Produce orientor

US11246333B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Atlas Pacific Engineering Company · US

Inventors

• Russ Mitchell · San Diego, US
• Brandon Evers · San Diego, US
• Brian Dunne · Poway, US
• Daniel Nelson · El Cajon, US
• Mason McInnis · Loomis, US
• David Bullock · Chesterton, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 8, 2019
• Grant date: Feb 15, 2022
• Expiry date: Apr 20, 2039

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06T2207/30128
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A method of automatically orienting symmetric and asymmetric produce items, such as apples for example, is provided. Individual items of produce are manipulated by a programmable manipulator within the view of one or more depth imaging cameras. Digital three dimensional characterizations of the surface of the produce items are generated by the depth imaging camera or cameras and are utilized by a computer connected to the depth imaging camera or cameras to locate the stem and blossom of each produce item. Asymmetric produce items, such as apples with dropped shoulders as well as symmetric produce items can be properly oriented and processed automatically.