System and method for presentation of ears of corn for image acquisition and evaluation

摘要

A system for automated high throughput presentation of an ear of corn for image acquisition and evaluation is provided. The ear evaluation system may include an image acquisition system for acquiring an image of the ear of corn. An ear staging system may be configured for coordinating timing and movement of the ear of corn through the image acquisition system. The ear evaluation system may define a mobile structure. Thereby the mobile structure may be driven or towed over rows of corn in order to acquire images of the corn substantially simultaneously with picking the ears of corn. Accordingly, image data relating to ears of corn may be obtained in a rapid manner. A method for high throughput presentation of a plurality of ears of corn for image acquisition and evaluation is also provided.

主权项

1. A mobile system for automated high throughput presentation of an ear of corn for image acquisition and evaluation, comprising:
a mobile ear husking unit adapted to strip a husk and a plurality of silks from the ear of corn, said ear husking system comprising a downwardly sloped lane formed by two parallel rollers and connected to an ear staging system configured for coordinating timing and movement of the ear of corn through an image acquisition system, wherein said ear staging system comprises a singulation device configured for timing separated advancement of the husked ear of corn through the image acquisition system and an outlet in ear delivering communication with a mobile image acquisition system for acquiring an image of the ear of corn, wherein the image is used to determine at least one of kernels per ear, kernel area, ear size, scattergrain or tip kernel abortion; and a post processing system comprising at least one of: a. an ear disposal system for destroying and/or discarding ears of corn which are not collected; and b. an ear collection and storage system configured for associating the ear of corn with the image.