A PROCEDURE FOR SORTING A GRANULAR MATERIAL AND A MACHINE FOR EXECUTING THE PROCEDURE

Abstract: The procedure includes observation of each grain by optic-electronic devices and consists of an initial stage during which several values, representing colour signals, are extracted and read and are then processed by a computer to reduce all the signals to two numbers only, defining a pair of coordinates on a plane where the colorimetric characteristics of the grains are represented, and of a second stage in which each grain is automatically classified within an electronic grid, associated to the above plane, wherein an operator has already assigned the squares for classes of unacceptable grains. The machine includes an analog-to-digital converter (2) able to convert the analog signals received from the observation devices into binary form, two adaptation circuits (3), a computer (4) and a memory for controlling sampling and analog-numerical conversion of the colour signals, also for storing all samples obtained, as well as for executing the above first and second stages of the procedure.

Description: This invention concerns a method for sorting granular material. The granular material may consist of raw coffee beans, or other beans, ground nuts and the like but, for the sake of simplicity, the single units composing a batch of granular material will hereinafter be called grains. The problem often arises of separating out grains possessing certain characteristics from a quantity of their fellows, and processes and machinery have been devised for solving it. The processes and machines already known include those that do this separation when the characteristic, or characteristics making it desirable can be related to the colorimetric characteristics of the grains. These machines generally comprise: a transfer unit in which the grains move and are given initial propulsion beginning to separate one from another; a chute in which they receive further propulsion and achieve complete separation; an optic observation cell where, having left the chute, the grains pass and are observed by appropriate optic sensors; a control unit that receives from the sensors optic signals related to the colour of the grain observed and classifies it as acceptable or not; a device that expels the grains singled out for rejection which have to be diverted away from the flow of good grains. A particularly well-known process and machine is that made by the firm Gunson's Sortex Limited of London (G.B.), which can separate grains through observation of two distinct colour bands, characteristic of the nature of the material observed, obtained by use of optic filters. This machine has an observation cell in which there is a lighted chamber fitted with optic-electronic observation devices; lighting is supplied by halogen lamps and there are three observation devices in the chamber placed at an angle of 120 degrees on a plane normal to the path taken by the grains through the observation chamber, each device focussing the image of the surface of a grain exposed towards the observation device onto optic sensors, these sensors being able to generate an electronic signal of colorimetric information; each grain that crosses the observation cell passes in front of three appropriately coloured backgrounds, each one placed opposite its own observation device; the light reflected by a grain and by that part of the background not covered by a grain in each of the observation devices,is caught by a set of lenses, split up into two beams of light by a semi-reflecting mirror and, through two optic filters, strikes two optic sensors each capable of generating an electric signal proportional to the quantity of light that has struck it and which hereinafter we will call the colour signal. This light reflected by a grain and by that part of the background left uncovered by a grain will now be called reflected light. The machine's control unit therefore distinguishes the grains on the basis of six signals it receives from the observation cell; each signal is linearly amplified and all six together are sent to a selector that emits a single signal possessing the same value as that of the highest incoming signal. Distinction between grains takes place when the value of the signal emitted by the selector exceeds a value set by an operator; the comparison between these two values is made by a level comparator which, if a grain has to be diverted, sends an electric pulse to a delaying device of the pulse itself thus allowing sufficient time for the grain due for rejection to arrive at a pneumatic expelling device worked by a solenoid valve set for a previously established time by the above delaying device. The rejected grains are thus diverted from the normal trajectory of fall and are collected in a separate container. This procedure and the machine operating it are also able to send, to the above selector, three further signals created by a linear combination of the two electric signals of each of the three observation devices thus forming a further field of classification which the makers have called bichromatic. An initial drawback to the procedure and machine described above is the fact that the signal transmitted by the sensors is proportional to the reflection factor of the grain observed, but also to the surface of the grain observed in the cell, through a window, by each of the observation devices, and since the machine is designed solely for separation according to a reflection factor, the partial proportionality of this factor to the surface of the grain means a limitation and a lack of accuracy attributable to the procedure and to the machine. There is a further drawback this being that the three backgrounds to install in the observation cell must be chosen with great care because signals produced by all the grains in the quantity examined must average null both for electrical reasons inside the machine and because, there being only one classification device for the various observation devices, the signals they generate must be comparable one to another. A third drawback exists because the machine is unable to make a colorimetric classification of classes of grains unless their colorimetric characteristics are greater or lesser than a certain level of luminosity, so that classes of grains cannot be sorted if they possess colorimetric characteristics of an intermediate nature compared with the characteristics of the whole quantity. Another sorting apparatus is known from US-A- 4,235,342 of Braham which comprises a viewer element, an electrical signal generator element, an article classifier including a ramdom access memory element having a plurality of memory storage locations defining a matrix array therein, each location having stored therein a classification signal corresponding to the address of the memory storage location in order to define the boundaries of an acceptability profile wherein the colour characteristics of each article are represented by a group of points. The main drawback of the above apparatus is that an article is classified and sorted according to the color of each of a number of single points of an article which causes the ejection of an article showing one or a small quantity of bad points whilst the mean colour of that article would have allowed acceptability. One scope of this present invention is to reduce or eliminate the above drawbacks relating to the machine of Gunson's Sortex Limited and to the apparatus according to US-A- 4,235,342. According to the method of this present invention a computer is adopted as a control and classification means , possibly in a sorting machine such as that made by Gunson's Sortex Limited for example, without having to carry out significant changes to the machine's optic-electronic measuring system, or else in a sorting machine whose reflected light is divided into z number of beams that strike a set of z optic sensors contained in each of n observation devices, it being possible for z to be greater than 2. The method according to this present invention is set forth in the appended claims. The features and advantages of the invented method will be more apparent from the following description of a machine which executes the invented method in the case the above number z is 2. This machine is able to take decisions based on two colour coordinates; it includes a sorter fitted with devices for separating out the grains in a quantity one from another, an observation cell lit by halogen lamps containing n observation devices, each associated to an appropriate background, capable of generating appropriate signals according to the colorimetric characteristics of each grain observed, a classifier and a device for expelling the undesiderable grains, the sorter being associated to an analog-numerical converter for converting the analog signals received from the sorter's observation devices into the most appropriate binary form; the machine being associated to an adaptor able to render logical a signal transmitted by the sorter to indicate the presence of a grain in the field covered by the observation devices, able to receive from a computer a signal for expelling a grain and to pass that signal to the sorter having made such signal electrically compatible with the electric circuit of the sorter; the machine being associated to a computer able to receive from the adaptor a signal indicating the presence of a grain in the field covered by the observation device which, through the analog-digital converter, can sample and store a certain number of signals sent by the sorter until the above signal denoting the presence of a grain indicates that it has passed out of the observation device's field of observation, the machine being able to execute the method as described and claimed in order to decide whether or not the observed grain is acceptable and, if not, the machine can operate the sorter to have the grain expelled, but if accepteble, it can await the next grain and begin a fresh cycle. The machine is associated to a control panel permitting the operator to interact with the sorter-computer system when a program has been loaded into the latter for executing the operations described above. Grain classification can only be done if an electronic map or colour plane A, C (see claim 3) representing the colour characteristics of the viewed grains contains all the informations needed to distinguish the acceptable from the unacceptable grains. To set up the above electronic map, the operator uses the following options offered by the machine: 1. sorting by lighter coloured grains, 2. sorting by darker grains, 3. sorting by grains in which the first colour band prevails, 4. sorting by grains in which the second colour band prevails, 5. sorting by irregularities in grains, 6. sorting by self-teaching, 7. programmed sorting. In the first five cases the operator uses the computer's ability to classify grains by instructing it for the type of sorting he decides to do, and for the desired percentage of rejects. In the sixth case the operator hand picks a number of grains he considers typically unacceptable and shows them to the machine so that it can memorize their colorimetric characteristics on the grid and later be able to recognise them. In the last case the operator arbitrarily decides within which coordinates of the grid shall be rejection coordinates corresponding to unacceptable grains. The choice of a sorting criterion does not exclude but rather is added to the result of the previous choices in such a way that several options can be carried out simultaneously. As explained before, in order to develop these capacities for automatic classification, the computer first asks to see a sample statistically representative of the whole quantity (hereinafter called the representative sample) to be sorted so that the parameters needed for the subsequent operative stage can be processed (e.g. the mean initial values of the various signals), and so that a statistical model reproducing on the (A,C) plane all the colorimetric characteristics of the above quantity can be formed in the computer's memory. The advantages of having the observed grains represented on the plane where the A,C values are disposed consist both of better detection of the colorimetric characteristics of the grains irrespective of their positions when in the observation cell, and of easier identification of characteristic classes in the quantity of grains under examination. Particularly as regards the method used for calculating the A and C values, summation signal-by-signal of the acquired values minimizes any measuring errors due to the way in which the grain presents itself in the observation cell, relatively to the rotations round the optic axis of the observation device; this is explained if we consider that the summation provides information about the total energy reflected from the surface of the grain viewed by the observation device concerned. Subtraction of the mean value from each of the above summations avoids the need for putting into the machine a background having chromatic characteristics such as would generate signals averaging null,and further reduces the effects caused by variations in the level of efficiency of one observation device compared with another,since the common reference for the various observation devices is the "average" grain in the whole batch. Further, as the origin of the axes of the electronic grid always coincides with the centre of gravity of distribution of the batch, the computer can function with a smaller memory. The summations of the values thus obtained in the single colour bands (R and V values) minimize measuring errors caused by the way the grain lies in the observation cell in relation to rotations around the grain's line of fall, since, by adding together the results obtained simultaneously by the three observation devices, we get information about the total surface of the grain so long as the observation devices are placed in a position that will enable them to view the entire surface of the grain as it passes in front of them. Finally, the method of obtaining A and C values by linear combination of R with V assists the automatic identification of classes in the whole batch (most important from the aspect of colorimetric sorting) composed of the darker grains, of the lighter ones and of those in which one colour band prevails rather than the other. Regarding the advantages obtained by preliminary observation of a typical sample of the grains contained in a batch to be sorted, by means of which the computer makes and stores a statistical model of its colorimetric characteristics, these consist both in enabling the computer to forecast the quantity of grains that will be expelled in fulfilment of the operator's requests for rejection, and in the ability to recognise and thus automatically expel grains (or foreign bodies) differing from those that on an average make up the whole batch; this ability covers the slight probability that extraneous objects or faulty grains will appear in a batch consisting mainly of good ones. The advantages accruing from use of an electronic grid covering the plane in which A,C values are disposed - as a method of sorting grains into acceptable or unacceptable - consist both in the extreme rapidity with which the grain in the batch under observation can be classified and in the possibility of expelling grains whose disposition in the plane of A,C values is geometrically undefinable, as well as in the ability of the computer to observe and store the colorimetric characteristics of grains belonging to classes that must be expelled. An example of how the machine can be constructed and of how the process can be carried out,according to the invention, will be given here below, but as an example only, referring to the attached drawings, wherein: Fig.1 gives a diagrammatic layout of a machine, Fig.2 is a diagram of the analog-numerical converter shown in block form in Fig. 1. Figs. 3 and 4 are diagrams of the interfaces for the signals, respectively indicating presence of the grain and expulsion, given by the adaptor shown in block form in Fig.1, Fig. 5 is an example of disposition, over a plane of A,C values, of a typical sample taken from a quantity of Santos coffee, and shows an electronic grid associated to the above plane. Some conventional English terminology has been used in the figures. Fig. 1 shows the following: device (1) is the Sortex model 1121 sorter able to observe one grain at a time, to generate the right colour signals and, if necessary, expel the undesired grains from the batch. Six colour signals are taken from the Sortex 1121 sorter for each grain observed, two signals from each observation device - also called an "observer" - in the observation cell. Since these are analog signals (continuously variable over time) while the computer is numerical, the analog-numeric converter device (2) converts the signals at its input into the binary numerical form required by the computer. Another analog signal called "presence", which can show when a grain lies in front of the observers, is sent to the computer through device (3) which renders it logic and electrically compatible with the computer. Device (3) also receives from an electronic computer (4) the signal for expulsion and passes it to the Sortex 1121 sorter having first made it electrically compatible with the circuitry of the machine. The sequence of operations is as follows: the computer waits for the logic level of the presence signal to indicate arrival of a grain in the observation cell, then it begins to sample and memorize a certain number of signals, presumably six, until the presence signal indicates that the grain is no longer in front of the observers. This marks the start of the first phase of pro-processing of samples and the second phase of classification of the grain observed, at the end of which the computer is in a position to decide whether the grain is acceptable or not. If it is unacceptable, the computer, through the expulsion signal, has the grain expelled; if however it is acceptable the expulsion signal is withheld. The computer is ready for the next grain and for starting a fresh cycle. The computer directs a number of logic signals for control of the analog-numerical conversion circuit. It generates one signal for initiating sampling and conversion sequence, six signals for addressing the signal to be sampled, and receives a signal indicating that conversion has been made. The functions of the device here described are such as to ensure collection of an adequate number of samples per grain to avoid loss of colorimetric information. In the case of the machine now being considered this means a sampling frequency of 4kHz for each colour signal. Device (4) is the computer which, in accordance with the specifications given in detail below, can process the samples obtained by conversion of the colour signals, and can generate an expulsion signal if required. Device (6) is that part which enables the operator to converse with the computer: a videoterminal, for example. More particularly, the electronic computer (4) used in this present invention, is model 2113E made by Hewlett Packard (U.S.A.) whose main features consist of: a word of 16 bits, number of machine instructions: 128 number of registers: 10, direct memory access (DMA), maximum capacity of central store of 1024K words, microprogrammable (211 instructions), ability to operate with "interrupt" up to 46 input-output units. The console (6) is a video terminal by Hewlett Packard, model HP2645A, connected to the main computer by an RS232-C asynchronous serial line operated in the computer by an HP12966 interface. The electronic computer (4) is also fitted with a disk store (required for using this particular operative system) type HP7905A, having a total capacity of 15 megabytes, with interface, also with an interface (5) type HP12489 which, with its 16 logic lines (TTL) for input and 16 for output, is used as a control circuit for the analog-numerical converter, as a captator of the "presence" signal and as a generator of the expulsion signal. As a data conversion device (2) use has been made of the DAS 1128 integrated data conversion system made by the U.S. firm Analog Devices which can receive up to 16 analog inputs and which has a resolution of 12 bits, a programmable field of measurement of from 0,+5 volt up to -10,+10 volt and a sampling and conversion time of 40 microseconds. Fig.2 shows the wiring of the DAS 1128 analogic-numerical converter (2): the analog inputs IN1 - IN5 are connected direct to the colour signals sent out by the SORTEX 1121 observation devices, namely at the input of the level comparator that activates the ejector; (7) indicates two diodes for overload protection; the sampling circuit output (S&H OUT) is connected to the input of the numerical converter (ADC IN); the logic control inputs of the DAS 1128, namely MUX ADDRESS IN 1,2,3,4, STROBE, TRIG, LOAD ENABLE are connected to the same number of logic outputs of interface (5) mounted on the computer, while the end-of conversion signal EOC and the 12 bits of the conversion result B1, - B12 are connected to the same number of input lines to interface (5). Worked by an appropriate computer program known as DRIVER, the operational sequence for acquiring a colour signal, carried out with interface (5) is as follows: the LOAD ENABLE line is cleared, the binary address for the sampling signal is set on the four MUX ADDRESS IN lines and the STROBE is cleared so that the address can be stored in the internal memory of the analog-numerical converter (2), DAS 1128, the STROBE and LOAD lines are returned to the logic state one and the TRIG line is cleared to make way for sampling and subsequent conversion of the chosen signal. Having returned the TRIG line to a logic state, and after the end-of-conversion signal EOC has passed to state one, showing that the measuring sequence is completed, all the computer has to do is to store the binary value of the acquired information which automatically appears on lines B1 - B12 connected to interface (5). A configuration has been given to DAS 1128 to enable it to convert to 12 bits in a measuring field of -5.12, +5.12 volt so that its resolution is 2.5m volt. Device (3) in Fig. 1, whose task is to render the presence and expulsion signals electrically compatible between the computer and the sorter, has been constructed as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. Fig.3 gives a diagram for generating the "presence" signal (8): the analog signal known as CLAMP is taken from inside the Sortex 1121 sorter (1), and is sent to an adjustable level comparator (9) made with a type LM324 operational amplifier, a product of National Semiconductor, the output of which passes, by means of a resistive divider, through an integrated circuit (10), type 7404, that reverses its logic state and makes it electrically compatible with interface (5) situated in the computer (4), to which it is connected. Fig. 4 gives a diagram for generating the expulsion signal: this originates in an output line of interface (5), is passed to the integrated circuit (11), type 7404, that inhibits its logic state, after which it passes to the input of a monostable integrated circuit (12) type 74123,made by Texas Instruments, whose task is to make the pulse last for about 100 microseconds; through a 7407 integrated circuit (13) with an open collector output, which circuit aplifies its current, the signal then goes to the drive circuit of the solenoid valve for expulsion mounted in the sorter (1). The program executed by the machine described consists of a main program and five sub-programs: main program: this controls execution of the sub-programs according to the correct sequence of operations, sub-program 1 samples the colour signals and calculates the (A,C) values, sub-program 2 processes the statistical characteristics of the batch to be sorted (based on the sample observed), sub-program 3 converses with the operator to establish, in the (A,C) plane, the characteristics of the classes of grains that must be rejected, sub-program 4 classifies the grain observed and rejects it if necessary, sub-program 5 calculates, based on the (A,C) coordinates, the indices of the square in the grid which corresponds to I = line index, J = column index. Hereinafter "sub-program" will be termed "SUB". Main Program The main program has to direct execution of the various sub-programs in such a way that a logical sequence of operations is observed. It can also give technical supervision to the working of the machine though this function is not described here. When the machine is turned on the program starts. The first step is to switch on the sorter (1). a) clear all cells in the memory b) execute SUB 1 (acquisition), c) to each of the six cells containing totals, add all the values acquired from the corresponding signal, d) if enough grains have been observed, turn to (e); if not, to (b), e) calculate the mean values of the acquired values dividing the cells of totals by the number of grains observed, f) execute SUB 2 (statistics of the batch), g) execute SUB 3 (this constructs the classifier, i.e. the grid), h) execute SUB 1 (acquires a grain and calculates(A,C)), i) execute SUB 5 (calculates I,J indices), j) execute SUB 4 (classifies and expels if necessary), k) if the batch is finished, turn to (l); if not, to (h), l) end. Sub-program 1 This samples and stores the various colour signals from the moment a grain enters the optic field of the observers until is passes out of it; it then calculates the (A,C) values based on those acquired. The algorithm is as follows: a) read the logic state of the "presence" signal, b) if the "presence" signal is 1, go to (c); if it is 0, go to (a), c) sample, convert and serially store the (six) colour signals, d) read the logic state of the "presence" signal, e) if the "presence" signal is 1 go to (c); otherwise to (f), f) add the samples relating to the same signal together and store the results, g) subtract the mean values calculated under (e) in the main program from the results obtained under (f), h) add up the results from (g) and put the resulting value into square "A" i) add up the results from (g) relating to "green" and store the result, j) add up the results from (g) relating to "red" and store the result, k) subtract the value obtained in (i) from that of (j) and store the result in square "C", l) return to the program that made the request. Sub-program 2 This program analyses statistical distribution of a representative sample and then stores it. Similar to that used in the classifying stage (SUB 4), this representation consists of a rectangular matrix; the column number of one of its squares depends on the value of A, and the line number on the value of C. In the above matrix each square contains a number that represents the relative frequency of the grains in the typical sample with (A,C) values corresponding to that square. This matrix, generated by sub-program 2, hereinafter called "population map" enables the computer to recognise automatically certain classes of grains and also, when details of rejection are being decided, to forecast the percentage of rejects to suit the request made by the user. The algorithm is the following: a) execute SUB 1 (acquisition), b) execute SUB 5 (this calculates I, J), c) increase by 1 the contents of the (I,J) square in the population map, d) if enough grains have been observed go to (e); if not, go to (a), e) convert the contents of squares in the population map into their relative frequencies, f) return to the program that made the request. Sub-program 3 Complying with the requests made by the operator of the sorter, this program constructs a matrix,similar to the population map,in which the squares corresponding to grains to be rejected from the batch are marked. The final result is therefore a matrix that covers the colour plane (A,C) in the same way as the population map, but in which each square contains either number one or nought according to whether the grains with corresponding colorimetric characteristics are acceptable or unacceptable. The operator has available seven different modes for instructing the machine about the grains he wants to be rejected from the batch: 1. expulsion of light coloured grains 2. expulsion of dark grains 3. expulsion of red grains 4. expulsion of green grains 5. expulsion of faulty grains 6. expulsion by self-teaching 7. programmed expulsion When using the first five of these modes the operator must specify as well the percentage of grains he wants to have rejected; for example he can request rejection of a quantity of dark grains amounting to 3% of the batch. As, while the machine is receiving instructions about the quantity to reject, appropriate changes are being made only to the related part of the "sorting map", the operator can simultaneously use all the above seven modes of classifying rejection as well. The first five modes are based on the structural characteristics of the (A,C) plane in which axis A represents mean luminosity of the grain observed, so that the lighter coloured grains are represented on the positive side and the darker ones on the negative side, while axis C represents colour information so that the redder grains in the batch are on the positive side and the greener ones are on the negative side. The origin of the (A,C) axes always lies on the bary-centre of distribution because of the standardizing operation executed in SUB 1 under (g). The fifth mode also makes appropriate use of the relative frequencies contained in the population map in order to identify the grains that probably will not exist since, being "different" from most of the grains in the batch, they are generally considered as faulty grains. When using the sixth mode, however, the operator must be able to show the sorter some examples of the kinds of grains he wants to have rejected. In that case the machine stores their position on the (A,C) plane in the "sorting map" so that it will be able to recognise similar grains during the subsequent stage of sorting them. With mode seven the operator can himself program the squares on the sorting map corresponding to the grains to be rejected, by indicating the recognition number of the square to the computer. Using this mode it is possible to program a type of sorting appropriate for the most general kind of case. As the first five modes are all similar, to simplify matters only the first and the sixth of them are described here. The algorithm is as follows: a) if the operator has requested sorting by light coloured grains continue; otherwise proceed to (i), b) store the expulsion percentage set by the operator in the REQUEST square, c) move the pointer over to the farthest right-hand column of the population map and clear the FORECAST square, d) total up the contents of all squares in the chosen column, then add to that the result in the FORECAST square, e) if the contents of the FORECAST square are greater than that of REQUEST, proceed to (i); otherwise continue, f) mark all squares of the column indicated by the pointer in the sorting map with number one (rejection), g) move the pointer one column to the left, h) proceed to point (d), i) (continue with the other methods of instruction). . . . . . . . . . . (start the method for self-teaching) p) if the operator requests the self-teaching mode, continue; otherwise proceed to (u), q) execute SUB 1 (acquisition), r) execute SUB 5 (calculate I, J), s) on the sorting map, square (I,J) is made equal to one (unacceptable), t) if the operator notes the end of the sample proceed to (u); otherwise to (q), u) return to the program that made the request. Sub-program 4 This program classifies the grain observed in acceptable or unacceptable according to what the (I,J) square in the "sorting map" contains. If it is classified as unacceptable (square=1) a pulse is generated which works the sorter's expulsion device; if it is acceptable nothing further is done. The algorithm is as follows: a) read the contents of the (I,J) square in the "sorting map", b) if this = 0 go to (d); otherwise proceed, c) a grain expulsion signal is generated, d) return to the program that made the request Sub-program 5 This calculates the line number I and the column number J of the square in the "population map",and in the "sorting map", corresponding to a certain pair of values (A,C) calculated by the sub-program 1. From the program's point of view these maps are rectangular matrices for each square of which there are two numbers called indices which indicate the line number and column number of the said square. These numbers suffice to identify biunivocally each square in the matrix. Hereinafter the following initials will be used: NR : number of the lines in the matrix, NC : number of columns in the matrix, A,C : coordinates generated by SUB 1 following observation of a grain, AM : maximum value of A obtainable in absolute value, CM : maximum value of C obtainable in absolute value, I : line number of the requested square, J : column number of the requested square. The algorithm is as follows: a) calculate the column index by means of the formula: J = (A+AM)x (NC+1) / (2xAM) b) calculate the line index by means of the formula: I = (C+CM) x (NR+1) / (2xCM) c) return to the program that made the request. All the programs and sub-programs described above are written in the computer language known as FORTRAN IV except for the DRIVER part of interface HP 12489 which is written in ASSEMBLER language. The HP2113E computer has been used with an RTEIV-B real time operative system supplied by Hewlett-Packard. Sub-program 1 will now be given as an example executing sampling of the colour signals generated by a grain when passing through the observation cell, and afterwards calculating the coordinates (A,C). The control of the DAS1128 converter has requested that a suitable driver be drawn up able to realize with the maximum possible efficiency the operations of acquisition of the signals or expulsion of the unacceptable grain. In the following example, the instruction CALL EXEC (1, KLU, IBUF, NCMAX) corresponds to a request for acquisition,and storage in the IBUF vector, of data relating to the next grain that will appear in the observation cell, while an instruction like CALL EXEC (2, KLU) corresponds to a request for expulsion. Sub-routine scan

Claims: A method for sorting granular materials comprising the steps of: separating the grains of said materials one from another in a sorting machine (1); passing each such grain along channel means leading to a lit observation cell housing a set of ( n ) observation devices each of which views each said grain in ( z ) colour bands in order to generate ( z ) colour signals; converting said colour signals into analogic electric signals; for each said grain and observation device, processing said analogic electric signals in order to abtain a number of analogic electric signal samples from an electronic signal sampler; converting and temporarily storing in a memory of a computer said analogic electric signal samples as digital values, said samples being a number ( m ) depending on the sampling rate of said sampler and on the velocity and position each said grain has on passing through said lit observation cell; z x m values being colour coordinates in a colour space related to such grain; setting in the computer an electronic grid (5) composed by a number of memory locations and superimposing said grid to said colour space in such a way that every point of said colour space is associated with only one of said locations; viewing the grains of a sample chosen as representative sample of a grain batch and calculating the colour coordinates of each viewed grain; detecting that location in said electronic grid which corresponds to said colour coordinates, the method being characterized by the further steps of calculating the sum of said m digital values for each said grain and for each one of the z x n values and then reducing these z x n values to z values by summing together the z values corresponding to each of the ( n ) observation devices; increasing by one unit the value contained in that memory location so that, on completion of viewing said representative sample , each single location contains a value equivalent to the number of said grains that have the colour characteristics corresponding to that location, a population map being so defined by the group of said locations for supplying a statistical information about the spreading of said representative sample in said colour space; an operator, according to the above statistical information and to his own sorting option, interacting with the computer to generate a sorting map defined in the same colour space the population map is, in which sorting map each location contains the sorting instruction: accept or reject the grain; so completed the operation on the representative grain sample, the corresponding grain batch being sorted through the steps of setting the machine in sorting mode. Feeding the machine with said grain batch so that the machine serially views each grain, calculates said colour coordinates for each grain, associates said colour coordinates with the corresponding memory location in said sorting map and, according to the sorting instructions contained in that location, controls the ejector. A method according to claim 1 characterized in that it comprises the steps of: calculating in said computer the mean value of each one of said z x n analogic signals obtained by observing a representative sample of the batch of said grains to be sorted and subtracting from each said z x n values the respective said mean value previously calculated in order to make the sorting independent from the optical conditions in the lit observation cell. A method according to claims 1, 2 characterized in that, under the condition that the number z of colour bands is 2, said colour coordinates area first numerical value (R) and a second numerical. value (V) in a bidimensional colour space, said first numerical value (R) is added to said second numerical value (V) in order to obtain a third numerical value (A), said second numerical value (V) is subtracted from said first numerical value (R) in order to obtain a fourth numerical value (C), said third and fourth numerical values (A,C) representing in an electronic map the colour characteristics of each viewed grain and establishing a point (A, C) in said map wherein first and second coordinates correspond to the colour characteristics of each said grain. A method according to claims 2, 3 characterized in that the sorting standards are applicable of: expelling the grains of said granular material which have said third numerical value (A) higher than a certain predetermined numerical value; expelling the grains of said granular material which have said third numerical value (A) lower than a certain predetermined numerical value; expelling the grains of said granular material which have said fourth numerical value (C) higher than a certain predetermined numerical value; expelling the grains of said granular material which have said fourth numerical value (C) lower than a certain determined numerical valued ; A method according to claims 1 to 3 characterized in that the sorting standard is applicable of: viewing a group of said grains considered -to be expelled- , assigning the reject instruction to all the locations in said sorting map which correspond to the colour characteristics of said grains in said group, expelling all those said grains in a batch under sorting which have colour characteristics equivalent to the colour characteristics of said grains of said group. A method according to claims 1 to 3 characterized in that the sorting standard is applicable of: assigning in that sorting map the reject instruction to all the locations corresponding to those location in said population map which contain a value lower than a predetermined value. A method according to claims 3 to 6 characterized in that said applicable sorting standards are applied in any combination. A method according to claims 1 to 3 characterized in that the steps are comprised of: processing the sum of the values of all the locations in the population map which coincide with the locations containing the reject instruction in the selection map and calculating the equivalent percentage value which provides a statistical forecast about the number of said grains that will be expelled from a batch of said grains.

Inventors: ILLY, ERNESTO, MAUGHAN, WILLIAM STOREY
Applicants: GUNSON'S SORTEX LIMITED, ILLYCAFFE S.P.A.
Application year: 1983
Main classification: B07C5
IPC codes: B07C5