Produce recognition system including a produce shape collector

• US 6,296,186 B1
• Filed: 11/19/1998
• Issued: 10/02/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: NCR Voyix Corporation
• Original Assignee: NCR Corporation
• Inventors: Spencer, Michael A., Collins, Jr., Donald A.
• Primary Examiner(s): LE, THIEN MINH
• Application Number:
  US09/197,337
• Time in Patent Office: 1,048 Days
• Field of Search: 235/462-1-4, 235/472.01, 235/494, 235/375, 235/454, 235/455
• US Class Current: 235/462.01
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 10/147 Details of sensors, e.g. sensor lenses fingerprint or palmprint sensors G06V40/13; vascular sensors G06V40/145; eye sensors G06V40/19

Abstract

A produce recognition system which identifies a produce item by comparing its shape with reference shape information. The system includes a produce shape data collector which includes a light projector which generates a plurality of lines of light for illuminating a produce item with the plurality of lines of light. The lines of light bend across the outer surface of the produce item thereby assuming the shape of the produce item. The produce data collector further includes an image capture device which captures an image of the lines of light during illumination of the produce item, and control circuitry for controlling operation of the light projector and the image capture device. The system further includes a computer which compares shape data in the image with reference shape data to identify the produce item.

Claims

1. A produce shape data collector comprising:

a light projector which generates a plurality of lines of light for illuminating a produce item with the plurality of lines of light;

wherein the light projector includes a light source for producing a beam of light, and a diffraction element which diffracts the beam to produce the plurality of lines of light; and

an image capture device which captures an image of the lines of light during illumination of the produce item.

2. The produce shape data collector as recited in claim 1, wherein the light projector generates a plurality of intersecting lines of light.

3. The produce shape data collector as recited in claim 1, wherein the light projector generates a plurality of lines of light which intersect at about a ninety-degree angle.

4. The produce shape data collector as recited in claim 1, wherein the light source comprises:

a laser.

5. The produce shape data collector as recited in claim 4, wherein the laser comprises:

an infrared laser.

6. The produce shape data collector as recited in claim 1, wherein the diffraction element comprises:

a Ronchi element.

7. The produce shape data collector as recited in claim 6, wherein the Ronchi element has about fifty Ronchi rulings per inch.

8. The produce shape data collector as recited in claim 1, wherein the light projector further comprises:

another light source for producing another beam of light; and

another diffraction element which diffracts the other beam to produce another plurality of lines of light.

9. The produce shape data collector as recited in claim 8, wherein the other light source comprises:

a laser.

10. The produce shape data collector as recited in claim 8, wherein the other light source comprises:

a beam splitter which splits the one beam of light to produce the other beam of light.

11. The produce shape data collector as recited in claim 10, wherein the light projector further comprises:

a reflecting mirror which directs the other plurality of lines of light towards the produce item.

12. The produce shape data collector as recited in claim 8, wherein the other diffraction element comprises:

a Ronchi element.

13. The produce shape data collector as recited in claim 8, wherein the one and the other diffraction elements are oriented so that the one plurality of lines of light and the other plurality of lines of light intersect.

14. The produce shape data collector as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

control circuitry for controlling operation of the light source and the image capture device.

15. The produce shape data collector as recited in claim 14, wherein the control circuitry turns on the light source in response to a signal produced when the produce item is placed on a scale.

16. The produce shape data collector as recited in claim 14, wherein the control circuitry turns on the light source in response to a signal produced by a transaction terminal upon operator input.

17. The produce shape data collector as recited in claim 1, wherein the image capture device comprises:

a charge coupled device (CCD) camera.

18. The produce shape data collector as recited in claim 1, wherein the image capture device comprises:

a complimentary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) camera.

19. A produce shape data collector comprising:

a light projector which generates a plurality of intersecting lines of light for illuminating a produce item with the plurality of intersecting lines of light, including

a number of light sources for producing at least first and second beams of light;

a first diffraction element which diffracts the first beam to produce a first plurality of lines of light;

a second diffraction element which diffracts the second beam to produce a second plurality of lines of light, wherein the second diffraction element is oriented with respect to the first diffraction element so as to cause the second plurality of lines of light to intersect the first plurality of lines of light;

an image capture device which captures an image of the intersecting lines of light during illumination of the produce item; and

control circuitry for controlling operation of the number of light sources and the image capture device.

20. A produce recognition system comprising:

a produce shape data collector including

a light projector which generates a plurality of lines of light for illuminating a produce item with the plurality of lines of light;

wherein the light projector includes a light source for producing a beam of light, and a diffraction element which diffracts the beam to produce the plurality of lines of light;

an image capture device which captures an image of the lines of light during illumination of the produce item; and

control circuitry for controlling operation of the light projector and the image capture device; and

a computer which compares shape data in the image with reference shape data for a plurality of different types of produce items to identify the produce item.

21. The system as recited in claim 20, wherein the computer comprises:

a transaction terminal for completing a sale of the produce item.

22. The system as recited in claim 20, wherein the computer comprises:

a server in a store in which the produce item is sold.

23. The system as recited in claim 20, wherein the computer generates a list of likely candidates for the produce item and displays the likely candidates for verification of identity by an operator.

24. The system as recited in claim 20, wherein the produce shape data collector is mounted to a bar code reader.

25. The system as recited in claim 20, wherein the produce shape data collector is mounted to a checkout counter.

26. A produce recognition system comprising:

a produce shape data collector including

a light projector which generates a plurality of intersecting lines of light for illuminating a produce item with the plurality of intersecting lines of light, including

a number of light sources for producing at least first and second beams of light;

a first diffraction element which diffracts the first beam to produce a first plurality of lines of light;

a second diffraction element which diffracts the second beam to produce a second plurality of lines of light, wherein the second diffraction element is oriented with respect to the first diffraction element so as to cause the second plurality of lines of light to intersect the first plurality of lines of light;

an image capture device which captures an image of the intersecting lines of light during illumination of the produce item; and

control circuitry for controlling operation of the number of light sources and the image capture device; and

a computer which compares shape data in the image with reference shape data to identify the produce item.

27. A method of collecting shape data associated with a produce item comprising the steps of:

(a) projecting a plurality of intersecting lines of light onto the produce item; and

(b) capturing an image of the intersecting lines of light.

28. A method of recognizing a produce item comprising the steps of:

(a) projecting a plurality of intersecting lines of light onto the produce item;

(b) capturing an image of the intersecting lines of light; and

(c) comparing shape information in the image with reference shape information for a plurality of different types of produce items to identify the produce item.

29. A method of recording a purchase of a produce item comprising the steps of:

(a) projecting a plurality of lines of light onto the produce item;

(b) capturing an image of the lines of light;

(c) comparing shape information in the image with reference shape information for a plurality of different types of produce items to identify the produce item;

(d) recording a weight of the produce item as it rests upon a scale; and

(e) determining price information for the produce item from weight information and identification information.

30. A produce shape data collector comprising:

a light projector which generates a plurality of intersecting lines of light for illuminating a produce item with the plurality of intersecting lines of light, including

a number of lasers for producing at least first and second beams of light;

a first diffraction element which diffracts the first beam to produce a first plurality of lines of light;

a second diffraction element which diffracts the second beam to produce a second plurality of lines of light, wherein the second diffraction element is oriented with respect to the first diffraction element so as to cause the second plurality of lines of light to intersect the first plurality of lines of light;

an image capture device which captures an image of the intersecting lines of light during illumination of the produce item; and

control circuitry for controlling operation of the number of lasers and the image capture device.

31. A method of collecting shape data associated with a produce item comprising the steps of:

(a) activating a light source to produce a beam of light;

(b) diffracting the beam to produce a plurality of lines of light directed at the produce item; and

(c) capturing an image of the lines of light.

32. A method of collecting shape data associated with a produce item comprising the steps of:

(a) activating a number of lasers to produce first and second beams of light;

(b) diffracting the first and second beams to produce a plurality of intersecting lines of light directed at the produce item; and

(c) capturing an image of the intersecting lines of light.