TECHNICAL FIELD
Present disclosure relates, in general, to the field of testing physical and/or chemical properties of
material. Particularly, but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to an apparatus for
5 classifying and grading a precious stone in jewelry article. Further, embodiments of the present
disclosure disclose a method of operating an apparatus for classifying and grading a precious stone
in jewelry article.
BACKGROUND OF DISCLOSURE
10
Generally, 4C’s (Cut, Color, Clarity, Carat) are intended to describe quality of optical permeable
material such as naturally and/or artificially synthesized minerals and stones, which provide
information about properties of such stones. Further, light performance of stones generally
signifies amount of light returned to the observer/customer. It mainly depends on 4C along with
15 additional parameters such as physical and/or chemical properties. In practice, the light
performance of the optical permeable material is assigned majorly by considering its cuts
proportions and to an extent of other 4C’s.
Furthermore, light being impinged on such material or stones plays a significant role in identifying
20 and inspecting properties and characteristics of such material. Some of the properties which are
exhibited by such material on illumination may include Brilliance, Fire (as in referred to reflection)
and Scintillation (as in referred to scattering). Conventionally, such properties of the material are
indicated to a consumer by a merchant by manually holding said article at different orientations to
the light. However, it may not be possible for the consumers to easily recognize and/or differentiate
25 as to such properties vary for comprehending value of the material/article. Moreover, the light
being incident on the material in a defined space may not be compatible to highlight each property,
due to which there would be a requirement of including a dedicated room with the light of
predefined wavelength. Such requirements may increase costs associated with operation and
handling of the material in a showroom or enterprise.
30
The present disclosure is directed to overcome one or more limitations stated above or any other
limitations associated with the known arts.
3
The drawbacks/difficulties/disadvantages/limitations of the conventional techniques explained in
the background section are just for exemplary purpose and the disclosure would never limit its
scope only such limitations. A person skilled in the art would understand that this disclosure and
below mentioned description may also solve other problems or overcome the other
5 drawbacks/disadvantages of the conventional arts which are not explicitly captured above.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
One or more shortcomings of the conventional arts are overcome, and additional advantages are
10 provided through an apparatus for classifying and grading a precious stone in jewelry article and
a method of operating an apparatus for classifying and grading a precious stone in jewelry article,
as disclosed in the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the
techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are
described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure.
15
In a non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, an apparatus for classifying, grading and comparing a precious stone in a plurality of jewelry articles is disclosed. The apparatus includes an enclosure and a base plate, where the base plate is disposable in the enclosure and configured to accommodate each of the plurality of the jewelry articles. Further, the apparatus includes an 20 image unit, where the image unit includes a plurality of lights. The plurality of lights are disposable in the enclosure and each of the plurality of lights are configured to be displaceable in at least one of x, y and z directions and revolve relative to each of the plurality of jewelry articles. Furthermore, the image unit includes an image capturing device, where the image capturing device is positioned relative to each of the plurality of jewelry articles in the enclosure, and configured to capture one 25 or more images of each of the plurality of jewelry articles. Further, the image unit includes a plurality of actuators, where the plurality of actuators are coupled to at least one of the base plate and the plurality of lights. Furthermore, each of the plurality of actuators are being configured to displace and orient at least one of the plurality of lights relative to the base plate. Further, the apparatus includes a display unit, where the display unit is configured to display one or more 30 images of each of the plurality of jewelry articles captured by the image capturing device. Additionally, the apparatus includes a control unit, where the control unit is communicatively coupled to the base plate, the image unit, and the display unit. The control unit configured to
4
determine the precious stone in each of the plurality of jewelry articles based on an input signal corresponding to each of the plurality of jewelry articles being positioned on the base plate. Further, the control unit is configured to analyze characteristics of the precious stone in each of the plurality of jewelry articles to be displayed, based on determined precious stone in each of the 5 plurality of jewelry articles. Furthermore, the control unit is configured to actuate the plurality of actuators to selectively displace at least one of the base plate or the image unit, in response to the characteristics of the determined precious stone in each of the plurality of jewelry articles. Further, the control unit is configured to operate at least one light of the plurality of lights in the image unit to emit one or more light intensities, to selectively illuminate the precious stone in each of the 10 plurality of jewelry articles. Furthermore, the control unit is configured to trigger the image capturing device to capture the one or more images of the precious stone in each of the plurality of jewelry articles corresponding to each intensity of light from the plurality of lights. Further, the control unit is configured to process the captured image from the precious stone of each of the plurality of jewelry articles, to produce images corresponding to each characteristic of the precious 15 stone analyzed. Additionally, the control unit is configured to display the captured images of the precious stone in each of the plurality of jewelry articles compared on the display unit.
In an embodiment, the apparatus includes a holder, detachably attachable to the base plate, where the holder being configured to receive and secure each of the plurality of jewelry articles at a 20 predefined position and orientation relative to the image unit.
In an embodiment, the control unit is configured to determine at least one of detachment and attachment of the holder with each of the plurality of jewelry articles, to selective displace the base plate or the plurality of lights of the image unit and orient each of the plurality of jewelry articles 25 at the predefined position and orientation relative to the image capturing device of the image unit. In an embodiment, the predefined position and orientation of each of the plurality of jewelry articles relative to the image unit is substantially about a vertical axis of the enclosure.
30 In an embodiment, the plurality of lights is configured to emit light intensities having at least one of diffused light, point light, or spotlight.
5
In an embodiment, the control unit is configured to analyze the characteristics to be at least one of brilliance, fire, and scintillation, based on the precious jewelry being determined.
In an embodiment, the control unit is configured to process the captured image from the precious 5 stone of the jewelry article, which includes morphing the captured image of the precious stone of the jewelry article, to retain portion of the precious stone in the morphed image and eliminate portion of the jewelry article. Further, binarizing the morphed image to depict the precious stone for each characteristic corresponding to each intensity of light from the plurality of lights, in response to alignment of the jewelry article at the predefined position and orientation relative to 10 the image unit.
In an embodiment, the control unit is configured to compare the captured images of the at least
two precious stones.
15 In another non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of operating an apparatus for classifying and grading a precious stone in jewelry article is disclosed. The method includes determining, by a control unit, the precious stone in the jewelry article based on an input signal corresponding to the jewelry article being positioned on the base plate. Further, the method includes analyzing, by the control unit, characteristics of the precious stone in the jewelry to be 20 displayed, based on determined precious stone in the jewelry. Furthermore, the method includes actuating, by the control unit, the plurality of actuators to selectively displace at least one of the base plate or the image unit, in response to the characteristics of the determined precious stone in the jewelry. Further, the method includes operating, by the control unit, at least one light of the plurality of lights in the image unit to emit one or more light intensities, to selectively illuminate 25 the precious stone in the jewelry article. Furthermore, the method includes triggering, by the control unit, the image capturing device to capture the one or more images of the precious stone in the jewelry article corresponding to each intensity of light from the plurality of lights. Further, the method includes processing, by the control unit, the captured image from the precious stone of the jewelry article, to produce images corresponding to each characteristic of the precious stone 30 analyzed. Additionally, the method includes displaying, by the control unit, the captured images of the precious stone in the jewelry article on a display unit.
6
In an embodiment, analyzing the characteristics of the precious stone in the jewelry, by the control unit, includes at least one of brilliance, fire, and scintillation, based on the determined precious stone in the jewelry.
5 In an embodiment, operating the at least one light of the plurality of lights to emit one or more light intensities, by the control unit, includes at least one of diffused light, point light, or spotlight. In an embodiment, processing of the captured image from the precious stone of the jewelry article, by the control unit includes morphing the captured image of the precious stone of the jewelry 10 article, to retain portion of the precious stone in the morphed image and eliminate portion of the jewelry article. Further, binarizing the morphed image to depict the precious stone for each characteristic corresponding to each intensity of light from the plurality of lights, in response to alignment of the jewelry article at the predefined position and orientation relative to the image unit.
15
In an embodiment, morphing the captured image, by the control unit, includes selectively blurring
components of the jewelry article from the precious stone.
In an embodiment, binarizing the morphed image, by the control unit, includes converting the
20 blurred components of the jewelry article from the precious stone to black, to differentiate the
precious stone from components of the jewelry article.
The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In
addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects,
25 embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following
detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
30 The novel features and characteristics of the disclosure are set forth in the appended claims. The
disclosure itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages
thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of an illustrative
embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying figures. One or more embodiments
7
are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures wherein
like reference numerals represent like elements and in which:
Figure. 1 illustrates a front view of an apparatus for classifying, grading and comparing a precious
5 stone in plurality of jewelry articles, in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
Figure. 2 illustrates a planar view of the apparatus for classifying, grading and comparing the
precious stone in each of the plurality of jewelry articles, in accordance with an embodiment of
the present disclosure.
10
Figure. 3 illustrates a display unit of the apparatus for classifying, grading and comparing the
precious stone in each of the plurality of jewelry articles, in accordance with an embodiment of
the present disclosure.
15 Figure. 4 illustrates a flow chart of a method of operating the apparatus for classifying, grading
and comparing the precious stone in each of the plurality of jewelry articles, in accordance with
an embodiment of the disclosure.
Figure. 5 illustrates a flow chart of grading light performance of the precious stone in each of the
20 plurality of jewelry articles, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.
Figure. 6a illustrates unprocessed captured images of the precious stone in each of the plurality of
jewelry articles, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.
25 Figure. 6b illustrates processed images of the precious stone in each of the plurality of jewelry
articles, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.
Figure. 7 illustrates brilliance of the precious stone in each of the plurality of jewelry articles, in
accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.
30
Figure. 8 illustrates fire of the precious stone in each of the plurality of jewelry articles, in
accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.
8
The figure depicts embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the
art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the
structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of
the disclosure described herein.
5
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
While the embodiments in the disclosure are subject to various modifications and alternative
forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the figures and will
10 be described below. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the disclosure
to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications,
equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the disclosure.
It is to be noted that a person skilled in the art would be motivated by the present disclosure and
15 modify various constructions and features of an apparatus for classifying, grading and comparing
a precious stone in a plurality of jewelry articles, and a method of operating the apparatus, without
departing from the scope of the disclosure. Therefore, such modifications are considered to be part
of the disclosure. Accordingly, the drawings show only those specific details that are pertinent to
understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with
20 details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the
description herein.
The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, or any other variations thereof used in the disclosure, are
intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a setup, system or the apparatus that
25 comprises a list of components does not include only those components, but may include other
components not expressly listed or inherent to such system or apparatus . In other words, one or
more elements in the system/apparatus proceeded by “comprises… a” does not, without more
constraints, preclude the existence of other elements or additional elements in the device.
30 Henceforth, the present disclosure is explained with the help of figures illustrating the apparatus
(100) for classifying, grading and comparing the precious stone in a plurality of jewelry articles
(101) and the method of operating the apparatus (100) has been described in detail. However, such
exemplary embodiments should not be construed as limitations of the present disclosure. A person
9
skilled in the art can envisage various such embodiments without deviating from the scope of the
present disclosure.
Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, as illustrated in the
5 accompanying drawings. The following paragraphs describe the present disclosure with reference
to Figure. 1 to Figure. 5.
In an embodiment, the reference to the term “article” of the present disclosure may be the precious stones or the precious stones in its mounted condition over the jewelry article which may be 10 including a ring, a pendant, chain, and among other jewelry articles that may be don by a user. Further, the precious stone may be naturally or artificially synthesized or machined stones including but not limited to diamond, ruby, amethyst, sapphire etc. Further, the precious stones may exhibit light performance (LP) when come in interaction with light, where such light performance is different from 4 C of classifying, grading or comparing such stones. i.e., the light 15 performance (LP) is different from color, carat, cut and clarity. The light performance may include brilliance, fire and scintillation which may be major attributes of the light performance corresponding to each precision stone of the jewelry article. In an embodiment, brilliance may be white light from the precious stone due to multiple internal reflections, giving more white appearance of the precious stone. Further, fire may be light dispersion that produces colorful 20 flashes of light in the precious stone, giving more vibrant and colorful appearance of the precious stone. Furthermore, scintillation may be the reflections from the precious stone from internal or external facets due to the motion of the precious stone or incident light, giving colorful flashes of the precious stone.
25 Figure. 1 and 2 illustrates the apparatus (100) for classifying and grading the precious stone in jewelry article (101). The apparatus (100) may include, but not limited to, an enclosure (10). The enclosure (10) may include, but not limited to, preventing light from entering the apparatus (100) from the surroundings and creating a dark space within the enclosure (10) of the apparatus (100) for improved light performance. Further, the apparatus (100) may include a base plate (20), where 30 the base plate (20) may be disposable in the enclosure (10) and configured to accommodate a plurality of jewelry articles (101). The base plate (20) may accommodate one or more jewelry articles (101), while Figures 1 and 2 depict side portion of the apparatus (100), from figures 6a-8
10
the base plate (20) being capable of accommodating two jewelry articles (101) for classification, comparison and grading. The term ‘jewelry article’ is to be read as “each of the plurality of jewelry articles” as the present disclosure also performs simultaneous comparison for grading and classification of the precious stones in each of said plurality of jewelry articles (101). In an 5 embodiment, the base plate (20) may include, but not limited to, a circular shape, a square shape and a polygon shape. In an embodiment, the base plate (20) may include but not limited to a jewelry pad or made up of cushion material and like.
Furthermore, the apparatus (100) may include, but not limited to, an image unit, where the image 10 unit may be disposable in the enclosure (10). Further, the image unit may include, but not limited to, a plurality of lights (30), where the plurality of lights (30) may be disposable in the enclosure (10). Furthermore, each of the plurality of lights (30) may be configured to be displaceable in at least one of x, y and z directions relative to the jewelry article (101) or the base plate (20) to ensure maximum light enters the precious stone and the least being reflected from the precious stone. In 15 an embodiment, the plurality of lights (30) may interact with the precious stone at multiple angles, such that the plurality of lights (30) may enter the precious stone, refract due to its optical properties, and reflect off internal surfaces of the precious stone, creating an aesthetic and pleasant visual effect of the precious stone to an observer by enhancing the light performance of the precious stone. Here, it is noted that the angle of incidence may be at an angle ranging from 0deg 20 to 30deg, while the refracted and reflected light from the precious stone so obtained is not specular reflection. In an embodiment the light performance attribute may include, but not limited to brilliance, fire and scintillation. Where the plurality of lights (30) may emit individual light or combination thereof to produce brilliance, fire and scintillation of the precious stone individually. Further, the light may refract and reflect depending on cut, shape, internal structure, refractive 25 index of the precious stone and like. In an embodiment, the plurality of lights (30) may be configured to emit light intensities of including but not limited to diffused light, point light and spotlight, while each of the light sources being a LED light sources. In an embodiment, the diffused light may produce the brilliance of the precious stone, the point light may bring out the fire of the precious stone, and the spotlight may enhance the scintillation of the precious stone. In an 30 embodiment, the source of the plurality of lights (30) may include, but not be limited to, a LED (light-emitting diode) light, a halogen light and a fluorescent light, where the LED light may be a
11
point light and utilized to bring out the fire of the precious stone. In an embodiment, the plurality of lights (30) may be arranged in concentric circles or stacked horizontally at a predefined height from the base plate (20) or base of the enclosure (10) or base platform.
5 Furthermore, the image unit may include an image capturing device (40). The image capturing device (40) may be positioned relative to the jewelry article (101) in the enclosure (10) and may be configured to capture one or more images of the jewelry article (101). In an embodiment, the image capturing device (40) may capture brilliance, fire and scintillation of the precious stone individually. In an embodiment, the image capturing device (40) may include, but not limited to, 10 a camera and a lens, where a high-resolution color camera with a higher bit depth of 12 or above may be utilized for capturing one or more images of the jewelry article (101). In an embodiment, the plurality of lights (30) and the image capturing device (40) may be operated manually or in auto mode. Additionally, the image unit may include a plurality of actuators. The plurality of actuators may be coupled to at least one of the base plate (20), the plurality of lights (30) and the 15 image capturing device (40). Further, each of the plurality of actuators may be configured to displace and orient at least one of the plurality of lights (30) and the image capturing device (40) relative to the base plate (20). In an embodiment, the plurality of actuators may be configured to displace the base plate (20) linearly between the inside of enclosure (10) and outside of the enclosure (10) to load and unload the one or more jewelry articles (101) in the base plate (20). In 20 an embodiment, the predefined position and orientation of the jewelry article (101) relative to the image unit may include but not limited to substantially, about a vertical axis of the enclosure (10). In an embodiment, the enclosure (10) may protect the image unit and the article (101).
Furthermore, the apparatus (100) may include a display unit (50) [as seen in Figure. 3]. Further, 25 the display unit (50) may be configured to display one or more images of the precious stones in each of the jewelry article (101) captured by the image capturing device (40) for comparing. In an embodiment, the captured images may be live streamed through including, but not limited to, HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface), TAB or tablet screen, mobile screen, monitor of a computing device, and like. In an embodiment, the captured images may be brilliance, fire and 30 scintillation of the precious stone. In an embodiment, the display unit (50) may include various buttons to operate the apparatus (100) based on the user’s need and requirements including, but not limited to, opening and closing a door of the apparatus (100), selecting the precious stones in
12
jewelry article (101) to view their light performance, and selecting the light performance attributes of the precious stone such as brilliance, fire and scintillation to be displayed on the display unit (50).
5 Additionally, the apparatus (100) may include a control unit (60). The control unit (60) may include one or more specialized processing units. The processor unit may be including, but not limited to, X86-based processor, a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), a Reduced Instruction Set Computing (RISC) processor, an Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) processor, a Complex Instruction Set Computing (CISC) processor, a microcontroller, a central processing unit 10 (CPU), and/or other processors. Further, the control unit (60) may be communicatively coupled to the base plate (20), the image unit, the plurality of actuators and the display unit (50). The control unit (60) may be configured to determine the precious stone in the jewelry article (101) based on an input signal corresponding to the jewelry article (101) being positioned on the base plate (20). In an embodiment, the control unit (60) may receive an input signal through the display unit (50). 15 Further, the control unit (60) may be configured to analyze characteristics of the precious stone in the jewelry to be displayed, based on the determined precious stone in the jewelry. In an embodiment, the characteristics of the precious stone may be including but not limited to brilliance, fire and scintillation. Furthermore, the control unit (60) may be configured to actuate, the plurality of actuators to selectively displace at least one of the base plate (20) or the image unit, 20 in response to the characteristics of the determined precious stone in the jewelry. Further, the control unit (60) may be configured to operate at least one light of the plurality of lights (30) in the image unit to emit one or more light intensities, to selectively illuminate the precious stone in the jewelry article (101). In an embodiment, the plurality of lights (30) emitting one or more light intensities may be including but not limited to diffused light, point light and spotlight. Furthermore, 25 the control unit (60) may be configured to trigger the image capturing device (40) to capture the one or more images of the precious stone in the jewelry article (101) corresponding to each intensity of light from the plurality of lights (30). The captured images may be brilliance, fire and scintillation of the precious stone.
30 Further, the control unit (60) may be configured to process the captured image from the precious stone of the jewelry article (101), to produce images corresponding to each characteristic of the precious stone analyzed. In an embodiment, processing of the captured image may include, but not
13
limited to, morphing the captured image of the precious stone of the jewelry article (101), to retain portion of the precious stone in the morphed image and eliminate portion of the jewelry article (101). In an embodiment, the morphing may include but not limited to selectively blurring components of the jewelry article (101) from the precious stone. Further, processing of the 5 captured image may include, but not limited to, binarizing the morphed image to depict the precious stone for each characteristic corresponding to each intensity of light from the plurality of lights (30), in response to alignment of the jewelry article (101) at the predefined position and orientation relative to the image unit. In an embodiment, the binarizing may include, but not limited to, converting the blurred components of the jewelry article (101) from the precious stone to black, 10 to differentiate the precious stone from components of the jewelry article (101). In an embodiment, the captured images of the precious stone as seen in figure. 6a may have appearance of reflections from a gold surface of the jewelry article (101). Further, the reflections from the gold surface of the jewelry article (101) may be eliminated after processing the captured images by the control unit (60) as seen in figure. 6b. Additionally, the control unit (60) may be configured to display the 15 captured images of the precious stone in the jewelry article (101) on the display unit (50). In an embodiment, the captured images of the precious stone in the jewelry article (101) may include illumination from the precious stone, where the illumination may be brilliance, fire and scintillation. In an embodiment, the control unit (60) may be configured to compare the captured images of the at least two precious stones on the display unit (50), where the light performance of 20 the at least two precious stones may be displayed on the display unit (50) and may be compared with each other.
In an embodiment, the control unit (60) may operate the base plate (20) where the base plate (20) may be accommodated with the precious stone, to displace, such that the precious stone may be in 25 motion within the enclosure (10). Due to which, when the precious stone interacts with including but not limited to spotlight or highly concentrated intense beam light, creates or enhances the scintillation of the precious stone.
In an embodiment, the apparatus (100) may include but not limited to a holder, detachably 30 attachable to the base plate (20), wherein the holder being configured to receive and secure the jewelry article (101) at a predefined position and orientation relative to the image unit. In an embodiment, the control unit (60) may be configured to determine at least one of detachment and
14
attachment of the holder with the jewelry article (101), to selectively displace the base plate (20) and orient the jewelry article (101) at the predefined position and orientation relative to the image unit.
5 Figure. 4 illustrates a method of operating the apparatus (100) for classifying and grading a precious stone in jewelry article (101). The apparatus (100) or machine may include a power ON button. In an embodiment, the power ON button may be pressed to operate the apparatus (100). Further, an open-door button may be pressed on the display unit (50) or the user interface screen to automatically open the door of the apparatus (100). Furthermore, the control unit (60) may 10 actuate the plurality of actuators to displace the base plate (20) linearly outside the enclosure (10), such that the base plate (20) may be loaded or accommodate the at least one of jewelry article (101) or jewelry product. In an embodiment, the base plate (20) may include at least one holder, where the at least one holder may be configured to receive and secure the one or more jewelry article (101). Further, the control unit (60) may actuate the plurality of actuators to displace the 15 base plate (20) inside the enclosure (10). Furthermore, a close-door button may be pressed on the display unit (50) or the user interface screen to automatically close the door. Further, the one or more jewelry articles (101) accommodated on the base plate (20) may be selected on the display unit (50). Furthermore, the control unit (60) may determine the precious stone in the jewelry article (101) based on the input signal corresponding to the jewelry article (101) being positioned or 20 accommodated on the base plate (20).
Further, a plurality of environments or characteristics of the determined precious stone in jewelry article (101) may be selected on the display unit (50) or the user interface, where the plurality of environments or characteristics of the precious stone in jewelry article (101) may include but not 25 limited to brilliance, fire and scintillation. Further, the control unit (60) may operate the plurality of actuators to displace and orient the image unit relative to the determined precious stone in jewelry article (101) on the base plate (20) based on the selected plurality of environment or the characteristic of the precious stone. In an embodiment, the control unit (60) may actuate the plurality of actuators to displace the plurality of lights (30) and image capturing device (40) relative 30 to the determined precious stone in jewelry article (101). Furthermore, the control unit (60) may operate the plurality of lights (30) to emit one or more intensities of the plurality of lights (30) based on the selected plurality of environments or the characteristics. Further, the control unit (60)
15
may operate the image capturing device (40) to capture images of the illumination from the determined precious stone in jewelry article (101). In an embodiment, the captured images of the illumination from the determined precious stone in jewelry article (101) maybe including but not limited brilliance, fire and scintillation. Further, the control unit (60) may process the captured 5 images by morphing and binarizing steps to differentiate the precious stone from the components of the jewelry article (101) and eliminate the components of the jewelry article (101). Additionally, the processed images from the selected one or more jewelry articles (101) may be displayed on the display unit (50). In an embodiment, the processed images of one or more jewelry article (101) may be recorded.
10
Figure. 5 illustrates grading the precious stone in jewelry article (101). In an embodiment, a light performance grade button or option may be selected on the display unit (50) for the determined precious stone in jewelry article (101). Further, the control unit (60) may operate the base plate (20) and the image unit to capture the illumination from the precious stone in jewelry article (101), 15 where the illumination from the precious stone may include brilliance, fire and scintillation. Furthermore, the control unit (60) may process the captured illumination from the precious stone in jewelry article (101) to highlight the precious stone and segment the precious stone from the jewelry article (101) or product. Further, the control unit (60) may include a database of several verities of precious stones regarding their light performance and this database may be utilized to 20 grade the determined precious stone. In an embodiment, the control unit (60) may grade the determined precious stone with brilliance value, fire value and scintillation value, individually, and may further combine all the values together to grade the overall light performance of the determined precious stone. Further, the control unit (60) may generate a light performance grading report of the determined precious stone.
25
In an embodiment, the apparatus (100) for classifying and grading the precious stone in jewelry
article (101) in the present disclosure, includes but not limited to the enclosure (10) protecting the
precious stone and the image unit, blocking light from entering the apparatus and creating dark
space within the enclosure for the better light performance of the precious stone. Further, the
30 plurality of lights (30) with one or more intensities interacts with precious stone. Such that the
light performance attributes of the precious stone including but not limited to brilliance, fire and
scintillation are captured or demonstrated individually or separately, on the display unit (50).
16
Furthermore, the holder in the present disclosure ensures the light performance of the precious
stone is not affected due to the mounted condition of the precious stone in jewelry article (101).

Further, the control unit (60) may process the captured images of the precious stone by morphing
5 and binarizing to differentiate the precious stone from the components of the jewelry article (101)
and eliminate the components of the jewelry article (101). Furthermore, the light performance of
the two or more precious stones may be displayed on the display unit (50) and compared with each
other. In an embodiment, brilliance of two precious stones may be displayed on the display unit
(50) and may be compared with each other as seen in figure. 7. In an embodiment, fire of two
10 precious stones may be displayed on the display unit (50) and may be compared with each other
as seen in figure. 8. Additionally, the apparatus (100) disclosed in the present disclosure is
aesthetically well designed with lightweight and easy mobility. The apparatus (100) may be
utilized in boutiques and other jewelry stores to demonstrate the light performance of the precious
stones to customers.
15
Equivalents:
With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill
in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is
appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be
20 expressly set forth herein for the sake of clarity.
It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in
the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms
(e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term
“having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as
25 “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a
specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly
recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation, no such intent is present. For example,
as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory
phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such
30 phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite
articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to
17
inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory
phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or
“an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true
for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific
5 number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize
that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the
bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two
recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention
analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general, such construction is intended
10 in a sense that one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having
at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone,
C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.).
In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in
general, such construction is intended in a sense that one having skill in the art would understand
15 the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited
to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C
together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art
that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether
in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of
20 including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B”
will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”
In addition, where features or aspects of the disclosure are described in terms of Markush groups,
those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure is also thereby described in terms of any
individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group.
25 While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and
embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments
disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true
scope being indicated by the following claims.
18
Referral Numerals:
Reference Number Description
100 Apparatus
101 Jewelry article
10 Enclosure
20 Base plate
30 Plurality of lights
40 Image capturing device
50 Display unit
60 Control unit
19
We claim:
1. An apparatus (100) for classifying, grading and comparing precious stone in jewelry articles (101), the apparatus (100) comprising:
5 an enclosure (10);
a base plate (20), disposable in the enclosure (10) and configured to accommodate a plurality of jewelry articles (101);
an image unit, comprising:
a plurality of lights (30), disposable in the enclosure (10), each of the 10 plurality of lights (30) configured to be displaceable in at least one of x, y and z directions and revolve relative to the plurality of jewelry articles (101) on the base plate (20);
an image capturing device (40), positioned relative to the plurality of jewelry articles (101) in the enclosure (10), and configured to capture one or more 15 images of each of the plurality of jewelry articles (101); and
a plurality of actuators, coupled to at least one of the base plate (20), the image capturing device (40), and the plurality of lights (30), each of the plurality of actuators being configured to displace and orient at least one of the plurality of lights (30) relative to the base plate (20);
20 a display unit (50), configured to display one or more images of the plurality of jewelry articles (101) captured by the image capturing device (40); and
a control unit (60), communicatively coupled to the base plate (20), the image unit, and the display unit (50), wherein the control unit (60) configured to:
determine, the precious stone in each of the plurality of jewelry articles 25 (101) based on an input signal corresponding to the plurality of jewelry articles (101) being positioned on the base plate (20);
analyze, characteristics of the precious stone in each of the plurality of jewelry articles (101) to be displayed, based on determined precious stone in each of the plurality of jewelry articles (101);
20
actuate, the plurality of actuators to selectively displace at least one light of the plurality of lights (30) in the image unit, in response to the characteristics of the determined precious stone in each of the plurality of jewelry articles (101);
operate, at least one light of the plurality of lights (30) of the image unit to 5 emit one or more light intensities, to selectively illuminate the precious stone in each of the jewelry articles (101);
trigger, the image capturing device (40) to simultaneously capture the one or more images of the precious stone in each of the plurality of jewelry articles (101) corresponding to each intensity of light from the plurality of lights (30);
10 process, the captured image from the precious stone of each of the plurality of jewelry articles (101), to produce images corresponding to each characteristic of the precious stone analyzed; and
display, the captured images of the precious stone in each of the plurality of jewelry article (101) to be compared on the display unit (50).
15
2. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprises a holder, detachably attachable to the base plate (20), wherein the holder being configured to receive and secure each of the plurality of jewelry articles (101) at a predefined position and orientation relative to the image unit.
20
3. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the control unit (60) is configured to determine at least one of detachment and attachment of the holder securing at least one of the plurality of jewelry articles (101), to selective displace the base plate (20) and orient each of the plurality of jewelry articles (101) at the predefined position and orientation 25 relative to the image unit.
4. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein the predefined position and orientation of each of the plurality of jewelry articles (101) relative to the image unit is substantially about a vertical axis of the enclosure (10).
30
5. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of lights (30) is configured to emit light intensities having at least one of diffused light, point light, or spotlight.
21
6. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit (60) is configured to analyze the characteristics to be at least one of brilliance, fire, and scintillation, based on the precious stone in each of the plurality of jewelry articles (101) being determined.
5
7. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit (60) is configured to process the captured image from the precious stone of each of the plurality of jewelry articles (101) comprises:
morphing the captured image of the precious stone of each of the plurality of jewelry
10 articles (101), to retain portion of the precious stone in the morphed image and eliminate
portion of each of the plurality of jewelry articles (101); and
binarizing the morphed image to depict the precious stone for each characteristic
corresponding to each intensity of light from the plurality of lights (30), in response to
alignment of each of the plurality of jewelry articles (101) at the predefined position and
15 orientation relative to the image unit.

8. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control unit (60) is configured to
compare the captured images of the at least two precious stones.
20 9. A method of operating an apparatus (100) for classifying, grading and comparing a precious stone in a plurality of jewelry articles (101), wherein the apparatus (100) comprising a base plate (20) disposable in an enclosure (10) is configured to accommodate each of the plurality of jewelry articles (101), and a plurality of actuators coupled to at least one of the base plate (20), and an image unit configured to capture one or more images of 25 each of the plurality of jewelry articles (101), the method comprising:
determining, by a control unit (60), the precious stone in each of the plurality of jewelry articles (101) based on an input signal corresponding to each of the plurality of jewelry articles (101) being positioned on the base plate (20);
analyzing, by the control unit (60), characteristics of the precious stone in each of 30 the plurality of jewelry articles (101) to be displayed, based on determined precious stone in each of the plurality of jewelry articles (101);
22
actuating, by the control unit (60), the plurality of actuators to selectively displace the image unit, in response to the characteristics of the determined precious stone in each of the plurality of jewelry articles (101);
operating, by the control unit (60), at least one light of the plurality of lights (30) in 5 the image unit to emit one or more light intensities, to selectively illuminate the precious stone in each of the plurality of jewelry articles (101);
triggering, by the control unit (60), the image capturing device (40) to capture the one or more images of the precious stone in each of the plurality of jewelry articles (101) corresponding to each intensity of light from the plurality of lights (30);
10 processing, by the control unit (60), the captured image from the precious stone of each of the plurality of the jewelry articles (101), to produce images corresponding to each characteristic of the precious stone analyzed in each of the plurality of jewelry articles (101);
displaying, by the control unit (60), the captured images of the precious stone in the 15 each of the plurality of jewelry articles (101) to be compared on a display unit (50). 10. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein analyzing characteristics of the precious stone in the plurality of jewelry articles (101), by the control unit (60), includes at least one of brilliance, fire, and scintillation, based on the determined precious stone.
20
11. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein operating the at least one light of plurality of lights (30) to emit one or more light intensities, by the control unit (60), includes at least one of diffused light, point light, or spotlight.
25 12. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein processing of the captured image from the precious stone of each of the plurality of jewelry articles (101), by the control unit (60) comprises:
morphing the captured image of the precious stone of each of the plurality of
jewelry articles (101), to retain portion of the precious stone in the morphed image and
30 eliminate portion of each of the plurality of jewelry articles (101); and
binarizing the morphed image to depict the precious stone for each characteristic
corresponding to each intensity of light from the plurality of lights (30), in response to
23
alignment of each of the plurality of jewelry articles (101) at the predefined position and
orientation relative to the image unit.
13. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein morphing the captured image, by the control
5 unit (60), includes selectively blurring components of each of the plurality of jewelry
articles (101) from the precious stone.
14. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein binarizing the morphed image, by the control
unit (60), includes converting the blurred components of each of the plurality of jewelry
10 articles (101) from the precious stone to black, to differentiate the precious stone from
components of each of the jewelry articles (101)