Abstract: The acceptability of images is determined by comparing each image to a template image which may be an average of several images which are known to be acceptable. The amount by which the image deviates from the template image is used as a measure of the acceptability of the image. Portions of the image at or near edges in the images may be automatically excluded from this test. Another test which includes the edge portions excluded from the first test may be performed to ensure that all portions of the image are inspected. For example, this other test may include ensuring that the correct number of edge pixels are present in the image as a whole.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring two components of an object, such as moisture content and density in a tobacco rod, using scattered electromagnetic radiation are provided. The invention relies on the fact that both the real imaginary parts of the dielectric constant of water vary greatly over frequencies in the gigahertz region while those of the remaining constitutents of tobacco do not, and particularly on the fact that, at frequencies approaching 100 GHz, the real part of the dielectric constant of water is much closer to that of many organic polymers, such as those making up tobacco, than it is at lower frequencies, and the imaginary part of the dielectric constant of water is much lower at frequencies approaching 100 GHz than it is in the region of 20 to 30 GHz. By comparing the scattering of electromagnetic radiation by the object--i.e.

Abstract: A millimeter wave detector for detecting missing cigarette packs or other types of objects in a set of objects is provided. The detector uses millimeter wave radiation at about 90 GHz to resolve small features of the objects being scanned. The detector can detect defects or missing packs in configurations that would not be detected by previously known detectors.

Abstract: An impurity detector using scattered electromagnetic radiation from a sample of bulk material. It includes a generator of a narrow beam of modulated and linearly polarized electromagnetic radiation directed toward the sample. One or more radiation detectors, the number depending on generator stability and sample characteristics, are responsive to scattered modulated radiation polarized parallel to the polarization of the radiation from the generator. The one or more detectors generate a signal indicating the intensity of such scattered, modulated, and polarized radiation representing a normal sample's angular scattering spectrum. A change in the output of the detector indicates the presence of an impurity in the sample.

Abstract: A method for employing tobacco dust in a paper-making process for the preparation of reconstituted tobacco is disclosed. The method for employing the tobacco dust comprises admixing tobacco dust with a bonding material to form a mixture, treating the mixture to form agglomerated particles, admixing the agglomerated particles with a tobacco-parts slurry and then forming the slurry into a sheet by means of a paper-making process, drying and then shredding the resultant reconstituted tobacco sheet. The smoking material obtained by such method is also described.