TWI859996B - Image detection method, screening equipment and conveying device for eggs - Google Patents

Abstract

An image detection method for eggs includes: receiving multiple images in sequence, each image having N regions arranged in sequence, each region displaying one figure of an egg, wherein in any N consecutive images, figures displayed in the first region of the first image, the second region of the second image…and the Nth region of the Nth image are shot from a same egg and represents different side views of the egg; and detecting the figures in every region of all images so as to send a control signal to a screening device for picking abnormal eggs. A screening equipment and a conveying device for eggs are also disclosed in the present invention.

Description

Egg image detection method, egg screening equipment and egg conveying device

The present invention relates to an egg screening device and method, and more particularly to an egg screening device and method using image analysis.

Eggs, whether raw or processed (e.g. salted duck eggs, preserved eggs), are usually inspected before entering the market to exclude eggs with abnormalities, such as cracked or dirty shells. Therefore, there are currently a variety of devices that use image detection technology to perform the above-mentioned abnormality detection on eggs, such as the new patent No. 513917 and invention patent No. I638601 in my country, as well as Chinese patents such as CN108700528 A, CN109154574A, CN108986055A, CN208875112U, CN206710333U, CN208383720U, CN101915767B and CN210037654U.

In these existing devices for image inspection of eggs, in order to improve the inspection capacity, a camera unit is used to capture images of the eggs being continuously transported, such as CN108700528 A and CN109154574A. It is worth mentioning that these eggs are in a rolling state (i.e., a state of moving and rotating) during the process of being continuously transported by a transport unit, so that the camera unit cooperates with a light projecting unit for projecting a linear light onto the eggs to inspect the entire circumference of the eggs. Among them, the transport device with the same or similar functions as the transport unit is also disclosed in the patents No. 583909, M575652 and M478340 of our country, which will not be elaborated.

However, before using image detection to judge egg abnormalities, it is necessary to obtain images of the entire circumference of the egg, and an egg must be photographed at least twice to complete the complete inspection. Existing equipment used for image inspection of eggs, especially equipment that adopts the above-mentioned method of capturing images of continuously transported eggs, mostly only captures images of one egg at a time, and the number of images required to complete the inspection depends on the number of eggs, that is, at least twice the number of eggs. This method will result in a very long time consumption, and the image capture device will work too many times, resulting in an increased probability of failure and even affecting its service life.

The present invention provides an egg screening device and method, which can photograph multiple eggs at one time, and utilize the rolling characteristics of eggs during transportation to capture images of multiple eggs from different sides, thereby analyzing the status of multiple eggs at one time, and only needing a small number of images to complete the inspection of multiple eggs, thereby improving the inspection efficiency of eggs, reducing the working times of the image capture device, and reducing the probability of damage thereof.

In more detail, the present invention provides an egg image detection method, comprising: receiving a plurality of images in sequence, each image having N regions arranged in sequence, each region being used to display an overhead image of an egg, in any N consecutive images, the overhead image of an egg displayed in the first region of the first image, the second region of the second image, ... and the Nth region of the Nth image are taken from the same egg, and are taken when the egg is rotated to different angles; and detecting the overhead image of the egg in each region of each image, and when an abnormality is detected, determining to output a control signal to a screening device according to the region where the overhead image of the egg with the abnormality detected is located, so that the screening device performs a screening action on the eggs with the abnormality.

The present invention also provides an egg screening device, comprising: A conveying device, having a plurality of egg positions and a plurality of targets for receiving an egg respectively, the conveying device can drive the egg positions and the targets to move in one direction and pass through an inspection area, the inspection area covers a plurality of egg positions, wherein the eggs are continuously rolled in the egg positions when being transported; A target detection device, capable of detecting a first detection position, and whenever the target on the conveying device reaches the first detection position, the target detection device sends a trigger signal; An image capture device is disposed above the conveying device, and is used to capture an image of the inspected area each time the trigger signal is received, wherein the image capture range covers the entire inspected area; A light-emitting device is used to provide the light required by the image capture device for image capture; An image detection device is coupled to the image capture device, and is used to perform image detection on the image captured by the image capture device.

Preferably, the conveying device comprises: Two opposite long plates extending along the direction through the inspection area, wherein the upper edges of the two long plates are at the same height and are used to support the eggs in the egg positions; A chain located between the two long plates; A plurality of egg pushers arranged at intervals along the chain, wherein each egg pusher comprises a base fixed on the chain and an egg pusher standing vertically on the base, and adjacent egg pushers form one egg position; and A chain driving mechanism, used to drive the chain to move the egg pushers in the direction, so that the egg pushers push the eggs in the egg positions to roll along the upper edges of the two long plates in the direction; Among them, the targets detected by the target detection device are the egg-throwing sticks.

In one embodiment, a screening device is further included on the conveying device. The screening device is located behind the inspection area and is used to screen the eggs with abnormal conditions after the image detection device detects the eggs with abnormal conditions.

In one embodiment, another set of image capturing devices is further included, which are arranged on both sides of the conveying device and are used to capture images of both ends of the long axis of the egg.

In one embodiment, it further includes a plurality of egg detection devices, which can respectively detect a second detection position; the light-emitting device includes a plurality of flash lights located below the chain and respectively coupled to the egg detection devices one-to-one, and each flash light is activated only when the coupled egg detection device detects that an egg passes through the second detection position it is responsible for detecting; the base of each egg-pushing rack of the conveying device has a first channel for allowing light to pass through; the conveying device includes a bottom plate connecting the lower edges of the two long plates and supporting the chain, and the bottom plate has a second channel for allowing light to pass through corresponding to the inspection area.

In one embodiment, the width of each egg in the direction is equal to the distance between each egg pusher, and the distance between each egg pusher is half the circumference of the egg. The inspection area covers more than two egg positions, and the egg that rolls into the inspection area first leads the egg that rolls into the inspection area later by about 180 degrees.

In one embodiment, the width of each egg in the direction is equal to the distance between each egg pusher, and the distance between each egg pusher is one-third of the circumference of the egg. The inspection area covers more than three egg positions, and the egg that rolls into the inspection area first leads the egg that rolls into the inspection area later by about 120 degrees.

In one embodiment, the conveying device includes a pause portion corresponding to the inspection area, and the pause portion includes two grooves formed respectively on the two long plates and in a relative position. The height of the upper edge of each long plate at the groove becomes lower than a supporting portion of the base body of each egg pushing rack, so that the eggs rolling along the upper edges of the two long plates in the egg positions will only be supported by the supporting portion of the base body at the groove without contacting the upper edges of the two long plates, thereby causing the eggs in each egg position to stop rotating when rolling to the pause portion.

In one embodiment, the conveying device is arranged in an inclined manner so that the eggs in the egg positions can climb along a slope while rolling in the direction.

The present invention also provides an egg screening device, comprising: Two opposite long boards, each having an upper edge, and the two upper edges are of the same height; A chain, located between the two long boards; A plurality of egg pushers, arranged at intervals along the chain, and each egg pusher comprises a base fixed on the chain and an egg pusher rod vertically disposed on the base, and adjacent egg pushers form an egg position, each egg position is used to receive an egg, and each base has a first channel for light to pass through; A chain driving mechanism, used to drive the chain to move the egg pushers in a direction, so that the egg pushers push the eggs in the egg positions to roll in the direction along the upper edges of the two long boards; An image capture device, located above the two long boards, for capturing images of the egg positions; A light-emitting device, located below the chain, for providing the light required by the image capture device for image capture; A bottom plate, connecting the lower edges of the two long boards and supporting the chain, wherein the bottom plate corresponding to the light-emitting device also has a second channel for light to pass through; and An image detection device, coupled to the image capture device, for performing image detection on the image captured by the image capture device.

Preferably, another set of image capturing devices is provided on both sides of the long board and is used to capture images of both ends of the long axis of the egg.

Preferably, it further comprises a plurality of egg detection devices each responsible for detecting a detection position; the light emitting device comprises a plurality of flash lights each coupled to the egg detection devices one-to-one, and each flash light is activated only when the coupled egg detection device detects that an egg passes through the detection position it is responsible for detecting.

The present invention further provides an egg conveying device, comprising: Two opposite long boards, each having an upper edge, and the two upper edges are of the same height; A chain, located between the two long boards; A plurality of egg pushers, arranged at intervals along the chain, and each egg pusher comprises a base fixed on the chain and an egg pusher standing vertically on the base, and the adjacent egg pushers form an egg position, and each egg position is used to receive an egg; A chain driving mechanism, used to drive the chain to move the egg pushers in a direction, so that the egg pushers push the eggs in the egg positions to roll along the upper edges of the two long boards in the direction; and A pause portion includes two grooves formed on the two long plates and facing each other. The height of the upper edge of each long plate at the groove is lowered to be lower than a supporting portion of the base of each egg pusher, so that the eggs rolling along the upper edges of the two long plates in the egg positions will only be supported by the supporting portions of the base at the groove without contacting the upper edges of the two long plates.

Preferably, the conveying device is arranged in an inclined manner so that the eggs in the egg positions can climb along a slope while rolling in the direction.

FIG1 shows a schematic diagram of a preferred embodiment of the screening device 100 of the present invention applied to an egg packaging process, wherein: the upstream of the screening device 100 is a washing device 200, and the downstream is a weight grading device 300, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The washing device 200 is used to clean the surface of a plurality of eggs 91, for example, by washing the eggs 91 with water and removing the water remaining on the eggs 91 by baking and/or drying. After being cleaned, the eggs 91 are sent to the screening device 100 of the present invention for detection and screening in sequence, so as to exclude eggs 91 with abnormalities or mark the eggs 91 with abnormalities. The eggs 91 that are not rejected or marked by the screening device 100 are all recognized as qualified by the screening device 100. These qualified eggs 91 are then sent to the weight grading device 300 for grading. The graded eggs 91 are then sent to a packaging area (not shown) for packaging so as to be delivered to the market for sale.

The screening device of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , comprises a conveying device 2 for conveying eggs, a target detection device 31, an egg detection device 32, an image capturing device 4, a light emitting device 5, a computer device (not shown) and a screening device 6.

The conveying device 2 has a track 20 defined by a bottom plate 21 and two opposite long plates 22, wherein the upper edges 221 of the two long plates 22 are at the same height. The track 20 extends in one direction (lengthwise direction), and a chain 23 is accommodated between the two long plates 22, wherein the chain 23 is driven by a chain driving mechanism (not shown) to move in the track. The chain driving mechanism includes a sprocket, a reduction gear, a motor, and a belt or chain for transmission between these components.

A plurality of egg pushers 24 are arranged at intervals on the chain 23. Each egg pusher 24 includes a base 241 fixed to the chain 23. The top surface 242 of the base 241 is lower than the upper edges 221 of the two long plates 22 and is provided with a supporting portion. In this embodiment, the supporting portion is a centrally pointed triangular supporting plate 243, and an egg pusher 244 extends upward from the top of the supporting plate 243. The space between the two egg pushers 244 between adjacent egg pushers 24 is defined as an egg position 25 for accommodating an egg. The distance between the two egg pushers 244 (i.e., the width of the egg position 25 in the direction) is equidistant. In the present embodiment, the distance between the two egg pushers 244 is set to one-third of the circumference of the egg. The circumference of the egg is based on the statistical average of the eggs. When the egg 93 is placed on the egg position 25, it will abut against the upper edge 221 of the two long plates 22 as shown in FIG4, and will not abut against the top surface 242 of the seat body 241. Then, when the chain drive mechanism drives the chain to drive each egg pusher 24 forward, the egg pusher 244 will push the egg 93. At this time, due to the friction between the egg 93 and the upper edge 221 of the two long plates 22, the egg 93 rolls forward, thereby generating a displacement forward along the direction. The rolling movement refers to the forward displacement of the egg by rotating about its long axis.

The conveying device 2 may also be a roller mechanism 2' as shown in FIG5 , wherein the space between two adjacent rollers 26 is defined as an egg position 25' for accommodating an egg 91, and the rotation of the rollers 26 can drive the egg 91 to produce a forward rolling displacement, wherein the spacing between the two adjacent rollers 26 (i.e., the width of the egg position 25') is equidistant and is set to one third of the circumference of the egg.

As shown in FIG1 , a partial area on the conveying device 2 is defined as an inspection area 7, and another partial area is defined as a screening area 70. The egg positions 25 will sequentially pass through the inspection area 7 and the screening area 70. The inspection area 7 covers a plurality of egg positions 25. In this embodiment, referring to FIG4 , the inspection area 7 covers three egg positions 25. The image capture device 4 is arranged directly above the inspected area 7, and shoots downward with an image capture range that covers the entire inspected area 7; in addition, according to actual inspection requirements, another set of image capture devices 4' can be arranged on both sides of the inspected area (i.e., outside the two ends of the long axis of the egg 92) as shown in FIG6 to shoot images of both ends of the egg and send them for inspection. The set of image capture devices 4' can be activated together with the image capture device 4. The light emitting device is arranged directly below the inspected area 7 to provide the light required by the image capture device 4 for shooting. In this embodiment, referring to FIG. 2 , in the inspection area, the bottom plate 21 is provided with a second channel through which light can pass at the position corresponding to each egg position 25, which can be specifically a long through hole 211 spanning each egg position 25, or a through hole is provided corresponding to each egg position. In addition, the base 241 of each egg pushing rack 24 is provided with a first channel through which light can pass, which is specifically a recess 245 is provided at the front and rear ends of the base 241, respectively. The recesses 245 of the bases 241 of two adjacent egg pushing racks 24 together form a hole, which is the so-called first channel. Accordingly, when the egg pusher 24 is driven by the chain 23 to the position where the recess 245 and the long through hole 211 are aligned vertically, the light emitted by the light emitting device 5 can penetrate upward through the recess 245 and the long through hole 211 and then illuminate the eggs, making the photos clearer.

The light emitting device 5 can be a fluorescent lamp or a white light LED lamp. In this embodiment, referring to FIG. 9 , the light emitting device 5 includes three LED lamps 51 , and each LED lamp 51 is respectively arranged corresponding to an egg position 25 . Each LED lamp 51 is coupled to an egg detection device 32, wherein each egg detection device 32 may be an electromechanical detector, such as a micro switch, or a photoelectric detector, such as a reflective photoelectric switch, for detecting three second detection positions (corresponding to three egg positions 25, respectively) in the inspection area 7. The detection target is eggs. When eggs 91, 92, 93 pass through the egg detection device 32, the egg detection device 32 will control the corresponding LED lamp 51 to start and turn off immediately. In other words, if there are no eggs on some egg positions on the conveyor 2, the egg positions will not trigger the egg detection device 32 when passing through the inspection area 7, and the LED lamp 51 will not be lit. Since the light emitting power of the LED lamp 51 is very high and cannot be kept lit for a long time, the egg detection device 32 can achieve the effect of a flash light, thereby extending the service life of the LED lamp 51 while ensuring that the brightness of the captured image is sufficient.

Furthermore, the image capture device 4 is coupled to the target detection device 31, wherein the target detection device 31 can be an electromechanical detector, such as a micro switch, or a photoelectric detector, such as a reflective photoelectric switch, for detecting a first detection position in the inspection area 7, and the detection target is the egg pushing rod 244 of each egg pushing rack 24, for example, the upper egg pushing rack 24 in Figure 1 pushes the egg 91, and the target detection device 31 detects the egg pushing rod 244 coming to the lower egg pushing rack 24 in Figure 1. When the egg push rod 244 passes through the target detection device 31, the target detection device 31 will send a trigger signal to the image capture device 4 in a wired or wireless manner, and the image capture device 4 will immediately start upon receiving the trigger signal to capture an image. In the case where the image capture device 4' shown in Figure 6 is installed, the trigger signal will also be sent to the image capture device 4', which means that the images of the upper side and the front and rear end surfaces of the egg 91 in the inspection area 7 are captured for inspection at the same time.

With the above structure, the present invention is actually used as shown in FIGS. 4 and 7 . First, the eggs are placed in the egg positions 25 on the conveying device 2 (under normal operation, each egg position 25 contains one egg. The figure only uses three eggs as an example, but the present invention is not limited thereto). Since the eggs 91 to 93 are against the upper edges 221 of the two long plates 22, when the chain driving mechanism drives the chain to drive the egg pushing racks 24 forward, the egg pushing rod 244 will push the eggs 91 to 93. Based on the friction between the eggs 91 to 93 and the upper edges 221 of the two long plates 22, the eggs 91 to 93 will roll forward and generate a forward displacement.

Then, when each egg position 25 and eggs 91, 92, 93 (if any) enter the inspection area 7, the following two actions will occur simultaneously. First, when any egg position 25 enters the inspection area 7, the target detection device 31 will detect the egg push rod 244 passing through the first detection position, and the target detection device 31 will send a trigger signal to the image capture device 4, thereby activating the image capture device 4 to capture an image, wherein the captured image covers the entire inspection area 7, that is, the image covering the range of three egg positions 25, so each captured image will have three areas showing the images of the three egg positions 25 respectively. Secondly, when each egg position 25 enters the inspection area 7, there may be eggs or no eggs on each egg position 25, then the three egg detection devices 32 respectively detect the three second detection positions in the inspection area 7 (corresponding to the three egg positions 25 respectively), and the egg detection device 32 that detects eggs will immediately activate the corresponding LED light 51 and turn it off instantly, creating a flashing effect, and the egg detection device 32 that does not detect eggs will not produce an action, that is, its corresponding LED light 51 will not be activated. The effect of the simultaneous action of the above-mentioned image capture device 4 and the LED light 51 is to provide light when capturing images, making the image clearer. If there are eggs in the three egg positions in the image, the LED light 51 will be illuminated and a bright white egg image (i.e., an image of an egg viewed from above) will be displayed; if there are no eggs, the LED light 51 will not be illuminated and a dark mass will be displayed, and nothing can be seen. Accordingly, when the image is sent to the computer device equipped with an image detection software for image detection, artificial intelligence can be used to analyze whether the egg image has relevant abnormalities including cracks, dirt, or even internal embryos, so as to screen the eggs.

When the conveying device 2 delivers the egg positions 25 and the eggs 91, 92, 93 (if any) into the inspection area 7, since the eggs 91, 92, 93 are rolling forward and the width of the egg position 25 is set to one-third of the circumference of the egg, if the position about to enter the inspection area 7 is taken as a reference, after an egg 91 (and its corresponding egg position 251) enters the inspection area 7, it has rotated about 120 degrees (i.e., it is photographed with the first 120 degrees of the side 901) at the moment of being photographed as shown in FIG. 8 (this degree When the next egg position 252 enters the inspection area 7 and the filming starts, the egg 91 has already rotated forward about 240 degrees cumulatively as shown in FIG9 (i.e., it is photographed with the second 120-degree side 902). Then, when another egg position 253 enters the inspection area 7 and the filming starts, the egg 91 has already rotated forward about 360 degrees cumulatively as shown in FIG10 (i.e., it is photographed with the third 120-degree side 903). Accordingly, an egg 91 can be photographed three times in the inspection area 7 during the transportation process, and each time different sides 901, 902, 903 with a range of about 120 degrees are photographed, so that the image detection device can perform a complete circumference inspection on the egg. In the case of the image capture device 4' shown in Figure 6, the image detection device also detects the front and rear ends of the egg.

On the other hand, referring to Fig. 10, since the image capturing range of the image capturing device 4 covers the entire inspection area 7, i.e., the range of the three egg positions 251, 252, 253, each image captured will include images of the three egg positions 251, 252, 253 and eggs 91, 92, 93 (if any), and the egg that rolls into the inspection area 7 first is ahead of the egg that rolls into the inspection area 7 later by about 120 degrees, resulting in the eggs 91, 92, 93 in the three egg positions 251, 252, 253 in the inspection area 7 being captured with different sides 901, 902, 903 facing upwards. Accordingly, the image detection device can simultaneously detect the status of three eggs in one image, thereby producing the effect of improving detection efficiency. Furthermore, when the entire circumference of an egg (composed of three sides taken by three photos) is inspected, the other two eggs are also inspected on two sides and one side respectively. Therefore, only one more shot is needed to complete the complete inspection of the next egg. Compared with the known inspection technology of inspecting only one egg at a time, the number of shots of the image capture device and the number of times the LED light is turned on can be reduced, thereby reducing the number of times these devices work, thereby extending their service life.

Incidentally, in the present invention, the target detection device 31 may also detect other objects, but these objects must be equidistantly arranged at a distance equal to the width of the egg position 25. As long as this condition is met, they can be detected by the target detection device 31 and the same effect as mentioned above can be achieved.

In addition, since the egg is continuously pushed forward, the egg may sometimes deviate from the predetermined rotation degree due to various factors, such as the non-circular shape of the egg or the friction coefficient between the egg and the upper edges of the two long plates. This causes the three sides of an egg to partially overlap in the images obtained by three shots, resulting in part of the egg's circumference not being photographed, affecting the accuracy of the detection. For this problem, in this embodiment, the conveying device 2 can be set at a slope of 10 to 15 degrees so that the eggs can be firmly against the egg pushing rod 244 to reduce additional rolling; or as shown in Figures 4 and 5, two opposite grooves 27 can be set on the upper edges 221 of the two long boards 22 in the inspection area, wherein the grooves 27 make the upper edges 221 of the two long boards 22 lower than the triangular supporting plate 243 of the egg pushing rack 24, and the grooves 27 can make the eggs rotate about 120 degrees when entering the grooves 27 from the long boards 22, and the eggs can also rotate about 120 degrees when leaving the grooves 27 and returning to the long boards 22.

According to this structure, when the egg 91 is pushed and rolled along the long board 22 into the inspection area 7, the first 120-degree side surface 901 is photographed by the image capture device 4 in front of the groove 27 as shown in FIG8 . Then the egg 91 enters the groove 27 . At this time, as shown in FIG9 , the egg 91 leaves the upper edge 221 of the two long boards 22 after rolling about 120 degrees and is supported by the triangular support plate 243 of the egg pushing rack 24 . Therefore, the egg 91 does not roll temporarily and maintains the second 120-degree side surface 902 facing upward for a period of time. At this time, the image capture device 4 takes the shot and captures the second 120-degree side image. However, the egg 91 in the groove 27 is still pushed forward by the egg pusher 24 driven by the chain. When the egg 91 leaves the groove 27, as shown in FIG10 , the egg 91 rotates about 120 degrees and returns to the long board 22. At this time, the image capture device captures the third 120-degree side image 903. In summary, the grooves 27 on the two long boards 22 can force the egg to rotate about 120 degrees when entering and leaving, reducing the influence of the egg shape or the friction coefficient between the egg and the upper edge 221 of the two long boards 22, thereby reducing the overlap of the egg's circumference in the images obtained by the three shots, so as to improve the accuracy of image detection.

The egg image inspection device of the present invention has other embodiments, which differ from the above embodiments in that the range of the inspection area, the image capture range of the image capture device, and the width of each egg position are changed. In this embodiment, the width of each egg position is set to half the circumference of the egg, and the range of the inspection area covers two egg positions, and the image capture range of the image capture device covers the entire inspection area. Accordingly, in this embodiment, when any egg position enters the inspection area, a shot can be triggered, and each shot can capture images of two egg positions and eggs (if any), and the egg that rolls into the inspection area first is about 180 degrees ahead of the egg that rolls into the inspection area later, resulting in the eggs in the two egg positions in the inspection area being photographed with different sides facing upwards, thereby achieving the same effect as the aforementioned embodiment.

After the image detection device detects the image of the abnormal egg, the abnormal egg is screened by the screening device 6 disposed on the conveying device 2 in the screening area 70. In this embodiment, referring to FIG. 3 , the screening device 6 is a pivotable lever disposed at a predetermined distance behind the inspection area. Under the premise that the predetermined distance is a known fixed value and the eggs are continuously transported forward, the computer device (image detection device) can calculate the distance between the abnormal egg and the screening device 6 according to the position of the abnormal image in the image, and then control the lever to push the egg out of the conveying device 2 when the abnormal egg is sent to the screening device 6, so as to achieve the purpose of screening the egg. Preferably, the screening action can be a stretching action of a push rod, so that the push rod can directly push the egg out of the conveying device 2, or the push rod can push the above-mentioned lever to swing, so that the lever pushes the egg out of the conveying device 2.

Please refer to FIG. 11 , which shows an image detection method performed by the computer device of the present invention, which includes: Using the computer device to sequentially receive multiple images. In this embodiment, these images are captured by the image capture device 4 and transmitted to the computer device. Each image has N regions arranged in sequence, and each region is used to display an overhead image of an egg. In any N consecutive images, the overhead image of the egg displayed in the first region of the first image, the second region of the second image, ... and the Nth region of the Nth image are taken from the same egg, and are taken when the egg is rotated to different angles. The computer device detects the overhead image of the eggs in each area of each image, and when an abnormality is detected, it decides to output a control signal to the screening device 6 according to the area where the overhead image of the egg with the abnormality is located, so that the screening device 6 performs a screening action on the eggs with the abnormality. The computer device can calculate how long, how far or how many egg positions the egg with the abnormality will have to travel before reaching the screening device 6 according to the area where the overhead image of the egg with the abnormality is located, and send a control signal to the screening device 6 when the egg with the abnormality reaches the screening device 6.

The above method uses an image capture device (such as a CCD photosensitive element) to continuously and repeatedly shoot eggs transported in a rolling manner on a conveying device 2. The obtained images will include top-view images of N eggs. According to FIG. 12, each image 1 is defined to have N regions 101, 102, 103, which are occupied by top-view images 111, 112, 113 of an egg respectively. Since the eggs are photographed during the rolling period, in any N continuous images, the images in the first region of the first image, the second region of the second image, ... and the Nth region of the Nth image all belong to the same egg, but these images represent the side of the egg at different angles. In a preferred embodiment, N=3; in a second preferred embodiment, N=2.

Then, the image detection software in the computer device is used to detect these images. Different detection software can be selected according to the items to be detected, such as detecting cracks on the egg shell surface, surface dirt, or the development of the embryo inside the egg. When an abnormal image is detected in the image, the computer device records the area where the abnormality is located in the image, and can determine which egg on the conveying device 2 has the abnormality, and generates an abnormality information accordingly, and then outputs a control signal to a screening device according to the abnormality information, so that the screening device performs a screening action on the eggs with abnormality. The screening action may be to make the eggs leave the conveying device 2 by a contact or non-contact method such as pushing, clamping or blowing, or may be to simply mark the eggs as abnormal.

When the detection software detects that the egg image has an abnormality, it can determine which egg on the conveying device 2 has a problem according to the position of the abnormality in the image. Specifically, an image capture device is set at one position of the conveying device 2, and a screening device is set at another position. Under the premise that the distance between the two is fixed and the eggs are continuously transported forward, the computer device can calculate the distance between the abnormal egg and the screening device according to the position of the abnormal image in the image, and then control the screening device to perform screening when the abnormal egg is sent to the screening device. For example, as shown in FIG. 13 , assuming that the three eggs 91, 92, 93 photographed by the image capture device are six, seven, and eight eggs away from the screening device, respectively, and the images 111, 112, 113 of the three eggs are respectively in the first, second, and third regions 101, 102, 103 of the captured image. When the image 111 in the first region 101 of the image 1 is detected to be abnormal, it means that the egg 91 six eggs away from the screening device 6 is abnormal, and the rest of the situations can be deduced by analogy. The computer device can use the detection of the egg pusher 244 by the target detection device 31 to calculate how many egg pushers 244 are currently passing through the target detection device 31. For example, if the computer device currently accumulates that 4 egg pushers 244 have passed through the target detection device 31, it can be converted to obtain the distance that the conveying device 2 has moved 3 egg positions (or eggs). In short, the computer device can use the detection of the egg pusher 244 by the target detection device 31 to calculate and infer the position and moving distance of each egg position (or egg) on the conveying device 2.

The characteristic of the method of the present invention is that the status of three eggs is checked at one time, and the position of the egg with abnormal condition is quickly identified by using the position of each egg image in the image, thereby producing the effect of improving the detection efficiency.

1: Image 101, 102, 103: Area 111, 112, 113: Top view 100: Screening equipment 200: Cleaning equipment 300: Weight grading equipment 91: Eggs 2: Conveyor 2’: Drum mechanism 20: Track 21: Bottom plate 211: Long perforation 22: Long plate 221: Upper edge 23: Chain 24: Egg pusher 241: Base 242: Top surface 243: Support plate 244: Egg push rod 245: Recess 25, 25', 251, 252, 253: Egg position 26: Drum 31: Target detection device 32: Egg detection device 4, 4': Image capture device 5: Lighting device 51: LED light 6: Screening device 7: Inspection area 70: Screening area 91, 92, 93: Eggs 901, 902, 903: Side

FIG1 shows a schematic diagram of a preferred embodiment of the screening device 100 of the present invention applied to a packaging process of an egg. FIG2 is a schematic diagram of a three-dimensional exploded view of the device of the present invention; FIG3 is a schematic diagram of a three-dimensional view of the device of the present invention; FIG4 is a schematic diagram of a side view of the device of the present invention; FIG5 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the conveying device of the device of the present invention; FIG6 is a schematic diagram of a transverse section of the device of the present invention; FIG7 is a schematic diagram of a top view of the device of the present invention; FIG8, 9, and 10 are schematic diagrams of the use state of the device of the present invention; FIG11 is a flow chart of the image detection method of eggs of the present invention; FIG12 is a schematic diagram of the image in the method of the present invention; FIG13 is a schematic diagram of the method of the present invention screening out eggs with abnormalities.

100: Screening equipment

200: Cleaning equipment

300:Weight classification equipment

91:Egg

2: Transport device

24: Egg pusher

7: Inspection area

70: Screening area

Claims (15)

A method for detecting an egg image comprises: receiving a plurality of images in sequence, each image having N regions arranged in sequence, each region being used to display an overhead image of an egg, wherein in any N consecutive images, the overhead image of an egg displayed in the first region of the first image, the second region of the second image, ..., and the overhead image of an egg displayed in the Nth region of the Nth image are taken from the same egg and are respectively taken at the same egg. The camera is rotated to different angles; and the overhead image of the eggs in each area of each image is detected. When an abnormality is detected, a control signal is output to a screening device according to the area where the overhead image of the egg with the abnormality is located, so that the screening device performs a screening action on the eggs with the abnormality; wherein the screening action performed by the screening device is the extension and retraction action of a push rod. An egg screening device includes: a conveying device having a plurality of egg positions for receiving an egg respectively and a plurality of targets, the conveying device can drive the egg positions and the targets to move in one direction and pass through an inspection area, the inspection area covers a plurality of egg positions, wherein the eggs are continuously rolled in the egg positions when being conveyed; a target detection device, which can detect a first detection position, and each time When the target on the conveying device reaches the first detection position, the target detection device sends a trigger signal; an image capture device is arranged above the conveying device, and is used to capture an image of the inspection area each time the trigger signal is received, wherein the image capture range covers the entire inspection area; a light emitting device is used to provide the light required by the image capture device for image capture; an image The detection device is coupled to the image capture device and is used to perform image detection on the image captured by the image capture device; wherein the conveying device includes: two opposite long boards extending along the direction through the inspection area, wherein the upper edges of the two long boards are at the same height and are used to support the eggs in the egg positions; a chain located between the two long boards; and a plurality of egg pushers arranged at intervals along the chain, wherein each egg pusher The rack includes a base fixed on the chain and an egg pusher standing vertically on the base, and the adjacent egg pushers form an egg position; and a chain driving mechanism, which is used to drive the chain to move the egg pushers in the direction, so that the egg pushers push the eggs in the egg positions to roll in the direction along the upper edges of the two long boards; wherein the targets detected by the target detection device are the egg pushers. The egg screening device as described in claim 2 further includes a screening device disposed on the conveying device, the screening device being located behind the inspection area, and being used to screen the abnormal eggs after the image detection device detects the abnormal eggs. The egg screening device as described in claim 2 further includes another set of image capture devices disposed on both sides of the conveying device and used to capture images of both ends of the egg's long axis. The egg screening device as described in claim 2, further comprising a plurality of egg detection devices capable of detecting a second detection position respectively; the light emitting device comprises a plurality of flash lights located below the inspection area and coupled to the egg detection devices one-to-one, each flash light is activated only when the coupled egg detection device detects that an egg has passed through the second detection position for which it is responsible for detection; the base of each egg pusher of the conveying device has a first channel for light to pass through; the conveying device comprises a bottom plate connecting the lower edges of the two long plates and supporting the chain, and the bottom plate has a second channel for light to pass through at a position corresponding to the inspection area. The egg screening device as described in claim 2, wherein the width of each egg in the direction is equal to the distance between each egg pusher, and the distance between each egg pusher is half the circumference of the egg, the inspection area covers more than two egg positions, and the egg that rolls into the inspection area first leads the egg that rolls into the inspection area later by about 180 degrees. The egg screening device as described in claim 2, wherein the width of each egg in the direction is equal to the distance between each egg pusher, and the distance between each egg pusher is one-third of the circumference of the egg, the inspection area covers more than three egg positions, and the egg that rolls into the inspection area first leads the egg that rolls into the inspection area later by about 120 degrees. An egg screening device as described in any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the conveying device includes a pause portion corresponding to the inspection area, and the pause portion can stop the eggs in each egg position from rotating when rolling to the pause portion. The egg screening device as described in any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the conveying device includes a pause portion corresponding to the inspection area, the pause portion includes two grooves formed on the two long plates and facing each other, the height of the upper edge of each long plate at the groove is lowered to be lower than a support portion of the base of each egg pusher, so that the eggs rolling along the upper edges of the two long plates in the egg positions will only be supported by the support portions of the bases at the groove without contacting the upper edges of the two long plates. The egg screening device as described in claim 9, wherein the conveying device is arranged in an inclined manner so that the eggs in the egg positions can climb along a slope while rolling in that direction. An egg screening device comprises: two opposite long plates, each having an upper edge, the two upper edges being of the same height; a chain located between the two long plates; a plurality of egg pushers arranged at intervals along the chain, and each egg pusher comprises a base fixed on the chain and an egg pusher rod vertically disposed on the base, adjacent egg pushers forming an egg position, each egg position is used to receive an egg, each base has a first channel for light to pass through; a chain driving mechanism, used to drive the chain to move the egg pushers in a direction, so that the egg pushers push the egg positions. The eggs in the chain roll in the direction along the upper edges of the two long boards; an image capture device located above the two long boards for capturing images of the eggs; a light emitting device located below the chain for providing the light required by the image capture device for image capture; a bottom plate connecting the lower edges of the two long boards and supporting the chain, wherein the bottom plate corresponding to the light emitting device also has a second channel for light to pass through; and an image detection device coupled to the image capture device for image detection of the image captured by the image capture device. The egg screening device as described in claim 11 further includes another set of image capture devices disposed on both sides of the long board and used to capture images of both ends of the egg's long axis. The egg screening device as described in claim 11, further comprising a plurality of egg detection devices each responsible for detecting a detection position; the light emitting device comprises a plurality of flash lights coupled to the egg detection devices one-to-one, each flash light is activated only when the coupled egg detection device detects that an egg passes through the detection position it is responsible for detecting. A conveying device includes: Two opposite long boards, each with an upper edge, the two upper edges are of the same height; a chain, located between the two long boards; a plurality of egg pushers, arranged along the chain at intervals, and each egg pusher includes a base fixed on the chain and an egg pusher rod vertically on the base, adjacent egg pushers form an egg position, each egg position is used to receive an egg; a chain driving mechanism, used to drive the chain to move the egg pushers in one direction, so as to The egg pushers push the eggs in the egg positions to roll along the upper edges of the two long boards in the direction; and a stop portion, including two grooves formed on the two long boards and facing each other, the height of the upper edge of each long board at the groove is lowered to be lower than a supporting portion of the base of each egg pusher, so that the eggs rolling along the upper edges of the two long boards in the egg positions will only be supported by the supporting portions of the base at the groove without contacting the upper edges of the two long boards. A conveying device as described in claim 14, wherein the conveying device is arranged in an inclined manner so that the eggs in the egg positions can climb along a slope while rolling in the direction.

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