Claims:1. A system (100) for grading and selectively discharging agricultural product items received on a conveyor (204), said system (100) comprising:
one or more sensors (102, 106) configured to sense each of said agricultural product items received on the conveyor (204) to obtain information associated with each of said agricultural product items;
a grader (104) operatively coupled with said one or more sensor (102, 106), said grader (104) comprising one or more holder units (202) provided on the conveyor (204), wherein each of said one or more holder units (202) are operatively connected to one or more actuating means (206); and
one or more processors coupled to said grader (104), said one or more sensors (102, 106) and said one or more actuating means (206), and operable to process the obtained information associated with each of said agricultural product items, wherein said one or more actuating means (206) are configured to actuate, based on the processed information associated with each of said agricultural product items, a tilting action of at least holder unit selected from said one or more holder units (202) for selectively discharging at least one item from said agricultural product items received on said at least holder unit to thereby grade agricultural product items.
2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said agricultural product items comprise any one or combination of a spherical agricultural product, a non-spherical agricultural product, fruits or vegetables.
3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said grader (104) is configured to grade said agricultural product items, based on at least one criteria selected from said obtained information associated with each of said agricultural product items and one or more pre-defined grading parameters, wherein said obtained information and said pre-defined grading parameters comprise data related to one or more characteristics selected from the group consisting of size, quality, shape, weight, defects, ripeness and colour.
4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said one or more holder units (202) are cup-shaped units, wherein each cup-shaped unit defines a curvature having an indentation at the centre on upper surface, wherein each of said agricultural product items is accommodated in at least holder unit selected from said one or more holder units (202).
5. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said one or more sensors (102, 106) is any or a combination of a weight sensor, a camera sensor, an infra-red sensor or an optical fibre sensor, or wherein said sensor (106) is a visual camera, configured to obtain said information associated with each of the agricultural product items, in form of one or more visual images.
6. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the system (100) further comprising: at least one computing device operatively connected to said one or more processors, wherein said at least one computing device having one or more control panels (108) to control one or more operating parameters of said system (100).
7. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said actuating means (206) is any or a combination of a solenoid actuator or a pneumatic actuator.
8. A method for grading and selectively discharging agricultural product items received on a conveyor (204), said method comprising the steps of:
sensing, using one or more sensors (102, 106), each of said agricultural product items received on the conveyor (204) to obtain information associated with each of said agricultural product items;
processing, using one or more processors, said obtained information associated with each of said agricultural product items; and
actuating, based on the processed information associated with each of said agricultural product items, using one or more actuating means (206), a tilting action of at least holder unit selected from said one or more holder units (202) provided on the conveyor (204), for selectively discharging at least one item from said agricultural product items received on said at least holder unit to thereby grade agricultural product items.
9. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein said sensing comprises visually sensing, using said one or more sensors (102, 106), each of said agricultural product items to obtain said information associated with each of said agricultural product items, in form of one or more visual images.
10. The method as claimed in claim 8, wherein said method further comprises a step of: sending said obtained information associated with each of said agricultural product items, to a user by real-time transmission, wherein said obtained information associated with each of said agricultural product items, is provided for market linkage application.
, Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of agricultural products. More particularly, it pertains to a system and method for grading and selectively discharging agricultural products, with effective market linkage.

BACKGROUND
[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[0003] Agricultural products are usually produced in huge quantities wherein the characteristics of such products including quality, size, ripeness, defects, and the like, may vary for each produce. Such products having variation in characteristics are typically sorted or graded either manually or by use of an equipment, to segregate the best and average batches of products. The manual grading not only requires manpower, but is laborious and slow process.
[0004] The grading achieved by means of machines, is usually done by using an equipment having conveyor and grading cups that separate products of different grade. However, the existing systems for grading are limited to grading of only one type or shape of products. For example, the grading machines that can grade spherical produce, cannot be used for elongated fruits or vegetables and vice versa. The cups or holding units of the conventional grading systems also can discharge only one type or shape of produce, thus limiting the versatility of such machines, and restricting its usage to a particular harvesting season, thereby leading to increase in overall cost of the process.
[0005] Further, the conventional grading systems collect data related to products, only for the purpose of report generation with no additional benefits derived from such data. Thus, such systems have restricted scope for any effective interaction with the external markets.
[0006] Hence, there is a need in the art, for a system and method for grading and selectively discharging agricultural products of different variety and characteristics, with better scope for effective market linkage.
[0007] In some embodiments, the numerical parameters set forth in the written description and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by a particular embodiment. In some embodiments, the numerical parameters should be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of some embodiments of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as practicable. The numerical values presented in some embodiments of the invention may contain certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements.
[0008] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0009] The recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g. “such as”) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.
[0010] Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all groups used in the appended claims.

OBJECTS
[0011] A general object of the present disclosure is to provide a system and method for grading and selectively discharging agricultural products.
[0012] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a single system for grading and selectively discharging agricultural products of various sizes, shapes and other characteristics.
[0013] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a system and method for grading and selectively discharging agricultural products that supports effective market linkage.

SUMMARY
[0014] The present disclosure relates to a system and method for grading and selectively discharging agricultural product items, with effective market linkage.
[0015] In an aspect, the present disclosure pertains to a system for grading and selectively discharging agricultural product items. The system including one or more sensors, a grader operatively coupled with the one or more sensors, and one or more processors coupled to the grader, the one or more sensors and one or more actuating means. The one or more sensors may be configured to sense each of the agricultural product items received on the conveyor, to obtain information associated with each of the agricultural product items. The grader can include one or more holder units provided on the conveyor, wherein each of the one or more holder units can be operatively connected to the one or more actuating means. The processor may be operable to process the obtained information associated with each of the agricultural product items, wherein the one or more actuating means can be configured to actuate, based on the processed information associated with each of the agricultural product items, a tilting action of at least holder unit selected from the one or more holder units for selectively discharging at least one item from the agricultural product items received on the at least holder unit to thereby grade agricultural product items.
[0016] The agricultural product items can comprise any one or combination of a spherical agricultural product, a non-spherical agricultural product, fruits or vegetables.
[0017] In an embodiment, the one or more holder units may be cup-shaped units, wherein each cup-shaped unit may define a curvature having an indentation at the centre on upper surface, wherein each of the agricultural product items may be accommodated in at least holder unit selected from the one or more holder units.
[0018] In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for grading and selectively discharging agricultural product items received on a conveyor. The method including the steps of sensing, using one or more sensors, each of the agricultural product items received on the conveyor to obtain information associated with each of the agricultural product items, processing, using one or more processors, the obtained information associated with each of the agricultural product items; and actuating, based on the processed information associated with each of the agricultural product items, using one or more actuating means, a tilting action of at least holder unit selected from the one or more holder units provided on the conveyor, for selectively discharging at least one item from the agricultural product items received on the at least holder unit to thereby grade agricultural product items.
[0019] In an embodiment, the method can further include a step of sending the obtained information associated with each of the agricultural product items, to a user by real-time transmission, wherein the obtained information associated with each of the agricultural product items, can be provided for market linkage application.
[0020] Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.
[0022] The diagrams are for illustration only, which thus is not a limitation of the present disclosure, and wherein:
[0023] FIG. 1 illustrates an overview of a system (100) for grading and selectively discharging agricultural product items, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0024] FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of an exemplary embodiment of the system (100) for grading and selectively discharging agricultural product items, in accordance with the present disclosure.
[0025] FIG. 3A illustrates a side view of a holder unit (202), in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0026] FIG. 3B illustrates an isometric view of the holder unit (202), in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0027] FIG. 4 illustrates a holder unit (202) provided with an actuating means (206), in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0028] FIG. 5A illustrates a working example of the system (100), for grading and selectively discharging spherical agricultural products (210a), in accordance with one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0029] FIG. 5B illustrates a working example of the system (100), for grading and selectively discharging non-spherical agricultural products (210b), in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0030] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0031] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present invention. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without some of these specific details.
[0032] Embodiments of the present invention include various steps, which will be described below. The steps may be performed by hardware components or may be embodied in machine-executable instructions, which may be used to cause a general-purpose or special-purpose processor programmed with the instructions to perform the steps. Alternatively, steps may be performed by a combination of hardware, software, and firmware and/or by human operators.
[0033] Various methods described herein may be practiced by combining one or more machine-readable storage media containing the code according to the present invention with appropriate standard computer hardware to execute the code contained therein. An apparatus for practicing various embodiments of the present invention may involve one or more computers (or one or more processors within a single computer) and storage systems containing or having network access to computer program(s) coded in accordance with various methods described herein, and the method steps of the invention could be accomplished by modules, routines, subroutines, or subparts of a computer program product.
[0034] If the specification states a component or feature “may”, “can”, “could”, or “might” be included or have a characteristic, that particular component or feature is not required to be included or have the characteristic.
[0035] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0036] Exemplary embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments are shown. These exemplary embodiments are provided only for illustrative purposes and so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those of ordinary skill in the art. The invention disclosed may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Various modifications will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the art. The general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Moreover, all statements herein reciting embodiments of the invention, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass both structural and functional equivalents thereof. Additionally, it is intended that such equivalents include both currently known equivalents as well as equivalents developed in the future (i.e., any elements developed that perform the same function, regardless of structure). Also, the terminology and phraseology used is for the purpose of describing exemplary embodiments and should not be considered limiting. Thus, the present invention is to be accorded the widest scope encompassing numerous alternatives, modifications and equivalents consistent with the principles and features disclosed. For purpose of clarity, details relating to technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the invention have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention.
[0037] Thus, for example, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the diagrams, schematics, illustrations, and the like represent conceptual views or processes illustrating systems and methods embodying this invention. The functions of the various elements shown in the figures may be provided through the use of dedicated hardware as well as hardware capable of executing associated software. Similarly, any switches shown in the figures are conceptual only. Their function may be carried out through the operation of program logic, through dedicated logic, through the interaction of program control and dedicated logic, or even manually, the particular technique being selectable by the entity implementing this invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art further understand that the exemplary hardware, software, processes, methods, and/or operating systems described herein are for illustrative purposes and, thus, are not intended to be limited to any particular named element.
[0038] The ensuing description provides exemplary embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the disclosure. Rather, the ensuing description of the exemplary embodiments will provide those skilled in the art with an enabling description for implementing an exemplary embodiment. It should be understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as set forth in the appended claims.
[0039] Specific details are given in the following description to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. However, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. For example, circuits, systems, networks, processes, and other components may be shown as components in block diagram form in order not to obscure the embodiments in unnecessary detail. In other instances, well-known circuits, processes, algorithms, structures, and techniques may be shown without unnecessary detail in order to avoid obscuring the embodiments.
[0040] Embodiments of the present invention may be provided as a computer program product, which may include a machine-readable storage medium tangibly embodying thereon instructions, which may be used to program a computer (or other electronic devices) to perform a process. The term “machine-readable storage medium” or “computer-readable storage medium” includes, but is not limited to, fixed (hard) drives, magnetic tape, floppy diskettes, optical disks, compact disc read-only memories (CD-ROMs), and magneto-optical disks, semiconductor memories, such as ROMs, PROMs, random access memories (RAMs), programmable read-only memories (PROMs), erasable PROMs (EPROMs), electrically erasable PROMs (EEPROMs), flash memory, magnetic or optical cards, or other type of media/machine-readable medium suitable for storing electronic instructions (e.g., computer programming code, such as software or firmware).A machine-readable medium may include a non-transitory medium in which data can be stored and that does not include carrier waves and/or transitory electronic signals propagating wirelessly or over wired connections. Examples of a non-transitory medium may include, but are not limited to, a magnetic disk or tape, optical storage media such as compact disk (CD) or digital versatile disk (DVD), flash memory, memory or memory devices. A computer-program product may include code and/or machine-executable instructions that may represent a procedure, a function, a subprogram, a program, a routine, a subroutine, a module, a software package, a class, or any combination of instructions, data structures, or program statements. A code segment may be coupled to another code segment or a hardware circuit by passing and/or receiving information, data, arguments, parameters, or memory contents. Information, arguments, parameters, data, etc. may be passed, forwarded, or transmitted via any suitable means including memory sharing, message passing, token passing, network transmission, etc.
[0041] Furthermore, embodiments may be implemented by hardware, software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description languages, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, firmware, middleware or microcode, the program code or code segments to perform the necessary tasks (e.g., a computer-program product) may be stored in a machine-readable medium. A processor(s) may perform the necessary tasks.
[0042] Systems depicted in some of the figures may be provided in various configurations. In some embodiments, the systems may be configured as a distributed system where one or more components of the system are distributed across one or more networks in a cloud computing system.
[0043] Each of the appended claims defines a separate invention, which for infringement purposes is recognized as including equivalents to the various elements or limitations specified in the claims. Depending on the context, all references below to the "invention" may in some cases refer to certain specific embodiments only. In other cases it will be recognized that references to the "invention" will refer to subject matter recited in one or more, but not necessarily all, of the claims.
[0044] All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.
[0045] Various terms as used herein are shown below. To the extent a term used in a claim is not defined below, it should be given the broadest definition persons in the pertinent art have given that term as reflected in printed publications and issued patents at the time of filing.
[0046] The present disclosure relates to a system and method for grading and selectively discharging agricultural product items, with effective market linkage.
[0047] In an aspect, the present disclosure a system for grading and selectively discharging agricultural product items. The system including one or more sensors, a grader operatively coupled with the one or more sensors, and one or more processors coupled to the grader, the one or more sensors and the one or more actuating means. The one or more sensors may be configured to sense each of the agricultural product items received on the conveyor, to obtain information associated with each of the agricultural product items. The grader can include one or more holder units provided on the conveyor, wherein each of the one or more holder units can be operatively connected to one or more actuating means. The processor may be operable to process the obtained information associated with each of the agricultural product items, wherein the one or more actuating means can be configured to actuate, based on the processed information associated with each of the agricultural product items, a tilting action of at least holder unit selected from the one or more holder units for selectively discharging at least one item from the agricultural product items received on the at least holder unit to thereby grade agricultural product items.
[0048] The agricultural product items can comprise any one or combination of a spherical agricultural product, a non-spherical agricultural product, fruits or vegetables.
[0049] Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like features.
[0050] FIG.1, illustrates an overview of the system (100) for grading and selectively discharging agricultural product items, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 illustrates a top view of an exemplary embodiment of the system (100) for grading and selectively discharging agricultural product items, in accordance with the present disclosure.
[0051] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the system (100) can include one or more sensors (102, 106) configured to sense each of the agricultural product items received on the conveyor (204) to obtain information associated with each of the agricultural product items; a grader (104) operatively coupled with the one or more sensor (102, 106), to grade each of the agricultural product items received on the conveyor (204), the grader (104) including one or more holder units (202) provided on the conveyor (204), wherein each of the one or more holder units (202) can be operatively connected to one or more actuating means (206); and one or more processors which can be coupled to the grader (104), the one or more sensors (102, 106) and the one or more actuating means (206), and operable to process the obtained information associated with each of the agricultural product items, wherein the one or more actuating means (206) can be configured to actuate, based on the processed information associated with each of the agricultural product items, a tilting action of at least holder unit selected from the one or more holder units (202) for selectively discharging at least one item from the agricultural product items received on the at least holder unit to thereby grade agricultural product items.
[0052] In a typical system, the agricultural product items are passed through a hopper to various processing units for washing, drying, waxing and the like, before passing them onto a singulation unit, which presents the items singularly for any grading procedures. The grading and selective discharging of such agricultural product items are done to segregate them based on several criteria and/or quality parameters.
[0053] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the agricultural product items from a singulation unit (140) enters the system (100) on conveyor (204), as items presented in a row. The one or more sensors (102, 106) are configured to sense each of the agricultural product items, received on the conveyor (204), from the singulation unit (140), to obtain the information associated with each of the agricultural product items. The one or more sensors (102, 106) can be connected to grader (104), either wirelessly or through a wired connection.
[0054] The grader (104) can be configured to grade the agricultural product items, based on at least one criteria selected from the information associated with each of the agricultural product items and one or more pre-defined grading parameters. In an aspect, the information associated with each of the agricultural product items and the pre-defined grading parameters can comprise data related to one or more characteristics selected from the group consisting of size, quality, shape, weight, defects, ripeness and colour.
[0055] The agricultural product items may comprise any one or combination of a spherical agricultural product, a non-spherical agricultural product, fruits or vegetables.
[0056] In one exemplary embodiment, the system (100) of the present disclosure, can enable grading and selective discharge of fruits. In another exemplary embodiment, the system (100) of the present disclosure, can enable grading and selective discharge of vegetables. In yet another exemplary embodiment, the system (100) of the present disclosure, can enable grading and selective discharge of a mixture of fruits and vegetables.
[0057] In one exemplary embodiment, the system (100) of the present disclosure, can enable grading and selective discharge of a spherical agricultural product. In another exemplary embodiment, the system (100) of the present disclosure, can enable grading and selective discharge of a non-spherical agricultural product. In yet another exemplary embodiment, the system (100) of the present disclosure, can enable grading and selective discharge of a mixture of a spherical agricultural product and a non-spherical agricultural product. Thus, the same system, as described herein, can be used for variety of the agricultural products of different types and shapes or sizes, thus making the present system more cost-effective than conventional systems limited in these regards.
[0058] In an aspect, the one or more sensors (102, 106) can be any or a combination of a weight sensor, a camera sensor, an infra-red sensor or an optical fibre sensor. In an aspect, the sensor (102), as illustrated in FIG. 2, can be a combination of sensors such as a weight sensor and a camera sensor, which can obtain information associated with each of the agricultural product items, including, but not limited to, size, quality, shape, weight, defects, ripeness and colour.
[0059] In another aspect, the sensor (106) is a visual camera, configured to obtain the information associated with each of the agricultural product items, in form of one or more visual images. The visual images can be processed by one or more processors. Based on the processed information associated with each of the agricultural product items, one or more actuating means (206), can actuate a tilting action of at least holder unit selected from the one or more holder units (202) provided on the conveyor (204), for selectively discharging at least one item from the agricultural product items received on the at least holder unit to thereby grade agricultural product items.
[0060] In one embodiment, the information associated with each of the agricultural product items, collected by one or more sensors (102, 106) can be stored in a database and shared with the end-users for advertising the availability of various graded items available. In another embodiment, the information associated with each of the agricultural product items, can be shared in real-time with interested end-users, like the farmer, traders, consumers, and the like, for enabling them to purchase the product items by pre-ordering, as and when the stock arrives.
[0061] In an embodiment, a remotely based consumer can obtain the information associated with each of the agricultural product items, by online mode, and then use the information, to express an interest in buying a particular grade of the agricultural product items. In an embodiment, the pre-defined grading parameters can be set based on a current order or based on an order history of a consumer. The online communication can be made by means of a website or a mobile application, which gives the remote user, the freedom to know about the available grades, thus making the system more user-friendly.
[0062] In an embodiment, the system (100) further comprises at least one computing device operatively connected to the one or more processors, wherein the at least one computing device includes one or more control panels (108) to control one or more operating parameters of the system (100).
[0063] The control panel can be used to pre-set the grading parameters by comparing the existing grading parameters in the database. In one exemplary embodiment, the input is provided by an operator of the system (100). In another exemplary embodiment, the input is received wirelessly from a remote database.
[0064] In an embodiment, the one or more holder units (202) can be cup-shaped units. In an aspect, each cup-shaped unit can define a curvature having an indentation at the centre on upper surface, as illustrated in FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B. In an aspect, each of the agricultural product items is accommodated in at least holder unit selected from the one or more holder units (202). This design can allow to accommodate the agricultural product items of varying shape, size and weight, in one or a series of more than one holder units.
[0065] The agricultural product items, can be accommodated in a single holder unit or a series of more than one holder units (202), depending on the shape and size of the agricultural product item. In one embodiment, a spherical agricultural product, is accommodated in one single holder unit (202). In another embodiment, a non-spherical (elongated) agricultural product, is accommodated in a series of more than one holder units (202).
[0066] In accordance with the present disclosure, each of one or more holder units (202) can be operatively connected to one or more actuating means (206), to actuate, based on the processed information associated with each of the agricultural product items, a tilting action of at least holder unit selected from the one or more holder units (202) for selectively discharging at least one item from the agricultural product items received on the at least holder unit to thereby grade agricultural product item. Thus this mechanism can enable grading and selective discharging of the agricultural product items upon reaching desired tray of collector (150).
[0067] In an aspect, sensor (106) can be a visual camera, configured to sense each of the agricultural product items. The sensor (106) can obtain one or more visual images of agricultural product items accommodated on one or more holder units (202). In an aspect, the visual images can be processed by the processor for generating a command for actuation of the actuating means (206) such that the single or a series of plural holder units, accommodating the product, can be tilted for longer time for achieving tilting of the single or the series of plural holder units. In another aspect, the processor can be an equivalent unit or programmable logic controller (PLC), which can instruct the actuating means (206) to actuate based on regulated power supply. In another aspect, the processor can also obtain information from one or more position sensors provided in system (100).
[0068] In an exemplary embodiment, the sensor (106), being a visual camera can take images of a non-spherical or elongated product, such as a cucumber, which can be accommodated longitudinally on a series of 2 or more than 2 holder units. The images can be processed by the processor to get the processed information, which can be used to actuate the actuating means (206) to tilt the series of 2 or more than 2 holder units, for a longer time such that the series of 2 or more than 2 holder units can attain the tilted position together at some point of time, to get an effective selective discharge onto the desired section or tray.
[0069] In an aspect, the sensor (102, 106) can identify characteristics of product in each individual holder unit, which can be stored and executed by the processor by communicating it to the actuating means (206). For example, for each grade, there can be an electromagnetic motor as the actuating means (206), wherein sensor (102, 106) can identify characteristics of product in each individual holder unit, which can be stored and executed by the processor by communicating it to the electromagnetic motor to function accordingly when the respective cup reaches the desired electromagnetic motor unit.
[0070] The computing device can be operatively connected to the one or more processors. In an aspect, the computing device can include one or more control panels (108) to control one or more operating parameters of system (100). The control panel (108) can control power supply, regulating functioning of one or more operating switches or buttons, and similar functions. The computing device can be used to run a program, take inputs, from a user, related to grading parameters from a database, and/or for displaying of results. The computing device can be used to store data related to one or more users, graded parameters, and/or the information associated with each agricultural product, for market linkage purposes.
[0071] The actuating means (206) can be any actuator that aids an effective tilting action. The actuating means (206) can be any or a combination of a solenoid actuator or a pneumatic actuator.
[0072] In accordance with an exemplary embodiment and as shown in FIG.4, the holder unit (202) can be operatively connected to solenoid actuator (206). The solenoid mechanism can be actuated, such that the block in the solenoid actuator (206), rotates to a position and guides the holder unit (202) to a raised surface, thus creating a tilting action of the holder unit (202).
[0073] FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B illustrate two working example of the system (100), for grading and selectively discharging spherical agricultural product (210a), and a non-spherical agricultural product (210b) respectively, in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0074] FIG. 5A depicts an exemplary embodiment, wherein upon arrival of the agricultural product item such as a spherical agricultural product (210A) accommodated on a single holder unit (202), at the desired tray position of collector (150), one or more processors can process obtained information associated with the product, received from the sensor (102, 106). Based on the processed information, the actuating means (206) can actuate the single holder unit (202) from a normal position (such as 202A) to a tilted position (202B), until the product (210A) is selectively discharged onto the desired tray, thereby grading the product (210A) in the desired section.
[0075] FIG. 5B depicts an exemplary embodiment, wherein upon arrival of the agricultural product item such as non-spherical (or elongated) agricultural product (210B), accommodated on a series of three holder units, at the desired tray position of collector (150), one or more processors can process obtained information associated with the product, received from the sensor (102, 106). Based on the processed information, the actuating means (206) can actuate the holder units (202) for a longer time such that all the three holder units (202) can change from a normal position (such as 202A) to a tilted position (202B), until the product (210B) is effectively discharged onto the desired tray, thereby grading the product (210B) in the desired section.
[0076] In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a method for grading and selectively discharging agricultural product items received on a conveyor (204),
[0077] The method including the steps of sensing, at one or more sensors (102, 106), each of the agricultural product items received on the conveyor (204) to obtain information associated with each of the agricultural product items; processing, using one or more processors, the obtained information associated with each of the agricultural product items; and actuating, based on the processed information associated with each of the agricultural product items, using one or more actuating means (206), a tilting action of at least holder unit selected from the one or more holder units (202) provided on the conveyor (204), for selectively discharging at least one item from the agricultural product items received on the at least holder unit to thereby grade agricultural product items.
[0078] In an embodiment, the sensing comprises visually sensing, using the one or more sensors (102, 106), each of the agricultural product items to obtain the information associated with each of the agricultural product items, in form of one or more visual images. The visual images can be processed by the one or more processors. Based on the processed information associated with each of the agricultural product items, the one or more actuating means (206), can actuate a tilting action of at least holder unit selected from the one or more holder units (202) provided on the conveyor (204), for selectively discharging at least one item from the agricultural product items received on the at least holder unit to thereby grade agricultural product items.
[0079] In an embodiment, the method further comprises a step of sending the obtained information associated with each of the agricultural product items, to a user by real-time transmission, wherein the obtained information associated with each of the agricultural product items, is provided for market linkage application
[0080] The real-time transmission can be useful in several case scenarios. For example, a user such as a consumer can access the product information in real time to know the availability of the available products and hence can be provided with an option to pre-book the stock based on desired grade and availability.
[0081] In another example, a user such as a farmer can access the obtained information associated with each of the products to understand the available stock of different grades and thus be aware of the requirements of the grades that are out of stock or high in demand, and offer to provide the required stock which can also help his products reach the market.
[0082] In another example, a user such as a third party (or social enterprise) can access the obtained information associated with each of the products, to understand the available stock of different grades, and can act as a mediator between the small-scale producers, farmers or local enterprise and the external market.
[0083] The present disclosure provides grading and selective discharge of a variety of agricultural products using a single system, which is not offered by conventional grading systems, as they are usually limited to only one type of product. This is made possible due to the unique shape of the holder units and their actuating mechanism that makes the accommodation and discharge of wide variety of products possible, irrespective of their shape and size. Further, the system and method of the present disclosure provide a scope for using the information associated with the agricultural product items, in market linkage applications.
[0084] It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive patient matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “includes” and “including” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refer to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C ….and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc. The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practised with modification within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
[0085] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.

ADVANTAGES
[0086] The present disclosure provides a system and method for grading agricultural products that supports effective market linkage.
[0087] The present disclosure provides a single system for grading variety of agricultural products having various sizes, shapes and other characteristics.
[0088] The present disclosure provides a system with unique design of the holder unit for grading agricultural products of various sizes, shapes and other characteristics.