Claims
- 1. An apparatus adapted to detect defects in an object and to differentiate between false and true defects, said apparatus comprising:a first camera adapted to produce a first photograph of said object in the near-infrared range, said first photograph depicting both false and true defects; a second camera adapted to produce a second photograph of said object in the mid-infrared range, said second photograph depicting only false defects; imaging means for processing said first and said second photographs to produce a first and a second digital image of said object with said first digital image depicting both false and true defects and with said second digital image depicting only false defects; and, means for logically comparing and contrasting said first and said second digital images to eliminate false defects while maintaining true defects.
- 2. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said object comprises irregular exterior features surrounding an internal core and wherein said apparatus includes means for initially treating said object to create a thermal difference between said irregular exterior features and said internal core prior to said first camera.
- 3. The apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said means for initially treating said object comprises a refrigerator.
- 4. The apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein said means for initially treating said object comprises a heater.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
This application may be subject to license rights of the U.S. Government and in particular the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
US Referenced Citations (16)
Non-Patent Literature Citations (1)
Entry |
Tao, Yang; Spherical transform of fruit images for on-line defect extraction of mass objects; Optical Engineering vol. 35, No. 2; Feb. 1996; pp. 344-350. |