Ambient light sensing apparatus and method for a produce data collector

A produce recognition system comprising:

• a produce data collector including
• a light source for illuminating a produce item;
• a spectrometer for obtaining spectral data from a produce item adjacent an aperture in the spectrometer, including a photodetector which has a first receiving angle for incident light through the aperture;
• an ambient light sensing apparatus including an image capture device having a second receiving angle which is larger than the first receiving angle;
• and
• control circuitry for operating the light source and spectrometer when ambient light levels sensed by the ambient light sensing apparatus fall below a predetermined minimum level;
• and
• a computer which compares the spectral data with reference spectral data to determine a number of candidate identifications for the produce item.

A method of activating a produce data collector comprising the steps of:

• determining an average dark level with an aperture in the produce data collector covered;
• receiving light signals from an image capture device in the produce data collector;
• determining an average light level;
• comparing the average dark level to the average light level;
• and
• if the average light level is within a predetermined distance of the average dark level, activating the produce data collector.

A method of identifying a produce item comprising the steps of:

• determining an average dark level with an aperture in the produce data collector covered;
• receiving light signals from an image capture device in the produce data collector;
• determining an average light level;
• comparing the average dark level to the average light level;
• and
• if the average light level is within a predetermined distance of the average dark level, activating the produce data collector, and comparing produce information obtained from the produce data collector with reference produce information to obtain a list of candidate identifications.