Food Slice Imaging for Precise Internal Defect Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for analyzing the internal quality of food products, particularly potatoes, are manual, time-consuming, imprecise, and rely on pessimistic statistical representation, lacking precision and predictability.
Innovation Solution
An automated analysis device and method that includes cutting means, feeding means, ejection means, and image analysis to rapidly and accurately assess internal quality by comparing collected images with reference images in a database.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual cutting and visual inspection methods are used to analyze internal quality of food products, then operators can directly observe defects, but the process becomes tedious, time-consuming, and imprecise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical cutting and visual inspection with an automated optical imaging system. The cutting means automatically slice food products, and imaging means capture images of the cut surfaces, eliminating the need for manual observation and significantly reducing analysis time while improving precision through automated defect detection algorithms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates optical copies (images) of the cut surfaces of food products. Instead of manually examining each cut surface, the system captures images and stores them in a database, allowing for rapid automated analysis and comparison with reference images to detect defects with high precision and speed
2Reliability
If manual visual inspection is used to check for internal defects, then operators can identify visible defects, but the method lacks precision and reliability due to human error
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the human visual inspection system with an automated optical imaging and image processing system. This substitution eliminates human error and subjectivity, providing consistent and reliable defect detection. The system includes imaging means, processing means, and a database of reference images that work together to automatically identify defects with high reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where collected images are compared with reference images stored in a database. The processing means analyzes the images and provides feedback on defect detection, allowing for continuous validation and improvement of detection accuracy. This feedback loop ensures reliable and consistent defect identification across different samples
3Productivity
If automated cutting and imaging systems are implemented to rapidly analyze food products, then analysis speed and precision improve, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the analysis system into distinct functional modules: cutting means for slicing food products, imaging means for capturing images, processing means for analyzing images, and a database for storing reference images. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while working together to achieve high productivity and automated analysis
Solution Approach 2:
The patent designs the system with multi-functional components that can handle various food products and defect types. The imaging means can capture different types of defects, the processing means can analyze multiple image parameters, and the database can store diverse reference images, making the system universally applicable to different analysis requirements while maintaining streamlined operation
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device for analyzing (1) the internal quality of food products (P) from a batch of these food products (P). This analysis device (1) comprises: - means for cutting (2) each food product (P) from the batch of food products (P) into a plurality of slices (T); - means for collecting (3) at least one image of at least a part of the cut slices (T) of each food product (P) from the batch of food products (P); - means for analyzing (4) the internal quality of the food products (P) from the batch of food products (P), based on the collected images. The invention also relates to a method for analyzing the internal quality of food products (P) from a batch of these food products (P).