Optical egg sexing system

Abstract

The present disclosure provides an egg gender optical detection system, and relates to the technical field of agricultural intelligence. The system comprises: a matrix egg tray module comprising a plurality of egg tray cells, an egg tray being arranged in each egg tray cell, and a separation component being arranged between adjacent egg tray cells, each egg tray being used for placing one egg to be detected; a light source array module being arranged below the matrix egg tray module, the direction of light of each light source in the light source array module being vertically upward, each light source corresponding to irradiating the egg to be detected in one egg tray cell; a spectrum acquisition module being arranged above the egg tray cell, and being used for acquiring spectrum information of light from each egg tray cell; and a system control module being used for controlling the light source of the light source array module to irradiate, and the spectrum acquisition module to acquire spectrum information. The present disclosure performs detection on multiple eggs at one time through the egg tray matrix and the light source array, and realizes high-throughput detection.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of intelligent agricultural technology, and in particular to an optical detection system for egg sex. Background Technology

[0002] While existing egg sex detection equipment can achieve non-invasive detection, it has the following problems in large-scale industrial applications: low detection throughput: most devices can only detect a single egg at a time, which cannot meet the large-scale needs of hatcheries.

[0003] Therefore, there is an urgent need for an automated testing system capable of batch testing to meet the dual needs of industrial production and scientific research sampling. Utility Model Content

[0004] In view of this, the purpose of this disclosure is to provide an optical detection system for egg sex, which can specifically solve the existing problems.

[0005] Based on the above objectives, this disclosure proposes an optical detection system for egg sex, which is integrated into a detection production line. The system includes: a matrix egg tray module comprising multiple egg tray cells, each containing an egg tray, with isolation components between adjacent egg tray cells. Each egg tray holds one egg to be detected, and the egg tray cells form a matrix. This matrix is ​​transferred to the detection area by an egg transfer mechanism in the detection production line. A light source array module is positioned below the matrix egg tray module, with the light from the light sources in the light source array module pointing vertically upwards. Each light source illuminates one egg to be detected in one egg tray cell. A spectral acquisition module is positioned above the egg tray cells and is used to acquire spectral information from the light from each egg tray cell. A system control module is used to control the illumination from the light source array module and the acquisition of spectral information by the spectral acquisition module.

[0006] In summary, this disclosure offers at least the following advantages: by using an egg tray matrix and a light source array, multiple eggs can be detected simultaneously, achieving high-throughput detection. Furthermore, the system in this application can be applied to a detection production line, thereby realizing the industrialization of egg sex detection. Attached Figure Description

[0007] In the accompanying drawings, unless otherwise specified, the same reference numerals throughout the various drawings denote the same or similar parts or elements. These drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. It should be understood that these drawings depict only some embodiments disclosed according to this utility model and should not be construed as limiting the scope of this utility model.

[0008] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an optical detection system for egg sex according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown; Figure 2 Another schematic diagram of an egg sex optical detection system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0009] The present disclosure will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Furthermore, it should be noted that, for ease of description, only the parts relevant to the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0010] It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in this disclosure can be combined with each other. This disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0011] Figure 1 An optical detection system for egg sex according to this disclosure is shown. In embodiments of this disclosure, the system is integrated into a detection production line and interfaces with an egg transfer mechanism within the production line. The system includes: The matrix egg tray module 1 includes multiple egg tray cells 11, each containing an egg tray. Isolation components 12 are placed between adjacent egg tray cells 11. Each egg tray holds one egg to be tested, and the egg tray cells 11 are arranged in a matrix. The light source array module 2 is located below the matrix egg tray module. The light from the light source 21 in the light source array module 2 is directed vertically upwards, and each light source 21 illuminates one egg to be tested in one egg tray cell 11. The spectrum acquisition module 3 is located above the egg tray cells and is used to acquire the spectral information of the light from each egg tray cell 11. The system control module 4 is used to control the illumination by the light source 21 in the light source array module 2 and the acquisition of spectral information by the spectrum acquisition module 3.

[0012] The system disclosed herein is used to detect the sex of eggs. The docking here can be with an egg transfer mechanism used for loading / unloading, meaning the eggs to be detected in this detection system are the objects loaded / unloaded by the egg transfer mechanism. The egg transfer mechanism can be a robotic arm, a conveyor belt, or a turntable mechanism. The material here refers to the egg tray cell matrix. In the case of a conveyor belt, the conveyor belt can pass below a designated area, or the conveyor belt can pass through an opening in the device housing.

[0013] The testing line includes this testing system. Isolation components can be isolation plates or isolation chambers, etc.

[0014] The eggs can be placed with the larger end facing upwards, and the direction of light exposure should match the egg's structure. Light enters the egg from the bottom through the pointed end (the smaller end), and then the spectral acquisition module 3 at the top can collect the light and generate spectral information. In this way, a stable transmitted signal can be obtained in both the early and late stages of incubation.

[0015] Fertilized eggs can be distinguished by sex; specifically, the sex of the chicken that hatches from the egg is the sex of the egg itself.

[0016] Each module disclosed herein can use a detachable interface, meaning they are all replaceable modules. The light source 21 can support replacement with light sources 21 of different wavelengths (visible light, near-infrared, short-wave infrared).

[0017] Both the light source array module 2 and the spectrum acquisition module 3 are replaceable modules, enabling multi-band, multi-throughput detection. The system control module can transmit or store the acquired spectral information. Subsequently, other electronic devices, such as a host computer, can determine the sex of the egg based on the spectral information.

[0018] This application utilizes an egg tray matrix and a light source array to perform simultaneous detection of multiple eggs, achieving high-throughput detection. Furthermore, the system described in this application can be applied to a detection production line, thereby realizing the industrialization of egg sex detection.

[0019] In some optional implementations of any embodiment of this disclosure, the system control module 4 is used to control the synchronization between the illumination by the light source array module 2 and the acquisition by the spectrum acquisition module 3, as well as the duration of the illumination.

[0020] Specifically, the synchronization may include at least one of the start time, end time, and execution duration between irradiation and acquisition.

[0021] This application controls synchronization through a system control module, ensuring the effectiveness of irradiation and data collection and avoiding invalid execution. Furthermore, by strictly controlling the irradiation duration, it can prevent egg "burning," i.e., egg denaturation, caused by irradiation.

[0022] In some optional implementations of any embodiment of this disclosure, the system further includes: an external control module 5, used to control the egg transfer mechanism to stop the egg tray cell 11 matrix in the detection area so that the position of the egg tray cell 11 matrix corresponds to the position of the light source array in the light source array module 2, and to control the position of the egg tray cell 11 matrix to correspond to the position of the acquisition device 31 in the spectral acquisition module 3.

[0023] This module controls the egg tray cells 11 in the egg tray cell matrix 11, establishing a one-to-one correspondence between them and the light sources 21 in the light source array. That is, one light source 21 can illuminate one egg to be tested within one egg tray cell 11. The acquisition device in the spectral acquisition module 3 can acquire the spectral information of all egg tray cells 11 in the egg tray cell matrix 11.

[0024] The system control module 4 and the external control module 5 can be located in a position that is not visible from the outside.

[0025] The external control module stops the egg tray cell 11 matrix in the detection area through the conveyor mechanism, thereby controlling the position of the egg tray cell 11 matrix and the position of the light source array, thus ensuring the smooth detection of the detection pipeline.

[0026] In some optional implementations of any embodiment of this disclosure, the height of the highest position of the spacer is higher than the height of the highest position of the egg to be detected when the egg to be detected is located within the egg tray cell 11.

[0027] The partition components can be partition walls, partition plates, etc.

[0028] By controlling the height of the spacer components, an independent optical cavity can be formed, avoiding optical crosstalk between the egg tray cells 11.

[0029] In some optional implementations of any embodiment of this disclosure, the system further includes a housing; the main body of the housing is made of a light-proof metal material, and the inner wall of the housing has an anti-reflective layer.

[0030] By using light-blocking materials and matte layers, unwanted light can be prevented from entering the equipment and affecting the test results, thus ensuring the accuracy of the test.

[0031] In some optional implementations of any embodiment of this disclosure, the egg tray is shaped like a hole, the edge of the hole is used to hold the lower part of the egg to be tested, the position of the hole corresponds to the position of the light irradiated by the light source 21, and the light irradiated by the light source 21 can pass through the hole corresponding to the light source 21.

[0032] The size of the aperture can be set relatively large (greater than a preset size threshold, with the distance between the aperture edge and the egg equator less than the target distance) to ensure the egg is placed stably. Alternatively, it can be set relatively small (not greater than a preset size threshold, with the distance between the aperture edge and the egg equator not less than the target distance) to obtain vertically upward light from the light source 21. The egg equator refers to the circumference perpendicular to the egg's long axis 1, dividing the egg into upper and lower halves (when the egg is upright).

[0033] In some optional implementations of any embodiment of this disclosure, if the acquisition device in the spectral acquisition module 3 is a single hyperspectral camera, the field of view of the single hyperspectral camera covers all egg tray cells 11 in the matrix egg tray module 11; or, if the acquisition device in the spectral acquisition module 3 is at least two hyperspectral cameras, the field of view of different hyperspectral cameras covers different areas.

[0034] The fields of view of different hyperspectral cameras can be completely different, or they can overlap.

[0035] Hyperspectral cameras can employ a built-in pushbroom mode, in which the camera performs spectral scanning itself. Alternatively, hyperspectral cameras can employ an external pushbroom mode, in which the built-in sliding mechanism of the detection system (such as a detection chamber) drives the camera to perform a lateral scan.

[0036] In some optional implementations of any embodiment of this disclosure, each light source 21 in the light source array module 2 is provided with a control circuit connected to the system control module. The control circuit is used to adjust the corresponding light source 21. The adjustable parameters of the light source 21 include brightness, wavelength and / or working mode. The working mode refers to the range of light sources 21 illuminated in the light source array. A concentrator corresponding to each light source 21 is provided above each light source 21 to focus the light irradiated by the light source 21.

[0037] Each light source 21 has an independent control circuit, which can switch on and off and adjust the brightness of the light source 21 individually or collectively.

[0038] By using a condenser, it can be ensured that the direction of the light irradiated by the light source 21 is vertically upward.

[0039] Figure 2 An optical method for detecting the sex of an egg according to an embodiment of this disclosure is shown. Figure 2 As shown, a system employing any of the above implementation methods is described, the method comprising: step S201, controlling the egg transfer mechanism in the detection production line via an external control module to transfer a matrix of eggs to be detected, and sending a signal to the system control module, the signal indicating that the eggs to be detected have arrived at the detection area, the detection area corresponding to the position of the egg tray cell matrix and the position of the light source array; step S202, controlling the light source of the light source array module to start irradiating for a preset duration via the system control module, and controlling the spectral acquisition module to start acquiring spectral information and acquire it for the preset duration; step S203, determining the sex of the eggs to be detected based on the acquisition results.

[0040] In some optional implementations of any embodiment of this disclosure, controlling the spectral acquisition module to start spectral information acquisition includes: if the spectral acquisition module includes a single hyperspectral camera, controlling the single hyperspectral camera to start spectral information acquisition of all egg tray cells 11 in the egg tray cell matrix; if the spectral acquisition module includes at least two hyperspectral cameras, controlling each of the at least two hyperspectral cameras to start spectral information acquisition of the area covered by the field of view of that hyperspectral camera.

[0041] like Figure 2 As shown in the figure, this is a schematic diagram of an optical detection system for egg sex.

[0042] This disclosure also provides an optical detection system for egg sex, which is specifically described in the following aspects: 1. Overall Structure This system can be a box-type structure, also known as an automatic detection box, including: Light source array module; matrix egg tray module 1; spectrum acquisition module; system control module; external control module.

[0043] The outer shell of the testing box adopts a metal light-proof structure, and the inside is coated with a matting layer to ensure the stability and anti-interference of the optical system.

[0044] 2. Light source array module The light source adopts an array structure, such as a 6×7 arrangement, with a total of 42 light source units; The light source type can be halogen lamp, LED, broadband white light or infrared light source; Each light source has an independent control circuit, which can be switched on, dimmed, and frequency-modulated individually or collectively; The system control module can realize automatic dimming, area control, or array synchronous triggering, and can achieve automatic brightness balance and optimization of individual light sources, thus being compatible with multi-band and multi-intensity acquisition needs. The light source array can be expanded to an N×M layout according to the size or throughput requirements of the egg tray cell matrix.

[0045] 3. Matrix Egg Tray Module 1 Each egg tray cell 11 used for detection adopts a matrix cell structure corresponding to the light source array; Each cell is used to fix the position of the egg, with the larger end of the egg facing up and the air cell facing upwards; The cell wall is higher than the top edge of the egg, forming an independent optical cavity to avoid light crosstalk; The bottom of the egg carton has perforated holes that correspond to the light source below, allowing light to pass through the egg from bottom to top. A light concentrator can be placed above the light source. The egg tray module is detachable for easy cleaning and maintenance; The modular interface design facilitates horizontal expansion, enabling dual-row or multi-row detection structures.

[0046] 4. Hyperspectral camera acquisition module The camera is positioned above the detection box, vertically downwards. A single hyperspectral camera can be used to cover the entire field of view, or multiple cameras can be used for zone detection, and various camera acquisition modes can be selected: Built-in pushbroom mode: The camera completes the spectral scan itself; External push-broom mode: The built-in sliding rail mechanism of the detection box drives the camera to scan horizontally; Each scan can simultaneously acquire spectral information from multiple eggs, enabling multi-point parallel acquisition; The system supports multi-band detection (visible light, near-infrared, short-wave infrared) and can achieve automatic dimming and dynamic exposure.

[0047] 5. Control and Data Processing Module Used to control the timing of the illumination from the light source array and the acquisition by the camera; The synchronous trigger signal ensures that the light source illumination is consistent with the camera exposure; Supports independent channel, grouped channel, or full matrix sampling modes. Here, the channel refers to cell 11 of the egg tray. The collected data is transmitted to the host computer in real time, and the position of the egg tray is automatically identified and the corresponding spectrum is extracted.

[0048] 6. Integration of production line and scientific research model The testing equipment can be used as an independent scientific research collection platform, with the ability to collect high-throughput samples. Meanwhile, the equipment supports integration into industrial production line systems: The testing box can be docked with loading / unloading robotic arms, conveyor belts, and turntable mechanisms; It supports external control interfaces and data network communication to achieve automatic detection and sorting, which can meet the needs of both scientific research data collection and industrial production application scenarios.

[0049] Each module is independent and can be freely combined or expanded horizontally. For example, the egg tray cell matrix and the light source array can be expanded to a larger size according to throughput requirements.

[0050] It should be noted that: In the foregoing text, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or system that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or system. Without further limitation, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or system that includes that element. Furthermore, it should be noted that the scope of the methods and systems in this disclosure is not limited to performing functions in the order shown or discussed, but may also include performing functions substantially simultaneously or in reverse order, depending on the functions involved. For example, the described methods may be performed in a different order than described, and various steps may be added, omitted, or combined. Additionally, features described with reference to certain examples may be combined in other examples.

[0051] Through the above description of the embodiments, those skilled in the art can clearly understand that the methods of the above embodiments can be implemented by means of software plus necessary general-purpose hardware platforms. Of course, they can also be implemented by hardware, but in many cases the former is a better implementation method. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this disclosure, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium (such as ROM / RAM, magnetic disk, optical disk), and includes several instructions to cause a terminal (which may be a mobile phone, computer, server, air conditioner, or network device, etc.) to execute the methods described in the various embodiments of this disclosure.

[0052] The embodiments of this disclosure have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings. These are merely specific implementations of this disclosure, but this disclosure is not limited to the specific implementations described above. The specific implementations described above are merely illustrative and not restrictive. Those skilled in the art can make many other forms under the guidance of this disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims, and all of these forms are within the protection scope of this disclosure.

Claims

1. An optical detection system for egg sex, characterized in that, The system is integrated into the testing production line; The system includes: The matrix egg tray module includes multiple egg tray cells, each containing an egg tray. Isolation components are provided between adjacent egg tray cells. Each egg tray is used to place one egg to be tested. The egg tray cells form a matrix of egg tray cells. The egg tray cell matrix is ​​transferred to the testing area by an egg transfer mechanism in the testing pipeline. The light source array module is located below the matrix egg tray module. The light source in the light source array module is directed vertically upward, and each light source illuminates the egg to be tested in one egg tray cell. The spectral acquisition module is located above the egg tray unit and is used to collect the spectral information of light from each egg tray unit. The system control module is used to control the illumination of the light source array module and the acquisition of spectral information by the spectral acquisition module.

2. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The system control module is used to control the synchronization between the illumination by the light source array module and the acquisition by the spectrum acquisition module, as well as the duration of the illumination.

3. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The system also includes: An external control module is used to control the egg transfer mechanism to stop the egg tray cell matrix in the detection area, so that the position of the egg tray cell matrix corresponds to the position of the light source array in the light source array module, and to control the position of the egg tray cell matrix corresponds to the position of the acquisition device in the spectral acquisition module.

4. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The height of the highest position of the isolation component is higher than the height of the highest position of the egg to be tested when the egg to be tested is located in the egg tray cell.

5. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The system also includes a housing; the main body of the housing is made of a light-proof metal material, and the inner wall of the housing has a matte layer.

6. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The egg tray is perforated, with the edge of the perforation used to hold the lower part of the egg to be tested. The position of the perforation corresponds to the position of the light source, and the light from the light source can pass through the perforation corresponding to the light source.

7. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, If the acquisition device in the spectral acquisition module is a single hyperspectral camera, the field of view of the single hyperspectral camera covers all egg tray cells in the matrix egg tray module; or, if the acquisition device in the spectral acquisition module is at least two hyperspectral cameras, the field of view of different hyperspectral cameras covers different areas.

8. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each light source in the light source array module is equipped with a control circuit connected to the system control module, and the control circuit is used to adjust the corresponding light source.

9. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The adjustable parameters of the light source include brightness, wavelength, and / or operating mode, where the operating mode refers to the range of light sources illuminated in the light source array.

10. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, Above each light source is a corresponding concentrator, which is used to focus the light irradiated by that light source.

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