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Abstract

Method and apparatus for sorting objects dependent on optical characteristics thereof. The objects are conveyed through a longitudinal sorting zone. Light reflected from the objects passing the zone is detected by at least one imaging device having at least one single line array of equally spaced light sensitive imaging elements. The line array of imaging elements is repeatedly read out in series for providing a primary line signal comprising for each scan of the line array a primary group of primary intervals corresponding to respective imaging elements. Information representing light detected by each group of primary intervals is allocated to a secondary group of secondary intervals having the same duration of a secondary line signal for each scan such that the distribution of information allocated to a secondary group corresponds linearly to the distribution of the optical properties in the zone. Allocation is possible by scanning each imaging element for the same period of time and storing the information thus obtained in one or more locations of a memory according to a predetermined distribution table. Allocation is also possible by scanning the imaging elements with different periods of time dependent on a predetermined duration table providing the secondary line signal which can be supplied to a memory which receives a constant clock frequency during writing thereof. In each case the second line signal is provided when the respective memory is read out with a constant clock frequency. Secondary intervals of secondary line signals obtained from different imaging devices may then relate to identical parts of the zone for comparison purposes and for driving object rejectors corresponding to the parts dependent on the comparison results.

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First Claim