JP2015001418A - Inspection device of hatching eggs, inspection system, and inspection method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform inspection of hatching eggs accurately and in a short time.SOLUTION: An inspection device of hatching eggs comprises: a plurality of light-emitting parts which are arranged at predetermined positions; light-receiving parts that are provided in a one-to-one relationship with the light-emitting parts and receive light from corresponding light-emitting parts; and an egg storage container for lining up the hatching eggs between each light-emitting part and corresponding light-receiving part. The inspection device of hatching eggs inspects each hatching egg by receiving transmitted light transmitted through the hatching egg out of the light from each light-emitting part, by the light-receiving part. In the inspection device, when one light-emitting part in the plurality of light-emitting parts emits light, other light-emitting parts around the one light-emitting part in a predetermined range do not emit light.

Description

  The present invention relates to an inspection of eggs by optical means, and more particularly to an inspection device, an inspection system, and an inspection method for efficiently inspecting a large number of eggs by optical means.

  Bird eggs are roughly classified into edible eggs used for food and seed eggs used for chick production, vaccine production, and the like. These are subjected to various processes and inspections according to their purposes. For example, eggs are processed by washing the outer shell before lining them on the table, checking for cracks in the outer shell, and checking the internal situation, and then packing the eggs into the market. In addition, the seed eggs are hatched in an environment such as a predetermined temperature and humidity, and in the middle of hatching, an inspection is performed to determine the activity status of the embryo inside the seed eggs, that is, life and death.

  In such an egg inspection, various inspection apparatuses have been developed in order to inspect a large amount of eggs efficiently. In such an inspection apparatus, there is an apparatus that irradiates a seed egg with light and inspects the life and death of the seed egg from the light transmitted through the seed egg. Such an inspection apparatus includes a plurality of light emitting units and a light receiving unit that is provided in a one-to-one relationship with each light emitting unit and receives light from the corresponding light emitting unit. In the inspection, a seed egg is disposed between the light emitting unit and the light receiving unit, and light from the light emitting unit passes through the seed egg and is received by the light receiving unit. By analyzing the light received by the light receiving unit, it is possible to know the internal state of the egg.

  For example, in the inspection apparatus described in Patent Document 1, the seed eggs are examined for viability by using the fact that the amount of transmitted light (transmission amount) is reduced by the growth of the internal embryo. That is, in this inspection apparatus, an egg having a light transmission amount larger than a specific threshold is determined as a dead egg. In this egg inspection apparatus, a plurality of light emitting units arranged in one row move in the column direction with respect to the eggs arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns to inspect the eggs for each row.

  In addition, there is an inspection device that irradiates a seed egg with light and inspects the activity state of the seed egg from light transmitted through the seed egg (for example, Patent Document 2). In this inspection apparatus, the activity state of the seed egg can be inspected by utilizing the temporal change of the light passing through the seed egg in relation to the biological activity such as heartbeat and fetal movement of the embryo inside the egg.

  In this inspection apparatus, since the eggs are inspected based on minute changes such as the heartbeat and fetal movement of the embryo, it is required to detect light with higher accuracy than comparing the amount of transmitted light with respect to a specific threshold. In addition, in this seed egg inspection apparatus, the same number of light emitting units and light receiving units as the seed eggs are provided for the seed eggs arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns, and the seed eggs are inspected at a time.

Special table 2001-509895 JP2011-106882A

  However, since the egg inspection apparatus described in Patent Document 2 inspects a plurality of eggs at the same time, a plurality of light emitting units emit light simultaneously. Accordingly, there is a problem in that one light receiving unit that receives light from the one light emitting unit receives light from another light emitting unit corresponding to the one light emitting unit.

  In addition, since the egg egg inspection apparatus described in Patent Document 1 sequentially emits the light emitting units arranged in one row, the other light emitting units do not emit light when one light emitting unit emits light. Therefore, one light receiving unit corresponding to one light emitting unit is not affected by other light receiving units arranged in one row. However, this inspection apparatus does not consider any arrangement of the light emitting units in the column direction, that is, the two-dimensional arrangement of the light emitting units.

  Moreover, in this inspection apparatus, the eggs arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns are inspected by relatively moving the light emitting units arranged in one row in the column direction. Therefore, since it is necessary to mechanically move the egg or the plurality of light emitting units several times, there is a problem that the inspection time becomes long.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to accurately and quickly test a seed egg.

  The egg inspection apparatus according to the present invention is provided in a one-to-one relationship with a plurality of light emitting units that are two-dimensionally arranged at predetermined positions, and receives light from the corresponding light emitting units. A light-receiving unit that receives light, and an egg container for aligning the egg between each light-emitting unit and the corresponding light-receiving unit, and transmits the light transmitted from each light-emitting unit through the inside of the egg. Each egg is inspected when the light receiving unit receives light.

  In the inspection apparatus, in the plurality of light emitting units, when one of the light emitting units emits light, the other light emitting units within a predetermined range centered on the one light emitting unit do not emit light.

  According to this egg inspection apparatus, a plurality of light emitting units are arranged two-dimensionally, that is, in a first direction and a second direction intersecting the first direction. These light emitting units are provided corresponding to a plurality of egg eggs arranged for inspection. The light from the light emitting part passes through the corresponding egg and is received by the corresponding light receiving part. The light transmitted through the seed egg has information on the embryo inside the seed egg, and the seed egg can be inspected by analyzing the light received by the light receiving unit.

  In the egg inspection apparatus according to the present invention, since the light emitting units are two-dimensionally arranged, a large number of egg eggs arranged two-dimensionally are inspected at a time. Thereby, an inspection can be performed in a short time. Furthermore, in the plurality of light emitting units arranged two-dimensionally, when one light emitting unit emits light, the other light emitting units within the predetermined range do not emit light. Accordingly, the light receiving unit corresponding to one light emitting unit can receive the light of the corresponding one light emitting unit without being affected by the light emission of the other light emitting units. Therefore, it is possible to accurately inspect the egg.

  Moreover, each light-receiving part may receive the said transmitted light which changes temporally in relation to the biological information inside the said egg.

  The biological information includes the heartbeat and fetal movement of the embryo inside the egg. Therefore, the transmitted light received by the light receiving unit has very slight changes due to the heartbeat and fetal movement of the embryo. Since this egg inspection apparatus inspects the egg from this minute change, the light receiving part is easily affected by noise. However, according to this egg testing apparatus, one light receiving unit does not receive light from other light emitting units within a predetermined range centered on one light emitting unit corresponding to the light receiving unit. Accurate inspection can be performed from light.

  Moreover, each light emission part may light-emit many times periodically with respect to the test | inspection of one egg.

  In this egg test apparatus, each light emitting unit periodically emits light many times, so that noise can be easily removed. Therefore, according to this egg test apparatus, even if one light-receiving unit corresponding to one light-emitting unit receives light from other light-emitting units outside a predetermined range as noise, it can be accurately inspected. .

  Further, when the one light emitting unit emits light, at least one other light emitting unit outside the predetermined range centering on the one light emitting unit may emit light.

  According to this egg testing apparatus, at least one other light emitting unit outside the predetermined range centering on the one light emitting unit emits light when one light emitting unit emits light. Thereby, since at least two or more eggs are inspected at overlapping timing, the inspection time for a plurality of eggs can be shortened. Therefore, this inspection apparatus can inspect various eggs accurately and in a short time.

  Further, one light emitting unit and one light receiving unit constitute one inspection unit, and the plurality of inspection units have the same number of eggs as one inspection unit, and a plurality of eggs in one inspection unit. Are provided in a one-to-one relationship.

  According to this egg test apparatus, since a plurality of eggs are provided in one inspection unit and the same number of inspection units as a plurality of egg eggs are provided, each inspection unit inspects various eggs. Thereby, one inspection unit can be inspected at a time. Therefore, since it is not necessary to relatively move the inspection unit or the egg in one inspection unit, the inspection time can be shortened.

  The egg inspection system according to the present invention includes the inspection apparatus as described above.

  In the egg inspection method according to the present invention, a plurality of light emitting units arranged two-dimensionally at a predetermined position, a light receiving unit that receives light from each light emitting unit, each light emitting unit, and the corresponding light emitting unit An inspection device including an egg container for aligning the eggs between the light receiving units is used.

  In the inspection method, in the plurality of light emitting units, when one of the light emitting units emits light, the other light emitting units within a predetermined range centered on the one light emitting unit do not emit light. The light receiving unit receives the transmitted light that has passed through the inside of the egg from the light from each light emitting unit, and includes inspecting the egg from the light received by the light receiving unit.

  According to this inspection method, the plurality of light emitting units of the inspection apparatus are arranged two-dimensionally, that is, in the second direction intersecting the first direction and the first direction. These light emitting units are provided corresponding to a plurality of eggs that are two-dimensionally aligned for inspection. The light from the light emitting part passes through the corresponding egg and is received by the corresponding light receiving part. The light transmitted through the seed egg has information on the biological activity of the embryo inside the seed egg, and the seed egg can be inspected by analyzing the light received by the light receiving unit.

  In the seed egg inspection method according to the present invention, since the light emitting parts are two-dimensionally arranged, a large number of two-dimensionally aligned eggs are inspected at a time. Thereby, an inspection can be performed in a short time. Furthermore, in the plurality of light emitting units arranged two-dimensionally, when one light emitting unit emits light, the other light emitting units within the predetermined range do not emit light. Accordingly, the light receiving unit corresponding to one light emitting unit can receive the light of the corresponding one light emitting unit without being affected by the light emission of the other light emitting units. Therefore, it is possible to accurately inspect the egg.

  It is an object of the present invention to accurately and quickly test a seed egg in a plurality of eggs.

It is the schematic which shows the outline of an inspection system provided with the inspection apparatus of the egg egg which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the external appearance of the inspection system of FIG. It is a top view which shows the egg container shown in FIG. It is a front view which shows the inspection apparatus shown in FIG. It is a front view which shows the state by which the egg container was carried in to the test | inspection apparatus main body of the test | inspection apparatus shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the test | inspection control apparatus of the control part shown in FIG. It is a conceptual diagram for demonstrating the 1st lighting pattern of the several light emission part of the test | inspection apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram for demonstrating the 2nd lighting pattern of the several light emission part of the test | inspection apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram for demonstrating the 3rd lighting pattern of the several light emission part of the test | inspection apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

  An egg inspection apparatus and method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following description, a preferred embodiment of an inspection apparatus and an inspection method for inspecting eggs used for production of chicken chicks and vaccines will be described with reference to the drawings. However, the inspection apparatus and inspection method according to the present invention can also be used for inspection of eggs other than chicken chicks.

  Chicken eggs are generally hatched 21 days after being laid. Meanwhile, such eggs are also called eggs in the middle of hatching, and embryos grow inside the eggs according to the age. In the description of the present embodiment, for example, an embryo within 10 days after egg laying, that is, a 10-day-old egg is referred to as a 10-day embryo.

  In addition to the production of chicks, some eggs are used for vaccine production. Such a seed egg for producing a vaccine is used for recovering a culture solution containing a virus that has proliferated after inoculating the 11th day embryo or the 12th day embryo with the virus and heating for 2 to 3 days. In general, as the egg lays, the embryo grows and the light transmission deteriorates with the passage of age.

  The inspection system 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention is used for such an egg inspection. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the inspection system S includes a loading device 2 that receives an egg container T in which a test egg E to be tested is stored from a previous process of the egg testing system S, and an egg storage from the loading device 2. The inspection apparatus 1 which receives the container T and inspects the egg E stored in the egg container T, and the unloading apparatus 3 which receives the egg container T from the inspection apparatus 1 and sends the egg container T to the next process are provided. The carry-out device 3 may be provided with a conventionally well-known exclusion mechanism that automatically and mechanically excludes the egg E determined to be removed by the inspection of the inspection device 1 from the egg container T.

  The egg container T is conveyed from the carry-in device 2 to the inspection device 1 as indicated by an arrow a, and is conveyed from the inspection device 1 to the carry-out device 3 as indicated by an arrow b after the inspection. The inspection apparatus 1 inspects a plurality of eggs accommodated in one egg container T as one inspection unit. That is, the plurality of eggs E accommodated in one egg container T is transported and inspected for each inspection unit. At the time of inspection, the egg container T is stopped in the inspection apparatus 1, whereby a large number of eggs E are placed in a state aligned at a predetermined inspection position.

  The egg container T includes egg seats T1 provided two-dimensionally in m rows × n columns (m and n are natural numbers), and the seed eggs E are accommodated by filling the egg seats T1 with the seed eggs. . In the present embodiment, the eggs E are filled in the egg seat T1 with their sharp ends facing downward and blunt ends facing upward, and, as shown in FIG. Housed in a row. The egg container T of the seed egg E is generally called a setter tray. In the example of FIG. 3, the egg seats T1 in each row are offset, and a plurality of egg seats are provided in 6 rows × 7 columns. In addition to the setter tray shown in FIG. 3, there is also a setter tray provided with a lattice shape without being offset.

  Moreover, in this Embodiment, although the egg E is accommodated in the state which orient | assigned the sharp end to the downward direction, if the seed egg can be test | inspected, it may be filled in the egg seat T1 toward any direction. The egg container T may be another container or the like as long as it can be inspected by the inspection device 1.

  Each egg seat T1 is formed with a plurality of protrusions T3 for supporting the seed egg E from below on a frame T2 for supporting the seed egg from the side in conformity with the shape of the seed egg. And hold from below. Each egg seat T1 transmits light from a portion other than the frame portion T2 and the protruding portion T3 with respect to light from below. Since the frame portion T2 holds the seed egg E from the side and the protrusion T3 has a small protrusion relative to the seed egg E, the light traveling from below to the seed egg is irradiated to the seed egg without being substantially inhibited.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the inspection apparatus 1 includes an inspection apparatus body 10 having a conveyance path R through which the egg container T is conveyed. The inspection apparatus main body 10 includes a plurality of light emitting units 12 that emit light from below toward the egg E, and a cap 14 that contracts in contact with the corresponding egg E so as to allow only light transmitted through the egg E to pass therethrough. A light passage unit 16, a light receiving unit 18 that receives the light that has passed through each light passage unit 16, and a transport unit (not shown) that receives the egg container T from the carry-in device 2 and transports the eggs to a predetermined position. And a control unit 20 for controlling the inspection apparatus 1.

  The inspection device 1 includes an upper portion 10A and a lower portion 10B, and the plurality of light receiving portions 18 and the plurality of light passing portions 16 are fixed to the upper portion 10A of the inspection device main body 10, and the plurality of light emitting portions 12 are provided. Are fixed to the lower part 10B of the inspection apparatus body 10. The said conveyance part is provided in the lower part 10B, and forms the conveyance path R in which the egg container T is conveyed between the upper part 10A and the lower part 10B.

  One light emitting unit 12 and the corresponding light passing unit 16 and light receiving unit 18 are provided in a one-to-one relationship, and constitute a set of inspection units. One inspection unit is provided to correspond to one egg placed at a predetermined inspection position. In the present embodiment, 42 inspection units of 6 rows × 7 columns are provided two-dimensionally corresponding to 42 seed eggs arranged in 6 rows × 7 columns. In the example of FIGS. 4 and 5, only four inspection units are shown for ease of explanation.

  In the inspection apparatus 1, the upper part 10 </ b> A and the lower part 10 </ b> B of the inspection apparatus body 10 are relatively movable in the vertical direction so that the cap 14 of the light passage unit 16 contacts the egg during the inspection. On the other hand, since each inspection unit is provided in a one-to-one relationship so as to correspond to various eggs, it is relatively immovable in the horizontal direction. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the upper part 10A of the inspection apparatus body 10 can move in the direction of arrow c with respect to the lower part 10B.

  Moreover, the said conveyance part of the test | inspection apparatus 1 conveys the egg container T to the predetermined test | inspection position which can contact the light passage part 16 with which various eggs respond | correspond. The said conveyance part is a conventionally well-known tray conveyor which engages with the egg container T and conveys the egg container T so that the light from the light emission part 12 may not be inhibited.

  The upper part 10A of the inspection apparatus main body 10 is lowered in a state where the egg container T containing the egg E is carried into the inspection apparatus 1 by the transport unit, and the opening of the cap 14 of the light passage part 16 is brought into contact with the seed egg E. It becomes a state. In this state, each light passage unit 16 is configured to shield light passing through the inside thereof from other light. Each light receiving unit 18 can receive only light that has passed through the corresponding light passing unit 16 among the light emitted from the light emitting unit 12.

  However, one egg E transmits light from another light emitting unit 12 in addition to light from one light emitting unit 12 provided correspondingly. Thereby, the one light-receiving part 18 corresponding to one egg and one light-emitting part may also receive the light from the other light-emitting parts 12 through the one light passage part 16. Since one light-receiving unit 18 inspects the eggs based on the light from one light-emitting unit 12, if light from another light-emitting unit 12 is received, accurate inspection may be hindered. In particular, since eggs that have not undergone embryo growth have good permeability, when such eggs are examined corresponding to the other light emitting units 12, the influence on one light receiving unit 18 is increased.

  The control unit 20 includes a plurality of inspection control devices 22 provided in a one-to-one relationship with each egg E to be inspected, that is, a plurality of inspection units. As shown in FIG. 6, each inspection control device 22 is similar to the egg inspection device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-106882, and includes a photoelectric conversion unit 24, a determination calculation unit 26, a storage unit (memory) 28, and a display unit (display). 30, at least a light amount control unit 32, and an on / off switch 34.

  The light amount control unit 32 and the light on / off switch 34 are connected to the corresponding light emitting unit 12 and control the lighting, off, and light amount of the light emitting unit 12. Thereby, with each inspection control device 22, with the eggs E aligned at a predetermined inspection position, the lighting / extinguishing switch 34 lights (emits light) the light emitting unit 12, and the light quantity control unit 32 controls the light emitting unit 12. The light quantity is adjusted, and the light-on / off switch 34 can turn off the light emitting unit 12 after the inspection is completed.

  The on / off switch 32 is periodically switched several times so that the light emitting unit 12 can emit light periodically several times. Therefore, by controlling the light quantity control unit 32 and the turn-on / off switch 34, the light emitting unit 12 can emit light so that the light emitted from the light emitting unit 12 has a rectangular waveform with a desired period and intensity. In addition, the light quantity control unit 32 may cause the light emitting unit 12 to emit light with a desired waveform (for example, a triangular waveform, a sine waveform, etc.) by a well-known electronic circuit.

  The photoelectric conversion unit 24 is connected to the corresponding light receiving unit 18 and converts the light received by the light receiving unit 18 into an electrical signal. The determination calculation unit 26 includes a calculation device such as a microcomputer, and is connected to the photoelectric conversion unit 24. The determination calculation unit 26 analyzes the photoelectrically converted electric signal and inspects the activity of the egg.

  The activity of the egg is information such as how active the embryo inside the egg is, whether it is alive, dead, or otherwise alive (eg, not dead but dying) Information). Therefore, based on the degree of activity, the life and death of the egg can be examined, and the active degree of the egg can be determined.

  The determination calculation unit 26 is connected to the light amount control unit 32 and controls the light amount control unit 32. The storage unit 28 is connected to the determination unit 24 and appropriately stores information for determination. The display unit 30 is connected to the determination calculation unit 26 and displays determination results and the like.

  Since the light emitted from the light emitting unit 12 passes through the egg E and is received by the light receiving unit 18, the light has information on the biological activity inside the egg E. The information related to life activity includes information that changes with time during several seconds such as heartbeat and fetal movement. The photoelectric conversion unit 24 converts the light received by the light receiving unit 18 into an electrical signal.

  Therefore, this electric signal has information regarding the biological activity inside the egg. For example, if the embryo inside the seed egg beats, the amount of transmitted light slightly fluctuates according to the heartbeat, and the electric signal of the light receiving unit that receives this fluctuates slightly. Therefore, the determination calculation unit 26 can analyze these minute fluctuations and acquire information related to life activity.

  The determination calculation part 26 acquires the electrical signal photoelectrically converted, and inspects the activity level of the egg from the information on the life activity of the egg. This determination of the degree of activity is based on an electrical signal obtained by photoelectrically converting the light received by the light receiving unit 18, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-10689 or Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-127096, and the heart rate, fetal movement, etc. This is performed based on biological information that changes with time in relation to the biological activity.

  As described in JP-A-9-127096, heart rate and fetal movement can be detected if the age is at least 8 days. Moreover, the determination calculating part 26 can also determine that an activity degree is unknown, when an activity level cannot be determined clearly by test | inspection. At this time, the storage unit 28 stores information on the electrical signal received by the determination calculation unit 26, information on the determination result, and the like. The display unit 30 displays the test result of the activity performed by the determination calculation unit 26.

  Similar to the inspection apparatus described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-10689, the light amount control unit 32 is a light source amount suitable for various eggs according to the amount of light received by the corresponding light receiving unit 18, that is, the amount of light transmitted through the corresponding egg E. The light emitting unit 12 is controlled so that However, when the light amount is not controlled, the light emitting units 12 may emit light with the same light amount. Moreover, the determination calculating part 26 can test | inspect the life and death of a seed egg also by the light quantity which permeate | transmits a seed egg, ie, the permeability | transmittance information of the seed egg E, as information of the embryo inside a seed egg. For example, an egg E having a remarkably large transmitted light amount can be determined as an infertile egg, that is, a dead egg in a life-and-death test (see Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2001-509895).

  Next, the control content of the inspection control unit 20 will be described. The inspection control unit 20 controls each inspection control device 22 in an integrated manner, and each inspection control device 22 controls one inspection unit so as to inspect one egg. Therefore, the inspection apparatus 1 can control each light emitting unit 12 or each light receiving unit 18 corresponding to each egg E independently.

  Prior to the inspection, the plurality of egg eggs E are aligned at a predetermined inspection position, and the corresponding light passage portions 16 come into contact with the egg eggs E. Thereby, it will be in the state which can test | inspect the egg E (refer FIG. 5). The inspection control unit 20 confirms that the eggs E can be inspected. In this state, one inspection control device 22 causes the light emitting unit 12 connected thereto to emit light. The light emitted from the light emitting unit 12 is received by the light receiving unit 18 as transmitted light transmitted through the egg E. The light receiving unit 18 that has received the transmitted light inspects the activity of the egg E based on information contained in the transmitted light.

  In the present embodiment, each inspection control device 22 periodically emits light many times for the inspection of one egg E. This light emission is adjusted to such an extent that the heartbeat of the embryo can be acquired as effective information by, for example, the well-known Shannon-Someya sampling theorem (see JP 2011-106882 A).

  The egg inspection apparatus 1 inspects the egg by a plurality of periodic light emission. Thereby, the influence of the light emission of the other light emitting units 18 received by the one light receiving unit 18 corresponding to the one light emitting unit 12 can be removed to some extent by electronic means. However, in contrast to the inspection of one egg, it may be inspected by light emission that does not change periodically, that is, simple one-step rectangular wave light emission.

  The light receiving unit 18 detects a very slight change in light in order to measure the heartbeat of the embryo. In general, the change in light for measuring the heartbeat of an embryo is very small as compared with the case of measuring the amount of transmitted light as in the inspection apparatus described in JP-A-2001-509895.

  Next, lighting patterns of the plurality of light emitting units 12 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIGS. 7 to 8 conceptually show the light emitting units 12 that are offset and correspond to the egg container T that is offset in the constellation of the present embodiment. Corresponding to the egg container T provided with 42 egg seats T1 in 6 rows × 7 columns, 42 light emitting sections 12 are similarly provided in 6 rows × 7 columns.

  7 to 8, the reference numerals a1 to n3 are assigned to identify the light emitting units, and the numbers in parentheses below indicate the lighting order. For example, when (1) is written under a1 and (2) is written under b1, a1 emits light first, and then b1 emits light. When (1) is written under a1 and (1) is written under h1, a1 and h1 emit light in synchronization.

  Moreover, in this Embodiment, each test | inspection control apparatus can control the light emission part 12 and the light-receiving part 18 so that it may test | inspect a corresponding egg separately. Therefore, the inspection apparatus 1 can cause the plurality of light emitting units 12 to emit light using, for example, the following three types of lighting patterns.

  As the first lighting pattern, when one light emitting unit 12 emits light, each inspection control device 22 prevents other light emitting units 12 within a predetermined range centered on one light emitting unit 12 from emitting light. To control. That is, when one light emitting unit 12 is turned on, the other light emitting units 12 within the predetermined range are turned off.

  In the first lighting pattern, as shown in FIG. 7, the light emitting unit 12 sequentially emits light in the order of a1, b1, c1,... L3, m3, and n3. Therefore, when a1 is emitting light, other light emitting units 12 of b1 to n3 other than a1 do not emit light. Similarly, when a2 emits light, other light emitting units 12 other than a2 other than a1 to g1 and b2 to n3 do not emit light. In the present lighting pattern, only one light emitting unit 12 emits light in the egg container T, and thus the predetermined range is a substantially outer edge of the egg container T.

  When one light emitting unit 12 emits light, the other light emitting units 12 within the predetermined range are turned off, so that the light of the other light emitting units 12 within the predetermined range is changed to one light emitting unit 12. Is not affected. Therefore, according to the test | inspection apparatus 1, the test | inspection of a seed egg can be performed correctly.

  In the present embodiment, each light emitting unit 12 periodically emits a large number of times. Therefore, the above-described a1 to n3 emit light once in order as one cycle. Cycle light. Accordingly, the inspection of the plurality of eggs E in one inspection unit is completed almost simultaneously (with a1 and n3 shifted by one cycle). However, the light emission of each light emitting unit 12 may be made one cycle, and each time each light emitting unit ends one cycle, the next light emitting unit may emit light for one cycle. If it does in this way, a test | inspection will be complete | finished sequentially for every egg.

  As the second lighting pattern, when one light emitting unit 12 emits light, the other light emitting units 12 within the predetermined range do not emit light, and one other light emitting unit 12 outside the predetermined range does not emit light. Each inspection control device 22 is controlled to emit light. That is, when one light emitting unit 12 is lit, the other light emitting units 12 within the predetermined range are turned off, and the other light emitting units 12 outside the predetermined range are turned on. In the second lighting pattern, the two light emitting units emit light overlapping each other.

  In the second lighting pattern, as shown in FIG. 8, in the 42 light emitting units 12, 21 light emitting units 12 arranged in the substantially left half of the figure are a1, b1, c1,... E3, f3. , G3 sequentially, and in synchronization with this, the 21 light emitting units 12 arranged in the substantially right half of the figure emit light in the order of h1 to n1, h2 to n2, and h3 to n3. That is, a1 and h1 emit light (turn on) in synchronization, and at this time, the other light emitting units 12 do not emit light (turn off). Next, similarly, b1, i1, c1, j,... F3, m3, g3, and n3 emit light sequentially in synchronization.

  In the present lighting pattern, the predetermined range is a light emitting portion that is two away from the central light emitting portion. For example, h1 that is three distances from a1 is outside the predetermined range, and therefore emits light in synchronization with a1. Note that “synchronized” means that the synchronized light emitting units emit light simultaneously at least at any timing, and the phases of the light emission waveforms are the same.

  According to this lighting pattern, when one light emitting unit emits light, the other light emitting units within the predetermined range are turned off, so that the light from the other light emitting units within the predetermined range is reduced. The light receiving unit corresponding to the light emitting unit is not affected. And since the light emission part outside a predetermined range emits light in synchronization with one light emission part, two eggs are examined at the same time, and the processing time of the examination is shortened. Since the other light emitting parts outside the predetermined range are separated from the one light emitting part as the center, the influence on the one light receiving part corresponding to the one light emitting part is small enough to be ignored in the inspection. .

  In the present embodiment, since each light emitting unit 12 periodically emits light a number of times, the above-described a1 to g3 and h1 to n3 sequentially emit light once in order in synchronism with the above. The light emitting unit 12 periodically emits a large number of cycles. Therefore, the inspection of the plurality of eggs E in one inspection unit is completed almost simultaneously (with a1 and g3 shifted by one cycle). However, the light emission of each light emitting unit 12 may be made one cycle, and each time each light emitting unit ends one cycle, the next light emitting unit may emit light for one cycle. If it does in this way, the inspection of various eggs will be completed one by one.

  As the third lighting pattern, when one light emitting unit 12 emits light, the other light emitting units 12 within the predetermined range do not emit light, and the plurality of other light emitting units 12 outside the predetermined range Each inspection control device 22 is controlled to emit light. That is, when one light emitting unit 12 is turned on, the other light emitting units 12 within the predetermined range are turned off, and the plurality of other light emitting units 12 outside the predetermined range are turned on. In the third lighting pattern, a maximum of four light emitting units emit light overlapping each other.

  In the third lighting pattern, as shown in FIG. 9, in the 42 light emitting units 12, nine light emitting units arranged in the substantially left half and the substantially upper half of the drawing are a1, b1, c1, a2, B2, c2, a3, b3, c3 sequentially emit light, and in synchronization therewith, nine light emitting sections 12 arranged in the substantially left half and substantially lower half of the figure are d1, e1, f1, d2, Nine light emitting sections 12 arranged in the order of e2, f2, d3, e3, f3 in the right half and the upper half of the figure are h1, i1, j1, h2, i2, j2, h3, i3, In the order of j3, the nine light emitting units 12 arranged in the substantially right half and the substantially lower half of the drawing emit light in the order of k1, l1, m1, k2, l2, m2, k3, l3, and m3. After these light emission, g1 and n1 are synchronized, g2 and n2 are synchronized, g3 and n3 are synchronized, and light is emitted in order.

  In the present lighting pattern, the predetermined range is a light emitting portion that is two away from the central light emitting portion 12. For example, h1 that is 3 away from a1 in the right direction, d1 that is 3 places away from a1 and k1 that is about 3 obliquely downward to the right from a1 are outside the predetermined range. Flashes in sync. Note that “synchronized” means that the synchronized light emitting units emit light simultaneously at least at any timing, and the phases of the light emission waveforms are the same.

  According to this lighting pattern, when one light emitting unit emits light, the other light emitting units within the predetermined range are turned off, so that the light from the other light emitting units within the predetermined range is reduced. The light receiving unit corresponding to the light emitting unit is not affected. In addition, since the light emitting part outside the predetermined range emits light in synchronization with one light emitting part, a maximum of four eggs are examined at the same time, and the processing time of the examination is greatly shortened. Since the other light emitting parts outside the predetermined range are separated from the one light emitting part as the center, the influence on the one light receiving part corresponding to the one light emitting part is small enough to be ignored in the inspection. .

  In the present embodiment, since each light emitting unit 12 periodically emits light a number of times, d1 to f3, h1 to j3, and k1 to m3 emit light once in synchronization with the above a1 to c3 and thereafter. In addition, g1 to g3 and n1 to n3 are synchronized with each other to emit light once in order, and the plurality of light emitting units 12 periodically emit light of many cycles. Accordingly, the inspection of the plurality of eggs E in one inspection unit is completed almost simultaneously (with a1 and n3 shifted by one cycle). However, the light emission of each light emitting unit 12 may be made one cycle, and each time each light emitting unit ends one cycle, the next light emitting unit may emit light for one cycle. If it does in this way, a test | inspection will be complete | finished sequentially for every egg.

  In various lighting patterns, the predetermined range is not limited to the above-described content, and is appropriately determined depending on the influence of one light-receiving unit 18 corresponding to one light-emitting unit 12 at the center from the other light-emitting units 12. Be changed. For example, if the light receiving unit 18 corresponding to one light emitting unit 12 is not affected by the other light emitting unit 12 adjacent to the second light emitting unit 12, a1 and two adjacent c1 and a3 from a1 may be caused to emit light simultaneously. In this case, the predetermined range for turning off the light emitting unit 12 is the other light emitting unit 12 next to it.

  Further, the predetermined range is appropriately changed depending on the arrangement of the accommodation seat of the egg container T. For example, the predetermined range is naturally different between a setter tray provided with an offset egg seat and a setter tray provided with an egg seat in a lattice shape. Further, the lighting pattern is appropriately changed according to the change of the predetermined range.

  Although various lighting patterns and light emission cycles have been described, these may be appropriately changed and combined depending on the contents and purpose of the inspection.

  Corresponding to the lighting pattern of the light emitting unit 12 as described above, the light receiving unit 18 receives light including information on the egg E. The timing of receiving the light from the light receiving unit 18 can be selected as appropriate. The light received by the light receiving unit 18 is converted into an electrical signal, and the inspection control device 22 analyzes information inside the egg from the electrical signal.

  In the present embodiment, the same number of inspection units are provided for a plurality of eggs E of one inspection unit. However, the inspection unit may be adapted to a plurality of different eggs E and inspected by a smaller number of inspection units than the plurality of eggs E in one inspection unit. For example, with 42 eggs in 6 rows x 7 columns as one test unit, 21 test units in 3 rows x 7 columns adapt the test unit to two different eggs, and 42 eggs are tested. Also good.

  At this time, the inspection unit or the egg container moves relatively, and the lighting pattern is repeated before and after the movement. Therefore, in order to prevent mechanical vibration due to relative movement, the lighting pattern is repeated after a sufficient time has elapsed after the relative movement. Moreover, you may test | inspect with more inspection units than the egg E of one inspection unit. At this time, the plurality of inspection units include one that inspects the egg and one that does not inspect (dummy).

  The embodiment disclosed this time is an example, and the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the scope described above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used for inspection of avian egg seeds represented by chicken eggs.

  S inspection system, R transport path, T egg container, T1 egg seat, 1 inspection device, 2 carry-in device, 3 carry-out device, 10 inspection device body, 12 light emitting unit, 14 cap, 16 light passing unit, 18 light receiving unit, 20 control unit, 22 inspection control device, 24 photoelectric conversion unit, 26 determination calculation unit, 28 storage unit, 30 display unit, 32 light source light quantity control unit, 34 light source on / off switch.

Claims (7)

A plurality of light emitting units that are two-dimensionally arranged at predetermined positions, a light receiving unit that is provided in a one-to-one relationship with the light emitting unit, and that receives light from a corresponding light emitting unit, each light emitting unit, An egg container for arranging the seed eggs between the light receiving units corresponding to the light receiving units, and the light receiving unit receives the transmitted light transmitted through the inside of the seed eggs among the light from each light emitting unit. An egg inspection device for inspecting each egg,
In the plurality of light emitting units, when one of the light emitting units emits light, the other light emitting unit within a predetermined range centered on the one light emitting unit does not emit light.
2. The egg inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each light receiving unit receives the transmitted light that changes with time in relation to a biological activity inside the egg.
Each egg light emission part is the egg egg test | inspection apparatus of Claim 1 or 2 which light-emits many times periodically with respect to the test | inspection of one egg egg.
The at least one other light emitting unit outside the predetermined range with the one light emitting unit as the center emits light when the one light emitting unit emits light. The egg inspection apparatus as described in the item.
The plurality of light emitting units and the plurality of light receiving units each constitute a plurality of inspection units in a one-to-one relationship,
The plurality of eggs constitute one test unit to be tested in one test,
The inspection apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the plurality of inspection units are provided in a one-to-one relationship with the plurality of eggs in the one inspection unit.
An inspection system including the inspection device according to claim 1.
A plurality of light emitting units arranged two-dimensionally at a predetermined position, a light receiving unit that receives light from each light emitting unit, and eggs are aligned between each light emitting unit and the corresponding light receiving unit. An egg inspection method using an inspection device comprising an egg container for
In the plurality of light emitting units, when one of the light emitting units emits light, the other light emitting units within a predetermined range centering on the one light emitting unit do not emit light,
The light receiving unit receives the transmitted light that has passed through the inside of the egg from the light from each light emitting unit,
A method for inspecting a seed egg, comprising inspecting a seed egg from light received by the light receiving unit.

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