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Sony patents camera system that tells glass from plastic

Sony has filed a patent for a device that takes multiple photos of an object using light with different polarizations. It analyzes these images to calculate a specific light property, which allows the system to distinguish whether the object is made of glass or PET plastic.

Why it mattersThis could help automated sorting systems or quality control tools identify materials without touching them, improving efficiency in manufacturing or recycling.

In the filing’s own words

According to embodiments of the disclosure, there is provided a device comprising: processing circuitry configured to: receive a plurality of polarised light images of an object made at least in part from a polarising material, the polarising material being glass or PET plastic, wherein each of the plurality of polarised light images has a different polarisation; calculate a degree of polarisation associated with the object based on the plurality of polarised light images; determine, based on the degree of polarisation, whether the polarising material is glass or PET plastic; and output a control signal indicating the result of the determination.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. A device comprising processing circuitry configured to: receive a plurality of polarised light images of an object made at least in part from a polarising material, the polarising material being glass or PET plastic, wherein each of the plurality of polarised light images has a different polarisation; calculate a degree of polarisation associated with the object based on the plurality of polarised light images; determine, based on the degree of polarisation, whether the polarising material is glass or PET plastic; and output a control signal indicating the result of the determination.

Facts

Company
Sony (Sony Group Corporation)
Official title
A DEVICE, SYSTEM, COMPUTER PROGRAM AND METHOD FOR OUTPUTTING A CONTROL SIGNAL
Publication number
US20260279076A1
Application number
19167864
Filed
Mar 1, 2024
Published
Sep 17, 2026
Inventors
1
Claims
12

Classified under

G06V 20/60 Physics & computingG06V 10/25 Physics & computingG06V 10/44 Physics & computingG06V 10/60 Physics & computingG06V 2201/06 Physics & computing

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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.