Non-contact egg viability detection using modulated infrared light
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current egg identification systems have limited accuracy and throughput due to mechanical contact, which can lead to contamination and interference, especially when distinguishing between live and non-live eggs, and existing candling techniques struggle to differentiate between eggs with similar optical densities.
Innovation Solution
A non-contact egg identification system using an emitter-detector pair that operates in a transmission mode, emitting modulated infrared light and utilizing a collimated beam to maximize signal collection while rejecting interference, allowing eggs to pass through without mechanical contact, enabling accurate detection of viable embryos.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If mechanical contact methods are used for egg identification, then throughput can be increased, but contamination risk and measurement accuracy deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical contact-based identification systems with an optical detection system. An emitter projects light through the egg shell while a detector on the opposite side receives the transmitted light, enabling non-contact identification of egg viability through optical properties rather than mechanical interaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces light as an intermediary medium to transfer information about the egg's internal state. The light beam passes through the egg shell and yolk membrane, with its transmission characteristics revealing whether the egg is live or dead without requiring direct physical contact with the egg contents.
2Ease of operation
If traditional candling techniques are used, then simple observation is possible, but accuracy in distinguishing live and non-live eggs deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces subjective visual candling with an automated optical detection system. The emitter-detector arrangement objectively measures light transmission through the egg, converting the qualitative visual assessment into quantitative data that can be automatically analyzed to distinguish live from dead eggs with higher precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates a detector that provides feedback about the light transmission characteristics. This feedback mechanism enables automated classification of eggs based on their optical properties, allowing the system to identify patterns that distinguish viable from non-viable eggs more accurately than human observation alone.
3Reliability
If light transmission through egg contents is used for identification, then non-contact detection is achieved, but interference from reflected light deteriorates signal quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the egg shell and yolk membrane as natural optical intermediaries that selectively transmit light. These biological structures act as filters that allow the detection system to probe internal egg conditions while the geometric arrangement of emitter and detector minimizes the collection of interfering reflected light paths.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical light sealing with a geometric optical arrangement. By positioning the emitter and detector on opposite sides of the egg and using the egg's own geometry as a natural seal, the system eliminates the need for mechanical contact while minimizing reflected light interference through careful optical path design.
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 achieves high throughput and accurate identification of live and non-live eggs by minimizing interference and maintaining the egg's integrity, reducing contamination risks and improving the efficiency of egg sorting and treatment processes.
Implementation Method 1
emitter-detector system, and wherein the emitter and the detector are axially aligned along a common longitudinal axis such that the emitter and the detector form an emitter-detector pair disposed on opposite sides of the egg along the longitudinal axis of the egg
Implementation Method 2
emitting modulated infrared light
Implementation Method 3
utilizing a collimated beam to maximize signal collection while rejecting interference
Implementation Method 4
emitter-detector system capable of determining whether a viable embryo is present within an avian egg
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4
AI summary
An egg identification system (100) for determining viability of an avian egg is provided. Such a system includes a plurality of emitter assemblies (200) configured to emit electromagnetic radiation toward one of a plurality of eggs conveyed in an egg flat (500). A plurality of detector assemblies (300) are axially aligned with the emitter assemblies (200) to detect electromagnetic radiation transmitted through each egg individually. The detector assembly is spaced-apart from the egg during operation thereof such that the detector assembly does not contact the egg. The power of each emitter is modulated at an unique frequency such that the origin of the detected light from each egg can be distinguished by filtering and contribution from adjacent light emitters can be eliminated. The detected electromagnetic radiation is used to generate an output signal. The output signal is processed to determine whether there exists a periodic variation or an aperiodic perturbation in an intensity of the electromagnetic radiation transmitted through the egg corresponding to action of a heart or embryo movement, wherein the existence of the periodic variation or aperiodic perturbation indicates that the egg is viable. An associated method is also provided.