Television spectrometer for spectral and textural express checking
of alimentary medium
The television spectrometer is designed for operational checking of reflection or transmission spectrum of liquid or solid alimentary medium as well as for the analysis of the surface texture
of the latter. In addition, it allows measuring the polarization of the optical radiation reflected and
transmitted through the medium.
The television spectrometer performs rapid quality check of mentioned medium by measuring their reflectivity (transmission) in narrow spectral bands of ultraviolet, visible and infrared spectrum, and then automatically compares these data with the similar characteristics of samples stored
in data base.
The comparison of the object under examination with the sample is performed on base of a
set of parameters (color, texture, and polarization). The comparison is based on the spectral and textural features in normal and polarized light. The spectrometer can work in reflected as well as in
transmitted light.
While designing the spectrometer the experience in photographic and television aerospace
multispectral photographic survey was taken into account. A method of obtaining data through the
using of the measuring B/W TV-camera of high sensitivity and resolution was chosen in order to
ensure high efficiency and accuracy of the spectrometer. With its help "color-separated" black and
white television images spectrum, which have high measuring features, are formed in narrow spectral bands of the spectrum. In this case the stability of the device is achieved by simple means.
The television spectrometer can be used to automate the food production processes.
The TV-spectrometer consists of a TV-gauge, a personal computer with special software
and a database, the power supply and a control block.
The flowchart of the television spectrometer is showed on Fig.1
color
texture
PC
PROGRAM
MAINTENANCE
control
polarization
videoprocessor
TV-gauge
BASE
DATA
Object of control
Fig. 1. Flowchart of the television spectrometer.
The general view of a laboratory breadboard model of the TV-spectrometer is showed on
Fig. 2. The TV-gauge, the switchboard of a feed of LED and power supply units can be seen there.
The device uses LEDs emitting in the blue, green, red and infrared wavelengths.
TV-gauge
The switchboard
of a feed of LED
Fig. 2. General view of a laboratory breadboard model of TV-spectrometer
An example image of express check of flour performed by the TV-spectrometer
Fig.3. Leaves chart
Fig.4. Bar graph
The table shows the difference of surface areas of leaves chart shown on Fig.3
Sample
1,37
Object
1,11
Table
Difference
0,26
The measure of similarity between the object and the sample is defined with the following
formula:

M  1  (kR  kR )2  (kG  kG )2  (kB  kB )2  (kIR
 kIR )2
Where:
k J , - standard values of the spectral coefficients
sample (α) and object (β) reflectance,
j – spectral band
In this case the similarity extent is equal М=0,83.
The stage of product development
1. What is accomplished?
 The patent for “Object identification Method" is received in Russian Federation (Patent
RU №2178562 from 13.04.2001г.)
 A laboratory breadboard model of television spectrometer is developed.
 Measuring algorithms are elaborated.
 Programs for measurement data processing are elaborated.
 The experimental test of the proposed method and device is performed.
2. Possible compatibility with food producing processes:
 The proposed technology and device are compatible with any process of cooking alimental medium and products.
 It is necessary to develop programs to operate computer-controlled devices for food production to control the structure of food products based on their analysis performed by the
spectrometer.
3. Further development:
 We plan to extend capabilities of the television spectrometer by increasing the number
of spectral bands.
 The development of a small-sized TV-spectrometer in a form of a "gun" connected to
the laptop is planned to be developed.
Comparison of analogs
There are several similar devices: RU № 2050543, 1995; RU № 2032902, 1995; RU №
2073399, 1997; FR № 2752940, 1998; WO № 94/06008, 1994. Above listed devices can’t be used
for television spectrometry.
As a prototype we suggest the RF patent № 2117989 (1996) “Object identification method
and embedding device”. This method and embedding device have a limited use: control and identification of objects, used in nuclear technologies, by some specified markers on their surface. This
method also devices can’t be used for television spectrometry.
Required budget for the product completion
5 million rubles are required in total for:
 2-year period
 purposes of:
 finishing up and technical implementation: 3,0 m rub.
 in-house and joint manufacturing: 1,5 m rub.
 commercialization (advertising, exhibitions etc.): 0,5 m rub.
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Prospective customers
Flour mills.
Bakeries.
Distilleries
Breweries.
Soft drinks factories.
Meat processing plants.
Food products control laboratories (certification laboratories, test laboratories in the
markets, etc.)
ADVANTAGES of the TV SPECTROMETER
1. The device is compact and simple. It can be placed in an ordinary briefcase that allows using the
system for the analysis of various media in the "field" conditions.
2. The device allows examining both solid and liquid media.
3. The device is highly sensitive.
4. The device provides a quick check and rapid results.
CONCLUSION
As a result of research:
• algorithms for processing the received data were developed
• special software was developed;
• the way of defining objects similarity extent was proposed;
• measurements and comparative analysis of various media in the reflected, transmitted and polarized light were performed.
The proposed method and device for food media quality checking are characterized by:
• speed, simplicity and accessibility for wide application;
• the opportunity to compare the sample with a standard based on the set of characteristics (color,
texture, and polarization);
• the possibility to examine both solid and bulk (in reflected light) and liquid (in transmitted light)
media.
5,0 million rubles for 2 years are needed for the manufacture
of a pre-production batch and commercialization of the project.
A. Drokhanov
Contact info: tel. 8 915 429 76 57. e-mail: [email protected]