Abstract: A system for detection of fraud attempts in reverse vending machine, which includes one radiation emitting device for illuminating a food or beverage container being received by the reverse vending machine, one radiation detection device configured to detect radiation reflected at and/or transmitted through and/or emitted from the food or beverage container in response to the illumination, one processing unit configured to: receive information corresponding to the detected radiation from the at least one radiation detecting device; analyze the information to determine the existence of additional radiation, which additional radiation is not received from valid food or beverage containers, and upon determination of the existence of the additional radiation classify the food or beverage container as fraudulent; as well as a reverse vending machine provided with such a system and a corresponding method.

Abstract: A reverse vending machine, including: a chamber adapted to receive an object returned to the reverse vending machine; a plurality of cameras arranged around the perimeter of the chamber for viewing said object; a transparent or translucent plate arranged such that the cameras in use view the object obliquely through the transparent or translucent plate; and means adapted to couple light into the plate such that the light undergoes total internal reflection in the plate. Also, a method of detecting dirt in a reverse vending machine.

Abstract: A system for imaging an object, the system including: a detection zone; a first unit adapted to selectively emit radiation of at least one first wavelength and radiation of at least one second, different wavelength for at least partly illuminating the object in the detection zone; a second unit adapted to capture at least partial images of the illuminated object; and an aperture placed in an optical path between the detection zone and the second unit. The aperture includes: a first, central area adapted to transmit radiation of at least the first wavelength(s) and the second wavelength(s); and a second area surrounding said first area, which second area is adapted to block radiation of the second wavelength(s), but transmit radiation of the first wavelength(s). Also, an imaging method, and use of a diaphragm in a reverse vending machine.

Abstract: A reverse vending machine, including: a chamber adapted to receive an object returned to the reverse vending machine; a plurality of cameras arranged around the perimeter of the chamber for viewing said object; a transparent or translucent plate arranged such that the cameras in use view the object obliquely through the transparent or translucent plate; and means adapted to couple light into the plate such that the light undergoes total internal reflection in the plate. Also, a method of detecting dirt in a reverse vending machine.

Abstract: A system for imaging an object, the system including: a detection zone; a first unit adapted to selectively emit radiation of at least one first wavelength and radiation of at least one second, different wavelength for at least partly illuminating the object in the detection zone; a second unit adapted to capture at least partial images of the illuminated object; and an aperture placed in an optical path between the detection zone and the second unit. The aperture includes: a first, central area adapted to transmit radiation of at least the first wavelength(s) and the second wavelength(s); and a second area surrounding said first area, which second area is adapted to block radiation of the second wavelength(s), but transmit radiation of the first wavelength(s). Also, an imaging method, and use of a diaphragm in a reverse vending machine.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, system and use of a least one sensor in a reverse vending machine for empty beverage containers for, on the sensor's detection at least one biometric feature of a person, allowing such a feature to serve as an identifying token for return value due for empty beverage containers delivered by the person to the reverse vending machine. The biometric feature is, at a return value payout point and by using at least one other sensor, redetected and re-recognized as a previously registered feature for payment of the return value in the form of a payout of the return value, credit for the return value or issuance of a lottery ticket with a stake equivalent to the return value. Said biometric feature is selected from at least one of the group consisting of: fingerprints, facial features, eye characteristics, iris features, handprints, palm line patterns, blood vessel patterns, body shape, height, weight, DNA-characteristics and voice spectrum.

Abstract: A method and a system for determining the remuneration for the return of identifiable empty packaging to a receiving point, wherein the empty packaging (7; 8) is identified with respect to at least one selected characteristic thereof, for example, dimension, type of packaging, type of material, recyclability, and deposit value, if any. The remuneration for individual types of empty packaging is related to at least two of a plurality of legal entities (10-15) which, for the return of empty packaging, are remuneration-providing and connectable to a remuneration coordinator (9) in communication with the receiving point in the form of a reverse vending machine (1), and to the remuneration level of the connected legal entities that is applicable at any given time for a particular type or particular types of empty packaging.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, system and use of a least one sensor in a reverse vending machine for empty beverage containers for, on the sensor's detection at least one biometric feature of a person, allowing such a feature to serve as an identifying token for return value due for empty beverage containers delivered by the person to the reverse vending machine. The biometric feature is, at a return value payout point and by using at least one other sensor, redetected and re-recognised as a previously registered feature for payment of the return value in the form of a payout of the return value, credit for the return value or issuance of a lottery ticket with a stake equivalent to the return value. Said biometric feature is selected from at least one of the group consisting of: fingerprints, facial features, eye characteristics, iris features, handprints, palm line patterns, blood vessel patterns, body shape, height, weight, DNA-characteristics and voice spectrum.

Abstract: A method and a system for determining the remuneration for the return of identifiable empty packaging to a receiving point, wherein the empty packaging (7; 8) is identified with respect to at least one selected characteristic thereof, for example, dimension, type of packaging, type of material, recyclability, and deposit value, if any. The remuneration for individual types of empty packaging is related to at least two of a plurality of legal entities (10-15) which, for the return of empty packaging, are remuneration-providing and connectable to a remuneration coordinator (9) in communication with the receiving point in the form of a reverse vending machine (1), and to the remuneration level of the connected legal entities that is applicable at any given time for a particular type or particular types of empty packaging.

Abstract: A method and a device for detecting containers, e.g. bottles of glass or plastics, or cans made of metal, wood, glass or plastics, which for recycling of materials thereof or reuse thereof are moved in a lying posture and with their axis parallel to direction of transport into or past a detection zone associated with a detector station containing a video camera, a video image analysis of the container being carried out by a video image analyser, and said detector station having an entrance and an exit. There is analysed a sequence of video images of the container whilst it is moved into or past the detection zone of the video camera, and it is determined position and movement of the container in a viewing region of the video camera on the basis of continuous detection of position and movement of the container in the video image.

Abstract: The method of handling an empty beverage container having a bottom end and a mouth region and includes moving the container, from a return vending machine inlet, in a direction towards an outlet thereof. Through use of the method there is detected by means of a video camera the container when moved in a lying posture into or past a detection zone of the video camera and the manner by which the container is inserted at said inlet. Further, there is determined whether the container is moved into the detection zone bottom end first or mouth region end first. If the container is delivered into the detection zone with its bottom end first, the container is transported to said outlet. If, however, the container is delivered into the detection zone with its mouth region end first, then the container is caused to be returned to the inlet.

Abstract: A device for recognising a container, such as a bottle or a can, comprising a camera and light emission means (1, 2) arranged for imaging a selected portion of the container (3). This means is connected to a processor or the like adapted for recognition, based on a camera-recorded image, of special features related to the container. To be able to use a standard type camera with limited resolution, the imaging of the container is carried out via an assembly of mirror faces (5, 6, 7, 8), which in pairs are arranged relative to one another in such manner that two areas along the longitudinal direction of the container (3) are imaged simultaneously by the camera (1).

Abstract: A method of handling an empty beverage container having opposed first and second ends of different properties, the container having an axis extending between the first and second ends, said first end defined as a bottom end of the container and said second end defined as a mouth region of the container, the method comprising the step of moving the container, from a return vending machine inlet, in a direction towards an outlet thereof. Through use of the method there is detected by means of a video camera the container when moved in a lying posture into or past a detection zone of the video camera and the manner by which the container is inserted at said inlet. Further, there is determined whether the container is moved into the detection zone with its first end first or with its second end first. If the container is delivered into the detection zone with its first end first, the container is transported to said outlet.

Abstract: A method and a device for detecting containers, e.g. bottles of glass or plastics, or cans made of metal, wood, glass or plastics, which for recycling of materials thereof or reuse thereof are moved in a lying posture and with their axis parallel to direction of transport into or past a detection zone associated with a detector station containing a video camera, a video image analysis of the container being carried out by a video image analyser, and said detector station having an entrance and an exit. There is analysed a sequence of video images of the container whilst it is moved into or past the detection zone of the video camera, and it is determined position and movement of the container in a viewing region of the video camera on the basis of continuous detection of position and movement of the container in the video image.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying a material type in an article, such as wholly or partly transparent bottle of plastic or glass, including, with the aid of a detector station, irradiating the article with rays from an infrared radiation source, detecting rays which have passed through the article non-absorbed, and then carrying out a correlation analysis of such detected rays. The article is made to pass through the detector station in a continuous or discontinuous movement. The rays from the radiation source are successively filtered by the filters consisting of wholly or partly transparent materials which have different spectral characteristics. The rays filtered by the filters and non-absorbed by the article are intercepted in order to form a sequence of measured values representing characteristic transmission signatures of the article. A correlation analysis of the signatures is carried out in relation to statistical models in order to determine the material type of the article.

Abstract: In a reverse vending apparatus for detecting containers, e.g., bottles of glass or plastic, or packaging made of metal, wood, glass or plastic which for the recycling of materials or reuse of the container are inserted in the machine and conveyed past a detector station containing a video camera, a video image analyser (125, 130) is connected to the video camera in order to analyse the video image whilst the container (B) is conveyed in lying position and with its axis parallel to the direction of transport past the video camera (109). The video analyser (125) contains a calculator component (130) for determining, when the container moves into the video image, whether the container enters the detection zone (video image) mouth (B1) (e.g., top portion or neck of bottle) (FIG. 3b) first or bottom (B2) (FIG.

Abstract: A bar code symbol reading system for reading bar code symbols disposed on rotating containers, such as cans and bottles, which have various capacities and arbitrary surfaces upon which the bar code symbols are printed. The system includes a laser scanning engine which produces a three-dimensional laser scanning pattern having unique geometrical characteristics over a predefined scanning region, within which each container is rotated. Owing to its unique geometry, the laser scanning pattern facilitates reading of bar code symbols printed on arbitrary container surfaces while rotated within the predefined scanning region. As a result of the present invention, a single bar code symbol reading system can be used to read bar code symbols that are printed on the arbitrary surfaces of cans and bottles.

Abstract: A device for generating, detecting and recognizing a contour image of a liquid container, such as at least partly transparent, colored or non-colored bottles comprising a light source, light detector means, means for directing light rays received from said light source as parallel rays transversely of a path travelled by said container, and for conveying to said light detector means light rays which are not refracted or hidden by said container, processing means connected to said light detector means for processing signals from said detector means which are indicative of such detected light rays, and means for comparing such processed signals with predetermined container feature data to recognize said contour image of the container. The means for directing light rays suitably comprises a Fresnel lens which is located at a longitudinal side of said path, and a planar mirror located at an opposite longitudinal side of said path, said light source e.g.

Abstract: A reverse vending machine for empty cans, wherein a can (21) which is delivered by a machine user is inspected in a first section (1) of the machine with regard to special characteristics, where a non-accepted can is returned to the machine user, whilst an accepted can is fed to a second section (7) for discharge into a receptacle, optionally via a compactor or shredder (17). The first section (1) consists of a first can guide having a first end (1') for can insertion, a second end (1") for can discharge, and a partially open central section (1'"). At the first end there is provided a first metal detector (2), and at the second end there is provided a second metal detector (3). An optical reader (4) is provided at a radial distance from the central portion and has its sensing field covering at least a part of the central portion, the reader reading characteristics of the can, such as a bar code applied thereon.

Abstract: A device for measuring one or a plurality of regions of an object to be able to determine one or a plurality of dimensions of said object, comprising a means (3, 1, 6) for directing a light beam towards said object, a means (6, 1, 9) for receiving light beams (8) which are reflected from said object, and a means (54, 57-64) for calculating the travel time of the beam to and from said object, with a means (56) causing the light beam to be modulated with a fixed frequency (f.sub.0), and a means (1, 2, 6) causing the light beam to sweep across said object at a defined angle/defined angles relative to a fixed plane of reference during the entire sweeping operation, the light (8) that is reflected by said object returning to intercepting means (9), via said light beam sweeping means (6, 1, 2).