Method and apparatus for color-based sorting of titanium fragments
First Claim
1. A method for sorting fragments of titanium-based sponge on the basis of color, comprising the steps of capturing at least one color image of each titanium fragment, wherein a set of color values is associated with each color image, and then inserting the relevant color values from the image into an automated color-sorting device to determine the color of the fragment, and segregating the fragments according to color or range-of-color, by way of a physical segregation apparatus controlled by the color sorting device.
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Abstract
A method for sorting fragments of titanium-based sponge on the basis of color is disclosed. The method involves the steps of capturing at least one color image of each fragment, inserting relevant color values from the image into an automated color-sorting system to determine the color of the fragment, and segregating the fragments according to color or range-of-color, by way of a physical segregation apparatus controlled by the color sorting system. A related apparatus for sorting moving fragments of titanium-based sponge on the basis of color is also described.
17 Citations
19 Claims
- 1. A method for sorting fragments of titanium-based sponge on the basis of color, comprising the steps of capturing at least one color image of each titanium fragment, wherein a set of color values is associated with each color image, and then inserting the relevant color values from the image into an automated color-sorting device to determine the color of the fragment, and segregating the fragments according to color or range-of-color, by way of a physical segregation apparatus controlled by the color sorting device.
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7. A method for sorting fragments of titanium-based sponge on the basis of color, comprising the steps of:
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(A) capturing at least one color image of each titanium fragment as the fragment is advanced on a moving surface; (B) converting the color image to color signals; (C) executing a transformation of the color signals into at least one set of selected color values by way of a responsive processor; (D) comparing the set of selected color values to addressable memory locations in a look-up table, wherein the memory locations have been constructed to correspond to the set of color values for titanium fragments, with a data set stored at each memory location indicating a fragment has acceptable or rejectable color values; (E) reading out the data set to determine which fragments are to be processed as acceptable or rejectable color values; and (F) controlling the course of titanium fragments on the moving source, based on the read-out data, to separate the fragments on the basis of the color values. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification