2. Computer-mediated fruit quality assessment and sorting
systems
A computer-mediated fruit quality assessment and sorting system
has two subsystems: a computer vision system and a fruit
handling system. The computer vision system has two modules,
namely the image processing module and the pattern recognition
module. The technological advances in image technology
and pattern recognition techniques are making it possible to
automate inspection processes like fruit quality assessment.
A typical computer vision system that can visually inspect
fruit, assess its quality and sort it may consists of an electromechanical
fruit handler that can place a fruit on a conveyer belt
to carry the fruit through a computer vision system to the sorting
bins. The computer vision system captures the image of the
underlying fruit and transmits it to an image processor. The
processor, after processing the image, presents it to a pattern
recognizer. The recognizer performs the quality assessments
and classifies the underlying fruit into pre-specified quality
classes, and directs the sorter to direct the fruit to the appropriate
bin. Fig. 1 shown below depicts the components of the
system