(57) An apparatus for sorting objects by color, such as coffee beans, peanuts, beans and
other small granular objects. The apparatus includes a means of conveying the objects,
uniformly and individually, to the interior of an illuminated analysis chamber that
contains one or more sorting channels. Each sorting channel contains at least one
lens group connected to photodetectors. The photodetectors are interconnected to electronic
circuitry capable of transforming light reflected, transmitted or emitted by the objects
into analog electrical signals that are digitized through electrical level detectors.
Color analysis of the objects is based on a matrix sorting process that identifies
color by comparing the above digitized electrical signals to the contents of a sorting
matrix. There is also a matrix apparatus that allows the operator to select, modify,
create and display the sorting matriz. There is a means of automatically generating
the sorting matrix based on a sampling of electrical signals produced by passing a
group of objects with specific color characteristics through the analysis chamber.
Microprocessors in a process controller operating on real time are utilized. Adopting
the matrix sorting process, this controller classifies objects as acceptable or unacceptable,
as well as controlling and supervising all electronic apparatuses linked to the photodetectors.
The process controller operates in every sorting channel so as to ensure that article
sorting will be based on the matrix process and the sorting matrix.
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