Sorting apparatus (100) comprising: an input feed mechanism (102) configured to feed objects (120) towards an inspection zone; a deflector (112), configured to deflect the objects (120) leaving the input feed mechanism (102); and a sensor-based inspection unit (104), configured to inspect the objects (120) when passing through the inspection zone, and to classify the objects (120), wherein the sorting apparatus (100) further comprises an ejection mechanism (106) configured to eject objects (120) classified in a first ejection category, but to let other objects (120) that fail to be classified in the first ejection category pass, and a flow output mechanism (108) configured to receive the other objects (120).
A method and apparatus for identifying at least one image of foreign material from a plurality of images of suspected foreign material from a sorting system, the method comprising: obtaining at least one image of suspected foreign material detected in a stream of good product containing some population of foreign material; performing image analysis on the at least one image of the suspected foreign material; and classifying, based on the image analysis, the suspected foreign material as true foreign material or non-foreign material; and a method and apparats for confirming the removal of a foreign object from a product flow during a sorting process, the method comprising: obtaining at least one image of at least one product removed from a product flow by a sorting system; comparing the at least one image of the at least one removed product with at least one image of a foreign object in the product flow identified for removal by the sorting system; and determining an unsuccessful removal of the foreign object from the product flow when the at least one image of the foreign object does not match the at least one image of at least one product removed from the product flow by the sorting system.
G06V 10/58 - Extraction of image or video features relating to hyperspectral data
B07C 5/342 - Sorting according to other particular properties according to optical properties, e.g. colour
G06V 10/75 - Organisation of the matching processes, e.g. simultaneous or sequential comparisons of image or video featuresCoarse-fine approaches, e.g. multi-scale approachesImage or video pattern matchingProximity measures in feature spaces using context analysisSelection of dictionaries
G06V 10/764 - Arrangements for image or video recognition or understanding using pattern recognition or machine learning using classification, e.g. of video objects
G06V 20/52 - Surveillance or monitoring of activities, e.g. for recognising suspicious objects
A circuit protection and management system, comprising: at least one electronic fuse comprising a configurable circuit trip level; a controller comprising a memory, the controller being coupled to the at least one electronic fuse; wherein the controller is configured to: monitor the operation of the circuit including the electronic fuse; and store operating information of the circuit including the electronic fuse.
H02H 3/08 - Emergency protective circuit arrangements for automatic disconnection directly responsive to an undesired change from normal electric working condition, with or without subsequent reconnection responsive to excess current
H02H 3/00 - Emergency protective circuit arrangements for automatic disconnection directly responsive to an undesired change from normal electric working condition, with or without subsequent reconnection
H02H 3/06 - Emergency protective circuit arrangements for automatic disconnection directly responsive to an undesired change from normal electric working condition, with or without subsequent reconnection Details with automatic reconnection
A method of classification of a digital image is provided, the method comprising scanning pixel locations in the digital image; collecting a regular grouping of pixels in the vicinity of each scanned pixel location; providing the collection of pixels to a fully convolutional neural network; and training the fully convolutional neural network with samples of grouped pixels providing a target classification of a center pixel of the grouping of pixels.
G06V 10/22 - Image preprocessing by selection of a specific region containing or referencing a patternLocating or processing of specific regions to guide the detection or recognition
G06V 10/26 - Segmentation of patterns in the image fieldCutting or merging of image elements to establish the pattern region, e.g. clustering-based techniquesDetection of occlusion
G06V 10/44 - Local feature extraction by analysis of parts of the pattern, e.g. by detecting edges, contours, loops, corners, strokes or intersectionsConnectivity analysis, e.g. of connected components
G06V 10/764 - Arrangements for image or video recognition or understanding using pattern recognition or machine learning using classification, e.g. of video objects
G06V 10/82 - Arrangements for image or video recognition or understanding using pattern recognition or machine learning using neural networks
G06V 10/774 - Generating sets of training patternsBootstrap methods, e.g. bagging or boosting
A method of controlling a peeling system is provided comprising monitoring at least one sensor configured to detect data indicating a characteristic of a flow of a peelable product through the system; providing the data to a virtual model of the peeling system; adjusting the operation of the peeling system based on an output of the virtual model.
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.
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.
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.
A steam peeling vessel for rotation about an internal axis of rotation, including at least one internal lifter having a longitudinal axis oriented at an oblique angle to the internal axis of rotation of the vessel. The vessel may include at least two internal lifters. The vessel may include a first lifter oriented at a first oblique angle to the axis of rotation, and at least a second lifter oriented at a second oblique angle to the axis of rotation.
A steam peeling vessel for rotation about an internal axis of rotation, comprising at least one internal lifter (12, 13, 14, 16) having a longitudinal axis oriented at an oblique angle to the internal axis of rotation of the vessel.
A steam peeling vessel for rotation about an internal axis of rotation, comprising at least one internal lifter (12, 13, 14, 16) having a longitudinal axis oriented at an oblique angle to the internal axis of rotation of the vessel.
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.
B07C 5/34 - Sorting according to other particular properties
B07C 5/342 - Sorting according to other particular properties according to optical properties, e.g. colour
G01N 21/85 - Investigating moving fluids or granular solids
B07C 5/10 - Sorting according to size measured by light-responsive means
G01N 21/359 - Investigating relative effect of material at wavelengths characteristic of specific elements or molecules, e.g. atomic absorption spectrometry using infrared light using near infrared light
G01N 21/88 - Investigating the presence of flaws, defects or contamination
G01N 21/84 - Systems specially adapted for particular applications
14.
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR HANDLING HARVESTED ROOT CROPS
The present invention relates to a method for handling harvested root crops such as potatoes. The method comprises 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 (44) or unacceptable (40) based on a comparison with at least one discriminator and objects classified as unacceptable are removed (by the ejector actuator 38) from the bulk flow to provide a sorted flow of the harvested root crop.
The present invention relates to a method for handling harvested root crops such as potatoes. The method comprises 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 (44) or unacceptable (40) based on a comparison with at least one discriminator and objects classified as unacceptable are removed (by the ejector actuator 38) from the bulk flow to provide a sorted flow of the harvested root crop.
A rejector device for use within a system for sorting discrete objects, the divert device comprising at least one divert device arranged to change the trajectory of an object; and drive means arranged to drive the divert device between at least three discrete positions such that in use, at least one of said discrete objects passes along one of three paths.
B65G 47/72 - Devices for transferring articles or materials between conveyors, i.e. discharging or feeding devices transferring materials in bulk from one conveyor to several conveyors or vice versa
B65G 47/19 - Arrangements or applications of hoppers or chutes having means for controlling material flow, e.g. to prevent overloading
B65G 47/52 - Devices for transferring articles or materials between conveyors, i.e. discharging or feeding devices
A rejector device for use within a system for sorting discrete objects, the rejector device comprising at least one divert device arranged to change the trajectory of an object and drive means arranged to drive the divert device between at least three discrete positions such that in use, at least one of said discrete objects passes along one of three paths, and a method of sorting discrete objects comprising the steps of positioning a divert device in one of three discrete positions; and varying the trajectory of at least one of said discrete objects when said divert device is positioned in two of said three discrete positions.
patents
