of:
• recording a direct image of an object traveling below the camera on the conveyor belt;
• recording a reflected image of an object traveling below the camera on the conveyor belt such that the direct image and reflected image are recorded simultaneously and the reflected image is from a direction at substantially right angles to the direction of the direct image and to a direction of movement of the conveyor belt;
• transmitting the image data to the processor;
• and
• combining image data and other data including speed of the conveyor belt, a form factor and density of the object to determine at least one of the volume, weight and form of the object.

An apparatus for assessing an object comprising:

• a camera positioned above and aimed at a surface of a conveyor belt to receive a direct image of the object;
• a mirror positioned along side and parallel with the conveyor belt at an angle to project a profile image of an object on the conveyor belt under, the camera into a lens of the camera;
• means, connected to the camera, for determining at least one of the volume, form and weight of the object by combining the direct image of the object received by the camera and the profile image;
• and
• means for sorting objects on the basis of one or more of the volume, form and weight of the object determined by the determining means.

A method for assessing an object with an apparatus comprising:

• a camera located above and aimed at a conveyor belt;
• a mirror adjacent the conveyor belt positioned to reflect to the camera an image of an object on the conveyor belt;
• and
• a processor, connected to the camera for determining the volume form and weight of the object by combining a direct image of the object received directing by the camera and a reflected profile image;
• the method comprising the steps of:
• recording a direct image of an object traveling below the camera on the conveyor belt;
• recording a reflected image of an object traveling below the camera on the conveyor belt such that the direct image and reflected image are recorded simultaneously and the reflected image is from a direction at substantially right angles to the direction of the direct image and to a direction of movement of the conveyor belt;
• transmitting the image data to the processor;
• and
• combining image data and other data including speed of the conveyor belt, the form factor and density of the object to determine at least one of the volume, weight and form of the object;
• and
• sorting object based on at least one of the volume, form and weight of the object determined in the combining steps.