Optical Granule Sorting Threshold via Color Space Intersection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical granule sorting machines face limitations in sensitivity setting and signal processing due to the handling of complex RGB color space information, which restricts their efficiency in distinguishing between conforming and nonconforming granules, especially when granules have similar colors.
Innovation Solution
The optical granule sorting machine employs a three-dimensional color distribution analysis using Mahalanobis and Euclidean distances to create cluster areas, allowing for a threshold determination that simplifies signal processing and enables easy sensitivity setting by utilizing RGB three-dimensional color space information similar to human perception.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If three-dimensional RGB color space information is used to improve sorting accuracy, then the ability to distinguish similar-colored granules is improved, but signal processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential color information needed for sorting by plotting wavelength components on a three-dimensional color space and determining a threshold line of intersection. This extracts the critical sorting criteria from the full RGB color data, reducing processing complexity while maintaining sorting accuracy for similar-colored granules.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the color detection parameters by using a three-dimensional color space representation with a threshold line of intersection instead of traditional two-dimensional graph methods. This parameter change enables more accurate discrimination of similar-colored granules while simplifying the processing algorithm through geometric intersection calculation.
2Device complexity
If traditional two-dimensional graph methods are used to simplify processing, then signal processing is simplified, but sensitivity setting becomes limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a third dimension to the color space analysis by plotting wavelength components of R, G, and B light on a three-dimensional color space. This dimensional enhancement provides better sensitivity and discrimination capability for similar-colored granules while the threshold line of intersection method keeps the processing relatively simple.
3Productivity
If not all RGB color space information is handled simultaneously, then processing efficiency improves, but color discrimination accuracy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential sorting criteria by determining a threshold line of intersection in the three-dimensional color space. This selective extraction of critical threshold information from the full RGB data enables efficient processing while maintaining accurate color discrimination for sorting decisions.
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 effectively separates conforming and nonconforming granules, even when they have similar colors, by plotting wavelength components on a three-dimensional color space and determining a threshold line of intersection, enhancing sorting accuracy and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
an optical detection section that detects light transmitted through the granules or reflected from the granules
Implementation Method 2
an optical detection section that detects light transmitted through the granules or reflected from the granules
Data Source
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AI summary
An optical type granule sorting machine is provided which allows a sensitivity setting to be easily performed by effectively utilizing RGB three-dimensional color space information similar to information obtained via human eyes and which enables signal processing to be substantially simplified. Determination means includes a three-dimensional color distribution data creation section that creates data on wavelength components of R light, G light, and B light from the granules, on a three-dimensional color space, a Mahalanobis distance interface creation section that sets an interface calculated based on a Mahalanobis distance to partition the data into a conforming-granule cluster area and a nonconforming granule cluster area, a Euclidean distance interface creation section that determines a position of center of gravity of the conforming granule cluster area and a position of center of gravity of the nonconforming granule cluster area to set an interface calculated based on a Euclidean distance at which the positions of center of gravity lie at a longest distance from each other, and a threshold determination section that determines a line of intersection between the interface calculated based on the Mahalanobis distance and the interface calculated based on the Euclidean distance, to determine the line of intersection to be a determination threshold that allows determination of whether or not the granules are to be treated as a separation target.