Egg quality evaluation support system

Abstract

To provide a chicken egg quality evaluation support system allowing a data user who is located at a place different from an operator of an egg inspection device to effectively use inspection data.SOLUTION: A chicken egg quality evaluation support system 10 is so configured that a measuring instrument 1 for generating measurement information 4 for chicken egg quality indicators, a user instrument 2 for generating other pieces of information 5 and 6 other than the measurement information 4, and an information processing device 3 are connected via a network N, where the information processing device 3 processes the measurement information 4 and the other pieces of information 5 and 6 to acquire result information 7 including the quality indicators and outputs the result information 7 to the user instrument 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an egg quality evaluation support system. [Background technology]

[0002] Inspections and measurements of eggs are carried out on all eggs at the production site for the purpose of sorting, on sampled eggs for quality control purposes, and for research purposes. Many indicators for evaluating egg quality obtained from the test or measurement results are known.

[0003] For example, quality indicators that focus on the appearance and overall condition of the egg include the size of the air cell, specific gravity, and the presence or absence of eggshell autofluorescence. Eggshell quality indicators include eggshell strength, eggshell thickness, and eggshell color. Egg white quality indicators include Haugh units, egg white index, thick egg white percentage, egg white score, egg yolk eccentricity, and egg white pH. Egg yolk quality indicators include egg yolk color, egg yolk index, vitelline membrane strength, and the presence or absence of yolk macula.

[0004] An example of a measuring device used to evaluate the quality of chicken eggs is an egg quality indicator inspection device described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2008-32678 (Patent Document 1).

[0005] This inspection device was generally composed of a platform on which the cracked eggs to be inspected were placed, a light-projecting means and a light-receiving means arranged opposite each other at a specified distance on either side of the platform, a drive means for horizontally moving the light-projecting means or the light-receiving means, an arithmetic and control means consisting mainly of hardware components such as a CPU and memory device, and an operating program for the inspection device, a quality index calculation means for calculating a quality index for the eggs to be inspected, and a display means for displaying the results of the calculation by the calculation means.

[0006] The arithmetic control means performs arithmetic processing related to the measurement of the dimension of the measurement target part of the test target egg, stores the processed dimension measurement data in memory, and controls the stored data to be processed and output to the quality index calculation means. The quality index calculation means calculates the Haugh units and yolk index, which are quality indexes of the test target egg, based on the output data, stores the results in memory, and displays the calculation results on the display means.

[0007] This has the effect of enabling the Haugh unit and yolk index, which are quality indicators of the eggs being tested, to be automatically inspected without contact, and of enabling the quality indicators to be inspected with high accuracy in a short period of time.

[0008] Furthermore, the automatic egg quality inspection device described in JP 2012-237706 A (Patent Document 2) was configured to include a weight measurement sensor mounted in the device's housing, a movable stage that could be moved in and out of the housing, an egg white height measurement device that non-contactly measured the egg white height of cracked eggs on an inspection tray placed on the movable stage, a freshness calculation unit that calculated the egg freshness based on the egg weight and egg white height, and an egg yolk determination unit that determined the egg yolk color.This measuring device measured the egg weight before cracking, the egg white height and egg yolk color after cracking, etc., and printed out the measurement results after the measurements were completed.

[0009] These measurement results serve as indicators for assessing egg quality, and egg quality assessment has traditionally relied on the experience and intuition of on-site inspectors who view the measurement results. Unlike industrial products, eggs, which are an agricultural and livestock product, vary greatly from individual to individual, and the distribution of possible values ​​varies greatly depending on the breed and age of the chicken, making it difficult to assess egg quality. However, those working on-site who handle eggs are extremely interested in the measurement results, which serve as a basis for quality assessment. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0010] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-32678 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-237706 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0011] In the egg measuring devices described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the test data could only be used in the test device.

[0012] However, there are cases where the inspection data is desired to be used by someone other than the person operating the inspection device. In such cases, the data user must go to the inspection device to obtain the data.

[0013] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an egg quality evaluation support system that enables data users, who are located in a different location from the operator of the egg inspection device, to effectively use inspection data.

[0014] In addition, testing equipment is installed in the raw egg receiving department of the GP Center, the quality testing laboratory of the GP Center, poultry farms, egg retailers and sellers such as co-ops, high schools, universities and educational institutions, feed companies, feed additive companies, etc., and data users other than the operators of the testing equipment may want to use data from many testing equipment. For example, if a seller has access to a large amount of data, they can select and purchase high-quality egg producers (or egg names, etc.) from among them. In such cases, the data user must obtain data from each testing equipment, but obtaining data from many testing equipment has been difficult.

[0015] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an egg quality evaluation support system that makes it possible to share measurement values ​​taken at multiple locations within a specific area as statistical values, whereas previously only test data from a single testing device could be used.

[0016] It is also known that the quality of eggs depends on the rearing method, type of food, feeding method, etc.

[0017] However, although the conventional inspection devices can inspect the quality of eggs, they are not sufficient for determining the relationship between the quality and rearing methods, types of feed, feeding methods, etc.

[0018] Feed companies, feed additive companies, research institutes, etc. use the above-mentioned testing equipment to measure and test what changes occur in eggs when the feed or environment is changed. These research institutes need a lot of measurement information and information on breeding, but it has been difficult to collect this information.

[0019] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an egg quality evaluation support system that can collect both measurement information and lot information related to rearing, etc., and that can collect and analyze data from many inspection devices to better investigate the relationship between egg quality and rearing methods, types of feed, feeding practices, etc. [Means for solving the problem]

[0020] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention employs the following means: That is, the egg quality evaluation support system of the present invention comprises a measuring device that generates measurement information for egg quality indexes, a user device that generates information other than the measurement information, and an information processing device, all connected via a network, and the information processing device is configured to process the measurement information and the other information to obtain result information including the quality indexes and output the result information to the user device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0021] In the present invention, compared to the conventional technology, people other than the operator of the measuring instrument can effectively use the measurement information. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an egg quality evaluation support system according to one embodiment (first example) of the present invention. [Figure 2]FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the egg quality evaluation support system according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a business model of the egg quality evaluation support system according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] 2 is a schematic plan view of a parallel light sensor that is an example of a measurement unit of the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 5] 2 is a schematic front view showing a measurement state of a parallel light sensor which is an example of a measurement unit of the embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] 10 shows a structure of data stored in a storage unit of the egg quality evaluation support system of the embodiment. [Figure 7] 4 is a flowchart showing an example of operation of the egg quality evaluation support system according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an egg quality evaluation support system according to another embodiment (second example) of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the egg quality evaluation support system according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] 7 shows a data structure in the second embodiment corresponding to FIG. 6. [Figure 11] This is the structure of farm information. [Figure 12] The structure of product information. [Figure 13] This is the structure of the result information. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a detailed explanatory diagram of result information. [Figure 15] 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the egg quality evaluation support system according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] The egg quality evaluation support system of the present invention includes a measuring device that generates measurement information for egg quality indexes, a user device that generates information other than the measurement information, and an information processing device connected via a network, and the information processing device is configured to process the measurement information and the other information to obtain result information including the quality indexes and output the result information to the user device.

[0024] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0025] "First Example" As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the egg quality evaluation support system 10 is a system including an information processing device 3 for supporting the quality evaluation of eggs E using cloud computing.

[0026] The information processing device 3 has an input / output unit 31 that acquires, via a network N, measurement information 4 obtained from a measuring device 1 that measures chicken eggs E before or after cracking, lot information 5 specific to each lot including the measured chicken eggs E, and finding information 6 for each chicken egg E observed by an operator, a calculation unit 32 that generates result information 7 analyzed based on the lot information 5 and finding information 6 linked to the measurement information 4 for each chicken egg E, and the input / output unit 31 that outputs the result information 7 generated by the calculation unit 32 to the measuring device 1 or the user device 2 via the network N.

[0027] The input / output unit 31 acquires lot information 5 and finding information 6 from the user device 2, and the calculation unit 32 generates result information 7 analyzed based on the lot information 5 and finding information 6 linked to the measurement information 4 for each chicken egg E.

[0028] The calculation unit 32 compares the eggs E with other eggs E belonging to the same category, and generates evaluation result information 7 for each egg E.

[0029] The "Lot Information 5" and "Observation Information 6" are "other information" of the present invention.

[0030] This will be explained in more detail below.

[0031] [Information processing device 3] 1 to 3, the information processing device 3 includes an input / output unit 31, a calculation unit 32, and a storage unit 33. The input / output unit 31, the calculation unit 32, and the storage unit 33 may be configured as a physically integrated computer, or may be configured as physically separate computers. The information processing device 3 is connected to a plurality of measuring devices 1 and user devices 2 via a network N so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0032] The input / output unit 31 acquires the measurement information 4 and the lot information 5 via the network N. The measurement information 4 is obtained from a measuring device 1 that measures the chicken eggs E before or after cracking. The measurement information 4 includes, for example, at least one of the weight, size, eggshell strength, egg white height, Haugh units, egg yolk index, egg yolk, eggshell thickness, etc. of the chicken eggs E.

[0033] The lot information 5 is unique to each lot that includes the measured eggs E. The lot information 5 is obtained, for example, from the user device 2. The lot information 5 is input, for example, by an operator. The lot information includes at least one of the following: area name, farm name, rearing method, feed company name, feed name, egg shell color, chicken breed, age in days, number of samples, egg collection date, number of days elapsed, temperature, product name, etc.

[0034] The input / output unit 31 may also acquire the finding information 6 via the network N. The finding information 6 is for each chicken egg E observed by an operator. The finding information 6 is acquired, for example, from the user device 2. The finding information 6 includes at least one of the following: presence or absence of cracks, presence or absence of meat spots, whether the egg is a double-yolk egg, eggshell shape, eggshell texture, eggshell color, eggshell pattern, eggshell stains, eggshell strength, eggshell thickness, egg yolk position, egg yolk, ratio of egg white to egg yolk, egg yolk irregularity, egg weight, position or size of the air cell, bulging of the egg yolk or egg white after cracking, internal decay, leakage of liquid outside the eggshell, presence or absence of blood, and presence or absence of a foul odor. Each of these pieces of information may be input based on measurement results obtained from the measuring device 1 or inspection results obtained from an inspection device other than the measuring device 1.

[0035] The calculation unit 32 generates result information 7 for each egg E based on the lot information 5 and finding information 6 linked to the measurement information 4 for each egg E. The calculation unit 32 generates result information 7 for each egg E based on the lot information 5 and finding information 6 linked to the measurement information 4 for each egg E. The calculation unit 32 also generates result information 7 by comparing each egg E with other eggs E belonging to the same category and evaluating each egg E.

[0036] The input / output unit 31 outputs the result information 7 generated by the calculation unit 32 to the user device 2 via the network N. The input / output unit 31 may also output the result information 7 to the measuring device 1 via the network.

[0037] The storage unit 33 includes, for example, a ROM in which a program executed by the CPU is stored, and a RAM used as a work memory when the CPU executes processing. The storage unit 33 stores input information input from the measuring device 1 and the user device 2, analysis results of the calculation unit 32, and the like.

[0038] [Measuring equipment 1] 1 to 5, the measuring device 1 includes at least a measuring unit 12 and a communication unit 13 that transmits measured data and the like to the information processing device 3. The measuring device 1 of this embodiment includes the measuring unit 12, the communication unit 13, a calculation unit 14, and a display unit 15. The measuring device 1 may also include an input / output unit 16 for inputting lot information 5 or finding information 6.

[0039] The measuring unit 12 measures the chicken eggs E before or after cracking. The measuring unit 12 is, for example, a weighing scale, a parallel light sensor, an eggshell thickness gauge, a camera, etc. The measuring unit 12 measures, for example, the weight of the chicken eggs E before cracking. The measuring unit 12 measures, for example, the height of the egg white after cracking. The measuring unit 12 measures, for example, at least one of the weight, size, eggshell strength, egg white height, egg yolk color, eggshell thickness, etc. of the chicken eggs E. FIGS. 4 and 5 show a parallel light sensor 121, which is an example of the measuring unit 12.

[0040] The communication unit 13 has a transmission function of transmitting at least one of the information measured by the measurement unit 12, the information calculated by the calculation unit 14, and the information input via the input / output unit 16 to the information processing device 3 via the network N. The communication unit 13 may also have a reception function of receiving information output from the information processing device 3 via the network N.

[0041] The calculation unit 14 calculates, for example, at least one of the Haugh units or the yolk index based on the measurement results of the parallel light sensor 121. The display unit 15 displays at least one of the measurement information 4, the lot information 5, the findings information 6, and the result information 7.

[0042] [User device 2] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 , the user device 2 is, for example, a notebook computer, a desktop computer, a smart device, or a tablet terminal. The user device 2 includes an input / output unit 27, a communication unit 28, and a display unit 29. The input / output unit 27 accepts input of lot information 5 or finding information 6 by an operator. The communication unit 28 has a transmission function of transmitting the information input via the input / output unit 27 to the information processing device 3 via the network N. The communication unit 28 also has a reception function of receiving information output from the information processing device 3 via the network N. The display unit 29 displays at least one of the measurement information 4, the lot information 5, the finding information 6, and the result information 7.

[0043] [Egg Quality Evaluation Support System 10] Next, a method for supporting the quality evaluation of eggs E by the egg quality evaluation support system 10 will be described.

[0044] First, when lot information 5 is input via the input / output unit 16 of the measuring device 1 or the input / output unit 27 of the user device 2, the input / output unit 31 acquires the lot information 5 via the network N. As shown in Fig. 6, for example, for an egg with egg number "1", the lot information 5 includes the farm name "Farm A", the eggshell color "white", the chicken breed "Julia Light", and the age in days "345 days old", etc.

[0045] Furthermore, when the measuring unit 12 measures the chicken egg E, the input / output unit 31 acquires the measurement information 4 from the measuring device 1 via the network N. As shown in Fig. 6, for example, for an egg with egg number "1," the measurement information 4 includes the weight of the egg measured before cracking being "62.8 g," the height of the cracked egg white being "8.0 mm," and the calculated Hough Unit (HU) being "89."

[0046] Furthermore, when the finding information 6 is input via the input / output unit 16 of the measuring device 1 or the input / output unit 27 of the user device 2, the input / output unit 31 acquires the finding information 6 via the network N. As shown in FIG. 6, for example, for an egg with egg number "1", the finding information 6 indicates that the eggshell condition is "good", the condition inside the egg is "good", and the comment is "...", etc.

[0047] The measurement information 4, lot information 5, and finding information 6 acquired by the input / output unit 31 are stored in the memory unit 33 for each egg E.

[0048] Next, an example of the operation when referencing information stored in the memory unit 33 will be described using the flowchart in Fig. 7. First, when a request for result information 7 for each egg E is received via the user device 2 (step S1), the calculation unit 32 acquires the measurement information 4, lot information 5, and finding information 6 stored in the memory unit 33, and performs at least one of data aggregation, processing, and analysis based on the measurement information 4, lot information 5, and finding information 6 (step S2). Examples of processing performed in step S2 include aggregation by chicken breed, aggregation by age in days / weeks, analysis to understand the relationship between eggshell thickness and eggshell strength, analysis to understand data trends such as changes in eggshell strength over a specified period, checking the consistency of the data by comparing it with past data, and creating a prediction model.

[0049] Thereafter, the calculation unit 32 generates display data based on the analysis results that have been tabulated, processed, analyzed, etc., and transmits the display data to the user device 2 (step S3).

[0050] In step S2 described above, the calculation unit 32 may compare the eggs E with other eggs E belonging to the same category based on information obtained from multiple measuring devices 1 or user device 2, and generate evaluation result information 7 for each egg E. For example, the calculation unit 32 may compare the Haugh Unit with eggs E from other companies that are of a similar breed and age. The result of the comparison is sent to the user device 2 as an egg quality deviation value.

[0051] As described above, the egg quality evaluation support system 10 of this embodiment is an egg quality evaluation support system 10 that includes an information processing device 3 for supporting quality evaluation of eggs E using cloud computing. The information processing device 3 includes an input / output unit 31 and a calculation unit 32. The input / output unit 31 acquires measurement information 4 and lot information 5. The measurement information 4 is obtained via a network N from a measuring device 1 that measures eggs E before and after cracking. The lot information 5 is unique to each lot that includes the measured eggs E and is obtained via the network N. The calculation unit 32 generates result information 7 based on the lot information 5 and finding information 6 linked to the measurement information 4 for each egg E. The input / output unit 31 outputs the result information 7 generated by the calculation unit 32 to the user device 2 via the network N. This makes it possible to automate tasks that previously relied on the experience and intuition of on-site inspectors, thereby eliminating variability in the quality evaluation of eggs E.

[0052] The input / output unit 31 acquires the lot information 5 and the finding information 6 from the user device 2. The information may be acquired from a device other than the user device 2 or from the measuring device 1. The calculation unit 32 generates result information 7 based on the lot information 5 and the finding information 6 linked to the measurement information 4 for each chicken egg E. Therefore, information other than the measurement information 4 can be used as one element of quality evaluation.

[0053] The calculation unit 32 compares the eggs with other eggs E belonging to the same category and generates evaluation result information 7 for each egg E. This makes it possible to understand the position of the company's eggs E in terms of quality, which can lead to determining the direction of quality improvement and to selling eggs E that are differentiated from those of other companies.

[0054] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment.

[0055] The input / output unit 31 may acquire the measurement information 4, lot information 5, and finding information 6 all at once or at different times. The input / output unit 31 is not required to acquire the finding information 6. The input / output unit 31 may also acquire image information of eggs before or after cracking, captured by an imaging unit such as a camera provided in the measuring device 1.

[0056] The measuring device 1 may only perform measurements, with calculations being performed on the cloud. The measuring device 1 may not have the function of inputting lot information 5, finding information 6, etc., or of receiving analysis results. Conversely, the egg quality evaluation support system 10 may be composed of the measuring device 1 and the information processing device 3, without including the user device 2.

[0057] In the egg measuring devices described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the test data could only be used in the measuring device.

[0058] However, there are cases where the inspection data is desired to be used by someone other than the person operating the measuring device. In such cases, the data user must go to the measuring device to obtain the data.

[0059] According to the first embodiment, a data user who is located in a different location from the operator of the measuring device 1 can effectively use the test data without having to travel to the measuring device 1.

[0060] Furthermore, measuring device 1 is installed in the raw egg receiving section of the GP center, the quality inspection laboratory of the GP center, poultry farms, egg retailers and sellers such as co-ops, high schools, universities and educational institutions, feed companies, feed additive companies, etc., and data users other than the operators of measuring device 1 may want to use data from many measuring devices 1. For example, if a seller has access to a large amount of data, they can select and purchase high-quality egg producers (or egg names, etc.) from among them. In such cases, the data user must obtain data from each measuring device 1, but obtaining data from many measuring devices 1 has been difficult.

[0061] According to the first embodiment, it becomes possible to share measurement values ​​taken at multiple locations within a specific region, for example, measurement values ​​taken across Japan, as statistical values. The specific region may be outside Japan or may be a part of the country.

[0062] It is also known that the quality of eggs is influenced by rearing methods, the type of food, feeding methods, etc. However, while the conventional measuring device 1 can inspect the quality of eggs, it is not sufficient to determine the relationship between the quality and rearing methods, the type of food, feeding methods, etc.

[0063] Feed companies, feed additive companies, research institutes, etc. use the measuring device 1 to measure and inspect what changes occur in eggs when the feed or environment is changed. Such research institutes, etc., require a lot of measurement information 4 and lot information 5 related to breeding, etc., but it has been difficult to collect this information.

[0064] In the first embodiment described above, it is possible to collect both measurement information 4 and lot information 5 related to breeding, etc., and by collecting and analyzing data from many measurement devices 1, it is possible to better investigate the relationship between egg quality and breeding methods, feed types, feeding practices (region name, farm name, breeding method, feed company name, feed name), etc.

[0065] Furthermore, the egg quality evaluation support system of this embodiment can also be used for the purpose of chicken health management. It is known that egg quality is influenced by the physical condition of chickens. Therefore, if other data users, such as veterinarians and breeding companies, can obtain information measured on farms, they can provide consultation on chicken health management, which can lead to early detection of illness or poor health.

[0066] "Second Example" 8, 9 and 3 show a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, parts that are the same as (or equivalent to) those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and their description will not be repeated unless necessary.

[0067] The second embodiment is a system that can process whether the measurement information 4 is valid or invalid.

[0068] Conventional measuring equipment also collects measurement data during tests, etc. Test data is noise data, so it needs to be excluded as invalid during data processing, but conventional equipment does not perform invalid / valid processing of test data.

[0069] Additionally, there is data that you may want to invalidate in measurement information 4. Examples of data that you may want to invalidate include cracked eggs (shell strength cannot be measured accurately), double-yolk eggs (Haugh units and yolk index cannot be measured accurately), eggs in which the vitelline membrane was torn when cracked (Haugh units, yolk index, and yolk content cannot be measured accurately), and bloody eggs (yolk content cannot be measured accurately).

[0070] In addition, when dummy eggs (fake eggs for testing) are used, or height errors occur, the same egg may be measured twice for certain items.

[0071] In such cases, there are cases where you want to invalidate and discard the measurement data, or you want to leave it as valid, but there is a problem in that you cannot process the invalid / valid status of the data.

[0072] In addition, if an egg fails to crack or if a bad egg happens to be measured, it would be desirable to remove the measurement value as an outlier to improve the accuracy of the result information. However, it was difficult to invalidate and remove the outlier measurement data.

[0073] Therefore, the second embodiment aims to provide an egg quality evaluation support system that can process the validity / invalidity of measurement data.

[0074] [Processing device 3] 8, 9, and 3, the processing device 3 includes an input / output unit 31, a calculation unit 32, and a memory unit 33. The input / output unit 31 and the calculation unit 32 reside in a CPU. The memory unit 33 includes a farm information memory unit, a lot information memory unit, a product information memory unit, a measurement information memory unit, a measurer information memory unit, and a finding information memory unit. The processing device 3 is connected to a plurality of measuring devices 1 and user devices 2 via a network N so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0075] The input / output unit 31 acquires the measurement information 4, the lot information 5, and the finding information 6 via the network N.

[0076] The measurement information 4 is obtained from a measuring device 1 that measures chicken eggs E before or after cracking. The measurement information 4 includes at least one of the following measured by the measuring device 1: weight, size, eggshell strength, egg white height, egg yolk color, eggshell thickness, etc. of the chicken eggs E. The measurement information 4 is stored in a measurement information storage unit.

[0077] The lot information 5 is unique to each lot that contains the measured eggs E. The lot information 5 is acquired from the user device 2. The lot information 5 includes at least farm information and product information. The farm information is stored in the farm information storage unit. The product information is stored in the product information storage unit. Other lot information is stored in the lot information storage unit. The lot information 5 includes, for example, at least one of the region name, farm name, rearing method, feed company name, feed name, eggshell color, chicken breed, age in days, number of samples, egg collection date, number of days elapsed, temperature, product name, etc.

[0078] The input / output unit 31 also acquires finding information 6 from the user device 2 via the network N. The finding information 6 is for each chicken egg E observed by the operator of the measuring device 1. The finding information 6 includes, for example, at least one of the following: presence or absence of cracks, presence or absence of meat spots, whether the egg is a double-yolk egg, eggshell shape, eggshell texture, eggshell color, eggshell stains, position of the yolk, yolk disorder, position or size of the air cell, bulging of the yolk or bulging of the egg white after cracking, internal decay, leakage of liquid outside the eggshell, presence or absence of blood, presence or absence of a foul odor, etc. The finding information 6 is stored in the finding information storage unit.

[0079] The calculation unit 32 calculates the Haugh unit based on the measurement information 4. The calculation unit 32 also generates result information 7 for each egg E based on lot information 5 and finding information 6 linked to the measurement information 4 for each egg E. A data user of the user device 2 can view this result information 7, compare it with other eggs E belonging to the same category, and evaluate each egg E.

[0080] The input / output unit 31 outputs the result information 7 generated by the calculation unit 32 to the user device 2 via the network N.

[0081] The storage unit 33 includes, for example, a ROM in which a program executed by the CPU is stored, and a RAM used as a work memory when the CPU executes processing. The storage unit 33 stores the measurement information 4 input from the measuring device 1, information other than the measurement information 4 input from the user device 2 (lot information 5, finding information 6), and result information 7 from the calculation unit 32.

[0082] [Measuring equipment 1] As shown in Figures 8, 9 and 3, the measuring device 1 includes a measuring unit 12, a communication unit 13 that transmits measured data to the processing device 3, a calculation unit 14, a display unit 15, and may also include an input / output unit 16.

[0083] [User device 2] As shown in FIGS. 8, 9, and 3, the user device 2 includes an input / output unit 27, a communication unit 28, and a display unit 29. The input / output unit 27 accepts input of lot information 5 or finding information 6 by an operator. The communication unit 28 transmits the input information to the processing device 3 via the network N, and also receives information output from the processing device 3 via the network N. The display unit 29 displays result information 7.

[0084] Here, the data structure stored in the storage unit 33 shown in FIG. 9 will be described.

[0085] "Measurement information 4," "Lot information 5," and "Observation information 6" are shown in Fig. 10. These correspond to those shown in Fig. 6, but differ from the first embodiment in that "valid / invalid" data exists in "Observation information 6" in the second embodiment.

[0086] This "valid / invalid" input is made from the user device 2 at the location where the measuring device 1 is installed, or from another user device 2. If the measurement information 4 is to be reflected in the result information 7, "valid" is input, and if not, "invalid" is input. Note that these inputs may also be made from the measuring device 1.

[0087] The "farm information" in this embodiment is shown in FIG. 11 and includes normal range values ​​for each item that are predetermined for each farm or each chicken house. For example, the farm information includes values ​​such as the normal range for egg weight and the normal range for albumen height. The farm information may be input from a user device 2 installed on a farm or the like, or may be input from a device other than the user device 2 or the measuring device 1.

[0088] The "product information" in this embodiment is shown in FIG. 12 and includes normal range values ​​for each item that are predetermined for each product or each customer. For example, the product information is assigned a product name (such as "egg") at each GP center, and includes values ​​such as the normal range for egg weight and the normal range for albumen height that are determined corresponding to that product name. The product information may be input from a user device 2 installed at a GP center or the like, or may be input from a device other than the user device 2 or from the measuring device 1.

[0089] 13. It is calculated by the calculation unit 32 of the processing device 3. This result information 7 is displayed on the display unit 29 of the user device 2.

[0090] Figure 14 shows a more detailed display of result information 7. The figure shows the case of "Lot number: yyyyy1, Farm A, Chicken House No. 2, 10 white L packs, storage day 0, Julia Light, 345 days old, 10 samples." In the display of result information 7, black circles are displayed in the "Minimum HU value," "Minimum eggshell strength value," and "Minimum eggshell thickness value." This indicates that the values ​​are outside the "normal range" set in the farm information or product information item. In the graph, the lot average value (solid line) exceeds the normal range (dotted line), but in the table, the black circles indicate that there are values ​​below the minimum value.

[0091] [Egg Quality Evaluation Support System 10] 15, the valid / invalid process of the measurement information 4 and the like in the egg quality evaluation support system 10 will be described.

[0092] The processing device 3 receives measurement information 4 measured by the measuring device 1 (S11). The processing device 3 receives lot information 5 input from the user device 2 (S12). The processing device 3 receives finding information 6 input from the user device 2 (S13). This finding information 7 includes "valid / invalid" data. The calculation unit 32 determines whether some settings are "invalid" (S14).

[0093] The calculation unit 32 aggregates the measurement information 4 for which "invalid" is set without reflecting it in the result information 7 (S15). The measurement information 4 for which "invalid" is not set is reflected as is in the result information 7 and aggregates it (S16).

[0094] Furthermore, the calculation unit 32 determines whether the value of the measurement information 4 is within the normal range set in the farm information or product information (S17). If it is within the normal range, it is displayed as usual (S18). If it is out of the range, an error is displayed for each item as shown by the black circles in Fig. 14 (S19). Such result information 7 is output to the user device 2 (S20).

[0095] 10, as the finding information, "valid / invalid" is input from the input / output unit 27 of the user device 2 by, for example, the operator of the measuring device 1. Note that the person who inputs the information is not limited to the operator.

[0096] That is, conventional inspection equipment also collects measurement data during testing, etc. Data during testing is noise data, so it needs to be excluded as invalid in data processing, but conventional equipment does not perform invalid / valid processing of data during testing.

[0097] Furthermore, some measurement information 4 contains data that you may want to invalidate. Examples of data you may want to invalidate include cracked eggs (which will result in inaccurate measurements of eggshell strength), eggs with two yolks (which will result in inaccurate measurements of Haugh units and yolk index), eggs in which the vitelline membrane was torn when the egg was cracked (which will result in inaccurate measurements of Haugh units, yolk index, and yolk), and eggs with blood in them (which will result in inaccurate measurements of yolk). Furthermore, when using dummy eggs (fake eggs for testing), or when a height error occurs and the same egg is measured twice for a specific item, you may want to invalidate and discard the measurement data, or you may want to leave it as valid. Note that measurement data to be invalidated may be for each egg or for each measurement item. In other words, if only one item is inaccurately measured, you may want to invalidate the measurement data for the other items on that egg, or you may want to invalidate only the measurement data for that item on that egg.

[0098] In addition, if an egg fails to be cracked or if a bad egg happens to be measured, we would like to be able to exclude the measurement value as an outlier and improve the accuracy of the result information.

[0099] Therefore, in this second embodiment, it is possible to process the valid / invalid status of the measurement data. According to the second embodiment, measurement data during tests etc. is also collected, but since the data during the tests is noise data, it can be excluded as invalid in the data processing.

[0100] In addition, data can be invalidated / validated for test data from cracked eggs (shell strength cannot be measured accurately), double-yolk eggs (Haugh units and yolk index cannot be measured accurately), eggs whose vitelline membrane was torn when cracked (Haugh units, yolk index and yolk content cannot be measured accurately), eggs with blood in them (yolk content cannot be measured accurately), data from when dummy eggs (fake eggs used for testing) were used, and data from when the same egg was measured twice for certain items due to height errors, etc., thereby increasing the accuracy of the result information.

[0101] Furthermore, if the egg cracking fails or if a bad egg happens to be measured, the measurement value can be excluded as an outlier, thereby improving the accuracy of the result information (step S15).

[0102] The functions of the second embodiment can also be provided in the first embodiment.

[0103] As another modification, an operator or the like may import measurement information extracted from a measuring device into a user device, and then output the measurement information from the user device to an information processing device. In other words, the measurement information generated by the measuring device may be uploaded to the information processing device via the user device.

[0104] The embodiments disclosed herein are examples and are not intended to be limiting. The present invention is defined not by the scope of the above description but by the scope of the claims, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of the claims. [Industrial Applicability]

[0105] The present invention can be used in an egg quality evaluation support system that includes an information processing device for supporting egg quality evaluation using cloud computing. [Explanation of symbols]

[0106] 10...Egg quality evaluation support system 1. Measuring equipment 2...User equipment 3...Information processing device 31…Input / output section 32...Arithmetic section 33...Storage section 4. Measurement information 5...Lot information 6. Findings 7…Result information N...Network E...chicken egg

Claims

1. a measuring device for generating measurement information for quality indicators of eggs; a user device that generates information other than the measurement information; an information processing device having a storage unit for storing the measurement information and other information is connected via a network; The storage unit stores the measurement information and other information in association with each other for each measured egg, The egg quality evaluation support system is configured so that the information processing device compares the egg with other eggs belonging to the same category, processes the measurement information and the other information to obtain result information including a quality index, and outputs the result information to the user device.

2. a measuring device for generating measurement information for quality indicators of eggs; a user device that generates information other than the measurement information; and an information processing device connected via a network, the other information includes finding information input via the user equipment; The egg quality evaluation support system is configured so that the information processing device processes the measurement information and the other information to obtain result information including a quality index, and outputs the result information to the user device.

3. a measuring device for generating measurement information for quality indicators of eggs; a user device that generates information other than the measurement information; and an information processing device connected via a network, The other information includes "valid / invalid" information indicating whether or not data other than that from a normal examination is to be used among the measurement information, The egg quality evaluation support system is configured so that the information processing device processes the measurement information and the other information to obtain result information including a quality index, and outputs the result information to the user device.

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