X-ray inspection of meat

Abstract

A conveyor system (100) is disclosed, comprising a first conveyor (102) leading to a detection point (104), the first conveyor (102) including a diverting mechanism (106) configured to divert an object based on failure to meet detection parameters. The system (100) includes a second conveyor (108) configured to carry a container (110). The container (110) is configured to receive the object from the diverting mechanism (106). A control module (112) is configured to register an image of the object captured at the detection point (104) along with container ID (204) data of the container (110).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] An embodiment may relate to a conveyor system comprising: a first conveyor leading to an inspection point; a second conveyor configured to carry a container configured to receive an object from a steering mechanism; and a control module configured to register an image of the object captured at the inspection point together with container ID data of the container. Background Art

[0002] Conveyor and inspection systems often require the identification or tracking of rejected items. For example, when the value of the product being inspected is so high that simply discarding / throwing it away because it fails to meet inspection or quality assurance parameters is prohibitively expensive, then the need to identify or track rejected products within the conveyor system arises. Some products may be packaged into cartons, for example, which may be barcoded before entering the inspection point, allowing the cartons (and the products within) to be identified and tracked by the barcode during inspection. However, sometimes it is not feasible or practical to package the product at the inspection stage.

[0003] For example, when inspecting bulk meat, it is not feasible or practical to package the meat in boxes before inspection. Therefore, there is a lack of identifying information about the individual items or chunks of products (CoPs, i.e., the rejected meat portions). Known approaches to this problem are limited to sorting the product flow by conveying the products onto dedicated, controlled, multi-segment conveyors for sequential inspection. A disadvantage of this approach is that if a product is taken out of the sorting queue, the ability to track the product is lost. Inserting time dependencies may help, but the entire approach is not fail-safe. Furthermore, because the inspected products must follow a sequential flow, it is difficult to facilitate parallel processing at reprocessing stations.

[0004] Known conveyors and detection systems are known from US 6,546,071, US 2009 / 130962, US 2012 / 114103, EP 1690144, EP 1781110 and WO 18087390. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Embodiments of a conveyor system may include a first conveyor leading to an inspection point, the first conveyor including a diverting mechanism configured to divert an object based on failure to meet inspection parameters and / or quality assurance parameters. The conveyor system may include a second conveyor configured to carry a container, and the container configured to receive the object from the diverting mechanism. The conveyor system further includes a reader configured to receive container ID data. The conveyor system may include a control module configured to register an image of the object captured at the inspection point along with the container ID data of the container.

[0006] Embodiments of a detection and communication system may include a detection unit configured to determine whether an object meets detection parameters and / or quality assurance parameters, and the detection unit configured to capture an image of the object. The detection and communication system may include a steering mechanism configured to redirect the object based on failure to meet the detection parameters. The detection and communication system may include a database configured to receive an image and container ID data of a container. The detection and communication system may include a control module configured to register the image and the container ID data together. The detection and communication system may include a display configured to display the image upon receiving the image and container ID data for registration.

[0007] An embodiment of an inspection method may include: determining whether an object meets inspection parameters and / or quality assurance parameters and capturing an image of the object; diverting the object based on not meeting the inspection parameters and / or quality assurance parameters; receiving the image and container ID data of a container; registering the image and container ID data together; and displaying the image associated with the registered image and container ID data. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Other features and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are represented by like reference numerals, and in which:

[0009] Figure 1 An exemplary conveyor system that may be used with embodiments of the detection system is shown;

[0010] Figure 2 shows an exemplary data flow diagram that may be used with embodiments of a detection system;

[0011] Figure 3 An exemplary process flow diagram is shown that may be used with embodiments of the detection system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] Reference Figure 1An embodiment of a conveyor system 100 may include a first conveyor 102 leading to a detection point 104, the first conveyor 102 including a diverting mechanism 106 configured to divert objects that fail to meet detection parameters. The conveyor system 100 may include a second conveyor 108 configured to carry a container 110 (e.g., a pallet, box, crate, etc.), which is configured to receive the object from the diverting mechanism 106. The conveyor system 100 is conceived as a belt-fed system, but the conveyor system may also be a screw-fed system, a barrel-fed system, an air flow system, etc. Where the conveyor system 100 is designed as a belt-fed system, other components (e.g., belts, rollers, drives, motors, etc.) may be included to ensure proper operation of the conveyor system. The construction, interrelationship, and operation of such components are well known.

[0013] The conveyor system 100 may include a control module 112 that controls various aspects of the conveyor system 100 and the inspection and communication system 200. The control module 112 may be a processor operatively associated with a memory. In some embodiments, the control module 112 may be configured to register an image of an object captured at the inspection point 104 along with container ID data for the container 110.

[0014] In the exemplary embodiment, conveyor system 100 includes a first conveyor 102 leading to an inspection point 104, where first conveyor 102 transports objects to inspection point 104. Inspection point 104 may include an inspection unit 114 configured to determine whether an object passing through inspection point 104 meets or fails inspection parameters. Information determining whether the object passing through the inspection point meets or fails inspection parameters is transmitted to control module 112. If control module 112 receives information that the object meets the inspection parameters, the object continues traveling along first conveyor 102. This may include being transported through inspection point 104 and traveling along first conveyor 102 for further processing. If control module 112 receives information that the object does not meet the inspection parameters, control module 112 activates diverting mechanism 106 to divert the object from the path of first conveyor 102. This may include being transported through inspection point 104 and traveling along first conveyor 102 to diverting mechanism 106, where the object is then diverted to second conveyor 108. Furthermore, when the control module 112 receives information that the object does not meet the detection parameters, the control module 112 causes the detection unit 114 to capture an image of the object while the object is at the detection point 104. The control module 112 receives the image of the object from the detection unit 114 and generates an image identifier. The control module 112 may convert the image and image identifier into digital data. In some embodiments, the digital data is sent to the database 202 (see Figure 2 ) for storage and later retrieval.

[0015] The diverting mechanism 106 can be a mechanical switch (e.g., a swing-type sorting switch) in operative communication with the control module 112 that, when activated, redirects objects along an alternate route. For example, the first conveyor 102 can include conveyor belt segments, at least one of which is pivotally attached to enable it to swing like flaps. When all segments are aligned (e.g., the swinging segments are not actuated), objects flow across the segments in a continuous manner. When the swinging segments are actuated, they rotate (e.g., downward) to direct objects downward and onto a second conveyor 108 located below the segmented first conveyor 102. When an object does not meet detection parameters, the control module 112 can control the diverting mechanism 106 to remove the object from the first conveyor path, redirecting the object to the second conveyor 108.

[0016] It should be noted that while objects that do not meet the inspection parameters are diverted to the second conveyor 108, other objects can be transported through the inspection point 104 for inspection. Thus, operations can continue on a continuous flow basis. Any objects that meet the inspection parameters continue along the path of the first conveyor 102, while any objects that do not meet the inspection parameters are imaged and diverted to travel along the path of the second conveyor 108, with the captured images of the objects being transmitted to the database 202. Objects that do not meet the inspection parameters flow out of the path of the first conveyor 102 in a sequential order and are therefore diverted in a sequential order. The images of the objects can be stored in the database 202 in a sequential order. When objects are diverted, they are dropped into or onto a container 110 being transported by the second conveyor 108. Each container 110 has a tag 120 with container ID data. The container ID data is obtained from the first reader 116a that scans the tag 120 and is transmitted to the control module 112 and / or the database 202. The control module 112 retrieves the image identifier associated with the object that has been diverted to the container 110 and registers the image of the object along with the container ID data. The second conveyor 108 then carries the container 110 with the object to a reprocessing station 122.

[0017] Once at the reprocessing station 122, the user may enter the container ID data via a user interface displayed on the display 118, or the system may automatically detect the container 110 via the container ID data (e.g., the second reader 116b associated with the display 118 may be used to retrieve the container ID data). The display 118 and / or the second reader 116b transmit the container ID data to the control module 112. The control module 112 retrieves the co-registered image of the object associated with the container ID data from the database 202 and transmits the co-registered image 204 (see Figure 2 ) is sent to display 118. Display 118 displays an image of the object. A user can then view the image of the object via display 118 to assist the user in reprocessing the object (e.g., making corrections to the object so that it meets inspection parameters). The reprocessed object can be placed back onto first conveyor 102 to be transported through the inspection point for another inspection. Placing the reprocessed object can include physically placing the object onto first conveyor 102 at a point prior to inspection point 104, either by the user or by another conveyor transporting the object.

[0018] As described above, the conveyor system 100 may include a detection unit 114 configured to determine whether an object meets detection parameters. The detection unit 114 may include any one or a combination of the following: an optical camera, an x-ray unit, an infrared unit, an ultraviolet unit, a microwave unit, an ultrasound unit, a spectroscopy unit, etc. The detection unit 114 may include an image capture device configured to receive electromagnetic radiation (EMR) or ultrasound waves (US) and analyze the EMR or US based on wavelength, amplitude, phase, polarization, etc. For example, the image capture device may include circuitry (e.g., a processor, filtering circuitry, a transducer, a sensor, etc.) and a power supply 206 to receive and process the EMR or US and generate output information, wherein the output information is an image representing the EMR or US.

[0019] As described above, the conveyor system 100 may include a marker 120 attached to the container 110, the marker 120 being configured to include container ID data. The marker 120 may include any one or a combination of the following: a radio frequency identification tag, a barcode, a quick response code, an infrared identification marker, an ultraviolet identification marker, a color marker that can be identified by an optical camera, etc.

[0020] As described above, the conveyor system 100 may include a first reader 116a and / or a second reader 116b, each configured to receive container ID data by scanning a tag 120. The one or more readers 116a, 116b may be RFID scanners, laser scanners, etc. The first reader 116a may be located at a container queue (a line in which, when prompted, containers 110 are held to await their turn to be placed on the second conveyor 108). The second reader 116b may be located at or near the display 118.

[0021] As described above, the second conveyor 108 can be configured to transport the object and the container 110 to the reprocessing station 122. The conveyor system 100 can include a display 118 located at the reprocessing station 122, the display being configured to receive the co-registered image and container ID data 204 and display an image of the object associated with the container 110 at the reprocessing station 122.

[0022] Display 118 can be, for example, a computer monitor connected to a computer device. Display 118 can be programmed to run a reject classification engine configured to allow a user to indicate (via a user interface) whether inspection of an object at reprocessing station 122 also resulted in a failure to meet inspection parameters. In other words, a user at reprocessing station 122 can verify whether an object was properly rejected. This can facilitate process quality control for conveyor system 100. For example, if inspection unit 114 rejects an object due to failure to meet inspection parameters, but subsequent inspection by a user reveals that the object actually meets the inspection parameters, these instances can be recorded by the user inputting their observations via a user interface associated with the reject classification engine. Furthermore, the reject classification engine can allow users to add textual input regarding their observations. For example, if the inspection parameters include the presence of bone as a contaminant in meat, the user can enter textual information regarding the contaminants observed when the rejected meat arrived at its reprocessing station 122. The user may indicate whether the contaminant is actually bone or some other contaminant (eg, white plastic), or whether the user observes contaminants other than bone that the conveyor system 100 fails to identify, etc.

[0023] Data from the reject classification engine can be sent to the database 202 for storage and later retrieval. The data can be time-stamped, embedded with metadata, include image identifiers and / or container ID data, etc., to help record and classify information about each individual rejected object. The display 118 can generate reports related to reject statistics and user classification of rejects by accessing the stored data from the database 202. In some embodiments, the reports can be generated to assist in quality assurance and process quality of the conveyor system 100. In some embodiments, the reports can be generated to be shared with the supplier of the object to inform the supplier that the supplied object does not meet certain quality specifications and to help the supplier identify the problem by providing the supplier with detailed information on the rejected object.

[0024] The conveyor system 100 may include a third conveyor 124 configured to transport the container 110 from the second conveyor 108 at the reprocessing station 122 and back to the second conveyor 108 at the diverting mechanism 106. For example, the conveyor system 100 may include a first conveyor 102 leading to an inspection point 104, where the first conveyor 102 transports an object to the inspection point 104. The inspection point 104 may include an inspection unit 114 configured to determine whether an object passing through the inspection point 104 meets or fails to meet inspection parameters. If the control module 112 receives information that the object meets the inspection parameters, the object continues to travel along the first conveyor 102. If the control module 112 receives information that the object does not meet the inspection parameters, the control module 112 activates the diverting mechanism 106 to divert the object from the path of the first conveyor 102. This may include being transported through the inspection point 104 and traveling along the first conveyor 102 to the diverting mechanism 106, where the object is then diverted to the second conveyor 108. The object diverted to the second conveyor 108 may fall into or onto the container 110. The second conveyor 108 then carries the container 110 with the object to a reprocessing station 122. After reprocessing at the reprocessing station 122, the object is removed from the container 110, where the container 110 travels along the third conveyor 124. The third conveyor 124 may carry the container 110 back to the second conveyor 108 at the diverting mechanism 106 to be placed in a queue, which is a column by which the container 110 is held waiting to be placed on the second conveyor 108 when prompted.

[0025] It should be noted that other methods can be used to return the container 110 to the container queue. For example, a trolley or cart can be used instead of the third conveyor 124.

[0026] The object can be meat, and the detection parameter can determine whether the meat has a contaminant equal to and / or greater than a predetermined amount. The contaminant can include bones. For example, the detection parameter can be to assess whether the meat contains any bones, a certain amount of bones, a certain size of bones, a certain bone-to-meat ratio, etc.

[0027] In some embodiments, the conveyor system 100 includes an object.

[0028] While the conveyor system 100 and the inspection unit 114 are contemplated for conveying and inspecting meat as an object, the conveyor system 100 and the inspection unit 114 can be used for any type of object to be transported by a conveyor. It should be further noted that the inspection parameter can be any quantitative measurement result or qualitative measurement result, including quality assurance parameters. For example, the inspection parameter can be a measurement of contaminants in or on the object, errors or deformations of the object, missing or incomplete components of the object, undesirable composition or chemical composition of the object, incorrect count of components forming the object, incorrect weight of the object, incorrect color of the object, incorrect position of the object, etc.

[0029] The conveyor system 100 can be used to convey and inspect objects, enabling defective objects to be diverted from the acceptable object flow path (the first conveyor path) and reprocessed in the rejected object flow path (the second conveyor path) at a reprocessing station 122 without interrupting the flow of acceptable objects, while still tracking defective objects and enabling reprocessed objects to be reintroduced into the conveyor system 100 for additional inspection. The conveyor system 100 can also be used to facilitate parallel inspection operations (e.g., deviating from the strictly sequential flow required by known inspection systems). For example, the conveyor system 100 can fully track objects diverted to the second conveyor path, provide an image of the object to assist a user in reprocessing the object, and track when the object is placed back into the inspection process. The conveyor system 100 also provides a method for operating multiple second conveyors 108 and / or third conveyors 124, allowing multiple reprocessing stations 122 to operate simultaneously. This type of operational flexibility is not possible with known systems. The ability to perform such operations is due to the configuration and information data flow of the conveyor system 100 described herein. The information data flow may be implemented using the detection communication system 200 described below.

[0030] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3Some embodiments of the conveyor system 100 (or aspects of the conveyor system) may be configured as part of or used in conjunction with the detection communication system 200. For example, the detection communication system 200 may include a detection unit 114 configured to determine whether an object satisfies a detection parameter and to capture an image of the object. The detection communication system 200 may also include a steering mechanism 106 (see Figure 1 ), the steering mechanism is configured to steer an object based on failure to meet the detection parameters. The detection and communication system 200 may further include a database 202 configured to receive the image and container ID data 204 of the container 110. The detection and communication system 200 may further include a control module 112 configured to register the image and container ID data together. The detection and communication system 200 may further include a display 118 configured to display the image upon receiving the image and container ID data 204 for registration.

[0031] The detection unit 114 may include any one or a combination of the following: an optical camera, an x-ray unit, an infrared unit, an ultraviolet unit, a microwave unit, an ultrasound unit, a spectroscopy unit, etc.

[0032] The detection communication system 200 may include a marker 120 attached to the container, the marker 120 being configured to include container ID data. The marker 120 may include any one or a combination of the following: a radio frequency identification tag, a barcode, a quick response code, an infrared identification marker, an ultraviolet identification marker, a color marker that can be recognized by an optical camera, etc.

[0033] The detection communication system 200 may include a reader 116 configured to receive container ID data and transmit the container ID data to a database 202 .

[0034] Various components of the conveyor system 100 and the detection and communication system 200 (e.g., the control module 112, the reader 116, the display 118, the detection unit 114, etc.) may include a processor operatively associated with a memory. Any processor disclosed herein may be at least one of a scalable processor, a parallelizable processor, and the like. Any of the processors may be optimized for multi-threaded processing capabilities. In some embodiments, the processor may be a graphics processing unit (GPU). The processor may include any integrated circuit or other electronic device (or collection of devices) capable of executing operations according to at least one instruction, and may include any one or a combination of the following: a Reduced Instruction Set Core (RISC) processor, a CISC microprocessor, a microcontroller unit (MCU), a CISC-based central processing unit (CPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), and the like. The hardware of such a device may be integrated onto a single substrate (e.g., a silicon "die") or distributed across two or more substrates. Various functional aspects of the processor may be implemented separately as software or firmware associated with the processor.

[0035] Memory can include computer program code stored on the memory. Memory is optionally associated with the processor. Embodiments of memory can include volatile memory storage (e.g., RAM), non-volatile memory storage (e.g., ROM, flash memory, etc.), or some combination of the two. For example, memory can include, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory, CDROM, digital versatile disks (DVDs) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or perhaps any other medium that can be used to store the desired information and can be accessed by the processor. Memory can be a non-transitory computer-readable medium. The term "computer-readable medium" (or "machine-readable medium") as used herein is an extensible term that refers to any medium or any memory that participates in providing instructions to the processor for execution, or any mechanism for storing or transmitting information in a form readable by a machine (e.g., a computer). Such media can store computer-executable instructions executed by a processing element, control logic, and / or data manipulated by the processing element and / or control logic. Such media can take many forms, including, but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media.

[0036] Transmission media may include coaxial cables, copper wires, and fiber optics, and may include lines that include or form a bus. Transmission media may also take the form of sound waves or light waves (such as those generated during radio wave and infrared data communications), or other forms of propagation signals (such as carrier waves, infrared signals, digital signals, etc.). Computer-readable media may be in the form of, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, a hard disk, magnetic tape, or any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM, any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, any other physical medium with a pattern of holes, RAM, PROM, and EPROM, FLASH-EPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge memory, a carrier wave described below, or any other medium that is computer-readable.

[0037] Instructions for executing any of the methods disclosed herein may be stored in a memory in the form of computer program code. The computer program code may include program logic, control logic, or other algorithms that may or may not be based on artificial intelligence (e.g., machine learning techniques, artificial neural network techniques, etc.). The memory and computer program code may be configured to cause a processor associated therewith to execute any of the methods disclosed herein.

[0038] Any of the components of the conveyor system 100 and the detection and communication system 200 may include a communication interface (e.g., a hardwired connection, a transceiver, a gateway, etc.) to facilitate the sending and receiving of communication signals. As described above, the control module 112 may be configured to control various aspects of the conveyor system 100 and the detection and communication system 200. For example, the control module 112 may be configured to control the detection unit 114, the diverter mechanism 106, the reader 116, and the display 118. The control module 112 may also access the database 202. Therefore, the control module 112 may include a communication interface to facilitate the sending and receiving of communication signals to and from the detection unit 114, the diverter mechanism 106, the reader 116, the display 118, and the database 202.

[0039] The detection method may include determining whether the object meets detection parameters and / or quality assurance parameters and capturing an image of the object. The detection method may include diverting the object based on the failure to meet the detection parameters and quality assurance parameters. The detection method may include receiving an image of the container 110 and the container ID data. The detection method may include registering the image and the container ID data together. The detection method may include displaying an image associated with the registered image and container ID data 204.

[0040] Displaying the image may occur at the reprocessing station 122 , and the method may further include reprocessing the object to remove contaminants.

[0041] The inspection method may include reprocessing the object and determining whether the reprocessed object meets inspection parameters and / or quality assurance parameters.

[0042] In the exemplary embodiment, a first object is transported along first conveyor 102 to inspection point 104, where it is inspected by inspection unit 114. Inspection unit 114 determines whether the first object meets inspection parameters and / or quality assurance parameters. Assuming the first object meets the inspection parameters and / or quality assurance parameters, the first object continues along first conveyor 102, passes through diverting mechanism 106, and undergoes further processing. A second object is transported along first conveyor 102 to inspection point 104. Inspection unit 114 determines whether the second object meets the inspection parameters and / or quality assurance parameters. Assuming the second object does not meet the inspection parameters and / or quality assurance parameters, the inspection unit captures an image of the second object and transmits the image and non-satisfaction information to control module 112. Control module 112 generates an image identifier and transmits digital data representing the image and the image identifier to database 202 for storage and later retrieval. Control module 112 sends a signal to diverting mechanism 106 to divert the second object to second conveyor 108 after the second object continues through inspection point 104. While the second object is being diverted to the second conveyor 108, the third object is transported along the first conveyor 102 to the inspection point 104. Inspection unit 114 determines whether the third object meets the inspection parameters and / or quality assurance parameters. Assuming the third object meets the inspection parameters and / or quality assurance parameters, the third object continues along the first conveyor 102, passes through the diverting mechanism 106, and undergoes further processing. A fourth object is transported along the first conveyor 102 to the inspection point 104. Inspection unit 114 determines whether the fourth object meets the inspection parameters and / or quality assurance parameters. Assuming the fourth object does not meet the inspection parameters and / or quality assurance parameters, inspection unit 114 captures an image of the fourth object and transmits the image and non-satisfaction information to control module 112. Control module 112 generates an image identifier and transmits digital data representing the image and the image identifier to database 202 for storage and later retrieval. Control module 112 sends a signal to diverting mechanism 106 to divert the fourth object to the second conveyor 108 after the fourth object continues through inspection point 104.

[0043] When diverted to the second conveyor 108, the second object falls into or onto the first container 110 (which has a tag 120 with the first container ID data). The reader 116 reads the tag 120 to obtain the first container ID data and transmits the first container ID data to the control module 112. The control module 112 retrieves the image identifier associated with the second object that has been diverted to the first container 110 and registers the image of the second object along with the first container ID data. The second conveyor 108 then transports the first container 110 and the second object to a reprocessing station 122, where a second reader 116b is located at or near the display 118. Once at the reprocessing station 122, the system automatically detects the first container 110 by the first container ID data (e.g., by the second reader 116b at the display 118 reading the tag 120). The display 118 transmits the first container ID data to the control module 112. The control module 112 retrieves the co-registered image 204 of the second object and causes the display 118 to display the image of the second object. A user can then view the image of the second object displayed on the display 118 to assist the user in reprocessing the second object (e.g., making corrections to the object so that it meets inspection parameters and / or quality assurance parameters). The reprocessed second object can be placed back onto the first conveyor 102 to be transported through the inspection point for another inspection. The first container 110 can be placed onto the third conveyor 124 at the reprocessing station 122 to be transported back to the queue adjacent to the diverter mechanism 106.

[0044] When diverted to the second conveyor 108, the fourth object falls into or onto the second container 110 (which has a tag 120 with the second container ID data). The reader 116 reads the tag 120 to obtain the second container ID data and transmits the second container ID data to the control module 112. The control module 112 retrieves the image identifier associated with the fourth object that has been diverted to the second container 110 and registers the image of the fourth object along with the second container ID data. The second conveyor 108 then transports the second container 110 with the fourth object to a reprocessing station 122, where a display 118 is located. Once at the reprocessing station 122, the system automatically detects the second container 110 based on the second container ID data (e.g., by reading the tag 120 by the second reader 116b at the display 118). The display 118 and / or the second reader 116b transmit the second container ID data to the control module 112. The control module 112 retrieves the co-registered image 204 of the fourth object and causes the display 118 to display the image of the fourth object. The user can then view the image of the fourth object to assist the user in reprocessing the fourth object (e.g., modifying the object so that it meets inspection parameters and / or quality assurance parameters). The reprocessed fourth object can be placed back onto the first conveyor 102 to be transported through the inspection point for another inspection. The second container 110 can be placed onto the third conveyor 124 at the reprocessing station 122 to be transported back to the queue adjacent to the diverter mechanism 106.

[0045] It should be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein can be modified to meet a particular set of design criteria. For example, any component or process step can be of any appropriate number or type to meet a particular goal. Therefore, although certain exemplary embodiments of systems and methods of using and making the systems have been discussed and illustrated, it should be clearly understood that the invention is not limited thereto, but may be embodied and implemented in various other ways within the scope of the appended claims.

[0046] It should be understood that some components, features, and / or configurations may be described in conjunction with only one particular embodiment, but these same components, features, and / or configurations may be applied or used with many other embodiments and should be considered applicable to the other embodiments unless otherwise stated, or unless such components, features, and / or configurations are technically incapable of being used with the other embodiments. Therefore, the components, features, and / or configurations of the various embodiments may be combined together in any manner, and such combinations are expressly contemplated and disclosed by this statement.

[0047] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that, without departing from the spirit or essential features of the present invention, the present invention may be implemented in other specific forms. Therefore, the presently disclosed embodiments are considered to be illustrative in all respects, rather than restrictive. The scope of the present invention is indicated by the appended claims rather than the preceding description, and all variations and equivalents thereof within the meaning and scope of the present invention are intended to be included therein. In addition, the disclosure of the range of values ​​is the disclosure of each numerical value within the range, including endpoints.

Claims

1. A conveyor system (100), comprising: a first conveyor (102) leading to an inspection point (104), the first conveyor (102) including a diverting mechanism (106) configured to divert objects based on failure to meet inspection parameters and / or quality assurance parameters; a second conveyor (108) configured to transport an empty container (110) and to transport the container (110) with the object to a reprocessing station (122) after the empty container (110) receives the object from the diverting mechanism (106); a third conveyor (124) configured to transport empty containers (110) away from the second conveyor (108) at the reprocessing station (122) and to transport the empty containers (110) back to the second conveyor (108) at the diverter mechanism (106) to be placed in a container queue; a reader (116) configured to receive container ID data (204); as well as A control module (112) is configured to register the image of the object captured at the inspection point (104) together with the container ID data (204) of the container (110).

2. The conveyor system (100) according to claim 1, comprising: A detection unit (114) is configured to determine whether the object meets the detection parameters and / or quality assurance parameters.

3. The conveyor system (100) according to claim 2, wherein The detection unit (114) includes any one of the following or a combination thereof: an optical camera, an x-ray unit, an infrared unit, an ultraviolet unit, a microwave unit, an ultrasound unit, or a spectroscopy unit.

4. The conveyor system (100) according to claim 1 or 2, comprising: a marker (120) attached to the container (110), the marker (120) being configured to include the container ID data (204); and The marker (120) includes any one of the following or a combination thereof: a radio frequency identification tag, a barcode, a quick response code, an infrared identification marker, an ultraviolet identification marker, or a color marker that can be identified by an optical camera.

5. The conveyor system (100) of claim 2, wherein: The conveyor system (100) further comprises: A display (118) is configured to receive the co-registered image and the container ID data (204) and to display an image of an object associated with the container (110) at the reprocessing station (122).

6. The conveyor system (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The object is meat, and the detection parameters and / or quality assurance parameters determine whether the meat has a contaminant equal to and / or greater than a predetermined amount; and Wherein, the contaminants include bones.

7. The conveyor system (100) according to claim 5, wherein The display (118) is programmed to operate a reject sorting engine configured to enable a user to indicate whether inspection of the object at the reprocessing station (122) also resulted in failure to meet the inspection parameters and / or quality assurance parameters.

8. The conveyor system of claim 7, wherein: The reject classification engine is configured to cause the display (118) to generate a report regarding statistics of the objects detected at the reprocessing station (122).

9. The conveyor system of claim 5, wherein: The conveyor system is configured to be used in conjunction with a detection communication system (200).

10. The conveyor system of claim 9, wherein: The detection communication system (200) comprises: The detection unit (114), the detection unit is configured to determine whether the object meets the detection parameters and / or quality assurance parameters, and the detection unit is configured to acquire the image of the object; the steering mechanism being configured to steer the object based on failure to satisfy the detection parameter; a database (202) configured to receive the image and to receive the container ID data (204) of the container (110); a control module (112) configured to register the image together with the container ID data (204); and The display (118) is configured to display the image upon receiving the image and the container ID data (204) registered together.

11. The conveyor system according to claim 10, wherein the detection communication system comprises: The reader (116) is configured to receive the container ID data (204) and send the container ID data (204) to the database (202).

12. A detection method, comprising: determining whether an object meets inspection parameters and / or quality assurance parameters and capturing an image of the object; diverting the object based on failure to meet the detection parameters and / or quality assurance parameters such that: The object is diverted from the first conveyor (102) to an empty container (110) located on a second conveyor (108) by a diverting mechanism (106) of the first conveyor (102); The second conveyor (108) transports the container (110) with the object to a further processing station (122); a third conveyor (124) transporting the empty container (110) away from the second conveyor (108) at the reprocessing station (122) and transporting the empty container (110) back to the second conveyor (108) at the diverting mechanism (106) to be placed in a container queue; receiving the image and container ID data (204) of the container (110); registering the image together with the container ID data (204); as well as The image is displayed in association with the image and the container ID data (204) registered together.

13. The detection method according to claim 12, wherein: Displaying the image occurs at a reprocessing station (122), the method comprising: The object is reprocessed to remove contaminants.

14. The detection method according to claim 12, comprising: The object is reprocessed and it is determined whether the reprocessed object meets the inspection parameters and / or the quality assurance parameters.

Images