Patent ID: 8320633
Filing Date: 2012-11-27
Classification: G06K

Abstract:
1. A produce identification apparatus for identifying a produce item, the apparatus comprising: a processor where the processor controls the elements and functions of the apparatus; a plurality of illumination devices where the illumination devices are controlled by the processor to emit, at different times, light energy primarily having a first, second, third and fourth wavelength to illuminate the produce item; an image capture device controlled by the processor where the image capture device captures images of the produce item for processing by the processor; a first image of the produce item captured by the image capture device where the illumination devices are turned off and the produce item is illuminated by ambient light; a second image of the produce item captured by the image capture device where the produce item is illuminated by light from the illumination devices emitting primarily the first wavelength; a third image of the produce item captured by the image capture device where the produce item is illuminated by light from the illumination devices emitting primarily the second wavelength; a fourth image of the produce item captured by the image capture device where the produce item is illuminated by light from the illumination devices emitting primarily the third wavelength; a fifth image of the produce item captured by the image capture device where the produce item is illuminated by light from the illumination devices emitting primarily the fourth wavelength; and where the processor determines when the produce item is inside a plastic bag by determining the presences of specular light in the first captured image, determines physical parameters of the produce item from the captured images, and compares the determined parameters to parameters of known produce to identify the produce item.