Multispectral Camera System for Product Quality Inspection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing measuring devices for quality features or defects in products like vegetables and fruit face limitations in flexibility due to restricted frequency usage, and accuracy issues when products are in motion, leading to incomplete surface visibility and unreliable measurement results.
Innovation Solution
A measuring device that uses a transport system to move products along a path, allowing multiple sides to be imaged by a camera system operating at specific frequencies or spectra, with a controller sending instructions for sequential or simultaneous image capture at different positions and orientations, utilizing multiple cameras with filters to enhance accuracy and reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple frequencies or frequency spectra are used for measurement, then measurement precision and detection capability are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The camera system is divided into multiple individual cameras, each dedicated to recording images at a specific frequency or frequency spectrum. This segmentation allows the system to capture comprehensive spectral information without requiring a single complex hyperspectral camera, thereby improving measurement precision while managing device complexity through modular architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The measuring device is designed with universal applicability across different product types and quality features by using a plurality of cameras that can be configured to detect various defects and quality attributes. The system can be adapted to measure different products (vegetables, fruit, etc.) and different quality features (defects, ripeness, etc.) without requiring complete system redesign
2Productivity
If the product is moved during transport for continuous processing, then productivity is improved, but measurement reliability deteriorates due to incomplete surface visibility
Solution Approach 1:
The transport means are configured to rotate the product during transport, adding rotational movement as an additional dimension to the linear transport. This rotation ensures that all sides of irregularly shaped products are directed toward the camera system at different moments, enabling complete surface coverage and maintaining measurement reliability while the product remains in motion for continuous processing
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by capturing multiple images of the same product at different positions and orientations during transport. These preliminary images are then combined to create a complete surface analysis, ensuring that all quality features and defects are detected before the product leaves the measuring device
3Measurement precision
If multiple images are recorded at different positions and orientations, then comprehensive surface analysis is achieved, but processing time and data analysis complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The controller automatically combines multiple images recorded at different positions and orientations to create a comprehensive product overview image. This preliminary combination and alignment process is performed automatically without requiring manual intervention, reducing the time loss associated with data processing while achieving complete surface analysis
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
This approach enables comprehensive surface analysis, increased measurement reliability, and accurate detection of quality features or defects, even in irregularly shaped products, while maintaining cost-effectiveness and flexibility.
Implementation Method 1
a camera system (16, 36) for recording an image of the product at a plurality of frequencies or frequency spectra
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a measuring device for multispectral measuring of products, such as vegetables and fruit, a sorting system provided therewith and a method therefor. A measuring device according to the invention comprises a frame provided with transport means for transporting the products, a camera system provided with at least one light source and at least one camera for recording an image at a frequency or frequency spectrum, and a controller operatively connected to the camera system for controlling the camera system, wherein the controller is provided with a data processing system and detection system.