Patent ID: 8284895

Claim:
An apparatus for sorting objects comprising a heterogeneous population to be sorted wherein one object type or category comprising the heterogeneous population is selected out so as to create at least one other, second, population or class that is homogeneous, the apparatus comprising: (i) an x-ray source capable of generating an x-ray, (ii) a conveying means for conveying the objects comprising a population to be sorted to a sensing area, (v) a linear array of x-ray detectors configured so that the voltage outputs of each detector are tied to the same point, and input to a summing amplifier, which generates a summing amplifier signal, (iv) a microprocessor for applying a detection algorithm, wherein the summing amplifier output signal is input to the microprocessor, thereby generating a one dimensional image of an object to be sorted, (v) a means for viewing the one dimensional image of an object to be sorted, and (vi) a sorting means or a diversion means, wherein the x-ray source is configured to generate an x-ray, and wherein the x-ray is configured to target the sensing area such that an object in the sensing area is positioned such that the x-ray is incident thereon, and wherein the linear array of x-ray detectors is located with respect to the x-ray source and the sensing area such that the linear array of x-ray detectors is capable of detecting an x-ray generated by the x-ray source that is targeted at the sensing area.