WO2000013808A1

WO2000013808A1 - Produce identification system

Info

Publication number: WO2000013808A1
Application number: PCT/NZ1999/000150
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hamish Alexander Nigel Kennedy
Original assignee: Hamish Alexander Nigel Kennedy
Priority date: 1998-09-07
Filing date: 1999-09-07
Publication date: 2000-03-16
Also published as: AU5886299A

Abstract

The present invention consists of a method and apparatus for identifying articles, particularly fruit or vegetables. The technique involves analysing either the reflected or transmitted electromagnetic energy (preferably electromagnetic energy corresponding to the optical spectrum). The reflected or transmitted energy may be diffracted using a diffraction grating whereby the diffracted spectrum is compared with a number of pre-determined spectra. The electromagnetic energy source may be stepped laser, sequentially switched light emitting diodes or other suitable radiation source. Instead of using a particular frequency of electromagnetic energy for the energy source, the source may provide a relatively narrow band of electromagnetic energy with the detection means being sensitive to a wide band. Identification of the characteristics of the reflection or transmission could be by way of wavelength shift. The present invention may find application in fruit sorting (at the growing location and the retail location) or similar process control type situations involving articles such as fruit or vegetables.

Description

PRODUCE IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to improvements in and relating to a produce identification system and including apparatus and/or methods whereby the identity of a particular product can be determined and the information then utilised as appropriate.

The terms "produce" and "product" are used in the present specification for ease of description, but cover any and all types of articles or items which in a particular situation, may need to be identified for any required purpose. By way of example, however, the present invention will be described in respect of its application in the identification of produce such as fruit and particularly, again by way of example, in the identification then being utilised at a retail outlet.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

To the present time, various systems have been proposed for the non-destructive testing of produce such as fruit, in order to determine characteristics such as firmness, colour, sugar content and the like. Some of these systems have utilised near infrared (NIR) technology in which radiation transmitted through fruit is detected and compared against calibrated values to determine the particular characteristics of the fruit under test. Other systems have detected radiation reflected from the fruit.

Such previous systems are not considered suitable for the speedy and effective identification of produce, especially in a situation such a retail outlet where an immediate identification is required at a supermarket check-out for example.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a produce identification system which will overcome or at least obviate problems in such systems available to the present time, or which at least will provide the public with a useful choice.

Further objects of this invention will become apparent from the following description.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a produce identification system including:

(i) means to direct electromagnetic energy of a required wavelength at a product requiring to be identified;

(ii) means to detect electromagnetic energy reflected from and/or transmitted through the product; and

(iii) identification means to compare data received from said detection means with data relating to known products or types of products whereby the product or type of product is able to be identified.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a method of identifying produce includes:

(i) directing electromagnetic energy of a required wavelength at a product to be identified;

(ii) detecting electromagnetic energy reflected from and/or transmitted through the product;

(iii) providing an identification means with data relating to known products or types of products; and

(iv) comparing the known data with the data received from the detecting means in identifying the product or type of product. In one possible embodiment of the invention, the system and/or method as defined in either of the paragraphs immediately above, may utilise sequentially narrow bands of electromagnetic energy and utilise a detecting means sensitive to a wide or narrow band of electromagnetic energy.

Further aspects of this invention which should be considered in all its novel aspects will become apparent from the following description given by way of example of possible embodiments of the invention and in which reference is made to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGURE 1 : shows very diagrammaticaliy a produce identification system according to one possible embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 2: shows very diagrammaticaliy the system of Figure 1 in use at a supermarket check-out; and

FIGURE 3: shows a multiplicity of check-outs using the system of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

There are many situations where a rapid and accurate identification of a particular product needs to be available. Typical of such situations is a supermarket check-out where the customer arrives with perhaps a bag of fruit which will then need the fruit and perhaps the variety of fruit to be immediately identified so that the appropriate charge on the customer's bill can be made.

Referring to Figure 1 , a product which is to be identified is referenced generally by arrow 1 . It is shown by way of example only as being an item of fruit. The product identification system of the present invention is referenced generally by arrow 2.

In this example, it is shown with a source of electromagnetic energy 3 which may be of any suitable type providing any suitable wavelength or range of wavelengths. Typically, it may be providing light in the ultraviolet, visible, infra red or near infra red (NIR) frequency range. Other frequency ranges such as microwave could be used, it is envisaged.

The electromagnetic energy is shown directed through a transfer means such as a fibre optics cable 4 and is shown travelling in the direction of arrows A towards the surface of the product 1 .

A proportion of the electromagnetic energy will be reflected as indicated by the arrows B to travel back through the fibre optic cable or the like 4 to be received by a detecting means referenced generally by arrow 5. The detection means 5 may suitably be a spectrometer or the like, and in this example, is shown having a diffraction grating 6 reflecting a diffraction pattern or diffracted optical radiation to a sensor array 7. The sensor 7 then provides data in the form of a signal to a CPU 8 or the like, which will be holding, or which has available to it, previously calibrated data which relates to products or types of products with which the signal from the sensor 7 can be compared and the product 1 or the type of product 1 can thereby be identified.

In the use of the system 2 of the present invention, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the product 1 , or in the case of fruit typically a bag of such products, will be received at the supermarket or retail check- out 1 5 typically being placed by the customer on the check-out conveyor 1 1 to be moved forward in the direction indicated by arrow D. The product 1 will typically pass by a bar code scanner 9, or the like, and then typically to a weighing scale 1 0. The system 2 of the present invention is shown positioned relative to the check-out 1 5 so that as the product 1 passes it, the product 1 or variety of a particular product 1 , e.g. a Braeburn apple can be immediately identified and the information passed to the cash register 1 3 for inclusion in the final bill printed out by the cashier 1 2.

In Figure 3, a number of the check-outs 1 5 are shown interconnected along data line 14 to the CPU 1 6. Each of the individual check-outs 1 5, therefore, has direct access to the consolidated data held by the CPU 1 6 relating to all the products and types of products which are on sale in the supermarket with the ability of the CPU 1 6 to be updated, either on site, or perhaps with data supplied by the supplier of the products themselves.

It is envisaged that instead of using a particular frequency of electromagnetic energy for the energy source 3, the source 3 could provide a relatively narrow band of electromagnetic energy, for example, monochromatic light, with the detection means 5 being sensitive to a wide band of electromagnetic energy.

It is also envisaged that the incident radiation could be narrow band energy and the reflected/transmitted energy could be detected with a narrow band detector to see how the wavelength had shifted. Fluorescent radiation is an option which could be used.

Typically, the source 3 in this instance, could be monochromatic light, visible or infra red and the detection means 5 could be a photo sensor which is sensitive to both visible and infra red light.

It is envisaged that in this embodiment, it may include the use of sequentially switched Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) or laser diodes of different frequencies with the reflected energy B being detected with a light sensitive detector.

In a further embodiment, it is envisaged that a tunable laser could be utilised which could be stepped through a range of frequencies with the reflected energy B being detected at each frequency with a light sensitive detecting means 5. The potentially higher power of the lasers may, it is envisaged, provide an improved performance over the alternative LEDs. Although Figure 2 shows the presence of a bar code scanner 9, the present invention of course can avoid the need for the one or more products 1 to feature any bar code in that the identification system 2 of the present invention is effectively achieving what is normally provided by a bar code laser.

The present invention also of course avoids the need of the check-out operator 1 2 to be able to recognise a product or type of product 1 and the system, therefore, can substantially reduce the loss in time and money involved in attempts at identifying a product or where a product is incorrectly identified.

Although in Figures 1 and 2 the identification system 2 is receiving reflected energy B, it is envisaged that instead it, or more than one system 2, could additionally or alternatively be receiving energy transmitted through the product 1 in identifying it.

The present invention also avoids the problems inherent in previous systems which have relied on detecting odours from a product in order to identify it. The present invention enables the identification of a product even when it is contained within a plastic bag for example, although it may be necessary for the CPU to be calibrated to allow for the product 1 being contained within a bag or a particular type of bag.

Where in the foregoing description, reference has been made to specific components or integers of the invention having known equivalents then such equivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth.

Although this invention has been described by way of example and with reference to possible embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that modifications or improvements may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:

A produce identification system including:

2. A produce identification system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said system uses sequentially narrow bands of electromagnetic energy and utilise a detecting means sensitive to a wide or narrow band of electromagnetic energy.

3. A produce identification system as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the electromagnetic energy reflected from and/or transmitted through the product is diffracted through a diffraction grating whereby a resulting diffraction pattern is processed by the identification means.

4. A produce identification system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the diffracted electromagnetic energy is detected by means of a sensor array.

5. A produce identification system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the electromagnetic energy is produced using a tunable laser which is stepped through a range of frequencies whereby the reflected energy is detected at each frequency whereupon the resulting absorption spectrum is processed by the identification means.

A method of identifying produce including:

(iv) comparing the known data with the data received from the detecting means in identifying the product or type of product.

7. A method identifying produce as claimed in claim 6 wherein said method uses sequentially narrow bands of electromagnetic energy and utilise a detecting means sensitive to a wide or narrow band of electromagnetic energy.

8. A method identifying produce as claimed in claim 6 or 7 wherein the electromagnetic energy reflected from and/or transmitted through the product is diffracted through a diffraction grating whereby a resulting diffraction pattern is processed by the identification means.

9. A method of identifying produce as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 8 wherein the diffracted electromagnetic energy is detected by means of a sensor array.

10. A method of identifying produce as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 9 wherein the electromagnetic energy is produced using a tunable laser which is stepped through a range of frequencies whereby the reflected energy is detected at each frequency whereupon the resulting absorption spectrum is processed by the identification means.

1 . A method of identifying produce substantially as herein described with reference to the figures.

2. A produce identification system substantially as herein described with reference to the figures.