Multispectral Moisture Analysis for Coated Cooked Rice

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies face challenges in accurately managing the moisture content of cooked rice coated with a coating agent, such as oil, due to uneven moisture distribution, leading to stickiness and reduced gloss after thawing.

Innovation Solution

A quality management apparatus equipped with a multispectral camera that captures images in the near-infrared region, coupled with a hardware processor, analyzes light absorption information to calculate a two-dimensional distribution of moisture content in cooked rice, enabling effective feedback control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a near-infrared spectroscopic analyzer is used to analyze water content in cooked rice, then water content can be measured, but the water absorption spectrum cannot be accurately measured for cooked rice coated with oil

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater content measurement accuracyVSAvoidapplicability to coated rice

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the spectral analysis by separating the measurement into multiple wavelength regions (visible light region and near-infrared region) rather than relying on a single region. This allows the system to overcome the interference caused by coating agents in the visible region by using the near-infrared region where water absorption characteristics remain distinct and measurable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from traditional single-region spectral analysis to multi-dimensional spectral analysis by incorporating both visible light and near-infrared wavelength regions. This dimensional expansion enables the system to distinguish water content in coated rice by analyzing absorption characteristics across multiple spectral dimensions simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Measurement precision

If multiple regression analysis is used to calculate water content from reflected light wavelength, then water content can be determined, but the method fails for cooked rice coated with oil or coating agents

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemoisture content calculation accuracyVSAvoidinterference from coating agents

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces the near-infrared region as an intermediary spectral window that penetrates the coating agent interference. By using near-infrared light which has different interaction characteristics with both the coating agent and water, the system can obtain accurate moisture measurements despite the presence of oil or coating agents on the rice surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the spectral measurement parameters by expanding the wavelength range to include both visible light (400-780 nm) and near-infrared (780-2500 nm) regions. This parameter expansion allows the system to identify water absorption features that remain distinct even when coating agents are present, enabling accurate moisture content calculation for coated rice.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

The apparatus allows for precise control of moisture content in cooked rice coated with a coating agent, preventing stickiness and maintaining gloss after thawing, thereby enhancing the quality management of frozen cooked rice.

Implementation Method 1

a near-infrared spectroscopic analyzer which measures a water content of the cooked rice based on a wavelength of reflected light reflected from the cooked rice

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNear-infrared reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

the hardware processor acquires and analyzes light absorption information of a plurality of wavelengths related to moisture absorption of the cooked rice from the captured multispectral image

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS20250137923A1Quality management apparatus, quality management method, and storage medium

Publication Date: 2025.05.01 KONICA MINOLTA INC

AI summary

Provided is a quality management apparatus for cooked rice coated with a coating agent and conveyed. The quality management apparatus includes: a multispectral camera imager whose imaging wavelength range includes at least a near-infrared region; and a hardware processor. The multispectral camera imager captures a multispectral image of the cooked rice conveyed. The hardware processor acquires and analyzes light absorption information of a plurality of wavelengths related to moisture absorption of the cooked rice from the captured multispectral image of the cooked rice to calculate information indicating a two-dimensional distribution of a moisture content of the cooked rice conveyed.