Abstract: Apparatus for sorting articles having a roller conveyor for moving articles through an inspection region where they are scanned by a camera. From the scans, the position of boundaries of the articles is determined so that the existence and location of the articles can be identified. Color counts, representative of the color of the articles are made from the scans and are correlated with the appropriate article identified. Load cells produce weight information which is similarly correlated with the appropriate articles. The information is fed to a processor which is arranged to track the articles through the inspection region and is arranged to route the articles differently in accordance with the color counts and/or weight information correlated therewith.

Abstract: Apparatus for transporting articles (32) includes a plurality of spaced, substantially parallel axles (4) coupled for movement by an endless chain drive. Each axle (4) extends substantially transversely to the direction of movement and has a number of carriages (2) coupled thereto. The carriages (2) are spaced along, and pivotably mounted on the respective axle (4). Each carriage (2) has a skid member (10) supporting two pairs of wheels, the first pair of wheels being carried by the respective axle (4). The articles are supported on the wheels (6,8) as the carriages are pulled along on their skid members (10) over an appropriate support. If it is required to inspect the articles, the wheels are brought into contact with elongate support members (20, 22) so that they are rotated and thereby rotate the article carried thereby. Deposit of an article is achieved by removing support from the respective carriages (2) so that the carriage pivots relative to said axle (4).

Abstract: A method of color detection, in which electrical signals derived from two quantities, preferably orthogonal quantities, for example (R-L) and (B-L) are digitized. A time-shift is applied to the signals, either before or after digitization, and a difference signal is formed between each original signal, and its time-shifted counterpart. The difference signals are then used as a key to a "lookup" table, to provide an output only when specified combinations of the two difference signals are encountered.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cutting dark portions such as blemishes from articles such as potato stick. In order to detect the blemishes the articles are conveyed through an inspection station by a conveyor having a plurality of rollers arranged perpendicular to the direction of conveyor. The rollers are rotated thereby rotating the articles as they are conveyed through the inspection station so that each side of the articles may be inspected. The inspection station utilizes a raster scan television camera and output signals therefrom are used to actuate one of a plurality of cutting devices in order to sever from the articles those portions containing blemishes. The severed portions containing blemishes are thereafter separated from the remainder of the articles by either a screen or by air jets.

Abstract: Sorting apparatus, e.g. for root vegetables such as potatoes, comprises a roller table conveyor which has an inspection area onto which a video camera is directed. An operator uses a hand-held probe or wand incorporating a light source and provided with a pressure-sensitive switch in its tip. The switch is actuated by touching a selected article in the inspection area. The position of the wand as indicated by light is given in the video signals fed from the camera to a control circuit to which the switch is also connected. The control circuit also receives speed indicating signals from the conveyor and it provides control signals to operate a finger bank to selectively deflect those articles indicated by a touch of the wand. Provision may be made for a plurality of wands to be used at the same time, each wand having an individually modulated light.

Abstract: Potatoes carried on a roller table conveyor are presented in transverse rows at an inspection area illuminated by a lamp from a first direction and observed by a line imaging camera along a second direction arranged by a mirror to be approximately at right angles to the first direction. The camera scans repeatedly across each row and provides an output detection signal representing the reflected radiation. The camera observes a sharply illuminated boundary of the potatoes against a dark background a micro-computer processes the detection signal to provide an information signal representative of the length of a potato along the direction of its row. Size grading, for example, may be effected by directing potatoes along different routes by deflecting fingers controlled in dependence upon the information signal. An operator may observe potatoes in the inspection area by means of a television camera and monitor, and may indicate by a lightpen a potato to be rejected by the subsequent deflecting fingers.

Abstract: In apparatus for sorting potatoes a roller table conveyor conveys potatoes beneath a television camera which produces on a television monitor screen a picture of an inspection area of the roller table. An operator watching the monitor screen selects potatoes to be rejected by pointing a light pen at the monitor screen. The light pen feeds to a microcomputer a signal indicative of the light pen position on the television monitor screen, which corresponds to a transient position of the potato in the inspection area. Sensors deriving signals from sprocket-wheels coupled to the conveyor feed to the microcomputer a signal dependent upon the conveyor speed, and the microcomputer actuates selectively a bank of deflector fingers to deflect reject potatoes. The choice of deflector fingers actuated is determined by one orthogonal co-ordinate of the light pen, and the timing of actuation of the deflector fingers is determined by the other orthogonal co-ordinate of the light pen and the speed of the conveyor.

Abstract: An article sorting apparatus provides a continual indicator stream which is directed by operation of an indicator member onto a selected article of several articles conveyed through an inspection area. The position of the indicator member when the stream impinges on it is detected to generate a position-dependent signal which is fed to a deflector to deflect the selected article from the path followed by the other articles.