| 摘要 |
The present invention consists of a method and apparatus for identifying articles, particularly fruit or vegetables. The technique involves analysing either the reflected or transmitted electromagnetic energy (preferably electromagnetic energy corresponding to the optical spectrum). The reflected or transmitted energy may be diffracted using a diffraction grating whereby the diffracted spectrum is compared with a number of pre-determined spectra. The electromagnetic energy source may be stepped laser, sequentially switched light emitting diodes or other suitable radiation source. Instead of using a particular frequency of electromagnetic energy for the energy source, the source may provide a relatively narrow band of electromagnetic energy with the detection means being sensitive to a wide band. Identification of the characteristics of the reflection or transmission could be by way of wavelength shift. The present invention may find application in fruit sorting (at the growing location and the retail location) or similar process control type situations involving articles such as fruit or vegetables. |
