NON-CONTACT EGG IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING EGG VIABILITY, AND ASSOCIATED METHOD

摘要

An egg identification system for determining viability of an avian egg is provided. Such a system includes an emitter assembly configured to emit electromagnetic radiation toward an egg. A detector assembly is axially aligned with the emitter assembly to detect electromagnetic radiation transmitted through the egg. The detector assembly is spaced-apart from the egg during operation thereof such that the detector assembly does not contact the egg. The detected electromagnetic radiation is used to generate an output signal. The output signal is processed to determine whether there exists a periodic variation or an aperiodic perturbation in an intensity of the electromagnetic radiation transmitted through the egg corresponding to action of a heart or embryo movement, wherein the existence of the periodic variation or aperiodic perturbation indicates that the egg is viable. An associated method is also provided.

主权项

1. An egg identification system for determining viability of an avian egg, comprising:
a conveyor system configured to convey an egg flat containing a plurality of egg; an emitter assembly configured to emit collimated electromagnetic radiation toward one of the eggs conveyed in the egg flat; a non-contact detector assembly axially aligned with the emitter assembly, the non-contact detector assembly being configured to detect the electromagnetic radiation transmitted through the egg, the non-contact detector assembly being disposed in a non-contact position such that an egg positioned for identification is spaced-apart from the non-contact detector assembly during operation thereof; and a processor configured to process an output signal of the non-contact detector assembly to determine whether there exists at least one of a periodic and aperiodic variation in an intensity of the electromagnetic radiation transmitted through a respective egg corresponding to action of a heart or embryo movement, the existence of one of the periodic and aperiodic variations indicating that the egg is viable.