Patent ID: 6825484
Filing Date: 2004-11-30
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
Apparatus for discriminating between objects having different surface reflectivity, said objects positioned in one of a plurality of angles relative to said apparatus, comprising:a light source for illuminating an object; a first optical sensor mounted relative to said light source, said first optical sensor receiving direct light reflected from said object in a first one of said plurality of angles; a second optical sensor mounted relative to said light source, said second optical sensor receiving direct light reflected from said object in a second one of said plurality of angles; a third optical sensor mounted relative to said light source, said third optical sensor receiving dispersed light reflected from said object in any of said plurality of angles; adding means for computing the sum of a light signal received by said first sensor and a light signal received by said second sensor; computation means for comparing a light signal received by said third optical sensor with said sum, said computation means connected with said adding means and with said third optical sensor; and means for determining said object type, said means for determining connected with said computation means.