Food Internal Property Analysis System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining internal properties of food products, such as ripeness or freshness, are often inaccurate and rely on external visual inspections, lacking precision and applicability across various food types.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a camera, analyzing device with electrodes or ultrasound, and a central unit that communicates with a server and display to determine internal properties by measuring impedance and comparing data to stored properties, providing accurate and comprehensive information about food products.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If external visual inspection methods are used to determine internal properties of food products, then the process is simple and quick, but the accuracy and reliability of the determination is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual inspection with automated electronic analyzing devices including probes with electrodes for impedance measurement, ultrasound devices for internal imaging, and cameras for external property analysis. The central unit processes signals from these devices to automatically determine internal properties, substituting mechanical human senses with electronic sensing systems that provide objective, precise measurements of internal food characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a central unit as an intermediary that receives and processes signals from multiple analyzing devices (probes, ultrasound devices, cameras). This central unit integrates data from different sensing modalities, applies processing algorithms, and synthesizes the information to determine internal properties, acting as a mediator between the physical sensing devices and the final determination output.
2Reliability
If multiple analyzing devices are integrated to improve measurement accuracy, then the determination precision improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple analyzing devices (probes with electrodes, ultrasound devices, cameras, scales) into an integrated system that shares a common central unit for signal processing and data analysis. This merging of separate sensing functions into a unified system allows the devices to work协同, improving reliability through multiple measurement modalities while managing complexity through shared processing infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The central unit serves as a universal platform that handles processing for all analyzing devices, and the system can determine various internal properties (ripeness, freshness, quality) across different food product types. The multi-functional design allows the same core processing unit to analyze impedance data, ultrasound images, camera images, and weight data, making the system adaptable to diverse measurement needs without requiring separate dedicated processors for each function.
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
Enables precise determination of internal properties, improving accuracy and consistency across different food products, facilitating better quality control and consumer choice in retail and production settings.
Implementation Method 1
The central unit can be configured to apply a current to the first and the second electrode to measure the impedance between the electrodes
Implementation Method 2
The analyzing device can also comprise an ultrasound device capable of providing an image of the interior portion of the food product
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods are provided to determine an internal property of a food product. The system includes one or more analyzing devices, a camera and a central unit in communication with the camera and analyzing device. The analyzing device is configured to analyze an interior region of the food product. The camera is configured to analyze an external property of the food product. The central unit is configured to determine the internal property of the food product based on feedback provided by the analyzing device and the camera.