US 5,253,765 A · Sorting and grading system

Abstract

A system for sorting randomly oriented objects of various sizes based upon the size of the object includes a transport for conveying a series of objects from an input location to one of a plurality of output locations. An image system is disposed along the transport for capturing the image of each object to be sorted. An image processor detects the minimum and maximum linear dimension of each object based upon the captured image. The image processor further determines the shape of each object based upon the captured image. The minimum or maximum linear dimension is selected based upon the shape of the object. The object is categorized by size based upon the selected minimum or maximum dimension. Structure is provided for selectively routing the object based upon the categorized object size to one of the plurality of output locations.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A system for sorting randomly oriented objects of varying sizes based upon the size of the object, the objects having minimum and maximum linear dimensions, the system comprising:

transport means for conveying the objects from an input location to one of a plurality of output locations;
means disposed along said transport means for capturing the image of each object to be sorted;
image processing means for determining the minimum and maximum linear dimension of each object based upon the captured image;
image processing means for determining the shape of each object based upon the captured image;
means for selecting either the minimum or maximum linear dimension of the object based upon the shape of the object;
means for categorizing the size of the objects based upon the selected minimum or maximum dimension and for generating a control signal;
means responsive to said control signal for selectively routing the object based upon the categorized object size to one of said plurality of output locations.

4 more elements

A system for sorting randomly oriented objects of varying sizes based upon the size of the object, the objects having minimum and maximum linear dimensions, the system comprising:

transport means for conveying the objects from an input location to one of a plurality of output locations;
means disposed along said transport means for capturing the image of each object to be sorted, said image capturing means capturing the image of the object represented by a plurality of picture elements, including boundary picture elements and picture elements within said boundary;
image processing means for determining the minimum and maximum linear dimension of each object based upon projections of said boundary pixels;
image processing means for determining the shape of each object based upon said picture elements within said boundary picture elements;
means for selecting either the minimum or maximum linear dimension of the object based upon the determined shape of the object;
means for categorizing the sizes of the object based upon the selected minimum or maximum dimension of the object and for generating a control signal;
and
means responsive to said control signal for selectively routing the object to one of said plurality of output locations based upon the size of the object.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Sorting and grading system

Life of this patent

Sorting and grading system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20