Dual-Energy Meat Inspection Imaging for Automated Grading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current meat grading methods in slaughterhouses, such as manual backfat thickness measurement and ultrasonic inspection, are inaccurate and economically unviable due to high costs and the need for complex databases, especially when dealing with diverse domestic pig populations.
Innovation Solution
A meat inspection system using a conveying device, ray source, detector, and processor to generate multiple energy range images and three-dimensional contour information, calculating quantitative indicators like lean meat percentage to accurately grade meat products.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If ultrasonic inspection methods are used, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical ultrasonic inspection systems with a simplified optical imaging system using a camera and light source. This substitution maintains measurement precision for lean meat percentage while dramatically reducing device complexity and cost, making the system economically viable for domestic slaughterhouses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a visual copy (image) of the meat product's internal structure through optical transmission imaging. This copy allows measurement of lean meat percentage without requiring physical contact or complex mechanical probes, simplifying the inspection process while maintaining accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If complex databases are created for accurate grading, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from complex multi-dimensional database queries to a direct visual measurement of lean meat percentage through transmission imaging. This parameter change enables accurate grading without requiring extensive database construction and querying time, streamlining the inspection process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary image capture and processing during the inspection process itself, rather than requiring preliminary database construction. The system immediately processes the transmission image to determine lean meat percentage, eliminating time loss associated with database preparation.
3Ease of operation
If manual backfat thickness measurement is used, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to local characteristic limitation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional backfat thickness measurement to two-dimensional transmission imaging that captures the entire cross-section of the meat product. This dimensional change allows comprehensive assessment of lean meat distribution while maintaining operational simplicity through automated image analysis.
4Ease of operation
If visual observation by grading personnel is used, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to dependency on personnel experience
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the system to perform self-assessment through automated image analysis. The transmission image is processed by the system itself to determine lean meat percentage, eliminating dependency on personnel experience while maintaining operational simplicity. The system serves itself by automatically converting visual data into quantitative grading results.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system provides accurate and efficient meat grading, reducing economic losses by improving grading accuracy and reliability, and overcoming the limitations of existing methods.
Implementation Method 1
a ray source configured to emit a ray beam toward the conveying channel, the ray beam crossing the conveying channel along a transverse direction relative to the conveying direction; a detector configured to receive the ray beam to generate a first detection signal and a second detection signal respectively, wherein the first detection signal and the second detection signal correspond to radiations of different energy ranges
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C
AI summary
A meat inspection system (1000) and a meat inspection method. The system (1000) comprises: a conveying device (10) defining a conveying channel (110) for conveying a meat product (20), wherein the meat product (20) moves in a conveying direction (D) on the conveying channel (110); a ray source (30) configured to emit a ray beam (R) towards the conveying channel (110), wherein the ray beam (R) crosses the conveying channel (110) in a transverse direction (L) relative to the conveying direction (D); a detector (40) configured to receive the ray beam (R) to respectively generate a first detection signal and a second detection signal, wherein the first detection signal and the second detection signal correspond to radiation of different energy ranges; and a processor (60) configured to generate a first transmission image and a second transmission image on the basis of the first detection signal and the second detection signal detected by the detector (40), and generate a transmission scanning image of the meat product (20) on the basis of the first transmission image and the second transmission image, thereby calculating a quantitative indicator of the meat product (20) so as to grade the meat product (20).