Claims
- 1. A method of identifying a produce item comprising the steps of:
(a) obtaining calibration-information for a produce data collector; (b) collecting first data describing the produce item by the produce data collector; (c) applying the calibration information to the first data to produce second data; (d) obtaining a number of previously stored third data associated with a plurality of produce items; (e) comparing the second data to the third data to determine fourth data and a corresponding produce item from the third data which is most like the second data; and (f) identifying the produce item to be the corresponding produce item.
- 2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein step a comprises the substeps of:
(a-1) obtaining a first calibration value for a produce data collector which is substantially permanent; and (a-2) obtaining a second calibration value for the produce data collector which is temporary.
- 3. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein step a-1 comprises the substeps of:
(a-1-A) measuring a first spectrum reflected from a first reference external to the produce data collector; (a-1-B) measuring a second spectrum reflected from a second reference internal to the produce data collector; and (a-1-C) determining the ratio of the first spectrum to the second spectrum to obtain the first calibration value.
- 4. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein step a-1 comprises the substep of:
(a-1-A) obtaining the first calibration value during manufacture of the produce data collector.
- 5. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein step a-1 comprises the substep of:
(a-1-A) obtaining the first calibration value during installation of the produce data collector.
- 6. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein step a-1 comprises the substep of:
(a-1-A) obtaining the first calibration value from a transaction terminal coupled to the produce data collector.
- 7. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein step a-1 comprises the substep of:
(a-1-A) obtaining the first calibration value from a transaction server through a transaction terminal coupled to the produce data collector.
- 8. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein step a-1 comprises the substep of:
(a-1-A) obtaining the first calibration value from a memory within the produce data collector.
- 9. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein step a-2 comprises the substep of:
(a-2-A) obtaining the second calibration value from a transaction terminal coupled to the produce data collector.
- 10. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein step a-2 comprises the substep of:
(a-2-A) obtaining the second calibration value from a transaction server through a transaction terminal coupled to the produce data collector.
- 11. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein step a-2 comprises the substep of:
(a-2-A) obtaining the second calibration value from a memory within the produce data collector.
- 12. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein step a-2 comprises the substeps of:
(a-2-A) determining whether a previous second calibration value is available; and (a-2-B) if a previous second calibration value is not available, measuring a spectrum reflected from a reference internal to the produce data collector.
- 13. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein step a-2 comprises the substep of:
(a-2-A) periodically measuring a spectrum reflected from a reference internal to the produce data collector based upon a predetermined calibration schedule.
- 14. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein step a-2 comprises the substep of:
(a-2-A) measuring a spectrum reflected from a reference internal to the produce data collector in response to recordation of an operator command at a transaction terminal coupled to the produce data collector.
- 15. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein step a-2 comprises the substep of:
(a-2-A) measuring a spectrum reflected from a reference internal to the produce data collector in response to activation of a switch coupled to the produce data collector by an operator.
- 16. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein step b comprises the substeps of:
(b-1) illuminating the produce item; (b-2) splitting light collected from the produce item into a plurality of different light portions in different wavelength bands; (b-3) converting energy in the plurality of light portions into a plurality of electrical signals; and (b-4) digitizing the plurality of electrical signals to produce the first data.
- 17. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein step b comprises the substeps of:
(b-1) determining whether the produce item is adjacent the produce data collector; and (b-2) if the produce item is adjacent the produce data collector, collecting the first data from the produce item.
- 18. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein step b comprises the substeps of:
(b-1) receiving a signal from a scale containing weight information about the produce item; and (b-2) collecting the first data from the produce item in response to the signal.
- 19. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein step b comprises the substeps of:
(b-1) receiving a signal from a transaction terminal coupled to the produce data collector in response to operator input; and (b-2) collecting the first data from the produce item in response to the signal.
- 20. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein step c comprises the substep of:
(c-1) normalizing the first data using the first and second calibration values.
- 21. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein step c comprises the substep of:
(c-1) normalizing the first data by dividing the first data by the first and second calibration values.
- 22. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising the step of:
(g) converting pixel information in the second data to second wavelength information.
- 23. The method as recited in claim 22, wherein step e comprises the substeps of:
(e-1) comparing the second wavelength information in the second data with third wavelength information in the third data to determine fourth wavelength information in fourth data and a corresponding produce item from the third data which is most like the second wavelength information.
- 24. The method as recited in claim 22, wherein step g comprises the substeps of:
(g-1) mapping the pixel information in the first data to the wavelength information; and (g-2) interpolating the wavelength information between a minimum wavelength and a maximum wavelength.
- 25. The method as recited in claim 22, wherein step g comprises the substep of:
(g-1) mapping the pixel information in the first data to the wavelength information using an intrinsic mapping function of the produce data collector; and
- 26. The method as recited in claim 22, wherein step g comprises the substeps of:
(g-1) obtaining constant values within an intrinsic mapping function of the produce data collector from a memory within the produce data collector; and (g-2) mapping the pixel information in the first data to the wavelength information using the intrinsic mapping function.
- 27. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein step g comprises the substeps of:
(g-1) obtaining constant values within an intrinsic mapping function of the produce data collector from a transaction terminal coupled to the produce data collector; and (g-2) mapping the pixel information in the first data to the wavelength information using the intrinsic mapping function.
- 28. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein step d comprises the substep of:
(d-1) loading the second data from a transaction terminal coupled to the produce data collector.
- 29. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein step d comprises the substep of:
(d-1) loading the second data from a transaction server through a transaction terminal coupled to the produce data collector.
- 30. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein step f comprises the substep of:
(f-1) determining a list of produce items associated with the second data whose second wavelength data are most like the first data; (f-2) displaying the list of produce items; and (f-3) recording an operator choice for one of the produce items from the list.
- 31. A method of identifying a produce item comprising the steps of:
(a) obtaining a first calibration value for a produce data collector which is substantially permanent; (b) obtaining a second calibration value for the produce data collector which is temporary; (c) collecting first data describing the produce item by the produce data collector; (d) applying the first and second calibration values to the first data to produce second data; (e) converting pixel information in the second data to second wavelength information; (f) obtaining a number of previously stored third data associated with a plurality of produce items; and (g) comparing the second wavelength information in the second data with third wavelength information in the third data to determine fourth wavelength information in fourth data and a corresponding produce item from the third data which is most like the second wavelength information; and (h) identifying the produce item to be the corresponding produce item.
- 32. A method of identifying a produce item comprising the steps of:
(a) calibrating a produce data collector using an internal reference; (b) collecting first data describing the produce item by the produce data collector; (c) obtaining a number of previously stored second data associated with a plurality of produce items; (d) comparing the first data with the second data; (e) determining third data and a corresponding produce item from the second data which is most like the first data; and (f) identifying the produce item to be the corresponding produce item.
- 33. A method of calibrating produce data collected by a produce data collector comprising the steps of:
(a) obtaining a first calibration value for the produce data collector using an external reference and an internal reference; (b) obtaining a second calibration value for the produce data collector using only the internal reference; and (c) applying the first and second calibration values to the produce data.
- 34. The method as recited in claim 33, wherein step a comprises the substeps of:
(a-1) measuring a first spectrum reflected from the external reference; (a-2) measuring a second spectrum reflected from the internal reference; and (a-3) determining the ratio of the first spectrum to the second spectrum to obtain the first calibration value.
- 35. The method as recited in claim 33, wherein step a comprises the substep of:
(a-1) obtaining the first calibration value during manufacture of the produce data collector.
- 36. The method as recited in claim 33, wherein step a comprises the substep of:
(a-1) obtaining the first calibration value during installation of the produce data collector.
- 37. The method as recited in claim 33, wherein step a comprises the substep of:
(a-1) obtaining the first calibration value from a transaction terminal coupled to the produce data collector.
- 38. The method as recited in claim 33, wherein step a comprises the substep of:
(a-1) obtaining the first calibration value from a transaction server through a transaction terminal coupled to the produce data collector.
- 39. The method as recited in claim 33, wherein step a comprises the substep of:
(a-1) obtaining the first calibration value from a memory within the produce data collector.
- 40. The method as recited in claim 34, wherein step a-1 comprises the substeps of:
(a-1-A) illuminating the external reference through a window of the produce data collector; and (a-1-B) collecting spectrum data from the external reference
- 41. The method as recited in claim 34, wherein step a-2 comprises the substeps of:
(a-2-A) placing the internal reference in a light path within the produce data collector; (a-2-B) illuminating the internal reference; (a-2-C) collecting spectrum data from the internal reference; and (a-2-D) removing internal reference from the light path.
- 42. The method as recited in claim 33, wherein step b comprises the substep of:
(b-1) obtaining the second calibration value from a transaction terminal coupled to the produce data collector.
- 43. The method as recited in claim 33, wherein step b comprises the substep of:
(b-1) obtaining the second calibration value from a transaction server through a transaction terminal coupled to the produce data collector.
- 44. The method as recited in claim 33, wherein step b comprises the substep of:
(b-1) obtaining the second calibration value from a memory within the produce data collector.
- 45. The method as recited in claim 33, wherein step b comprises the substeps of:
(b-1) determining whether a previous second calibration value is available; and (b-2) if a previous second calibration value is not available, measuring a spectrum reflected from the internal reference.
- 46. The method as recited in claim 33, wherein step b comprises the substep of:
(b-1) periodically measuring a spectrum reflected from the internal reference based upon a predetermined calibration schedule.
- 47. The method as recited in claim 33, wherein step b comprises the substep of:
(b-1) measuring a spectrum reflected from the internal reference in response to recordation of an operator command at a transaction terminal coupled to the produce data collector.
- 48. The method as recited in claim 33, wherein step b comprises the substep of:
(b-1) measuring a spectrum reflected from the internal reference in response to activation of a switch coupled to the produce data collector by an operator.
- 49. The method as recited in claim 33, wherein step b comprises the substep of:
(b-1) measuring a spectrum reflected from the internal reference during each produce transaction.
- 50. The method as recited in claim 33, wherein step b comprises the substeps of:
(b-1) placing the internal reference in a light path within the produce data collector; (b-2) illuminating the internal reference; (b-3) collecting spectrum data from the internal reference; and (b-4) removing internal reference from the light path.
- 51. The method as recited in claim 50, wherein step b further comprises the substep of:
(b-5) storing the spectrum data.
- 52. A produce recognition system comprising:
a produce data collector for collecting first data from an external reference and second and third data from an internal reference, and for collecting fourth data from a produce item; and a computer coupled to the produce data collector which determines a first calibration value from the first and second data and a second calibration value from the third data, which applies the first and second calibration values to the fourth data to produce fifth data, which obtains sixth data from reference produce data, and which compares the fifth and sixth data to identify the produce item.
- 53. The produce recognition system as recited in claim 52, wherein the produce data collector comprises:
a housing containing a window; a light source within the housing having a light path oriented through the window for illuminating the external reference and the produce item; a collector within the housing for collecting reflected light from the external reference, the internal reference, and the produce item; and a shutter assembly inside the housing for positioning the internal reference in the light path during collection of the second and third data.
- 54. The produce recognition system as recited in claim 52, wherein the produce data collector comprises:
a memory for storing at least one of the first and second calibration values.
- 55. The produce recognition system as recited in claim 52, wherein the computer comprises a transaction terminal.
- 56. The produce recognition system as recited in claim 52, wherein the computer comprises a server.
- 57. The produce recognition system as recited in claim 53, wherein the collector is located in the housing at an opposite end of a reflected light path from the window, and wherein the shutter assembly also positions the internal reference in the reflected light path during collection of the second and third data.
- 58. A produce data collector comprising:
a housing containing a window; a light source within the housing having a light path oriented through the window; wherein the light source illuminates an external reference to obtain first data and an internal reference to obtain second data for use in determining a first calibration value; wherein the light source illuminates the internal reference to obtain third data for use in determining a second calibration value; wherein the light source illuminates a produce item to obtain fourth data to be calibrated by the first and second calibration values; a collector within the housing for collecting reflected light from the external reference, the internal reference, and the produce item; and a shutter assembly inside the housing for positioning the internal reference in the light path during collection of the second and third data.
- 59. The produce data collector as recited in claim 58, further comprising:
a memory for storing at least one of the first and second calibration values.
- 60. A produce recognition system comprising:
collecting means for collecting first data from an external reference and second and third data from an internal reference, and for collecting fourth data from a produce item; and processing means coupled to the collecting means for determining a first calibration value from the first and second data and a second calibration value from the third data, for applying the first and second calibration values to the fourth data to produce fifth data, for obtaining sixth data from reference produce data, and for comparing the fifth and sixth data to identify the produce item.
- 61. A spectrometer comprising:
a housing containing a window; a light source within the housing having a light path oriented through the window; wherein the light source illuminates an external reference to obtain first data and an internal reference to obtain second data for use in determining a first calibration value; wherein the light source illuminates the internal reference to obtain third data for use in determining a second calibration value; wherein the light source illuminates an object to obtain fourth data to be calibrated by the first and second calibration values; a collector within the housing for collecting reflected light from the external reference, the internal reference, and the object; and a shutter assembly inside the housing for positioning the internal reference in the light path during collection of the second and third data.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present invention is related to the following commonly assigned and co-pending U.S. application:
[0002] “Produce Data Collector And Produce Recognition System”, filed Nov. 10, 1998, invented by Gu et al., and having a Ser. No. 09/189,783.
Divisions (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
09362487 |
Jul 1999 |
US |
Child |
10170304 |
Jun 2002 |
US |