Aquaculture Fish Sorting With Imaging-Based Condition Classification

The patent replaces manual mechanical sorting with an automated system using imaging devices to capture fish images, electronic processing to analyze images and determine physical characteristics, and actuators to physically sort fish. This substitution eliminates human error in visual evaluation while maintaining rapid processing speed, thereby improving sorting accuracy without increasing processing time.

The patent enables flexible classification by allowing the system to evaluate multiple physical characteristics (length, weight, girth, color, patterns) and apply different sorting criteria through software configuration. The electronic processing can adjust classification parameters and thresholds without physical reconfiguration, maintaining operational flexibility while dramatically increasing sorting speed through automated image analysis and actuator-controlled sorting.

The patent implements continuous sorting operation where fish move through the system on a conveyor, are continuously imaged, analyzed, and sorted without interruption. The automated system processes fish in continuous flow rather than batch processing, maintaining constant evaluation and sorting action. This continuous operation reduces total sorting time and keeps fish in optimal conditions throughout the process, preventing quality deterioration and losses.