Method and apparatus for performing qualitative and quantitative analysis of produce (fruit, vegetables) using spatially structured illumination

US8014569B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• The Regents of the University of California · US

Inventors

• Anthony J. Durkin · Irvine, US
• David Cuccia · Brooks Road, US
• Frederic Bevilacqua · Brooks Road, US
• Bruce J. Tromberg · Irvine, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 29, 2007
• Grant date: Sep 6, 2011
• Expiry date: May 26, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01N2021/6421
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A method and an apparatus for noninvasively and quantitatively determining spatially resolved absorption and reduced scattering coefficients over a wide field-of-view of a food object, including fruit or produce, uses spatial-frequency-domain imaging (SFDI). A single modulated imaging platform is employed. It includes a broadband light source, a digital micromirror optically coupled to the light source to control a modulated light pattern directed onto the food object at a plurality of selected spatial frequencies, a multispectral camera for taking a spectral image of a reflected modulated light pattern from the food object, a spectrally variable filter optically coupled between the food object and the multispectral camera to select a discrete number of wavelengths for image capture, and a computer coupled to the digital micromirror, camera and variable filter to enable acquisition of the reflected modulated light pattern at the selected spatial frequencies.