Hyperspectral Line-Scan Imaging for Simultaneous Defect and Contamination Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current online inspection systems for agricultural commodities are inadequate for simultaneous detection of defects and fecal contamination, requiring multiple systems and lacking the ability to rapidly and accurately identify quality and safety attributes using hyperspectral/multispectral reflectance and fluorescence imaging.

Innovation Solution

A line-scan imaging system utilizing a single Charge Coupled Device (CCD) or Electron Multiplying Charged-Couple-Device (EMCCD) capable of simultaneous acquisition of hyperspectral/multispectral reflectance and fluorescence images, with adjustable spectral wavebands and illumination sources, integrated with a commercial sorting machine for real-time detection of defects and fecal contamination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple machine vision systems are used to detect different quality and safety attributes, then detection capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple imaging modalities (hyperspectral reflectance imaging and fluorescence imaging) into a single integrated system. The system uses a single camera to capture both reflectance and fluorescence images simultaneously by switching between different illumination sources, thereby achieving multi-attribute detection without requiring multiple separate machine vision systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The imaging system is designed to perform multiple functions using a single device. The same camera and optical path are used for both reflectance-based quality inspection and fluorescence-based safety inspection, making the system universal and eliminating the need for multiple specialized systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple imaging systems are deployed for comprehensive inspection, then inspection thoroughness is improved, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinspection thoroughnessVSAvoidsystem cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functionality of multiple expensive imaging systems into a single cost-effective platform. By using a single camera with switchable illumination sources (halogen lamp for reflectance, UV lamp for fluorescence), the system achieves comprehensive inspection capabilities at a lower cost than deploying separate specialized systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system achieves universal inspection capability for both quality attributes (via reflectance) and safety attributes (via fluorescence) using one platform, thereby reducing the overall cost of implementation compared to purchasing and maintaining multiple separate imaging systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If separate systems are used for reflectance and fluorescence imaging, then imaging quality is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimaging qualityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines reflectance and fluorescence imaging paths into a single optical system. The same camera, lens, and image processing pipeline are used for both modalities, with the only difference being the illumination source. This maintains imaging quality while significantly reducing system complexity compared to using separate dedicated systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically switches between different illumination sources (halogen lamp and UV lamp) to enable different imaging modes. This dynamic switching allows a single static imaging system to perform multiple functions, maintaining measurement precision while avoiding the complexity of multiple fixed systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables rapid, accurate, and cost-effective simultaneous inspection of agricultural commodities for defects and fecal contamination, reducing the complexity and cost of existing systems by using software reconfiguration to select wavelengths and integrate reflectance and fluorescence imaging for comprehensive quality and safety assessment.

Implementation Method 1

fluorescence imaging for postharvest food safety inspection for fecal contamination

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluorescence: Fluorescence

Implementation Method 2

hyperspectral/multispectral Vis/NIR reflectance

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflectance: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS7787111B2Simultaneous acquisition of fluorescence and reflectance imaging techniques with a single imaging device for multitask inspection

Publication Date: 2010.08.31 THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES

AI summary

A hyperspectral reflectance and fluorescence line-scan imaging system is used for on-line quality and safety inspection of agricultural commodities. The system simultaneously acquires hyperspectral/multispectral combinations of both fluorescence and reflectance images of the agricultural commodities.