A modular approach to real-time cork classification using image processing

This paper´s main purpose is to present an automatic vision assortment system for cork classification. Cork is a natural material that is used to seal wine bottles due to its reliability and its chemical and mechanic properties. A modular approach isolates the hard real-time sub problems. It includes some custom developed hardware and software. The developed and implemented system acquires images using a linear CCD camera, transmits that image over an Ethernet based network and processes that image to extract quantitative elements. This system can analyse and distinguish defects present on the surface of a cork-stopper and it is also possible to adapt it to other kinds of problems. The size, form and position of the defects are analysed and the stability of repeated measures is observed. This result allows us to validate the presented methodology