CA2332823A1 - An optical apparatus - Google Patents
An optical apparatus Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2332823A1 CA2332823A1 CA002332823A CA2332823A CA2332823A1 CA 2332823 A1 CA2332823 A1 CA 2332823A1 CA 002332823 A CA002332823 A CA 002332823A CA 2332823 A CA2332823 A CA 2332823A CA 2332823 A1 CA2332823 A1 CA 2332823A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- light
- wavelength components
- collimating
- detection
- housing member
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
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- 239000011159 matrix material Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 4
- 239000000523 sample Substances 0.000 claims description 47
- 238000001514 detection method Methods 0.000 claims description 32
- 239000000470 constituent Substances 0.000 claims description 19
- 238000001228 spectrum Methods 0.000 claims description 14
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 claims description 10
- 235000000346 sugar Nutrition 0.000 claims description 7
- 239000013307 optical fiber Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 230000035790 physiological processes and functions Effects 0.000 claims description 5
- 150000001720 carbohydrates Chemical class 0.000 claims description 4
- 235000014633 carbohydrates Nutrition 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000006185 dispersion Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 230000005855 radiation Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 229930091371 Fructose Natural products 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000005715 Fructose Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- RFSUNEUAIZKAJO-ARQDHWQXSA-N Fructose Chemical compound OC[C@H]1O[C@](O)(CO)[C@@H](O)[C@@H]1O RFSUNEUAIZKAJO-ARQDHWQXSA-N 0.000 claims description 3
- WQZGKKKJIJFFOK-GASJEMHNSA-N Glucose Natural products OC[C@H]1OC(O)[C@H](O)[C@@H](O)[C@@H]1O WQZGKKKJIJFFOK-GASJEMHNSA-N 0.000 claims description 3
- 229920002472 Starch Polymers 0.000 claims description 3
- 229930006000 Sucrose Natural products 0.000 claims description 3
- WQZGKKKJIJFFOK-VFUOTHLCSA-N beta-D-glucose Chemical compound OC[C@H]1O[C@@H](O)[C@H](O)[C@@H](O)[C@@H]1O WQZGKKKJIJFFOK-VFUOTHLCSA-N 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000008103 glucose Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000011065 in-situ storage Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 235000019698 starch Nutrition 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000008107 starch Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000005720 sucrose Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 210000000707 wrist Anatomy 0.000 claims description 3
- 102000002322 Egg Proteins Human genes 0.000 claims description 2
- 108010000912 Egg Proteins Proteins 0.000 claims description 2
- CZMRCDWAGMRECN-UGDNZRGBSA-N Sucrose Chemical compound O[C@H]1[C@H](O)[C@@H](CO)O[C@@]1(CO)O[C@@H]1[C@H](O)[C@@H](O)[C@H](O)[C@@H](CO)O1 CZMRCDWAGMRECN-UGDNZRGBSA-N 0.000 claims description 2
- 210000003278 egg shell Anatomy 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000001681 protective effect Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 230000004044 response Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 150000003445 sucroses Chemical class 0.000 claims 1
- 230000001066 destructive effect Effects 0.000 abstract description 2
- 230000008635 plant growth Effects 0.000 abstract 1
- 239000000835 fiber Substances 0.000 description 17
- 238000005286 illumination Methods 0.000 description 13
- 235000013399 edible fruits Nutrition 0.000 description 12
- 241000196324 Embryophyta Species 0.000 description 8
- 241000220223 Fragaria Species 0.000 description 8
- JGFZNNIVVJXRND-UHFFFAOYSA-N N,N-Diisopropylethylamine (DIPEA) Chemical compound CCN(C(C)C)C(C)C JGFZNNIVVJXRND-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 6
- 150000008163 sugars Chemical class 0.000 description 5
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000012360 testing method Methods 0.000 description 4
- 240000006432 Carica papaya Species 0.000 description 3
- 235000009467 Carica papaya Nutrition 0.000 description 3
- 244000183278 Nephelium litchi Species 0.000 description 3
- 235000015742 Nephelium litchi Nutrition 0.000 description 3
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 3
- 235000006264 Asimina triloba Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 238000004458 analytical method Methods 0.000 description 2
- BKZJXSDQOIUIIG-UHFFFAOYSA-N argon mercury Chemical compound [Ar].[Hg] BKZJXSDQOIUIIG-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 238000012937 correction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 2
- PSGAAPLEWMOORI-PEINSRQWSA-N medroxyprogesterone acetate Chemical compound C([C@@]12C)CC(=O)C=C1[C@@H](C)C[C@@H]1[C@@H]2CC[C@]2(C)[C@@](OC(C)=O)(C(C)=O)CC[C@H]21 PSGAAPLEWMOORI-PEINSRQWSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 230000035945 sensitivity Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000003595 spectral effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000000411 transmission spectrum Methods 0.000 description 2
- 244000241235 Citrullus lanatus Species 0.000 description 1
- 235000012828 Citrullus lanatus var citroides Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 235000016623 Fragaria vesca Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 235000011363 Fragaria x ananassa Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- RTAQQCXQSZGOHL-UHFFFAOYSA-N Titanium Chemical compound [Ti] RTAQQCXQSZGOHL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- NIXOWILDQLNWCW-UHFFFAOYSA-N acrylic acid group Chemical group C(C=C)(=O)O NIXOWILDQLNWCW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000003213 activating effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000956 alloy Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910045601 alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000004411 aluminium Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000012472 biological sample Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004364 calculation method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000012141 concentrate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 1
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- 230000009977 dual effect Effects 0.000 description 1
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- 238000000556 factor analysis Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000006870 function Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910052736 halogen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 229910052500 inorganic mineral Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000010354 integration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
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- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
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- 238000012544 monitoring process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010238 partial least squares regression Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000004417 polycarbonate Substances 0.000 description 1
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- 238000003825 pressing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000002250 progressing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005070 sampling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 235000021012 strawberries Nutrition 0.000 description 1
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- 239000010936 titanium Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052719 titanium Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010937 tungsten Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910052721 tungsten Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- -1 tungsten halogen Chemical class 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N21/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of optical means, i.e. using sub-millimetre waves, infrared, visible or ultraviolet light
- G01N21/62—Systems in which the material investigated is excited whereby it emits light or causes a change in wavelength of the incident light
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N21/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of optical means, i.e. using sub-millimetre waves, infrared, visible or ultraviolet light
- G01N21/17—Systems in which incident light is modified in accordance with the properties of the material investigated
- G01N21/25—Colour; Spectral properties, i.e. comparison of effect of material on the light at two or more different wavelengths or wavelength bands
- G01N21/31—Investigating relative effect of material at wavelengths characteristic of specific elements or molecules, e.g. atomic absorption spectrometry
- G01N21/35—Investigating relative effect of material at wavelengths characteristic of specific elements or molecules, e.g. atomic absorption spectrometry using infrared light
- G01N21/3563—Investigating relative effect of material at wavelengths characteristic of specific elements or molecules, e.g. atomic absorption spectrometry using infrared light for analysing solids; Preparation of samples therefor
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N21/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of optical means, i.e. using sub-millimetre waves, infrared, visible or ultraviolet light
- G01N21/17—Systems in which incident light is modified in accordance with the properties of the material investigated
- G01N21/25—Colour; Spectral properties, i.e. comparison of effect of material on the light at two or more different wavelengths or wavelength bands
- G01N21/31—Investigating relative effect of material at wavelengths characteristic of specific elements or molecules, e.g. atomic absorption spectrometry
- G01N21/35—Investigating relative effect of material at wavelengths characteristic of specific elements or molecules, e.g. atomic absorption spectrometry using infrared light
- G01N21/359—Investigating relative effect of material at wavelengths characteristic of specific elements or molecules, e.g. atomic absorption spectrometry using infrared light using near infrared light
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N21/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of optical means, i.e. using sub-millimetre waves, infrared, visible or ultraviolet light
- G01N21/84—Systems specially adapted for particular applications
- G01N2021/8466—Investigation of vegetal material, e.g. leaves, plants, fruits
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
- G01N2201/00—Features of devices classified in G01N21/00
- G01N2201/02—Mechanical
- G01N2201/022—Casings
- G01N2201/0221—Portable; cableless; compact; hand-held
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Spectroscopy & Molecular Physics (AREA)
- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
- Biochemistry (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Immunology (AREA)
- Pathology (AREA)
- Nuclear Medicine, Radiotherapy & Molecular Imaging (AREA)
- Investigating Or Analysing Materials By Optical Means (AREA)
- Investigating Or Analysing Biological Materials (AREA)
Abstract
An optical apparatus (10) is provided for non-destructive examination of characteristics of an object (102). The apparatus has a light source (28) for directing a beam of NIR Light towards the object (102), an aperture (24) for diverging the NIR beam through or reflected from the object, a collimating lens (30) for collimating the divergent beam, a diffraction device (32) for separating the collimated beam into wavelength components and focusing lens (36) for focusing the wavelength components onto a matrix of photodetectors (34) which in turn produce electrical output signals proportional to energy levels in the wavelength components. The apparatus (10) can be made compact so that it can be used to examine objects in fields. In one example the apparatus (10) has a pistol-shaped housing with a slot (12) in its turret (18) and a body (16) with a display monitor (14). The body (16) also has an opening through which a correlation device (26) in the form of a PCMCIA card can be connected to the apparatus (1). The apparatus (1) is typically used to examine physiological stages of plants in fields so that the grower can determine the appropriate actions required for acceptable plant growth.
Description
AN OPTICAL APPARATUS
TECHNICAL FIELD OF TEiE INVENTION
Received 31 March 2000 THIS INVENTION relates to an optical apparatus for examining an object and in particular but not limited to an optical apparatus for examining carbohydrate constituents in a plant.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Current methods for optically examining objets such as strawberries and other plants require obtaining samples of the objects and examining the samples in laboratories. These methods are inconvenient as the apparatuses for examination cannot be used on the objects in situ or in the fields. They are also destructive as samples must be taken off the objects.
The existing optical apparatuses for the examination do not have the resolution nor the sensitivity which are sufficiently high for reliably examining constituents in fruits or plants in general. They also cannot be easily adapted for examining relative concentrations of the constituents.
These apparatuses have a light source arranged to direct light onto an object and a light detector arranged for detecting reflected or scattered light from the object. The detector must be positioned outside the light path of the source and at some distance from the object in order not to interfere with the light from the source.
The detectors of these prior art apparatuses receive light reflected off the surface of and light scattered from within the object, together with reflected and scattered light from other surfaces. The light received by the detectors therefore include a high degree of noise signals.
The prior art apparatuses also require a relatively high powered light source as a large amount of the light from the source do not reach the target regions of the obj ect.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to alleviate or to reduce to a certain degree one or more of the prior art disadvantageous.
AMENDED SHEET
IPEA/AU
TECHNICAL FIELD OF TEiE INVENTION
Received 31 March 2000 THIS INVENTION relates to an optical apparatus for examining an object and in particular but not limited to an optical apparatus for examining carbohydrate constituents in a plant.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Current methods for optically examining objets such as strawberries and other plants require obtaining samples of the objects and examining the samples in laboratories. These methods are inconvenient as the apparatuses for examination cannot be used on the objects in situ or in the fields. They are also destructive as samples must be taken off the objects.
The existing optical apparatuses for the examination do not have the resolution nor the sensitivity which are sufficiently high for reliably examining constituents in fruits or plants in general. They also cannot be easily adapted for examining relative concentrations of the constituents.
These apparatuses have a light source arranged to direct light onto an object and a light detector arranged for detecting reflected or scattered light from the object. The detector must be positioned outside the light path of the source and at some distance from the object in order not to interfere with the light from the source.
The detectors of these prior art apparatuses receive light reflected off the surface of and light scattered from within the object, together with reflected and scattered light from other surfaces. The light received by the detectors therefore include a high degree of noise signals.
The prior art apparatuses also require a relatively high powered light source as a large amount of the light from the source do not reach the target regions of the obj ect.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to alleviate or to reduce to a certain degree one or more of the prior art disadvantageous.
AMENDED SHEET
IPEA/AU
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Received 14 April 2000 In one aspect the present invention resides in an optical apparatus for examining an object. The apparatus comprises a light source adapted to direct a beam of light towards an object under examination, an aperture arranged for receiving the light reflected from, scattered within or passing through the object and, for the beam of I fight to diverge therefrom means for col I imating I
fight arranged so that the beam of light through the aperture incident thereat is collimated.
The apparatus also comprises means for dispersing the collimated beam of light from the collimating means into wavelength components, and means for providing electrical output signals which are respectively proportional to energy levels in the wavelength components.
In preference, the apparatus further comprises means for processing the output signals and thereby providing one or more indication signals for respectively indicating one or more characteristics of the object.
An indication means can be arranged for receiving the one or more indication signals and indicating the or each said indication signals in a suitable form. Desirably the indication means is a printer, a display monitor or a combination thereof.
The apparatus may have an interface means to which a computer may be selectively connected thereto for storing the one or more indication signals and/or for further processing the one or more indication signals.
Typically the processing means includes a data correlation device adapted to relate the or each of said indication signals to a characteristic of the object.
The data correlation device may have a set of correlation data for one object or a plurality of sets of correlation data for different types of objects.
Each said characteristic may be any constituent or a relative concentration of any constituent of the object. Examples of the constituents are carbohydrates, starch and sugars including sucrose, glucose, fructose and the like. The characteristic may also relate to any physiological state of the object. The physiological states may include growth state, maturity state in plant and the like.
AMEt'~t~;~=~ ~HEE'~
I~'EH/HU
Received 14 April 2000 In one aspect the present invention resides in an optical apparatus for examining an object. The apparatus comprises a light source adapted to direct a beam of light towards an object under examination, an aperture arranged for receiving the light reflected from, scattered within or passing through the object and, for the beam of I fight to diverge therefrom means for col I imating I
fight arranged so that the beam of light through the aperture incident thereat is collimated.
The apparatus also comprises means for dispersing the collimated beam of light from the collimating means into wavelength components, and means for providing electrical output signals which are respectively proportional to energy levels in the wavelength components.
In preference, the apparatus further comprises means for processing the output signals and thereby providing one or more indication signals for respectively indicating one or more characteristics of the object.
An indication means can be arranged for receiving the one or more indication signals and indicating the or each said indication signals in a suitable form. Desirably the indication means is a printer, a display monitor or a combination thereof.
The apparatus may have an interface means to which a computer may be selectively connected thereto for storing the one or more indication signals and/or for further processing the one or more indication signals.
Typically the processing means includes a data correlation device adapted to relate the or each of said indication signals to a characteristic of the object.
The data correlation device may have a set of correlation data for one object or a plurality of sets of correlation data for different types of objects.
Each said characteristic may be any constituent or a relative concentration of any constituent of the object. Examples of the constituents are carbohydrates, starch and sugars including sucrose, glucose, fructose and the like. The characteristic may also relate to any physiological state of the object. The physiological states may include growth state, maturity state in plant and the like.
AMEt'~t~;~=~ ~HEE'~
I~'EH/HU
Received 31 March 2000 Desirably each said characteristics is a signature of vigour of growth, maturity for picking or any other physiological state of a plant.
Conveniently the data correlation device is removably connectable to the apparatus so that the apparatus can be selectively connected to the data correlation S device having a set of correlation data for a particular object under examination.
The data correlation device may conveniently be in the form of a printed circuit card such as a PCMCIA card.
Preferably the output signal providing means includes an detection arrangement for detecting the wavelength components.
It is further preferred that the apparatus has a focusing arrangement for focusing the wavelength components onto the detection arrangement.
The light source may include an illuminator for producing an annulus of light onto the object. The illuminator comprises a hollow body having a reflective interior surface, and one or more lamps disposed so that at least some portions of the light from said lone or more lamps are reflected from the reflective surface. The reflective surface is configured so that the light reflected therefrom forms an annulus of light on a region of the object.
In preference said hollow body is substantially conical or half egg shell shaped. The hollow body may also have a substantially parabolic cross section.
Suitably the annulus of light is arranged around a light detection probe for detecting scattered I fight from said object. The detection probe is suitably positioned along an axis of the hollow body and the light source is positioned at an angle to said axis.
Advantageously the i Iluminator is provided with a shroud downstream of the light reflected from said reflective surface. In one from the shroud is substantially frusto-conical or curvilinear in shape.
The shroud may have a partly or wholly reflective interior surface for redirecting portions of the light from said light source and/or said interior surface of the body to said region of the object.
The shroud may have a rear wall arranged to direct light towards the annulus. The rear wall may be curve shaped or formed as a Fresnel lens.
AMENDED SHEET
IPEA/AU
Conveniently the data correlation device is removably connectable to the apparatus so that the apparatus can be selectively connected to the data correlation S device having a set of correlation data for a particular object under examination.
The data correlation device may conveniently be in the form of a printed circuit card such as a PCMCIA card.
Preferably the output signal providing means includes an detection arrangement for detecting the wavelength components.
It is further preferred that the apparatus has a focusing arrangement for focusing the wavelength components onto the detection arrangement.
The light source may include an illuminator for producing an annulus of light onto the object. The illuminator comprises a hollow body having a reflective interior surface, and one or more lamps disposed so that at least some portions of the light from said lone or more lamps are reflected from the reflective surface. The reflective surface is configured so that the light reflected therefrom forms an annulus of light on a region of the object.
In preference said hollow body is substantially conical or half egg shell shaped. The hollow body may also have a substantially parabolic cross section.
Suitably the annulus of light is arranged around a light detection probe for detecting scattered I fight from said object. The detection probe is suitably positioned along an axis of the hollow body and the light source is positioned at an angle to said axis.
Advantageously the i Iluminator is provided with a shroud downstream of the light reflected from said reflective surface. In one from the shroud is substantially frusto-conical or curvilinear in shape.
The shroud may have a partly or wholly reflective interior surface for redirecting portions of the light from said light source and/or said interior surface of the body to said region of the object.
The shroud may have a rear wall arranged to direct light towards the annulus. The rear wall may be curve shaped or formed as a Fresnel lens.
AMENDED SHEET
IPEA/AU
Received 31 March 2000 It is desired that the shroud is removably fixed so that it can be easily replaced. The shroud may be configured for a particularly shaped object. The illuminator can therefore be used for different objects by selecting suitable shrouds for the different objects.
S It is also preferred that the apparatus comprises an optical conveying means for conveying the beam of I fight reflected from or through the object to the aperture.
The conveying means may include an optical fibre such as a 500 ,um diameter optical fibre with a 11° numerical opening. The optical fibre may be arranged within a protective probe.
The aperture can be positioned at about the focal length of the collimating means. It may have one or more parallel slits of a suitable width. In one example the width is 10 ,um. Typically the one or more slits are vertically oriented.
Desirably, the position of the collimating means relative to the aperture is adjustable so that the desired resolution and intensity of the apparatus can be easily changed.
Suitably, the collimating means is a collimating lens and typically an achromatic lens.
The dispersing means may include one or more prisms of any suitable configuration. The one or more prisms are preferably equilateral prism(s).
The focusing arrangement may include one or more focusing lenses for focusing the wavelength components onto the detection arrangement. Desirably the one or more focusing lenses are configured so that a linear dispersion of the spectrum can be provided across the detection arrangement. Piano-convex lenses are examples of the focusing lenses.
The detection arrangement preferably includes a plurality of detection elements which provide the electrical output signals in response to detection of the wavelength components.
More preferably the detection elements are arranged in a matrix of at least 2 x 2 (4) detection elements. Typically the matrix has 32 x 32 (2048) or 64 x (4096) detection elements.
AMEN~E~ SHEET
IPE,~/,~~
Received 31 March 2000 The detection arrangement conveniently has a charge coupled device (CCD) and the detection elements are in the form of picture elements (pixels).
The light source may be selected from any suitable known sources It is preferred that the light source is near infrared radiation (NIR).
S It is also preferred that the apparatus comprises an optical conveying means for conveying the beam of I fight reflected from or through the object to the aperture.
The conveying means may include an optical fibre such as a 500 ,um diameter optical fibre with a 11° numerical opening. The optical fibre may be arranged within a protective probe.
The aperture can be positioned at about the focal length of the collimating means. It may have one or more parallel slits of a suitable width. In one example the width is 10 ,um. Typically the one or more slits are vertically oriented.
Desirably, the position of the collimating means relative to the aperture is adjustable so that the desired resolution and intensity of the apparatus can be easily changed.
Suitably, the collimating means is a collimating lens and typically an achromatic lens.
The dispersing means may include one or more prisms of any suitable configuration. The one or more prisms are preferably equilateral prism(s).
The focusing arrangement may include one or more focusing lenses for focusing the wavelength components onto the detection arrangement. Desirably the one or more focusing lenses are configured so that a linear dispersion of the spectrum can be provided across the detection arrangement. Piano-convex lenses are examples of the focusing lenses.
The detection arrangement preferably includes a plurality of detection elements which provide the electrical output signals in response to detection of the wavelength components.
More preferably the detection elements are arranged in a matrix of at least 2 x 2 (4) detection elements. Typically the matrix has 32 x 32 (2048) or 64 x (4096) detection elements.
AMEN~E~ SHEET
IPE,~/,~~
Received 31 March 2000 The detection arrangement conveniently has a charge coupled device (CCD) and the detection elements are in the form of picture elements (pixels).
The light source may be selected from any suitable known sources It is preferred that the light source is near infrared radiation (NIR).
5 Desirably, the apparatus has a housing means in which components of the apparatus are located. The housing means may have a substantially light proof first housing member in which the collimating means, the dispersing means and electrical signal providing means are located. The first housing member reduces or eliminates interference from background radiation and reflections from optical surfaces. More desirably the aperture is also located within the first housing member.
More desirably, the housing means is compact so that the apparatus can be used on field or in situ. Typically the housing means is arranged so that in use a user can hold the apparatus in one hand. Alternatively it can be arranged so that it can be worn on a part of the user body such as on a wrist. The housing mean may be shaped like a wrist watch, a hand pistol or any other suitable configuration.
The housing means may have a second housing member i~~ which the light source is located and the second housing member has a gap into which at least part of the object can be inserted. It is advantageous that the second housing member is removably connectable to the first housing member so that the second housing member can be selected from a plurality of second housing members adapted for examining particular kinds of objects.
Where the apparatus is provided with an optical conveying means the conveying means is preferably located in the second housing member.
The first housing member advantageously has the indication means arranged therein. It is also advantageous that the first housing means has the data correlation device removably connected thereto so that the apparatus can be used for different objects.
In one example, the first housing member is shaped like the body of a hand pistol and the second housing member is shaped like a turret of the pistol.
AMENDED SHEET
~PEA/~4l!
More desirably, the housing means is compact so that the apparatus can be used on field or in situ. Typically the housing means is arranged so that in use a user can hold the apparatus in one hand. Alternatively it can be arranged so that it can be worn on a part of the user body such as on a wrist. The housing mean may be shaped like a wrist watch, a hand pistol or any other suitable configuration.
The housing means may have a second housing member i~~ which the light source is located and the second housing member has a gap into which at least part of the object can be inserted. It is advantageous that the second housing member is removably connectable to the first housing member so that the second housing member can be selected from a plurality of second housing members adapted for examining particular kinds of objects.
Where the apparatus is provided with an optical conveying means the conveying means is preferably located in the second housing member.
The first housing member advantageously has the indication means arranged therein. It is also advantageous that the first housing means has the data correlation device removably connected thereto so that the apparatus can be used for different objects.
In one example, the first housing member is shaped like the body of a hand pistol and the second housing member is shaped like a turret of the pistol.
AMENDED SHEET
~PEA/~4l!
Received 31 March 2000 Said reflective surface of the hollow body may be formed according to a method comprises the steps of:
(a) selecting one portion of the reflective interior surface;
(b) calculating the orientation of said portion which will reflect a ray of light from a light source disposed within the hollow body onto the annulus of light in the same axial plane as said ray of light;
(c) stepping to another portion which is in the same vertical plane as said one portion and repeating step (b);
(d) repeating step (c) until said portions can be joined to form a ring; and (e) repeating steps (a) to (d) for forming another ring adjacent to said ring until the rings extend to a desired area.
Preferably in the step (c) the direction of stepping reverses on completion of half a revolution.
The adjacent portions in each ring may be joined at the intersection of the respective planes containing said adjacent portions, or at about mid way between the intersection and one of said adjacent portions.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In order that the present invention can be readily understood and put into practical effect the description will now be made in reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate non-limiting embodiments of the present invention, and wherei n:-Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the optical apparatus according to the present invention being used by an operator for examining a strawberry plant in a field;
Figure 2 shows a pistol-shaped embodiment of the optical apparatus according to the present invention;
Figure 3 is a diagrammatic representation ofthe components ofthe apparatus according to the present invention;
Figure 4 is another diagrammatic representation of the components of the apparatus according to the present invention;
AMENDED SHEET
IPEA/AU
(a) selecting one portion of the reflective interior surface;
(b) calculating the orientation of said portion which will reflect a ray of light from a light source disposed within the hollow body onto the annulus of light in the same axial plane as said ray of light;
(c) stepping to another portion which is in the same vertical plane as said one portion and repeating step (b);
(d) repeating step (c) until said portions can be joined to form a ring; and (e) repeating steps (a) to (d) for forming another ring adjacent to said ring until the rings extend to a desired area.
Preferably in the step (c) the direction of stepping reverses on completion of half a revolution.
The adjacent portions in each ring may be joined at the intersection of the respective planes containing said adjacent portions, or at about mid way between the intersection and one of said adjacent portions.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In order that the present invention can be readily understood and put into practical effect the description will now be made in reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate non-limiting embodiments of the present invention, and wherei n:-Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the optical apparatus according to the present invention being used by an operator for examining a strawberry plant in a field;
Figure 2 shows a pistol-shaped embodiment of the optical apparatus according to the present invention;
Figure 3 is a diagrammatic representation ofthe components ofthe apparatus according to the present invention;
Figure 4 is another diagrammatic representation of the components of the apparatus according to the present invention;
AMENDED SHEET
IPEA/AU
Received 31 March 2000 Figure 5 shows a typical spectrum obtained with the optical apparatus according to the present invention;
Figure 6 shows a typical spectrum obtained with a prior art optical apparatus;
Figure 7 shows a comparison of the spectra of mature and immature green pawpaw sample obtained with the optical apparatus according to the invention.
Figure 8 shows a spectrum of a sample of lychee fruit obtained with the optical apparatus according to the present invention;
Figure 9 shows spectrum of another sample of lychees fruit obtained with optical apparatus according to the present invention;
Figure 10 to 12 shows graphs of calibration data for constituent sugars in a plant.
Figure 13 is a side viev~~ of a hand gun shaped embodir-~ent of the optical apparatus according to the present invention;
Figure 14 shows a rear view of the apparatus shown in Fig~_~r~ 1 ~;
Figure 15 is a schematic drawing of an embodiment of the illuminator according to the present invention;
Figure 16 is a schematic drawing of another embodiment cf the illuminator according to the present invention Figure 17 is a rear view of the illuminator shown in Figure 16;
Figure 18 is a diagram showing the steps in computing the portions forming the reflective surface of the illuminator;
Figure 19 shows a typical annulus of light produced by the illuminator of the present invention; and Figure 20 is a schematic diagram showing illumination of the annular light on the surface of a fruit and a detector disposed to detect scattered light from within the fruit.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring initially to Figure 1, there is shown an optical apparatus 10 according to the present invention being used by an operator 100 to examine a AMENDED SHEET
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Figure 6 shows a typical spectrum obtained with a prior art optical apparatus;
Figure 7 shows a comparison of the spectra of mature and immature green pawpaw sample obtained with the optical apparatus according to the invention.
Figure 8 shows a spectrum of a sample of lychee fruit obtained with the optical apparatus according to the present invention;
Figure 9 shows spectrum of another sample of lychees fruit obtained with optical apparatus according to the present invention;
Figure 10 to 12 shows graphs of calibration data for constituent sugars in a plant.
Figure 13 is a side viev~~ of a hand gun shaped embodir-~ent of the optical apparatus according to the present invention;
Figure 14 shows a rear view of the apparatus shown in Fig~_~r~ 1 ~;
Figure 15 is a schematic drawing of an embodiment of the illuminator according to the present invention;
Figure 16 is a schematic drawing of another embodiment cf the illuminator according to the present invention Figure 17 is a rear view of the illuminator shown in Figure 16;
Figure 18 is a diagram showing the steps in computing the portions forming the reflective surface of the illuminator;
Figure 19 shows a typical annulus of light produced by the illuminator of the present invention; and Figure 20 is a schematic diagram showing illumination of the annular light on the surface of a fruit and a detector disposed to detect scattered light from within the fruit.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring initially to Figure 1, there is shown an optical apparatus 10 according to the present invention being used by an operator 100 to examine a AMENDED SHEET
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Received 31 March 2000 characteristic, in this case the state of growth (vigour), of an object 102 (strawberry plant) in a field i 04.
The apparatus 10 in this example is pistol-shaped. It has a slot 12 (shown more clearly in Figure 2) for receiving a leave of the strawberry plant 102 under examination. An indication means 14 exemplified by a palm-top computer is connected to the apparatus 10 for indicating a characteristic spectrum of the strawberry plant 102.
Figure 2 is another embodiment of the optical apparatus 10 and in this case the apparatus 10 is in the shape of a pistol. The apparatus 10 has a housing made up of a pistol body shaped first housing member 16 which is substantially light proof and a turret shaped second housing member 18. The second housing member 18 is removably connected to the first housing member 16.
The second housing member 18 has a slot 12 for receiving a part of an object to be examined. On one side of the slot 12 is located a light source 28 (see Figures 3 and 4) and on the opposite side is a light conveying means 22 in the form of an optic fibre.
The first housing member 16 has a slit 24 (see Figures 3 and 4) positioned to receive light from the optic fibre 22. It also has a removably connectable data correlation device 26 in the form of a PMCIA card. The card 26 has a memory in which correlation data for one or more varieties of plants are stored. The indication means 14 which in this example is an LCD screen is provided for displaying output signals relating to one or more characteristics of an object under examination.
The removable card 26 can be easily replaced so that the apparatus 10 can be used for a variety of different objects. As an example if the apparatus 10 is to be used for examining sugars in a strawberry plant, a card 26 having correlation data for sugars in strawberry plants is selected and inserted into the first housing member 16.
Figure 3 shows a diagrammatic representation of the apparatus 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment the apparatus has a resolution defining slit 24 arranged for receiving a beam of light from a light source 28 and at about the focal length of a collimating lens 30. The beam of light AMENDED SHEET
Received 31 March 2000 enters the slit 24 and travels divergently onto the collimating lens 30 which collimates the light into a parallel beam of light. A dispersing means 32 in the form of a diffraction device is positioned in the path of the collimated beam. The diffraction device 32 separates the collimated beam into its wavelength components. A detection means 34, in this case a photodetecting device, is positioned downstream of the diffraction device 32 for detecting the wavelength components and to produce electrical output signals proportional to energy levels in the wavelength components.
Focusing means 36 in the form of a focusing lens is positioned between the detraction device 32 and the detection means 34 so that the discrete component wavelengths are brought to a sharp or focused point on the detection means 34.
A light proof first housing member 16 is used to minimise interference from light reflected from other surfaces.
The electrical output signals from the detection means 34 are then amplified in an amplifier 38 and converted to digital form by an analogue to digital converter 40. A processing means (microprocessor) 42 is arranged for processing the digital signals in accordance with instructions in a suitable program and the data in a data correlation device. The processed signals are displayed on indication means 14 (LCD monitor in this example).
A computer 44 is also connected to the processing means 42 for downloading or further processing the signals.
Figure 4 shows another embodiment of the apparatus 10. In this embodiment the apparatus 10 has a light conveying means (an optic fibre) 46 for conveying the light through the object 102 to the slit 24. The means 46 is a ,um diameter optic fibre with 11° numerical aperture. The slit 24 is a vertical parallel slit of 10 ,um width and is mounted at about the focal length of the collimating means 30. An achromatic lens is employed as the collimating means 30.
The dispersion means 32 in this case are dual equilateral prisms which provide higher resolution. Two piano-convex lenses are used as the focusing means 36 in order to have a substantially linear dispersion of the spectrum across the AMENDED SHEET
Received 31 March 2000 detection means 34. In this case, means 34 is a charge coupled device (CCD) having 2048 pixel and a polymer window with pixel dimensions of 14 ~cm (h) by 12 ,um (w) on a 14 ~m spacing). Typically integration times for the collection of spectra are in the range of 10-100 ms.
5 A calibration source 48 such as a commercially available mercury-argon discharge source sold under the name of Ocean Optic HG1 can be removably coupled to the optic fibre 46 for calibrating the apparatus 10.
The light source 28 in this embodiment is a 90-100 w tungsten halogen bulb powered by a low ripple DC power supply. The bulb is mounted at the primary 10 focus of an elliptically reflector.
The object 102 under examination is positioned at about the secondary focus of the reflector.
In a test the apparatus 10 as shown diagrammatically in Figure 4 is used to obtain spectrum of a mercury-argon discharge source. The test result is shown ire Figure 5 The same test is repeated using a commercial prior art spectrometer and the result is shown in Figure 6.
When the test results are compared it is noted that both the apparatus 10 according to the invention and the prior art spectrometer display a wide useful bandwidth from about 400-1025 nm. But the apparatus 10 demonstrates a superior performance in terms of resolution and sensitivity.
As can be seen the apparatus 10 is about three times more sensitive as spectra of similar intensity were recorded in about 15ms compared to 50 ms for the prior art. The resolution of the apparatus 10 varies from about 4 nm (FWHM) at a wavelength of 696 nm to about 9 nm (FWHM) across the same band width.
FWHM refers to full width at half maximum.
The apparatus 10 as shown in Figure 4 has been used to examine the NIR
transmission spectra of various fruits. Figure 7 shows the respective NIR
transmission spectra of 60 mm thick sections of immature and mature green paw paws (Canica papaya). The figure shows a definite shift in the wave length of peak AMENC~EL~ SHEET
IPEEi/AU
Received 31 March 2000 light transmission from 755 mm in the immature sample to 730 in the mature sample.
Thus the apparatus 10 can be used to determined when green pawpaws can be picked as fruits will not continue to ripen to an edible state when picked while in the immature state.
Figures 8 and 9 show spectra of two different samples of lychee fruits. The differences between the two spectra can be used to indicate certain characteristic of the samples.
Figures 10 to 12 show graphical correlation data of three constituents of the vigour sugars in a fruit for determination by the apparatus 10. The respective slopping dotted and firm lines represent slope and bias corrections. The data obtained for the calibrations of the constituents are as outlined in the following correlation data tables.
Constituent 1 correlation data Instrument Lab Measurement Reading Y
X
Mean X 16.709 Mean Y 17.042 B (Slope) 0.955 Stand Dev 2.894 Stand Dev 3.279 A (Slope Bias)1.079 X Y
X min 12.000 Y min 12.240 Bias (No Slope)0.333 X max 22.840 Y max 23.210 RMS 1.803 Correlation Coeff 0.843 Standard Error 1.768 Coeff of 0.711 (Bias Corrected) Determination Standard Error 1.885 (Slope and Bias Corrected) AMErvuED SHEET
~PEA/AU
Received 31 March 2000 Lab Instrument DifferencePredictionsDifference MeasurementReading Y X Y-X Y (e) Y-Y (e) 1 = 37 12.24 12.00 0.24 12.54 -0.30 2 = 28 15.15 14.76 0.39 15.18 -0.03 3 = 44 17.76 15.70 2.06 16.08 1.68 4 = 41 14.68 17.50 -2.82 17.80 -3.12 5 = 43 14.69 16.08 -1.39 16.44 -1.75 6 = 25 19.92 16.75 3.17 17.08 2.84 7 = 19 17.66 17.88 -0.22 18.16 -0.50 8 = 24 18.07 16.87 1.20 17.20 0.87 9 = 14 23.21 22.84 0.37 22.90 0.31 Constituent 2 correlation data Instrument Lab Measurement Reading Y
X
Mean X 12.109 Mean Y 12.109 B (Slope) 1.000 Stand Dev 1.818 Stand Dev 2.424 A (Slope Bias)-0.004 X Y
X min 10.040 Y min 8.420 Bias (No Slope)0.000 X max 14.770 Y max 14.870 RMS 1.603 Correlation Coeff 0.750 Standard Error 1.603 Coeff of 0.563 (Bias Corrected) Determination Standard Error 1.714 (Slope and Bias Corrected AMENDED SHEET
IPEA/AU
The apparatus 10 in this example is pistol-shaped. It has a slot 12 (shown more clearly in Figure 2) for receiving a leave of the strawberry plant 102 under examination. An indication means 14 exemplified by a palm-top computer is connected to the apparatus 10 for indicating a characteristic spectrum of the strawberry plant 102.
Figure 2 is another embodiment of the optical apparatus 10 and in this case the apparatus 10 is in the shape of a pistol. The apparatus 10 has a housing made up of a pistol body shaped first housing member 16 which is substantially light proof and a turret shaped second housing member 18. The second housing member 18 is removably connected to the first housing member 16.
The second housing member 18 has a slot 12 for receiving a part of an object to be examined. On one side of the slot 12 is located a light source 28 (see Figures 3 and 4) and on the opposite side is a light conveying means 22 in the form of an optic fibre.
The first housing member 16 has a slit 24 (see Figures 3 and 4) positioned to receive light from the optic fibre 22. It also has a removably connectable data correlation device 26 in the form of a PMCIA card. The card 26 has a memory in which correlation data for one or more varieties of plants are stored. The indication means 14 which in this example is an LCD screen is provided for displaying output signals relating to one or more characteristics of an object under examination.
The removable card 26 can be easily replaced so that the apparatus 10 can be used for a variety of different objects. As an example if the apparatus 10 is to be used for examining sugars in a strawberry plant, a card 26 having correlation data for sugars in strawberry plants is selected and inserted into the first housing member 16.
Figure 3 shows a diagrammatic representation of the apparatus 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment the apparatus has a resolution defining slit 24 arranged for receiving a beam of light from a light source 28 and at about the focal length of a collimating lens 30. The beam of light AMENDED SHEET
Received 31 March 2000 enters the slit 24 and travels divergently onto the collimating lens 30 which collimates the light into a parallel beam of light. A dispersing means 32 in the form of a diffraction device is positioned in the path of the collimated beam. The diffraction device 32 separates the collimated beam into its wavelength components. A detection means 34, in this case a photodetecting device, is positioned downstream of the diffraction device 32 for detecting the wavelength components and to produce electrical output signals proportional to energy levels in the wavelength components.
Focusing means 36 in the form of a focusing lens is positioned between the detraction device 32 and the detection means 34 so that the discrete component wavelengths are brought to a sharp or focused point on the detection means 34.
A light proof first housing member 16 is used to minimise interference from light reflected from other surfaces.
The electrical output signals from the detection means 34 are then amplified in an amplifier 38 and converted to digital form by an analogue to digital converter 40. A processing means (microprocessor) 42 is arranged for processing the digital signals in accordance with instructions in a suitable program and the data in a data correlation device. The processed signals are displayed on indication means 14 (LCD monitor in this example).
A computer 44 is also connected to the processing means 42 for downloading or further processing the signals.
Figure 4 shows another embodiment of the apparatus 10. In this embodiment the apparatus 10 has a light conveying means (an optic fibre) 46 for conveying the light through the object 102 to the slit 24. The means 46 is a ,um diameter optic fibre with 11° numerical aperture. The slit 24 is a vertical parallel slit of 10 ,um width and is mounted at about the focal length of the collimating means 30. An achromatic lens is employed as the collimating means 30.
The dispersion means 32 in this case are dual equilateral prisms which provide higher resolution. Two piano-convex lenses are used as the focusing means 36 in order to have a substantially linear dispersion of the spectrum across the AMENDED SHEET
Received 31 March 2000 detection means 34. In this case, means 34 is a charge coupled device (CCD) having 2048 pixel and a polymer window with pixel dimensions of 14 ~cm (h) by 12 ,um (w) on a 14 ~m spacing). Typically integration times for the collection of spectra are in the range of 10-100 ms.
5 A calibration source 48 such as a commercially available mercury-argon discharge source sold under the name of Ocean Optic HG1 can be removably coupled to the optic fibre 46 for calibrating the apparatus 10.
The light source 28 in this embodiment is a 90-100 w tungsten halogen bulb powered by a low ripple DC power supply. The bulb is mounted at the primary 10 focus of an elliptically reflector.
The object 102 under examination is positioned at about the secondary focus of the reflector.
In a test the apparatus 10 as shown diagrammatically in Figure 4 is used to obtain spectrum of a mercury-argon discharge source. The test result is shown ire Figure 5 The same test is repeated using a commercial prior art spectrometer and the result is shown in Figure 6.
When the test results are compared it is noted that both the apparatus 10 according to the invention and the prior art spectrometer display a wide useful bandwidth from about 400-1025 nm. But the apparatus 10 demonstrates a superior performance in terms of resolution and sensitivity.
As can be seen the apparatus 10 is about three times more sensitive as spectra of similar intensity were recorded in about 15ms compared to 50 ms for the prior art. The resolution of the apparatus 10 varies from about 4 nm (FWHM) at a wavelength of 696 nm to about 9 nm (FWHM) across the same band width.
FWHM refers to full width at half maximum.
The apparatus 10 as shown in Figure 4 has been used to examine the NIR
transmission spectra of various fruits. Figure 7 shows the respective NIR
transmission spectra of 60 mm thick sections of immature and mature green paw paws (Canica papaya). The figure shows a definite shift in the wave length of peak AMENC~EL~ SHEET
IPEEi/AU
Received 31 March 2000 light transmission from 755 mm in the immature sample to 730 in the mature sample.
Thus the apparatus 10 can be used to determined when green pawpaws can be picked as fruits will not continue to ripen to an edible state when picked while in the immature state.
Figures 8 and 9 show spectra of two different samples of lychee fruits. The differences between the two spectra can be used to indicate certain characteristic of the samples.
Figures 10 to 12 show graphical correlation data of three constituents of the vigour sugars in a fruit for determination by the apparatus 10. The respective slopping dotted and firm lines represent slope and bias corrections. The data obtained for the calibrations of the constituents are as outlined in the following correlation data tables.
Constituent 1 correlation data Instrument Lab Measurement Reading Y
X
Mean X 16.709 Mean Y 17.042 B (Slope) 0.955 Stand Dev 2.894 Stand Dev 3.279 A (Slope Bias)1.079 X Y
X min 12.000 Y min 12.240 Bias (No Slope)0.333 X max 22.840 Y max 23.210 RMS 1.803 Correlation Coeff 0.843 Standard Error 1.768 Coeff of 0.711 (Bias Corrected) Determination Standard Error 1.885 (Slope and Bias Corrected) AMErvuED SHEET
~PEA/AU
Received 31 March 2000 Lab Instrument DifferencePredictionsDifference MeasurementReading Y X Y-X Y (e) Y-Y (e) 1 = 37 12.24 12.00 0.24 12.54 -0.30 2 = 28 15.15 14.76 0.39 15.18 -0.03 3 = 44 17.76 15.70 2.06 16.08 1.68 4 = 41 14.68 17.50 -2.82 17.80 -3.12 5 = 43 14.69 16.08 -1.39 16.44 -1.75 6 = 25 19.92 16.75 3.17 17.08 2.84 7 = 19 17.66 17.88 -0.22 18.16 -0.50 8 = 24 18.07 16.87 1.20 17.20 0.87 9 = 14 23.21 22.84 0.37 22.90 0.31 Constituent 2 correlation data Instrument Lab Measurement Reading Y
X
Mean X 12.109 Mean Y 12.109 B (Slope) 1.000 Stand Dev 1.818 Stand Dev 2.424 A (Slope Bias)-0.004 X Y
X min 10.040 Y min 8.420 Bias (No Slope)0.000 X max 14.770 Y max 14.870 RMS 1.603 Correlation Coeff 0.750 Standard Error 1.603 Coeff of 0.563 (Bias Corrected) Determination Standard Error 1.714 (Slope and Bias Corrected AMENDED SHEET
IPEA/AU
Received 31 March 2000 Lab Instrument DifferencePredictionsDifference MeasurementReading Y X Y-X Y (e) Y-Y (e) 1 = 37 12.33 14.77 -2.44 14.77 -2.44 2 = 28 8.42 10.04 -1.62 10.04 -1.62 3 = 44 14.87 13.24 1.63 13.24 1.63 4 = 41 14.80 13.49 1.31 13.49 1.31 5 = 43 14.80 14.23 0.57 14.23 0.57 6 = 25 11.05 11.31 -0.26 11.31 -0.26 7 = 19 9.81 10.44 -0.63 10.44 -0.63 8 = 24 10.04 11.02 -0.98 11.02 -0.98 9 = 14 12.86 10.44 2.42 10.44 2.42J
Constituent 3 correlation data Instrument Lab Measurement Reading Y
X
Mean X 14.021 Mean Y 14.020 B (Slope) 1.000 Stand Dev 5.535 Stand Dev 6.264 A (Slope Bias)0.001 X Y
X min 4.120 Y min 6.810 Bias (No Slope)-0.001 X max 24.000 Y max 23.460 RMS 2.933 Correlation Coeff 0.884 Standard Error 2.933 Coeff of 0.781 (Bias Corrected) Determination Standard Error 3.135 (Slope and Bias Corrected AMENDED SHEET
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Constituent 3 correlation data Instrument Lab Measurement Reading Y
X
Mean X 14.021 Mean Y 14.020 B (Slope) 1.000 Stand Dev 5.535 Stand Dev 6.264 A (Slope Bias)0.001 X Y
X min 4.120 Y min 6.810 Bias (No Slope)-0.001 X max 24.000 Y max 23.460 RMS 2.933 Correlation Coeff 0.884 Standard Error 2.933 Coeff of 0.781 (Bias Corrected) Determination Standard Error 3.135 (Slope and Bias Corrected AMENDED SHEET
IPEA/AU
Received 31 March 2000 Lab InstrumentDifference PredictionsDifference Measurement Reading Y Xo Y-X Y (e) Y-Y (e) 1 = 37 6.81 4.12 2.69 4.12 2.69 2 = 28 15.27 13.90 1.37 13.90 1.37 3 = 44 8.20 11.43 -3.23 11.43 -3.23 4 = 41 8.16 13.19 -5.03 13.19 -5.03 5 = 43 8.17 9.90 -1.73 9.90 -1.73 6 = 25 20.09 16.86 3.23 16.86 3.23 7 = 19 17.80 17.77 0.03 17.77 0.03 8 = 24 18.22 15.02 3.20 15.02 3.20 9 = 14 23.46 24.00 -0.54 24.00 -0.54 The spectrometer instrument used for obtaining correlation data is Zelta ZX100F Near Infrared (NIR) analyser.
For each of the constituents 1 to 3, 9 samples were randomly selected. The sample identifications corresponding to the selected samples are indicated in each case.
The prediction values Y (e) are values after slope and bias corrections.
As can be seen the results are as follows:-Constituent Correlation Standard Error 1 0.86 1.8 2 0.75 1.7 3 0.88 2.9 The correlation data allows identification of the constituents in the sample.
As the constituents of the sample absorb some energy levels but allow other energy levels (or wavelength components) to pass, the apparatus 10 can be used to determined relative concentrations of the constituents by monitoring the energy levels (or wavelength components) which pass through he sample and which do not pass through.
AMENDED SHEET
IFE~J~4t~
Received 31 March 2000 Any mathematical analysis method can be employed. The applicant prefers partial least squares (PLS) regression analysis or minimum message length (MML) single and multiple factor analysis such as described.
Referring initially to Figure 13, there is shown a near infrared (NIR) optical 5 apparatus 50 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus 50 in this example has a substantially hand gun shaped casing 52. In the body 52 are arranged a light detection probe 54 positioned at substantially in the centre axis of an illuminator 56. The probe 54 extends from just within a frustoconical shaped shroud 58 to immediately before a mirror or lens 60.
10 As can be seen the light beams detected by the probe 54 are deflected off the mirror 60 onto a diffraction grating 62. The grating 62 directs the beams substantially parallelly onto an array of charge coupled diodes (CCD) or photodiodes 64.
A trigger 66 for activating the apparatus 50 is provided for pressing by a 15 finger of a user.
The components of the apparatus 50 are mounted on a frame (not shown) made of a stable aluminium or titanium based cast or machined alloy for thermal stability and mechanical strength. The frame is mounted into the casing 52 which in this example is made of a plastic material.
The cutaway section in Figure 14 reveals a reference fibre 68 positioned adjacent to the sample fibre of the probe 54.
Referring to Figure 15 the illuminator 56 has a substantially parabolic shaped hollow body 70 with an aperture 72 in which a lamp 74 is positioned. As can be clearly seen more clearly in Figure 17 the lamp 74 is off centre and spaced from the probe 54 and the reference fibre 68. The body 70 is shaped so that its interior reflective surface 76 illuminates an annulus 78 of light onto an object 90 such as a strawberry. It should be noted that the object may be any plant, biological sample, chemical sample or mineral sample.
The shroud 58 has a rear wal I 80 extending to the probe 54 and the fibre 68.
The shroud 58 and the hollow body 70 may be integrally formed as a unit from a suitable solid plastic, e.g. polycarbonate or acrylic. However in this example AMENDED SHEET
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Received 31 March 2000 they are separately formed and the shroud 58 can be detached for replacement.
The interior surfaces of the shroud 58 and the body 70 are suitably metalized so that they are highly reflective, The shroud 58 is shaped so that deflects parts of the light from the lamp 74 and from the reflective surface 76 of the body 70 towards the regions of the annulus 78 This improves the intensity of the annular illumination:
The rear surface of the wall 36 i.e., the entry surface for the NIR
illumination, is Fresnel tensed for directing the illumination to the regions of the annular 34. Instead of a Fresnel lens the rear surface may be curved to concentrate the illumination at the regions.
The shroud 58 performs a number of other most useful functions including:
i) It protects the illuminator 56 from the environment and the metal tube sheath of the probe 54 robustly from the intended applications where dropping the gun is probable.
ii) It, at least partially, affords some ambient light shading of the object being measured.
iii) It conveniently separates andordisplacesunwantedobjectorothermaterial, etc, away from the desired area as the gun is pushed toward the sample to be measured.
iv) It allows ready wiping and cleaning with material likely to be on hand, i.e., a shirt tail or handkerchief.
v) It can be made replaceable.
vi) It can be made replaceable for alternative applications, e.g., much largerfruit (watermelons, etc), by unscrewing. In this instance, care has to be taken to ensure proper coupling of the probe 54 and reference fibre 68 ends into the apparatus 50.
Figure 16 shows an embodiment of the illuminator 56 and the shroud 58 for a larger object 90. As can be seen the detecting end of the probe 54 in this case is substantially flush with the shroud 58.
The illuminator 56 is arranged to produce an annulus of bright, NIR rich, light surrounding the probe 54 such that the ring of light is as shown in Figure 19.
IpEAIAU
Received 31 March 2000 The region 'b' is the concentrated NIR illumination annulus and 'a' is a region designed not to be (directly) illuminated. This is to maximise, in as much as possible, that light received via the probe 54 which has diffused wi~hin the object 90 as shown in Figure 20.
As shown in Figure 20 it is clear that the incident annular illumination 78, which can enter the sampling probe fibre 54, must have (mostly) scattered from the region shown as "c". This minimises noise signals such as light which travels directly along the immediate surface or in the skin of the object ~r fruit 90 from being detected by the probe 54.
It is also clear from Figure 20 that the fibre support probe 54, akin to a hypodermic "flattened-end" needle not only provides rigid and maintainable support for the fibre, but also acts as a most effective light shield from ambient and surface scattered light, which would otherwise enter the probe 54 via abject or fruit surface irregularities and "cracks and voids".
The reference probe 68 is designed to capture part of the illumination light and minimise any reflected light from the object or fruit 90. Such light, indicative of the spectral characteristic of the illumination is captured by reflection off the shroud's rear surface. This rear surface of the wall 80 is mirrored at a small area or alternatively, roughened slightly to aid its backscatter. In the event the shroud 58 is essentially a solid plastic part, this reference light may be sampled by viewing the back of the illumination lamp, or lamps, by similar fibre, or fibres, capturing means.
The fibre probes 54 and 68, and especially the sample probe 54, are intended to be essentially coincident with an imaginary "gun barrel" axis.
The reflective surface 76 of the illuminator 56 is computer designed to optimally produce the annular illumination 78.
The annular illumination 78 allows light to scatter or diffuse in the object being tested before entering the probe 54. This arrangement prevents bright light immediately around the detector probe 54 and thereby avoiding the disadvantage of having a major proportion of light which travels just a very short distance in the close, thin, skin region of the sample being inspected. NIR spectral properties of AMENDED SHEET
IPEAIAU
For each of the constituents 1 to 3, 9 samples were randomly selected. The sample identifications corresponding to the selected samples are indicated in each case.
The prediction values Y (e) are values after slope and bias corrections.
As can be seen the results are as follows:-Constituent Correlation Standard Error 1 0.86 1.8 2 0.75 1.7 3 0.88 2.9 The correlation data allows identification of the constituents in the sample.
As the constituents of the sample absorb some energy levels but allow other energy levels (or wavelength components) to pass, the apparatus 10 can be used to determined relative concentrations of the constituents by monitoring the energy levels (or wavelength components) which pass through he sample and which do not pass through.
AMENDED SHEET
IFE~J~4t~
Received 31 March 2000 Any mathematical analysis method can be employed. The applicant prefers partial least squares (PLS) regression analysis or minimum message length (MML) single and multiple factor analysis such as described.
Referring initially to Figure 13, there is shown a near infrared (NIR) optical 5 apparatus 50 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus 50 in this example has a substantially hand gun shaped casing 52. In the body 52 are arranged a light detection probe 54 positioned at substantially in the centre axis of an illuminator 56. The probe 54 extends from just within a frustoconical shaped shroud 58 to immediately before a mirror or lens 60.
10 As can be seen the light beams detected by the probe 54 are deflected off the mirror 60 onto a diffraction grating 62. The grating 62 directs the beams substantially parallelly onto an array of charge coupled diodes (CCD) or photodiodes 64.
A trigger 66 for activating the apparatus 50 is provided for pressing by a 15 finger of a user.
The components of the apparatus 50 are mounted on a frame (not shown) made of a stable aluminium or titanium based cast or machined alloy for thermal stability and mechanical strength. The frame is mounted into the casing 52 which in this example is made of a plastic material.
The cutaway section in Figure 14 reveals a reference fibre 68 positioned adjacent to the sample fibre of the probe 54.
Referring to Figure 15 the illuminator 56 has a substantially parabolic shaped hollow body 70 with an aperture 72 in which a lamp 74 is positioned. As can be clearly seen more clearly in Figure 17 the lamp 74 is off centre and spaced from the probe 54 and the reference fibre 68. The body 70 is shaped so that its interior reflective surface 76 illuminates an annulus 78 of light onto an object 90 such as a strawberry. It should be noted that the object may be any plant, biological sample, chemical sample or mineral sample.
The shroud 58 has a rear wal I 80 extending to the probe 54 and the fibre 68.
The shroud 58 and the hollow body 70 may be integrally formed as a unit from a suitable solid plastic, e.g. polycarbonate or acrylic. However in this example AMENDED SHEET
lPEA/AU
Received 31 March 2000 they are separately formed and the shroud 58 can be detached for replacement.
The interior surfaces of the shroud 58 and the body 70 are suitably metalized so that they are highly reflective, The shroud 58 is shaped so that deflects parts of the light from the lamp 74 and from the reflective surface 76 of the body 70 towards the regions of the annulus 78 This improves the intensity of the annular illumination:
The rear surface of the wall 36 i.e., the entry surface for the NIR
illumination, is Fresnel tensed for directing the illumination to the regions of the annular 34. Instead of a Fresnel lens the rear surface may be curved to concentrate the illumination at the regions.
The shroud 58 performs a number of other most useful functions including:
i) It protects the illuminator 56 from the environment and the metal tube sheath of the probe 54 robustly from the intended applications where dropping the gun is probable.
ii) It, at least partially, affords some ambient light shading of the object being measured.
iii) It conveniently separates andordisplacesunwantedobjectorothermaterial, etc, away from the desired area as the gun is pushed toward the sample to be measured.
iv) It allows ready wiping and cleaning with material likely to be on hand, i.e., a shirt tail or handkerchief.
v) It can be made replaceable.
vi) It can be made replaceable for alternative applications, e.g., much largerfruit (watermelons, etc), by unscrewing. In this instance, care has to be taken to ensure proper coupling of the probe 54 and reference fibre 68 ends into the apparatus 50.
Figure 16 shows an embodiment of the illuminator 56 and the shroud 58 for a larger object 90. As can be seen the detecting end of the probe 54 in this case is substantially flush with the shroud 58.
The illuminator 56 is arranged to produce an annulus of bright, NIR rich, light surrounding the probe 54 such that the ring of light is as shown in Figure 19.
IpEAIAU
Received 31 March 2000 The region 'b' is the concentrated NIR illumination annulus and 'a' is a region designed not to be (directly) illuminated. This is to maximise, in as much as possible, that light received via the probe 54 which has diffused wi~hin the object 90 as shown in Figure 20.
As shown in Figure 20 it is clear that the incident annular illumination 78, which can enter the sampling probe fibre 54, must have (mostly) scattered from the region shown as "c". This minimises noise signals such as light which travels directly along the immediate surface or in the skin of the object ~r fruit 90 from being detected by the probe 54.
It is also clear from Figure 20 that the fibre support probe 54, akin to a hypodermic "flattened-end" needle not only provides rigid and maintainable support for the fibre, but also acts as a most effective light shield from ambient and surface scattered light, which would otherwise enter the probe 54 via abject or fruit surface irregularities and "cracks and voids".
The reference probe 68 is designed to capture part of the illumination light and minimise any reflected light from the object or fruit 90. Such light, indicative of the spectral characteristic of the illumination is captured by reflection off the shroud's rear surface. This rear surface of the wall 80 is mirrored at a small area or alternatively, roughened slightly to aid its backscatter. In the event the shroud 58 is essentially a solid plastic part, this reference light may be sampled by viewing the back of the illumination lamp, or lamps, by similar fibre, or fibres, capturing means.
The fibre probes 54 and 68, and especially the sample probe 54, are intended to be essentially coincident with an imaginary "gun barrel" axis.
The reflective surface 76 of the illuminator 56 is computer designed to optimally produce the annular illumination 78.
The annular illumination 78 allows light to scatter or diffuse in the object being tested before entering the probe 54. This arrangement prevents bright light immediately around the detector probe 54 and thereby avoiding the disadvantage of having a major proportion of light which travels just a very short distance in the close, thin, skin region of the sample being inspected. NIR spectral properties of AMENDED SHEET
IPEAIAU
Received 31 March 2000 this small depth, and indeed small area, of the skin is not a reliable indication of the properties desired to be measured.
The reflective surface 76 is formed using an optical ray tracing method as shown in Figure 18. Individual light rays, considered to be emanating from the very small filament of the illumination lamp 74 (which is off centre) are directed in small rotational angular displacements toward the rear most portion of the illuminator 56 (immediately adjacent the hole through which the reference and sample fibre probes 54 and 68 pass). By the simple law of reflection, the angle of a very small (essentially rectangular) section 1 of that surface 76, then, can be computed so that for the ray being considered, the reflected part is directed towards the centre of the annular ring 78 at the same rotational angle. By stepping emanating rays, one by onE, from the lamps) through small increments around a half revolution, each ray generates an angled, essentially rectangular shaped, small piece of "flat"
reflector directing the rays toward equispaced "dots" around the middle of the annular ring 78 By three dimensional geometry, these reflector facet surfaces are joined edge to edge.
Once one piece is computed, the program then proceeds to calculate a reflection angle required on that surface to properly direct the adjacent ray.
Choosing a new surface 2 at that point with the proper angle, and repeating the abo~~e steps for another nearby section 3, it can compute the line of intersection of the two planar elements at their joining edge.
At the completion of a half revolution each way, the two "faceted" reflector rings should join, so checking the calculations.
When one faceted ring of the reflective surface 76 is computed, another, adjacent, faceted ring may be computEd similarly such that its inner edges meet the outer edges of the previously computed reflector ring.
And in this manner, a series of "concentric" faceted reflector "rings" can be computed progressing around the axis of the reflective surface in rings, and each ring incremental ly stepping away from the fibre probes' hole to the outermost edge at the front of the gun's' reflective surface.
AMEN~~L'~ ~HEE
~PEAIAI,~
Received 31 March 2000 It transpires that these faceted segments can be smoothed to a continuously complex curved surface such that the reflecting angle at the centre of each original facet, and its position, remains the same at points on the new smoothed surface.
This forms the basic reflector shape and such design process can accommodate an arbitrary number of lamps, each placed in arbitrary positions.
Whilst the above has been given by way of illustrative example of the present invention many variations and modifications thereto will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the broad ambit and scope of the invention as herein set forth.
AMENDED SHEEN
IPEA/AU
The reflective surface 76 is formed using an optical ray tracing method as shown in Figure 18. Individual light rays, considered to be emanating from the very small filament of the illumination lamp 74 (which is off centre) are directed in small rotational angular displacements toward the rear most portion of the illuminator 56 (immediately adjacent the hole through which the reference and sample fibre probes 54 and 68 pass). By the simple law of reflection, the angle of a very small (essentially rectangular) section 1 of that surface 76, then, can be computed so that for the ray being considered, the reflected part is directed towards the centre of the annular ring 78 at the same rotational angle. By stepping emanating rays, one by onE, from the lamps) through small increments around a half revolution, each ray generates an angled, essentially rectangular shaped, small piece of "flat"
reflector directing the rays toward equispaced "dots" around the middle of the annular ring 78 By three dimensional geometry, these reflector facet surfaces are joined edge to edge.
Once one piece is computed, the program then proceeds to calculate a reflection angle required on that surface to properly direct the adjacent ray.
Choosing a new surface 2 at that point with the proper angle, and repeating the abo~~e steps for another nearby section 3, it can compute the line of intersection of the two planar elements at their joining edge.
At the completion of a half revolution each way, the two "faceted" reflector rings should join, so checking the calculations.
When one faceted ring of the reflective surface 76 is computed, another, adjacent, faceted ring may be computEd similarly such that its inner edges meet the outer edges of the previously computed reflector ring.
And in this manner, a series of "concentric" faceted reflector "rings" can be computed progressing around the axis of the reflective surface in rings, and each ring incremental ly stepping away from the fibre probes' hole to the outermost edge at the front of the gun's' reflective surface.
AMEN~~L'~ ~HEE
~PEAIAI,~
Received 31 March 2000 It transpires that these faceted segments can be smoothed to a continuously complex curved surface such that the reflecting angle at the centre of each original facet, and its position, remains the same at points on the new smoothed surface.
This forms the basic reflector shape and such design process can accommodate an arbitrary number of lamps, each placed in arbitrary positions.
Whilst the above has been given by way of illustrative example of the present invention many variations and modifications thereto will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the broad ambit and scope of the invention as herein set forth.
AMENDED SHEEN
IPEA/AU
Claims (31)
1. An optical apparatus for examining an object, the apparatus comprises a light source including near infrared radiation (NIR), adapted to direct a beam of light towards an object under examination, an aperture arranged for receiving the light reflected from, scattered within or passing through the object and for the beam of light to diverge therefrom, means for collimating light arranged so that the beam of light through the aperture incidents thereat is collimated, means for dispersing the collimated beam of light from the collimating means into wavelength components, and means for providing electrical output signals which are respectively proportional to energy levels in the wavelength components.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1 further comprises means for processing the output signals and thereby providing one or more indication signals for respectively indicating one or more characteristics of the object.
3. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein an indication means is arranged for receiving the one or more indication signals for indicating the or each said indication signals in a suitable form.
4. The apparatus according to claim 2 or 3 wherein the apparatus having an interface means to which a computer can be selectively connected thereto for storing the one or more indication signals and/or for further processing the one or more indication signals.
5. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the processing means includes a data correlation device adapted to relate the or each of said indication signals to a characteristic of the object.
6. The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the data correlation device having a set of correlation data for one type of object or a plurality of sets of correlation data for different types of objects.
7. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein each said characteristic relates to a constituent of the object, including a carbohydrate, starch or a sugar in the form of sucrose, glucose, fructose or the like.
8. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the or each said characteristic relates to a relative concentration of a constituent of the object, including a carbohydrate, starch or a sugar in the form of a sucrose, glucose, fructose or the like.
9. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein each said characteristic relates to a physiological state of the object, including a growth state or maturity state in plant or the like.
10. The apparatus according to claim 2 wherein each said characteristic is a signature of vigour of growth, maturity for picking or any other physiological state of a plant.
11. The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the data correlation device is arranged for removably connectable to the apparatus so that the apparatus can be selectively connected to the data correlation device with a set of correlation data for a particular object under examination.
12. The apparatus according to claim 5 wherein the data correlation device is contained in a printed circuit card including a PMCIA card.
13. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the output signal providing means includes an detection arrangement for detecting the wavelength components.
14. The apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the apparatus has a focusing arrangement for focusing the wavelength components onto the detection arrangement and an optical conveying means for conveying the beam of light reflected from or through the object to the aperture, the conveying means including an optical fibre such as a 500 µm diameter optical fibre with a 11°
numerical opening.
numerical opening.
15. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the aperture is positioned at about the focal length of the collimating means and having one or more parallel slits of a suitable width, and the position of the collimating means relative to the aperture is adjustable so that desired resolution and intensity of the apparatus can be adjusted.
16. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the collimating means is a collimating achromatic lens and the dispersing means are one or more prisms of any suitable configuration including equilateral prism(s).
17. The apparatus according to claim 14 wherein the focusing arrangement includes one or more focusing lenses for focusing the wavelength components onto the detection arrangement and the one or more focusing lenses are configured so that a linear dispersion of the spectrum can be provided across the detection arrangement.
18. The apparatus according to claim 13 wherein the detection arrangement includes a plurality of detection elements arranged in a matrix of at least 2 x 2 (4) detection elements for providing the electrical output signals in response to detection of the wavelength components.
19. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the apparatus the housing means arranged in a compact form so that the apparatus can be used on field or in situ.
20. The apparatus according to claim 19 wherein the housing means is arranged so that in use a user can operate the apparatus with one hand, or attach the apparatus on a part of the user body such as on a wrist.
21. The apparatus according to claim 19 or 20 wherein the housing means includes a substantially light proof first housing member in which the aperture, the collimating means, the dispersing means and the electrical signal providing means are located, the first housing member is arranged to reduce or eliminate interference from background radiation and reflections from optical surfaces; and a second housing member in which the light source is located and the second housing member has a gap into which at least part of the object for examination can be inserted, the second housing member being fixedly or removably connected to the first housing member.
22. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the light source including an illuminator for producing an annulus of light onto the object, the illuminator comprises a hollow body having a reflective interior surface, and one or more lamps disposed so that at least some portions of the light from said one or more lamps are reflected from the reflective surface, the reflective surface is configured so that the light reflected therefrom forms an annulus of light on a region of the object.
23. The apparatus according to claim 22 wherein said hollow body is substantially conical or half egg shell shaped.
24. The apparatus according to claim 22 wherein the annulus of light is arranged around a light detection probe for detecting scattered light from said object.
25. The apparatus according to claim 24 wherein the detection probe is positioned along an axis of the hollow body and the light source is positioned at an angle to said axis.
26. The apparatus according to claim 22 wherein the illuminator is provided with a shroud downstream of the light reflected from said reflective surface.
27. The apparatus according to claim 26 wherein the shroud has a partly or wholly reflective interior surface for redirecting portions of the light from said light source and/or said interior surface of the body to said region of the object.
28. The apparatus according to claim 26 wherein the shroud has a rear wall arranged to direct light towards the region.
29. The apparatus according to claim 26 wherein the shroud is removably fixed so that it can be easily replaced.
30. The apparatus according to claim 24 wherein the detection probe including an optical fibre arranged within a protective probe.
31. The apparatus according to claim 24 wherein a reference probe is arranged substantially parallel to said detection probe.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AUPP3652A AUPP365298A0 (en) | 1998-05-21 | 1998-05-21 | An optical apparatus |
AUPP3652 | 1998-05-21 | ||
PCT/AU1999/000387 WO1999061898A1 (en) | 1998-05-21 | 1999-05-21 | An optical apparatus |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
CA2332823A1 true CA2332823A1 (en) | 1999-12-02 |
Family
ID=3807902
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
CA002332823A Abandoned CA2332823A1 (en) | 1998-05-21 | 1999-05-21 | An optical apparatus |
Country Status (11)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US6507022B1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1080366A4 (en) |
JP (2) | JPH11326198A (en) |
KR (1) | KR20010052380A (en) |
CN (1) | CN1310798A (en) |
AU (1) | AUPP365298A0 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2332823A1 (en) |
NO (1) | NO20005858L (en) |
NZ (1) | NZ508435A (en) |
PL (1) | PL344310A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO1999061898A1 (en) |
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AUPQ607100A0 (en) * | 2000-03-07 | 2000-03-30 | Colour Vision Systems Pty Ltd | Spectral assessment of fruit |
US7010232B1 (en) | 2000-12-20 | 2006-03-07 | Cisco Technology, Inc. | Removable optical interface modules |
WO2003031923A1 (en) * | 2001-10-01 | 2003-04-17 | Ud Technology Corporation | Simultaneous multi-beam planar array ir (pair) sepctroscopy |
EP1371425A1 (en) * | 2002-06-13 | 2003-12-17 | FPS Food Processing Systems B.V. | Detector |
US7243174B2 (en) * | 2003-06-24 | 2007-07-10 | Emerson Electric Co. | System and method for communicating with an appliance through an optical interface using a control panel indicator |
US7321732B2 (en) * | 2003-07-28 | 2008-01-22 | Emerson Electric Co. | Method and apparatus for improving noise immunity for low intensity optical communication |
US7280769B2 (en) * | 2003-07-28 | 2007-10-09 | Emerson Electric Co. | Method and apparatus for operating an optical receiver for low intensity optical communication in a high speed mode |
US7095333B2 (en) * | 2003-09-18 | 2006-08-22 | Emerson Electric Company | Method and apparatus for enabling optical communication through low intensity indicators in an appliance that uses a vacuum fluorescent display |
CN100552432C (en) * | 2006-09-29 | 2009-10-21 | 中国科学院长春光学精密机械与物理研究所 | A kind of method for fast analyzing constituent of ginseng |
CA2693954C (en) * | 2007-07-19 | 2014-10-21 | Can Technologies, Inc. | System and method for measuring starch gelatinisation in a feed production system |
WO2009038206A1 (en) * | 2007-09-21 | 2009-03-26 | Suntory Holdings Limited | Visible/near-infrared spectrum analyzing method and grape fermenting method |
DE102010036447A1 (en) * | 2010-03-26 | 2011-09-29 | Degudent Gmbh | Method for determining material characteristics |
AT12076U1 (en) | 2010-07-27 | 2011-10-15 | Evk Di Kerschhaggl Gmbh | METHOD, SENSOR UNIT AND MACHINE FOR DETECTING '' SUGAR TIPS '' - DEFECTS IN POTATOES |
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FR3010793A1 (en) * | 2013-09-16 | 2015-03-20 | Eads Europ Aeronautic Defence | MODULAR ARCHITECTURE OF A NON-DESTRUCTIVE CONTROL SYSTEM |
DE102014112323A1 (en) * | 2014-08-27 | 2016-03-03 | Frank Braun | Measurement of the future dyeing properties of filaments |
CN104374732A (en) * | 2014-11-24 | 2015-02-25 | 中国农业科学院农业信息研究所 | System for monitoring physiological water in crop leaves |
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CN105866336A (en) * | 2016-04-18 | 2016-08-17 | 王立云 | Handheld plant detector |
ES2764765T3 (en) * | 2017-03-24 | 2020-06-04 | Inl Int Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory | A monitoring device, a system and a procedure to monitor the state of the fruit |
CN108284076A (en) * | 2018-01-07 | 2018-07-17 | 华东交通大学 | A kind of sugar degree sorting unit and method based on sorting line transformation of weighing |
CN108827898B (en) * | 2018-04-18 | 2021-04-20 | 北京理工大学 | Continuous zooming microscopic infrared optical enhancement system and method |
CN111076765A (en) * | 2018-10-19 | 2020-04-28 | 光合未来(北京)绿植科技有限责任公司 | Hand-held plant health detector |
CN112097908A (en) * | 2020-08-11 | 2020-12-18 | 中国农业大学 | Fruit internal quality detection sensor matched with smart phone and method thereof |
CN114967118B (en) * | 2022-04-20 | 2024-02-09 | 清华大学深圳国际研究生院 | Method and device for controlling optical parameters of orthogonal reflector array |
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-
1998
- 1998-05-21 AU AUPP3652A patent/AUPP365298A0/en not_active Abandoned
- 1998-10-01 JP JP10280070A patent/JPH11326198A/en active Pending
-
1999
- 1999-05-21 PL PL99344310A patent/PL344310A1/en unknown
- 1999-05-21 US US09/700,904 patent/US6507022B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1999-05-21 NZ NZ508435A patent/NZ508435A/en unknown
- 1999-05-21 CN CN99809006A patent/CN1310798A/en active Pending
- 1999-05-21 JP JP2000551246A patent/JP2002516994A/en active Pending
- 1999-05-21 EP EP99923311A patent/EP1080366A4/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1999-05-21 CA CA002332823A patent/CA2332823A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1999-05-21 WO PCT/AU1999/000387 patent/WO1999061898A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1999-05-21 KR KR1020007013068A patent/KR20010052380A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
-
2000
- 2000-11-20 NO NO20005858A patent/NO20005858L/en not_active Application Discontinuation
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
AUPP365298A0 (en) | 1998-06-11 |
JPH11326198A (en) | 1999-11-26 |
US6507022B1 (en) | 2003-01-14 |
WO1999061898A1 (en) | 1999-12-02 |
JP2002516994A (en) | 2002-06-11 |
EP1080366A1 (en) | 2001-03-07 |
EP1080366A4 (en) | 2003-08-27 |
NO20005858L (en) | 2001-01-17 |
PL344310A1 (en) | 2001-10-22 |
NZ508435A (en) | 2002-05-31 |
CN1310798A (en) | 2001-08-29 |
KR20010052380A (en) | 2001-06-25 |
NO20005858D0 (en) | 2000-11-20 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
EEER | Examination request | ||
FZDE | Discontinued |