DESCRIPTION

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates in general to a device for analysis adapted to determine and analyse physical and/or chemical characteristics of a transparent or semi-transparent material, in particular a mineral.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Every mineral naturally occurring is characterized by peculiar characteristics, or singularities, which differentiate it among other minerals. Examples of such singularities are inclusions, scratches, micro-fractures, impurities. In addition to such natural singularities, the minerals extracted by man are characterized by characteristics that can occur in the process of extraction, selection, cutting and polishing. Examples of these human-induced characteristics can be signs of abrasion, further fractures, marks due to the removal of imperfections, for example by laser tools, or due to heat treatments aimed at changing the final colour of the mineral. These human-induced characteristics further increase the level of individuality of each mineral extracted. Several devices and methods developed to analyse the characteristics of minerals, gems, precious or semi-precious stones are known in the state of art. Disadvantageously, such devices and analysis methods do not allow comparisons among subsequent analyses of the same mineral or among analyses of different minerals. Furthermore, even if such comparisons are possible, the known devices have further criticalities, for example in terms of structural complexity and use, which make their use difficult.

A first known example of a device for performing mineral analysis is an instrument configured to point a laser at a multifaceted stone to acquire the decomposition of the incident wave. The latter is stored on a photographic plate or on a digital support and can be used for comparisons with subsequent decomposition acquisitions of the same stone or with acquisitions of decomposition of different stones.

A device of this type is described in US5828405. However, the device disclosed by this document has a high risk of error correlated to the positioning of the precious or semiprecious stone. The same device further has strong operational critical issues in the event that the multifaceted precious or semi precious stone to be analysed is small. Eventually, the device described in US5828405 has disadvantages related to the complex use.

A second type of known devices allows the analysis of a raw mineral in order to optimize the cutting of the mineral itself. These devices allow, for example, to perform a 3D rendering of the raw mineral in order to improve the performance of the cutting and veneering phases. These devices further allow to predict the outcomes of said phases, allowing for example to identify the carat weight of the precious stone being produced or to make predictions in terms of colour and purity of the precious stone itself. This type of device is limited since it does not allow to keep track of the individual characteristics of the minerals analysed. Consequently, different minerals cannot be compared.

A third example of a known device suitable for analysing minerals is the laboratory microscope. This device allows high magnification of the mineral in order to evaluate the cut characteristics and the internal properties and, in general, allows to evaluate the aesthetic effect of a multifaceted precious stone.

However, these are analyses carried out subjectively on the basis of the data acquired by the microscope, without the latter keeping an analytical trace of the displayed data. Consequently, even this type of analysis is not suitable for comparisons with data or results obtained at a later time.

A multifaceted precious or semi-precious stone can further be subjected to the analysis of the proportions of the facets and the angles that are formed therebetween. This system is used to evaluate the aesthetic performance level of the stone in terms of focus and brilliance. This analysis is carried out with the aid of a laboratory instrument, commonly known as a proportiometer, which however is not capable of making comparisons between two minerals or between different analyses of the same mineral, since the data obtained are not significant in terms of singularity and non-replicability. Another type of mineral analysis is carried out by taking advantage of fluorescence thereof. Disadvantageously, this analysis does not allow for valid and accurate comparisons between two minerals, due to the facts that provides the exposure of a mineral to ultraviolet rays and a manual measurement of the fluorescence level in rating scales.

Eventually, several multifaceted minerals can be provided with a gemological certificate, which shows the position of those inclusions a gemologist can identify by means of a 10x magnification. By drawing up this certificate, the gemologist manually reports the “map” of the inclusions found in the mineral.

Therefore, this type of analysis results apparent to be characterized by a high degree of imperfection and error and does not allow for subsequent comparisons.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The technical problem posed and solved by the present invention is to providing an analysis device which allows comparable data to be obtained referring to the characteristics of a transparent or semi-transparent object analysed, so as to allow comparisons with subsequent analyses of the same object in order, for example, to validate an authentication process of a mineral or to compare analyses referring to different objects, overcoming the aforementioned problems with reference to the known art.

This is achieved by means of an analysis device as defined in independent claim 1. Secondary characteristics and particular embodiments of the object of the present invention are the subject of the dependent claims. The expression “device for the analysis of a mineral” or more simply “analysis device” means, in the context of the present invention, a device that allows to carry out analysis of characteristics or properties of a mineral such as, for example, inclusions, scratches, micro-cracks, impurities, abrasion marks, fractures, marks due to heat treatments or laser tools and more. Advantageously, the analysis device according to the present invention is adapted to analyse transparent or semi-transparent minerals, in particular minerals that are not rough, i. e. already cut and/or multifaceted, as well as gems, precious or semi-precious stones.

Furthermore, in the context of the present invention, the expression “analysis device” further means a device adapted to analyse minerals both produced in nature, i.e. in conditions random and not replicable by humans, characterized by temperatures and pressures very high, and minerals produced in the laboratory, i.e. produced in the attempt to replicate the natural conditions of the environment they are formed therein.

The present invention starts from the inventor’s acknowledgment that known analysis devices do not allow an effective comparison between different analyses of the same mineral (for example carried out at different time points), or between analyses of different minerals. Furthermore, with known devices, comparisons are possible only between analyses of multifaceted minerals, i.e. minerals already subdued to the phase of cutting and creating the facets. The basis of the present invention lies in the further recognition by the inventor that known analysis devices are characterized by still other critical issues related, for example, to the positioning of the mineral to be analysed inside the analysis device or to the fact that the optical sensors of these devices are not sufficiently shielded from light radiations coming from the external environment and/or coming directly from the light source of such devices. In other words, the analyses obtained by known devices provide results not sufficiently accurate, since the light radiations analysed by the sensors of such known devices are not exclusively those reflected and/or refracted by the mineral under examination.

According to a preferred embodiment, the analysis device according to the present invention comprises a light source able to emit a light radiation and a diffuser element configured to diffuse this light radiation in the mineral. The analysis device further comprises an acquisition unit which includes a first optical unit, configured to intercept the light radiation reflected and/or refracted by the mineral under analysis, and an optical sensor configured to capture such light radiation reflected and/or refracted by the mineral.

According to a first preferred aspect, the diffuser element comprises a shielding element to prevent the direct diffusion of light radiation at least towards the acquisition unit, in order to prevent this radiation from dispersing and/or interfering with the latter. Consequently, the analysis device allows to analyse only the return radiation emitted by the mineral being analysed, i.e. the radiation reflected and/or refracted by the mineral itself, limiting interference. In this sense, according to a still further aspect of the present invention, the analysis device comprises a further shielding element, adapted to prevent the direct diffusion of the light radiation towards the mineral to be analysed. Advantageously, the device of the invention is configured so that the mineral being analysed may be free from positioning elements or constraints and simply be leaned in a random position on the support element for the execution of the analysis, without subsequent analyses being altered by a different positioning of the mineral, which can therefore vary for each analysis without affecting the replicability or the possibility of comparing the detectable data.

In fact, the indirect dispersion of light radiation towards the mineral to be analysed allows to prevent the light reflected by the latter from varying depending on its positioning with respect to the light source. This occurs instead in case of direct illumination of the mineral, due to the reflection of the particular facets of the mineral directly affected by the radiation. In fact, the diamond ‘shines’ when directly illuminated, and the way it ‘shines’, i.e. how and to what degree the light is reflected, depends on which facets are affected by direct light radiation. Nonetheless, a system for positioning the mineral, being compatible with the device according to the present invention, can still be provided.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, the acquisition unit is designed to convert the light radiation reflected and/or refracted from the mineral in a way that can be stored on a physical medium, for example a digital medium, in the form of a captured image. It is a consequence that the analysis device according to the present invention allows comparisons between analyses of the same mineral carried out at different times or between analyses of different minerals, as well as keeping track of the individual characteristics of the minerals analysed. Furthermore, the device according to the present invention allows to implement a more accurate material analysis procedure, and simpler and faster at the same time, with respect to those of the prior art. In fact, the radiation analysed by the acquisition unit is substantially devoid of interference due to reflected radiation from other components and/or radiation from the environment surrounding the analysis device. Eventually, the fact that the analyses are saved in the format of images captured on a physical medium allows the comparison between analyses of different minerals and/or analyses carried out by different devices. Further advantages, characteristics and methods of use of the object of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of its embodiments, presented byway of non-limiting example. However, it is apparent that each embodiment of the object of the present invention can have one or more advantages above listed; however, each embodiment is not required to simultaneously have all the listed advantages.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will be made to the attached Figures, in which:

- Figure 1 shows a longitudinal sectional view of an analysis device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; - Figure 2 shows an exploded configuration from perspective view of the device of Figure 1 ;

- Figure 3 shows a partial view, in longitudinal section, of the device of Figure 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to Figure 1 , an embodiment of a mineral analysis device according to the present invention is overall denoted by the reference number 1. According to a first aspect of the invention, the analysis device 1 primarily comprises: a light source 20, apt and configured to emit a light radiation; a diffuser element 60, configured to diffuse the radiation emitted by the light source 20 into a mineral 1000 to be analysed; a support element 70 of the mineral 1000 to be analysed; and an acquisition unit 10, configured to capture the light radiation reflected and/or refracted from the mineral 1000.

The analysis device 1 according to the present invention also comprises a casing 99, preferably tubular or box-shaped, configured to house the components above introduced. More specifically, the casing 99 defines an inner zone 2 for the analysis device 1 , separated from an environment surrounding the analysis device 1 by the casing 99 itself. Preferably, this inner zone 2 for the analysis device 1 comprises a first region 3 adapted to contain, or support, the acquisition unit 10, the light source 20 and the diffuser element 60, and a second region 4 adapted to receive the mineral 1000 to be analysed. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the boundary between said first and second regions 3, 4 is bordered by the support element This support element 70 is made of material transparent to the radiation emitted by the light source 20 and to the radiation reflected/refracted by the mineral, to allow the irradiation of the mineral and the acquisition unit 10. Preferably, the support element 70 is made of glass. The support element 70 is reversibly inserted in the inner zone 2, preferably simply placed on a support, in such a way that it can be easily replaced.

The shape of the analysis device 1 is such as to have a longitudinal development direction A, or longitudinal development axis A, which is preferably a direction of the prevalent development of the device 1. According to particular embodiments, the longitudinal development axis A coincides with a central symmetry axis of the analysis device 1.

According to the preferred variant shown in the attached Figures 1 and 2, the device 1 , or better the inner zone 2, comprises an inner chamber or cavity 98. In particular, the device 1 has an overall shape similar to that of a tubular element or hollow cylindrical element, the internal cavity thereof corresponds to the inner chamber 98. The hollow tubular element can be defined as a scanning tunnel, because exclusively inside the same, i.e. in the inner chamber 98, the light radiation spreads towards the mineral to be analysed, as well as the one that is reflected by the latter towards the acquisition unit 10. For this purpose, the inner chamber 98 is closed at the two terminal ends, longitudinally opposite along the direction A, by the acquisition unit 10 (below) and by the support element 70 (above), as shown in detail in Figure 3. The tubular element defining the inner chamber 98 is configured in such a way as prevent the light radiation enter from the outside, or the light radiation diffused by the diffuser element 60 and reflected by the mineral escape. Said inner chamber 98 is preferably painted, coloured, or internally coated with a film or substance of dark colour, or rather black, for the absorption of light radiation.

In particular, the inner chamber 98 has a cylindrical shape and bears an axis of longitudinal symmetry A, preferably coinciding with the longitudinal development direction A of the device 1.

According to a particularly advantageous variant of the invention, the presence of a retractable occlusion element (or “guillotine”) is provided, placed below the aforementioned support element 70, in such a way as to be interposed between the support element 70 and the diffuser element 60. This retractable element is configured to selectively switch from an occlusion configuration of the inner chamber 98, in which it completely seizes a cross section of the inner chamber 98 lower than the support element 70, to a retracted configuration, in which it completely leaves the aforementioned cross section of the inner chamber 98 as released and disengaged. Activation of the retractable element in the occlusion configuration is advantageous during the replacement or removal of the support element 70. Thereby, in such case, the retractable element closes the inner chamber 98 on its top and prevents dust and impurities from entering the inner chamber 98, and distorting the transmission of light radiation, as well as obscuring the acquisition capacity of unit 10. The retractable element is preferably made of shielding material, which cannot be crossed by light radiation. Advantageously, the light source 20 is configured to emit a light radiation towards the diffuser element 60. Preferably, the light source 20 is of the LED type, although other types of light sources known to a person skilled in the art can be used. According to a preferred embodiment, the analysis device 1 comprises two or more LEDs. Furthermore, preferably, the light source 20 is arranged in the first region 3 of the inner zone 2 for the analysis device 1.

As an example, the frequency of such light source 20 is preferably comprised within the visible spectrum (between 770 and 430 THz), but may further be outside this visible spectrum, on account of the use compatibility of the analysis device 1 according to the invention with optical sensors that can detect information even at frequencies not being sensed by the human eye.

The light radiation emitted by the light source 20 can be transported, or conveyed, by an optical guide along an optical path towards the diffuser element 60. In other words, the light radiation can be conveyed from the light source 20 to the diffuser element 60, thus avoiding this light radiation being dispersed within the inner zone 2 and, more specifically, within the first region 3. In particular, the optical guide may comprise a first end preferably arranged, in use, in contact with the light source 20, and a second end preferably arranged, during use, in contact with the diffuser element 60. Preferably, the optical guide is made of optical fiber. Furthermore, one optical guide is preferably provided for each of the one or more light sources 20 of the analysis device 1.

The radiation emitted by the light source 20 is then emitted towards, or conveyed up to, the diffuser element 60. This diffuser element 60 is adapted to diffuse the light radiation in the mineral 1000 to be analysed, in particular towards the second region 4. Preferably, such diffuser element 60 can be a Teflon tape, advantageously with high resistance. According to preferred variants of the invention, and as shown by way of example in Figure 1 and even better in Figure 2, the diffuser element 60 can have a toroidal or annular shape, or a section thereof, with a central opening, which defines part of the inner chamber 98 already mentioned.

Preferably, the diffuser element 60 bears an axis of longitudinal symmetry A, which may coincide with a longitudinal development direction A of the inner chamber 98 and/or with a longitudinal development direction A of the device 1.

In particular, the diffuser element 60 has a shape defined by an upper face 62, facing the support element 70, a lower face 63 facing the acquisition unit 10, an external side wall 64 facing the light source 20 and an internal side wall 61 , which defines a portion of the inner chamber 98. The external side wall 64 is configured to allow the light radiation emitted by the light source 20 enter into the diffuser element 60, while the internal side wall 61 is configured to diffuse the light radiation emitted by the light source 20 into the inner chamber 98, in order for the same to reach the support element 70.

In accordance with the preferred variant shown in the attached figures, the tubular element which defines the inner chamber 98 has a cross section - with respect to the axis A - which is smaller than the cross section of the opening of the diffuser element 60 at a lower portion thereof, between said diffuser element 60 and the acquisition unit 10, as shown in particular in Figure 3. Such shape, when the diffuser element 60 and the inner chamber 98 have a circular section, results in the presence of a “step” at a lower edge of the diffuser element 60. Conversely, preferably, the inner chamber 98 has a cross section - with respect to the axis A - equal to the cross section of the opening of the diffuser element 60 at an upper portion thereof, comprised between said diffuser element 60 and support element 70.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, in order to shield the light radiation emitted by the light source 20, which may be spread in the first region 3 towards the acquisition unit 10, the analysis device 1 further comprises at least a first shielding element 50. According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the diffuser element 60 comprises one or more first shielding elements 50, non-transparent to the light radiation emitted by the radiation source 20. According to a first aspect, the at least one shielding element 50 is preferably made of transparent and/or semi-transparent material adapted to shield the light radiation diffused by the diffuser element 60 and facing the acquisition unit 10, which may cause aberrations by interfering with the acquisition unit 10 itself. In other words, the shielding element 50 allows not to direct the light radiation that is arrived at the diffuser element 60 towards the acquisition unit 10, i.e. towards the first region 3. The at least one shielding element 50 is preferably made of a material that reacts in a different manner to light sources with different refractive index. In other words, the shielding element 50 allows to shield the light towards the acquisition unit 10, i.e. towards the first region 3 and, at the same time, to allow a vision of the mineral to be analysed, i.e. a vision of the second region 4, by the acquisition unit 10. As a result, the intensity of the light radiation emitted by the light source 20 can be optimizes and the effects of spurious lighting can be cancelled.

Preferably, the diffuser element 60 comprises two first shielding elements 50, made compliant with what above described, arranged at the upper face 62 and/or the lower face 63, respectively.

According to a particularly advantageous aspect of the invention, the first shielding elements 50 are configured and arranged so that the light radiation emitted by the radiation source 20 is diffused within the inner chamber 98 exclusively by means of the internal side wall 61 of the diffuser element 60. Furthermore, in particular, the internal side wall 61 of the diffuser element 60 has a surface for diffusing of the light radiation emitted by the light source 20 orthogonal to the support element 70, in order to avoid the direct emission of the radiation towards the mineral 1000 to be analysed. Preferably, the aforementioned surface for diffusing is orthogonal also with respect to the acquisition unit 10, in order to avoid the direct diffusion of the radiation towards the latter. Even more preferably, the aforementioned surface for diffusing is orthogonal with respect to the longitudinal development direction A of the device 1 and/or of the inner chamber 98.

In association with the embodiment of the diffuser element 60 right above described, a radiation source 20 which has an annular shape, preferably shaped to replicate the profile of the external side wall 64 of the diffuser element 60. In particular, the internal side surface of the source 20 can be shaped and dimensioned in such a way as to correspond to the external side wall 64 of the diffuser element 60. The source 20 can be thereby arranged at the external side wall 64 of the diffuser element 60.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the analysis device 1 further comprises a system for shielding the ambient light, i.e. of the light coming from the environment surrounding the analysis device 1 faced towards the inner zone 2, and towards the inner chamber 98, of the analysis device 1 itself. In other words, the analysis device 1 comprises a second shielding element 77 adapted to shield light radiation from the environment surrounding the analysis device 1 with respect to the inner zone 2 of the analysis device 1 itself. Preferably, the second shielding element 77 coats, or envelops, the entire casing 99 of the analysis device 1.

The acquisition unit 10 is arranged in the inner zone 2 with respect to the analysis device 1 , in the first region 3 of the inner zone 2. The acquisition unit 10 is further arranged to face towards the second region 4 adapted to receive the mineral 1000 to be analysed. Preferably, moreover, the acquisition unit 10 is arranged so as to be aligned, or substantially aligned, with a position of the second region 4 adapted to receive a mineral to be analysed. More specifically, the acquisition unit 10 and the position of the second region 4 adapted to receive a mineral are preferably arranged along an optical axis which preferably coincides with the aforementioned longitudinal development axis A.

According to variants of the invention providing the presence of a dedicated seat for housing the mineral 1000 on the first surface 71 , or the presence of reference elements which indicate to a user a predetermined position where to arrange the mineral 1000 to be analysed at the support element 70, such seat, or such predetermined position, and this acquisition unit 10 are arranged along the optical axis A.

In particular, the acquisition unit 10 is a unit configured to capture the light radiation reflected and/or refracted from the mineral and to acquire images and preferably comprises sensor means or optical transducers 11 , and a first optical unit 12. For example, the acquisition unit 10 is configured to capture the reflected and/or refracted radiation from the mineral to be analysed and to convert this radiation in a way that can be stored on a physical support, for example on a memory unit, in captured image format. Specifically, the sensor of the acquisition unit 10 is configured to capture the light radiation coming from the second region 4 of the analysis device 1. Preferably, the sensor means or optical transducers 11 of the acquisition unit 10 are optical sensors.

However, it should be understood that the acquisition unit 10 may further comprise one or more sensor means or analog and/or digital transducers. Furthermore, said sensor means 11 of the acquisition unit 10 can be placed off-centred with respect to the position of the second region 4 adapted to receive a mineral to be analysed. In other words, the sensor means 11 may not be arranged along the optical axis A. The first optical unit 12 is adapted to intercept the light radiation coming from the second region 4, i.e. the light radiation reflected and/or refracted by the mineral and can comprise a lens or a plurality of lenses, for example focal lenses, adapted to improve the acquisition of the image and make the same more efficient.

According to an embodiment, the analysis device 1 can further comprise a second optical unit 40. This second optical unit 40 is preferably arranged in the first region 3 of the analysis device 1. Preferably, the second optical unit 40 is interposed between the acquisition unit 10 and the diffuser element 60. Preferably, said second optical unit 40 comprises a lens 41 , or a group of lenses, and/or a diaphragm 42, preferably a variable size diaphragm, and allows to increase the magnification factor and to increase or decrease the depth of focus. As anticipated, the analysis device 1 comprises a support element 70 of the mineral 1000 to be analysed. Preferably, the support element 70 of the mineral is arranged in order to achieve a separation between the first and second regions 3, 4 of the analysis device 1.

According to the variant shown in Figure 1 , the support element 70 of the mineral 1000 comprises a first surface 71 configured for housing the mineral 1000 and a second surface 72 opposite to said first surface 71. The support element 70 preferably has a plate configuration, in which said first and second surfaces 71 , 72 are the surfaces of greatest extension, and is preferably arranged so that the first surface 71 has an extension orthogonal with respect to the longitudinal development direction A of the analysis device 1 and/or of the inner chamber 98.

The support element 70 is at least partially consisting of material transparent to the light radiation emitted by the light source 20 and diffused by said diffuser element 60, in such a way as to allow the irradiation of the mineral 1000 when the same is placed on the first surface 71.

The configuration of the analysis device 1 is such that, when the mineral 1000 is housed at the first surface 71 , the support element 70 is interposed between the mineral 1000 and the acquisition unit 10, the light source 20 and the diffuser element 60. In accordance with this arrangement, the support element 70 bears the first surface 71 facing the second region 4 and the second surface 72 facing the first region 3. Preferably, the first region 3 comprises the inner chamber 98, on which the internal lateral surface 61 of the diffuser element 60 and the second surface 72 of the support element 70 face, so that the mineral 1000 is exposed to the radiation diffused by the diffuser element 60 when it is housed at the first surface 71. According to this embodiment, the light diffuses within the inner chamber 98, from the diffuser element 60 towards the support element 70.

Preferably, the second region 4, where the mineral 1000 is housed, is bordered below by the support element 70, in particular by the first surface 71 , and above by a closure element 74, or cap, of the device 1. The closure element 74 is selectively detachable, in such a way as to allow a user access the second region 4 for the insertion of the mineral 1000 into the device 1. Furthermore, the closure element 74 is shaped as to shield and prevent the inlet within the inner chamber 2 of external light radiations, in order to avoid errors in the analysis. The device 1 can be configured in such a way that its activation is possible only when the closing element 74 is properly closed, to insulate the interior 2 of the device 1 from the external environment. Means for controlled movement of the closing element 74 can further be provided, to avoid sudden impacts of the same during closing, such as for example O-rings.

Preferably, the support element 70 is inserted transversely with respect to the inner chamber 98, in order to close the latter at the top.

Preferably, the diffuser element 60 is interposed between the acquisition unit 10 and the support element 70 along the longitudinal development direction A of the device 1 , which can coincide with a longitudinal development direction A of the inner chamber 98. Even more preferably, the acquisition unit 10, diffuser element 60 and support element 70 are aligned along the longitudinal development direction A.

In particular, the acquisition unit 10 is arranged at a bottom wall of the inner chamber 98, opposite to the support element 70. Furthermore, the diffuser element 60 is arranged at a side wall of the inner chamber 98. According to an embodiment of the invention, the support element 70 can comprise reference elements indicating a user an ideal position where to place the mineral 1000 to be analysed. Furthermore, the support element 70 can comprise a positioning system for the mineral 1000. This positioning system is adapted to position a mineral in a predetermined position with respect to the acquisition unit 10. The support element 70 can comprise mechanical positioning elements, such as for example a conveyor belt, or magnetic and/or electronically guided positioning elements, for example with laser anchoring, in such a way as to constantly position the mineral in a predetermined position within the second region 4 with respect to the acquisition unit 10. Furthermore, the support element 70 can be shaped to form a seat for housing the mineral 1000. A preferred embodiment of the invention provides a dedicated positioning system comprising mechanical positioning elements, such as a plurality of plate-like elements or preferably metallic slats, in particular four slats, arranged according to opposing pairs, the blades of each pair being configured in such a way as to be selectively movable in accordance with a mutual approaching/departing, preferably translational, motion. The approach of the slats of each pair stops when they reach the stop on the mineral to be analysed, in such a way as to firmly fix the position thereof.

A variant of the positioning system can provide mechanical positioning elements which comprise a further plurality of plate-like elements or slats, preferably metallic, arranged in such a way as to realize a diaphragm having a central opening with variable diameter variable, or better with a selectively adjustable diameter according to the size of the mineral to be placed in the opening itself. For example, the diaphragm may remain closed during the acquisition phase, to further decrease light interference. Furthermore, the device 1 may comprise a ventilation system for maintaining a predetermined temperature which can be set by the user, suitable for the correct execution of measurements.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, the analysis device 1 can further comprise a communication system 95 which allows the analysis device 1 to communicate, preferably in a wireless mode, with an external device, such as for example a computer or a smartphone. Said communication system 95 can comprise a radio wave antenna, compliant with standards such as, for example, Bluetooth, Wireless-Fidelity, NFC. The communication system 95 allows for example the display of the parameters analysed by the analysis device 1 in a device such as a smartphone or a computer and/or allows a user to validate the analysis of the analysed parameters, for example in case the system required remote access to a database in which information related to mineral analyses previously carried out is stored. Interconnection with a computer or smartphone can further take place via a wired connection, according to already known transmission protocols (for example Universal Serial Bus). Eventually, the analysis device 1 according to the present invention can comprise, or be connected to, a database 97, arranged internally or externally to said analysis device 1. The database 97 is configured to store the information extracted from the analysis device. Such information may for example be associated with an identifier of the analysis carried out and/or of the analysed mineral. Furthermore, the information extracted from the analysis device can be stored in association with data of a user holding the mineral, for example a user holding an identity document in which the analysed mineral is integrated. Even more preferably, the data communication system 95 allows data to be exchanged with external electronic devices and/or the database 97 in which data relating to the light radiation captured by the acquisition unit 10 can be stored.

According to a further embodiment, the analysis device 1 of the present invention further comprises a control unit 90 adapted to manage the activation of the light source 20 and/or the acquisition unit 10 and/or the communication system 95 and/or any positioning system. This control unit can further be adapted to receive input from the mineral positioning system, so that the correct or suitable positioning of the mineral to be analysed can be verified with respect to the acquisition unit 10.

According to this variant, the data communication system 95 is connected to the control unit 90 and/or to the acquisition unit 10.

The control unit 90 can be further configured for the acquisition and processing of data referring to the light radiation captured by the acquisition unit 10. Preferably, the control unit 90 is programmed for processing a map of the singularities of the mineral 1000 visible from the light radiation captured by the acquisition unit 10, in accordance with a program of predetermined processing. The data processed by the control unit 90 can be stored in the database 97. Advantageously, the device 1 can comprise a second light source, preferably, but not exclusively, an LED. The second light source can be usefully installed in the second region 4, the configuration being such that, in use, the second light source is placed above the mineral 1000 to be analysed. The mineral 1000 to be analysed, during use, is interposed between the second light source and the acquisition unit 10. Thereby, the light radiation generated by the second light source interacts with the mineral 1000 before reaching the acquisition unit 10. The information acquired by the acquisition unit can be processed to determine the diameter or other dimensional parameters of the mineral 1000.

The present invention has its further object an analysis method of a mineral aimed at, for example, providing a high resolution image of a mineral. This analysis method comprises an initial step of supplying an analysis device 1 according to what above described, comprising a light source 20 capable of emitting a light radiation destined to be reflected and/or refracted by a mineral.

The analysis device 1 further comprises a diffuser element 60 to diffuse said light radiation in a mineral. The analysis method according to the present invention can further provide a transport or conveying step, along an optical path, of the light radiation emitted from the light source 20 to the diffuser element 60 by means of an optical guide. Thereby, the radiation emitted by the light source 20 is entirely directed towards the diffuser element 60. The diffuser element realizes the diffusion of the light radiation towards the mineral to be analysed, preferably according to a direction of diffusion of the radiation orthogonal with respect to the mineral, in such a way as to avoid direct radiation.

Eventually, the light radiation reflected and/or refracted by the mineral is captured by an acquisition unit 10 preferably configured to capture an image of the mineral.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the analysis method comprises a step of shielding the direct light radiation diffused by the diffuser element 60 and facing the mineral 1000 to be analysed and/or the acquisition unit 10 by means of first shielding elements 50. Furthermore, a step shielding the light radiation coming from an environment surrounding the analysis device 1 by means of a second shielding element 77 is provided.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, the analysis method further provides to save the analyses carried out in a database 97. For example, the method provides a step of saving the images captured by the acquisition unit 10 or the data processed by the control unit 90 in a database 97. Thereby, the comparison between different analyses is easier. This saving backup can further provide the analysis results of a mineral to be associated with a specific user, holder of the mineral itself, as previously described. Eventually, the method according to the present invention provides a communication step of the analysis device 1 with an external device, such as for example a smartphone or a computer. This communication step allows for example the display of the parameters analysed by the analysis device 1 in a device such as a smartphone or a computer and/or allows a user to validate the analysis of the analysed parameters in case the system required remote access to a database 97 in which information relating to mineral analyses previously carried out is stored.

The method according to the present invention further comprises a processing step of the analysis carried out, for example a phase of processing the image obtained of the mineral. This processing phase is adapted to create a map of the singularities of the mineral visible from the image captured by the acquisition unit 10. For example, the analysis software can cut out regions of the captured images, for example polygonal regions, and obtain the areas thereof: this type of analysis can be a quick database filter tool, to quickly identify the best results on which performing further checks.

Furthermore, the high degree of detail and magnification of the image obtained with the device and analysis method according to the present invention allow to identify even the smallest singularities available within a mineral and the image processing and saving phase of the images themselves in a database 97 allows to trace any interventions aimed at modifying and/or removing singularities in a mineral. Additionally or alternatively, other image processing methods can also be used. Such methods can, for example, use neural networks or data processing systems based on variations in the brightness level of different portions of the acquisition unit 10.

Furthermore, the method may comprise a step of determining the diameter of the mineral 1000 to be analysed by means of the second light source. Determining the diameter is valuable for further characterizing the mineral 1000, or for grouping multiple minerals of comparable size.

In the light of the peculiarity of the invention, it should be understood that the invention can be used for several and diverse application purposes. By way of non-limiting example: providing a certificate of the authenticity of a jewel or a bullion diamond (commonly placed in a blister) or be a verification element of a process and/or an identifier. Indeed, it can be further used to verify the authenticity of identity documents, by affixing on the latter a small support containing a precious stone, such as a diamond. In a subsequent verification phase, for example provided at the entrance to airports or in general to restricted access sites, the device of the invention can be used to evaluate the correspondence between the data of the analysed element and data relating to the same element previously acquired and held in the database. In fact, through an interaction interface of the analysis device reader management system according to the invention, the data relating to a mineral can be combined with additional data, such as biometric data, payment, access, authentication to a service or validation of a user license. In particular, the device of the invention can be further configured to store the association between the data detected by a mineral and a respective user.

The object of the present invention has been hitherto described with reference to its embodiments. It is to be understood that other embodiments may exist which pertain to the same inventive core, each belonging to the protection scope of the claims set forth below.