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.

Provided is a method for monitoring a manufacturing process of an agricultural product. The method utilizes hyperspectral imaging and comprises scanning at least one region along a sample of agricultural product using at least one light source of a single or different wavelengths; generating hyperspectral images from the at least one region; determining a spectral fingerprint for the sample of agricultural product from the hyperspectral images; and comparing the spectral fingerprint so obtained to a spectral fingerprint database containing a plurality of fingerprints obtained at various points of the manufacturing process, using a computer processor, to determine which point in the manufacturing process the sample has progressed to.

Provided is a method for blending of agricultural product utilizing hyperspectral imaging. At least one region along a sample of agricultural product is scanned using at least one light source of different wavelengths. Hyperspectral images are generated from the at least one region. A spectral fingerprint for the sample of agricultural product is formed from the hyperspectral images. A plurality of samples of agricultural product is blended based on the spectral fingerprints of the samples according to parameters determined by executing a blending algorithm.

An object of the present invention is to provide an optical sorter which enables to eliminate occurrence of welding distortion on a frame and simply attain high positional accuracy of component members attached to the frame. There is provided an optical sorter according to the present invention, comprising: a chute arranged to slope and to allow a raw material as objects to be sorted out to flow down; optical detection means for detecting the objects to be sorted out dropping from a lower end of the chute; ejector means for sorting out and excluding the objects to be sorted out on the basis of a detection result by the optical detection means; and a discharge hopper that separately discharges the objects sorted out by the ejector means, wherein further comprising a frame having a pair of right and left sidewalls which are screw-fixed to a base, the chute, the optical detection means, the ejector means and the discharge hopper are attached to the frame, and the sidewalls of the frame are coupled with braces in a diagonal shape.

A sensor system for evaluating an item as it moves includes a sensor assembly including a plurality of emitters and a plurality of detectors disposed about an item movement path. A controller is configured for selectively operating the sensor assembly to set up a first active detection pattern through the item movement path by sequentially and rapidly checking an occlusion status of each of a first plurality of emitter to detector light paths that make up the first active detection pattern, such that only one emitter to detector light path of the first plurality of emitter to detector light paths is checked for occlusion at a given instance.

Provided is a method for blending of agricultural product utilizing hyperspectral imaging. At least one region along a sample of agricultural product is scanned using at least one light source of different wavelengths. Hyperspectral images are generated from the at least one region. A spectral fingerprint for the sample of agricultural product is formed from the hyperspectral images. A plurality of samples of agricultural product is blended based on the spectral fingerprints of the samples according to parameters determined by executing a blending algorithm.

A method is provided for selectively sorting out free-flowing products conveyed in a conveying track in a conveying direction along a conveying path. The conveyed products are checked by an inspection apparatus in an inspection portion of the conveying path. In a sorting-out portion arranged downstream along the conveying path, product that does not fulfil a predefinable inspection criterion is sorted out and removed from the conveying track by a suction device. The suction device is arranged on the conveying path and a suction flow that flows away from the conveying track is generated for a predetermined suction duration in order to suction-off the product out of the conveying track. A suction tube of the suction device including a suction opening is arranged at a front end of the conveying track to suction-off product falling from the conveying track along a fall trajectory through the suction opening.

In an optical sorter that includes an optical detection unit to detect a to-be-sorted material at a detection position, a determining unit to determine a to-be-sorted material to be removed, based on a detection result by the optical detection unit, and an air-jetting unit to blow off and remove the to-be-sorted material to be removed using jet air of a compressed gas, based on a determination result by the determining unit, the air-jetting unit includes a piezoelectric valve to perform valve opening and closing by driving a valve disc utilizing displacement of a piezoelectric element, and a valve driving unit to apply a drive voltage to the piezoelectric element, and the valve driving unit controls the drive voltage applied to the piezoelectric element in accordance with the to-be-sorted material to be removed to thus control a jet-air pressure of the compressed gas for removing the to-be-sorted material.

The present invention is a device for the complete acquisition of the shape of an object by means of a plurality of image sensors arranged around a space for image capture. Image sensors capture a plurality of images that are carried to a reconstruction system formed from said plurality of images corresponding to different views of the object. Document EP2511653 discloses a system where the object falls through the trap area so that there is no type of fastener or support which hides some part of the object. The present invention is a device for the acquisition and reconstruction of objects characterized by the use of an actuator serving as launcher and configured so that the object is positioned at the point of capture of images at either zero or very close to zero speed to improve the resolution of each image without blurring due to movement, even with relatively long exposure times. Additionally, the actuator is configured so that the fall of the object is such that it prevents damage by the impact effect.

Provided is a method for processing electronic and electrical device component scrap, which can accurately and efficiently sort electronic and electrical device component scrap. The method for processing electronic and electrical device component scrap includes a separation step of separating non-metal objects 1b or metal objects 1a.sub.1, 1a.sub.2 from electronic and electrical device component scrap 1 containing the metal objects 1a.sub.1, 1a.sub.2 and the non-metal objects 1b using a sorter 10 comprising a metal sensor 2, a color camera 3, an air valve 4, and a conveyor 5, wherein a fixed distance is provided between the metal objects 1a.sub.1, 1a.sub.2 adjacent to each other so as to prevent the non-metal objects 1b between the metal objects 1a.sub.1, 1a.sub.2 from being erroneously detected, when detecting the metal objects 1a.sub.1, 1a.sub.2 in the electronic and electrical device component scrap 1 by the metal sensor 2.