Abstract: An inspection unit for performing an optical inspection on a grain to be transferred by transfer means includes a visible light source, a near-infrared light source, a visible light detection unit, and a near-infrared light detection unit. A determination unit plots wavelength components of red (R), green (G), and blue (B), and a near-infrared light component in a three-dimensional space, to create a three-dimensional optical correlation diagram, for a plurality of good product samples and defective product samples, and sets a threshold value, in which: the wavelength components are detected by the visible light detection unit; and the near-infrared light component is detected by the near-infrared light detection unit.

Abstract: A method of creating quality grade discrimination criteria in a discrimination device that determines appearance quality grades of granular materials in accordance with the present invention includes a granular material placement step of sorting the granular materials on a per-quality-grade basis and placing the granular materials on an image-capture surface of the image-capturing unit; an imaging data acquisition step of capturing images of the granular materials placed on the image-capture surface by the image-capturing unit and thereby obtaining imaging data; a quality grade information acquisition step of obtaining, on a per-quality-grade basis, pieces of quality grade information on the respective granular materials on the basis of the imaging data; and a quality grade discrimination criteria creation step of creating quality grade discrimination criteria by using the quality grade information obtained on a per-quality-grade basis.

Abstract: A method of creating quality grade discrimination criteria in a discrimination device that determines appearance quality grades of granular materials in accordance with the present invention includes a granular material placement step of sorting the granular materials on a per-quality-grade basis and placing the granular materials on an image-capture surface of the image-capturing unit; an imaging data acquisition step of capturing images of the granular materials placed on the image-capture surface by the image-capturing unit and thereby obtaining imaging data; a quality grade information acquisition step of obtaining, on a per-quality-grade basis, pieces of quality grade information on the respective granular materials on the basis of the imaging data; and a quality grade discrimination criteria creation step of creating quality grade discrimination criteria by using the quality grade information obtained on a per-quality-grade basis.

Abstract: An optical type granule sorting machine has a determination unit that includes a three-dimensional color distribution data creation section that creates data on wavelength components of R light, G light, and B light from granules in a three-dimensional color space, a Mahalanobis distance interface creation section that partitions the data into a conforming granule cluster area and a nonconforming granule cluster area, a Euclidean distance interface creation section that determines a position of center of gravity of the conforming granule cluster area and a position of center of gravity of the nonconforming granule cluster area to set an interface that allows the positions of center of gravity to lie at a longest distance from each other, a two-dimensional data conversion section that converts into two-dimensional color distribution data by using a line of intersection between the interfaces, and a threshold setting section.

Abstract: An optical type granule sorting machine has a determination unit that includes a three-dimensional color distribution data creation section that creates data on wavelength components of R light, G light, and B light from granules in a three-dimensional color space, a Mahalanobis distance interface creation section that partitions the data into a conforming granule cluster area and a nonconforming granule cluster area, a Euclidean distance interface creation section that determines a position of center of gravity of the conforming granule cluster area and a position of center of gravity of the nonconforming granule cluster area to set an interface that allows the positions of center of gravity to lie at a longest distance from each other, a two-dimensional data conversion section that converts into two-dimensional color distribution data by using a line of intersection between the interfaces, and a threshold setting section.

Abstract: A kernel component analysis device quantitatively analyzing a specific component contained in each of kernels on a kernel-by-kernel basis by spectroscopy includes: a light emitter configured to irradiate a kernel to be analyzed with light; a spectrum detector configured to detect a spectrum of light transmitted through and/or reflected from the kernel irradiated with the light; and a computing unit configured to calculate, on a kernel-by-kernel basis, a content of the specific component in the kernel to be analyzed, based on a spectrum value detected from an effective portion, which is suitable for quantitative analysis, of an image of the kernel by using a calibration curve indicating a relationship between a spectrum value at a specific wavelength and a content of the specific component.

Abstract: An optical type granule sorting machine is provided which allows a sensitivity setting to be easily performed by effectively utilizing RGB three-dimensional color space information similar to information obtained via human eyes and which enables signal processing to be substantially simplified.

Abstract: An optical type granule sorting machine is provided which allows a sensitivity setting to be easily performed by effectively utilizing RGB three-dimensional color space information similar to information obtained via human eyes and which enables signal processing to be substantially simplified.

Abstract: A kernel component analysis device quantitatively analyzing a specific component contained in each of kernels on a kernel-by-kernel basis by spectroscopy includes: a light emitter configured to irradiate a kernel to be analyzed with light; a spectrum detector configured to detect a spectrum of light transmitted through and/or reflected from the kernel irradiated with the light; and a computing unit configured to calculate, on a kernel-by-kernel basis, a content of the specific component in the kernel to be analyzed, based on a spectrum value detected from an effective portion, which is suitable for quantitative analysis, of an image of the kernel by using a calibration curve indicating a relationship between a spectrum value at a specific wavelength and a content of the specific component.

Abstract: A method that is capable of producing a vinyl chloride-based polymer having excellent thermal stability without sacrificing productivity is provided. The method includes polymerizing a vinyl chloride-based monomer in the presence of a vanadium compound (A) represented by formula: Vi(?O)jZk (wherein i is an integer of 2 to 5, j represents 0 or 1, Z represents a ligand such as is an organic ligand that can bond to the vanadium atom via a hetero atom, and a plurality of ligands Z may be bonded together to form a ring that also includes the vanadium atom as a member of the ring, and k is an integer from 1 to 5), and in the presence of at least one aluminum compound (B).