Abstract: A test source that combines infrared energy and visible light to produce a uniform output of energy in the visible and infrared spectra is disclosed. The test source includes an infrared energy source and a visible light source. The infrared energy source has a white coating thereon. The visible light source emits visible light onto the infrared light source, which generates a combination of infrared energy and visible light outwardly into the surrounding atmosphere.

Abstract: A test source that combines infrared energy and visible light to produce a uniform output of energy in the visible and infrared spectra is disclosed. The test source includes an infrared energy source and a visible light source. The infrared energy source has a white coating thereon. The visible light source emits visible light onto the infrared light source, which generates a combination of infrared energy and visible light outwardly into the surrounding atmosphere.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for verifying the operating accuracy of an instrument (10) for detecting the concentration of a medically significant component of a body fluid. The instrument (10) operates by determining the remission of a reacted chemistry contained on a substrate (106) after the chemistry has reacted with the medically significant component of the body fluid. The instrument (10) includes a radiation source (182), a radiation detector (300) and a pathway (164) from the radiation source (182) to the chemistry (106) and from the chemistry (106) to the radiation detector (300) when the substrate (106) is properly inserted into the instrument (10). The remission of the chemistry (106) determines the radiation detected by the radiation detector (300).

Abstract: An instrument for analyzing test strips supporting chemistries which react with a medically significant component of a body fluid to indicate the concentration of the component in the body fluid. The instrument includes a pathway along which radiation is guided from a radiation source to a strip when the strip is inserted into the instrument and along which remission is guided from the strip to a radiation detector. A title provided on the instrument provides a first remission when no strip is inserted into the instrument. The tile is separated from the radiation source by the strip when the strip is inserted into the instrument. The first remission and the strip's remission, respectively, indicate the absence and the presence of the strip in the instrument. The strip also has a surface opposite the chemistry supporting surface characterized by a second strip remission different from the first strip remission.

Abstract: Apparatus sorts articles according to any combination of plural criteria, including volume or diameter, length, shape, weight, color, density and surface quality. A light sensitive dynamic random access memory and novel processing circuitry are utilized for providing indications of the article's volume, diameter and length.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for grading generally spherical articles, and specifically fruit such a oranges, which do not orient along a predetermined axis when rotated on a roller conveyor comprises a pair of side scan cameras disposed on opposite sides of the fruit. An overhead camera provides plural data signals representative of the surface quality of the fruit. The side scan cameras provide data indicative of the surface quality of side portions of the fruit. A processor and processing algorithm computes a surface quality indication based upon the data from the overhead camera and modifies the surface quality indication depending upon the data provided by the side scan cameras.

Abstract: A method of operating an article sorting machine automatically adjusts weight cutoff values defining size grades to compensate for variations in weight distribution of the articles. The method comprises the steps of monitoring the actual average weight of the articles classified into each size grade, periodically comparing the actual average weight of the articles classified into each size grade to values indicative of the desired average weight of the articles classified into each size grade, and modifying ones of the weight cutoff values if the actual average weight of the articles classified into selected ones of the size grades differs from the desired average weight of the articles to be classified into the selected ones of the size grades.

Abstract: Diverter apparatus for rapidly and gently diverting articles, typically fruit, from a moving conveyor. The apparatus comprises an ejector lever member, an air cylinder assembly, and a stationary ejector lever mount, the two former sharing a common pivot point while each of the two is pivotable with respect to each other while pivoting on pivot pins mounted to the stationary mount. The working end of the ejector lever is caused to swing arcuately over a certain distance to divert the fruit when the piston rod of the air cylinder assembly travels a much shorter distance, thus permitting very rapid cycling of the diverter. Diverting and retraction strokes of the piston are controlled by air from a solenoid valve, the solenoid valve receiving control signals from a computer controlled relay.