United States of America, As Represented by the Secretary of Agriculture

US Government As Represented by the Secretary of the Army

University System of Maryland

Headwall Photonics, Inc.

Republic of Korea, As Represented by the Administrator of Rural Development Administration

Kuanglin Chao

Moon S Kim

Alan M Lefcourt

Diane E Chan

Yud Ren Chen

Chun-Chieh Yang

Kangjin Lee

David D Tuschel

Walter F Schmidt

Yud-Ren Chen

David P Bannon

Jianwei Qin

Sukwon Kang

Andre G Senecal

Oksana Olkhovyk

Patrick J Marek

Daniel R Shelton

Catherine Leigh Broadhurst

Byoung-Kwan Cho

Yongliang Liu

A line-scan laser is directed to a sample so that a Raman-shifted light signal is emitted from the sample. An imaging spectrograph and associated camera and processor acquires the Raman-shifted light signal and processes the signal to thereby identify the composition of the sample.

Line-scan Raman imaging method and apparatus for sample evaluation

The variable thermodynamic Raman spectroscopy method and apparatus is a system for material analysis. In operation, a target material is subjected to a variable thermodynamic protocol and analyzed using a differential scanning calorimeter.

Variable thermodynamic raman spectroscopy system and method

The single-camera angled conveyance inspection method and apparatus includes upwardly and downwardly angled conveyance mechanisms positioned within an instantaneous field of view of a digital line scan camera. As a rotating object is moved over the conveyances by a helical guide, the camera obtains images of the object and communicates the images to a processor. The processor assembles a reflectance and fluorescence image of the object including detected defects and/or contamination on the outer surface of the object.

Single-camera angled conveyance imaging method and apparatus for whole-surface inspection of rotating objects

A histamine concentration level of a fish item is determined by illuminating the fish and analyzing the resulting spectral image data. Specifically, an algorithm is applied to the fish image data so that a histamine concentration value is calculated for every pixel of the fish image. A corresponding histamine concentration image of the fish is produced based on the collective histamine concentration values. The fish is accepted or rejected based on the collective histamine concentration values and/or the histamine concentration image. The histamine concentration image may be used to identify specific parts of a fish fillet that exceed (or do not exceed) a predetermined histamine concentration level.

Method of determining histamine concentration in fish

The single-camera multi-mirror imaging method and apparatus is an inspection system configured to examine a whole surface of a rotating object, preferably a spheroidal object such as a fruit or vegetable. The system includes a plurality of mirrors that direct an image of the inspected object into a digital line scan camera with an associated processor. The processor produces an image of the inspected object showing any detected surface defects and selected contamination on the outer surface of the object.

Single-camera multi-mirror imaging method and apparatus for whole-surface inspection of rotating objects

An imaging system containing an electron-multiplying charge-coupled device detector and line-scan spectrograph is used for identifying wholesome and unwholesome freshly slaughtered chicken carcasses on high-speed commercial chicken processing lines. Multispectral imaging algorithms allow for real-time online identification of wholesome and unwholesome chicken carcasses.

Method and system for wholesomeness inspection of freshly slaughtered chickens on a processing line

System and method for determining the presence of a contaminant in a sample using Raman spectroscopic data. The sample may be food or feed and the contaminant may be melamine. The sample is illuminated with substantially monochromatic light to produce Raman scattered photons. The Raman scattered photons are collected to generate Raman spectroscopic data. The Raman spectroscopic data may comprise at least one of a Raman spectrum and a spatially accurate wavelength resolved Raman image. The Raman spectroscopic data is analyzed to determine the presence or absence of a contaminant in a sample. The concentration of the contaminant in the sample can also be determined by using a ratio algorithm.

Systems and methods for detecting contaminants in a sample

The hand-held inspection tool enhances the ability of an on-site inspector to detect and communicate the presence of contamination on an object or in an area. An on-site inspector directs an excitation light in the sensing head of the tool into an area of interest. If the targeted contamination is present, the excitation light causes the contamination to emit fluorescence. The emitted fluorescent light passes through a narrow spectral band-pass video camera filter and is detected by a video camera mounted in the tool sensing head. The video camera transmits the image to a display visible to the on-site inspector. The invention also includes a means of recording, documenting, and wirelessly communicating the inspection process so that remotely located personnel can view the inspection, and respond to the inspection findings in real time.

Hand-held inspection tool and method

A hyperspectral reflectance and fluorescence line-scan imaging system is used for on-line quality and safety inspection of agricultural commodities. The system simultaneously acquires hyperspectral/multispectral combinations of both fluorescence and reflectance images of the agricultural commodities.

Growing community of inventors

Ellicott, MD, United States of America

Kuanglin Chao