A method for sorting comprising: providing a stream of individual products to be sorted, and wherein the individual products have a multitude of characteristics and wherein the multitude of characteristics of the individual products in the product stream are selected from the group comprising color; light polarization; fluorescence; surface texture; and translucence, and wherein the characteristics can be formed from electromagnetic radiation which is spectrally reflected, or transmitted; moving the stream of individual products through an inspection station, and wherein the step of moving the stream of products through the inspection station further comprises releasing the stream of products for unsupported, downwardly directed movement through the inspection station; providing a plurality of detection devices in the inspection station for identifying the multitude of characteristics of the individual products, and wherein the respective detection devices, when actuated, generate a device signal, and wherein at least some of the plurality of detection devices if actuated, simultaneously, interfere in the operation of other actuated detection devices, and positioning the plurality of detection devices on opposite sides of the unsupported stream of products, and wherein the step of providing a plurality of detection devices in the inspection station further comprises actuating the respective detection devices, in real-time, so as to enhance the operation of the respective detection devices which are actuated; delivering the device signals generated by the respective detection devices to the controller; forming a real-time, multiple-aspect representation of the individual products passing through the inspection station with the controller by utilizing the respective device signals generated by the detection device, and wherein the multiple-aspect representation has a plurality of features formed from the characteristics detected by the respective detection devices; and sorting the individual products based, at least in part, upon the multiple aspect representation formed by the controller, in real-time, as the individual products pass through the inspection station, characterized in that the step of generating a device signal by the plurality of detection devices in the inspection station, and after the detection devices are actuated further comprises identifying a gradient of the respective multitude of characteristics which are possessed by the individual products, and which further are passing through the inspection station; and in that a controller is provided for selectively actuating the respective detection devices in a predetermined order, and in real-time, so as to prevent interference in the operation of the selectively actuated detection devices. providing a stream of individual products to be sorted, and wherein the individual products have a multitude of characteristics and wherein the multitude of characteristics of the individual products in the product stream are selected from the group comprising color; light polarization; fluorescence; surface texture; and translucence, and wherein the characteristics can be formed from electromagnetic radiation which is spectrally reflected, or transmitted; moving the stream of individual products through an inspection station, and wherein the step of moving the stream of products through the inspection station further comprises releasing the stream of products for unsupported, downwardly directed movement through the inspection station; providing a plurality of detection devices in the inspection station for identifying the multitude of characteristics of the individual products, and wherein the respective detection devices, when actuated, generate a device signal, and wherein at least some of the plurality of detection devices if actuated, simultaneously, interfere in the operation of other actuated detection devices, and positioning the plurality of detection devices on opposite sides of the unsupported stream of products, and wherein the step of providing a plurality of detection devices in the inspection station further comprises actuating the respective detection devices, in real-time, so as to enhance the operation of the respective detection devices which are actuated; delivering the device signals generated by the respective detection devices to the controller; forming a real-time, multiple-aspect representation of the individual products passing through the inspection station with the controller by utilizing the respective device signals generated by the detection device, and wherein the multiple-aspect representation has a plurality of features formed from the characteristics detected by the respective detection devices; and sorting the individual products based, at least in part, upon the multiple aspect representation formed by the controller, in real-time, as the individual products pass through the inspection station,