Scrap sorting system
US5520290A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 30, 1993 |
| Grant date | May 28, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 30, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S209/939
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A scrap particle sorting system and attendant sorting process employs a conveyor for conveying the randomly shaped particles in a random orientation, a position sensor for determining the advancement of the scrap particles in the direction of conveyance by determining the position of the conveyor belt, an image detector for periodically recording the image of a predefined viewing area through which the scrap particles are conveyed, and an image processor for periodic acquisition and processing of the images. The image processor includes logic for defining each image of the viewing area into a matrix of cells, and for each acquired image, analyzing the digital data corresponding to the image to determine for each cell in the matrix whether the pixels in that cell satisfy a predetermined criteria, and establishing a discriminator signal for each cell in the matrix as a function of that analysis. The system employs an image detector controller for receiving a signal from the conveyor position sensor and sending an activation signal to the image processor at timed intervals to acquire sequential image frames which include each of the scrap particles as they are conveyed past the viewin…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.