Fish Position Detection via Paired Optical Brightness Scanning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for detecting the front/back position of fish in fish processing machines are costly and computationally intensive, leading to delays in position evaluation due to high throughput rates, which limits overall throughput and requires longer processing times.

Innovation Solution

A method involving paired optical scanning of the ventral and dorsal sides of fish using optical scanning means to determine brightness value profiles, ordering the data, and calculating median values to quickly and accurately determine the prone/supine position, reducing computational complexity and enabling fast detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If image recognition systems with complex algorithms are used to detect fish position, then measurement precision is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to high computing time requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition detection accuracyVSAvoidthroughput rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential features needed for position detection - specifically brightness values from paired optical scans of the fish surface - and discards all other image data. This extraction of critical information allows accurate position determination without the computational burden of processing complete images or using complex recognition algorithms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/computational system of complex image recognition algorithms with an optical measurement system that directly measures brightness values. This substitution transforms a computationally intensive problem into a simple optical measurement task that can be processed rapidly, thereby maintaining high positional accuracy while enabling high throughput rates.

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

2Measurement precision

If complex image evaluation algorithms are used, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases due to extended evaluation duration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition detection accuracyVSAvoidevaluation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the essential features needed for position detection - specifically brightness values from paired optical scans of the fish surface - and discards all other image data. This extraction of critical information allows accurate position determination without the computational burden of processing complete images or using complex recognition algorithms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical/computational system of complex image recognition algorithms with an optical measurement system that directly measures brightness values. This substitution transforms a computationally intensive problem into a simple optical measurement task that can be processed rapidly, thereby maintaining high positional accuracy while enabling high throughput rates.

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

3Productivity

If high conveying speeds are used to increase productivity, then loss of time is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to insufficient evaluation time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethroughput rateVSAvoidposition detection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical/computational system of complex image recognition algorithms with an optical measurement system that directly measures brightness values. This substitution transforms a computationally intensive problem into a simple optical measurement task that can be processed rapidly, thereby maintaining high positional accuracy while enabling high throughput rates.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the measurement parameter from complex image data to simple brightness values. This parameter change enables rapid processing at high conveying speeds while maintaining detection accuracy, as brightness measurement requires minimal computation time compared to full image analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

This approach allows for rapid and reliable detection of the fish's position with minimal computing effort, enabling immediate correction before downstream processing machines, thus enhancing throughput and accuracy.

Implementation Method 1

paired optical scanning of the ventral side and dorsal side of the fish to determine a first brightness value profile of a first side and a second brightness value profile of a second side

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3448163B1Method and device for detecting the prone/supine position of fish conveyed by means of a conveying device
Publication Date: 2022.04.06 NORDISCHER MASCHINENBAU RUD BAADER GMBH CO KG
  • EP3448163B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3448163B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for detecting the prone/supine position of fish (12) conveyed by means of a conveying device (13), comprising conveying the fish (12) by means of the conveying device (13) in the longitudinal direction (11) of the fish, optically scanning the ventral side (15) and dorsal side (16) of the fish (12) in pairs in order to determine a first brightness value profile of a first side and a second brightness value profile of a second side of one of the fish (12) in each case by means of optical scanning means (14), determining a first ordered data series and a second ordered data series by ordering brightness values of the first brightness value profile and of the second brightness value profile according to a predefined ordering criterion, determining a first median value from the first ordered data series and a second median value from the second ordered data series, determining at least one difference value from the first median value and the second median value, and determining the prone/supine position by comparing the at least one difference value with at least one predetermined reference value. The present invention further relates to a corresponding device.