A glass sorting machine optically sorts glass cullet according to different color characteristics by irradiating the cullet with red, green and blue light as the cullet are passed through a sensing region between a light source and light sensors responsive to the different light colors. The attenuation levels of the different light colors are measured by the sensors as the cullet passes through the sensing region. The machine analyzes the attenuation levels to determine the color characteristics of the cullet. A collimator is typically used to enhance shadow definition. In one embodiment, a pixel grid map is made of the sensing region and each cullet that passes through the sensing region. Mapped on to each grid is a red, green, and blue digital signal. Attenuated signals are compared against baseline values to determine the attenuation for given cullet. The pixel grid map may be used with a data erosion technique to compensate for refraction. To reduce errors associated with optical impurities, the machine normalizes the baseline values when cullet are not in the sensing region by taking the derivative of the sensed signal and normalizing the baseline signal when no cullet are present.

Optical glass sorting machine and method

A system ( 20 ) for recognizing gaming chips ( 500 ) includes pairs of light emitting devices P 1 through P n , each pair emitting light ( 28 ) of a different color. The light ( 28 ) is reflected off of the surface ( 502 ) of the gaming chip ( 500 ), is sensed by a light detector ( 32 ), digitized by an analog to digital converter ( 33 ), and compared with stored intensity profiles for various denomination gaming chips ( 500 ). When a match is obtained, system ( 20 ) issues a signal indicating the color, and thus denomination, of the gaming chip ( 500 ). An energizing circuit ( 26 ) produces a constant current to ensure a constant light intensity level. An automatic adjustment circuit ( 40 ) changes the constant current to accommodate for factors such as component aging. Adjustment circuit ( 40 ) is controlled by a calibration feature wherein light ( 28 ) is reflected off of a calibration surface ( 42 ) while system ( 20 ) is in use.

System for recognizing a gaming chip and method of use

Chip sorting devices and methods of ejecting chips from chip wells are disclosed. In some embodiments, chip sorting devices may include at least one chip ejection unit including at least one finger member selectively movable between a first position outside of at least one channel of a chip conveying unit and a second position within the at least one channel. In additional embodiments, a chip sorting device may include a separating wheel comprising a plurality of chip wells, each chip well configured to hold a plurality of chips. In yet additional embodiments, methods of ejecting a chip from a chip well may include urging a selected chip out of the chip well with the at least one finger member and at least one wall segment of a trailing segmented wall of the chip well.

Chip Handling Devices and Related Methods

A paper sorting system allows the high speed determination of color, glossiness and the presence of printed matter for individual sheets of paper in a stream of waste paper. Sorting criteria may be selected from a plurality of predefined options to sort the paper stream.

Multi-grade object sorting system and method

Apparatus and methods are provided for sensing the presence of bright white paper on a conveyor of a paper sorting system. The conveyor is constantly illuminated with ultraviolet light. When bright white paper is present in the inspection zone of the conveyor, it will re-radiate fluorescent light energy as a result of the ultraviolet light. Periodically, the inspection zone of the conveyor is illuminated with a second light source in the visible light spectrum. Light is collected from the inspection zone of the conveyor, including reflected light from the secondary source and including emitted fluorescent light energy as a result of the ultraviolet light falling on bright white paper. Periodically a microprocessor associated with the sensor senses reflected light from the second source to determine whether any object if present on the conveyor. The microprocessor then senses the level of fluorescent light energy being emitted from any object on the conveyor. The system determines first whether any object is present on the conveyor, as a result of the reflected secondary light, and then determines whether that object is bright white paper depending upon the measured level of emitted fluorescent light energy. Based upon these determinations, the stream of waste paper on the conveyor can be sorted into two fractions, one of which is the bright white paper.

System and method for sensing white paper

Apparatus is disclosed for sorting differently identified articles, particularly for sorting differently coloured gaming chips. The apparatus comprises transfer means (2) arranged to remove individual chips from a random store and transfer them to a conveyor (19). The conveyor carries the chips first to sensing means arranged to sense the identifiable characteristic of the chip and then to a chip ejector (25) arranged to remove the chips from the conveyor and deposit them in a respective selected one of a plurality of receptacles (26) depending on the characteristic of the chip previously identified.

Barnett Adam John

Papers

Sorting of differently identified articles