Fish Fillet Gaping Assessment Using 3D and Optical Data Fusion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for determining the measure of gaping in fish fillet items are labor-intensive, subjective, and lack precision and accuracy.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that utilize both three-dimensional surface data and optical imaging data to automate the determination of gaping in fish fillet items, improving precision and accuracy by combining and processing these data types.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If automated imaging methods are used to determine gaping in fish fillet items, then labor requirements are reduced and objectivity is improved, but device complexity increases due to the need for multiple imaging devices and data processing systems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomation of gaping assessmentVSAvoidcomplexity of imaging and processing system
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple imaging devices (first imaging device for 2D images and second imaging device for 3D images) into a single integrated system that captures both surface characteristics and gaping information simultaneously, resolving the contradiction by merging functionality rather than adding separate systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The imaging system is designed to perform multiple functions: detecting surface defects, measuring gaping, and providing three-dimensional visualization, thereby reducing the need for separate specialized devices while maintaining automation benefits

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If multiple imaging devices are used to capture both 2D and 3D data, then measurement precision and accuracy are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprecision of gaping measurementVSAvoidcomplexity of multi-device imaging system
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges 2D and 3D imaging capabilities into a coordinated system where the first imaging device captures surface characteristics and the second imaging device captures gaping information, with both devices working together to achieve high measurement precision without requiring completely separate analysis systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The processor acts as an intermediary that receives data from both imaging devices, aligns the 2D and 3D image data, and integrates the information to produce accurate gaping measurements, thereby managing the complexity of coordinating multiple devices

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If automated image processing is implemented, then objectivity of assessment is improved, but processing time and computational resources increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveobjectivity of gaping assessmentVSAvoidtime for image processing and analysis
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary processing of the images, including alignment and feature extraction, before the final gaping assessment is made. This preliminary action prepares the data in advance, enabling faster and more objective analysis when the actual measurement is needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual subjective assessment with automated image processing algorithms that objectively analyze the imaging data, eliminating human bias while the processing is performed computationally rather than mechanically, thereby improving reliability without excessive time loss

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP4266891B1Determining measure of gaping in fish fillet item
Publication Date: 2025.04.23 MAREL SALMON
  • EP4266891B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4266891B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4266891B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

There is presented a method (100, 300, 400) of determining a measure of gaping in a fish fillet item (3, 803), the method comprising the steps of obtaining (102) three-dimensional profile data of a first area of the fish fillet item, obtaining (104) optical imaging data of a second area of the fish fillet item, wherein the first area and the second area are overlapping at least within an overlap area; and determining (106) the measure of gaping in the fish fillet item based on the three-dimensional profile data within the overlap area and the optical imaging data within the overlap area.