Abstract: An apparatus for detecting matter comprises bulk feeding means configured for feeding a plurality of objects into a detecting region; at least one light source having a focusing element and being configured for illuminating at least one object moving in an object plane in the detecting region; and a first light-analyzing apparatus arranged to sense light that has been transmitted through the object. In the associated method, the object is caused to move in the plane and the object is illuminated with incident light. Light that has been transmitted through the object and is falling in a measuring plane is detected, and an object-specific parameter based on the detected transmitted light is determined.

Abstract: A peeling process and system comprising a primary peeling device; a sorting device arranged to sort product output from the primary peeling device into peeled product and partially peeled product; a secondary peeling device arranged to receive the partially peeled product output from the sorting device; and a peel control system to monitor the peel quality of product detected in at least one position after the primary peeling device and control the peeling system in response to same.

Abstract: A method for handling harvested root crops such as potatoes. The method includes the steps of optically imaging (i.e., by the hyper-spectral imaging system) a bulk flow of a harvested root crop to produce image data and analysing the image data to identify discrete objects within the bulk flow. Each identified object is categorised as either acceptable or unacceptable based on a comparison with at least one discriminator and objects classified as unacceptable are removed (by the ejector actuator) from the bulk flow to provide a sorted flow of the harvested root crop.

Abstract: A method for object classification, including: guiding a continuous stream of objects from a transport mechanism directly into an unsupported path, along which the object stream is fed through a detection region; illuminating the detection region with a radiation band in a first direction; optically scanning the detection region to detect electromagnetic radiation reflected by the at least one object in the detection region by viewing the detection region along a second direction, wherein the directions have a cross-section in the detection region and form an angle relative each other of 10°-80°; analyzing the information; and classifying objects in at least two different directions based on the analysis of the transparency information from the optical scanning; wherein the step of analyzing the information from the optical scanning includes analyzing the objects based on the intensity, spread and texture of the detected radiation from the optical scanning.

Abstract: A method for object classification, including: guiding a continuous stream of objects from a transport mechanism directly into an unsupported path, along which the object stream is fed through a detection region; illuminating the detection region with a radiation band in a first direction; optically scanning the detection region to detect electromagnetic radiation reflected by the at least one object in the detection region by viewing the detection region along a second direction, wherein the directions have a cross-section in the detection region and form an angle relative each other of 10°-80°; analyzing the information; and classifying objects in at least two different directions based on the analysis of the transparency information from the optical scanning; wherein the step of analyzing the information from the optical scanning includes analyzing the objects based on the intensity, spread and texture of the detected radiation from the optical scanning.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting matter comprises bulk feeding means configured for feeding a plurality of objects into a detecting region; at least one light source having a focusing element and being configured for illuminating at least one object moving in an object plane in the detecting region; and a first light-analyzing apparatus arranged to sense light that has been transmitted through the object. In the associated method, the object is caused to move in the plane and the object is illuminated with incident light. Light that has been transmitted through the object and is falling in a measuring plane is detected, and an object-specific parameter based on the detected transmitted light is determined.

Abstract: A method for handling harvested root crops such as potatoes. The method includes the steps of optically imaging (i.e., by the hyper-spectral imaging system) a bulk flow of a harvested root crop to produce image data and analysing the image data to identify discrete objects within the bulk flow. Each identified object is categorised as either acceptable or unacceptable based on a comparison with at least one discriminator and objects classified as unacceptable are removed (by the ejector actuator) from the bulk flow to provide a sorted flow of the harvested root crop.