Method and apparatus for inspection of a subject article
Inventors
Assignees
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-12345652-B2
Publication Date
2025-07-01
Expiration Date
Abstract
A sensing apparatus including a plurality of sensing units having an energy source for transmitting a beam of electromagnetic radiation through a subject article and a detector for receiving the beam emerging from the subject article, and a controller, in which the detectors are arranged in a dispersed configuration, in which the sensing units include multiple groups. The controller sends a first activation signal to an individual group and a second activation signal to the next group at separate times and subsequent signals to further groups. In the dispersed configuration each detector of each group is spaced from each other detector of each other group a greater distance than it is spaced from the nearest detector of the next sequential group.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a method for inspection of a subject article using a plurality of beams of electromagnetic radiation transmitted along a plurality of beam trajectories arranged in a dispersed configuration that is decomposable into a partition of groups of beam trajectories. Each group includes at least one beam trajectory, and when a group includes more than one beam trajectory, the distances between beam trajectories in the group are not less than a predetermined value.
During inspection, the method successively activates each group so that the beams of electromagnetic radiation are transmitted along the beam trajectories of the group while positioning the subject article in the plurality of beam trajectories. Electromagnetic radiation from each transmitted beam is sensed after being transmitted through or reflected from the subject article, so that the inspection sensing corresponds to each beam trajectory through which the subject article is positioned.
An apparatus aspect of the invention includes means for transmitting the plurality of beams along the plurality of beam trajectories in the dispersed, partitionable configuration, means for positioning the subject article in the plurality of beam trajectories, and means for sensing the electromagnetic radiation of each beam transmitted through or reflected from the subject article.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims cover a method and an apparatus for inspection in which dispersed electromagnetic-radiation beam trajectories are partitioned into groups with a predetermined distance relationship, followed by successively activating groups and sensing radiation transmitted through or reflected from the subject article. Across the independent claims, the coverage centers on the partitionable dispersed beam-trajectory configuration, positioning of the subject article, and sensing radiation for each beam.
Dispersed beam trajectories partitioned into groups with predetermined distance relationship
Providing a plurality of beam trajectories for beams of electromagnetic radiation, arranged in a dispersed configuration that is decomposable into a partition of groups of beam trajectories; each group includes at least one beam trajectory; and distances between beam trajectories in groups including more than one beam trajectory are not less than a predetermined value, which is greater than at least one of the distances between beam trajectories in the plurality.
Successively activating each group to transmit beams while positioning the subject article
Successively activating each of said groups so as to cause said beams of electromagnetic radiation to be transmitted along said beam trajectories of said group while positioning said subject article in said plurality of beam trajectories.
Sensing electromagnetic radiation transmitted through or reflected from the subject article for each beam
Sensing the electromagnetic radiation from each of said beams that have been transmitted through or reflected from said subject article.
Transmission, positioning, and sensing apparatus with dispersed group-partitioned beam trajectories
Means for transmitting a plurality of beams of electromagnetic radiation along a plurality of beam trajectories, said beam trajectories being arranged in a dispersed configuration that is decomposable into a partition of groups of beam trajectories, each group including at least one beam trajectory, and distances between beam trajectories in groups including more than one beam trajectory being not less than a predetermined value which is greater than at least one of the distances between beam trajectories in the plurality.
Apparatus positioning the subject article in the beam trajectories
Means for positioning said subject article in said plurality of beam trajectories.
Apparatus sensing electromagnetic radiation of each beam transmitted through or reflected
Means for sensing the electromagnetic radiation of each of said beams that has been transmitted through or reflected from said subject article.
Together, the independent method and apparatus claims define inspection by arranging a dispersed set of electromagnetic-radiation beam trajectories into groups constrained by a predetermined distance relationship, positioning the subject article in the trajectory set, successively activating the groups so beams traverse the grouped trajectories, and sensing electromagnetic radiation transmitted through or reflected from the subject article for each beam.
Stated Advantages
Avoids NIR beam interference caused by scattering in chicken meat by enforcing group-partitioned trajectory distance relationships.
Documented Applications
Inspection sensing for chicken meat processing, including detection of bone or cartilage via near infrared sensing and planar imaging display.
Interested in licensing this patent?