Classification method and apparatus

US10888902B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Tomra Sorting GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Dirk Balthasar · Boppard, DE
• Michael MAYER · Neuwied, DE
• John McGloughlin · Kildare, IE

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 3, 2018
• Grant date: Jan 12, 2021
• Expiry date: Sep 3, 2038

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01N2021/845
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A method for object classification, including: guiding a continuous stream of objects from a transport mechanism directly into an unsupported path, along which the object stream is fed through a detection region; illuminating the detection region with a radiation band in a first direction; optically scanning the detection region to detect electromagnetic radiation reflected by the at least one object in the detection region by viewing the detection region along a second direction, wherein the directions have a cross-section in the detection region and form an angle relative each other of 10°-80°; analyzing the information; and classifying objects in at least two different directions based on the analysis of the transparency information from the optical scanning; wherein the step of analyzing the information from the optical scanning includes analyzing the objects based on the intensity, spread and texture of the detected radiation from the optical scanning.