JP2000304694A - Method and apparatus for grading of tea leaf - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method and an apparatus for grading of tea leaves in which the measuring time of the component of the tea leaves is shortened and in which a grading treatment can be performed quickly. SOLUTION: A specific component which is required for grading tea leaves 2 is specified in advance. The wavelength of near-infrared rays 12 (an absorbance λ1, an absorbance λ2 and an absorbance λ3 at a specific wavelength) corresponding to the component is selected. Near-infrared rays at the specific wavelength are selected and detected from reflected light 38 or transmitted light from the tea leaf. The detection value is used for the grading of the tea leaf. Near-infrared detection means (interference filters 40, 44 and PbS detectors 42, 46) can detect only the specific wavelength, and the near-infrared detection means are installed at a plurality of specific wavelengths. As a result, the measuring time of the component of the tea leaves is shortened, and a grading treatment can be realized quickly.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for grading tea leaves using near-infrared rays as a detection medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For grading tea leaves such as fresh tea leaves, grading based on component values of tea leaves is widely performed. For the measurement of this component, a near-infrared component analyzer of an interference filter type is used because it is a nondestructive inspection and is relatively simple. This interference filter system includes a disk-shaped filter plate in which a plurality of interference filters are arranged in a predetermined angle range in order to sequentially irradiate a sample with near infrared rays having a wavelength necessary for component analysis. A desired interference filter is selected by rotating by a predetermined angle.

[0003]

The use of such an interference filter type near-infrared ray component analyzer has the following disadvantages.

A. When measuring one component value required for tea leaf rating, it is necessary to irradiate near-infrared rays in multiple wavelength bands, and after measuring using all interference filters, select the necessary wavelength band data and Due to the use, the measurement time of the component value before rating becomes longer.

B. The near-infrared ray component analyzer can measure moisture, total nitrogen, total fiber, free amino acids, and the like of tea leaves. However, it is not necessary to use all of these component values for the rating of the tea leaves, and the selection is arbitrary, and the fact is that the component values to be emphasized differ depending on the rating judge, the season, and the like.

[0006] For this reason, the conventional measurement time of the component value of the tea leaves becomes long, so that the component measurement of the tea leaves cannot be performed continuously, the grading process takes a long time, and the work time from receiving fresh leaves to storage is reduced. There was a risk of delay.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a tea leaf grading method and a tea leaf grading method capable of shortening the measuring time of the tea leaf components and enabling a quick grading process.

[0008]

According to the tea leaf grading method and apparatus of the present invention, a specific component required for grading the tea leaf (2) is specified in advance, and a near-infrared wavelength (specific wavelength) corresponding to the component is specified. Absorbances λ ₁ , λ ₂ , λ ₃ ) are selected, near infrared rays of a specific wavelength are selected and detected from the reflected light (38) or transmitted light from the tea leaves, and the detected value is used for grading the tea leaves. Near infrared detecting means (interference filters 40, 44, 7)
0, 72, 74, PbS detectors 42, 46, 76, 7
8, 80) make it possible to detect only a specific wavelength and set a near-infrared detecting means for each of a plurality of specific wavelengths. This makes it unnecessary to replace a plurality of filters, shortens the measurement time of the components of the tea leaves, and can speed up the grading process.

[0009] The present invention according to claim 1 provides a composition of tea leaves (2).
Select one or more specific components in the
Wavelength (near absorbance λ) of near-infrared (12) necessary for measurement₁,
λ_Two, Λ _Three) Is specified in advance, and the detected value is set to the case of the tea leaves.
It is characterized by being used for attaching.

[0010] That is, the rating of the tea leaves, moisture, total nitrogen,
Any one or more of various components such as total fibers and free amino acids are selected and used as rating information. In the measurement of the selected component, a specific wavelength of the near-infrared ray is set in advance, so that the near-infrared ray having a wavelength indicating the necessary component is selectively detected. The detection of such a specific component is compared with the case where one is selected from a plurality of conventional filters,
Measurement time can be greatly reduced. Therefore, by using such detected values for grading tea leaves, the grading process can be speeded up.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a tea leaf (2) is formed.
Select one or more specific components in the
Wavelength (near absorbance λ) of near-infrared (12) necessary for measurement₁,
λ_Two, Λ _Three) In advance, and the reflection obtained from the tea leaves
Select the near-infrared ray of the wavelength from light (38) or transmitted light
And use the detected value for grading the tea leaves
It is characterized by.

[0012] That is, the rating of tea leaves, moisture, total nitrogen,
From the various components such as total fiber and free amino acid, any one or two or more are selected as the rating information. For the measurement of the selected components, reflected light obtained from tea leaves by irradiation of near infrared rays or A wavelength indicating a necessary component is detected from the transmitted light. By using such a detected value for grading tea leaves, it is possible to shorten the measurement time and speed up the grading process.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, only predetermined specific wavelengths are selectively selected from reflected light (38) or transmitted light obtained by irradiating tea leaves (2) to be rated with near infrared rays (12). Near infrared detecting means (interference filter 4)
0, 44, 70, 72, 74, PbS detectors 42, 4
6, 76, 78, and 80), and the detection value obtained from the near-infrared ray detecting means is used for grading the tea leaves.

That is, any one or more of various components such as moisture, total nitrogen, total fiber, and free amino acids are selected and used as rating information, and a near-infrared wavelength at which the selected component can be measured is specified. . In response, the near-infrared detection means
With a configuration that can selectively detect only that specific wavelength,
A detection value selectively representing only that component is obtained. In the near-infrared ray detecting means configured to detect only a specific wavelength, it is not necessary to select a plurality of filters, and if this detected value is used for grading tea leaves, the grading process can be sped up.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the specific wavelength
Waves required to detect components that affect the rating of the tea leaves
Absorbance at length (λ₁, Λ_Two, Λ_Three)
Features. Here, the absorbance at the absorption wavelength is λ₁,
The absorbance at the reference wavelength is λ _Two, Λ_ThreeThen,
The minute y is y = a₁λ₁+ A_Twoλ_Two+ A_Threeλ_Three+ A_Four ... (1) Where a₁, A_Two, A_Three, A_FourIs a coefficient.
The absorbance λ is λ = log (ν_R/ Ν) (2) Where ν_RIs the standard response at a specific wavelength.
The firing plate voltage, ν, is a sample voltage at a specific wavelength.

Various components such as moisture, total nitrogen, total fiber, and free amino acids can be used for grading tea leaves. However, it is not necessary to use all of these components as grading information, and the grading party needs it. What is necessary is just to select and use one. Therefore, by setting the detection wavelength of the near-infrared ray detection means to a specific wavelength necessary for detecting a component affecting the rating of tea leaves, the configuration of the near-infrared ray detection means can be simplified and the time required for detection is reduced. This can speed up the rating process.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a near infrared ray (1
The reflected light (3) obtained from the tea leaves (2) by the irradiation of (2)
8) or integrating sphere (10) for diffusing by making transmitted light incident
And near-infrared ray detection means (interference filters 40, 44, 70, and 70) for receiving the near-infrared ray from the integrating sphere and selectively detecting only a predetermined wavelength from the near-infrared ray.
72, 74, PbS detectors 42, 46, 76, 78, 8
0), and the detection value obtained from the near-infrared ray detecting means is used for grading the tea leaves.

That is, when reflected light or transmitted light obtained from tea leaves by irradiation with near-infrared rays enters the integrating sphere, diffuse reflection is repeated inside the integrating sphere, and the radiation density of the reflected light flux is made uniform. This near-infrared ray has a spectral distribution corresponding to all components of tea leaves. Therefore, any one or more of various components such as water, total nitrogen, total fiber, and free amino acid are selected and used as rating information, and a specific near-infrared wavelength corresponding to the selected component is set. That is, the near-infrared detecting means is configured to selectively detect only a predetermined specific wavelength, and the detected value corresponds to a specific component amount. If only one or two or more specific components are detected in this manner, the detection time can be shortened and the rating process can be speeded up.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the incident portion of the near-infrared ray detecting means is directly connected to the photometric windows (34, 36) of the integrating sphere. That is, by directly connecting the integrating sphere and the near-infrared detecting means, the light guiding means becomes unnecessary and the equipment for component detection becomes compact.

The present invention according to claim 7 is characterized in that the photometric window of the integrating sphere is provided with filters (interference filters 40, 44) for passing a specific wavelength. That is, the near-infrared ray having the specific wavelength selected by the filter can be extracted and added to the near-infrared ray detecting means. With a simple configuration, the near-infrared ray having a specific wavelength can be detected by the near-infrared ray detecting means.

[0021] The present invention according to claim 8 provides the near-infrared ray (1
The reflected light (3) obtained from the tea leaves (2) by the irradiation of (2)
8) or integrating sphere (10) for diffusing by making transmitted light incident
A light guiding means (quartz fiber 54) for receiving the near-infrared light from the integrating sphere and guiding the light to the outside, and selectively detecting only a predetermined specific wavelength from the near-infrared light received through the light guiding means. Near infrared detecting means (interference filters 70, 72, 74, PbS detectors 76, 78, 8)
0), and the detection value obtained from the near-infrared ray detecting means is used for grading the tea leaves.

With this configuration, the near infrared rays can be extracted from the integrating sphere by the light guide means, and the near infrared rays having a predetermined wavelength selected in advance can be guided to the near infrared ray detection means through the light guide means. Therefore, the photometric window of the integrating sphere can be unified, and near infrared rays of a desired specific wavelength can be added to one or more near infrared detecting means and detected without processing the integrating sphere.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the near-infrared ray detecting means includes one or more near-infrared ray detectors (PbS detectors 76, 78,
80) is used. In other words, the near-infrared ray detecting means can be configured to detect near-infrared ray of an arbitrary wavelength. However, if one or more near-infrared ray detectors whose detection wavelengths are specified in advance are used, each near-infrared ray detector can be identified. Can be immediately obtained, and the detection time and the information processing time can be reduced.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a filter (interference filters 70, 72, 72) for transmitting a specific wavelength to an incident portion of the near-infrared ray detecting means which receives the near-infrared ray from the light guiding means (quartz fiber 54). 74). That is, the light guide means is a means for extracting the near infrared rays received from the integrating sphere to the outside. If a plurality of filters are set as means for extracting one or more specific wavelengths, the near wavelength of the specific wavelength selected by the filter is set. Infrared rays can be detected by one or more near-infrared ray detecting means, the processing time for component detection can be shortened, and the rating process can be accelerated.

[0025]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to embodiments shown in the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a tea leaf grading method and apparatus according to the present invention.

A sample of the tea leaves 2 to be rated is placed on a support 4 such as a turntable, and a transparent quartz glass plate 6 is placed on the upper surface of the tea leaves 2. 2 has a uniform surface.
Fresh leaves and the like are used for the tea leaves 2 as the object to be measured.

Above the quartz glass plate 6, a light source unit 8
In addition, an integrating sphere 10 serving as a light diffusion means is provided. The light source unit 8 includes a near-infrared ray 1 to be irradiated on the tea leaves 2.
2, which comprises a cylindrical housing 14 which is optically sealed. A halogen lamp 16 as a light source is installed above the housing 14, and power is supplied to the halogen lamp 16 from a stabilizing power supply device (not shown). An aperture plate 18 is provided at an intermediate portion of the housing 14 so as to bisect the housing 14 up and down, and a through hole 20 is formed in the center of the aperture plate 18 for narrowing the near infrared rays 12 to a predetermined light amount. A chopper 24 that is rotated by a motor 22 is provided below the aperture plate 18, and the rotation of the chopper 24 causes the near-infrared ray 12 to be in an intermittent state.

A projecting portion 26 of the integrating sphere 10 is fixed to the lower surface of the housing 14 of the light source unit 8 so as to face the projecting portion 26. Has been fixed. The light projecting fiber 28 is formed of quartz, the base end of which faces the lower surface of the chopper 24, and the middle part thereof is the integrating sphere 10
Is penetrated, and its tip is disposed in the entrance window 30 of the integrating sphere 10.

The integrating sphere 10 has a spherical shape, and has a diffuse reflecting surface 32 formed by applying a white paint having a high diffuse reflectance or gold vapor deposition on the inner surface thereof, and is provided with an entrance window 30, first and second photometry. Windows 34 and 36 are formed. That is, the reflected light 38 obtained from the tea leaves 2 by the near-infrared rays 12 irradiated through the light projecting fiber 28 enters the integrating sphere 10 from the entrance window 30 and is repeatedly diffused and reflected therein, so that the radiation density of the luminous flux is uniform. And the reflected light 38 is transmitted to the photometric window 34,
Enter 36.

The photometric window 34 includes a first interference filter 40 and a PbS detector 42 serving as first near-infrared ray detecting means, and the photometric window 36 includes a second interference filter 44 and second near-infrared ray detecting means. A PbS detector 46 is provided.
In this embodiment, the incident portions of the PbS detectors 42 and 46 are directly connected to the corresponding photometric windows 34 and 36, respectively.

By the way, various components such as moisture, total nitrogen, total fiber and free amino acid can be used for grading the tea leaves 2, and these components should be measured by spectral analysis of the near infrared reflected light 38. Can be. Therefore,
If any one or two or more of various components such as moisture, total nitrogen, total fiber, free amino acid, etc. are selected and used as rating information,
Absorbance lambda ₁ of the first wavelength in the near infrared required to detect the specific component is selected as absorbance lambda ₂ of the second wavelength (≠ λ _1), PbS detector 42 absorbance of the first wavelength in the near infrared λ ₁ , the PbS detector 46 sets the absorbance λ ₂ of the near-infrared second wavelength to be selectively detectable.

Here, the PbS detectors 42 and 46 are infrared detecting elements using lead sulfide (PbS) as detecting elements, and detect near infrared rays having absorbances λ ₁ and λ ₂ of specific wavelengths detected. , And outputs an electric signal representing the level. Then, the absorbance λ is obtained from Expression (2), and the specific component y
Is calculated from equation (1).

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a detection signal processing section for processing output signals obtained from the PbS detectors 42 and 46.

The output signals of the absorbances λ ₁ and λ ₂ of specific wavelengths obtained from the PbS detectors 42 and 46 are analog signals. In order to perform digital processing,
A digital (A / D) converter 48 is provided, and the output signals of the absorbances λ ₁ and λ ₂ of specific wavelengths are converted into digital data. The digital data is processed by a computer 50 as a data processing device. The computer 50 includes storage elements such as a ROM and a RAM, and a CP.
U can be used,
The processing output is added to the display 52 and displayed.

Next, a method of grading tea leaves will be described with reference to FIGS.

When a sample of the tea leaves 2 to be graded is placed on the upper surface of the support 4, the light source unit 8 sends the sample to the chopper 2.
4 irradiates the tea leaves 2 with the near-infrared rays 12 intermittent through the light projecting fiber 28. Near-infrared light from the tea leaves 2, that is, reflected light 38, is collected by the integrating sphere 10, and is repeatedly diffused and reflected in the integrating sphere 10, so that the radiated light flux is uniformed.
The reflected light 38 passes through interference filters 40 and 44 provided in the photometric windows 34 and 36, and is detected by PbS detectors 42 and 46. Since the interference filter 40 has a pass band of the absorbance λ _{1 of the} wavelength corresponding to the component of the tea leaf 2 to be detected, and the interference filter 44 has a pass band of the absorbance λ ₂ of the wavelength corresponding to the component to be detected of the tea leaf 2, the PbS detector A reflected light 38 having an absorbance λ ₁ of a wavelength enters the PbS detector 42.
Receives reflected light 38 having a wavelength of absorbance λ ₂ , and an output signal representing each wavelength level is obtained.

Then, the output signals of the absorbances λ ₁ and λ ₂ of each specific wavelength are converted into digital data by the A / D converter 48 and processed by the computer 50, and information indicating the amount of the specific component of the tea leaves 2 is obtained. The tea leaves 2 are displayed on the display 52 and can be classified based on the display information. Display 5
The information to be displayed in _No. 2 is the component value of the tea leaf 2 based on the output signals of the absorbances λ ₁ and λ ₂ of the specific wavelengths, and the corresponding rating value of the tea leaf 2.

FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the tea leaf grading method and apparatus according to the present invention.

In this embodiment, a single photometric window 33 is formed in the integrating sphere 10, and a condensing quartz fiber 54 as a light guiding means is attached to the photometric window 33. Is provided with a dark box 56 as a light shielding means. The dark box 56 is provided with a lens 58 as a condensing means for forming a light beam, and a first and a second light guiding means for guiding the reflected light 38 passing through the lens 58 in a predetermined direction. Beam splitter 60, 6
2 are installed.

Corresponding to these beam splitters 60 and 62, the dark box 56 has first, second and third photometric windows 64 and 6 respectively.
6, 68 are provided, and in each of the photometric windows 64-68,
As the near-infrared detecting means, different wavelengths (absorbance λ ₁ , λ
₂ , λ ₃ ) with passband interference filters 70, 72,
74 and first, second and third PbS detectors 76, 7
8, 80 are installed. These wavelengths (absorbance λ ₁ ,
λ ₂ , λ ₃ ) correspond to the different components of the tea leaf 2 to be rated.

With such a configuration, the reflected light 38 guided from the integrating sphere 10 to the dark box 56 is separately and simultaneously detected in the absorbances λ ₁ , λ ₂ , and λ ₃ of the wavelengths in different bands. The components of the tea leaves 2 can be measured, and the tea leaves 2 can be quickly graded from the measurement results.

Next, another embodiment will be described.

In the above-described embodiment, the configuration is such that the reflected light 38 from the tea leaf 2 irradiated with the near infrared ray 12 is detected. However, the transmitted light from the tea leaf 2 is incident on the integrating sphere 10 to reduce the near infrared level of a specific wavelength. The detection may be performed to detect the component of the tea leaf 2, and the same effect can be expected.

The number of interference filters and PbS detectors attached to the integrating sphere 10 is not limited to two as in the first embodiment, but may be set to one or three or more according to the components of the tea leaves 2 to be detected. Well, multiple components can be detected quickly.

The light projecting means may use a lens mechanism instead of the light projecting fiber 28. Quartz glass plate 6 on top of tea leaves 2
May be installed as needed and is not essential for measurement. A plurality of light source units 8 and integrating spheres 10 may be provided.

The number of interference filters and PbS detectors attached to the dark box 56 in the second embodiment may be one, two, four or more. Further, a lens mechanism may be used in place of the quartz fiber 54 as the light guiding means.

Although the component value and the rating value are displayed on the display 52, the image of the tea leaves 2 can be displayed at the same time, and the rating evaluation can be performed by comprehensive evaluation of both.

[0049]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The following effects are obtained. a. The components necessary for grading tea leaves are selected in advance, the wavelength of near-infrared rays corresponding to the components is specified, and it is detected in advance as the detection wavelength, so that the time required for component detection can be reduced, and the grading process can be performed quickly. Can be realized. b. Since the near-infrared detecting means is configured to selectively detect only a specific wavelength, it is possible to selectively detect only a specific component, and it is not necessary to install a plurality of filters as in the related art. Such operations are unnecessary, so that the time required for component detection can be reduced, and the rating process can be speeded up. As a result, processing such as acceptance of tea leaves and grading storage is quickened, which can contribute to speeding up and efficiency of processing such as shortening of a standby time for carrying in tea leaves. c. Since the filter is fixed, a mechanical part for rotating the filter, which is conventionally required, is not required, and there is no vibration or mechanical damage due to the rotation, and the durability of the equipment can be improved. d. Since the wavelength is fixed, the tea leaf sample can be measured continuously, so that the measurement time can be shortened and the reliability of the component measurement can be increased.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a first method and apparatus for grading tea leaves of the present invention.
It is a figure showing an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating processing of a detected value and a display unit.

FIG. 3 is a second embodiment of the tea leaf grading method and apparatus according to the present invention.
It is a figure showing an embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 Tea leaves 10 Integrating sphere 12 Near infrared light 34, 36 Photometric window 38 Reflected light 42, 46, 76, 78, 80 PbS detector (Near infrared detecting means) 54 Quartz fiber (Light guiding means) 40, 44, 70, 72 74 interference filter (near infrared detection means)

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A method according to claim 1, wherein one or more specific components among the components of the tea leaves are selected, a wavelength of near-infrared rays necessary for measuring the components is specified in advance, and the detected value is used for grading the tea leaves. Tea leaf rating method. 2. One or more specific components in the components of the tea leaves are selected, a wavelength of near-infrared light necessary for measuring the components is specified in advance, and the wavelength is determined from reflected light or transmitted light obtained from the tea leaves. Characterized in that the near-infrared ray is selectively detected and the detected value is used for grading the tea leaves. 3. A near-infrared ray detecting means for selectively detecting only a predetermined specific wavelength from reflected light or transmitted light obtained by irradiating near-infrared light to a tea leaf to be graded. An apparatus for grading tea leaves, wherein the obtained detection value is used for grading the tea leaves. 4. The tea leaf grading apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a wavelength required to detect a component affecting the rating of the tea leaf is used as the specific wavelength. 5. An integrating sphere that irradiates reflected light or transmitted light obtained from tea leaves by irradiation with near-infrared light and diffuses the light, receives the near-infrared light from the integrating sphere, and receives a predetermined wavelength from the near-infrared light. And a near-infrared ray detecting means for selectively detecting only the near-infrared ray detecting means, wherein a detection value obtained from the near-infrared ray detecting means is used for grading the tea leaf. 6. The light measuring window of the integrating sphere, wherein an incident part of the near-infrared ray detecting means is directly connected.
Tea leaf rating device as described. 7. The tea leaf grading device according to claim 5, wherein a filter for passing a specific wavelength is provided in the photometric window of the integrating sphere. 8. An integrating sphere, which receives and diffuses reflected light or transmitted light obtained from tea leaves by irradiation of near infrared rays, and a light guiding means for receiving the near infrared rays from the integrating sphere and leading the light to the outside; A near-infrared ray detecting means for selectively detecting only a preset specific wavelength from the near-infrared ray received through the light means, and a detection value obtained from the near-infrared ray detecting means to the rating of the tea leaf. A tea leaf grading device characterized by being used. 9. The near-infrared detector according to claim 3, wherein one or two or more near-infrared detectors whose detection wavelength is set to a single specific wavelength are used as the near-infrared detector. Tea leaf grading device. 10. The tea leaf grading apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising a filter that passes a specific wavelength at an incident portion of the near-infrared ray detecting unit that receives the near-infrared ray from the light guiding unit.