Inspection device and method for analyzing items

Abstract

A method and inspection apparatus for detecting and analyzing an electromagnetically excitable article (102) present in an inspection zone (104) by irradiating the article with excitation light radiation (151) and irradiation light radiation (152) while substantially preventing (128) a range of generated light radiation from reaching the article to be inspected; wherein the optical radiation in the blocked wavelength range (152, 154) is used to calibrate the inspection system.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the inspection of articles, and more particularly to the material testing and analysis of articles by means of light radiation convection. Background Technology

[0002] Across a wide range of industries, there is a frequent need and expectation for the identification, detection, classification, and sorting of various objects or items.

[0003] In its simplest form, when identifying, sorting, and classifying a limited number of objects, it is advantageous to hire a person to manually identify the objects. The person in question can then identify and classify the objects of interest based on his / her knowledge. However, this type of manual identification is monotonous and error-prone. Furthermore, the operator's level of experience will significantly affect the outcome of the operation performed by the operator. In addition, the aforementioned type of manual identification suffers from low identification speed.

[0004] Therefore, in industry, the identification, sorting, and classification of bulk objects are typically performed by machines, where bulk objects are supplied in the form of a continuous flow. These machines are generally faster than operators and can operate for longer periods, thus providing enhanced overall throughput. Examples of such machines are used in agriculture for fruits and vegetables, and in recycling for identifying and sorting objects and materials to be recycled.

[0005] Machines of the types described above typically incorporate some form of sensor for identifying objects. For example, optical sensors, in the form of optical sensors, can be used to determine the quality of harvested fruits and vegetables. Similarly, optical sensors can be used to determine the material of objects to be recycled.

[0006] In industrial systems used for inspecting, testing, and analyzing items, robustness and reliability are always required. Summary of the Invention

[0007] In view of the above, the object of this invention is to provide an improved inspection apparatus for detecting and analyzing electromagnetically excitable articles in an inspection area, which is robust and reliable. Furthermore, the object of this invention is to provide an inspection apparatus and method capable of analyzing and optionally sorting electromagnetically excitable articles with high total throughput. Additionally, the object of this invention is to provide a cost-effective inspection apparatus and method for inspection. Furthermore, an object of this invention is to provide an inspection apparatus and method that are modular and promote scalability.

[0008] To achieve at least one of the above objectives, and others as will become apparent from the following description, an inspection apparatus having the features defined in claim 1 is provided according to the invention. Preferred variations of the inspection apparatus will be apparent from the dependent claims.

[0009] According to a first aspect, an inspection apparatus is provided configured to detect and analyze electromagnetically excitable articles in an inspection area, the inspection apparatus comprising: • A conveying system configured to feed electromagnetically excitable items in a flow through the inspection area. • Irradiation equipment, configured as follows: - Provides light radiation for irradiating electromagnetically excitable articles, wherein the provided light radiation includes: o The first wavelength range includes excitation light radiation, which is selected to cause an electromagnetically excitable article to emit fluorescent and / or phosphorescent radiation, and The second wavelength range includes illumination radiation different from the excitation light radiation, and is selected to enable the electromagnetically excitable article to provide an illumination response corresponding to the article-specific signature of the electromagnetically excitable article, wherein the illumination response is a portion of the illumination light radiation reflected, transmitted, and / or scattered by the electromagnetically excitable article. • Scanning element • Optical equipment configured to orient the excitation light radiation and the illumination light radiation toward the scanning element. • A detector device having a field of view that at least covers the inspection area, the detector device being configured to detect emitted fluorescent radiation and / or phosphorescent radiation and to detect an illumination response corresponding to a specific signature of the article. • Processing unit configured to detect and analyze at least one electromagnetically excitable article present in the inspection area based on a combination of fluorescent radiation and / or phosphorescent radiation and an article-specific signature.

[0010] The scanning element is configured to redirect the excitation and irradiation radiation from the irradiation device toward the inspection area.

[0011] Irradiation equipment or optical equipment includes: • A filter configured to direct illumination radiation toward the scanning element and block a sub-range of a second wavelength range to prevent it from directly reaching the scanning element, the sub-range of the second wavelength range being outside the illumination radiation, and • A calibration element, adapted to be irradiated by all or part of the irradiating light radiation, and adapted to be irradiated by all or part of a sub-range of a second wavelength range of the irradiation device, and adapted to redirect the irradiation toward the detector device. The calibration element is located within the field of view of the detector device but outside the inspection area of ​​the detector device. The detector device is further configured to detect illumination redirected by a calibration element, and to perform calibration of the inspection device based at least on the detected illumination reflected by the calibration element.

[0012] The inspection equipment described above is advantageous because it provides a compact and versatile calibration device suitable for a wide range of light sensors, such as spectrometers and cameras. The calibration device can also be used to calibrate various combinations of different spectrometers and cameras, and thus allows for the replacement of one type of spectrometer in the inspection equipment with, for example, another type operating in a different wavelength range, without requiring changes to the calibration device.

[0013] According to a second aspect, a method for detecting and analyzing electromagnetically excitable articles in the form of a flow through an inspection zone is provided, the method comprising: • Flowing electromagnetically stimulating items through the inspection area • When an electromagnetically excitable article is present in the inspection area, the electromagnetically excitable article is irradiated with light radiation by an irradiation device, the light radiation including: - A first wavelength range, including excitation light radiation selected to cause an electromagnetically excitable article to emit fluorescent and / or phosphorescent radiation, and - A second wavelength range, comprising illumination radiation and calibration radiation, which differs from the excitation radiation and is selected to enable the electromagnetically excitable article to provide an illumination response corresponding to the article-specific signature of the electromagnetically excitable article, wherein the illumination response is a portion of the illumination radiation reflected, transmitted, and / or scattered by the electromagnetically excitable article. Irradiation includes: - A pass filter (504a) filters the second wavelength range to allow the illuminating light radiation to pass through but blocks the sub-range. - The excitation light radiation and the illumination light radiation are directed toward the scanning element (504b), and the calibration light radiation is directed toward the calibration element arranged outside the inspection area (), the calibration light radiation including at least a portion of the second wavelength range, - The scanning element redirects the excitation and illumination light radiation toward the inspection area. - Redirect all or part of the calibration light radiation toward the detector device via the calibration element (504d). • The emitted fluorescent and / or phosphorescent radiation is detected by the detector device having a field of view covering the inspection area and calibration elements, the irradiation response is detected, and the calibration light radiation redirected by the VIS calibration elements is detected.

[0014] Irradiating light is transmitted toward the scanning element, while calibration light is blocked to prevent it from reaching the scanning element. This sub-range of the second wavelength range is outside the wavelength range of the irradiating light, and the calibration light includes all or a portion of the irradiating light and all or a portion of the sub-range of the second wavelength range. The method further includes: • The settings of the inspection system are calibrated based on the detected calibration light radiation (516), and • Analyze electromagnetically excitable items based on a combination of fluorescent and / or phosphorescent radiation and the item's specific signature.

[0015] Further details relating to the first and second aspects of the invention are set forth below and in the dependent claims. It should be noted that details set forth with respect to one aspect may also apply to the other aspect.

[0016] The present invention is based on the inventor's understanding that improved inspection of electromagnetically excitable articles can be achieved by irradiating articles with excitation light radiation (also referred to as the first set of irradiation beams) and illumination light radiation (also referred to as the second set of irradiation beams), while substantially blocking a certain range of generated light radiation from reaching the article to be inspected, and still using the blocked wavelength range of light radiation to calibrate the inspection system. The terms "excitation light radiation" and "first set of irradiation beams" are used interchangeably. Furthermore, the terms "illumination light radiation" and "second set of irradiation beams" are used interchangeably.

[0017] This ingenious design of the inspection equipment is advantageous because it provides a compact and versatile calibration device, in which the dual purpose of the illumination source provides calibration of the sensor over a wider wavelength range than that used for inspection.

[0018] Therefore, a method and inspection apparatus are provided for detecting and analyzing articles (i.e., electromagnetically excitable articles) present in an inspection area by irradiating them with excitation light radiation and irradiating light radiation, while substantially blocking a certain range of generated light radiation from reaching the article to be inspected; wherein light radiation within the blocked wavelength range is used to calibrate the inspection system.

[0019] The filter may be, for example, a bandpass filter and / or any other filter that allows a predetermined degree of transmission and blocking within a predetermined wavelength range. Transmission and / or blocking may be, for example, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90%, or at least 95% or at least 98% of the incident radiation within one or more of the first incident wavelength ranges.

[0020] In this invention, the terms "matter," "electromagnetically excitable article," and "non-electromagnetically excitable article" should be understood as objects, such as apples, grains of rice, rocks, minerals, and waste objects, such as plastic waste, including used containers. The matter may also include flakes of objects, such as portions or flakes of objects (e.g., waste objects including used containers). The matter may also include, for example, labels or markings provided to said object during or after the manufacture of said object, or labels or markings provided to a portion of said object (if the object has been broken into at least two pieces). Vapors of the matter, or electromagnetically excitable articles provided in the form of a stream, or mixtures of electromagnetically excitable and non-electromagnetically excitable articles provided in the form of a stream, comprise separate material fragments, which will be examined and preferably sorted.

[0021] The coverage area of ​​the material, that is, the area occupied by each fragment of the material when arranged on the horizontal conveyor belt, can be 1 mm. 2 - 10 mm 2 and / or 10 mm 2 - 100 mm 2 and / or 1 mm 2 - 100 mm 2 and / or 10 mm 2 - 1000mm 2 and / or 1 cm 2 - 100 cm 2 and / or 40cm 2 - 400 cm 2 and / or 10cm 2 - 1000 cm 2 and / or 1dm 2 - 100dm 2 Within a certain range. According to one example, the individual material fragments are separated from each other or only partially overlap in a plane parallel to the transport direction (or free fall direction).

[0022] Regarding this invention, the term "classification" or "categorization" should be understood as assigning at least one category to a substance based at least on its spectral response (also known as its illumination response). For example, classification is performed by using a sorting system when a sorting system guides material fragments toward at least one available destination based on attributes such as the color, material, mass, label, etc., and / or combinations of these attributes. A category can be a characteristic representing the value of that attribute, such as red, green, yellow; oil, plastic, glass, textiles, wood, at least 90% metal content; mature, rotten, degraded; food containers, non-food containers. Sorting categories can also be: to be rejected, may be rejected requiring further inspection, may be acceptable requiring further inspection, acceptable.

[0023] According to one example, the inspection device is configured to classify debris in the material stream based on the individual phosphorescence response of the debris or the properties of its phosphorescence response. In the context of this invention, the term "property of phosphorescence response" refers to the properties of the emitted phosphorus spectrum (e.g., duration, rise time, decay time, and / or intensity) or a predetermined wavelength range of the emitted phosphorus spectrum.

[0024] Fluorescence is the emission of light by a substance that has absorbed light or other electromagnetic radiation. This is a form of light emission. In most cases, the emitted light has a longer wavelength than the absorbed radiation and therefore has lower photon energy. A perceptible example of fluorescence occurs when the absorbed radiation is in the ultraviolet region of the spectrum (invisible to the human eye), while the emitted light is in the visible region. When the radiation source is removed, fluorescent materials stop emitting light almost immediately, unlike phosphorescent materials, which continue to emit light after a period of time.

[0025] Phosphorescence is a type of photoluminescence related to fluorescence. When exposed to shorter wavelengths of light (radiation), phosphorescent materials emit light, absorbing the light and re-emitting it at longer wavelengths. Unlike fluorescence, phosphorescent materials do not immediately re-emit the absorbed radiation. Instead, they absorb some of the radiant energy and re-emit the light over a longer period after the radiation source is removed.

[0026] There are two independent mechanisms that can produce phosphorescence, known as triplet phosphorescence and persistent phosphorescence. Persistent phosphorescence occurs when a high-energy photon is absorbed by an atom and its electron is trapped in a defect in the lattice of a crystalline or amorphous material. Defects, such as missing atoms (vacancy defects), can trap electrons like traps, storing the electron's energy until it is released by a random spike in thermal (vibrational) energy. The material then emits light with gradually decreasing intensity, ranging from a few seconds to several hours after the initial excitation.

[0027] In triplet phosphorescence, the electron that absorbs a photon (energy) undergoes an unusual intersystem crossing into an energy state with different (usually higher) spin multiplicity, typically a triplet. As a result, the excited electron can be trapped in the triplet state, with only "forbidden" transitions available to return to the lower energy singlet state. These transitions, though "forbidden," still occur in quantum mechanics, but are kinetically unfavorable and therefore occur on a significantly slower timescale. Most phosphorescent compounds remain relatively fast emitters, with triplet decay times around milliseconds.

[0028] The substances to be classified are provided as a material stream or in the form of a stream passing through an inspection area, and the equipment irradiates the substances to be classified or electromagnetically excitable articles with light radiation, for example, in the UV wavelength range, which is designed to cause the irradiated substances to emit phosphorescent and / or fluorescent radiation.

[0029] The electromagnetically excitable article to be detected and analyzed can be provided as a material stream, containing, in part or only, substances with known properties of fluorescence and / or phosphorescence response. When the material stream contains only substances with known properties, each of the individual material fragments has a fluorescence and / or phosphorescence response with known properties, or a fluorescence and / or phosphorescence response with known properties above or below one or more given thresholds. When the material stream contains, in part, substances with known fluorescence and / or phosphorescence responses, the stream may also contain substances without any phosphorescence response or substances with unknown properties of fluorescence and / or phosphorescence response to the light radiation to which the stream will be irradiated.

[0030] According to one exemplary embodiment, classifying electromagnetically excitable articles includes determining the rise time and / or decay time of one or both of phosphorescent and fluorescent events.

[0031] The type of substance can be determined by analyzing properties associated with one or both of phosphorescence and fluorescence events. For example, the properties can be compared with one, two, or all of a threshold, a lookup table, and a reference value. Data associated with, for example, the threshold, lookup table, and reference value, as well as other data, can be stored in a local or centralized database.

[0032] According to one exemplary embodiment, classifying electromagnetically excitable articles further includes comparing at least one attribute associated with the phosphorescence and / or fluorescence of the substance and / or with a corresponding one of the substance's color, transmission, scattering, and reflection with data stored in a local or centralized database.

[0033] According to an exemplary embodiment, classifying the substance may include classifying the substance based on the following factors: At least one property associated with the phosphorescence and / or fluorescence events of the substance, and At least one property associated with a corresponding one of the color, transmittance, and / or reflectance of the substance.

[0034] According to one exemplary implementation, the classification includes: Whether the substance is phosphorus-labeled is determined by at least one of image processing and spectral processing; and / or For example, identifying one or more materials constituting the substance through spectral processing; and / or When identifying the multiple materials that make up a fragment of matter, it is necessary to determine whether the combination of these materials is acceptable or unacceptable.

[0035] Fluorescent and / or phosphorescent markers can be identified, for example, based on their shape, the outline of which can be identified through image processing. Alternatively, phosphorus markers can be identified, for example, based on the spectrum or spectral characteristics emitted in response to irradiation by the irradiation beam. Spectral characteristics can be identified by means of spectral processing.

[0036] According to one exemplary embodiment, at least one irradiation beam causing a photoexcitation event comprises light radiation in the ultraviolet and / or visible wavelength range. At least one irradiation beam may include light radiation in one or a combination of ultraviolet, visible, near-infrared, and infrared wavelength ranges.

[0037] According to one exemplary embodiment, the light radiation reflected, scattered, and / or emitted by an electromagnetically excitable article in the first inspection area may include light radiation within one or a combination of ultraviolet, visible, near-infrared, and infrared wavelength ranges.

[0038] It should be noted that, in the context of this application, optical radiation can be any type of optical radiation, visible or invisible, such as NIR, IR, or UV, having a beam or ray with an extended range rather than an infinitely thin one. In other words, unless otherwise stated, a set of irradiation beams can mean any column or beam of optical radiation that has a physical extension in space along its propagation direction. Exciting and / or irradiating optical radiation can therefore, for example, form parallel beams, non-parallel beams (such as diverging or converging beams), or bands of light, to give several non-limiting examples.

[0039] The irradiation unit may include a broadband spectral source, such as a halogen irradiation device. This halogen irradiation device may have a spectral distribution starting at about 400 nm and significantly attenuating at about 2.5 μm. The maximum emission power may occur at about 1.3 μm. Alternatively or additionally, a xenon arc irradiation device may be used. Shorter wavelengths, such as 200 nm and above, can be achieved by using a xenon arc irradiation device. Additionally or alternatively, an LED irradiation device or a heating element may be used. For UV fluorescence spectroscopy, an LED irradiation device may be advantageously used. For mid-infrared spectroscopy, a heating element may be advantageously used. For high spatial and spectral resolution spectral systems, supercontinuum lasers may be used. For high spatial and spectral resolution multispectral systems, lasers of multiple wavelengths may be used in combination. For highly spatially resolution optimized multispectral systems, LEDs and pulsed LEDs may preferably be used in conjunction with a line scan camera.

[0040] According to at least one exemplary embodiment, the irradiation device includes one, two, or more irradiation units; when there are two or more irradiation units, each unit may be arranged in a separate location relative to the inspection area, independent of the other units.

[0041] According to at least one exemplary embodiment, the detection device includes one, two, or more detection units; when there are two or more detection units, each unit may be arranged in a separate location relative to the inspection area, independent of the other units.

[0042] Excitation and irradiation light radiation, after being redirected by at least a scanning element, reach a first inspection zone through which matter is provided. Matter comprising an electromagnetically excitable article is provided through the first inspection zone in the sense that matter is transferred or conveyed through it. Matter may also optionally be provided through a second inspection zone arranged upstream or downstream of the first inspection zone. Matter may be provided through the first and / or second inspection zones continuously or intermittently. Matter may be provided sequentially or in parallel through the first and / or second inspection zones. Therefore, a single or multiple fragments of matter may simultaneously be present in the first inspection zone; and a single or multiple fragments of matter may simultaneously be present in the second inspection zone. Preferably, multiple fragments of matter are simultaneously present in their respective inspection zones.

[0043] The first and second check zones can overlap, which is advantageous because it makes it easier to associate the substance in the first check zone with the corresponding substance in the second check zone. In other words, it becomes easier to determine when a specific fragment of substance that has passed through the first check zone passes through the second check zone. This setup is advantageous when substance travels through the first and / or second check zones in a random manner (as is typically the case when substance freely falls or slides through the first and / or second check zones).

[0044] The first and second inspection areas may partially overlap. Alternatively, they may almost completely overlap. Therefore, the first and second inspection areas may be located partially in the same physical location.

[0045] The inspection apparatus may further include a focusing device adapted to guide and converge a first or second set of irradiation beams onto a scanning element, wherein the scanning element is adapted to redirect the first and second sets of irradiation beams toward a first inspection area, thereby focusing the first and second sets of irradiation beams near the first inspection area. Therefore, material supplied through the first inspection area can be effectively irradiated by the first or second set of irradiation beams converged at the first inspection area.

[0046] The scanning element can make the first and second sets of irradiation beams sweep across the entire first inspection area.

[0047] The scanning element can be one of a rotating multifaceted mirror or a tilting mirror.

[0048] According to at least one exemplary embodiment, the irradiation device includes a first irradiation device configured to emit a first wavelength range, a second irradiation device configured to emit a second wavelength range, and a shield disposed between the first and second irradiation devices and arranged to prevent generated light radiation from irradiating the calibration element, except for calibration radiation.

[0049] The presence of shielding provides the advantage of enabling more accurate calibration. Calibration is used for purposes such as detecting and correcting alignment misalignments of the irradiation equipment / unit and / or aging of the irradiation apparatus, and / or calibrating the equipment in response to changes in ambient temperature. Additionally or alternatively, the purpose may be to set up or prepare inspection equipment for an upcoming inspection session.

[0050] According to at least one exemplary embodiment, the shield is made of an opaque material such as metal, or the shield is configured to block at least 90%, or at least 95%, or at least 98%, or at least 99% of incident radiation within the wavelength of the irradiation response or the irradiation response of interest. When the irradiation response covers a range of wavelengths, the processing unit may be configured to analyze only a subrange of these wavelengths; this subrange of wavelengths may be referred to as the irradiation response of interest.

[0051] According to at least one exemplary embodiment, the scanning element is configured to redirect fluorescent radiation and / or phosphorescent radiation from the inspection area, as well as reflected irradiation response from the inspection area, toward the detector device.

[0052] An advantage associated with this implementation is that it enables more precise inspections and more compact inspection equipment.

[0053] According to at least one exemplary embodiment, the scanning element includes a multifaceted mirror configured to scan any article present on or in the inspection area with excitation light radiation and irradiation light radiation from an irradiation device.

[0054] The advantage associated with using a multifaceted mirror to scan the entire inspection area with light radiation is that the essentially constant rotational speed of the multifaceted mirror provides a scan without significant delay and acceleration, thus simplifying the process without the need to compensate for significant acceleration and delay.

[0055] According to at least one exemplary embodiment, the scanning element includes two faceted mirrors arranged adjacent to each other, wherein one of the faceted mirrors is configured to allow excitation light radiation to sweep across the entire inspection area, and the other of the faceted mirrors is configured to allow illumination light radiation to sweep across the entire inspection area, wherein the two faceted mirrors preferably have coincident axes of rotation.

[0056] According to one exemplary embodiment, the first wavelength range includes any combination of wavelengths λ1 in the range of 100 nm < λ1 < 400 nm, and the second wavelength range includes any combination of wavelengths λ2 in the range of 200 nm < λ2 < 5000 nm, or any combination of wavelengths in the range of 400 nm < λ2 < 2000 nm; wherein λ1 and λ2 are preferably selected such that all λ1 < all λ2. According to at least one embodiment, λ1 and λ2 are generated by the same radiation source. Alternatively, λ1 and λ2 are generated by different radiation sources.

[0057] An advantage associated with this implementation is that it provides a useful balance between wavelength ranges that can provide information about predetermined properties within the sensitivity range of a cost-effective sensor.

[0058] According to at least one embodiment, the detection device includes an optical sensor device configured to receive and analyze radiation reflected and / or scattered by an article present in the inspection area, and the detection device is configured to determine the article's location and / or the article's material information and / or article category based on the analysis provided by the optical sensor device.

[0059] According to one embodiment, the sensor device includes a space detection system, which includes at least one of the following: i) A laser triangulation apparatus configured to: irradiate at least a portion of a detection zone through which an article is provided by means of a laser emitting unit; capture at least a portion of the laser light reflected from the surface of the article within the detection zone by means of a light sensor; and determine at least spatial information of the article based on analysis of the captured laser light; ii) A time-of-flight detection device configured to: transmit a signal to at least a portion of a detection area through which an article is provided to pass by means of a signal transmitting unit; capture a reflected signal reflected from the surface of the article within the detection area by means of a signal sensor; and determine at least spatial information of the article based on the time between the transmission of the signal and the capture of the reflected signal. iii) A stereo vision inspection device configured to: capture a first image of an object within the inspection area by means of a first imaging sensor associated with a first advantageous point; capture a second image of the object within the inspection area by means of a second imaging sensor associated with a second advantageous point; and determine at least spatial information of the object based on a comparison of the first image and the second image; iv) A structured light inspection device configured to: project a light pattern onto at least a portion of a detection area through which an article is provided; capture an image of the article within the detection area by means of an imaging sensor, wherein at least a portion of the light pattern is projected onto the detection area; and determine at least spatial information of the article based on distortion of the light pattern as a result of the geometry of the article. v) An optical pattern sequence detection device configured to: project an optical pattern sequence onto at least a portion of a detection area through which an article is provided; capture multiple images of the article within the detection area by means of an imaging sensor, wherein at least a portion of the optical pattern sequence is projected onto the detection area; and determine at least spatial information of the article based on the optical pattern sequence projected onto the article.

[0060] According to one embodiment, the spatial information of the item includes: 3D information, and / or height information, and / or coverage area, and / or location, and / or shape, and / or volume, and / or weight, and / or density, and / or relative distance to nearby items to be sorted.

[0061] According to one embodiment, the sensor device includes a spectral system comprising a spectrometer, wherein the spectral system is adapted to receive and analyze light reflected, emitted, and / or scattered by an article in a detection area. The device can be configured to determine exemplary subdivisions of the article based on the analysis provided by the spectral system.

[0062] Spectroscopic systems may include near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy systems. NIR spectroscopy can advantageously enable the detection of properties, for example, of the surface of a feed material. In the context of this application, NIR refers to the near-infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum. As a non-limiting example, the near-infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum is in the range of 780 nm to 2500 nm. As an alternative or combination, such a spectral system may be configured to use regions of the electromagnetic spectrum other than NIR, such as the visible or mid-infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum. Spectroscopic systems may be configured to use both NIR spectroscopy and X-ray spectroscopy. Spectroscopic systems may be VIS / NIR spectral systems configured to detect wavelengths, for example, within the visible and near-infrared spectra.

[0063] The spectroscopic system can be configured to analyze light in the wavelength range of 400 nm - 1000 nm or 500 nm - 1000 nm; and / or light in the wavelength range of 1000 nm - 1900 nm or light with wavelengths greater than 900 nm; and / or light in the wavelength range of 1900 nm - 2500 nm, and / or light in the wavelength range of 2700 nm - 5300 nm and / or light in the wavelength range of 900 nm - 1700 nm. Optionally, the spectroscopic system can be configured to analyze light in the wavelength range of 700 nm - 1400 nm. The spectroscopic system can analyze visible light. The spectroscopic system can analyze UV ​​and / or NIR light. The spectroscopic system can analyze IR light. Different types of spectroscopic systems can be used depending on the properties of the substance to be detected.

[0064] According to one embodiment, the device further includes at least two sorting devices configured to sort items into one or more corresponding receiving areas according to item category, wherein at least two of the two sorting devices are configured to perform sorting based on sensor data from the detector device.

[0065] According to one implementation, sorting includes classifying items into at least a first item category, the first item category being based on a first set of material properties and / or a second set of material properties.

[0066] Irradiation equipment can also include several lasers of different wavelengths, which makes it possible to determine further optical properties (such as the color of the item) and to analyze other parameters based on spectral analysis. Lasers at different locations can be used for this purpose, but multiple pulsed lasers on the same optical plane are also possible. Sensor devices can also combine different laser polarizations to filter portions of the reflected electromagnetic radiation and more easily distinguish the properties of items in a flow of goods. Sensor devices can, for example, include several lasers or polarization cameras with different polarizations.

[0067] According to at least one exemplary embodiment, the detector device is configured to classify electromagnetically excitable articles into at least two categories based on a combination of detected fluorescent radiation and / or phosphorescent radiation and detected article-specific signatures.

[0068] According to at least one exemplary embodiment, the inspection equipment further includes a sorting device configured to sort electromagnetically excitable articles from the stream that are classified into one of at least two categories. After being sorted, the electromagnetically excitable articles are preferably conveyed, transported, or pushed to a dedicated container or collection point, optionally passing through additional sorting stations along a path toward the dedicated container or collection point.

[0069] According to at least one exemplary embodiment, the electromagnetically excitable article is a container and / or part of a container, and wherein the detected fluorescent and / or phosphorescent radiation indicates the material composition of the electromagnetically excitable article, and the article-specific signature indicates residues associated with the electromagnetically excitable article, and preferably indicates contents (e.g., oil) that have been in contact with the electromagnetically excitable article.

[0070] According to at least one exemplary embodiment, electromagnetically excitable articles include markers configured to emit fluorescent and / or phosphorescent radiation, which are preferably implemented in the form of at least one of the following: paint, prints, postmarks, and / or labels.

[0071] By way of a non-limiting example, the information content in the label may represent food-grade material, and / or the information content in the label may represent non-food-grade material.

[0072] According to at least one exemplary embodiment, when the detector device is configured to classify electromagnetically expirable articles into at least two categories based on a combination of detected fluorescent and / or phosphorescent radiation, one of the at least two categories corresponds to or is limited to food-compliant articles; and the sorting device is preferably configured to sort out electromagnetically expirable articles classified as food-compliant articles from the electromagnetically expirable article stream. The classification as food-compliant articles is preferably based on detected fluorescent and / or phosphorescent radiation indicating that the material composition of the electromagnetically expirable article is approved for food compliance, and / or optionally, on a detected article-specific signature indicating that the electromagnetically expirable article (102) will not be rejected. An example of the latter is when it is determined that the electromagnetically expirable article does not contain toxic substances; that is, electromagnetically expirable articles containing toxic substances will be rejected or discarded; while electromagnetically expirable articles not containing toxic substances will be retained.

[0073] Additionally or alternatively, one of the at least two categories corresponds to or is limited to non-food compliant articles, and the sorting equipment is configured to sort out electromagnetically compliant articles classified as non-food compliant articles from the electromagnetically compliant article stream, wherein the classification as non-food compliant articles may optionally be based on detected fluorescent and / or phosphorescent radiation indicating that the material composition of the electromagnetically compliant article is approved for food compliance, and / or a detected article-specific signature may optionally indicate that the electromagnetically compliant article is non-food compliant, for example due to trace amounts of machine oil.

[0074] According to at least one exemplary embodiment, one of the at least two categories corresponds to or is limited to reusable textiles, and the sorting device is configured to sort electromagnetically excitable articles classified as reusable textiles from the electromagnetically excitable article stream, wherein the classification as reusable textiles is optionally based on detected fluorescent and / or phosphorescent radiation indicating that the electromagnetically excitable material composition is approved for reusable textiles, and / or detected article-specific signatures optionally indicating that the electromagnetically excitable articles will not be rejected. For example, textiles may be rejected due to the textile composition and / or due to contamination with oil or bodily fluids.

[0075] According to at least one exemplary embodiment, an article-specific signature relates to at least one of reflectivity, size, and geometry, wherein the reflectivity includes one or a combination of wavelength-dependent intensity variation, spatial distribution of reflected radiation, and polarization of reflected radiation. Wavelength-dependent intensity variation can be caused, for example, by the color of the material, and polarization of reflected radiation can be caused, for example, by the structure of the material surface.

[0076] According to at least one exemplary embodiment, the conveying device is configured to feed electromagnetically excitable and non-electromagnetically excitable articles in a flow through an inspection zone. The irradiating light radiation is preferably selected such that the non-electromagnetically excitable article provides an irradiation response corresponding to the article-specific signature of the non-electromagnetically excitable article, wherein the irradiation response is a portion of the irradiating light radiation reflected, transmitted, and / or scattered by the non-electromagnetically excitable article. The detector device can optionally be configured to detect the item-specific signature of a non-electromagnetically excitable item based on the item-specific signature. The processing unit may optionally be configured to detect and analyze at least one of the non-electromagnetically excitable items present in the inspection area based on the item-specific signature.

[0077] Optionally, the inspection equipment is configured to classify non-electromagnetically excitable items into at least one category based on an item-specific signature. According to at least one exemplary embodiment, the sorting equipment is configured to sort out non-electromagnetically excitable items classified into one of the at least one category from a stream of electromagnetically excitable items. After being sorted, the non-electromagnetically excitable items are preferably conveyed, transported, or pushed to a dedicated container or collection point, optionally passing through additional sorting stations along a path toward the dedicated container or collection point.

[0078] The inspection equipment, and optionally the irradiation equipment, may include another irradiation device or apparatus adapted to emit another set of irradiation beams. With such equipment, stronger irradiation can be provided at the first inspection area. Furthermore, by using different types of irradiation devices with different characteristics as the first irradiation device, the second irradiation device, and additional irradiation devices, the irradiation of the first inspection area can be easily customized. Moreover, a more robust inspection equipment can be achieved. If one of the first and second irradiation devices fails, the inspection equipment does not need to be stopped, and therefore can continue to operate while one of the irradiation devices is being replaced.

[0079] The optical device may include a focusing device comprising a first focusing element adapted to orient and converge a first set of irradiation beams and a second set of irradiation beams toward a scanning element, and another focusing element adapted to orient and converge a third set of irradiation beams toward the scanning element. This is advantageous because the first and second sets of irradiation beams can be oriented and converged toward the scanning element independently. The focusing element may be any optical element capable of focusing and orienting the first set of irradiation beams and / or the third set of irradiation beams. The focusing element may be a combination of multiple optical elements acting in concert. The focusing element may orient the first, second, and / or third set of irradiation beams along the direction of incident light radiation from the first, second, and / or third sets. The first focusing element may be a lens or a mirror. The first focusing element may be a combination of a lens and a mirror. The other focusing element may be a lens or a mirror. The second focusing element may be a combination of a lens and a mirror.

[0080] An irradiation device or irradiation apparatus may include a single irradiation unit suitable for emitting a first set of irradiation beams and another set of irradiation beams, which is advantageous because the irradiation device can be more energy-efficient. Furthermore, the irradiation device can be made more compact because space may only need to be allocated to a single irradiation unit.

[0081] The first and / or other focusing element may be a lens or a mirror. The first and / or other focusing element may be a fully parabolic mirror or one or more partially parabolic mirrors. The first and / or other focusing element may be a fully elliptical mirror or one or more partially parabolic mirrors; or a mirror having a shape optimized to focus light radiation into a first inspection area. The first and / or other focusing element may be an off-axis fully parabolic mirror or a partially parabolic mirror. The first and / or other focusing element may be a combination of a lens and a mirror. The first and / or other focusing element may be a combination of a lens and a plane mirror.

[0082] The detector device may include a spectral system that may include a first spectrometer system suitable for analyzing optical radiation in a first wavelength range and an optional second spectrometer system suitable for analyzing optical radiation in a second wavelength range. This is advantageous in that a spectrometer system suitable for analyzing a particular wavelength range can be used. With such a device, more sensitive and accurate analysis can be performed. The first and second wavelength ranges may overlap or partially overlap. The first and second wavelength ranges may also be separate ranges.

[0083] The spectroscopic system may include a first spectrometer system suitable for analyzing light radiation in a first wavelength range, a second spectrometer system suitable for analyzing light radiation in a second wavelength range, and a third spectrometer system suitable for analyzing light radiation in a third wavelength range.

[0084] A spectroscopic system may include one or more spectrometer systems, each of which is adapted to analyze optical radiation in one or more wavelength ranges.

[0085] The spectroscopic system can be a scanning spectroscopic system, which has the advantage of being able to perform precise analysis of the substance in the first inspection region within a wavelength range. Furthermore, an image of the substance in the first inspection region can be acquired, wherein the image includes information derived from the analysis of light radiation received by the scanning spectroscopic system.

[0086] The inspection apparatus may also include a processing unit coupled to a detector device (such as a spectroscopic system and / or a camera-based sensor device), wherein the processing unit may be configured to determine a first set of attributes associated with a substance or electromagnetically excitable article in a first inspection area based on the output signal of the spectroscopic system, and wherein the processing unit may be configured to determine a second set of attributes associated with a substance or electromagnetically excitable article in a first or second inspection area based on the output signal of the camera-based sensor device, depending on which system is present. Providing a processing unit coupled to the spectroscopic system and / or the camera-based sensor device enables the processing unit to determine one or more attributes of the substance or electromagnetically excitable article in the respective first and / or second inspection areas. Therefore, the processing unit may receive signals from the spectroscopic system and the camera-based sensor device, respectively. The received signals may be based on the analysis and / or processing of optical radiation received by the spectroscopic system and / or the camera-based sensor device, respectively.

[0087] The inspection equipment can be arranged to process the received fluorescent and / or phosphorescent radiation in accordance with the methods described in WO 2023104832 (which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety).

[0088] It should be noted that, in the context of this application, the term "processing unit" can refer to any unit, system, or apparatus capable of receiving one or more signals or data from other entities and processing the received signals or data. Processing may, for example, include calculating one or more attributes based on the received signals or data, forwarding the received signals or data, and modifying the received signals or data. The processing unit can be a single unit or distributed across multiple devices (such as multiple PCs), each device having processing capabilities. The processing unit can be implemented in hardware or software.

[0089] It should be noted that, in the context of this application, the term "attribute set" can refer to any dataset that includes any type of data. An attribute set can include any number of attributes (including zero). Therefore, an attribute set can be an empty set, which, for example, can indicate the absence of a substance or the absence of an electromagnetically excitable article.

[0090] The first set of attributes can indicate at least one of the following: spectral response of a substance, material type of a substance, color of a substance, fluorescence of a substance, maturity of a substance, dry matter content of a substance, water content of a substance, fat content of a substance, oil content of a substance, calorific value of a substance, presence of bone or fish bone of a substance, presence of pests of a substance, mineral type of a substance, ore type of a substance, defect level of a substance, detection of harmful biological material of a substance, presence of a substance, absence of a substance, detection of multilayer material of a substance, detection of fluorescent labeling of a substance, detection of phosphorescent labeling of a substance, quality grade of a substance, physical structure of the surface of a substance, and molecular structure of a substance.

[0091] Examples of detectable harmful biological materials include mycotoxins.

[0092] The aforementioned characteristics of the first set of attributes can be determined in specific combinations, which is useful for detecting substances in the first inspection area. Examples of useful applications of such combinations include pet food sorting, detection of fish bones in fish fillets, paper sorting using visible and NIR spectroscopy, removal of foreign matter and shells from pistachios, and polymer recycling, to name just a few non-limiting examples.

[0093] The second set of attributes can indicate at least one of the following: the height of the substance, the height distribution of the substance, the 3D map of the substance, the intensity distribution of reflected, emitted and / or scattered light radiation, the center of volume of the substance, the estimated center of mass of the substance, the estimated weight of the substance, the estimated material of the substance, the presence of the substance, the absence of the substance, the detection of isotropic and anisotropic light radiation scattering of the substance, the structure and quality of wood, the surface roughness and texture of the substance, and an indication of the presence of fluid in the substance.

[0094] Examples of relevant fluids are oil and water in food.

[0095] The aforementioned characteristics of the second set of attributes can be determined in specific combinations, which is useful for detecting substances or electromagnetically excitable articles in the second inspection zone. Examples of useful applications of such combinations are glass sorting and quartz sorting, to name just a few non-limiting examples.

[0096] The processing unit can also be configured to receive input indicating the viewing angle of the camera-based sensor device relative to the first or second inspection area, and to compensate for the viewing angle of the camera-based sensor device when determining the second set of attributes. This is advantageous because it allows for more accurate subsequent sorting or discharge of the material. In fact, the height of the material in the first or second inspection area can be compensated when determining its position. Therefore, subsequent sorting or discharge operations that may affect or interfere with the material in its position can counteract the effects of incorrect sorting or discharge. For example, the sorter or discharger can impact the material at its estimated center of mass, thereby reducing the risk of, for example, material slippage or tumbling. The discharger can be configured with a valve image processing step to reduce or minimize compressed air and energy consumption while maintaining optimal sorting yield and sorting losses.

[0097] The processing unit can be configured to receive input from an indicator laser device and a camera-based sensor device relative to the geometry of a first or second inspection area.

[0098] The processing unit can be configured to compensate for the geometry of the laser device and the camera-based sensor device relative to the first or second inspection area when determining the second set of attributes.

[0099] The inspection equipment may also include a sorting device preferably coupled to the processing unit, wherein the sorting device is adapted to discharge material into multiple partitions in response to receiving a signal from the processing unit based on a determined first set of attributes and / or a determined second set of attributes, and the sorting device is adapted to discharge and sort the material by means of at least one of compressed air jets, pressurized water jets, mechanical fingers, a row of compressed air jets, a row of pressurized water jets, a row of mechanical fingers, a robotic arm, and a mechanical diverter.

[0100] By providing sorting equipment coupled to the processing unit, the inspection equipment can discharge materials into multiple zones based on a determined first set of attributes and / or a determined second set of attributes. Therefore, materials can be sorted based on analysis performed by a spectroscopic system and / or a laser triangulation system.

[0101] Multiple partitions can be based on any of the defined attributes. Partitions can be based on, for example, material or color. A partition can correspond to a substance to be discarded or disposed of.

[0102] Discharge and sorting can be performed using compressed air jets, pressurized water jets, mechanical fingers, a row of compressed air jets, a row of pressurized water jets, a row of mechanical fingers, a robotic arm, or a mechanical diverter.

[0103] Alternatively, for discharge and sorting, the materials can be analyzed online via, for example, cloud services. The analyzed materials can then be classified, for example, based on purity, defect level, average color, etc.

[0104] The conveying equipment may also include a conveyor for conveying material through a first inspection zone and a second inspection zone, or optionally include a chute of a vibrating feeder for allowing material to slide or fall freely through the first inspection zone and / or the second inspection zone.

[0105] By providing a transmitter, substances can be transferred in a controlled manner through a first inspection zone and a second inspection zone. Substances transferred through and analyzed in the first inspection zone can then be transferred through and analyzed in the second inspection zone. By transferring substances in a controlled manner through the first and second inspection zones, substances can be tracked. Therefore, substances in the first inspection zone can be associated with or identified as the same substance as those in the second inspection zone.

[0106] By providing a chute that optionally includes a vibratory feeder, material can slide or fall freely through a first inspection zone and / or a second inspection zone. Material can slide through the first and second inspection zones. Material can fall freely through the first and second inspection zones. Material can slide through the first inspection zone and then fall freely through the second inspection zone. Providing a chute that optionally includes a vibratory feeder is advantageous for small bulk objects such as different kinds of grains.

[0107] According to a third aspect of this disclosure, a computer program is provided. The computer program includes instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the method according to the second aspect or any embodiment thereof.

[0108] According to a fourth aspect of this disclosure, a computer-readable storage medium is provided. The computer-readable storage medium includes instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform a method according to the first aspect or any embodiment thereof.

[0109] The effects and features of the second, third, and fourth aspects are largely similar to those described above in conjunction with the first aspect. The embodiments mentioned with respect to the first aspect are largely compatible with the second, third, and fourth aspects. Therefore, all the advantages detailed in the disclosure relating to the first aspect or any embodiment thereof apply to the second, third, and fourth aspects or any embodiment thereof. It should also be noted that, unless explicitly stated otherwise, this disclosure relates to all possible combinations of features.

[0110] The further applicability of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description given below. However, it should be understood that while the detailed description and specific examples indicate preferred variations of the inventive concept, they are given by way of illustration only, as various changes and modifications within the scope of the inventive concept will become apparent to those skilled in the art based on this detailed description.

[0111] This invention is defined by the appended independent claims, and embodiments are set forth in the appended dependent claims, description, and drawings. It should be understood that the inventive concept is not limited to the specific components of the described apparatus, as such apparatus can vary. It should also be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular variations only and is not intended to be limiting. Items described as part of the whole may also be used individually. It must be noted that, as used in the description and appended claims, the words “a,” “an,” “the,” and “the” are intended to indicate the presence of one or more elements unless the context clearly specifies otherwise. Thus, for example, references to “a unit” or “the unit” can include several means, etc. Furthermore, the words “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” and similar wording do not exclude other elements or steps.

[0112] Generally, unless otherwise expressly defined herein, all terms used in the claims shall be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the art. Unless otherwise expressly stated, all references to “element, device, component, apparatus, step, etc.” shall be publicly interpreted as referring to at least one instance of said element, device, component, apparatus, step, etc. Attached Figure Description

[0113] The above and additional objects, features, and advantages of the inventive concept will be better understood from the following illustrative and non-limiting detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, unless otherwise stated, the same reference numerals will be used for the same elements.

[0114] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an inspection device according to an exemplary embodiment is shown.

[0115] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a wavelength range for irradiation and detection, conceived according to the present invention, is shown.

[0116] Figure 3 A schematic detailed view of an inspection device according to an exemplary embodiment is shown.

[0117] Figure 4 A schematic detailed view of an inspection device according to an exemplary embodiment is shown.

[0118] Figure 5A schematic detailed view of an inspection device according to an exemplary embodiment is shown.

[0119] Figure 6 A schematic detailed view of an inspection device according to an exemplary embodiment is shown.

[0120] Figure 7a , Figure 7b A spectral intensity diagram of light radiation provided by an exemplary irradiation device is shown.

[0121] Figure 8 A schematic detailed view of an inspection device according to an exemplary embodiment is shown.

[0122] Figure 9 A schematic flowchart of a method for detecting and inspecting articles according to an exemplary embodiment is shown.

[0123] All accompanying drawings are schematic and not necessarily drawn to scale, and generally only show the parts necessary to illustrate this disclosure, where other parts may be omitted or only suggested. In all the drawings, the same reference numerals denote the same or substantially the same features. Detailed Implementation

[0124] In the following description, the inventive concept is described with reference to an inspection apparatus configured to detect and analyze electromagnetically excitable articles present in an inspection area. The inventive concept is also described with reference to a method for detecting and analyzing electromagnetically excitable articles present in an inspection area. It should be noted that this in no way limits the scope of the invention, which is also applicable to other situations, such as other types of devices or variations thereof besides the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, reference to specific components in the embodiments of the inventive concept does not imply that those components cannot be used advantageously with other embodiments of the inventive concept.

[0125] Features shown in the accompanying drawings or described below as part of an embodiment may be used in conjunction with another embodiment to produce yet another embodiment. For clarity, not all features of an actual implementation are described in this specification. Various structures, systems, and apparatuses are schematically depicted in the drawings for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to obscure details well known to those skilled in the art. However, the drawings are included to illustrate and explain illustrative examples of the disclosed subject matter.

[0126] The inspection equipment is suitable for sorting a wide range of electromagnetically excitable items, such as fish containing fish bones, minerals, and containers of fluorescent materials, where, for example, all or part of the container body is fluorescent.

[0127] Items awaiting sorting (e.g., for recycling purposes) can contain a wide variety of or complex material compositions, making them varying in their recyclability. For example, food and beverage containers may already be filled with hazardous contents, making them unsuitable for refilling with food or even for material recycling.

[0128] Even if items can be tagged with markings such as barcodes, QR codes (quick response), labels, or paint samples to identify them as suitable for recycling, the user may have already used the items for other purposes. For example, a person may have used PET bottles (polyethylene terephthalate) to store chemicals, making these typically food-compliant containers unsuitable for recycling or even dangerous to recycle.

[0129] Furthermore, items may originate from sources under the limited control of the recycling company, such as lesser-known suppliers. For example, manufacturers producing combinations of materials containing unsuitable or hazardous inclusions. Such unsuitable inclusions can then be identified through the item's specific signature.

[0130] Articles to be detected and inspected by such a device can be marked by a coating that excites fluorescent and / or phosphorescent radiation when exposed to light radiation in a first wavelength range. When the article is also irradiated with light radiation in a second wavelength range (e.g., NIR), the article provides an irradiation response corresponding to its specific signature. The attributes of the article can be detected by analyzing the articles in the inspection area based on a combination of the excited fluorescence and / or phosphorescence and the irradiation response. As will be further explained in conjunction with some exemplary embodiments, approved articles can be sorted for collection, and unapproved articles can be sorted for disposal.

[0131] In this disclosure, the term "electromagnetically excitable article" (electromagnetically excitable material) is used to refer to any article to be sorted, provided that it is marked to emit excitation light radiation (e.g., fluorescence and / or phosphorescence) when exposed to light radiation within a specific wavelength range. Electromagnetically excitable articles can be bottles, jars, boxes, etc., or part of any such container passing through an inspection area to be sorted.

[0132] Figure 1 An inspection device 100 is schematically shown for detecting and analyzing articles 102 passing through inspection area 104.

[0133] exist Figure 1In the depicted inspection apparatus 100, an electromagnetically excitable article (electromagnetically excitable material) 102 is conveyed through the inspection zone 104 by means of a conveyor 108. However, the electromagnetically excitable article 102 can be moved through the inspection zone 104 manually by any suitable means or without any technical means. Furthermore, the electromagnetically excitable article 102 can be moved through the inspection zone 104 by sliding or free fall. Therefore, Figure 1 The transmitter is optional.

[0134] Figure 1 The depicted inspection device 100 also includes a housing 110 disposed above the inspection area 104. In other words, the housing 110 is disposed above the conveyor 108.

[0135] Still referencing Figure 3 It schematically discloses the selection of components arranged in the housing 110.

[0136] A radiation device 114 is provided inside the housing 110, which is adapted to emit a first set of radiation beams 116 and a second set of radiation beams 118 toward the first inspection area 104.

[0137] Inside the housing 110, a spectral system 120 is provided, which is adapted to receive and analyze light radiation 122 reflected, emitted and / or scattered by the electromagnetically excitable article 102 in the first inspection area 104.

[0138] Figure 1 The depicted apparatus 100 also includes a sorting device 112 disposed downstream of the first inspection zone 104. The sorting device 112 is adapted to discharge and sort electromagnetically stimulating articles 102 conveyed through the inspection zone 104. In this embodiment, the sorting device 112 is configured to discharge approved electromagnetically stimulating articles 102. However, the inventive concept is not limited thereto; alternatively, the sorting device 112 may be configured to discharge unapproved electromagnetically stimulating articles 102. In the inventive concept, the sorting device 112 may also be configured to sort and discharge electromagnetically stimulating articles 102 into multiple zones. However, Figure 1 The sorting device 112 is optional because, according to one embodiment, the device 100 only outputs statistics describing the characteristics of all or part of the items that have passed through the detection zone, i.e., it does not sort these items.

[0139] Figure 1The depicted inspection equipment 100 also includes a control cabinet 111 disposed above the conveyor 108. The control cabinet 111 includes equipment for controlling the equipment 100. This equipment typically includes a processing unit 113 or control unit for controlling the conveyor 108, the sorting equipment 112, and the equipment within the housing 110. The processing unit 113 is typically used to determine one or more properties of the electromagnetically excitable article 102 based on measurements performed by the equipment within the housing 110. Even though the processing unit 113 is shown as a separate unit in the figures, it is not limited thereto. Where appropriate, the processing unit can be located in any suitable location, such as within the housing 110.

[0140] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the wavelength range for irradiation and detection according to an example is shown. The light radiation provided by the irradiation unit 114 is represented by downward-pointing arrows 221 and 222 in the orientation of the drawing. The fluorescent and / or phosphorescent radiation emitted by the electromagnetically excitable article 102 and the irradiation response provided by the electromagnetically excitable article 102 are represented by upward-pointing arrows 231 and 232 in the orientation of the drawing according to this example.

[0141] The position of the corresponding arrow relative to wavelength axis 201 schematically indicates the wavelength range of the light radiation associated with the corresponding arrow.

[0142] The graph is divided into several segments based on wavelength range, with segment 251 in the UV wavelength range, segment 252 in the VIS wavelength range, and segment 253 in the NIR wavelength range. Figure 2 In this example, the light radiation provided by the irradiation device includes a first wavelength range that includes excitation light radiation selected to cause the electromagnetically excitable article 102 to emit fluorescent and / or phosphorescent radiation. The excitation light radiation is indicated by arrow 221. In this example, the excitation light radiation is in the UV wavelength range. The light radiation also includes a second wavelength range that includes irradiation light radiation indicated by arrow 222. Here, the irradiation light radiation is in the NIR wavelength range.

[0143] In this example, the fluorescence and / or phosphorescence response, indicated by arrow 231, is within the VIS wavelength range. However, the fluorescence and / or phosphorescence response may be at least partially outside the VIS wavelength range. A fluorescence and / or phosphorescence response 231 is generated in response to irradiation of the electromagnetically excitable article 102 by excitation light radiation 221. The light response, i.e., a portion of the irradiating light radiation 222 reflected, transmitted, and / or scattered by the electromagnetically excitable article, is indicated by arrow 232. The light response 232 is within the NIR wavelength range.

[0144] Typically, the excitation light radiation 221 and the irradiation light radiation 222 can be along... Figure 1The x-axis 201 is scaled and / or translated to cover other wavelength ranges. However, preferably, there is always a gap between the excitation light radiation 221 and the illumination light radiation 222, which preferably corresponds to at least a portion of the fluorescence response and / or phosphorescence response 231. The gap between the excitation light radiation 221 and the illumination light radiation 222 can be determined by relating to... Figure 4 The appropriate filter described is used to implement this.

[0145] According to one example: all wavelengths of excitation light radiation 221 < all wavelengths of fluorescence response and / or phosphorescence response 231 < all wavelengths of illumination light radiation 222; and all wavelengths of fluorescence response and / or phosphorescence response 231 < all wavelengths of photoresponse 232. However, due to some small, easily negligible interference in the wavelength range: all effective wavelengths of excitation light radiation 221 < all effective wavelengths of fluorescence response and / or phosphorescence response 231 < all effective wavelengths of illumination light radiation 222; and all effective wavelengths of fluorescence response and / or phosphorescence response 231 < all effective wavelengths of photoresponse 232. Effective wavelengths are wavelengths with a significant intensity above the noise level. For fluorescence response and / or phosphorescence response 231 and photoresponse 232, effective wavelengths can refer to wavelengths within the wavelength range analyzed by the processing unit.

[0146] As will be further described below, the irradiation unit 114 includes a filter 128 configured to block a sub-range of the second wavelength range outside the irradiated light radiation. Figure 2 In the example, the filter blocks light radiation in the VIS wavelength range. Therefore, irradiation unit 114 does not provide light radiation in the VIS wavelength range for use in irradiating electromagnetically excitable items in inspection area 104.

[0147] Figure 3 The components of the inspection device 100 arranged within the housing 110 are schematically shown (see...). Figure 1 As described above, an irradiation device 114 and a spectral system 120 are provided inside the housing 110. The spectral system may also be referred to as a detector unit 120.

[0148] The electromagnetically stimulating item 102 is conveyed through the inspection area 104 in a direction approximately perpendicular to the plane of the drawing.

[0149] exist Figure 3 In the 2D schematic diagram, the first group of irradiation beams 116 and the second group of irradiation beams 118 are represented by the same dashed arrow. The first group of irradiation beams 116 and the second group of irradiation beams 118 are oriented toward the scanning element 140 by an optical device. The scanning element 140 further redirects the irradiation beams 116 and 118 toward the inspection area.

[0150] The first group of irradiation beams 116 can be referred to as excitation light radiation, and the second group of irradiation beams 118 can be referred to as irradiation light radiation.

[0151] exist Figures 4 to 6 The different configurations of the irradiation device 114 and the optical device are shown in more detail.

[0152] In this example, the scanning element 140 is in the form of a multifaceted mirror rotatable about a rotation axis R. As the multifaceted mirror 140 rotates, the first set of irradiation beams 116 and the second set of irradiation beams 118 repeatedly scan the entire inspection area 104. More specifically, by rotating the multifaceted mirror 140, the irradiation beams 116, 118 are redirected to scan the inspection area 104 from the first end 104a to the second end 104b of the inspection area 104, with each mirror surface 140a, 140b of the multifaceted mirror 140 completing one scan per revolution. Figure 3 This illustrates how an electromagnetically excitable article 102, present in inspection area 104, is irradiated by irradiation beams 116 and 118.

[0153] The light radiation 122 emitted, reflected, transmitted and / or scattered by the electromagnetically excitable article 102 is reflected and directed by the multifaceted reflector 140 toward the folding reflector 170, which in turn reflects and directs the light radiation 122 toward the spectral system 120.

[0154] exist Figure 3 In the example, the spectrometer system 120 includes two sensors, for example, a first sensor 131 and a second sensor 132. The spectrometer system 120 may include multiple sensors. Each sensor may be an array or matrix sensor comprising multiple pixels. Each sensor is preferably associated with a corresponding diffraction element such as a grating. Each sensor and associated diffraction element are arranged at different locations within the spectrometer system 120 and configured to receive a corresponding portion of the light radiation 122. Figure 3 In this configuration, the first grating 128 is associated with the first sensor 131, and the second grating 129 is associated with the second sensor. Light is split into two distinct portions by means of a beam-splitting element 123 (e.g., a dichroic beam splitter 123), such that corresponding portions of the light radiation 122 are directed to each of the first diffraction element 128 and the second diffraction element 129.

[0155] Therefore, the first sensor 131 can be configured to detect radiation within a first wavelength range, and the second sensor 132 can be configured to detect radiation within a second wavelength range. For example, the first sensor 131 can be configured to detect emitted fluorescent and / or phosphorescent radiation, and the second sensor 132 can be configured to detect an irradiation response, and vice versa. For example, the first sensor can be configured to detect VIS radiation, and the second sensor can be configured to detect NIR radiation. The spectral system 120 may include more than two sensors. Each sensor can be configured to detect radiation within a different wavelength range, or different sensors can be configured to detect radiation within partially or completely overlapping wavelength ranges.

[0156] Irradiation unit 114 is configured to orient calibration radiation toward calibration element 144. The calibration radiation is reflected by calibration element 144 and received by multifaceted mirror 140, and then redirected toward spectral system 120 via folded mirror 170.

[0157] The inspection apparatus may optionally also include a black reference element 146. The calibration element 144 and the black reference element 146 are within the field of view of the spectral system (via the faceted mirror 140 and the folding mirror 170) but outside the inspection area 104.

[0158] Figure 4 An irradiation unit 114 according to an example embodiment is shown in more detail. In this example, the irradiation unit 114 includes a first irradiation device 124 configured to emit light radiation in a first wavelength range and a second irradiation device 126 configured to emit light radiation in a second wavelength range. More specifically, according to this example, the first irradiation device 124 is configured to emit light radiation in the UV range, and the second irradiation device is configured to emit light radiation in the VIS / NIR range.

[0159] A first optical element (e.g., a first focusing mirror 125) is configured to receive radiation from a first irradiation device 124 and redirect it toward a scanning element 140. A second optical element (e.g., a second focusing mirror 127) is configured to receive radiation from a second irradiation device 126 and redirect it toward a scanning element 140.

[0160] The filter element 128 is arranged between the second irradiation device 126 and the second focusing mirror 127.

[0161] The filter element 128 is configured to allow the illumination radiation to be transmitted toward the scanning element 140 and to prevent a sub-range of the second wavelength range from directly reaching the scanning element 140, the sub-range of the second wavelength range being outside the illumination radiation.

[0162] In other words, the filter element 128 is configured to allow the first portion of the light radiation provided by the second irradiation device 126 to pass through, and to block the second portion of the light radiation provided by the second irradiation device 126.

[0163] In one example, filter element 128 is configured to block light radiation in the VIS wavelength range and allow light radiation in the NIR wavelength range to pass through.

[0164] Calibration element 144 as described above Figure 3 As described above, the calibration element 144 is configured to be irradiated by calibration radiation, which is all or a portion of the irradiating light radiation 222 and all or a portion of a subrange of the second wavelength range, and the calibration element is adapted to redirect the calibration illumination toward the detector device 120. The calibration element 144 is located within the field of view but outside the inspection area 104.

[0165] Figure 5 schematically shown Figure 4 Different optical paths exist within the irradiation unit 114. Radiation emitted by the first irradiation device 124 is directed along optical path 151 toward the first focusing mirror 125. A portion of the radiation emitted by the second irradiation device 126 is transmitted through the filter element 128 and then along optical path 152 toward the second focusing mirror 127. All or part of the wavelength range emitted by the second irradiation device 126 also travels along optical path 153 toward the calibration element 144. Radiation emitted by the second light source and optionally also the first light source that reaches the calibration element is referred to as calibration radiation. Optical path 153 extends through the opening 154 of the irradiation unit 114.

[0166] Figure 4 and Figure 5 The irradiation unit 114 also includes a shield (not shown) disposed between the first irradiation device 124 and the second irradiation device 126 and arranged to prevent light radiation other than calibration radiation from irradiating the calibration element 144.

[0167] As described above Figure 4 and Figure 5 The described irradiation unit 114 includes two irradiation devices, namely a first irradiation device 124 and a second irradiation device 126. However, other configurations with more or fewer irradiation devices are also possible. For example, Figure 6The diagram schematically illustrates an embodiment in which the irradiation unit 214 includes a single irradiation device 224. In this case, the single irradiation device 224 may be a broadband source, such as, for example, a xenon arc lamp. As a non-limiting example, the single irradiation device may be adapted to provide light radiation in the wavelength range of 100 nm to 5000 nm. The single irradiation device 224 provides light radiation in a first wavelength range and a second wavelength range. The light radiation originating from the irradiation device 224 is directed to the scanning element 140 via one or more focusing mirrors. Figure 6 (Not shown in the image). In Figure 6 In the example, two focusing mirrors 227a and 227b are used.

[0168] Bandpass filters 228a and 228b are arranged between the illumination device 224 and each focusing mirror 227a and 227b. Filters 228a and 228b block a sub-range of the second wavelength range from directly reaching the scanning element 140; this sub-range is outside the illumination light radiation. Therefore, filters 228a and 228b allow the illumination light radiation to pass through. Additionally, filters 228a and 228b allow the excitation light radiation within the first wavelength range to pass through. Therefore, filters 228a and 228b allow only the excitation light radiation within the first wavelength range and the illumination light radiation within the second wavelength range to pass through.

[0169] Irradiation unit 214 is configured to orient calibration radiation toward calibration element 244. Calibration element 244 is adapted to be irradiated by all or part of the irradiation light radiation, and is adapted to be irradiated by all or part of a sub-range of a second wavelength range of irradiation unit 214. In other words, calibration element 244 is irradiated by radiation emitted by the irradiation device, possibly after the radiation has passed through another filter (not shown). The radiation emitted by irradiation unit 214 that reaches the calibration element is called calibration radiation. The light radiation from irradiation device 224 is preferably not filtered by filters 228a, 228b before reaching calibration element 244.

[0170] exist Figure 6 A folding reflector 170 with the same function as described for the previous embodiment can also be seen.

[0171] Examples of filtering provided by filters 228a and 228b are shown in Figure 7a and Figure 7b The diagram illustrates that, Figure 7a and Figure 7b A spectral intensity diagram of the light radiation provided by the irradiation device 224 is shown. A filter blocks a sub-range of the second wavelength range, by... Figure 7bBox 701 in the diagram represents this. Thus, filters 228a and 228b allow excitation light radiation 702 (which in this example has a wavelength range smaller than the blocked subrange) and illumination light radiation 703 (which in this example has a wavelength range larger than the blocked subrange) to pass through.

[0172] like Figure 8 As shown, the scanning element may include two polygon mirrors arranged adjacent to each other, namely a first polygon mirror 140a and a second polygon mirror 140b. The first polygon mirror 140a and the second polygon mirror 140b may have coincident axes of rotation. In this configuration, the irradiation unit 114' includes a first irradiation device 124' with associated focusing mirrors 125a, 125b, which are configured to orient the radiation emitted by the first irradiation device 124' (i.e., excitation light radiation) toward the first polygon mirror 140a. The irradiation unit 114' also includes a second irradiation device 126' with associated focusing mirrors 127a, 127b, which are configured to orient the radiation emitted by the second irradiation device 126' (i.e., irradiation light radiation) toward the second polygon mirror 140b.

[0173] Therefore, the first multifaceted mirror 140a is configured to allow excitation light radiation to sweep across the entire inspection area 104, and the second multifaceted mirror is configured to allow illumination light radiation to sweep across the entire inspection area 104.

[0174] Fluorescent and / or phosphorescent radiation emitted by the electromagnetically excitable article 102 in the inspection area 104, and the irradiation response provided by the electromagnetically excitable article 102 in the inspection area 104, are received by the first polygonal mirror 140a and / or the second polygonal mirror 140b and optionally directed to the spectral system 120 via the folding mirror 170. The spectral system 120 can be combined as described above. Figure 3 Arranged as described.

[0175] Arrangements including two adjacent polygon mirrors, as described above, are suitable for a variety of scanning and sorting systems, including those with different configurations compared to those described in this disclosure. Using two polygon mirrors increases the mirror area available for detection and illumination. For example, light output can be doubled by using two polygon mirrors, such as for sorters with extremely high spatial and spectral resolution. Different illumination types can be combined. Thus, illumination directed to the two polygon mirrors can include partially or completely overlapping wavelength ranges, or separate wavelength ranges.

[0176] pass Figure 9 The flowchart illustrates a method for detecting and analyzing electromagnetically excitable articles that pass through an inspection area in the form of a flow, according to this disclosure.

[0177] The method includes conveying an electromagnetically excitable article in a stream 502 through an inspection area. The method also includes an irradiation step 504. Specifically, the method includes irradiating the electromagnetically excitable article with light radiation using an irradiation device when the article is present in the inspection area. In other words, the irradiation device irradiates the inspection area with light radiation, and any electromagnetically excitable articles present in the inspection area are irradiated with light radiation.

[0178] Light radiation includes: The first wavelength range includes excitation light radiation selected to cause an electromagnetically excitable article to emit fluorescent and / or phosphorescent radiation. The second wavelength range includes illumination radiation and calibration radiation, which are different from the excitation radiation and are selected to enable the electromagnetically excitable article to provide an illumination response corresponding to the article-specific signature of the electromagnetically excitable article, wherein the illumination response is a portion of the illumination radiation reflected, transmitted, and / or scattered by the electromagnetically excitable article.

[0179] More specifically, the irradiation step 504 includes filtering the second wavelength range 504a through a filter to allow the irradiated light radiation to pass through but block a subrange of the second wavelength range.

[0180] The irradiation step 504 also includes orienting the excitation light radiation and the irradiation light radiation toward the scanning element 504b, and redirecting the excitation light radiation and the irradiation light radiation toward the inspection area by the scanning element 504c.

[0181] The irradiation step 504 further includes orienting the calibration light radiation toward a calibration element disposed outside the inspection area 504d, the calibration light radiation including at least a portion of a second wavelength range. The method also includes redirecting all or a portion of the calibration light radiation toward the detector unit by the calibration element 504e.

[0182] The detector unit has a field of view that covers the inspection area and calibration elements.

[0183] The detection step 506 includes the detector unit detecting the fluorescent radiation and / or phosphorescent radiation emitted by 506a, detecting the irradiation response of 506b, and detecting the calibration light radiation redirected by the calibration element of 506c.

[0184] The illumination light radiation is transmitted toward the scanning element, while the calibration light radiation is blocked and cannot reach the scanning element. A sub-range of the second wavelength range is outside the wavelength range of the illumination light radiation. The calibration light radiation includes all or a portion of the illumination light radiation and all or a portion of the sub-range of the second wavelength range.

[0185] The method also includes calibrating the settings of the 508 inspection system based on the detected calibration light radiation.

[0186] The method also includes analyzing 510 electromagnetically excitable articles based on a combination of fluorescent and / or phosphorescent radiation with the article-specific signature.

[0187] Optionally, the method also includes classifying electromagnetically excitable articles into at least two categories based on analysis 510.

[0188] The above method can be performed using the inspection equipment described above.

Claims

1. An inspection apparatus (100) configured to detect and analyze an electromagnetically excitable article (102) in an inspection area (104), said inspection apparatus (100) comprising: • A conveying device (108) is configured to feed multiple electromagnetically excitable items in a stream through the inspection area; • Irradiation equipment (114), configured as follows: o Provides light radiation for irradiating the electromagnetically excitable article (102), the provided light radiation including: • A first wavelength range, including excitation light radiation selected to cause the electromagnetically excitable article (102) to emit fluorescence and / or phosphorescence radiation, and • A second wavelength range, including illumination radiation that differs from the excitation radiation and is selected to enable the electromagnetically excitable article (102) to provide an illumination response corresponding to an article-specific signature of the electromagnetically excitable article (102), wherein the illumination response is a portion of the illumination radiation reflected, transmitted, and / or scattered by the electromagnetically excitable article (102); and • Scanning element (140); • Optical devices (142a, 142b, 142c, 142d) are configured to orient the excitation light radiation and the illumination light radiation toward the scanning element (140); • A detector device (120) having a field of view that at least covers the inspection area, the detector device (120) being configured to detect emitted fluorescent radiation and / or phosphorescent radiation and to detect an illumination response corresponding to a specific signature of the article; and • The processing unit (113) is configured to detect and analyze at least one of a plurality of electromagnetically excitable articles (102) present in the inspection area (104) based on a combination of the fluorescent radiation and / or phosphorescent radiation with the article-specific signature. The scanning element (140) is configured to redirect the excitation light radiation and the irradiation light radiation of the irradiation device (120) toward the inspection area (104). The irradiation device (120) includes: • A filter (128) configured to allow the illumination radiation to pass through toward the scanning element (140) and prevent a sub-range of the second wavelength range from directly reaching the scanning element (140), the sub-range of the second wavelength range being outside the illumination radiation; and • A calibration element (144) adapted to be irradiated by calibration radiation, said calibration radiation being all or a portion of the irradiating light radiation and all or a portion of a subrange of the second wavelength range, and said calibration element adapted to redirect the calibration irradiation toward the detector device (120), said calibration element (144) being located within the field of view but outside the inspection area (104). The detector device (120) is further configured to detect irradiation redirected by the calibration element (144) and to perform calibration of the inspection device (100) based at least on the detected irradiation reflected by the calibration element (144).

2. The inspection device (100) according to claim 1, wherein, The irradiation device (114) includes a first irradiation device (124) configured to emit the first wavelength range, a second irradiation device (126) configured to emit the second wavelength range, and a shield disposed between the first irradiation device (126) and the second irradiation device (126) and arranged to prevent light radiation other than the calibration radiation from irradiating the calibration element (124).

3. The inspection device (100) according to claim 1, wherein, The scanning element (140) is also configured to redirect the fluorescent and / or phosphorescent radiation provided from the inspection area (104) and the reflected irradiation response from the inspection area (104) toward the detector device (120).

4. The inspection device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The scanning element (140) includes a multifaceted mirror configured to allow the excitation light radiation and the irradiation light radiation of the irradiation device (114) to sweep across the entire inspection area (104).

5. The inspection device (100) according to claim 4, wherein, The scanning element (140) includes two faceted mirrors arranged adjacent to each other, wherein one of the two faceted mirrors is configured to allow the excitation light radiation to sweep across the entire inspection area (104), and the other of the two faceted mirrors is configured to allow the illumination light radiation to sweep across the entire inspection area (104), wherein the two faceted mirrors preferably have coincident axes of rotation.

6. The inspection device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The excitation light radiation in the first wavelength range includes wavelength λ1, where 100 nm < λ1 < 400 nm, and the irradiation light radiation in the second wavelength range includes λ2, where 200 nm < λ2 < 5000 nm, preferably 400 nm < λ2 < 2000 nm.

7. The inspection device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The detector device (120) is configured to classify electromagnetically excitable articles (102) into at least two categories based on a combination of detected fluorescent and / or phosphorescent radiation and detected article-specific signatures.

8. The inspection apparatus (100) according to claim 7 further includes a sorting device (112) configured to sort electromagnetically excitable articles (102) classified into one of the at least two categories from the stream of electromagnetically excitable articles.

9. The inspection device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The electromagnetically excitable article is optionally a container and / or part of a container, wherein the detected fluorescent and / or phosphorescent radiation indicates the material composition of the electromagnetically excitable article (102), and the article-specific signature indicates residues associated with the electromagnetically excitable article (102), and preferably indicates contents that have been in contact with the electromagnetically excitable article.

10. The inspection device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The electromagnetically excitable article (102) includes a mark configured to emit the fluorescent radiation and / or phosphorescent radiation, the mark preferably being implemented in the form of at least one of the following: paint, print, posting and / or label.

11. The inspection device (100) according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein, One of the at least two categories corresponds to or is limited to food-compliant articles, and wherein the sorting equipment is configured to sort out electromagnetically compliant articles classified as food-compliant articles from a stream of electromagnetically compliant articles (102), wherein the classification as food-compliant articles is optionally based on fluorescent and / or phosphorescent radiation detected to indicate that the material composition of the electromagnetically compliant article is approved for food compliance, and / or the detected article-specific signature optionally indicates that the electromagnetically compliant article (102) will not be rejected.

12. The inspection device (100) according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein, One of the at least two categories corresponds to or is limited to non-food compliant articles, and wherein the sorting equipment is configured to sort out electromagnetically compliant articles classified as non-food compliant articles from a stream of electromagnetically compliant articles (102), wherein the classification as non-food compliant articles is optionally based on detected fluorescent and / or phosphorescent radiation indicating that the material composition of the electromagnetically compliant article is approved for food compliance, and / or detected article-specific signatures optionally indicate that the electromagnetically compliant article (102) is non-food compliant.

13. The inspection device (100) according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein, One of the at least two categories corresponds to or is limited to reusable textiles, and wherein the sorting device is configured to sort out electromagnetically excitable articles classified as reusable textiles from a stream of electromagnetically excitable articles (102), wherein the classification of textiles as reusable is optionally based on detected fluorescent and / or phosphorescent radiation indicating the material composition of the electromagnetically excitable article as approved as reusable textiles, and / or detected article-specific signatures optionally indicating that the electromagnetically excitable article (102) will not be rejected.

14. The inspection device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The article-specific signature involves at least one of reflectivity, size, and geometry, wherein the reflectivity includes one or a combination of wavelength-dependent intensity variation, spatial distribution of reflected radiation, and polarization of reflected radiation.

15. The inspection device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The conveying device is configured to feed electromagnetically excitable and non-electromagnetically excitable items in a flow through the inspection area. The irradiation is preferably selected such that the non-electromagnetically excitable article provides an irradiation response corresponding to an article-specific signature of the non-electromagnetically excitable article (102), wherein the irradiation response is a portion of the irradiation radiation reflected, transmitted, and / or scattered by the non-electromagnetically excitable article (102). The detector device may optionally be configured to detect the item-specific signature of a non-electromagnetically excitable item based on the item-specific signature. Optionally, the processing unit is configured to detect and analyze at least one non-electromagnetically excitable item among a plurality of non-electromagnetically excitable items present in the inspection area based on the item-specific signature.

16. The inspection device (100) according to any one of claims 7 to 14 is further configured to classify non-electromagnetically excitable articles into at least one category based on the article-specific signature.

17. The inspection device (100) according to claim 15, when subordinate to at least claim 8, wherein, The sorting equipment is also configured to further sort out non-electromagnetically stimulating articles classified into one of the at least one categories from the stream of electromagnetically stimulating articles.

18. A method for detecting and analyzing an electromagnetically excitable article passing through an inspection area in the form of a flow, the method comprising: • Multiple electromagnetically excitable items are conveyed in a stream (502) through the inspection area. • When an electromagnetically excitable article is present in the inspection area, the electromagnetically excitable article (504) is irradiated with light radiation by an irradiation device, the light radiation comprising: o A first wavelength range, including excitation light radiation, said excitation light radiation being selected to cause an electromagnetically excitable article to emit fluorescent radiation and / or phosphorescent radiation, and The second wavelength range includes illumination radiation and calibration radiation, the illumination radiation being different from the excitation radiation, and selected to enable the electromagnetically excitable article to provide an illumination response corresponding to an article-specific signature of the electromagnetically excitable article, wherein the illumination response is a portion of the illumination radiation reflected, transmitted, and / or scattered by the electromagnetically excitable article. Among them, irradiation (504) includes: o The second wavelength range is filtered by a filter (504a) so that the irradiated light radiation is transmitted but blocked in a sub-range. o Orient the excitation light radiation and the illumination light radiation toward the scanning element (504b), and orient the calibration light radiation toward a calibration element arranged outside the inspection area (), the calibration light radiation including at least a portion of the second wavelength range. o The excitation light radiation and the illumination light radiation are redirected toward the inspection area by the scanning element (504c). o redirect all or part of the calibration light radiation toward the detector device via the calibration element (504d). • The detector device, having a field of view covering the inspection area and the calibration element, detects (506a) the emitted fluorescent and / or phosphorescent radiation, (506b) the irradiation response, and (508) the calibration light radiation redirected by the VIS calibration element. Specifically, the illumination light radiation is directed towards the scanning element while the calibration light radiation is prevented from reaching the scanning element, and the sub-range of the second wavelength range is outside the wavelength range of the illumination light radiation. Furthermore, the calibration light radiation includes all or a portion of the irradiation light radiation and all or a portion of the sub-range of the second wavelength range. The method further includes: • The settings of the inspection system (510) are calibrated based on the detected calibration light radiation (516), and • Analyze (512) electromagnetically excitable articles based on the combination of the fluorescent radiation and / or phosphorescent radiation with the article’s specific signature.

19. The method according to claim 15, wherein, The fluorescent and / or phosphorescent radiation from the inspection area, as well as the irradiation response from the inspection area, are redirected toward the detector device.

20. The method according to claim 15 or 16, wherein, The scanning element causes the redirected excitation and irradiation radiation from the irradiation device to sweep across the entire inspection area.

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