Abstract: A pellet defect inspection system using a multi color tone control, which continuously transfers pellets to detect colors of the pellets, thereby determining whether the pellets are defective, and a method for controlling the same. The pellet defect inspection system includes: a pellet defect inspection device which includes a sorter to photograph a first surface (top) and a second surface (bottom) of each of the pellets while transferring the pellets to inspect the pellets so as to separate and remove pellets that are determined as defective and transfer and load non-defective pellets to designated positions; and a multi color tone pellet inspection controller configured to photograph the first surface and the second surface of each of the pellets transferred along a lane while controlling the pellet transfer and changing an RGBW irradiation section so as to analyze and determine an image.

Abstract: Apparatus for treating plastic preforms, having a reservoir which is configured for receiving a plurality of plastic preforms, having at least one first transport device which transports the plastic preforms out of the reservoir, and having a sorting device which is arranged down-stream of the first transport device in a transport direction of the plastic preforms, and having at least one further transport device which is arranged downstream of the sorting device in the transport direction, wherein the apparatus has an inspection device for inspecting the transported plastic performs, arranged between the reservoir and the sorting device.

Abstract: A cell sorting system that automatically generates a sorting strategy based on examples of target events provided by an operator. The target events can be selected using measurements ranging from traditional flow cytometry measurements to derived measurements that are computationally expensive to complex measurements such as images.

Abstract: Systems and methods for classifying and sorting of plastic materials utilizing a vision system and one or more sensor systems, which may implement a machine learning system in order to identify or classify each of the materials, which may then be sorted into separate groups based on such an identification or classification.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a cell photographing and conveying apparatus, including a cell feeding workstation, a detection workstation, a manipulator and an image acquisition device. The manipulator transfers a cell from the cell feeding workstation to the detection workstation. The image acquisition device includes ultraviolet lamps, illumination lamps, and cameras, where the ultraviolet lamps are used for emitting ultraviolet light to the detection workstation. By means of the cell photographing and conveying apparatus, a relatively complete appearance image of the cell can be acquired, thus ensuring detection accuracy.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein relate to hardware and software for waste item detection and recognition, along with an education or feedback system. Embodiments described herein use artificial intelligence, which embodies machine learning and computer vision, to detect waste items and generate feedback to nudge the user to dispose the waste items into appropriate receptacles while generating smart operational insights of a designated premise.

Abstract: A first imaging unit obtains an image of at least one of a jet flow, droplets or satellite drops. Based on a feature value of the at least one of the jet flow, the droplets or the satellite drops in the image, a controller controls a timing of starting to supply charges from a charge supply unit to a final jet flow droplet in one period of vibrations of a vibration element or an amplitude of a drive voltage applied to the vibration element so as to cause variation of a side stream to fall within a reference range.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for detecting light having a specified or first wavelength. The apparatus includes a substrate that generates charge separation in the presence of light having the first wavelength. An active material is deposited onto the substrate. The active material is configured to conduct current in the presence of light having a second wavelength. Two electrodes are connected to the active material. Light having the second wavelength is constantly applied to the active material and the current is monitored via the electrodes. The active material will conduct zero or minimal current via the electrodes if the substrate does not generate charge separation. Detection the presence of light having the first wavelength may be detected upon the detection of current via the two electrodes. The first wavelength may be non-visible light and the second wavelength may be visible light.

Abstract: A trash sorting and recycling method, a trash sorting device and a trash sorting and recycling system are provided. The trash sorting and recycling method includes: acquiring a detection image of trash to be sorted; processing the detection image with a deep learning neural network to judge whether or not the trash to be sorted belongs to recyclable trash; if yes, sending a first control signal, to control to deliver the trash to be sorted into a recycling region; if no, sending a second control signal, to control to deliver the trash to be sorted into a non-recycling region.

Abstract: A microparticle sorting microchip for a flow cytometer is provided to enable sorting of microparticles at higher speed, higher purity, and higher acquisition rate. The microparticle sorting microchip includes a main channel through which a microparticle-containing fluid flows, a trap channel coaxially communicating with the main channel, a trap chamber communicating with the trap channel, and a gate channel intersecting the trap channel. The trap channel has an opening intersecting the gate channel. The trap channel has a smaller cross-sectional area upstream of the opening than downstream of the opening along a direction in which the microparticle-containing fluid flows.

Abstract: A facial recognition process operating on a device may include one or more processes that determine if a camera and/or components associated with the camera are obstructed by an object (e.g., a user's hand or fingers). Obstruction of the device may be assessed using flood infrared illumination images when a user's face is not able to be detected by a face detection process operating on the device. Obstruction of the device may also be assessed using a pattern detection process that operates after the user's face is detected by the face detection process. When obstruction of the device is detected, the device may provide a notification to the user that the device (e.g., the camera and/or an illuminator) is obstructed and that the obstruction should be removed for the facial recognition process to operate correctly.

Abstract: There is provided a microchip comprising: a main flow path through which a liquid containing microparticles flows; and a branch flow path that branches from the main flow path. A cross-sectional area of a portion of the main flow path is substantially constant up to a branch start position or decreases toward the branch start position, and a radius of curvature R of a side wall that connects a side wall of the main flow path and a side wall of the branch flow path is 0.5 mm or less and more than 0 mm.

Abstract: Automated tray handling systems and methods may include robotic systems having various end effectors to move trays relative to item sortation systems. For example, the robotic systems may include robotic arms and gantry systems. In addition, the various end effectors may include dual end effectors and passthrough end effectors. The dual end effectors may lift, move, and place trays by engaging and clamping onto flanges of the trays. The passthrough end effectors may lift, move, and place trays through an interior of the end effectors by engaging and pulling or pushing flanges, edges, or other surfaces of the trays. The various automated tray handling systems and methods may increase the speed and efficiency of such processes while also reducing or minimizing the space required for such systems.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating horticultural products, such as blueberries and the like, includes in series at least one station for loading the horticultural products, at least one preliminary checking station, at least one alignment station, for their subsequent advancement aligned on at least one row, at least one viewing station, for acquiring information related to at least one parameter of interest of each horticultural product, such as the color, size, shape, sugar content, defectiveness, and the like, at least one distribution station, for sorting the products into uniform subgroups, as a function of the information acquired by the viewing station, and at least one recirculation apparatus for returning, at least to the viewing station, any horticultural products that have not been sorted by the distribution station.

Abstract: A device and method for reliably and accurately detecting impurities in a bulk material comprising two opposing tunnel sections arranged such that a bulk material stream flows between or through the tunnel sections. At least one of the tunnel sections has a lighting means configured for indirectly illuminating the bulk material stream. Furthermore, an optical detector receives the light emitted from the illuminated bulk material. The lighting means and optical detector are configured about the tunnel sections such that the optical radiation optical radiation does not pass directly from the lighting means to the bulk material, nor from the bulk material stream to the optical detector An evaluation apparatus, responsive to measured data from the optical detector, identifies impurities in the bulk material. The invention moreover relates to a method for operating such a device.

Abstract: A system for the optical detection of objects includes a first source for generating light, microwaves, or ultrasound of a first wavelength. An object is illuminated by the light, the microwaves, or the ultrasound, wherein the illumination is distorted by the object. The system further includes at least one color light source for the generation of color light of a second wavelength, wherein the same object is illuminated by the color light of the color light source. The first wavelength is different from the second wavelength. Further, a sensor is provided for the detection of the object illuminated by the first source, and a second sensor is provided for the detection of the color light generated by the color light source, which is reflected by the object.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting aggregates or similar includes a conveyor belt for aggregates or similar and an actuating mechanism actuating advancement of the conveyor belt. The apparatus includes a plurality of thermal cameras positioned along the development of the conveyor belt and configured to detect the temperature of the conveyor belt in a plurality of detection positions positioned along the development of the conveyor belt. The apparatus further includes a processing and control unit communicating data with each one of thermal cameras of the plurality of thermal cameras to receive input temperature data detected by each thermal camera. The processing and control unit is configured to estimate the extent and origin position of an overheating phenomenon of the conveyor belt on the basis of the temperature detected in correspondence of at least two detection positions of the plurality of detection positions.

Abstract: An electronic device and method are disclosed herein. An electronic device includes one or more biometric sensors, a memory configured to store an authentication setting table associated with one or more authentication methods associated with one or more authentication levels, and a processor operatively connected to the memory and the one or more biometric sensors. The processor implements the method, including: receive authentication level information associated with a function executed by the electronic device, select at least one authentication method of the one or more authentication methods matching an authentication level indicated by the received authentication level information, and perform user authentication based on the selected at least one authentication method through the one or more biometric sensors.

Abstract: A method for the separation of fat from meat. The method includes providing individual pieces of meat containing lean and fat; subjecting the individual pieces of meat to cooling for a time sufficient to produce a difference in temperature between the fat and lean, wherein the fat is cooled such that the fat is friable and crumbles into finer particulates when subjected to a crushing force and the lean is cooled to a higher temperature than the fat and the lean is able to withstand a similar crushing force without substantially crumbling into smaller particulates; and with the fat and lean at the temperatures produced, subjecting the individual pieces of meat to a crushing force to separate particulates of fat from the individual pieces of meat.

Abstract: An apparatus for exposing an object to radio-frequency energy includes a conveyor, an radio-frequency generator, and a control system configured to automatically perform an operation. During the operation, the control system is configured to control the radio-frequency generator to apply radio-frequency energy to the object for a predetermined amount of time. Further, the conveyor rotates the objects as the object is conveyed through the radio-frequency energy.

Abstract: A medicine identification and sorting system is disclosed, which includes an image capturing system for creating a digital image of at least a portion of a target medicine, and an image processing system for comparing said created target medicine image with reference medicine images in a reference medicine image database to identify and/or then sort the medicine from a mixture of medicines.

Abstract: An object detector including a light-emitting system to emit light to an object, a light detector, a signal detector, and a threshold adjuster. The light detector receives the light emitted from the light-emitting system and reflected by the object, and output a signal. The signal detector detects the signal output from the light detector based on a threshold value of voltage. The threshold adjuster changes the threshold value between when the light-emitting system emits light to a part of a light-emission range of the light-emitting system and when the light-emitting system emits light to other part of the light-emission range other than the part of the light-emission range.

Abstract: A method of sorting is described and which includes a step of acquiring a multiplicity of synchronized image signals of a product stream which is to be sorted; generating a multiplicity of fused sensor signals; forming an image model previously acquired from the objects to be sorted; identifying objects in the product stream, and generating object presence and defect signals; determining a spatial orientation of the objects in the product stream; detecting the defects and removing the defects from the product stream.

Abstract: An inspection system is provided with an inspection device configured to examine the external features of an object; and a control device for controlling the inspection device; the inspection device including: a substantially column-shaped first barrel that includes a first through hole configured for an object to pass therethrough; and a plurality of imaging units provided on the inner peripheral surface which forms the first through hole in the first barrel; and the control device including: an image processing unit configured to process an image captured and output by each of the imaging units for the purpose of inspection.

Abstract: A system for identifying particular items in a stream of items and for deflecting that type of item from the stream to a different destination. In one embodiment, an LC resonant circuit including an array of coils is transversely disposed across the path and resonates in response to passing metallic items, wherein metal detection signals having an amplitude and a phase are generated. A graphical user interface enables user input with respect to an x-y graph defining amplitude-phase delineations and an ejection zone for the type of metallic item. A controller determines, for each generated metal detection signal, whether a corresponding metallic item is the defined type of metallic item and further within the defined ejection zone, and causes one or more ejectors to controllably eject the corresponding metallic item from the stream to a second destination.

Abstract: Provided are a microparticle sorting device, and a method and a program for sorting microparticles capable of stabilizing sorting performance over a prolonged period of time. The microparticle sorting device includes an imaging element and a controller. The imaging element obtains an image of fluid and fluid droplets at a position where the fluid discharged from an orifice which generates a fluid stream is converted into the fluid droplets. The controller controls driving voltage of an oscillation element which gives oscillation to the orifice and/or controls a position of the imaging element based on a state of the fluid in the image and/or a state of a satellite fluid droplet. The satellite fluid droplet does not include microparticles and exists between the position, where the fluid is converted into the fluid droplets, and a fluid droplet, among fluid droplets including the microparticles, which is closest to the position where the fluid is converted into the fluid droplets.

Abstract: This invention relates to a system and method for detecting the curved surfaces of fruit using a flash and camera system and automated image analysis. Lighting upon fruit is controlled, with a flash or multiple flashes positioned beside the camera illuminate the fruit. The flash causes a strong specular reflectance at the center of curved fruit (such as apples, grapes, or avocados, among others). From this point of specular reflectance, pixel intensity decreases steadily toward the edges of curved fruit. The method searches the images to find points of specular reflectance surrounded by curved shaded regions belonging to the curved fruit and can detect fruit of various sizes and scales within image.

Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting foreign material within a product stream in real-time, involve illuminating a portion of the agricultural product stream with light spanning a wavelength range including or within near-infrared and/or shortwave infrared wavelengths; scanning a line of the illuminated agricultural product stream to acquire a hyperspectral image of the line, the hyperspectral image of the line having a width of a single pixel; processing the hyperspectral image of the scanned line to obtain spectrum data for one or more pixels of the hyperspectral image of the scanned line; comparing the obtained spectrum data of the one or more pixels to predetermined spectrum data to determine whether the obtained spectrum data is indicative of foreign material within the scanned line of the agricultural product stream.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of measuring a 3D profile of an article moving on a conveyor in a certain conveying direction, which method includes a step consisting in using an optical sensor to scan, by triangulation, a laser line projected onto the article moving on the conveyor. The method further includes a step of using the optical sensor to scan, by contrast difference, the article moving on the conveyor, and a step of making combined use of the results of the scans by triangulation and of the scans by contrast difference in a data processor unit for the purpose of measuring the 3D profile of the article.

Abstract: An object detection apparatus is described and which includes an image capturing device; a source of electromagnetic radiation which is directed towards and reflected from an object passing through a field of view; a background located in spaced relation relative to the image capturing device, and wherein the field of view is located between the image capturing device and the background; and an electromagnetic radiation detector is positioned in electromagnetic receiving relation relative to the background and which is operable to generate a signal which indicates the presence of an object passing through the field of view.

Abstract: A medicine identification and sorting system is disclosed, which includes an image capturing system for creating a digital image of at least a portion of a target medicine, and an image processing system for comparing said created target medicine image with reference medicine images in a reference medicine image database to identify and/or then sort the medicine from a mixture of medicines.

Abstract: A controller for a harvester. The controller is configured to receive crop flow information representative of how crop is flowing through the harvester and generate display information for providing a visual display to an operator of the harvester. The visual display includes an animation of crop flowing through the harvester. The controller is further configured to set one or more properties of the animation of the crop flowing through the harvester based on the received crop flow information.

Abstract: A waste plastic container recycling system and a method thereof are provided for determining whether the spectrum of a waste container to be recycled belongs to any one of spectrums of plastic materials and for classifying waste containers of different plastic materials since the plastic materials have the different spectral characteristics. Accordingly, the waste plastic container recycling system and the method thereof can accurately recognize the waste containers of different plastic materials regardless of the appearance, or damage, deformation or concealment of the label on the waste containers.

Abstract: A method for classifying sugar beet seeds, comprising the steps of measuring an IR-spectrum of each seed, preferably sugar beet seeds, classifying seeds according to their IR-spectrum, wherein the seed-class differs from other seed-classes by a quality of composition, wherein said quality of composition is reflected in a specific IR-spectrum. In one embodiment the seeds are sorted according to their classification by a sorting means.

Abstract: A high speed fluid switch is used to separate desired particles from a source stream containing particles, such as cells. A droplet generator creates and regulates a stream of droplets, which intersects with a source stream containing the particles to be sorted. The stream of droplets can be regulated such that portions of the source stream containing desired particles are deflected into a collection vessel, or such that portions of the source stream containing desired particles are permitted to pass uninterrupted. The high speed fluid switch may be implemented on a microfluidic chip.

Abstract: An inspection system is configured for use with a conveyer apparatus including carrier bars. Each carrier bar conveys pellet-shaped articles along a predetermined path. The inspection system includes at least one camera unit for sensing a predetermined characteristic of the pellet-shaped articles, a removal unit, and a controller. The removal unit, downstream from the at least one camera unit, removes selected pellet-shaped article(s) from the carrier bar(s) depending on whether the characteristic is sensed by the at least one camera unit. The controller is in communication with the at least one camera unit and the removal unit. The controller provides a signal to the removal unit in accordance with the sensed characteristic. The removal unit includes a rotatable ejection drum having extended vacuum nozzles along its length, equal to the number of articles conveyed in each carrier bar. Each vacuum nozzle selectively removes article(s) from the carrier bar(s) by suction.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for separating a seed aliquot from a bulk sample and preparing the seed aliquot for downstream research purposes is provided. The system embodiments may comprise a counter device, which is configured to receive at least a portion of the bulk sample and to separate the seed aliquot from the portion of the bulk sample, and a packaging device, which is configured to receive the separated seed aliquot and to dispense the aliquot into an aliquot container. Other embodiments may include a conveyor system for advancing the bulk sample and/or seed aliquot along a conveyance path that may be determined from a research protocol received from an input source. Various embodiments of the present invention may maintain an identity of the seed aliquot as it is advanced along the conveyance path and may selectively subject the seed aliquot to a variety of processing steps in accordance with the research protocol with little or no manual control or supervision.

Abstract: Method for the inspection and sorting of pistachios through artificial vision means and by the rotation of the pistachios around their axis; thereby obtaining multiple images of different views of said pistachios. At the inspection stage, an analysis of every image is carried out for detecting the opening edges of the pistachio; the opening edges length and width are measured and the pistachio is sorted according to pre-established values for the length and width of the opening edges. Finally, the pistachios are conveyed through endless means from the inspection unit for collection, and the pistachios sorted by the inspection unit according to pre-established values for the length and width of the opening edges are ejected endlessly.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to classification of a material type of an object. A first phase applies an object classifier and a material classifier to obtain first object and material probabilities of the object. A second phase applies an interdependent object/material classifier to the first object and material probabilities to obtain further object and material class probabilities. The interdependent object/material classifier performs multiple iterations of calculating the further object and material class probabilities, and utilizes feedback in which an immediately preceding calculated prior further object class probability is included in a next iteration of calculating a further material class probability, and an immediately preceding calculated prior further material class probability is included in a next iteration of calculating a further object class probability.

Abstract: A detection apparatus for detecting foreign substances or defective goods, with which it is easy to accomplish inspection even if the inspection objects have a shape that tends to allow rolling, comprises: transparent members 11 and 12, partitions 21 and 22, a supplying unit 30, cameras 41 and 42, a control unit 50. A removing apparatus 1, which includes such detection apparatus, comprises a suction controller 60 and suction nozzles 61 to 68. While the partitions 21, 22 move around, inspection objects A are each put in each cell of the partitions 21, 22, and are photographed by the cameras 41 and 42, from above and below the transparent members 11, 12, respectively. The images obtained by such photographing are analyzed, and foreign substances or defective goods mingling in the inspection objects A are detected. The foreign substances or defective goods are separated from the conforming goods by selectively sucking the inspection objects A with the suction nozzles 61 to 64.

Abstract: An optical robotic sorting method and apparatus for identifying and sorting a product is provided. In the preferred embodiment, the method comprises the steps of illuminating the product with a light source, imaging the product using at least one imaging device, analyzing the image, and activating a robotic sorter to sort the product.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a sheet insert device includes a cassette having a plurality of containing portions each of which contains a plurality of sheets in a vertically stacked state, a moving structure to move the cassette so that the plurality of containing portions are arranged in turn at a pulling-out position, a grip arm to grip the plurality of sheets contained in the containing portion arranged at the pulling-out position in the stacking direction, and a transferring structure which moves the grip arm, to pull out the plurality of sheets at the pulling-out position which are gripped by the grip arm from the containing portion, and transfers the plurality of sheets to a sheet loading part without changing the posture.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of handling portions comprising a respective at least one slice, wherein the slices have been produced by slicing food products, wherein the portions are conveyed, in particular line-wise, one after the other in a main conveying stream along a conveying direction, wherein incomplete portions, in particular portions low in weight, are automatically recognized and/or classified, wherein incomplete portions are expelled from the main conveying stream and are supplied to a correction station in a correction stream, wherein incomplete portions are respectively completed by at least one single slice which is removed from a slice store with the aid of an automatic transfer unit and wherein completed portions are automatically channeled back into the main conveying stream.

Abstract: A method of tracking mail in a postal sorting system comprising first and second networks of sorting machines with first and second unique identification protocols for uniquely identifying the mailpieces, the first and second networks producing first and second dated tracking data as a mailpiece is passing through the sorting machines, this first and second dated data being associated with first and second unique mailpiece identifiers generated using the first and second protocols, said dated data associated with said first and second unique mailpiece identifiers is retrieved in a data-processing unit for the purpose of measuring a time characteristic of the journey of the mailpiece through the first and second networks, and a match is established between the unique identifiers via digital images of the mailpiece.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and apparatus for sorting a stream of products by scanning this stream of products with a bundle of concentrated light and analyzing the light originating from the scanned products and a background element, wherein this background element is chosen such that the corresponding detected light signal differs from the light signals originating from the products to be sorted in at least one parameter and wherein one or more control signals are generated by shifting the background level of the observed light signals to a signal level chosen such that, in the thus obtained signal, the signal level of the signal of a scanned product to be accepted distinguishes itself from the signal level of the signal of a scanned product to be rejected.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for sorting foreign matter from a flow, the method comprising the steps of: identifying objects within a flow; for each identified object, determining reflectance intensities at at least two different wavelengths or ranges of wavelengths; and for each identified object, comparing the reflectance intensities at the at least two different wavelengths or ranges of wavelengths to a reference intensity profile, wherein the identified object is characterized as foreign matter when the reflectance intensities at the at least two different wavelengths or ranges of wavelengths fall within a predetermined region of the reference intensity profile.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for separating objects. The apparatus comprises a conveyor arrangement (1) and an actuator (30). The conveyor arrangement comprises a conveyor belt (10) disposed as an endless loop over two rollers (21, 22). The conveyor belt has a substantially horizontally arranged surface (5) for receiving a plurality of objects. The actuator comprises a drive axis (31), an actuating structure (32) and a connection structure connecting the drive axis with the actuating structure. The drive axis is connectible to a motor to enable rotational movement of the drive axis. The connection unit is arranged for converting the rotational movement into movement of the actuating structure in a direction substantially perpendicular to the object receiving surface plane. The actuating structure is located underneath the conveyor belt for creating movement of the surface in this direction. The conveyor arrangement and the actuator are independently controllable.

Abstract: A high-speed, high-resolution, triangulation-based, 3-D method and system for inspecting manufactured parts and sorting the inspected parts are provided. The method includes consecutively transferring the parts so that the parts move along a path which extends from a supply of parts and through an imaging station. A triangulation-based sensor head is supported at the imaging station. The sensor head is configured to generate focused lines of radiation and to sense corresponding reflected lines of radiation. The focused lines are delivered onto an end surface of each part to obtain a corresponding array of reflected lines of radiation. The sensor head senses the array of reflected lines to obtain a corresponding set of 2-D profile signals. The set of profile signals represent a 3-D view of the end surface. The set of 2-D profile signals of each part is processed to identify parts having an unacceptable defect.

Abstract: Provided are a microparticle sorting device, and a method and a program for sorting microparticles capable of stabilizing sorting performance over a prolonged period of time. The microparticle sorting device includes an imaging element and a controller. The imaging element obtains an image of fluid and fluid droplets at a position where the fluid discharged from an orifice which generates a fluid stream is converted into the fluid droplets. The controller controls driving voltage of an oscillation element which gives oscillation to the orifice and/or controls a position of the imaging element based on a state of the fluid in the image and/or a state of a satellite fluid droplet. The satellite fluid droplet does not include microparticles and exists between the position, where the fluid is converted into the fluid droplets, and a fluid droplet, among fluid droplets including the microparticles, which is closest to the position where the fluid is converted into the fluid droplets.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a material, preferably a plastic material, comprising foreign substances, characterised in that the material further comprises fluorescent compounds, and a process for sorting a mixture of materials.