Classifying – separating – and assorting solids – Sorting special items – and certain methods and apparatus for... – Condition responsive means controls separating means
Patent
1997-07-24
2000-06-13
Nguyen, Tuan N.
Classifying, separating, and assorting solids
Sorting special items, and certain methods and apparatus for...
Condition responsive means controls separating means
209587, 209938, 250226, 356416, 356425, B07C 5342, G01J 346
Patent
active
060752173
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention concerns colour detection apparatus, particularly but not exclusively apparatus for sorting different coloured articles, and especially apparatus for sorting different coloured gambling chips.
Prior arrangements for automatically sorting coloured gambling chips have generally used a plurality of photocells, usually three cells each having a respective filter to detect respectively red, yellow and green light. This arrangement is relatively unsophisticated and problems can occur in detecting different coloured chips and especially relatively similar colours. Particular difficulties can also be encountered when some chips of a particular colour have become faded and/or dirty relative to other chips due perhaps to the chips being of different ages. Colour variations can also occur between different batches of a particular colour chip. Further difficulties have also been experienced with chips with different coloured faces on each side, or chips bearing ordered or random patterns.
When the `colour of an article` is referred to in this specification, this may include an article of more than one colour and/or one which bears a pattern.
According to the present invention there is provided colour detection apparatus, the apparatus comprising means for detecting light intensity substantially across the visible spectrum and means for comparing the read light intensity relative to a previously read light intensity substantially across the visible spectrum.
Means are preferably provided for comparing the read light intensity with previously read light intensities for one or more known colours.
Means are preferably provided for reading the light intensity at a plurality of closely spaced intervals across the visible spectrum. The light intensity can preferably be read at over twenty spaced intervals, desirably over fifty spaced intervals, and more particularly substantially sixty four spaced intervals.
Preferably means are provided for splitting the light into one or more spectra.
Diffraction means may be provided for splitting the light into one or more spectra, and desirably a diffraction grid is provided. Means are preferably provided for focusing light onto the diffraction grid.
Where the light is split into more than one spectra, the apparatus is preferably arranged to read the light intensity across respective parts of adjacent spectra, desirably with the red end of a one spectra being read along with the blue end of a larger spectra. The apparatus may comprise a visible detector capable of measuring light intensity at a plurality of closely spaced intervals, for measuring the respective light intensities across the spectrum or the respective parts of each spectra.
The invention also provides apparatus for detecting the colour of an article, the apparatus comprising colour detection apparatus according to any of the preceding six paragraphs.
The apparatus preferably comprises means for shining light onto the article.
The apparatus is preferably arranged such that the colour is read for at least part of the article. Means are preferably provided for moving the article relative to the detection apparatus during colour detection, such that colour is read across at least part of the article.
The detection apparatus may be arranged to record the colour detected, i.e. the intensity and frequency, and the positioning of the article, so as to detect changes in colour and/or pattern across the article. The apparatus preferably comprises means for differentiating the colour detected relative to the position on the article so as to indicate colour changes.
The apparatus preferably also comprises means for comparing the colour detected with a plurality of previous colour detections of articles, with the articles at different orientations.
The apparatus may also be arranged to include the detected colour of an article in subsequent comparisons, whereby to update the apparatus if for example the colour of article is changing due to dirt, fading or different light conditions.
The invention further provides appara
REFERENCES:
patent: 5265732 (1993-11-01), Long
patent: 5325169 (1994-06-01), Nakamoto et al.
patent: 5502559 (1996-03-01), Powell et al.
Chipper 2000 Limited
Nguyen Tuan N.
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