SEED FRAGMENT INSPECTION APPARATUS

摘要

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a seed fragment inspection apparatus capable of distinguishing small seed fragments from wrinkles and acquiring pitted fruits of satisfactory quality with satisfactory yields. SOLUTION: The front and back surface of a pitted fruit (prune) transferred by a conveyer device 41 of a transparent belt 41a are each photographed. Infrared cameras 51 and 54 and their infrared illumination devices 53 and 55 are couterposed on both sides of the transparent belt 41a. A region in the fluids not exceeding a prescribed brightness level are determined on the basis of image data of the infrared cameras 51 and 54 to determine both a mean brightness level of the surface of an outer circumferential part of the region of the fruit and a drop part lower than the determined mean brightness level by a previously set level or less. It is determined on the basis of the shape (the characteristics of measurable brightness level (gray level) properties) of the drop part whether fruit seed fragments still remain or not. COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI