| 主权项 |
1. A method of sorting, comprising:
providing a source of a product to be sorted; providing a conveyor for moving the source of the product along a path of travel, and then releasing the product to be sorted into a product stream for unsupported movement through a downstream inspection station; providing a first, selectively energizable illuminator which is positioned on a first side of the product stream, and which, when energized, illuminates the product stream moving through the inspection station; providing a first, selectively operable image capturing device which is operably associated with the first illuminator, and which is further positioned on the first side of the product stream, and which, when actuated, captures images of the illuminated product stream moving through the inspection station; providing a second, selectively energizable illuminator which is positioned on the first side of the product stream, and which, when energized, emits a narrow beam of light which is scanned along a path of travel, and across the product stream moving through the inspection station; providing a second, selectively operable image capturing device which is operably associated with the second illuminator, and which is further positioned on the first side of the product stream, and which, when actuated, captures images of the product stream illuminated by the narrow beam of light emitted by the second selectively energizable illuminator; providing a third, selectively energizable illuminator which is positioned on a second side of the product stream, and which, when energized illuminates the product stream moving through the inspection station; providing a third, selectively operable image capturing device which is operably associated with the second illuminator, and which is further positioned on the second side of the product stream, and which, when actuated, captures images of the illuminated product stream moving through the inspection station; providing a fourth, selectively energizable illuminator which is positioned on a second side of the product stream, and which, when energized, emits a narrow beam of light which is scanned along a path of travel, and across the product stream moving through the inspection station; providing a fourth, selectively operable image capturing device which is operably associated with the fourth illuminator, and which is further positioned on the second side of the product stream, and which, when actuated, captures images of the product stream illuminated by the narrow beam of light emitted by the fourth selectively energizable illuminator, and generating with the first, second, third, and fourth image capturing devices an image signal formed of the images generated by the first, second, third, and fourth image capturing devices; providing a controller and electrically coupling the controller in controlling relation relative to each of the first, second, third, and fourth illuminators, and image capturing devices, respectively, and wherein the controller is operable to individually, and sequentially energize, and then render operable the respective first, second, third, and fourth illuminators, and associated image capturing devices, in a predetermined pattern, so that only one illuminator or a cooperating combination of illuminators, and associated image capturing devices are energized or rendered operable, during a given time period, and wherein the controller further receives the respective image signals generated by the respective first, second, third, and fourth image capturing devices, and which depicts the product stream passing through the inspection station, and wherein the controller analyzes the respective image signals of the first, second, third, and fourth image capturing devices, and identifies any unacceptable product moving along the product stream, and generates a product ejection signal; and providing a product ejector positioned downstream of the inspection station, and which receives the product ejection signal, and is operable to remove any unacceptable product moving along in the product stream. |
