U.S. patent application number 09/798318 was filed with the patent office on 2002-02-07 for method and apparatus for selectively classifying poultry eggs.
Invention is credited to Hebrank, John H..
Application Number | 20020014444 09/798318 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26977012 |
Filed Date | 2002-02-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020014444 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hebrank, John H. |
February 7, 2002 |
Method and apparatus for selectively classifying poultry eggs
Abstract
An apparatus for classifying a plurality of poultry eggs
includes means for detecting the opacities of the eggs, means for
detecting the temperatures of the eggs, and means for classifying
the eggs using the opacities and the temperatures of the eggs. A
method for classifying poultry eggs includes measuring the
opacities of the eggs, measuring the temperatures of the eggs, and
classifying the eggs as a function of the opacities and the
temperatures of the eggs.
Inventors: |
Hebrank, John H.; (Durham,
NC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MYERS BIGEL SIBLEY & SAJOVEC
PO BOX 37428
RALEIGH
NC
27627
US
|
Family ID: |
26977012 |
Appl. No.: |
09/798318 |
Filed: |
March 2, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09798318 |
Mar 2, 2001 |
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09563218 |
May 2, 2000 |
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6234320 |
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09563218 |
May 2, 2000 |
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09309794 |
May 11, 1999 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
209/511 ;
209/510; 209/512; 209/513 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A01K 43/00 20130101;
G01N 33/085 20130101; G01N 33/08 20130101; A01K 45/007
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
209/511 ;
209/512; 209/513; 209/510 |
International
Class: |
A01K 043/08; A01K
043/00 |
Claims
That which is claimed is:
1. A method for classifying poultry eggs, said method comprising
the steps of: providing a plurality of eggs each having a
respective physical egg location; measuring the opacities of the
eggs; measuring the temperatures of the eggs; and classifying the
eggs as a function of the opacities and the temperatures of the
eggs; wherein said step of classifying includes: identifying clear
eggs of the plurality of eggs using the opacities of the eggs;
determining a spatial temperature trend among the plurality of eggs
using the identification of the clear eggs; and identifying live
eggs of the plurality of eggs using the spatial temperature
trend.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of determining a spatial
temperature trend includes generating a temperature trend map
including a predicted egg temperature for each egg location.
3. The method of claim 2 including the steps of: adjusting the
temperatures of the clear eggs by adding a temperature amount to
each clear egg temperature; and generating the temperature trend
map using the adjusted clear egg temperatures and the temperatures
of at least some of the non-clear eggs.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein said step of generating a
temperature trend map includes applying a two-dimensional,
second-order, least squares fit to the adjusted clear egg
temperatures and the temperatures of at least some of the non-clear
eggs.
5. The method of claim 2 wherein said step of generating a
temperature trend map includes generating the temperature trend map
using the temperatures of at least some of the non-clear eggs and
excluding the temperatures of the clear eggs.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein said step of generating a
temperature trend map includes applying a two-dimensional,
second-order, least squares fit to the temperatures of at least
some of the non-clear eggs and excluding the temperatures of the
clear eggs.
7. The method of claim 2 wherein said step of identifying live eggs
of the plurality of eggs includes comparing the measured
temperatures of the eggs and the predicted egg temperatures.
8. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of classifying includes:
correcting the egg temperatures for relative said egg locations
using the identification of the clear eggs; and identifying live
eggs of the plurality of eggs using the corrected egg
temperatures.
9. The method of claim 8 wherein said step of identifying live eggs
of the plurality of eggs using the corrected egg temperatures
includes: determining a threshold temperature; comparing the
corrected egg temperatures to the threshold temperature; and
classifying the eggs having a corrected egg temperature greater
than the threshold temperature as live.
10. The method of claim I including the step of identifying
upside-down eggs and wherein said step of determining a spatial
temperature trend includes excluding the temperatures of the
upside-down eggs from the temperature trend determination.
11. A method for classifying poultry eggs, said method comprising
the steps of: measuring the opacities of the eggs; measuring the
temperatures of the eggs; and classifying the eggs as a function of
the opacities and the temperatures of the eggs; wherein said step
of classifying includes: identifying clear eggs of the plurality of
eggs using the opacities of the eggs; and identifying live eggs of
the plurality of eggs using the temperatures of the eggs; wherein
said step of identifying live eggs is facilitated by the
identification of the clear eggs.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein said step of classifying
includes: identifying a remaining group of the eggs, the remaining
group not including the clear eggs; and identifying live eggs in
the remaining group using the temperatures of the eggs of the
remaining group and excluding the temperatures of the clear
eggs.
13. The method of claim 11 further including identifying at least
one other class of non-live eggs.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein the at least one other class of
non-live eggs includes early dead eggs.
15. The method of claim 11 including the step of physically
separating the eggs into at least three groups, said three groups
including a live egg group, a clear egg group, and a non-live and
non-clear egg group.
16. An apparatus for classifying a plurality of poultry eggs each
having an opacity and a temperature, said apparatus comprising: a)
means for detecting the opacities of the eggs; b) means for
detecting the temperatures of the eggs; and c) means for
classifying the eggs using the opacities and the temperatures of
the eggs; d) wherein said means for classifying: identifies clear
eggs of the plurality of eggs using the opacities of the eggs; and
identifies live eggs of the plurality of eggs using the
temperatures of the eggs; wherein said identification of live eggs
is facilitated by the identification of the clear eggs.
17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said means for classifying:
determines a spatial temperature trend among the plurality of eggs
using the identification of the clear eggs; and identifies live
eggs of the plurality of eggs using the spatial temperature
trend.
18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said means for classifying
generates a temperature trend map including a predicted egg
temperature for each egg location.
19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said means for classifying
compares the measured temperatures of the eggs and the predicted
egg temperatures.
20. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein each of the plurality of eggs
has a respective physical egg location and said means for
classifying: corrects the egg temperatures for relative said egg
locations using the identification of the clear eggs; and
identifies live eggs of the plurality of eggs using the corrected
egg temperatures.
21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein said means for classifying:
determines a threshold temperature; compares the corrected egg
temperatures to the threshold temperature; and classifies the eggs
having a corrected egg temperature greater than the threshold
temperature as live.
22. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said means for classifying:
identifies a remaining group of the eggs, the remaining group not
including the clear eggs; and identifies live eggs in the remaining
group using the temperatures of the eggs of the remaining group and
excluding the temperatures of the clear eggs.
23. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said means for classifying
identifies at least one other class of non-live eggs.
24. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein the at least one other class
of non-live eggs includes early dead eggs.
25. The apparatus of claim 16 including an injector operative to
inject live eggs with a treatment substance.
26. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein: said means for detecting the
opacities of the eggs includes a light candling system which
detects the opacities of the eggs and generates opacity signals
corresponding to the egg opacities; said means for detecting the
temperatures of the eggs includes a thermal candling system which
detects the temperatures of the eggs and generates temperature
signals corresponding to the egg temperatures; and said means for
classifying the eggs includes a controller which receives said
opacity and temperature signals and classifies the eggs as a
function of the opacities and temperatures of the eggs, said
controller operative to selectively generate a control signal based
on said egg classifications.
27. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein: said light candling system
comprises an infrared emitter and an infrared detector; and said
thermal candling system comprises an infrared sensor.
28. A method for classifying poultry eggs, said method comprising
the steps of: providing a plurality of eggs each having a
respective physical egg location; measuring the temperatures of the
eggs; and classifying the eggs as a function of the temperatures of
the eggs; wherein said step of classifying includes: determining a
spatial temperature trend among the plurality of eggs; and
identifying live eggs of the plurality of eggs using the spatial
temperature trend.
29. The method of claim 28 wherein said step of determining a
spatial temperature trend includes generating a temperature trend
map including a predicted egg temperature for each egg
location.
30. The method of claim 28 wherein said step of classifying
includes: correcting the egg temperatures for relative said egg
locations; and identifying live eggs of the plurality of eggs using
the corrected egg temperatures.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is a continuation-in-part application of pending
application Ser. No. 09/309,794 filed May 11, 1999, the disclosure
of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention concerns methods and apparatus for
evaluating and treating poultry eggs, and, in particular, concerns
methods and apparatus for non-invasively candling poultry eggs to
determine the conditions of the eggs and to handle and treat the
eggs in accordance with such determination.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Discrimination between poultry eggs on the basis of some
observable quality is a well-known and long-used practice in the
poultry industry. "Candling" is a common name for one such
technique, a term which has its roots in the original practice of
inspecting an egg using the light from a candle. As is known to
those familiar with poultry eggs, although egg shells appear opaque
under most lighting conditions, they are in reality somewhat
translucent, and when placed in front of a direct light, the
contents of the egg can be observed.
[0004] In most practices, the purpose of inspecting eggs,
particularly "table eggs" for human consumption, is to identify and
then segregate those eggs which have a significant quantity of
blood present, such eggs themselves sometimes being referred to as
"bloods" or "blood eggs." These eggs are less than desirable from a
consumer standpoint, making removal of them from any given group of
eggs economically desirable.
[0005] U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,955,728 and 4,914,672, both to Hebrank,
describe a candling apparatus that uses infrared detectors and the
infrared radiation emitted from an egg to distinguish live from
infertile eggs.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,671,652 to van Asselt et al. describes a
candling apparatus in which a plurality of light sources and
corresponding light detectors are mounted in an array, and the eggs
passed on a flat between the light sources and the light
detectors.
[0007] In many instances it is desirable to introduce a substance,
via in ovo injection, into a living egg prior to hatch. Injections
of various substances into avian eggs are employed in the
commercial poultry industry to decrease post-hatch mortality rates
or increase the growth rates of the hatched bird. Similarly, the
injection of virus into live eggs is utilized to propagate virus
for use in vaccines. Examples of substances that have been used
for, or proposed for, in ovo injection include vaccines,
antibiotics and vitamins. Examples of in ovo treatment substances
and methods of in ovo injection are described in U.S. Pat. No.
4,458,630 to Sharma et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,028,421 to
Fredericksen et al., the contents of which are hereby incorporated
by reference as if recited in full herein. The selection of both
the site and time of injection treatment can also impact the
effectiveness of the injected substance, as well as the mortality
rate of the injected eggs or treated embryos. See, e.g., U.S. Pat.
No. 4,458,630 to Sharma et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,681,063 to Hebrank,
and U.S. Pat. No. 5,158,038 to Sheeks et al. U.S. Patents cited
herein are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their
entireties.
[0008] In ovo injections of substances typically occur by piercing
the egg shell to create a hole through the egg shell (e.g., using a
punch or drill), extending an injection needle through the hole and
into the interior of the egg (and in some cases into the avian
embryo contained therein), and injecting the treatment substance
through the needle. An example of an injection device designed to
inject through the large end of an avian egg is disclosed in U.S.
Pat. No. 4,681,063 to Hebrank; this device positions an egg and an
injection needle in a fixed relationship to each other, and is
designed for the high-speed automated injection of a plurality of
eggs. Alternatively, U.S. Pat. No. 4,458,630 to Sharma et al.
describes a bottom (small end) injection machine.
[0009] In commercial poultry production, only about 50% to 90% of
commercial broiler eggs hatch. Eggs that do not hatch include eggs
that were not fertilized (which may include rots), as well as
fertilized eggs that have died (often classified into early deads,
mid-deads, rots, and late deads). Infertile eggs may comprise from
about 5% up to about 25% of all eggs set. Due to the number of dead
and infertile eggs encountered in commercial poultry production,
the increasing use of automated methods for in ovo injection, and
the cost of treatment substances, an automated method for
identifying, in a plurality of eggs, those eggs that are suitable
for injection and selectively injecting only those eggs identified
as suitable, is desirable.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 3,616,262 to Coady et al. discloses a
conveying apparatus for eggs that includes a candling station and
an inoculation station. At the candling station, light is projected
through the eggs and assessed by a human operator, who marks any
eggs considered non-viable. Non-viable eggs are manually removed
before the eggs are conveyed to the inoculating station.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] According to embodiments of the present invention, a method
for classifying poultry eggs includes providing a plurality of eggs
each having a respective physical egg location, measuring the
opacities of the eggs, measuring the temperatures of the eggs, and
classifying the eggs as a function of the opacities and the
temperatures of the eggs. The step of classifying includes
identifying clear eggs of the plurality of eggs using the opacities
of the eggs, determining a spatial temperature trend among the
plurality of eggs using the identification of the clear eggs, and
identifying live eggs of the plurality of eggs using the spatial
temperature trend.
[0012] Preferably, the step of determining a spatial temperature
trend includes generating a temperature trend map including a
predicted egg temperature for each egg location. The step of
identifying the live eggs may include comparing the measured
temperatures and the predicted temperatures.
[0013] The step of classifying may include correcting the egg
temperatures for relative egg locations using the identification of
the clear eggs, and identifying live eggs of the plurality of eggs
using the corrected egg temperatures. The step of identifying live
eggs may include determining a threshold temperature, comparing the
corrected egg temperatures to the threshold temperature, and
classifying the eggs having a corrected egg temperature greater
than the threshold temperature as live.
[0014] The method may include identifying upside-down eggs and
excluding the temperatures of the upside-down eggs from the
temperature trend determination.
[0015] According to further embodiments of the present invention, a
method for classifying poultry eggs includes measuring the
opacities of the eggs, measuring the temperatures of the eggs, and
classifying the eggs as a function of the opacities and the
temperatures of the eggs. The step of classifying includes
identifying clear eggs of the plurality of eggs using the opacities
of the eggs, and identifying live eggs of the plurality of eggs
using the temperatures of the eggs. The step of identifying live
eggs is facilitated by the identification of the clear eggs.
[0016] The step of classifying may include identifying a remaining
group of the eggs, the remaining group not including the clear
eggs, and identifying live eggs in the remaining group using the
temperatures of the eggs of the remaining group and not the
temperatures of the clear eggs. The method may further include
identifying at least one other class of non-live eggs, preferably
early dead eggs. The eggs may be physically separated into at least
three groups including a live egg group, a clear egg group, and a
non-live and non-clear egg group.
[0017] According to other embodiments of the present invention, an
apparatus for classifying a plurality of poultry eggs each having
an opacity and a temperature includes means for detecting the
opacities of the eggs, means for detecting the temperatures of the
eggs, and means for classifying the eggs using the opacities and
the temperatures of the eggs. The means for classifying identifies
clear eggs of the plurality of eggs using the opacities of the
eggs, and identifies live eggs of the plurality of eggs using the
temperatures of the eggs. The identification of live eggs is
facilitated by the identification of the clear eggs.
[0018] The means for classifying may correct the egg temperatures
for relative egg locations using the identification of the clear
eggs, and identify live eggs of the plurality of eggs using the
corrected egg temperatures. The means for classifying may identify
a remaining group of the eggs, the remaining group not including
the clear eggs, and identify live eggs in the remaining group using
the temperatures of the eggs of the remaining group and not the
temperatures of the clear eggs. The means for classifying may
identify at least one other class of non-live eggs, preferably
early dead eggs. The apparatus may include an injector operative to
inject live eggs with a treatment substance.
[0019] Preferably, the means for detecting the opacities of the
eggs includes a light candling system which detects the opacities
of the eggs and generates opacity signals corresponding to the egg
opacities, the means for detecting the temperatures of the eggs
includes a thermal candling system which detects the temperatures
of the eggs and generates temperature signals corresponding to the
egg temperatures, and the means for classifying the eggs includes a
controller which receives the opacity and temperature signals and
classifies the eggs as a function of the opacities and temperatures
of the eggs, the controller being operative to selectively generate
a control signal based on the egg classifications. The light
candling system may comprise an infrared emitter and an infrared
detector, and the thermal candling system may comprise an infrared
sensor.
[0020] According to further embodiments of the present invention, a
method for classifying poultry eggs includes providing a plurality
of eggs each having a respective physical egg location, measuring
the temperatures of the eggs, and classifying the eggs as a
function of the temperatures of the eggs. The step of classifying
includes determining a spatial temperature trend among the
plurality of eggs, and identifying live eggs of the plurality of
eggs using the spatial temperature trend.
[0021] The step of determining a spatial temperature trend may
include generating a temperature trend map including a predicted
egg temperature for each egg location. The step of classifying may
include correcting the egg temperatures for relative egg locations,
and identifying live eggs of the plurality of eggs using the
corrected egg temperatures.
[0022] Objects of the present invention will be appreciated by
those of ordinary skill in the art from a reading of the Figures
and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments which
follow, such description being merely illustrative of the present
invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an apparatus according to the
present invention for selectively classifying, sorting and treating
poultry eggs;
[0024] FIG. 2 is a top view of a flat of eggs in a candling station
of the apparatus of FIG. 1;
[0025] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view taken along the line 3-3
of FIG. 2;
[0026] FIG. 4 is an end elevational view taken along the line 4-4
of FIG. 2;
[0027] FIG. 5 is a detailed view of a light source mounting block
and a light detector mounting block of the apparatus of FIG. 1;
[0028] FIG. 6 is a flow chart representing a method according to
the present invention for selectively classifying, sorting and
treating poultry eggs;
[0029] FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of a treatment station
forming a part of the apparatus of FIG. 1;
[0030] FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of an injection head of the
treatment station of FIG. 7;
[0031] FIG. 9 is a histogram of a distribution of measured
temperatures of an exemplary array of eggs;
[0032] FIG. 10 is a histogram of the distribution of corrected
temperatures of the array of eggs of FIG. 9, wherein the
temperatures have been corrected without using light candling
data;
[0033] FIG. 11 is a histogram of the distribution of corrected
temperatures of the array of eggs of FIG. 9, wherein the
temperatures have been corrected using light candling data; and
[0034] FIG. 12 is a flow chart representing a further method
according to the present invention for selectively classifying,
sorting and treating poultry eggs.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0035] The present invention now will be described more fully
hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention
may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be
construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather,
these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be
thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the
invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like
elements throughout.
[0036] The present invention may be carried out with any types of
avian eggs, including chicken, turkey, duck, geese, quail, and
pheasant eggs. Chicken eggs are particularly preferred.
[0037] Typically, eggs are inoculated on or about the eighteenth
day of age. At such time, an egg may be one of several commonly
recognized types. The egg may be a "live" egg, meaning that it has
a viable embryo. The egg may be a "clear" or "infertile" egg,
meaning that it does not have an embryo. More particularly, a
"clear" egg is an infertile egg that has not rotted. The egg may be
an "early dead" egg, meaning that it has an embryo which died at
about one to five days old. The egg may be a "mid-dead" egg,
meaning that it has an embryo which died at about five to fifteen
days old. The egg may be a "late mid-dead" egg, meaning that it has
an embryo which died at about fifteen to eighteen days old. The egg
may be a "rot" egg, meaning that the egg includes a rotted
infertile yolk (for example, as a result of a crack in the egg's
shell) or, alternatively, a rotted, dead embryo. While an "early
dead", "mid-dead" or "late mid-dead egg" may be a rotted egg, those
terms as used herein refer to such eggs which have not rotted. The
egg may be an "empty" egg, meaning that a substantial portion of
the egg contents are missing, for example, where the egg shell has
cracked and the egg material has leaked from the egg. Additionally,
from the perspective of many egg detecting and identifying devices,
an egg tray may be missing an egg at a particular location, in
which case, this location may be termed a "missing" egg. An egg may
be placed in an egg tray such that it is an "upside-down" egg,
meaning that the egg has been placed in the tray such that the air
cell thereof is mislocated, typically with the blunt end down.
Clear, early-dead, mid-dead, late mid-dead, and rot eggs may also
be categorized as "non-live" eggs because they do not include a
living embryo.
[0038] Typically, eggs are held in trays on racks in carts for
incubation in relatively large incubators. At a selected time,
typically on the eighteenth day of age, a cart of eggs is removed
from the incubator for the purposes of, ideally, separating out
unfit eggs (namely, deads, rots, empties, and clears), inoculating
the live eggs and transferring the eggs from the setting flats to
the hatching baskets. Certain practical aspects of the incubation,
handling and measuring processes may substantially diminish the
accuracy of the methods and apparatus for distinguishing between
live and dead eggs using thermal candling devices. The temperatures
of the eggs may differ based on their relative locations in the
incubator because different temperatures or air flows may be
present at different locations in the incubator. Also, the thermal
environment outside of the incubator may be poorly controlled. As a
result, different trays and sections of trays often experience
different cooling rates depending on their positions in the cart
and exposure to air drafts.
[0039] In the candling method and apparatus described in U.S. Pat.
No. 4,914,672 to Hebrank, for example, a thermal candling system
measures the temperature of each egg from the bottom. The thermal
candling system determines a threshold temperature. Eggs above the
threshold temperature are deemed live and eggs below the threshold
temperature are deemed non-live (which includes dead and clear
eggs).
[0040] The accuracy of the chosen threshold temperature is
jeopardized by non-uniform cooling conditions as discussed above.
In order to minimize the risk of improperly identifying a live egg
as a non-live egg, the threshold temperature is generally set lower
than the predicted temperature of a live egg. Correction factors
have been applied to better approximate the appropriate threshold
temperatures for different eggs or groups of eggs; however, these
correction factors are not as accurate as desired.
[0041] While it is disadvantageous to discard live eggs, it is also
disadvantageous to retain certain non-live eggs. In particular, if
rot or dead eggs are retained and inoculated, the inoculating
needle may be contaminated, risking infection of subsequent live,
healthy eggs. Furthermore, the treatment substance is wasted if
injected in a non-live egg.
[0042] Furthermore, in some instances, it may be desirable to
identify clear eggs (i.e., infertile, non-rotted eggs) and early
dead eggs. While not suitable for producing broilers, these eggs
may be useful for commercial food service or low grade food stock
(e.g., dog food). The presence of bacterial contamination from rots
decreases the value of this food stock.
[0043] The present invention is directed to a method and an
apparatus for identifying types of eggs which use both a thermal
candling system and a light candling system. The light candling
system augments the accuracy of the thermal candling system and may
identify types of eggs which the thermal candling system may not
effectively identify. By use of the inventive method and apparatus,
the number of improperly discarded live eggs and the number of
inoculated rotted or dead eggs may each be reduced. Additionally,
clear and/or early dead eggs may be positively identified and
separated from other types of eggs.
[0044] According to preferred embodiments, the light candling
system is used to identify clear eggs. The thermal candling system
is used to distinguish live eggs from non-live eggs using a
threshold temperature. The threshold temperature is preferably
determined by measuring the temperatures of all or selected ones of
the eggs in a tray and deriving therefrom the temperature above
which the eggs are expected to be live. The accuracy of this
determination is facilitated by use of data collected from the
light candling system. In this way, the identification of live eggs
versus non-live eggs (i.e., dead, rotted, empty, missing and clear
eggs) may be more accurately made, thereby reducing the number of
improperly retained rotted or dead eggs which might otherwise
contaminate inoculation needles, and minimize the possibility of
discarding a live egg.
[0045] To further enhance classification accuracy, a spatial
temperature trend among the eggs may be determined to account for
temperature variations across the flat due to non-uniform
micro-environments (for example, resulting from non-uniform air
flows in incubators and hallways). Preferably, a temperature trend
map for the eggs is generated and used to evaluate the measured egg
temperatures. The determination of the threshold temperature may be
facilitated by correcting or compensating the measured egg
temperatures. Preferably, the amount of correction is determined,
at least in part, by considering the temperatures of all eggs
except the non-live eggs which have been identified by the light
candling system as clear eggs.
[0046] According to further preferred embodiments, the eggs are
classified by comparing the measured temperatures thereof to
corresponding predicted temperatures of a temperature trend map.
Preferably, the predicted temperatures are determined, at least in
part, by adjusting or excluding the temperatures of the eggs which
have been identified as clear eggs by the light candling
system.
[0047] The determination of a spatial temperature trend may also be
used in classifying the eggs without using the light candling data
and identification of clears to determine the amount of correction
or the predicted temperatures or to otherwise facilitate the
classification. Either of the foregoing methods may be modified in
this manner.
[0048] The eggs which are classified as live may be treated by
inoculation with a treatment substance or the like. Because the
light candling system identifies clear eggs and early dead eggs,
these eggs may be separated from the other non-live eggs for other
uses. That is, the non-live eggs may be further classified as clear
or early dead and non-clear or early dead. In this way, the light
candling system supplements the thermal candling system which may
not reliably distinguish between clear or early dead eggs and other
non-live eggs. Optionally, the non-live eggs may be further
classified as infertiles and early dead or various stages of
mid-dead. The classified eggs are then physically separated and
transported such that the live eggs are passed on for inoculation
or other treatment, the clear eggs (and, optionally, the early dead
eggs) are diverted for collection for other uses, and the remaining
non-live eggs are discarded.
[0049] In the case of upside-down eggs, the light candling system
may be used to determine if the egg is clear as opposed to live or
dead. Optionally, the thermal candling system may include sensors
for measuring the temperatures at each end of an upside-down egg to
determine whether the egg is live or non-live.
[0050] The light candling system may be used to further estimate
the quantities or statistics of early mid-dead, mid-dead, late
mid-dead, rot and empty eggs. Such information may be desired for
the purposes of evaluating groups of eggs.
[0051] Turning to the preferred embodiments of the method and the
apparatus in greater detail, said method and apparatus identify,
classify, report, sort, and inoculate or otherwise treat eggs of a
group of eggs. It will be appreciated that various aspects and
features of the method and apparatus may be omitted or used
separately from the described method and apparatus. The method and
apparatus employ both a thermal candling system and a light
candling system to identify each or selected ones of the eggs. A
controller of the apparatus collects data regarding the eggs from
the thermal candling system and the light candling system,
classifies the eggs, and sorts or treats the eggs in accordance
with their classifications and pre-determined standards or
parameters.
[0052] With reference to FIG. 1, an apparatus 10 according to the
present invention is shown schematically therein. The apparatus 10
is used to sort and treat a plurality of eggs 2 which are
preferably provided in a flat 12. The apparatus 10 includes an
identification or candling station 8 (hereinafter, "the candling
station 8"). The candling station 8 in turn includes a light
candling system 20 and a thermal candling system 30. The light
candling system 20 and the thermal candling system 30 each serve to
assess various characteristics of the eggs which may be used to
evaluate and classify the eggs.
[0053] The light candling system 20 and the thermal candling system
30 are operatively connected to a controller 40. The controller 40
controls the candling station 8 and receives and processes signals
from the candling station 8. The controller 40 also collects and
analyzes data regarding each or selected ones of the eggs from the
candling station 8 and, using this data, classifies the eggs as to
type. A display 42 and a user controlled interface 44 are provided
to allow the operator to interact with the controller 40.
[0054] A sorting station 60 may be provided downstream of the
candling station 8. As discussed below, the controller 40 generates
a selective removal signal based on the presence and relative
position of each suitable egg to cause the sorting station 60 to
remove prescribed classes of eggs. The prescribed classes
preferably include clear eggs and may also include other non-live
eggs.
[0055] A treatment station 50 is provided downstream of the
candling system 8. As discussed below, the controller 40 generates
a selective treatment signal based on the presence and relative
position of each suitable egg to cause the treatment station 50 to
treat, for example, by inoculation with a treatment substance,
prescribed classes of eggs.
[0056] A conveying system 7 serves to transport the eggs through
and, optionally, between, each of the stations 8, 50, and 60. The
conveying system 7 includes conveyors 7A, 7B and 7C associated with
the stations 8, 60 and 50, respectively. The conveyors 7A, 7B, 7C
may be separate conveyors or a continuously configured
conveyor.
[0057] With reference to FIGS. 2-5, the candling station 8 and the
associated conveyor 7A are shown therein. As discussed above, the
candling system 8 includes the light candling system 20 and the
thermal candling system 30. The conveyor 7A transports the flat 12
of eggs 2 by each of the light candling system 20 and the thermal
candling system 30.
[0058] The light candling system 20 is preferably a light candling
system as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,745,228 to Hebrank et al.,
which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety,
wherein light is pulsed at a frequency different from (and
preferably higher than) ambient light. Suitable light candling
systems include the light candling system forming a part of the
Vaccine Saver.TM. vaccine delivery system available from Embrex,
Inc. of Research Triangle Park, N.C. with suitable modifications.
In overview, the light candling system of U.S. Pat. No. 5,745,228
comprises a photodetector associated with a photodetector amplifier
and filter circuit, which is in turn associated with a PC analog
input board, and a photoemitter (an infrared emitter) associated
with an IR emitter driver circuit, in turn associated with a
digital output board. The photoemitter and photodetector are
positioned to be on opposite sides of an egg, preferably with the
photodetector above and the photoemitter below the egg, but these
positions are not critical and could be reversed, or the emitter
and detector placed in a different orientation, so long as light
from the emitter illuminates the egg to the detector. The input and
output boards may be installed in a personal computer, with
operation of the system monitored on the display screen of the PC
computer.
[0059] In operation, the light candling system 20 uses time to
allow accurate measurement of the light from a single egg. Light is
generated in short bursts from each photoemitter (e.g., 50 to 300
microseconds) and the corresponding photodetector only monitors
while its corresponding photoemitter is operational. To reduce the
effect of ambient light, the output of a photodetector when no
light is on is subtracted from the reading when the light is on.
Preferably, light is generated in a short burst from a
photoemitter, and the corresponding photodetector monitors the
light level immediately before, during, and immediately after the
burst of light is generated. A flat of eggs is continuously
"scanned" as it moves through the identifier with each
detector-source pair active only while at least adjacent, and
preferably all other, pairs are quiescent.
[0060] Turning to the construction of the light candling system 20
in more detail and with reference to FIGS. 2-5, the light candling
system 20 includes an infrared light emitter mounting block 11 and
an infrared light detector mounting block 21 mounted on the
conveyor 7A. The infrared light emitter mounting block 11 is
comprised of an opaque black plate 16 with the infrared emitters 17
(Photonics Detectors, Inc. Part number PDI-E805) mounted thereto.
These emitters include an integral lens, but a nonintegral lens
system could also be provided for the emitter. These
gallium-arsenide light-emitting diodes emit infrared light with a
wavelength of 880 nanometers and can be switched on or off with
activation times of about one microsecond. An opaque polymer block
18 that is 0.5 inches thick has 1/4 inch diameter holes 18A bored
therethrough in corresponding relation to each emitter. A 0.040"
polycarbonate sheet 19 (opaque except for a 0.25 inch circle above
each emitter) overlies the block 18. The structure of the mounting
block thus provides an optical aperture positioned between the egg
and the light emitters 17. In one embodiment, sheets available
commercially for overhead projector transparencies are used.
[0061] Likewise, the infrared light detector mounting block 21 is
comprised of an opaque back plate 26 with the infrared detectors 27
(Texas Instruments Part number TSL261) mounted thereto. Integral
lenses or non-integral lens systems could optionally be provided
with the detectors. An opaque polymer block 28 that is 0.5 inches
thick has 3/4 inch diameter holes 28A bored therethrough in
corresponding relation to each emitter. A 0.040 inch polycarbonate
sheet 29 (opaque except for a 0.25 inch circle above each detector)
overlies the block 28. The polycarbonate sheets may be a
light-blocking, infrared transmissive polymer that have about 90%
transmittance of wavelengths between 750 and 2000 nanometers. The
infrared light from the emitters has a wavelength near 880
nanometers. Thus, the sheets serve, at least in part, to block and
filter ambient light. Again, the structure of the mounting block
thus provides an optical aperture positioned between the egg and
the light detectors 27.
[0062] In all cases, opaque materials are preferably black. The
apparatus is configured so that the distance "a" from the top of
the egg to the polymer film 29 is from 1/2 to one inch, and so that
the distance "b" from the bottom of the egg to the polymer film 19
is from 1/2 to one inch, with a distance of 0.5 inches preferred.
Note that some egg flats and the variety of egg sizes cause this
distance to typically range from 3/8 inch to one inch. The size of
the viewed area on the egg is typically from about 0.1 inches to
about 0.3 inches in diameter. Smaller areas typically give better
rejection of light reflected off of adjacent eggs.
[0063] A switching circuit is operatively associated with the light
source for cycling the intensity of the light from the emitters 17
at a frequency greater than 100 cycles per second, and preferably
at a frequency greater than 200 or 400 cycles per second. An
electronic filter is operatively associated with the light
detectors 27 and is configured to distinguish light emitted from
the light source from ambient light (i.e., by filtering out higher
and/or lower frequency light signals detected by the detector). All
may be conventional circuitry, and numerous variations thereon will
be readily apparent to those skilled in the art.
[0064] In operation, each emitter 17 is typically turned on for
about 250 microseconds. The output of each photodetector 27 is
amplified by a bandwidth-limited filter (2 kHz low pass filter
combined with a 1.0 kHz high pass filter). The filter maximizes
detection of the 250 microsecond pulses of light from the
photoemitters while minimizing noise from either electronic
circuitry or stray light in the environment. The output from each
filter is sampled about 120 microseconds after the corresponding
emitter is turned on. The samples are digitized and recorded by the
computer. A second sample is taken about 250 microseconds after the
corresponding emitter is turned off. The off-light sample when
subtracted from the on-light sample further improves rejection of
ambient lighting around the identifier.
[0065] In another embodiment of the light emitter mounting block
11, the diodes are mounted in an opaque polymer block 18 that
positions the diodes and protects them from water and dust in the
working environment. A flat sapphire window above each diode is
transparent to the light from the diode. Similarly, the light
detector mounting block 21 may be comprised of an opaque back plate
26 with lensed infrared detectors (IPL Part number IPL10530DAL)
mounted thereto. An opaque polymer block 28 that is 0.6 inches
thick has 0.33 inch diameter holes bored therethrough in
corresponding relation to each emitter. A transparent sapphire
window allows light passing through an egg to illuminate the
detector above it. Some of the photoemitters may be slightly off
set from the center line of the eggs so that they miss the conveyor
belts.
[0066] In another embodiment, in the operation of an apparatus as
described above, each emitter is typically turned on for about 70
microseconds. The output from each detector is sampled just before
and about 70 microseconds after the corresponding emitter is turned
on. A third sample is taken about 70 microseconds after the
corresponding emitter is turned off. The samples are digitized and
recorded by the computer. The off-light samples are averaged and
subtracted from the on-light sample to improve rejection of ambient
lighting around the identifier.
[0067] While preferred light candling systems have been described,
any other suitable device for measuring the opacities of eggs may
be used in the method and apparatus of the present invention. Such
other suitable devices will be apparent to those of skilled in the
art from upon reading the description herein.
[0068] The controller 40 is operatively connected to and actuates
the infrared emitters 17 to pulse light at a frequency different
than (and preferably higher than) the ambient light as described
above. A portion of the light from the emitters 17 is transmitted
through the eggs 2 and received by the corresponding detectors 27.
The controller 40 is operatively connected to and receives signals
generated by each detector 27 corresponding to the light level (or
irradiance) of the glowing egg and the resulting intensity of the
light incident at the detector 27. In this manner, the controller
is provided by the light candling system 20 with assessments of the
respective opacities of the eggs. It is not necessary that the
detectors 27 be collinearly aligned with their associated emitters
17 because the light entering the eggs is diffused by the shells
and contents of the eggs.
[0069] The thermal candling system 30 is preferably a thermal
candling system as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,914,672 and in U.S.
Pat. No. 4,955,728, each to Hebrank, each of which are hereby
incorporated herein in their entireties. The thermal candling
system 30 includes a mounting bracket 31 and a plurality of
infrared thermal sensors 37 mounted therein at locations
corresponding to each egg 2 in a row of the flat 12. The thermal
sensors 37 are operative to measure the infrared radiation emitted
by each egg passed thereby. The controller 40 is operatively
connected to each of the infrared thermal sensors 37 to receive
signals from the sensor 37 corresponding to the temperature at the
sensor 37. Means associated with either the sensors 37 or the
controller 40 convert the infrared radiation measurement to a
corresponding temperature value, typically using a standard
algorithm and calibration data. The sensors 37 may be infrared
thermometers which produce an output signal in degrees Celsius or
Fahrenheit and require no further conversion. As an alternative,
the temperature measurements may be made by contact temperature
sensors (not shown) such as thermistors or thermocouples which are
placed against sides or non-air cell ends of the eggs or by an
infrared video camera.
[0070] As used herein, the designation "infrared radiation" refers
to electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength of between about
2.5 and about 50 microns (or expressed differently, that having a
frequency of between about 200 and about 4000 inverse centimeters
cm.sup.-1 or "wave numbers"). As understood by those familiar with
infrared (IR) radiation and the IR spectrum, the frequencies of
electromagnetic radiation generally characterized as infrared are
emitted or absorbed by vibrating molecules, and such vibrations
generally correspond to the thermal state of a material in relation
to its surroundings. All solid bodies whose temperatures are above
absolute zero radiate some infrared energy, and for temperatures up
to about 3500 K (3227.degree. Celsius, 5840.degree. Fahrenheit),
such thermal radiation falls predominately within the infrared
portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. There thus exists a rather
straightforward relationship between the temperature of a body and
the infrared radiation which it emits. In the present invention,
the monitoring of radiation in the range of 8-14 microns is
currently preferred.
[0071] As further understood by those familiar with electromagnetic
radiation, however, wavelengths below 2.5 microns (usually 0.8 to
2.5 microns or 4000-12,500 cm.sup.-1) are also considered as the
"near IR" portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, and represent
vibrational "overtones" and low level electronic transitions.
Similarly, wavelengths above 50 microns (usually 50 to about 1000
microns or 10-200 cm.sup.-1) are considered to be "far IR" portion
of the electromagnetic spectrum and represent energy associated
with molecular rotations.
[0072] It will thus be understood that the designation "infrared"
is used in a descriptive rather than a limiting sense and that
measurement of thermal radiation from eggs which falls outside of
these particular frequencies is encompassed by the scope of the
present invention.
[0073] Optionally, the thermal candling system 30 may include
thermal sensors 37 positioned to detect the temperature at both
ends of each egg. In this manner, an accurate reading of the
temperatures of eggs positioned upside-down in the flat may be
made. The controller 40 should be programmed to recognize the
presence of an upside-down egg from the temperature differential
between the associated, opposed thermal sensors 37, and to classify
the egg according to the temperature measured at the non-air cell
end. Further, the controller 40 may be operative to report the
presence and location of the upside-down egg via the display
44.
[0074] Preferably, the eggs are carried in egg flats 12 as
described herein; however, as will be apparent to those ordinarily
skilled in the art, any means of presenting a plurality of eggs
over time to the candling station 8 for identification of suitable
eggs can be used in the present methods. The eggs may pass one at a
time under the candling station 8 or, as described herein, the
candling station 8 may be configured so that a number of eggs can
pass under the candling station 8 simultaneously.
[0075] Any flat of eggs with rows of eggs therein may be used, and
while five rows are illustrated in the flat 12 shown schematically
in FIG. 2, the flat may contain any number of rows, such as seven
rows of eggs, with rows of six and seven being most common. Eggs in
adjacent rows may be parallel to one another, as in a "rectangular"
flat, or may be in a staggered relationship, as in an "offset" flat
(not shown). Examples of suitable commercial flats include, but are
not limited to, the "CHICKMASTER 54" flat, the "JAMESWAY 42" flat
and the "JAMESWAY 84" flat (in each case, the number indicates the
number of eggs carried by the flat). As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and
3, the flat 12 is an open bottom setting flat and carries
twenty-five eggs in a fixed array of five rows of five eggs
each.
[0076] The flat 12 rides on the conveyor 7A. As shown, the conveyor
7A includes drive chains 13, chain drive motor 14 and chain drive
dogs 15 that move the flat along the guide rails 22 adjacent the
path of the chain 13. In an alternate, preferred embodiment, the
chain drive and dogs are replaced with a pair of polymeric conveyor
belts riding on support rails, which conveyor belts are 3/8 inch
diameter and ride on 0.5 inch frames. Such belts are as found on
egg injection equipment, particularly the EMBREX INOVOJECT.RTM. egg
injection apparatus, and are desirable for their comparability with
operator safety and corrosion resistance. Egg flats are typically
moved at rates of 10 to 20 inches per second. The eggs are
preferably placed in the flat such that the air cell ends thereof
do not pass adjacent the thermal sensors 37.
[0077] As discussed above, the infrared emitters 17, the infrared
detectors 27 and the infrared thermal sensors 37 are each
operatively connected to the controller 40. The controller 40
includes processing means which: 1) generate control signals to
actuate and deactuate the emitters 17; 2) receive and process the
signals from the detectors 27 and the sensors 37; 3) process and
store data associated with each egg; and 4) generate control
signals to operate the treatment station 50 and the sorting station
60. The controller 40 preferably includes a PC having a
microprocessor or other suitable programmable or non-programmable
circuitry including suitable software. The controller 40 may also
include such other devices as appropriate to drive the emitters 17
and receive, process or otherwise assess and evaluate signals from
the detectors 27 and the sensors 37. Suitable devices, circuitry
and software will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in
the art upon reading the foregoing and following descriptions and
the disclosures of U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,745,228 to Hebrank et al. and
U.S. Pat. No. 4,955,728 to Hebrank. The processing computer and
other devices may be housed in a common cabinet or separate
cabinets.
[0078] The operator interface 44 may be any suitable user interface
device and preferably includes a touch screen or keyboard. The
operator interface 44 may allow the user to retrieve various
information from the controller 40, to set various parameters
and/or to program/reprogram the controller 40. The operator
interface 44 may include other peripheral devices, for example, a
printer and a connection to a computer network.
[0079] With reference to FIG. 6, the eggs may be assessed,
classified, sorted, treated and reported using the above described
apparatus and the following method. The method is premised on the
discovery that regardless of thermal surroundings, non-live eggs,
and in particular, clear eggs, tend to be cooler than live eggs
under those same conditions. Because thermal surroundings and
thermal history affect the absolute temperatures of both live and
non-live eggs, measurement of one egg's individual temperature or
cooling rate, standing alone, may not provide sufficient
information to determine whether the egg is live or non-live.
[0080] The individual egg temperatures are monitored and used to
determine a threshold egg temperature for the selected group of
eggs, it being understood that, as used herein, the term
"threshold" means the computation of a relative standard
temperature for the group against which the temperatures of the
individual eggs can be compared, and which provides a threshold for
determining whether any given egg is live or non-live. The
threshold temperature is determined, at least in part, by
evaluating the temperatures of those eggs identified as clear
eggs.
[0081] Once the threshold temperature has been determined, the next
step in the method of the invention is the determination of the
difference between each individual egg temperature and the
threshold temperature of the selected group, following which the
resulting status of each egg may be determined. The classified eggs
may thereafter be reported, sorted and treated as appropriate.
[0082] Turning to the method in more detail, initially, certain
parameters or thresholds are set (Block 602). These parameters may
set the desired margins for error reflective of the determined or
expected costs of mis-classifying live eggs, clear eggs or rot
eggs. The desired thresholds for the light intensities incident at
the detectors 27, including any variances, are set. Some or all of
the thresholds may be set by the operator or may be fixed or preset
thresholds. Some or all of the thresholds may also be operator set
but automatically modified by the controller 40 based on other
conditions such as measured ambient light, average light levels for
clears, or average light levels for lives. The light intensities
incident at the detector 27 will be inversely proportional to the
opacities of the respective eggs 2. That is, more opaque eggs will
transmit less of the light from the associated emitters 17, thereby
reducing the intensity of the light at the associated detectors 27
corresponding amounts. The thresholds preferably include threshold
values L.sub.e, L.sub.c, L.sub.md and L.sub.f, which are related as
follows: 1
[0083] clear, early dead or mid-dead.
[0084] Additional thresholds may be used as well. For example,
thresholds may be set which distinguish between clear and early
dead or early mid-dead and late mid-dead. Also, one or more
thresholds may be omitted. For example, the L.sub.md threshold may
serve as the L.sub.f threshold such that an egg for which the light
intensity at the associated detector 27 is less than L.sub.md will
be considered mid-dead, live, rot or late dead, and intensities
greater than L.sub.md but less than L.sub.e will be considered
clears and early deads.
[0085] Certain temperature related values may also be set (Block
604). For example, standard deviations for egg temperatures may be
set by an operator or may be fixed or preset. The threshold
temperatures may also be automatically modified by the controller
40 based on other conditions such as coefficient of variation of
the clear eggs or the live eggs. The controller may be provided
with a program including an algorithm and/or look up table for
determining the threshold temperatures from the measured live and
clear egg temperatures.
[0086] The flat 12 of eggs 2 is placed on the conveyor 7A which
transports the flat to the light candling system 20. Preferably,
the front edge of an egg flat 12 is located either by the flat 12
moving up to a fixed stop (not shown) or by a photo-optic device
(not shown), also operatively associated with the computer,
locating the front edge of the flat. Normally the rows of emitters
17 and detectors 27 are aligned with the front row of the flat 12
at that time. The flat 12 is then moved forward by the conveyor
system 7A while the row of detectors 27 continuously scan the eggs.
Software associated with the controller 40 defines the passage of
rows of eggs 2 by the strong light that passes between the eggs 2
as the margin between rows moves past the detectors. As a check on
the location of rows, the computer may also monitor the running or
stopped state of the conveyor motor.
[0087] Row by row, the conveyor 7A passes the eggs by the emitters
17 and detectors 27, and the light candling system 20 measures the
opacity of each egg or selected eggs and generates corresponding
signals to the controller 40 (Block 606). The controller 40
processes, indexes and stores this data for each assessed egg
thereby generating an opacity or light candling data set.
[0088] The flat of eggs is also transported by the conveyor 7A
through the thermal candling system 30, before, after (as shown),
or simultaneously with the light candling step. The thermal
candling system 30 measures the temperature (or the corresponding
infrared radiation) of each egg and generates corresponding signals
to the controller 40 (Block 608). The controller 40 processes,
indexes and stores this data for each egg, thereby generating a
temperature or thermal candling data set. Row detection data from
the light identifier may be used to index the conveyor or signal
when an egg's position is over the thermal sensor for improved
accuracy of the thermal candler.
[0089] It will be appreciated that, following the steps of
assessing the opacity of each or certain eggs (by light candling)
and assessing the temperature of each egg (by thermal candling),
the controller 40 will have a temperature profile for each assessed
egg and an opacity profile for all or certain eggs. The controller
40 evaluates each egg profile by comparing the data to the preset
threshold values. According to a preferred method, the controller
40 first evaluates the eggs using the light candling data and then
evaluates the eggs using the thermal candling data in view of the
light candling data.
[0090] More particularly, the controller 40 compares the light
candling data for each assessed egg to the threshold light
intensities L.sub.e, L.sub.c, L.sub.md, and L.sub.f and classifies
the eggs in accordance therewith (Block 610). If, for a given egg,
the light intensity exceeds L.sub.e, the egg is classified as an
empty slot in the flat 12 (i.e., missing). If the light intensity
is between L.sub.e and L.sub.c, the egg is classified as an empty
egg. If the light intensity is between L.sub.e and L.sub.md, the
egg is classified as a clear/early dead egg. If the light intensity
is between L.sub.md and L.sub.f, the egg is classified as a
mid-dead egg. Additionally, the preferred light candling system as
described above allows resolution of the age of the mid-dead eggs
by the shape and intensity of the one-dimensional image of egg
transparency. If the light intensity is less than L.sub.f, the egg
is classified as fertile or rotted, but not clear, early dead or
mid-dead.
[0091] The controller 40 then uses the classifications of the eggs
from the light candling data to determine the appropriate threshold
temperature (Block 616) and, optionally, to correct or compensate
the temperature values as measured by the thermal candling system
30 (Block 614). As discussed hereinafter, this may be accomplished
by different methods.
[0092] According to a preferred method ("Method A"), temperatures
of all eggs classified by the light candling system as clear, early
dead or mid-dead are used to calculate an "average non-live
temperature" (ANLT) by arithmetic averaging of the temperatures in
this group. Any egg more than a prescribed amount (e.g., 5.degree.
F.) cooler than the ANLT is considered to be upside-down (Block
612). If a second set of thermal detectors is provided, the
differentials between the temperature values at either end of each
egg may be used to identify and classify upside-down eggs (Block
612). If there are few or no non-live eggs on a flat, then
upside-down eggs are identified as more than a prescribed
temperature amount, for example, seven degrees, cooler than the
average of all non-clear, non-mid-dead eggs on a flat.
Alternatively, upside-down eggs may be identified as those eggs
having a measured temperature more than a prescribed temperature
amount, for example, five degrees, cooler than the warmest measured
egg temperature.
[0093] The remaining eggs (i.e., those eggs not classified as
clear, early dead, mid-dead or upside-down) that are warmer than
the ANLT are used to calculate an "average live temperature" (ALT)
and a "live egg standard deviation" (LESD) by calculating the
average and standard deviation of the measured temperature of these
eggs. The "threshold temperature" (TT) that is used to distinguish
live from non-live eggs is preferably typically set halfway between
the ANLT and the ALT. However, if the LESD is larger than a
predetermined value, then the threshold temperature (TT) should be
set to a value closer to the ANLT to lessen the possibility that a
live egg is discarded. If a flat has very few or no clear or
mid-dead eggs, then the threshold temperature is set by subtracting
a temperature increment from the ALT. This increment is a preset
value or based upon data from previous flats. The threshold
temperature (TT) is calculated according to the formula:
TT=k*(ALT-ANLT)+ANLT,
[0094] where k is preferably set between 0.1 and 0.5. For LESD's at
or below the predetermined value, k is preferably set at 0.5. For
LESD's greater than the predetermined value, k should be reduced.
The operator can enter values of k or k can be automatically set
from a lookup table that gives k as a function of LESD. The
predetermined LESD value may be set by the operator or may be
automatically set.
[0095] Preferably, the egg temperatures are corrected or
compensated for position of the egg in the flat to improve
classification accuracy (Block 614). For example, in a hatchery
hallway with cool, moving air, eggs on an outside row of a flat
will cool more quickly and be cooler than eggs located near the
center of the flat. The individual egg temperatures are corrected,
preferably in the manner described below, to determine corrected
egg temperatures. The corrected or compensated egg temperatures are
used in place of the measured egg temperatures to calculate the
ALT, the ANLT and the threshold temperature (TT). The corrected egg
temperatures are also used in place of the measured egg
temperatures for comparing to the threshold temperature to
distinguish live from non-live eggs. In order that the upside-down
eggs may be identified to remove them from the correction
procedure, an ANLT is preferably calculated using the measured,
uncorrected temperatures; and the uncorrected temperatures are
compared to this ANLT to identify the upside-down eggs.
[0096] According to some preferred embodiments, the temperature
correction is performed using only those eggs that have not been
determined by the light candling to be clears. More preferably, the
upside-down eggs are excluded as well. Most preferably, the
temperature correction or compensation is performed using only
"probable lives and rots" (PLR), that is, those eggs that light
candling has determined are not clear, early dead, empty or
mid-dead, and that thermal candling (using the measured,
uncorrected temperatures) has determined are not upside-down.
[0097] Temperature correction or compensation is accomplished by
establishing the temperature trend across the flat of eggs among
the selected eggs (e.g., the non-clears or PLR's) caused by
variations in the thermal environment, and then normalizing all of
the eggs for this trend (hereinafter "predicted temperatures").
These predicted temperatures form a Temperature Trend Map (TTM).
The predicted temperatures may be expressed by the two-dimensional,
second-order, least squares fit equation:
T.sub.Predicted(i,j)=(c1*i.sup.2)+(c2*i)+(c3*j)+(c4*j)+c5
[0098] where:
[0099] T.sub.Predicted(i,j) is the predicted temperature for an egg
located at position i and j, for example, in a row i and an
intersecting column j; and
[0100] c1 to c5 are constants calculated by minimizing the sum of
the squares of the differences between the predicted and measured
temperatures for each selected egg.
[0101] After calculating the predicted temperature, the "corrected
(or compensated) temperature" for each egg is calculated by
subtracting from the measured temperature of the egg the amount the
predicted temperature for the egg exceeds the average flat
temperature. That is:
T.sub.Corrected(i,j)=T.sub.Measured(i,j)-[T.sub.Predicted
(i,j)-T.sub.Average for the flat]
[0102] where T.sub.average for the flat is the simple average of
the temperatures of all eggs used in the calculation of the
predicted temperature equation.
[0103] Temperature corrections or compensations for non-uniform
thermal environments are typically more accurate if the difference
in temperatures between live and non-live eggs is not allowed to
affect the correction. Typically, 70% to 90% of the eggs on a flat
are live, 5% to 25% are clears and early deads, and less than 5%
are malpositions (e.g., upside-down), mid-deads and rots. By
eliminating malpositioned, clear and early dead eggs from the
calculation of the predicted temperature, most of the live/dead
temperature variation is removed from the predicted temperature. In
other words, by eliminating most of the non-live eggs from the
calculations, the predicted temperatures are more accurate and less
influenced by groupings of non-live eggs which may skew the
predicted temperatures in an area of the flat. The individual
corrected egg temperatures for all of the eggs (live and non-live)
are used in place of the measured egg temperatures to calculate the
average live temperature (ALT) and the average non-live temperature
(ANLT) in the manner described above. Accordingly, the calculated
threshold temperature (TT) reflects the correction procedure
applied to all of the eggs of the flat.
[0104] After correcting or compensating the egg temperatures
according to location, a threshold temperature can be calculated
and classifications of the eggs as live versus non-live may be made
by comparing the individual corrected egg temperatures to the
threshold temperature (Block 618). Eggs having temperatures equal
to or exceeding the threshold temperature are classified as live,
all other eggs are classified as non-live. The LESD may be
referenced to affirm that the correction of the egg temperatures
was accurate.
[0105] Alternatively, and with reference to FIG. 12, the eggs may
be classified by the following procedure ("Method B"), which also
includes establishing a spatial temperature trend among the eggs on
the flat. Blocks 702-724 correspond to Blocks 602-624 except that
the steps of Blocks 614, 616 and 618 are replaced by the steps of
Blocks 715, 717 and 719. A measured temperature (T.sub.Measured
(i,j)) is obtained for each egg by thermal candling. The clear eggs
are identified using the light candling data and the upside-down
eggs are identified using the thermal candling data in the manners
described above. The light candling data may also be used to
identify early dead, empty and/or mid-dead-eggs. If early dead
and/or mid-dead eggs are identified by light candling with
sufficient confidence, they will be treated in the same manner as
clear eggs for the remainder of the procedure and the use of the
term "clear eggs" should be understood to include such eggs.
[0106] The controller generates an Adjusted Temperature Data Set
(ATDS) (Block 715) comprising an adjusted temperature (T.sub.adj
(i,j)) for each egg that is not upside-down or empty, and
wherein:
[0107] 1. For eggs identified as clear eggs (and, if identified,
early dead and mid-dead eggs):
T.sub.adj(i,j)=T.sub.Measured(i,j)+X degrees
[0108] X may be a constant or a calculated value. If X is a
constant, it is preferably about 2.degree. F. X degrees represents
the expected temperature difference between a live egg and a clear
egg under the same conditions (i.e., in the same
micro-environment).
[0109] 2. The temperatures of empty and upside-down eggs are
excluded as if they were empty slots in the flat (i.e., missing
eggs).
[0110] 3. For the remaining eggs:
T.sub.adj(i,j)=T.sub.Measured(i,j)
[0111] If any early dead and/or mid-dead eggs are not identified as
such using the light candling data, they will be included in the
remaining eggs set by default.
[0112] Thereafter, a Temperature Trend Map (TTM) is generated for
the flat using the ATDS. Preferably, the TTM may be expressed as an
equation or equation set for which a predicted temperature
(T.sub.Predicted (i,j)) may be determined for each egg location
(i,j) (Block 717). More preferably, the TTM is generated using a
two-dimensional, second order, least squares fit such that:
T.sub.Predicted(i,j)=(c1*i.sup.2)+(c2*i)+(c.sup.3+j.sup.2)+(c4*j)+c5
[0113] where:
[0114] c1 to c5 are constants calculated by minimizing the sum of
the squares of the differences between the predicted and adjusted
temperatures for each selected egg.
[0115] T.sub.Predicted(i,j) represents the expected temperature of
an egg located at position i and j (for example, in a row i and an
intersecting column j) if the temperature of that egg follows the
trend.
[0116] The measured temperature (T.sub.Measured(i,j)) for each egg
is then compared to the predicted temperature
(T.sub.Predicted(i,j)) for an egg at that location (Block 719).
Typically, the majority of the eggs (for example, 70-90%) in a
given flat will be live, in which case the T.sub.Predicted(i,j)
will be relatively close to the expected temperature of a live egg.
However, because the TTM may reflect the presence of some non-live,
non-clear eggs, the T.sub.Predicted(i,j) for an egg at a given
location may be expected to be somewhat less than the expected
T.sub.Measured(i,j) of a live egg at the same location in view of
the temperature trend analysis. Because a second-order fit may not
follow the exact temperature distribution, errors may cause
predicted live temperatures to vary above and below live egg
temperatures. Notably, because the temperatures of most of the
non-live eggs (for example, the clear eggs and any other non-live
eggs identified by light candling) are adjusted for use in
generating the TTM, the tendency for the presence of the clear eggs
or other non-live eggs identified by light candling in the flat to
skew the T.sub.Predicted(i,j) away from the expected
T.sub.Measured(i,j) of a live egg is minimized.
[0117] In view of the foregoing observations, the eggs may be
evaluated as follows:
[0118] 1. If T.sub.Measured(i,j).gtoreq.T.sub.Predicted(i,j)-Y
degrees, then the egg is classified as live; and
[0119] 2. If T.sub.Measured(i,j)<T.sub.Predicted(i,j)-Y degrees,
then the egg is classified as non-live
[0120] where Y is a constant select to account for the expected
variance between T.sub.Measured(i,j) and T.sub.Predicted(i,j) due
to the presence of non-live, non-clear eggs (i.e., the presence of
non-live egg temperatures in the ATDS). Y is also selected to
reflect the desired bias against discarding live eggs as weighed
against the desired bias against retaining (and treating) dead or
rotted eggs. Typically, Y will be about 1.degree. F.
[0121] The eggs earlier identified as clear eggs using the light
candling data are not classified using the TTM.
[0122] The foregoing method (Method B) using a TTM may be modified
(hereinafter, the modified method is referred to as "Method C").
Rather than adding X degrees to the clear eggs in creating the
ATDS, the temperatures of the clear eggs may be excluded from the
ATDS in the same manner as the temperatures of the empty and
upside-down eggs.
[0123] The foregoing Method B and Method C effectively eliminate
the clear and other non-live egg temperatures from the
classification determination, thereby providing the improvements in
accuracy and other advantages discussed above with regard to Method
A. Additionally, by using the TTM (i.e., the predicted
temperatures), the methods compensate or correct the temperatures
of the eggs for relative locations in the flat (i.e., different
micro-environments).
[0124] Temperature trends may be determined and Temperature Trend
Maps may be generated to correct or compensate the measured egg
temperatures for different micro-environments without using the
light candling data, as well. For example, each of the
aforedescribed Methods A, B and C may be modified such that the
identification of clear eggs (or other non-live eggs identifiable
by light candling) is not required.
[0125] Method B may be modified (hereinafter, the modified method
is referred to as "Method D") such that the TTM is generated using
the measured temperatures of all eggs (or, more preferably, all of
the eggs except those identified as upside-down). Restated, in
Method D, Method B may be modified such that the assigned
T.sub.adj(i,j) for all non-upside-down eggs will equal the
T.sub.Measured(i,j).
[0126] Similarly, the measured egg temperatures may be corrected or
compensated for differences in micro-environments as described with
regard to Method A except that the temperature correction is
performed using the measured temperatures of all of the eggs (or,
more preferably, all of the eggs except those identified as
upside-down) rather than only non-clears or only the probable lives
and rots (R) (hereinafter, the modified method is referred to as
"Method E"). The corrected egg temperature of each egg may then be
evaluated to determine if the egg is live or non-live using one of
the various methods described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,914,672 to Hebrank
or other suitable methods. For example, the individual corrected
egg temperatures, rather than the measured temperatures, may be
compared to a threshold temperature to classify the eggs as live
and non-live.
[0127] Each of the foregoing methods of correcting or compensating
the egg temperatures may be accomplished by evaluating the entire
flat of eggs or, alternatively, by evaluating separate segments or
portions of a given flat independently. For example, a 7-egg by
24-egg flat may be evaluated as two 7 by 12 segments, with the
selected method of evaluating and classifying the eggs being
performed on each segment as if it were a separate flat.
[0128] Using the foregoing methods, each of the eggs 2 in the flat
is classified as live or non-live. The non-live eggs may be further
classified as {clear or early dead} versus {mid-dead or late dead
(depending on the day of candling) or rot} versus {missing} versus
{empty} using the light candling data.
[0129] After the eggs are identified as live, clear, empty,
missing, early dead, mid-dead, late dead or rot, the results are
displayed graphically on the display 42 (e.g., a screen of a PC
computer monitor) along with cumulative statistics for a group or
flock of eggs (Block 620). Such cumulative statistics may be
assembled, calculated and/or estimated by the controller using the
classification data. The cumulative statistics may include, for
each group, flock or flat, fertility percentage, early dead
percentage, mid-dead percentage, upside-down percentage and
percentage of rots. These statistics may be useful to monitor and
evaluate hatchery and incubator operation.
[0130] The flat is then placed on the conveyor 7B which transports
the flat of classified eggs through the sorting station 60.
Preferably, the eggs remain in a fixed array. The sorting station
60 physically removes the clear and early dead eggs from the flat
12 and directs them to a collector (Block 622). The clear and early
dead eggs may be used for purposes other than hatching broilers.
For example, the clear and early dead eggs may be used in the
production of shampoo and dog food and are more desirable when not
contaminated with rot eggs. The sorting station 60 may also remove
the empty, rot, mid-dead and late dead eggs and direct them to a
separate collector.
[0131] The sorting station 60 may employ suction-type lifting
devices as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,681,063 or in U.S. Pat. No.
5,017,003 to Keromnes et al., the disclosures of which are hereby
incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. Any other
suitable means for removing the eggs may be used as well, such
apparatus being known to those of ordinary skill in the art.
[0132] The sorting station preferably operates automatically and
robotically. Alternatively, the selected eggs may be identified on
the display 42, optionally marked, and removed by hand. The sorting
station 60 may be provided downstream of the treatment station 50,
in which case the non-live eggs will pass through the treatment
station but will not be inoculated.
[0133] Following the sorting station 60, the flat 12 is placed on
the conveyor 7C which transports the flat 12 through the treatment
station 50 (Block 624). The flat will at this time hold all of the
eggs which have not been removed, namely those eggs classified as
live eggs. The eggs are preferably maintained in their original,
fixed array positions in the flat. The treatment station 50 may
treat the remaining eggs in any desired, suitable manner. It is
particularly contemplated that the treatment station 50 may inject
the remaining, "live" eggs with a treatment substance.
[0134] As used herein, the term "treatment substance" refers to a
substance that is injected into an egg to achieve a desired result.
Treatment substances include but are not limited to vaccines,
antibiotics, vitamins, virus, and immunomodulatory substances.
Vaccines designed for in ovo use to combat outbreaks of avian
diseases in the hatched birds are commercially available. Typically
the treatment substance is dispersed in a fluid medium, e.g., is a
fluid or emulsion, or is a solid dissolved in a fluid, or a
particulate dispersed or suspended in a fluid.
[0135] As used herein, the term "needle" or "injection needle"
refers to an instrument designed to be inserted into an egg to
deliver a treatment substance into the interior of the egg. A
number of suitable needle designs will be apparent to those skilled
in the art. The term "injection tool" as used herein refers to a
device designed to both pierce the shell of an avian egg and inject
a treatment substance therein. Injection tools may comprise a punch
for making a hole in the egg shell, and an injection needle that is
inserted through the hole made by the punch to inject a treatment
substance in ovo. Various designs of injection tools, punches, and
injection needles will be apparent to those in the art.
[0136] As used herein, "in ovo injection" refers to the placing of
a substance within an egg prior to hatch. The substance may be
placed within an extraembryonic compartment of the egg (e.g., yolk
sac, amnion, allantois) or within the embryo itself. The site into
which injection is achieved will vary depending on the substance
injected and the outcome desired, as will be apparent to those
skilled in the art.
[0137] FIG. 7 schematically illustrates a treatment station 50 that
can be used to carry out the selective injection methods of the
present invention. The treatment station 50 comprises at least one
reservoir 57 for holding the treatment substance to be injected
into the eggs identified as suitable. A conveyor belt 53 forming a
part of the conveyor 7C is configured to move the flat 12 of eggs
2. The direction of travel of the eggs along the conveyors is
indicated by arrows in FIG. 7.
[0138] As the flat 12 of eggs is conveyed through the treatment
station 50, the controller 40 selectively generates an injection
signal to the treatment station 50 to inject those eggs which have
been classified by the controller 40 as live eggs or eggs otherwise
suitable for injection. As used herein, the "selective generation
of an injection signal" (or the generation of a selective injection
signal), refers to the generation by the controller of a signal
that causes injection only of those eggs identified by the
classifier as suitable for injection. As will be apparent to those
skilled in the art, generation of a selective injection signal may
be achieved by various approaches, including generating a signal
that causes the injection of suitable eggs, or generating a signal
that prevents the injection of non-suitable eggs.
[0139] A preferred injector for use in the methods described herein
is the INOVOJECT.RTM. automated injection device (Embrex, Inc.,
Research Triangle Park, N.C.). However, any in ovo injection device
capable of being operably connected, as described herein, to the
controller 40 is suitable for use in the present methods. Suitable
injection devices preferably are designed to operate in conjunction
with commercial egg carrier devices or flats, examples of which are
described herein above.
[0140] Preferably, the injector comprises a plurality of injection
needles, to increase the speed of operation. The injector may
comprise a plurality of injection needles which operate
simultaneously or sequentially to inject a plurality of eggs, or
alternatively may comprise a single injection needle used to inject
a plurality of eggs.
[0141] As shown in FIG. 8, the treatment station 50 may comprise an
injection head 54 in which the injection needles (not shown) are
situated. The injection head or the injection needles are capable
of movement in order to inject eggs. Each injection needle is in
fluid connection with the reservoir 57 containing the treatment
substance to be injected. A single reservoir may supply all of the
injection needles in the injection head, or multiple reservoirs may
be utilized. An exemplary injection head is shown in FIG. 8, where
the conveyor belt 53 has aligned the egg flat 12 with the injection
head 54. Each injection needle (not shown) is housed in a guiding
tube 59 designed to rest against the exterior of an egg. Each
injection needle is operably connected to a fluid pump 55. Each
fluid pump is in fluid connection with tubing 57A, which is in
fluid connection with the reservoir 57 containing the treatment
substance. Suitable injection devices are described in U.S. Pat.
No. 4,681,063 to Hebrank, U.S. Pat. No. 4,903,635 to Hebrank, U.S.
Pat. No. 5,136,979 to Paul and U.S. Pat. No. 5,176,101 to Paul.
[0142] Preferably, the eggs suitable for injection remain in the
same compartments in the same flat throughout the classifying,
sorting and treatment steps so that the eggs are prevented from
changing their positions relative to other eggs while passing from
the candling station 8 to the injector. Preferably, each needle of
the injection head 54 is aligned with one compartment of the egg
flat (i.e., is aligned with the egg contained therein).
[0143] The selective delivery of treatment substance only to eggs
identified as suitable can be accomplished by any of various means
that will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Examples
include, but are not limited to, individually controlled fluid
pumps, e.g., solenoid-operated pumps; or individual valves that
control the flow of treatment substance from a reservoir to an
associated fluid pump. Alternatively, selective delivery of
treatment substance may be accomplished by individual control of
injection needles or egg shell punches, so that punches and/or
needles do not enter those eggs identified as non-suitable. As a
further alternative, the eggs may be rearranged in the flat (for
example, all live eggs re-positioned to one end of the flat) to
correspond to the locations of the needles or to otherwise simplify
the vaccine dispensing system.
[0144] The treatment station 50 may be designed so that eggs can
pass by in an uninterrupted flow. Where the eggs must come to a
halt to be injected, it will be apparent to those skilled in the
art that the use of an apparatus comprising more than one injection
head may be desirable to increase the speed of the overall
operation.
[0145] The conveying system 7 may allow independent movement of
conveyors 7A, 7B, 7C so that an item placed on the conveyor 7A will
pass to subsequent conveyors 7B and 7C automatically. The conveyor
7A may pass egg flats under the candling system 8 in a continuous
flow, whereas the downstream conveyor 7C may be used to move an egg
flat to a position aligned with the injection head 54 and halt
while the eggs are injected. Movement of the conveyors 7A, 7B, and
7C may be under guidance of programmed or computerized control
means or manually controlled by an operator. In a preferred
embodiment, the conveyor belt 53 is supported by a frame 56 which
raises the conveying means to a height at which egg flats can be
conveniently loaded.
[0146] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that many conveyor
designs will be suitable for use in the present invention. The
conveyors 7A, 7B, 7C may be in the form of guide rails designed to
receive and hold an egg flat, or a conveyor belt upon which an egg
flat can be placed. Conveyor belts or guide rails may include stops
or guides that act to evenly space a plurality of egg flats along
the conveying path.
[0147] The present invention is described in greater detail in the
following non-limiting Examples.
EXAMPLE 1
[0148] Each egg of a ten row by five column (10.times.5) array of
turkey eggs was thermal candled and light candled. Each egg was
thereafter broken open and inspected or otherwise evaluated to
positively identify those eggs which as actually live (L) or
non-live (NL). Table 1 below lists the measured temperatures of the
eggs, along with their respective positions (i,j). FIG. 9 is a
histogram graphically showing the distribution of the measured,
uncorrected egg temperatures.
[0149] The measured temperatures were used to identify the
upside-down and empty eggs by calculating the average temperature
of all of the eggs and classifying those eggs having temperatures
at least 5 degrees less than the average temperature as empty or
upside-down. The egg temperatures were corrected or compensated for
location in the array using the correction method described above
with regard to Method E, i.e., all of the eggs were used in the
calculation except those eggs classified as empty or upside-down
eggs. That is, the temperatures of clear, early dead and mid-dead
eggs, to the extent present, were used in the correction
calculations. The temperatures corrected in this manner, without
the benefit of light candling, are listed in Table 1 and
graphically displayed in FIG. 10.
[0150] The measured egg temperatures were also corrected or
compensated by the Method A described above, i.e., using the light
candling data. The eggs were classified using the light candling
data as either clear, early dead or mid-dead (collectively, "C")
or, alternatively, dark ("D"). The measured temperatures were then
corrected using only those eggs not classified as empty,
upside-down, clear, early dead or mid-dead in the manner described
above. Table 1 lists the temperatures corrected using the light
candling data. FIG. 11 graphically shows the distribution of these
temperatures.
1TABLE 1 Temp. Temp. cor- cor- Actual Light rected rected Condition
measure- without with (L = live; Meas- ment (C = light light EGG
Col- NL = ured Clear; data data No. Row umn non-live) temp. D =
Dark) (.degree. F.) (.degree. F.) 1 1 1 L 101.15 D 100.56 101.16 2
1 2 L 101.64 D 100.62 100.86 3 1 3 L 102.04 D 100.79 100.95 4 1 4 L
102.32 D 101.06 101.4 5 1 5 L 100.44 D 99.37 100.17 6 2 1 L 101.22
D 101 101.33 7 2 2 L 101.46 D 100.81 100.78 8 2 3 NL 99.36 C 98.49
98.37 9 2 4 L 102.64 D 101.75 101.82 10 2 5 L 100.94 D 100.24
100.76 11 3 1 L 100.77 D 100.87 100.99 12 3 2 L 101.25 D 100.92
100.68 13 3 3 L 101.24 D 100.69 100.36 14 3 4 L 101.46 D 100.89
100.75 15 3 5 L 100.98 D 100.6 100.91 16 4 1 L 100.93 D 101.3
101.27 17 4 2 NL 99.11 C 99.05 98.67 18 4 3 NL 99.08 C 98.8 98.33
19 4 4 L 102.11 D 101.81 101.52 20 4 5 L 100.51 D 100.4 100.57 21 5
1 L 100.55 D 101.13 101.03 22 5 2 NL 99.16 C 99.31 98.86 23 5 3 NL
99.03 C 98.96 98.42 24 5 4 NL 99.66 C 99.57 99.21 25 5 5 L 100.69 D
100.79 100.89 26 6 1 L 99.57 D 100.31 100.21 27 6 2 L 101.08 D
101.39 100.93 28 6 3 NL 98.92 C 99.01 98.46 29 6 4 L 101.3 D 101.37
101.01 30 6 5 L 100.58 D 100.84 100.93 31 7 1 L 100.33 D 101.17
101.14 32 7 2 L 100.62 D 101.03 100.64 33 7 3 L 100.95 D 101.14
100.66 34 7 4 L 101.77 D 101.94 101.65 35 7 5 L 100.56 D 100.92
101.08 36 8 1 NL 97.52 C 98.41 98.51 37 8 2 L 100.26 D 100.72
100.46 38 8 3 L 101.11 D 101.35 101 39 8 4 L 101.07 D 101.29 101.13
40 8 5 NL 97.84 C 98.25 98.55 41 9 1 L 100.15 D 101.04 101.34 42 9
2 NL 98.38 C 98.84 98.78 43 9 3 L 100.71 D 100.95 100.8 44 9 4 L
101.16 D 101.38 101.42 45 9 5 L 100.38 D 100.79 101.29 46 10 1 L
99.73 D 100.56 101.13 47 10 2 L 99.98 D 100.38 100.6 48 10 3 L
100.36 D 100.54 100.67 49 10 4 L 100.75 D 100.91 101.22 50 10 5 L
99.35 D 99.7 100.47
[0151] Comparing FIGS. 9 and 10, it will be appreciated that
correction or compensation of the measured temperatures reduces the
overlap between the temperatures of the actual live and non-live
eggs which are used to distinguish the live eggs from the non-live
eggs. Comparing FIGS. 10 and 11, it will be appreciated that
correction of the measured temperatures using light data reduces
the overlap between the temperatures of the actual live and
non-live eggs which are used to distinguish the live eggs from the
non-live eggs as compared to correction without light candling.
[0152] Thus, the accuracy of the temperature correction and the
advantages of removing clear and early-dead eggs from the
calculation procedure is demonstrated by temperature histograms of
FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 that compare the results of no correction,
correction based upon all eggs except empty and upside-down eggs,
and correction without using clears and early-deads in the
calculation of the predicted and mean temperatures. As will be
readily apparent, the correction procedure makes live/dead
classification more distinct and, more particularly, removing the
clear eggs from the calculation significantly improves
classification accuracy.
EXAMPLE 2
[0153] Using the information as set forth in Table 2 below, the
eggs were evaluated using Method D described above to generate a
TTM including a predicted temperature (T.sub.Predicted(i,j)) for
each egg using the temperatures of all of the eggs except those
identified as upside-down eggs. These predicted temperatures are
listed in Table 2. The predicted temperatures were then compared to
the corresponding measured temperatures to classify the eggs as
live and non-live. The constant Y was selected as 1.0.degree. F.
The resulting corresponding egg classifications are also listed in
Table 2. Comparing the actual conditions of the 50 eggs to the
determined classifications, it will be seen that only one live egg
was classified as non-live, and only one non-live egg was
classified as a live egg.
[0154] Using the information as set forth in Table 2, the eggs were
also evaluated using Method B as described above to generate a TTM
including a predicted temperature for each egg using all of the
eggs except those identified as upside-down. Additionally, the
temperatures of the eggs identified as clear were adjusted using a
constant value of 2.0.degree. F for X. The predicted temperatures
calculated for each egg are listed in Table 2. The predicted
temperatures were then compared to the corresponding measured
temperatures to classify the eggs as live and non-live. The
constant Y was selected as 1.0.degree. F. The resulting
corresponding egg classifications are also listed in Table 2.
Comparing the actual conditions of the 50 eggs to the determined
classifications, it will be seen that no live eggs were classified
as non-live, and no non-live eggs were classified as live eggs.
2TABLE 2 Actual Light Predicted Egg prediction Condition
measurement temp. for Y = 1.degree. F. Predicted Egg prediction EGG
(L = live; Measured (C = Clear; without (without temp. with for Y =
1.degree. F. No. Row Column NL = non-live) temp. D = Dark) light
data light) light data (with light) 1 1 1 L 101.15 D 101.07 L
100.89 L 2 1 2 L 101.64 D 101.50 L 101.68 L 3 1 3 L 102.04 D 101.73
L 101.99 L 4 1 4 L 102.32 D 101.74 L 101.82 L 5 1 5 L 100.44 D
101.55 NL 101.17 L 6 2 1 L 101.22 D 100.70 L 100.79 L 7 2 2 L
101.46 D 101.13 L 101.58 L 8 2 3 NL 99.36 C 101.35 NL 101.89 NL 9 2
4 L 102.64 D 101.37 L 101.72 L 10 2 5 L 100.94 D 101.18 L 101.08 L
11 3 1 L 100.77 D 100.38 L 100.68 L 12 3 2 L 101.25 D 100.81 L
101.47 L 13 3 3 L 101.24 D 101.03 L 101.78 L 14 3 4 L 101.46 D
101.05 L 101.61 L 15 3 5 L 100.98 D 100.86 L 100.97 L 16 4 1 L
100.93 D 100.11 L 100.56 L 17 4 2 NL 99.11 C 100.54 NL 101.34 NL 18
4 3 NL 99.08 C 100.76 NL 101.65 NL 19 4 4 L 102.11 D 100.78 L
101.49 L 20 4 5 L 100.51 D 100.59 L 100.84 L 21 5 1 L 100.55 D
99.90 L 100.42 L 22 5 2 NL 99.16 C 100.33 NL 101.20 NL 23 5 3 NL
99.03 C 100.55 NL 101.51 NL 24 5 4 NL 99.66 C 100.57 L 101.35 NL 25
5 5 L 100.69 D 100.38 L 100.70 L 26 6 1 L 99.57 D 99.74 L 100.26 L
27 6 2 L 101.08 D 100.17 L 101.05 L 28 6 3 NL 98.92 C 100.39 NL
101.36 NL 29 6 4 L 101.30 D 100.41 L 101.19 L 30 6 5 L 100.58 D
100.22 L 100.55 L 31 7 1 L 100.33 D 99.64 L 100.09 L 32 7 2 L
100.62 D 100.07 L 100.88 L 33 7 3 L 100.95 D 100.29 L 101.19 L 34 7
4 L 101.77 D 100.31 L 101.02 L 35 7 5 L 100.56 D 100.12 L 100.38 L
36 8 1 NL 97.52 C 99.59 NL 99.91 NL 37 8 2 L 100.26 D 100.02 L
100.70 L 38 8 3 L 101.11 D 100.24 L 101.01 L 39 8 4 L 101.07 D
100.26 L 100.84 L 40 8 5 NL 97.84 C 100.07 NL 100.19 NL 41 9 1 L
100.15 D 99.59 L 99.71 L 42 9 2 NL 98.38 C 100.02 NL 100.50 NL 43 9
3 L 100.71 D 100.24 L 100.81 L 44 9 4 L 101.16 D 100.26 L 100.64 L
45 9 5 L 100.38 D 100.07 L 99.99 L 46 10 1 L 99.73 D 99.65 L 99.50
L 47 10 2 L 99.98 D 100.08 L 100.28 L 48 10 3 L 100.36 D 100.30 L
100.59 L 49 10 4 L 100.75 D 100.32 L 100.43 L 50 10 5 L 99.35 D
100.13 L 99.78 L
[0155] The use of both the light candling sensors and the thermal
candling sensors also facilitates the identification of faulty or
dirty thermal or light sensors.
[0156] While certain preferred light and thermal candling systems
have been described herein, it will be appreciated that any
suitable means for assessing the opacities and temperatures of the
eggs may be used. It is intended that all such means shall be
included in the present invention, means and methods using candling
being merely preferred means and methods for assessing the
opacities and temperatures of the eggs in accordance with the
invention.
[0157] The foregoing is illustrative of the present invention and
is not to be construed as limiting thereof. Although a few
exemplary embodiments of this invention have been described, those
skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications
are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially
departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this
invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be
included within the scope of this invention as defined in the
claims. In the claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to
cover the structures described herein as performing the recited
function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent
structures. Therefore, it is to be understood that the foregoing is
illustrative of the present invention and is not to be construed as
limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and that
modifications to the disclosed embodiments, as well as other
embodiments, are intended to be included within the scope of the
appended claims. The invention is defined by the following claims,
with equivalents of the claims to be included therein.
* * * * *