Article identification apparatus and associated system

Abstract

The present invention provides an article identification apparatus. The apparatus includes spectrometric identification means, optical identification means, at least one light source, computing means and notification means. The computing means, in communication with the spectrometric identification means and the optical identification means, are arranged to resolve, analyse and combine data acquired by the spectrometric identification means and the optical identification means, in use, and identify, based on the acquired data, the material composition and other such features of an article provided for identification, and communicate the same to the notification means.

Description

[0001] Article identification apparatus and associated system

[0002] The invention to which this application relates is an article identification apparatus and an associated system.

[0003] A huge amount of fabric waste is created each year around the World. Millions of tons of textile waste are produced in Europe alone each year, and the vast majority of textiles around the World are simply incinerated or sent to landfill. This problem has only been exacerbated by the prevalence of “fast-fashion” retail. A number of companies have seen the opportunity which lies in sorting, recycling and / or reselling of used textile and fabrics. However, tightening regulations and legislation around fabric waste means that fabrics need to be accurately sorted by material, prior to subsequent processing.

[0004] A crude approach to such sorting of textile and fabric materials involves employing numerous personnel to manually inspect and sort piles of articles by their material make-up. However, for this process to be quick and effective, a large workforce is required which incurs a huge wage bill, making the whole process cost prohibitive.

[0005] Automated and semi-automated approaches have also been used and are known in the art. One technique employed by the Applicant for the present invention involves the provision of a handheld device wherein a user places a fabric article over an infrared sensor incorporated into the device. The infrared spectrum of the article is analysed, and machine learning algorithms incorporated into the circuitry of the device then determines, based on the spectroscopic analysis of the article, what the composition of the material is. This is subsequently indicated on a display of the device to the user, who can then place the article in an appropriate sorting bin. While the process may be quick (from placing the article on the sensor to displaying the material composition takes about 1 second), it is still limited insofar as it is merely only capable of providing information as to the material composition of the article in question. This can be problematic if articles need to be sorted more specifically than by material composition alone. Further details such as the colour, print pattern, weave type (if any) and fibre information cannot be discerned and generally need to be judged by eye, which can slow the sorting process down.

[0006] There is therefore a need to provide an improved apparatus and / or system which can address the above problems.

[0007] It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide an article identification apparatus that overcomes the aforementioned problems associated with the prior art.

[0008] It is a further aim of the present invention to provide an article identification and sorting apparatus that overcomes the aforementioned problems associated with the prior art.

[0009] It is a further aim of the present invention to provide an article identification and sorting system that overcomes the aforementioned problems associated with the prior art.

[0010] According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided an article identification apparatus, said apparatus including: spectrometric identification means; optical identification means; at least one light source; computing means; and notification means, characterized in that the computing means, in communication with the spectrometric identification means and the optical identification means, are arranged to resolve, analyse and combine data acquired by the spectrometric identification means and the optical identification means, in use, and identify, based on the acquired data, the material composition and other such features of an article provided for identification, and communicate the same to the notification means.

[0011] Typically, said other such features of the article are any or any combination of the material colour, print pattern, weave type, and / or further fibre information.

[0012] Typically, said optical identification means are provided as RGB camera means.

[0013] Preferably, the apparatus comprises a housing body. Typically, said optical identification means, spectrometric identification means, at least one light source, and computing means are located within the housing body.

[0014] Typically, said housing body includes an upper surface on to which an article to be identified can be placed, in use. Preferably, said upper surface of the housing includes a cavity or recess formed therein.

[0015] Typically, said optical identification means, a sensing portion or sensing means of the spectrometric identification means and the at least one light source are located in the cavity or recess.

[0016] In one embodiment, transparent cover means are provided to cover the cavity or recess. Typically, said cover means create a substantially continuous surface of the upper surface of the housing body. Typically, said cover means is formed from glass or sapphire. Preferably, said spectrometric identification means are provided in the form of an infrared (IR) spectrometer. In some embodiments, said spectrometric identification means are provided as a near-infrared (NIR) spectrometer.

[0017] Typically, said at least one light source is provided so as to illuminate a portion of the article to be identified by the spectrometric identification means and optical identification means, in use.

[0018] Preferably, said at least one light source is provided as an IR light source. Typically, said light source may be provided as any one of the following: incandescent lamp; halogen lamp; or an LED.

[0019] In some embodiments, at least two light sources are provided: a first as an IR light source; and a second as a visible light source. Typically, said second light source may be provided as any one of the following: incandescent lamp; halogen lamp; or an LED.

[0020] In some embodiments of the invention, multiple IR and / or visible light sources may be provided, each of said light sources provided having different peak emission wavelengths. Thus, imaging across different spectral bands is permitted.

[0021] In one embodiment, said notification means comprise visual display means. Typically said visual display means, in communication with the computing means, are provided to display visual information of the article to be identified, based on the data acquired by the spectrometric identification means and the optical identification means, in use.

[0022] Typically, said computing means include processing means provided to resolve and analyse spectral data obtained by the spectrometric identification means and visual data obtained by the optical identification means, in use.

[0023] Preferably, said computing means include machine learning algorithms provided to identify, based on the obtained spectral and visual data, the composition, colour, print pattern, weave type, and / or further fibre information of an article being analysed, in use.

[0024] In some embodiments, the apparatus includes further sensing means provided associated therewith. Typically, said sensing means include one or more of: RFID reading means; QR / barcode reading means; or weighing means.

[0025] Typically, said further sensing means are provided separately from the apparatus and in communication therewith, via wireless communication means or via a wired connection. In other embodiments, said further sensing means are provided integrally with the apparatus.

[0026] According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided an article identification and sorting apparatus, said apparatus including: at least one automated arm member; said arm member having a first, proximal end and a second, opposing distal end; the distal end comprising an article gripping portion; and said gripping portion including at least one gripping member; characterized in that said at least one gripping member includes spectrometric identification means and optical identification means provided associated with a gripping surface thereof. Typically, the apparatus includes computing means provided in communication with the spectrometric identification means and the optical identification means. Preferably, said computing means are arranged to resolve, analyse and combine data acquired by the spectrometric identification means and the optical identification means, in use, and identify, based on the acquired data, the material composition and other such features of an article provided for identification and sorting.

[0027] Typically, said optical identification means are provided as RGB camera means.

[0028] In some embodiments, said spectrometric identification means and optical identification may be provided integrally with said gripping member.

[0029] In other embodiments, said optical identification means, and sensing means of said spectrometric identification means are provided incorporated into said gripping member. Typically, said sensing means are provided as fibre optic connection means.

[0030] In one embodiment, said gripping member includes an aperture through which the optical identification means and sensing means of the spectrometric identification means are located, and directed outwardly from the gripping surface towards, in use, an article to be gripped.

[0031] Typically, said gripping member includes at least one light source provided therewith. Said light source may be provided so as to illuminate the portion of the article to be identified by the spectrometric identification means and optical identification means. Typically, said at least one light source is located adjacent the optical identification means and sensing means of the spectrometric identification means.

[0032] Preferably, said at least one light source is provided as an IR light source. Typically, said light source may be provided as any one of the following: incandescent lamp; halogen lamp; or an LED.

[0033] In some embodiments, at least two light sources are provided: a first as an IR light source; and a second as a visible light source. Typically, said second light source may be provided as any one of the following: incandescent lamp; halogen lamp; or an LED.

[0034] In some embodiments of the invention, multiple IR and / or visible light sources may be provided, each of said light sources provided having different peak emission wavelengths.

[0035] Typically, said gripping surface of the gripping member is an article-facing surface thereof.

[0036] Typically, said gripping surface of the gripping member includes a cavity or recess formed therein. Preferably, optical identification means and sensing means of the spectrometric identification means and at least one light source are located within said cavity or recess and directed out and away from the gripping surface.

[0037] In one embodiment, transparent cover means are provided to cover the cavity or recess. Typically, said cover means create a substantially continuous surface of the gripping surface. Typically, said cover means is formed from glass or sapphire.

[0038] Typically, said at least one automated arm member is arranged to be movable, as determined by computing means and based on the identified composition and other features of an article gripped by the gripping portion, to deposit said article in a predetermined location, in use.

[0039] In some embodiments, the apparatus includes further sensing means provided associated therewith. Typically, said sensing means include one or more of: RFID reading means; QR / barcode reading means; or weighing means.

[0040] Typically, said further sensing means are provided separately from the automated arm member and in communication computing means of the apparatus, via wireless communication means or via a wired connection. Typically, said automated arm member is movable to move an article gripped by the at least one gripping member to a position to be scanned, read or weighed by the further sensing means, in use.

[0041] In other embodiments, said further sensing means are provided integrally with the at least one gripping member of the apparatus.

[0042] According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided an article identification and sorting apparatus, said apparatus including: at least one automated arm member; said arm member having a first, proximal end and a second, opposing distal end; the distal end comprising an article gripping portion; and said gripping portion including at least one gripping member; characterized in that said at least one gripping member includes spectrometric identification means and optical identification means provided associated with a gripping surface thereof, and further wherein the apparatus includes computing means provided in communication with the spectrometric identification means and the optical identification means, arranged to resolve, analyse and combine data acquired by the spectrometric identification means and the optical identification means, in use, and identify, based on the acquired data, the material composition and other such features of an article provided for identification and sorting.

[0043] According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an article identification and sorting system, said system including: an article identification and sorting apparatus as defined above; at least one source container; and at least two destination containers; characterized in that at least one gripping member of said apparatus includes spectrometric identification means and optical identification means provided associated with a gripping surface thereof, and the gripping portion of the apparatus is arranged, in use, to grip and remove an article from the at least one source container, identify the material composition and other such features of the article, and deposit the same in one of the destination containers according to its identified composition and other features, in use.

[0044] Typically, said other such features of the article are any or any combination of the material colour, print pattern, weave type, and / or further fibre information.

[0045] Typically, said at least one source container and said at least two destination containers are provided to be located about the at least one automated arm member of the apparatus. Typically, said at least one source container is arranged to contain one or more articles to be identified and sorted, in use.

[0046] Typically, said at least two destination containers are arranged to receive one or more articles which have been identified, in use.

[0047] Typically, each of said destination containers is arranged to receive one or more articles of a predetermined material or fabric composition.

[0048] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein:

[0049] Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of an article identification apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0050] Figure 2 illustrates a close-up view of a cavity or recess formed in an upper surface of a housing body of an article identification apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0051] Figure 3 illustrates a cross-section view of a housing body of an article identification apparatus, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0052] Referring now to the figures, there is shown in Figure 1 an article identification apparatus 1 which is provided for quick and easy analysis and identification of an article, in particular, a fabric article. The apparatus 1 comprises a housing 3, in which there are located spectrometric identification means provided in the form of an IR, or more preferably an NIR spectrometer 5; optical identification means provided in the form of an RGB camera sensor 7; and at least one light source 9. Computing means are also provided, in communication with the spectrometer 5 and RGB camera 7 and serve to resolve, analyse, and combine data acquired by each, in use, and subsequently identify, based on the acquired data, the material composition and any other such features (for example, any or any combination of the material colour, print pattern, weave type, and / or further fibre information) of an article which has been provided for identification. The results are then communicated by the computing means to notification means, provided in preferred embodiments of the invention as a display means 11 formed integrally with the housing 3 of the apparatus 1. In other embodiments, the notification means could be provided as a form of audio notification, wherein the data is communicated via a speaker formed in or attached to the housing 3.

[0053] The housing 3 comprises an upper surface 13 on which the article to be analysed and identified may be placed, and a cavity or recess 15 is formed in the housing 3 below the upper surface 13, in which the at least one light source 9, the RGB camera 7 and spectrometer 5, or sensors thereof, are located. The cavity or recess 15 is covered and closed off via the provision of a transparent glass or sapphire cover 17, protecting the components contained therein and providing a substantially continuous surface on the upper surface 13.

[0054] As mentioned above, at least one light source 9 is provided, which serves to illuminate the portion of the article which is to be identified by the spectrometer 5 and RGB camera 7. In preferred embodiments, the light source 9 is provided as an IR light source, such as for example incandescent lamp; halogen lamp; or an LED. In some embodiments of the invention, two light sources may be provided, wherein the second light source 9’ acts as a visible light source, and may be provided, for example, in the form of an incandescent lamp; halogen lamp; or an LED. It is also envisaged that multiple IR and / or visible light sources may be provided, each having different peak emission wavelengths. This would consequently allow imaging of the article across different spectral bands, resulting in more detailed analysis and results provided, where needed.

[0055] The computing means as discussed above are provided to resolve, analyse, and combine data acquired by the spectrometer 5 and RGB camera 7, in use, and subsequently identify, based on the acquired data, the material composition of an article placed over the sensors. While the provision of the spectrometer 5 allows the determination of the material composition of the article in question (cotton, polyester, cotton / polyester blend etc.), the addition of the RGB camera 7 with the apparatus 1 allows other features of the article to be detected, such as for example, any or any combination of the material colour, print pattern, weave type, and / or further fibre information. This information is combined with the information discerned from the spectrometer 5 and allows a user to sort articles far more precisely than prior art examples which only utilise a spectrometer, and more accurately than simply by determining by eye the other details. The computing means may include machine learning algorithms which are provided to identify, based on the obtained spectral and visual data, the composition, colour, print pattern, weave type, and / or further fibre information of an article being analysed, in use, with increased accuracy and continuous learning over time. Such identification and processing algorithms may include neural networks, decision trees, support vector machines, multilayer perception, K-nearest neighbours (k-NN) or a combination of these.

[0056] In some embodiments of the invention, the apparatus 1 may further include additional sensing means (not shown) provided associated therewith. Such sensing means may include one or more of: an RFID reader; QR / barcode reader; or a weighing scale permitting the weight of an article to be measured, if the circumstances require as much. These additional sensing means may be provided separately from the apparatus 1 and in communication therewith, via wireless communication means or via a wired connection. Alternatively, they may be provided to be formed integrally with the apparatus 1.

[0057] Further aspects of the invention also include the provision of an identification and sorting apparatus system, wherein a robotic arm (not shown) having a gripping portion is provided, and with which is included a spectrometer and RGB camera. The robotic arm essentially acts in a similar manner as described in the Applicant’s co-pending British patent application GB 2218618.3, and as a gripping member of the robotic arm grips and retrieves an article from a “source” container, the spectrometer, or a sensor thereof, and the RGB camera analyse the article, the details of which are then discerned in real time by the computing means, with the results determining which “destination” container the article is subsequently placed in. Where additional sensors are provided, the arm can move the article to these sensors (if they are not provided within the gripping member of the arm) to be read / weighed as required, before subsequently moving it to the appropriate “destination” container.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An article identification apparatus, said apparatus including: spectrometric identification means; optical identification means; at least one light source; computing means; and notification means, characterized in that the computing means, in communication with the spectrometric identification means and the optical identification means, are arranged to resolve, analyse and combine data acquired by the spectrometric identification means and the optical identification means, in use, and identify, based on the acquired data, the material composition and other such features of an article provided for identification, and communicate the same to the notification means.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said optical identification means are provided as RGB camera means.

3. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises a housing body and said optical identification means, spectrometric identification means, at least one light source, and computing means are located within the housing body.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said housing body includes an upper surface on to which an article to be identified can be placed, in use, and said upper surface includes a cavity or recess formed therein, in which said optical identification means, a sensing portion or sensing means of the spectrometric identification means and the at least one light source are located.

5. An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein transparent cover means are provided to cover the cavity or recess, creating a substantially continuous surface of the upper surface of the housing body.

6. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said spectrometric identification means are provided in the form of a near-infrared (NIR) spectrometer.

7. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein at least two light sources are provided: a first as an IR light source; and a second as a visible light source.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein multiple IR and / or visible light sources may be provided, each of said light sources provided having different peak emission wavelengths.

9. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said computing means include processing means provided to resolve and analyse spectral data obtained by the spectrometric identification means and visual data obtained by the optical identification means, in use, and further include machine learning algorithms provided to identify, based on the obtained spectral and visual data, the composition, colour, print pattern, weave type, and / or further fibre information of an article being analysed, in use.

10. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus includes further sensing means provided associated therewith, said sensing means including one or more of: RFID reading means; QR / barcode reading means; or weighing means.

11. An article identification and sorting apparatus, said apparatus including: at least one automated arm member; said arm member having a first, proximal end and a second, opposing distal end; the distal end comprising an article gripping portion; and said gripping portion including at least one gripping member; characterized in that said at least one gripping member includes spectrometric identification means and optical identification means provided associated with a gripping surface thereof.

12. An apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the apparatus includes computing means provided in communication with the spectrometric identification means and the optical identification means, said computing means arranged to resolve, analyse and combine data acquired by the spectrometric identification means and the optical identification means, in use, and identify, based on the acquired data, the material composition and other such features of an article provided for identification and sorting.

13. An apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein said spectrometric identification means, or sensing means thereof, and said optical identification means may be provided integrally with or incorporated into said gripping member.

14. An apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein said gripping member includes an aperture through which the optical identification means and sensing means of the spectrometric identification means are located, and directed outwardly from the gripping surface towards, in use, an article to be gripped.

15. An apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein said gripping member includes at least one light source provided therewith, provided so as to illuminate the portion of the article to be identified by the spectrometric identification means and optical identification means.

16. An apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein said gripping surface of the gripping member includes a cavity or recess formed therein, and said optical identification means and sensing means of the spectrometric identification means and at least one light source are located within said cavity or recess and directed out and away from the gripping surface.

17. An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said at least one automated arm member is arranged to be movable, as determined by computing means and based on the identified composition and other features of an article gripped by the gripping portion, to deposit said article in a predetermined location, in use.

18. An apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the apparatus includes further sensing means provided associated therewith said further sensing means including one or more of: RFID reading means; QR / barcode reading means; or weighing means.

19. An apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said further sensing means are provided separately from the automated arm member and in communication with computing means of the apparatus, via wireless communication means or via a wired connection.

20. An apparatus according to claim 19, wherein said automated arm member is movable to move an article grippedby the at least one gripping member to a position to be scanned, read or weighed by the further sensing means, in use.

21. An apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said further sensing means are provided integrally with the at least one gripping member of the apparatus.

22. An article identification and sorting apparatus, said apparatus including: at least one automated arm member; said arm member having a first, proximal end and a second, opposing distal end; the distal end comprising an article gripping portion; and said gripping portion including at least one gripping member; characterized in that said at least one gripping member includes spectrometric identification means and optical identification means provided associated with a gripping surface thereof, and further wherein the apparatus includes computing means provided in communication with the spectrometric identification means and the optical identification means, arranged to resolve, analyse and combine data acquired by the spectrometric identification means and the optical identification means, in use, and identify, based on the acquired data, the material composition and other such features of an article provided for identification and sorting.

23. An article identification and sorting system, said system including: an article identification and sorting apparatus according to any of claims 11 -22; at least one source container; and at least two destination containers;characterized in that at least one gripping member of said apparatus includes spectrometric identification means and optical identification means provided associated with a gripping surface thereof, and the gripping portion of the apparatus is arranged, in use, to grip and remove an article from the at least one source container, identify the material composition and other such features of the article, and deposit the same in one of the destination containers according to its identified composition and other features, in use.

24. A system according to claim 23, wherein said at least one source container and said at least two destination containers are provided to be located about the at least one automated arm member of the apparatus.

25. A system according to claim 23, wherein said at least one source container is arranged to contain one or more articles to be identified and sorted, and said at least two destination containers are arranged to receive one or more articles which have been identified, in use, each of said destination containers being arranged to receive one or more articles of a predetermined material or fabric composition.

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