Importance

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Abstract

A scrap particle sorting system and attendant sorting process employs a conveyor for conveying the randomly shaped particles in a random orientation, a position sensor for determining the advancement of the scrap particles in the direction of conveyance by determining the position of the conveyor belt, an image detector for periodically recording the image of a predefined viewing area through which the scrap particles are conveyed, and an image processor for periodic acquisition and processing of the images. The image processor includes logic for defining each image of the viewing area into a matrix of cells, and for each acquired image, analyzing the digital data corresponding to the image to determine for each cell in the matrix whether the pixels in that cell satisfy a predetermined criteria, and establishing a discriminator signal for each cell in the matrix as a function of that analysis. The system employs an image detector controller for receiving a signal from the conveyor position sensor and sending an activation signal to the image processor at timed intervals to acquire sequential image frames which include each of the scrap particles as they are conveyed past the viewing area, and a separator controller for receiving the discriminator signals from the image processor and for sending a control signal to selectively activate the appropriate portion of the separator to eject desired from undesired particles.

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First Claim