Abstract: A seed monitoring apparatus for use with a seed planting machine includes a seed sensor comprising a housing forming a substantially tubular passageway and mounting a light source and three photosensitive elements arranged substantially in a triangular configuration. The arrangement of the light source and the triangular photosensor configuration is such that a seed passing through the tubular passageway will momentarily obscure the passage of light to the photosensor the apex of the triangle, if at all, before obscuring the passage of light to either of the photosensors forming the base of the triangle. The monitoring circuit includes two signal paths in which different methods of counting are used to produce different numbers of pulses in response to signals from the three photosensors. One or the other of these signal paths is selected automatically in accordance with the rate at which seeds are detected.

Abstract: A system of sorting elongated pieces such as asparagus, wherein each of the elongated pieces are successively conveyed by a conveyer and detected as a still image by a sensor such as a TV camera. In processing a signal representative of the still image a stem diameter of the piece and a ratio of the spike maximum diameter of the piece to the stem diameter are obtained as sorting out factors by calculation. When the calculation values of the sorting out factors satisfy predetermined reference values, the piece is further sorted out according to size. The stem diameter is measured at a position which is spaced from the cut end of the stem by a predetermined dimension toward the spike thereof.

Abstract: This invention relates to the classification of a stream of documents, such as mixed mail pieces, into size and orientation of categories for subsequent processing. The apparatus includes a laser beam which scans a conveying belt upon which the documents are placed. Appropriate circuitry is provided so that a determination may be made as to the length and width of the document being conveyed across the belt. Downstream from the belt is a segregation system in which the various sizes of documents are segregated according to size in response to the determination of the circuitry.

Abstract: Disclosed apparatus sort unequally dimensioned veneer sections or other objects which are successively conveyed in a transit direction by a conveyor in parallel to their planes. A series of sensors are mounted at equal mutual distances across the conveyor in a row extending transversely to the transit direction and generate sensor signals in response to successively conveyed objects. The sensor signals are analyzed and the extents of the conveyed objects are tested on the basis of the analyzed sensor signals, preferably with the aid of predetermined nominal values. The conveyed objects are sorted in accordance with their tested extents.

Abstract: An on-line detector for peach pits and peach pit fragments and the like remaining in peach halves following a pitting operation includes a sealed housing bordered on one side by an inclined view plate disposed between a feeding belt and a take-away belt. A peach half, pit cavity down, is passed by a viewing line above the view plate. Two different wavelengths of light are directed toward the viewing line and are reflected by a passing fruit section toward an array of light sensors. One of the wavelengths of light is controlled in on-off condition by a clock, being turned on during only a portion of each clock cycle. Output from each one in the array of light sensors is sampled during the portion of each clock cycle that the one wavelength is on, and differenced with the light sensor output from that sensor when the other wavelength only is on. Differencing occurs during each clock cycle and a difference output appears only in the presence of a pit or a pit fragment.

Abstract: A system is described for receiving mixed mail pieces, for singulating the machinable mail including flats, and for culling all of the pieces into respective discrete categories for further processing. The system is characterized by an inherent freedom from jams and consequent mail damage and features a recycle loop which provides a continuous, substantially uniform output of machinable mail.

Abstract: Disclosed is apparatus for sorting objects, e.g. tomatoes, according to both size and color. A preferred embodiment can sort the objects into fourteen size/color categories and yet requires only two photodetectors. The objects travel on a conveyor belt past a sensing station having a light source to illuminate an object and a pair of phototransistors for receiving light reflected from the object in two different color bands, e.g. red and green. The phototransistors produce a pair of output electrical signals. An analog divider forms a ratio of the electrical signals and the peak value is stored and compared with preset limits to produce a color category signal. A size category signal is derived on the basis of the time duration of the signal produced by the summation of the phototransistors' signals.

Abstract: A photoelectric apparatus for sorting articles according to size includes a vertical column of photoelectric pickups disposed adjacent to the conveyor on which the articles pass by. The apparatus includes a clock pulse generator synchronized with the conveyor, the clock pulses driving a plurality of sizing logic circuits. The signals from the photoelectric pickups are fed through a multiplexer to each sizing circuit, which counts the clock pulses while the appropriate pickups are being interrupted by an article passing by. If a given sizing circuit counts to within a predetermined number of pulses while the article passes the column, it locks out the other sizing circuits and actuates a time delay relay. The relay actuates a solenoid downstream of the column to knock the article off the conveyor and into an appropriate collection device.

Abstract: A novel apparatus for and method of measuring product mass is described in which products are sequentially conveyed to an inspection station where the entire bulk of each product is substantially instantaneously irradiated with a beam of radiation. Scattered radiation from the product thus irradiated is detected to provide an electrical signal whose magnitude is representative of the mass of the product. The products can be sorted in accordance with their measured mass.