Sorting

Claim 3

The method of claim 1, wherein processing the signals electronically includes the step of deriving a signal representative of any optical edge breakthrough at the profile of the object and joining up edges on either side of the breakthrough.

Claim 4

The method of claim 2, wherein the edge breakthrough signal is derived by determining the rate of change in direction of each incremental length of the edge and categorising a zone of large rates of change in direction as an edge breakthrough.

Claim 5

The method of claim 1, wherein processing the signals electronically includes the step of deriving a signal representative of the approximation of the object to a spherical shape.

Claim 6

The method of claim 4, wherein the spherical shape signal is derived by determining the area of the image and dividing the area by the square of the perimeter of the image.

Claim 7

The method of claim 1, wherein processing the signals electronically includes the step of deriving a signal representative of the approximation of the object to symmetry.

Claim 8

The method of claim 6, wherein the symmetry signal is derived by determining the centroid of the image, dividing the image into two parts along the line passing through the centroid, rotating one part about 180° to superimpose it on the other part, and comparing the mismatch area with the overlapped area.

Claim 9

The method of claim 1, wherein processing the signals electronically includes the step of deriving a signal representative of reentrants in the image.

Claim 10

The method of claim 8, wherein the reentrant signal is derived by determining the difference between the length of the profile and the length of the line which extends around the profile but extends straight across any reentrant.

Claim 11

The method of claim 1, wherein the viewers are equi-spaced through less than 180°, the angular distance between adjacent viewers being 180° divided by the number of viewers.

Claim 12

The method of claim 1, wherein each viewer is connected to means which normalises and digitises the signal from the viewer, thereby providing digital signals representative of the edges of the object as viewed by the viewer.

Claim 13

The method of claim 11, wherein digital signals representative of the profile are obtained by tracking round the profile of each respective object.

Claim 16

The method of claim 13, and including the steps of: executing a high confidence sort on the basis of combined spherical and symmetry signals and rejecting values below a low threshold; executing a high confidence sort on the basis of combined spherical, symmetry and inverse reentrant signals and accepting values above a high thresold; executing a high confidence sort on the bais of an inverse reentrant signal combined with combined standard deviation spherical and symmetry signals, and rejecting values below a low threshold; executing a medium confidence sort on the basis of combined spherical and symmetry signals and rejecting values below a medium threshold; executing a low or medium confidence sort on the basis of combined spherical, symmetry and inverse reentrant signals, rejecting values below a high threshold, and accepting values above a medium threshold.

Claim 17

Apparatus for sorting a rapid succession of objects according to shape, comprising: a viewing zone through which each successive object will be fed; means for illuminating the object as it passes through the viewing zone; at least four fixed electronic viewers spaced in one plane around the viewing zone, for viewing substantially the whole of the profile of the object as presented to the individual viewers, as it passes through the viewing zone; means for deriving from each viewer signals representative of substantially the whole of the profile of the object as viewed at a particular instant by all the viewers; sorting means for directing the object into one of at least two paths; and electronic processing means for processing said signals to determine in which of at least two shape categories the object falls, and for giving output signals to said sorting means for automatically directing the object into one of said at least two paths according to the shape of the object.

Claim 18

Apparatus for sorting a rapid succession of objects according to shape, comprising: a viewing zone through which each successive object will be fed; means for illuminating the object as it passes through the viewing zone; at least four fixed electronic viewers spaced in one plane around the viewing zone, for viewing substantially the whole of the profile of the object as presented to the individual viewers, as it passes through the viewing zone; means for deriving from each viewer signals representative of substantially the whole of the profile of the object as viewed at a particular instant by all the viewers; sorting means for directing the object into one of at least two paths; and electronic processing means for processing said signals to determine in which of at least two shape categories the object falls, and for giving output signals to said sorting means for automatically directing the object into one of said at least two paths according to the shape of the object.

Claim 19

Apparatus for sorting a succession of objects according to shape, comprising: a viewing zone through which each successive object will be fed; means for illuminating the object as it passes through the viewing zone; at least four fixed electronic viewers spaced in one plane around the viewing zone, for viewing substantially the whole of the profile of the object as presented to the respective viewers, as it passes through the viewing zone; means for deriving from each viewer signals representative of substantially the entire profile of the object as viewed at a particlular instant by each respective viewer; and electronic processing means for processing the signals to determine in which of at least two shape categories the object falls, and for giving output signals which can be used to automatically direct the object into one of at least two paths according to its shape, said electronic processing means comprising means for deriving a signal representative of the approximation of the object to a spherical shape, means for deriving a signal representative of the approximation of the object to symmetry, and means for deriving a signal representative of reentrants in the object.

Claim 20

Apparatus for sorting a succession of objects according to shape, comprising: a viewing zone through which each successive object will be fed; means for illuminating the object as it passes through the viewing zone; at least four fixed electronic viewers spaced in one plane around the viewing zone, for viewing substantially the whole of the profile of the object as presented to the respective viewers, as it passes through the viewing zone; means for deriving from each viewer signals representative of substantially the entire profile of the object as viewed at a particlular instant by each respective viewer; and electronic processing means for processing the signals to determine in which of at least two shape categories the object falls, and for giving output signals which can be used to automatically direct the object into one of at least two paths according to its shape, said electronic processing means comprising means for deriving a signal representative of the approximation of the object to a spherical shape, means for deriving a signal representative of the approximation of the object to symmetry, and means for deriving a signal representative of reentrants in the object.

Claim 31

Apparatus for sorting a rapid succession of objects according to shape, comprising: a viewing zone through which each successive object will be fed; means for illuminating the object as it passes through the viewing zone, the illuminating means illuminating simultaneously the whole of that surface of the object which faces the illuminating means; at least four fixed electronic viewers spaced in one plane around the viewing zone, for viewing the object as it passes through the viewing zone; means for deriving from each viewer signals representative of the edges of the object as viewed at a particular instant by all the viewers; sorting means for directing the object into one of at least two paths; means for normalizing and digitizing said signals to provide digital signals representative of the edges of the object as viewed by each respective viewer; and electronic processing means for processing said digital signals to determine in which of at least two shape categories the object falls, and for giving output signals to said sorting means for automatically directing the object into one of said at least two paths according to the shape of the object.

Claim 32

Apparatus for sorting a rapid succession of objects according to shape, comprising: a viewing zone through which each successive object will be fed; means for illuminating the object as it passes through the viewing zone, the illuminating means illuminating simultaneously the whole of that surface of the object which faces the illuminating means; at least four fixed electronic viewers spaced in one plane around the viewing zone, for viewing the object as it passes through the viewing zone; means for deriving from each viewer signals representative of the edges of the object as viewed at a particular instant by all the viewers; sorting means for directing the object into one of at least two paths; means for normalizing and digitizing said signals to provide digital signals representative of the edges of the object as viewed by each respective viewer; and electronic processing means for processing said digital signals to determine in which of at least two shape categories the object falls, and for giving output signals to said sorting means for automatically directing the object into one of said at least two paths according to the shape of the object.

Claim 33

Apparatus for sorting a rapid succession of objects according to shape, comprising: a viewing zone through which each successive object will be fed; means for illuminating the object as it passes through the viewing zone, the illuminating means illuminating simultaneously the whole of that surface of the object which faces the illuminating means; at least four fixed electronic viewers spaced in one plane around the viewing zone, for viewing the object as it passes through the viewing zone, each viewer viewing substantially the whole of the profile of the object as presented to the viewer; means for deriving from each viewer signals representative of substantially the whole of the profile of the object as viewed at a particular instant by each respective viewer; sorting means for directing the object into one of at least two paths; and electronic processing means for processing said signals to determine in which of at least two shape categories the object falls, and for giving output signals to said sorting means for automatically directing the object into one of said at least two paths according to the shape of the object.

Claim 34

Apparatus for sorting a rapid succession of objects according to shape, comprising: a viewing zone through which each successive object will be fed; means for illuminating the object as it passes through the viewing zone, the illuminating means illuminating simultaneously the whole of that surface of the object which faces the illuminating means; at least four fixed electronic viewers spaced in one plane around the viewing zone, for viewing the object as it passes through the viewing zone, each viewer viewing substantially the whole of the profile of the object as presented to the viewer; means for deriving from each viewer signals representative of substantially the whole of the profile of the object as viewed at a particular instant by each respective viewer; sorting means for directing the object into one of at least two paths; and electronic processing means for processing said signals to determine in which of at least two shape categories the object falls, and for giving output signals to said sorting means for automatically directing the object into one of said at least two paths according to the shape of the object.

Claim 35

Apparatus for sorting a rapid succession of objects according to shape, comprising: a viewing zone through which each successive object will be fed; means for illuminating the object as it passes through the viewing zone; at least four fixed electronic viewers spaced in one plane around the viewing zone, for viewing the object as it passes through the viewing zone, the viewers being arranged opposite respective illuminating means, whereby the viewers view a dark object against a light field; means for deriving from each viewer signals representative of the edges of the object as viewed at a particular instant by all the viewers; sorting means for directing the object into one of at least two paths; and electronic processing means for processing said signals to determine in which of at least two shape categories the object falls, and for giving output signals to said sorting means for automatically directing the object into one of said at least two paths according to the shape of the object.

Claim 36

Apparatus for sorting a rapid succession of objects according to shape, comprising: a viewing zone through which each successive object will be fed; means for illuminating the object as it passes through the viewing zone; at least four fixed electronic viewers spaced in one plane around the viewing zone, for viewing the object as it passes through the viewing zone, the viewers being arranged opposite respective illuminating means, whereby the viewers view a dark object against a light field; means for deriving from each viewer signals representative of the edges of the object as viewed at a particular instant by all the viewers; sorting means for directing the object into one of at least two paths; and electronic processing means for processing said signals to determine in which of at least two shape categories the object falls, and for giving output signals to said sorting means for automatically directing the object into one of said at least two paths according to the shape of the object.

Claim 37

Apparatus for sorting a rapid succession of objects according to shape, compising; a viewing zone through which each successive object will be fed; means for illuminating the object as its passes through the viewing zone, the illuminating means illuminating simultaneously the whole of that surface of the object which faces the illuminating means; a least four fixed electronic viewers spaced in one plane around the viewing zone, for viewing the object as it passes through the viewing zone, the viewers being arranged opposite the respective illuminating means, whereby the viewers view a dark object against a light field; means for deriving from each viewer signals representative of the edges of the object as viewed at a particular instant by all the viewers; sorting means for directing the object into one of at least two paths; and electronic processing means for processing said signals to determine in which of at least two shape categories the object falls, and for giving output signals to said sorting means for automatically directing the object into one of said at least two paths according to the shape of the object.

Claim 38

Apparatus for sorting a rapid succession of objects according to shape, compising; a viewing zone through which each successive object will be fed; means for illuminating the object as its passes through the viewing zone, the illuminating means illuminating simultaneously the whole of that surface of the object which faces the illuminating means; a least four fixed electronic viewers spaced in one plane around the viewing zone, for viewing the object as it passes through the viewing zone, the viewers being arranged opposite the respective illuminating means, whereby the viewers view a dark object against a light field; means for deriving from each viewer signals representative of the edges of the object as viewed at a particular instant by all the viewers; sorting means for directing the object into one of at least two paths; and electronic processing means for processing said signals to determine in which of at least two shape categories the object falls, and for giving output signals to said sorting means for automatically directing the object into one of said at least two paths according to the shape of the object.

Claim 41

The method of claim 26, wherein the viewers are equi-spaced through less than 180°, the angular distance between adjacent viewers being 180°0 divided by the number of viewers.

Claim 42

The method of claim 26, wherein the feeding of each successive object triggers a flash to illuminate the object.

Claim 47

Apparatus for sorting a rapid succession of objects according to shape, comprising: a viewing zone through which each successive object will be fed; means for illuminating the object as it passes through the viewing zone, to thereby generate a silhouette of the object; at least four fixed electronic viewers spaced in one plane around the viewing zone, each for viewing the respective silhouette of the object as the object passes through the viewing zone; means for deriving from each viewer signals representative of the edges of the object as viewed at a particular instant by each respective viewer; sorting means for directing the object into one of at least two paths; and electronic processing means for processing said signals to determine in which of at least two shape categories the object falls, and for giving output signals to said sorting means for automatically directing the object into one of said at least two paths according to the shape of the object.

Claim 48

Apparatus for sorting a rapid succession of objects according to shape, comprising: a viewing zone through which each successive object will be fed; means for illuminating the object as it passes through the viewing zone, to thereby generate a silhouette of the object; at least four fixed electronic viewers spaced in one plane around the viewing zone, each for viewing the respective silhouette of the object as the object passes through the viewing zone; means for deriving from each viewer signals representative of the edges of the object as viewed at a particular instant by each respective viewer; sorting means for directing the object into one of at least two paths; and electronic processing means for processing said signals to determine in which of at least two shape categories the object falls, and for giving output signals to said sorting means for automatically directing the object into one of said at least two paths according to the shape of the object.

Claim 49

Apparatus for sorting a rapid succession of objects according to shape, comprising: a viewing zone through which each successive object will be fed; means for illuminating the object as it passes through the viewing zone; at least four fixed electronic viewers spaced in one plane around the viewing zone, for viewing the object as it passes through the viewing zone; means for deriving from each viewer signals representative of the edges of the object as viewed at a particular instant by all the viewers; sorting means for directing the object into one of at least two paths; and electronic processing means for normalizing and digitizing said signals to form digital signals and for processing said digital signals to determine in which of at least two shape categories the object falls, and for giving output signals to said sorting means for automatically directing the object into one of said at least two paths according to the shape of the object.

Claim 50

Apparatus for sorting a rapid succession of objects according to shape, comprising: a viewing zone through which each successive object will be fed; means for illuminating the object as it passes through the viewing zone; at least four fixed electronic viewers spaced in one plane around the viewing zone, for viewing the object as it passes through the viewing zone; means for deriving from each viewer signals representative of the edges of the object as viewed at a particular instant by all the viewers; sorting means for directing the object into one of at least two paths; and electronic processing means for normalizing and digitizing said signals to form digital signals and for processing said digital signals to determine in which of at least two shape categories the object falls, and for giving output signals to said sorting means for automatically directing the object into one of said at least two paths according to the shape of the object.