JP3541291B2

JP3541291B2 - Egg test method and egg test device

Info

Publication number: JP3541291B2
Application number: JP04487799A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 宏信西畠; 紀子野村
Original assignee: Kubota Corp
Current assignee: Kubota Corp
Priority date: 1999-02-23
Filing date: 1999-02-23
Publication date: 2004-07-07
Anticipated expiration: 2019-02-23
Also published as: JP2000241347A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、卵の内部異常の有無を非破壊にて検査する方法、及びその実施に使用する装置に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
養鶏場で生産される鶏卵には、卵殻内に小血塊が混入した血班卵、肉用物質が卵白中に浮遊した又はカラザに絡みついた肉班混入卵等の異常卵が混在しているため、食に供する正常卵を出荷すべく、集めた複数の卵が異常卵であるか否かを非破壊で検査している。
【０００３】
卵を非破壊で検査するには、検査員が、蛍光灯等の光源から出射された光内に卵をかざし、目視することによって異常卵であるか否かを判断していた。しかし、このような検査には熟練した検査員が必要である一方、熟練した検査員であっても検査作業を長時間行うことはできないという問題があった。
【０００４】
そのため、特公昭56−735 号公報には次のような検卵装置が開示されている。投光装置によって卵に投光し、その透過光を受光装置によって受光する。受光装置には、受光した光の強度に応じた電気信号を出力する２つのフォトトランジスタが設けてある。一方のフォトトランジスタの受光部には波長が５７５ｎｍの光を透過する光学フィルタが、また他方のフォトトランジスタの受光部には波長が５９０ｎｍの光を透過する光学フィルタが配設してあり、卵の透過光は両光学フィルタを経て対応するフォトトランジスタにそれぞれ入射され、そこで光電変換される。
【０００５】
一方のフォトトランジスタから出力された第１信号、及び他方のフォトトランジスタから出力された第２信号は演算装置に与えられる。演算装置は、第１信号を第２信号で除算することによって第１信号を正規化し、正規化信号のレベルが予め定めたレベル以下である場合、血班卵であると判定する。
【０００６】
このように、白色又は褐色等、卵殻の色によって変化する５９０ｎｍの透過光の強度によって、血塊に吸収される５７５ｎｍの透過光の強度を正規化するため、卵殻の色の影響を低減することができる。
【０００７】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかしながら、特公昭56−735 号公報に開示された検卵装置にあっては、前述した如く、正規化信号のレベルが予め定めたレベル以下である場合、血班卵であると判定するため、微小な血塊が混入していた場合、正規化信号のレベルがさほど低くないので、これを見落とす虞があった。また、５７５ｎｍの透過光の強度は卵のサイズ（透過光路長）及び卵殻の色の濃淡によっても変化するため、異常卵検出の精度が低いという問題もあった。
【０００８】
本発明はかかる事情に鑑みてなされたものであって、その目的とするところは卵の透過光を用いて、卵の内部異常による吸収が大きい第１波長の強度、卵殻の種類によって吸収が異なる第２波長の強度、及び内部異常による吸収が小さい第３波長の強度を測定し、得られた第３波長の強度及び第１波長の強度を第２波長の強度によってそれぞれ正規化し、正規化した第１波長の強度及び第３波長の強度の差分を算出し、得られた差分に基づいて卵が内部異常であるか否かを判断することによって、卵のサイズ及び卵殻の色の濃淡に拘わらず、高精度に異常卵を検出することができる検卵方法、及びその実施に使用する装置を提供することにある。
【０００９】
【課題を解決するための手段】
第１発明に係る検卵方法は、光源から所要波長を含む光を卵に照射して透過光を得、その透過光を用いて、卵の内部異常を検出する検卵方法において、卵の内部異常による吸収が大きい第１波長の強度、及び前記内部異常による吸収が小さい第３波長の強度をそれぞれ測定し、前記内部異常による吸収が略皆無であり、しかも前記卵の大きさ及び卵殻の色によって吸収が異なる第２波長の強度を測定し、前記第１波長の強度及び前記第３波長の強度を前記第２波長の強度によってそれぞれ正規化し、正規化した第１波長の強度及び第３波長の強度の差分を算出し、得られた差分に基づいて前記卵が内部異常であるか否かを判断することを特徴とする。
【００１０】
第２発明に係る検卵装置は、所要波長を含む光を卵に照射して得た透過光の複数波長の強度を測定する測定部と、前記強度に基づいて、卵の内部異常を検出する検出器とを備える検卵装置において、前記測定部は、前記透過光に含まれ、卵の内部異常による吸収が大きい第１波長の強度を測定する第１の測定手段と、前記透過光を用いて、前記内部異常による吸収が小さい第３波長の強度を測定する第２の測定手段と、前記透過光を用いて、前記内部異常による吸収が略皆無であり、しかも前記卵の大きさ及び卵殻の色によって吸収が異なる第２波長の強度を測定する第３の測定手段とを具備し、前記検出器は、前記第１強度及び前記第３強度を前記第２強度によってそれぞれ正規化する手段と、正規化した第１強度及び第３強度の差分を算出する手段とを具備することを特徴とする。
【００１１】
ランプ又は自然光等の光源から所要波長を含む光を卵に照射して透過光を得、その透過光を用いて、卵の内部異常による吸収が大きい第１波長の強度、卵殻の種類によって吸収が異なる第２波長の強度、及び前記内部異常による吸収が小さい第３波長の強度を測定する。
【００１２】
図２は、血液の吸収スペクトルと複数の卵の透過度の変動係数とを示すグラフであり、図中、左側縦軸は吸光度を、右側縦軸は光透過度の変動係数（標準偏差／平均値）を、また横軸は波長をそれぞれ示している。また、図中、ａ線は血液の吸収スペクトルを、ｂ線は複数の波長に対する光透過度の変動係数をそれぞれ示している。
【００１３】
図２に示したａ線から明らかな如く、血液の吸光度は５４０ｎｍ付近及び５７５ｎｍ付近に極大値を、また５６０ｎｍ付近に極小値をそれぞれ有しており、６１０ｎｍより長波長側では、血液による吸収はほとんどない。また、ｂ線から明らかな如く、色の濃淡及びサイズが異なる複数の卵の光透過度の変動係数は、血液による吸収がほとんどない６４５ｎｍで大きい。
【００１４】
従って、内部異常が血塊である場合、前述した第２波長は６４５ｎｍ付近とし、第３波長は５６０ｎｍ付近とする。また、第１波長は、検出感度が高い５７５ｎｍ付近とする。
【００１５】
なお、第１乃至第３波長の強度は、透過光を分光し、各波長の強度を測定してもよいし、また各波長を通過させる光学フィルタに透過光を入射し、その通過光の強度を測定してもよい。
【００１６】
このようにして得られた第３波長の強度及び第１波長の強度を、例えば第２波長の強度によってそれぞれ除算することによってそれぞれ正規化し、正規化した第１波長の強度及び第３波長の強度の差分を算出し、得られた差分が予め設定した値より小さい場合、異常卵であると判定する。
【００１７】
このように、内部異常による吸収が大きい第１波長の強度、及び内部異常による吸収が小さい第３波長の強度を、卵のサイズ及び卵殻の色の濃淡によって吸収が異なる第２波長の強度によって正規化するため、卵のサイズ及び卵殻の色の濃淡の影響を低減することができる。更に、正規化した第１波長の強度及び第３波長の強度の差分を求めるため、卵のサイズ及び卵殻の色の濃淡の影響を更に低減して、内部異常の存否を正確に判断することがきる。これによって、卵殻の色の濃淡及び卵のサイズに拘わらず、微少な内部異常を検出することができ、異常卵を高精度に検出することができる。
【００１８】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明の実施の形態を図面に基づいて具体的に説明する。
図１は、本発明に係る検卵装置の構成を示すブロック図であり、図中、６は、ハロゲンランプ等、５００ｎｍ〜７００ｎｍの波長を含む光を出射する光源である。光源６から所定距離を隔ててリフレクタ７が配置してあり、光源６から放射された光及びリフレクタ７によって反射された光は第１レンズ11に入射される。第１レンズ11は入射された光を卵Ｅの断面面積と略同じ断面面積の平行光とし、該第１レンズ11に対向配置した第２レンズ12へ出射する。
【００１９】
第１レンズ11と第２レンズ12との間に卵Ｅが配置されおり、卵Ｅを透過した透過光は第２レンズ12で集光される。第２レンズ12から出射された光の光路には、第１及び第２ハーフミラー21，22が適宜距離を隔てて、光路に対して所定の角度になるように配置してあり、第１ハーフミラー21によって反射された光は、例えば、血塊による吸収が大きい５７５ｎｍ付近の波長の光を通過させる第１バンドパスフィルタ31を介して、第１光電変換器41に入射される。
【００２０】
第１ハーフミラー21を通過し、第２ハーフミラー22によって反射された光は、卵殻の色によって吸収が異なる６４５ｎｍ付近の波長の光を通過させる第２バンドパスフィルタ32を介して、第２光電変換器42に入射され、第１ハーフミラー21及び第２ハーフミラー22を通過した光は、血塊による吸収が小さい５６０ｎｍ付近の波長の光を通過させる第３バンドパスフィルタ33を介して、第３光電変換器43に入射される。
【００２１】
なお、第１ハーフミラー21及び第２ハーフミラー22は、第１ハーフミラー21によって反射された光の強度、第１ハーフミラー21を通過し、第２ハーフミラー22によって反射された光の強度、並びに第１ハーフミラー21及び第２ハーフミラー22を通過した光の強度はそれぞれ同じ値になるようになしてある。
【００２２】
第１〜第３光電変換器41〜43は、入射光をその強度に応じた電気信号に変換し、得られた電気信号をアナログ／ディジタル変換器９，９，９を介して、演算装置１の正規化部２にそれぞれ与える。正規化部２は、第１光電変換器41から与えられた第１信号を、第２光電変換器42から与えられた第２信号で除算すると共に、第３光電変換器43から与えられた第３信号を前記第２信号で除算することによって、第１信号及び第３信号から卵殻による影響を除去する正規化処理を行い、正規化した第１信号及び第３信号を差分算出部３に与える。
【００２３】
差分算出部３は、第３信号から第１信号を減じて両者の差分を算出し、それを判定部４に与える。判定部４には、卵の良否を判定する閾値が予め設定してあり、判定部４は与えられた差分と閾値とを比較し、閾値以下である場合、異常卵であると判定して信号を出力する。
【００２４】
なお、本実施の形態では、血塊による吸収が大きい５７５ｎｍ付近の波長の光を通過させる第１バンドパスフィルタ31を介して得た第１信号を用いて卵Ｅを検査しているが、本発明はこれに限らず、第１信号に代えて、又は第１信号に加えて、肉用物質又は卵白の濁度等、他の内部異常に応じた波長の光を通過させるバンドパスフィルタを介して得た信号を用いて卵Ｅを検査するようになしてもよい。この場合、得られた信号を前述した第２信号を用いて正規化し、正規化した信号と、正規化した第３信号又は、当該内部異常による吸収が小さい他の波長の光を光電変換し、正規化した信号との差分を求める。これによって、卵殻の種類及び卵のサイズに拘わらず、微少な内部異常を検出することができ、異常卵を高精度に検査することができる。
【００２５】
【実施例】
次に比較試験を行った結果について説明する。
図４は、特公昭56−735 号公報に開示された装置によって正常卵及び血塊が混入した異常卵を検査した結果を示すグラフであり、縦軸は第２信号で正規化した第１信号のレベルを示している。この場合、第１信号は、５７５ｎｍの光を通過する光学フィルタを用いて得、第２信号は、５９０ｎｍの光を透過する光学フィルタを用いて得た。
【００２６】
また、図５は、第２信号を得るための光学フィルタの通過波長を異ならせた従来の装置によって正常卵及び血塊が混入した異常卵を検査した結果を示すグラフである。この場合、第１信号は、５７５ｎｍの光を通過する光学フィルタを用いて得、第２信号は、６４５ｎｍの光を透過する光学フィルタを用いて得た。
【００２７】
一方、図３は、本発明装置によって正常卵及び血塊が混入した異常卵を検査した結果を示すグラフであり、縦軸は第２信号で正規化した第１信号と第２信号で正規化した第３信号との差分レベルを示している。本発明装置では、５７５ｎｍの光を通過する光学フィルタを用いて第１信号を得、６４５ｎｍの光を通過する光学フィルタを用いて第２信号を得、５６０ｎｍの光を通過する光学フィルタを用いて第３信号を得た。
【００２８】
図４及び図５から明らかな如く、従来の装置では、第２信号を得るための光学フィルタの通過波長に拘わらず、正常卵の検査結果の一部と異常卵の検査結果の一部とが重なっており、これによって誤検出又は異常卵の見逃しが発生する。一方、図３から明らかな如く、本発明装置では、正常卵の検査結果と異常卵の検査結果とは重なっておらず、例えば、閾値を０．１０に定めておくことによって、異常卵を高精度に検出することができる。
【００２９】
【発明の効果】
以上詳述した如く、本発明にあっては、卵殻の種類及び卵のサイズに拘わらず、微少な内部異常を検出することができ、卵の良否を高精度に検査することができる等、本発明は優れた効果を奏する。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明に係る検卵装置の構成を示すブロック図である。
【図２】血液の吸収スペクトルと複数の卵の透過度の変動係数とを示すグラフである。
【図３】本発明装置によって正常卵及び血塊が混入した異常卵を検査した結果を示すグラフである。
【図４】特公昭56−735 号公報に開示された装置によって正常卵及び血塊が混入した異常卵を検査した結果を示すグラフである。
【図５】第２信号を得るための光学フィルタの通過波長を異ならせた従来の装置によって正常卵及び血塊が混入した異常卵を検査した結果を示すグラフである。
【符号の説明】
１演算装置
２正規化部
３差分算出部
４判定部
６光源
２１第１ハーフミラー
２２第２ハーフミラー
３１第１バンドパスフィルタ
３２第２バンドパスフィルタ
３３第３バンドパスフィルタ
４１第１光電変換器
４２第２光電変換器
４３第３光電変換器[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method for non-destructively testing for the presence or absence of an internal abnormality in an egg, and an apparatus used for performing the method.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Chicken eggs produced at chicken farms are mixed with abnormal eggs such as bloody eggs with small clots mixed in the eggshell, eggs with meats floating in the egg white or entangled with caraza. In order to ship normal eggs to be eaten, non-destructive inspection is performed to determine whether or not a plurality of collected eggs are abnormal eggs.
[0003]
In order to non-destructively inspect an egg, an inspector holds the egg over light emitted from a light source such as a fluorescent lamp and visually determines whether or not the egg is abnormal. However, while such an inspection requires a skilled inspector, there is a problem that even an experienced inspector cannot perform inspection work for a long time.
[0004]
For this reason, Japanese Patent Publication No. Sho 56-735 discloses the following egg testing apparatus. Light is emitted to the egg by the light emitting device, and the transmitted light is received by the light receiving device. The light receiving device is provided with two phototransistors that output an electric signal according to the intensity of the received light. An optical filter that transmits light having a wavelength of 575 nm is provided in the light receiving portion of one phototransistor, and an optical filter that transmits light having a wavelength of 590 nm is provided in the light receiving portion of the other phototransistor. The transmitted light is incident on the corresponding phototransistor via both optical filters, and is photoelectrically converted there.
[0005]
The first signal output from one of the phototransistors and the second signal output from the other of the phototransistors are supplied to an arithmetic unit. The arithmetic unit normalizes the first signal by dividing the first signal by the second signal, and determines that the egg is a bloody egg when the level of the normalized signal is equal to or less than a predetermined level.
[0006]
Thus, the intensity of the transmitted light of 590 nm, which changes depending on the color of the eggshell, such as white or brown, normalizes the intensity of the transmitted light of 575 nm absorbed by the clot, so that the effect of the color of the eggshell can be reduced. it can.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the egg testing apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 56-735, as described above, when the level of the normalized signal is lower than a predetermined level, it is determined that the egg is a bloody egg. If a minute blood clot is mixed in, the level of the normalized signal is not so low, so that there is a risk of overlooking this. Further, since the intensity of the transmitted light at 575 nm also changes depending on the size of the egg (transmitted optical path length) and the shade of the color of the eggshell, there is a problem that the accuracy of detecting an abnormal egg is low.
[0008]
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to use the transmitted light of an egg and to absorb light depending on the type of the eggshell, the intensity of the first wavelength in which the absorption due to the internal abnormality of the egg is large. The intensity of the second wavelength and the intensity of the third wavelength having a small absorption due to the internal abnormality were measured, and the obtained intensity of the third wavelength and the intensity of the first wavelength were normalized by the intensity of the second wavelength, respectively. By calculating the difference between the intensity of the first wavelength and the intensity of the third wavelength and determining whether or not the egg has an internal abnormality based on the obtained difference, regardless of the size of the egg and the shade of the eggshell, Another object of the present invention is to provide an egg detection method capable of detecting an abnormal egg with high accuracy, and an apparatus used for carrying out the method.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
Candling method according to the first invention, the light including a required wavelength from a light source irradiating the egg to obtain a transmitted light, the internal in candling method, eggs by using the transmitted light, for detecting the internal egg abnormal The intensity of the first wavelength having a large absorption due to the abnormality and the intensity of the third wavelength having a small absorption due to the internal abnormality are measured, and there is substantially no absorption due to the internal abnormality, and the size of the egg and the color of the eggshell The intensity of the second wavelength having different absorptions is measured, the intensity of the first wavelength and the intensity of the third wavelength are normalized by the intensity of the second wavelength, respectively, and the normalized intensity of the first wavelength and the third wavelength are normalized. And calculating whether the egg has an internal abnormality or not based on the obtained difference.
[0010]
An egg testing apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention provides a measuring unit that measures the intensity of a plurality of wavelengths of transmitted light obtained by irradiating light containing a required wavelength to an egg, and detects an internal abnormality of the egg based on the intensity. In an egg testing apparatus including a detector, the measurement unit includes a first measurement unit configured to measure an intensity of a first wavelength included in the transmitted light and having a large absorption due to an internal abnormality of the egg, and using the transmitted light. A second measuring means for measuring the intensity of the third wavelength having a small absorption due to the internal abnormality, and substantially no absorption due to the internal abnormality using the transmitted light, and the size and eggshell of the egg And a third measuring means for measuring the intensity of the second wavelength having different absorption depending on the color of the light, wherein the detector normalizes the first intensity and the third intensity with the second intensity, respectively. Calculates the difference between the normalized first and third intensities Characterized by comprising a means for.
[0011]
The transmitted light is obtained by irradiating the egg with light containing a required wavelength from a light source such as a lamp or natural light, and the transmitted light is used to absorb the first wavelength intensity, which is largely absorbed by the internal abnormality of the egg, depending on the type of eggshell. The intensity of a different second wavelength and the intensity of a third wavelength that is less absorbed by the internal abnormality are measured.
[0012]
FIG. 2 is a graph showing the absorption spectrum of blood and the coefficient of variation of the transmittance of a plurality of eggs. In the figure, the left vertical axis represents the absorbance, and the right vertical axis represents the variation coefficient of the light transmittance (standard deviation / average). Value), and the horizontal axis represents wavelength. In the figure, line a represents the absorption spectrum of blood, and line b represents the coefficient of variation of light transmittance for a plurality of wavelengths.
[0013]
As is clear from the a line shown in FIG. 2, the absorbance of blood has a local maximum near 540 nm and 575 nm, and a local minimum near 560 nm. rare. Further, as is apparent from the b-line, the coefficient of variation of the light transmittance of a plurality of eggs having different shades and sizes of color is large at 645 nm, which has almost no absorption by blood.
[0014]
Therefore, when the internal abnormality is a blood clot, the above-mentioned second wavelength is set to around 645 nm, and the third wavelength is set to around 560 nm. The first wavelength is set to around 575 nm where the detection sensitivity is high.
[0015]
The intensity of the first to third wavelengths may be measured by dispersing transmitted light and measuring the intensity of each wavelength. Alternatively, the transmitted light may be incident on an optical filter that transmits each wavelength, and the intensity of the transmitted light may be measured. May be measured.
[0016]
The intensity of the third wavelength and the intensity of the first wavelength obtained in this manner are normalized by, for example, respectively dividing by the intensity of the second wavelength, respectively, and the normalized intensity of the first wavelength and the intensity of the third wavelength are respectively normalized. Is calculated, and if the obtained difference is smaller than a preset value, it is determined that the egg is abnormal.
[0017]
As described above, the intensity of the first wavelength, which has a large absorption due to the internal abnormality, and the intensity of the third wavelength, which has a small absorption due to the internal abnormality, are normalized by the intensity of the second wavelength, whose absorption varies depending on the size of the egg and the color of the eggshell. Therefore, the effects of the size of the egg and the shade of the color of the eggshell can be reduced. Furthermore, in order to determine the difference between the normalized intensity of the first wavelength and the intensity of the third wavelength, it is possible to further reduce the influence of the size of the egg and the shade of the color of the eggshell to accurately determine the presence or absence of an internal abnormality. Wear. Thereby, regardless of the shade of the color of the eggshell and the size of the egg, a minute internal abnormality can be detected, and the abnormal egg can be detected with high accuracy.
[0018]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an egg test apparatus according to the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 6 denotes a light source such as a halogen lamp for emitting light having a wavelength of 500 nm to 700 nm. A reflector 7 is arranged at a predetermined distance from the light source 6, and light emitted from the light source 6 and light reflected by the reflector 7 enter the first lens 11. The first lens 11 converts the incident light into parallel light having a cross-sectional area substantially equal to the cross-sectional area of the egg E, and emits the parallel light to the second lens 12 disposed opposite to the first lens 11.
[0019]
The egg E is disposed between the first lens 11 and the second lens 12, and the transmitted light transmitted through the egg E is collected by the second lens 12. In the optical path of the light emitted from the second lens 12, first and second half mirrors 21 and 22 are disposed at an appropriate distance from each other and at a predetermined angle with respect to the optical path. The light reflected by the mirror 21 is incident on the first photoelectric converter 41 via the first band-pass filter 31 that passes light having a wavelength around 575 nm, which is largely absorbed by the blood clot.
[0020]
The light passing through the first half mirror 21 and reflected by the second half mirror 22 passes through a second band-pass filter 32 that passes light having a wavelength of about 645 nm, which has different absorption depending on the color of the eggshell, and then passes through the second photoelectric converter. The light incident on the converter 42 and passing through the first half mirror 21 and the second half mirror 22 passes through the third band-pass filter 33 that passes light having a wavelength of about 560 nm, which is little absorbed by the blood clot, and passes through the third band-pass filter 33. The light enters the photoelectric converter 43.
[0021]
Note that the first half mirror 21 and the second half mirror 22 have the intensity of the light reflected by the first half mirror 21 and the intensity of the light passing through the first half mirror 21 and reflected by the second half mirror 22. In addition, the intensities of the light passing through the first half mirror 21 and the second half mirror 22 have the same value.
[0022]
The first to third photoelectric converters 41 to 43 convert the incident light into electric signals corresponding to the intensity thereof, and convert the obtained electric signals via the analog / digital converters 9, 9, 9 into the arithmetic unit 1 Are given to the normalization unit 2. The normalizing unit 2 divides the first signal supplied from the first photoelectric converter 41 by the second signal supplied from the second photoelectric converter 42, and divides the first signal supplied from the third photoelectric converter 43. By dividing the three signals by the second signal, a normalization process for removing the influence of the eggshell from the first signal and the third signal is performed, and the normalized first signal and the third signal are provided to the difference calculator 3. .
[0023]
The difference calculation unit 3 calculates the difference between the two by subtracting the first signal from the third signal, and supplies the difference to the determination unit 4. In the determination unit 4, a threshold value for determining the quality of the egg is set in advance, and the determination unit 4 compares the given difference with the threshold value. Is output.
[0024]
In the present embodiment, the egg E is inspected using the first signal obtained through the first band-pass filter 31 that passes light having a wavelength near 575 nm, which is largely absorbed by the blood clot. Is not limited to this, but instead of the first signal, or in addition to the first signal, through a band-pass filter that allows light having a wavelength according to other internal abnormalities, such as meat substances or egg white turbidity, The egg E may be inspected using the obtained signal. In this case, the obtained signal is normalized using the above-described second signal, and the normalized signal and the normalized third signal or the light of another wavelength whose absorption due to the internal abnormality is small are photoelectrically converted, Find the difference from the normalized signal. Thereby, regardless of the type of the eggshell and the size of the egg, a minute internal abnormality can be detected, and the abnormal egg can be inspected with high accuracy.
[0025]
【Example】
Next, the results of the comparison test will be described.
FIG. 4 is a graph showing the results of inspection of normal eggs and abnormal eggs mixed with blood clots using the apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 56-735, with the vertical axis representing the first signal normalized by the second signal. Indicates a level. In this case, the first signal was obtained using an optical filter transmitting 575 nm light, and the second signal was obtained using an optical filter transmitting 590 nm light.
[0026]
FIG. 5 is a graph showing a result of inspecting a normal egg and an abnormal egg mixed with a blood clot by a conventional apparatus in which the passing wavelength of an optical filter for obtaining the second signal is changed. In this case, the first signal was obtained using an optical filter transmitting 575 nm light, and the second signal was obtained using an optical filter transmitting 645 nm light.
[0027]
On the other hand, FIG. 3 is a graph showing the results of inspection of normal eggs and abnormal eggs mixed with blood clots by the device of the present invention, and the vertical axis is normalized by the first signal and the second signal normalized by the second signal. The difference level with the third signal is shown. In the apparatus of the present invention, a first signal is obtained by using an optical filter that transmits light of 575 nm, a second signal is obtained by using an optical filter that transmits light of 645 nm, and an optical filter that transmits light of 560 nm is obtained. A third signal was obtained.
[0028]
As is clear from FIGS. 4 and 5, in the conventional apparatus, a part of the test result of the normal egg and a part of the test result of the abnormal egg are different regardless of the passing wavelength of the optical filter for obtaining the second signal. Overlap, which can lead to false detections or missed abnormal eggs. On the other hand, as is clear from FIG. 3, in the device of the present invention, the test result of the normal egg and the test result of the abnormal egg do not overlap, and for example, by setting the threshold to 0.10. It can be detected with high accuracy.
[0029]
【The invention's effect】
As described in detail above, in the present invention, regardless of the type of egg shell and the size of the egg, a minute internal abnormality can be detected, and the quality of the egg can be inspected with high accuracy. The invention has excellent effects.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an egg inspection apparatus according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a graph showing the absorption spectrum of blood and the coefficient of variation of the transmittance of a plurality of eggs.
FIG. 3 is a graph showing the results of examining normal eggs and abnormal eggs mixed with blood clots using the apparatus of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a graph showing the results of inspection of normal eggs and abnormal eggs mixed with blood clots using the apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 56-735.
FIG. 5 is a graph showing a result of examining a normal egg and an abnormal egg mixed with a blood clot by a conventional apparatus in which a passing wavelength of an optical filter for obtaining a second signal is changed.
[Explanation of symbols]
Reference Signs List 1 arithmetic unit 2 normalization unit 3 difference calculation unit 4 determination unit 6 light source 21 first half mirror 22 second half mirror 31 first bandpass filter 32 second bandpass filter 33 third bandpass filter 41 first photoelectric converter 42 second photoelectric converter 43 third photoelectric converter

Claims

In an egg inspection method of irradiating light including a required wavelength to an egg from a light source to obtain transmitted light and detecting the internal abnormality of the egg using the transmitted light, the intensity of the first wavelength in which absorption due to the internal abnormality of the egg is large is large. And the intensity of the third wavelength whose absorption due to the internal abnormality is small is measured, and the intensity of the second wavelength whose absorption due to the internal abnormality is almost completely absent and which differs depending on the size of the egg and the color of the eggshell is determined. Measuring and normalizing the intensity of the first wavelength and the intensity of the third wavelength with the intensity of the second wavelength, respectively, and calculating the difference between the normalized intensity of the first wavelength and the intensity of the third wavelength, Determining whether the egg has an internal abnormality based on the difference.

A measuring unit that measures the intensity of a plurality of wavelengths of transmitted light obtained by irradiating the egg with light containing a required wavelength , based on the intensity, based on the intensity, in an egg testing apparatus including a detector that detects an internal abnormality of the egg, The measurement unit includes a first measurement unit that measures the intensity of a first wavelength that is included in the transmitted light and has a large absorption due to an internal abnormality of the egg, and a measurement unit that has a small absorption due to the internal abnormality using the transmitted light. A second measuring means for measuring the intensity of three wavelengths, and using the transmitted light, a second wavelength having substantially no absorption due to the internal abnormality and having a different absorption depending on the size of the egg and the color of the eggshell; A third measuring unit for measuring the intensity, wherein the detector is configured to normalize the first intensity and the third intensity by the second intensity, respectively, and the first intensity and the third intensity are normalized. Means for calculating an intensity difference Candling apparatus according to claim.