JPWO2013080351A1 - Individual counting device - Google Patents

Abstract

  Provided is a highly versatile and economical individual counting device capable of counting from a fine individual such as a shrimp larva to an individual having a body length exceeding 100 mm by a slight design change. In order to achieve this, the counting slant channel 21 which conveys the solid to be counted by the flow of the fluid and is at least partly formed of a translucent material and serves as the counting unit 23, and the counting slant channel 21. The counting unit 23 captures an image for counting by the illumination unit 24 that irradiates light from the lower side and the camera 26 disposed on the upper side of the measuring unit 23, and the counting unit is based on the captured image data. And an image analysis unit for measuring the number of individuals passing through the liquid together with the liquid. The individual carry-in part 30 is connected and arranged independently of the counting inclined channel 21 on the upstream side of the counting inclined channel 21 in the counting unit 20. The individual carry-out part 40 is connected and arranged on the downstream side of the counting inclined channel 21 independently of the counting inclined channel.

Description

  The present invention relates to an individual counting apparatus capable of counting while living relatively small marine resources such as shrimp larvae, fry, and small fish, and more specifically, by utilizing the flow of liquid such as seawater and fresh water. The present invention relates to an individual counting device that enables high-precision counting while avoiding the weakness of fishery resources.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, it is necessary to accurately count the number of individuals in a short time in a commercial transaction of farmed aquatic resources, and various automatic counting devices have been developed for this purpose. The following two types of devices suitable for counting small individuals such as fry are known.

  One is a device that separates individuals from water, disperses them on a conveyor, and measures the number of individuals in the process of being discharged from the conveyor (Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2). The other is that the individual is housed in a box with water, and there are many small outlets through which the individual can pass one by one on the bottom plate or side wall of the box. (Patent document 3 and patent document 4).

  However, in the first automatic apparatus, since the individual is lifted from the water, in the case of small larvae and juveniles, the counting process is extremely debilitated and may be killed, resulting in a problem of yield reduction. In addition, due to its small size, individuals are likely to adhere to the conveyor, and many individuals do not fall off the conveyor. From this point of view, a decrease in yield becomes a problem, and a decrease in the counting system also becomes a problem.

  In the second automatic device, since the number of individuals is measured in running water, there is little risk that the individual will be weakened or killed. In addition, since many individuals are dispersed and counted one by one using a large number of small outlets, there is no miscounting due to overlapping of individuals, and the counting accuracy is high. On the other hand, since a camera or the like is required for each of the large number of outlets, the high equipment cost becomes a problem.

  In order to solve these problems, the present applicant has arranged a plurality of inclined flow channels inclined in a predetermined direction in a plurality of stages as an advanced type of the individual counting device using flowing water described in Patent Documents 3 and 4. A multistage type individual counting device is presented in US Pat. When the inclined channels are arranged in multiple stages, not only the water flow in each inclined channel, but also the downflow at the step between each stage effectively contributes to the dispersion. The number of individuals can be accurately measured by photographing with a camera and analyzing the photographed image. In addition, dispersion by running water generates a lot of bubbles in the water, which becomes an obstacle to the extraction of the number of individuals in image analysis. Can be removed.

  As a result, even when a large number of fine individuals such as shrimp larvae are counted at a time, the number of individuals can be measured with high accuracy. In addition, the risk of individual weakness and death can be reduced. In addition, the structure of the apparatus can be simplified and downsized.

  However, as for the individuals to be counted, not only the above-mentioned minute fishery resources such as shrimp larvae and fry, but also small fishes whose body length ranges from 10 mm to several tens mm, and further, the body length exceeds 100 mm. Large fish are also included. In the case of the multistage individual counting apparatus presented by Patent Document 5, in order to cope with a wide variety of fishery resources, the size, inclination angle, number of stages, structure, etc. of the inclined channel must be changed for each individual body length. . For this reason, the increase in the number of models is unavoidable, and there has been a problem incurring an increase in device price.

JP-A-8-30757 JP-A-8-329212 Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 7-36643 JP-A-6-245665 WO / 2010/140257 specification

  The object of the present invention is highly versatile and economically capable of counting from a fine individual such as a shrimp larva to an individual having a body length exceeding 100 mm with a slight design change, part change, or program setting change degree. The object is to provide an individual counting apparatus.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present inventor has investigated and examined in detail the design change items when the size of the individual to be counted changes in the multistage type individual counting apparatus presented by Patent Document 5. As a result, it has been found that even if the size of the individual to be counted changes, there is a portion that is not substantially subject to the design change. The part is specifically the counting part in the lowermost inclined channel and the vicinity thereof, and more specifically, the lowermost inclined channel and the counting part are irradiated with light from below. An illumination unit and an image analysis unit that captures a counting image by a camera arranged above the measurement unit and measures the number of individuals that pass through the counting unit together with the liquid based on the captured image data. is there.

  On the contrary, when the size of the individual to be counted changes, it is the structure of the inclined flow channel on the upstream side that must be changed in accordance with the size. This is because, in a multistage type individual counting apparatus, the function of dispersing a large number of intensively charged individuals is the most important, and the function is mainly based on the structure of the inclined channel upstream of the lowest inclined channel. This is because the individuals that are controlled and carried into the lowermost inclined flow path for counting are already sufficiently dispersed.

  If so, the lowermost inclined flow path, illumination section, and image analysis section described above should be a unitized general-purpose structure and other parts can be modified such as design changes and parts replacement. Thus, an individual counting device capable of dealing with a large change in individual size with a relatively small amount of modification is provided.

  The individual counting device of the present invention was developed on the basis of such knowledge, and is a solid counting device that transports and counts the solid to be counted while being dispersed by the flow of the liquid, and the solid to be counted is fluid A counting inclined channel formed of a translucent material and used as a counting unit, and an illuminating unit that irradiates the counting unit of the counting inclined channel with light from below. A counting image is captured by a camera arranged above the measurement unit, and an image analysis unit that measures the number of individuals passing through the counting unit together with the liquid based on the captured image data is integrated as a counting unit. And the individual carrying-in part is connected and arranged independently of the counting inclined channel on the upstream side of the counting inclined channel in the counting unit.

  In the individual counting apparatus of the present invention, the counting inclined channel, the illumination unit arranged below the counting unit, and the image analyzing unit including the camera arranged above the counting unit are integrated as a counting unit. In addition, since the individual carry-in portion is connected and arranged independently of the counting inclined flow channel upstream of the counting inclined flow channel in the counting unit, the individual carry-in is performed according to the size of the individual to be counted. Recombination of parts can be performed.

  In addition, depending on how to handle the individual after counting (how to handle each size), the individual carry-out part can be independently connected and arranged on the downstream side of the counting inclined flow path. The discharge part can be recombined. As a result, it is possible to count from a fine individual such as a shrimp larva to an individual whose length exceeds 100 mm by a slight modification.

  Here, the individual carry-in unit transports the batched individuals to the counting inclined channel in the counting unit, and distributes the individuals in the process, depending on the size and type of the individuals to be counted. Designed. As a thing suitable for small individuals up to about 10 mm such as shrimp larvae and fry, it consists of a bowl-shaped member that conveys the solid to be counted by the flow of fluid, and the bottom surface is downstream in part of the bottom surface. There is a diffusing inclined flow path provided with a tip-shaped liquid reservoir that is inclined upward toward the side and whose inclination angle gradually increases from both sides toward the center.

  Similarly, an individual carrying unit suitable for a small individual is a circular container provided on the upstream portion of the inclined channel and receiving an input individual, and the individual input into the circular container is dispersed by a swirling flow. There is a charging hopper that discharges, and it is more effective to arrange it on the upstream side of the above-described inclined channel for diffusion.

  The individual carrying-out unit discharges the individual whose counting is finished, and can have various additional functions. One is a distributor that selectively puts the individual transported from the counting inclined flow path into a plurality of transport flow paths, for example, by switching the transport flow path for each preset number, Work such as transportation can be streamlined.

  About the kind of liquid used as a conveyance medium, it is preferable from the point which can reduce the stress added to fisheries resources to use the water for shipping (seawater, fresh water, etc.) selected according to the habitat environment of the individual which should be counted.

  In the individual counting device of the present invention, a counting inclined channel, an illumination unit arranged below the counting unit, and an image analysis unit including a camera arranged above the counting unit are integrated as a counting unit. In addition, the individual carry-in section is connected and arranged independently of the counting inclined flow path on the upstream side of the counting inclined flow path in the counting unit, and the individual carry-out section is provided on the downstream side if necessary. Since it can be connected and arranged independently from the inclined flow path for use, recombination of the individual carry-in part according to the size of the individual to be counted, and further recombination of the individual discharge part, such as shrimp larvae It is possible to count from a fine individual to an individual whose length exceeds 100 mm by a slight modification.

  That is, the individual counting device of the present invention has a structure capable of counting from a minute individual to a large individual with a slight modification, and therefore has high versatility and is extremely excellent in economic efficiency.

It is a perspective view which shows the whole structure of the individual counting apparatus which shows one Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view from another angle of the same individual counting device. It is a schematic block diagram of the same individual counting device. It is a block diagram of the image analysis part with which an individual counting device is equipped. It is a flowchart which shows the function of the image analysis part. It is explanatory drawing of the counting principle in the image analysis part, and shows a binarization process. It is explanatory drawing of the counting principle in the image analysis part, and shows from determination image creation to calculation determination. It is a 2nd page figure of the individual counting apparatus which shows another embodiment of this invention, (a) is a top view, (b) is a side view. It is a 2nd page figure of the individual counting apparatus which shows another embodiment of this invention, (a) is a top view, (b) is a side view.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The individual counting device of this embodiment is suitable for counting minute individuals such as larvae and fry with a body length of up to 10 mm.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the individual counting device includes a device main body A and an integrated control panel B arranged on the side thereof. The apparatus main body A includes an L-shaped frame 10 that combines a short carry-in unit base 11 arranged on the individual carry-in side, that is, the upstream side, and a tall counter unit stand 12 arranged on the individual carry-out side, that is, the downstream side. The counting unit 20 supported on the counting unit frame 12 of the L-shaped frame 10, the individual loading unit 30 mounted on the loading unit frame 11 of the L-shaped frame 10, and the downstream side of the counting unit frame 12 in the L-shaped frame 10 And an individual carry-out unit 40 equipped with the

  The counting unit 20 includes a counting inclined channel 21 that also serves as an acceleration diffusion channel mounted in the counting unit frame 12 of the L-shaped frame 10, and an image mounted and fixed on the counting unit frame 12 of the L-shaped frame 10. The analysis control panel 22 and the counting unit of the L-shaped frame 10 located below the counting unit 23 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) having a predetermined length set in the vicinity of the downstream end of the measurement inclined water channel 21 And the counter unit 12 of the L-shaped frame 10 is also a component.

  The counting inclined channel 21 is a square ridge having a concave cross section formed of a translucent resin. The counting inclined channel 21 is inclined downward from the individual carry-in side of the L-shaped frame 10, that is, from the upstream side to the individual carry-out side, that is, the downstream side. Almost half of the upstream side of the counting inclined flow channel 21 protrudes from the counting unit frame 12 of the L-shaped frame 10 onto the carry-in unit frame 11. The downstream end of the counting inclined channel 21 protrudes to the outside of the counting unit mount 12. The width of the counting inclined channel 21 is set to be wide, for example, 300 mm so as to be able to cope with a large fish whose body length exceeds 100 mm.

  The image analysis control panel 22 accommodates an image analysis unit therein. The interior is divided into two chambers on the individual carry-in side and individual carry-out side by a partition plate 25, and the front opening of each chamber is opened and closed by a door. A camera 26 is accommodated in the room on the individual carry-out side, and an image analysis substrate 28 (see FIGS. 8 and 9) that constitutes an image analysis unit together with the camera 26 is accommodated in the room on the individual carry-in side. . The camera 26 is a line camera that is vertically arranged above a predetermined length counting unit 23 set in the vicinity of the downstream end of the counting inclined flow channel 11, and the counting unit 23 is, for example, 100 μs. An image for measurement is captured by photographing over the entire width at a certain time interval. The captured image data is sent to an image analysis substrate 28 (see FIGS. 8 and 9) for configuring an image analysis unit housed in the back room. It is also possible to use a dedicated image analysis personal computer or the like instead of the image analysis substrate 28.

  The illumination unit 24 is disposed along the counting unit 23 below the counting unit 23 having a predetermined length set in the vicinity of the downstream end of the counting inclined flow channel 11. A plurality of white LEDs arranged in a shape illuminate in a planar shape over the entire width via a diffusion plate from below. Alternatively, the counting unit 23 having a diffusing function is illuminated in a planar shape over the entire width from below by a large number of white LEDs arranged in a planar shape.

  The individual carry-in part 30 mounted on the carry-in part frame 11 of the L-shaped frame 10 is located on the upstream side of the counting inclined flow path 21 and is a buffer diffusion installed on the carry-in part frame 11 of the L-shaped frame 10. The system comprises a combination of a diffusion inclined channel 30A and a charging hopper 30B installed on the carry-in rack 11 of the L-shaped frame 10 located on the upstream portion of the diffusion inclined channel 30A. The diffusion inclined flow path 30A is formed of a square ridge having a concave cross section, and is inclined downward from the individual carry-in side, that is, from the upstream side to the individual carry-out side, that is, the downstream side, in the same manner as the counting inclined flow path 21. The inclination angle of the diffusion inclined flow path 30A is smaller than the inclination angle of the counting inclined flow path 21.

  The individual carrying-in part 30 here is intended for a fine individual whose body length is less than 10 mm, such as a shrimp larva. For this reason, the lateral width of the diffusing inclined channel 30 </ b> A is set to be considerably smaller than the lateral width of the counting inclined channel 21. Both end portions of the diffusion inclined channel 30A are closed, and the upstream portion is a rectangular tube-shaped receiving portion 31A. A first water supply pipe 36A for shipping water that is an individual transport medium is connected to the receiving portion 31A. The downstream end of the diffusion inclined channel 30A is connected to the upstream portion of the counting inclined channel 21. Specifically, the outlet 32A provided on the bottom of the end is upstream of the counting inclined channel 21. Located on the side edge. A liquid reservoir 33A is provided at an intermediate portion of the diffusing inclined channel 30A which is a buffer diffusion channel. The liquid reservoir 33A has a tip shape in which the bottom surface is inclined upward toward the downstream side, and the inclination angle is recessed in a triangular shape that increases from both sides toward the center. The downstream side of the liquid reservoir 33A is a flat portion 34A whose bottom surface is inclined downward at the same angle as the upstream side, and the downstream side of the flat portion 34A is connected to the outlet 32A via an acceleration portion 35A inclined downward at a steep angle. It is connected.

  The charging hopper 30B is a circular container having a downwardly convex dome shape, and a vertical cylindrical outflow pipe 31B protruding downward is provided at the center. The outflow pipe 31B faces the receiving portion 31A provided at the upstream end of the diffusing inclined channel 30A and is closed at the lower end to promote the diffusion of the individual, while at the upstream side of the lower end. The outlet 32B is provided. A second water supply pipe 33B for shipping water, which is an individual transport medium, is inserted into the charging hopper 30B. The second water supply pipe 33B can freely adjust the insertion depth, the insertion angle, and the like by inserting the flexible pipe 34B at the tip into the charging hopper 30B in order to form a swirling flow of the carrier medium in the charging hopper 30B. It is configured as follows.

  The individual carry-out section 40 provided on the individual carry-out side of the counting unit base 12 in the L-shaped frame 10 is a tilting-type first discharge flow path 41 connected and arranged downstream of the counting inclined flow path 21 in the counting unit 20. And a pair of second discharge channels 42 </ b> A and 42 </ b> B in the lateral direction arranged side by side below the first discharge channel 41. The first discharge channel 41 formed of a bowl-shaped inclined channel continuous downstream of the counting inclined channel 21 can tilt in the vertical direction with the upstream end as a fulcrum, and is an actuator formed of an upper air cylinder. By changing the inclination angle to two stages by 49, the tip is caused to face either of the second discharge flow paths 42A and 42B.

  The pair of second discharge flow paths 42A and 42B is a horizontal inclined flow path having a bowl shape perpendicular to the first discharge flow path 41 and a reverse flow path, and the individual carrying side of the counting unit mount 12 in the frame 10 Are arranged side by side. The outer second discharge flow path 42A is a seesaw type that tilts in both directions with a central portion in the flow path direction as a fulcrum, and is reciprocated in both directions by an actuator composed of an air cylinder (not shown). The depth of the second discharge channel 42A increases from one end side to the other end side, and the end portion on one end side is opened to face the lower drain 43A. The end on the other end side is closed, and a square cylindrical outlet 44A is provided on the bottom of the end, and the outlet 44A faces the lower discharge port 45A. A water supply nozzle 46A for shipping water, which is a conveyance medium, faces from the upper end at the end on one end side.

  The inner second discharge channel 42B is opposite to the outer second discharge channel 42A, and the outer second discharge channel 42B is disposed except that the incidental device and the like are reversed. The structure is substantially the same as the flow path 42A. That is, the inner second discharge flow path 42B is a seesaw type that tilts in both directions with a central portion in the flow path direction as a fulcrum, and is reciprocated in both directions by an actuator that is not shown. The depth of the second discharge channel 42B increases from the other end side to the one end side, and the end portion on the other end side is opened to face the lower drain 43B. The end on one end side is closed, and a square cylindrical outlet 44B is provided on the bottom surface of the end, and the outlet 44B faces the lower discharge port 45B. A water supply nozzle 46B for shipping water, which is a transport medium, faces the end portion on one end side from above.

  A pressure pump 47, a tank 48, a pressure air distribution mechanism, and the like for driving various air cylinders as actuators are also attached exclusively to the carry-in unit frame 11 of the frame 10.

  The above is the configuration of the apparatus main body A. The integrated control panel B arranged on the side of the apparatus main body A controls the individual carry-out unit 40 based on the number of individuals measured by the apparatus main body A. The number of individual measurements is displayed on a monitor C installed on the integrated control panel B.

  Next, the image analysis unit in the counting unit 20 will be described. As described above, the image analysis unit, in terms of hardware, includes the camera 26 and the image analysis board 28 (see FIGS. 8 and 9) housed in the image analysis control board 22 of the counting unit 20, and the integrated control board B. Consists of the upper monitor C. On the other hand, in terms of software, as shown in FIG. 4, the image analysis unit 50 includes a camera 26 and an analysis unit main body 51 constituted by an image analysis substrate.

  The analysis unit main body 51 includes an image capturing unit 52 that captures a linear image from the camera 26, an image creation unit 53 that creates a determination image (see FIG. 6) from the captured linear image, and an individual determination from the created determination image. A calculation / conversion unit 54 that measures the number, a recording unit 55 that records calculation information, a monitor screen construction unit 56, and a monitor C that displays the constructed image are provided. These functions will be described with reference to FIGS.

  First, the image analysis unit 51 sequentially captures linear images from the camera 26 in step S1 in FIG. In step S2, the captured linear image is sequentially binarized. In the binarization process, as shown in FIG. 6, the brightness of a linear image is determined by a threshold value, white (level 0) is brighter than the threshold, and black (level 1) is darker than the threshold. ). FIG. 6 schematically shows the shooting data when the counting unit 23 in the counting inclined channel 21 is shot by the camera 26 with the straight line AA and the straight line BB, and the binarization processing of the shooting data. ing. On the counting unit 23, 60 represents an individual to be counted, 61 represents foreign matter and bubbles, and 62 represents solid foreign matter such as dust. The shooting data is level 1 (black) at these objects.

  When the binarization processing of the linear image ends, the linear images are connected one after another in step S3, and a determination image is created. The determination image is shown in the upper part of FIG. In the determination image, an image 60 ′ of the individual 60 to be counted, an image 61 ′ of the bubble 60, an image 62 ′ of the solid foreign object 62, etc. are shown in the formation screen 63 ′.

  When the determination image is created, in step S4, all images 60 ', 61', 62 'in the determination image are extracted and given numbers. This process is called labeling and is schematically shown in the middle of FIG. When this labeling is completed, the dimensions of the labeled images 60 ′, 61 ′, 62 ′ are determined in step S5, and the shape of the images 60 ′, 61 ′, 62 ′ is subsequently determined in step S6, thereby counting. Only the image 60 ′ of the individual 60 to be extracted is extracted (the lower diagram in FIG. 7). In step S7, the extracted image 60 'of the individual 60 is counted and the count value is updated.

  By continuing this, the number of individuals 60 thrown is automatically measured.

  In the individual counting apparatus having such a configuration, details of the function will be described in the case of measuring the number of small fry individuals such as shrimp larvae.

  In counting the individuals 60, first, the individual counting device is connected to a water supply source (not shown). Shipment water as an individual transport medium supplied from the water supply source (salt water if the individual is a shrimp larva) is supplied to the first water supply pipe 36A and the second water supply pipe 33B in the individual carry-in section 30 and in the individual carry-out section 40. It discharges from the water supply nozzle 46A. By supplying water from the second water supply pipe 33B, shipping water is supplied into the reverse dome-shaped charging hopper 30B and a spiral swirl flow of the shipping water is formed. Further, the water for shipment is supplied from the upstream end to the counting inclined channel 21 of the counting unit 20 by the water supply from the first water supply pipe 36A. Further, shipping water is supplied from one end side to the outer second discharge flow path 42 </ b> A in the individual unloading section 40 by water supply from the water supply nozzle 46 </ b> A.

  The shipping water supplied into the charging hopper 30B flows from the outlet 32B of the outflow pipe 31B provided at the center of the hopper into the receiving portion 31A provided at the upstream portion of the diffusing inclined channel 30A for diffusion. The inclined flow path 30A flows toward the downstream side. The shipping water supplied to the upstream end of the diffusing inclined channel 30A flows together with the shipping water from the input hopper 30B toward the downstream side of the diffusing inclined channel 30A, thereby increasing the amount of flowing water.

  The shipping water that has passed through the diffusion inclined channel 30A flows from the outlet 32A provided at the downstream end of the diffusion inclined channel 30A to the upstream end of the counting inclined channel 21 in the lower counting unit 20. And flows through the counting inclined flow channel 21 toward the downstream side, and from the downstream end to the second discharge flow channel 42A on the outer side through the first discharge flow channel 41 in the individual carry-out portion 40 from one end side. Inflow. The shipping water that has flowed into the second discharge flow path 42A passes through the second discharge flow path 42A and flows into the discharge port 45A from the outlet 44A provided at the end on the other end side. The shipping water newly supplied to the second discharge flow path 42A by the water supply nozzle 46A passes through the second discharge flow path 42A together with the previous shipping water and increases the amount of flowing water here.

  Incidentally, at this time, the first discharge channel 41 in the individual discharge unit 40 is in a water supply position to the outer second discharge channel 42A, that is, tilted upward, and the outer second discharge channel 42A has one end side thereof. The other end on the up side is in a lowered state. The inner second discharge flow path 42B is in a state where one end side is lowered and the other end side is raised, contrary to the outer second discharge flow path 42A.

  The counting of the individuals 60 is performed by collectively charging a large number of individuals into the charging hopper 30B in this state. The charged solid 60 is dispersed by the spiral swirl flow in the charging hopper 30B, and is charged together with shipping water from the outflow pipe 31B to the lower diffusion inclined flow path 30A, but the lower end of the outflow pipe 31B is blocked. In addition, since the shipping water flows out from the outlet 32B on the side surface of the lower end, the tip of the spiral flow does not concentrate at one point on the lower diffusing inclined channel 30A compared to the case where the lower end is not closed. For this reason, the re-aggregation of the individual 60 due to the convergence of the spiral swirl flow is prevented, and the dispersibility of the individual 60 is improved. In addition, the dispersion of the individual 60 is promoted in the process of dropping from the charging hopper 30B to the diffusion inclined flow path 30A, and the bubbles in the shipping water are reduced in the process.

  In the inclined channel 30A for diffusion, the solid 60 flows from the upstream part to the downstream part together with the shipping water. A liquid reservoir 33A is provided at an intermediate portion of the diffusing inclined channel 30A which is a buffer diffusion channel. The liquid reservoir 33A has a tip shape in which the bottom surface is inclined upward toward the downstream side, and the inclination angle is recessed in a triangular shape that increases from both sides toward the center. The water flow for shipping once concentrates in this depression and spreads on both sides and up and down on the downstream side. For this reason, the solid 60 in the shipping water stream once concentrates in the triangular depression when passing through the liquid reservoir 33A, but after exiting from there, it is scattered on both sides and up and down and is conveyed downstream. . And it is discharged | emitted from the outflow port 32A through the steep acceleration part 35A provided in the downstream edge part of 30 A of diffusion flow paths. The discharged shipping water falls and flows into the lower counting inclined channel 21. Even in the process from the accelerating portion 35A to the fall, the dispersion of the solid 60 in the shipping water is promoted, and the bubbles in the shipping water are reduced.

  In addition, shipping water is added from the first water supply pipe 36A to the diffusion inclined flow path 30A. Thereby, the flow of the shipping water in the first water supply pipe 36A is promoted, and the diffusion of the individual 60 is further promoted. That is, by supplying the shipping water that is the transport medium of the solid 60 separately to the input hopper 30B and the inclined inclined flow path 30A, the transport medium is diluted, and as a result, the dispersion of the solid 60 is promoted.

  The lower counting inclined flow channel 21 also serving as the acceleration diffusion flow channel has a larger inclination angle than the upper diffusion inclined flow channel 30A. For this reason, the shipping water flow is accelerated by the lower inclined inclined flow channel 21 and the dispersion of the individual 60 proceeds mainly in the transport direction.

  For these reasons, even the individual 60 thrown in as an aggregate is sufficiently dispersed at the time of passing through the counting section 23 in the counting inclined channel 21, and the horizontal, vertical and thickness of the shipping water flow Does not overlap in direction. As a result, the number of individuals 60 that have passed through the counting unit 23 is accurately measured by the image analysis unit 50 including the camera 26 of the counting unit 20.

  The individual 60 that has finished counting in the counting section 23 in the counting inclined flow path 21, together with the shipping water that is the transport medium, is tilted from the counting inclined flow path 21 to the first discharging flow path 41 in the individual discharging section 40. And then flows from one end to the outer second discharge channel 42A. The solid 60 that has flowed into one end portion of the second discharge flow path 42A flows along the flow path to the other end side together with the shipping water, and is shipped from a square tubular outlet 44A at the other end portion via the discharge port 45A. It is transported to a container. Further, even when the transport path is long, the transport medium is prevented from remaining in the transport path, and the individual 60 that is the shipping medium can be prevented from being killed in the path or reliably transported to the shipping container. Quality improvement and yield improvement are achieved. In order to promote the individual conveyance from the second discharge flow path 42A to the downstream side and to secure the amount of water for shipping necessary for packing, the water supply nozzle 46A allows the inside of the flow path from one end side of the second discharge flow path 42A. Shipping water is supplied to

  When the measured number of the individual 60 reaches a specified value, the tilting-type first discharge channel 41 in the individual unloading section 40 is lowered to move the transport destination from the outer second discharge channel 42A to the inner second discharge flow. Switch to road 42B. At the same time, shipping water is supplied from the water supply nozzle 46A to the outer second discharge flow path 42A, and final transport to a shipping container or the like is promoted while preventing the transport medium from remaining. Thereafter, the outer second discharge channel 42A is tilted in the reverse direction. That is, one end side of the second discharge channel 42A is lowered and the other end side is raised. Thus, the transport destination of the individual 60 that has finished counting in the counting section 23 in the counting inclined channel 21 is switched from the discharge port 45A to the discharge port 45B, and the individual 60 after counting is transferred from the discharge port 45B to another shipping container or the like. It is conveyed to. Further, by tilting the outer second discharge flow path 42A in the reverse direction, counting in the transport path using the discharge port 45B is completed, and the tilted first discharge flow path 41 is raised again. The solid 60 remaining in the transport path, in particular, the counting inclined channel 21, is discharged from the drain 43A, and is again input to the input hopper 30B for counting or stored in a separate container. The This avoids a situation where the individual 60 is excessively transported to the shipping container or the like exceeding the specified number.

  By repeating this switching, the individual 60 is transported to a shipping container or the like together with a specified amount of shipping water by a specified number. In addition, the number of individuals 60 is counted and distributed and delivered to a shipping container or the like. Further, since each individual 60 is immersed in the shipping water from when it is inserted into the individual counting device to when it is discharged, its weakness can be reduced even when the individual 60 is like a shrimp larva. And death is prevented.

  The individual counting apparatus according to another embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 8 is suitable for counting the number of small fish whose body length reaches 10 mm to several tens mm, and is a counting unit mounted on a base frame 70. 20 and an individual carry-in portion 80 mounted on the base frame 70 located on the individual carry-in side of the counting unit 20. The base frame 70 is an L-type frame that is high on the individual carry-in side and low on the individual carry-out side, contrary to the individual counting device described above, and the individual carry-in unit 80 is placed on the high carry-in unit stand 71 on the individual carry-in side. Each of the counting units 20 is mounted on a low horizontal portion.

  The individual carry-in section 80 includes a rectangular charging hopper 81, a diffusion first inclined channel 82 provided therebelow, and a diffusion second inclined channel 83 provided therebelow. The charging hopper 81 is on the upstream portion of the first inclined flow passage 82 for diffusion and faces the upstream portion from above. The diffusion first inclined channel 82 is a square ridge having a concave cross section. The upstream end is supplied with shipping water as a transport medium by the first water supply pipe 84. The downstream end of the diffusion inclined channel 82 is present on the upstream end of the diffusion second inclined channel 83. The second inclined flow channel 83 for diffusion is a square for acceleration diffusion having a steeper slope than the first inclined flow channel 82 for diffusion. The upstream end is supplied with shipping water as a transport medium by the second water supply pipe 85. The downstream end of the second inclined flow channel 83 for diffusion is continuous with the counting unit 20.

  The counting unit 20 is substantially the same as the counting unit 20 in the above-described individual counting device, and includes a counting inclined channel 21 downstream of the diffusion flat channel 83 and a support frame for the counting inclined channel 21. The image analysis control panel 22 installed and fixed on the counting unit pedestal 27 that also serves as a counter and the counting unit 23 located below the predetermined length of the measuring unit 23 set in the middle of the measurement inclined water channel 21 And an illuminating unit 24 attached thereto.

  The counting inclined channel 21 is a square ridge having a concave cross section formed of a translucent resin. The counting inclined channel 21 is inclined downward from the upstream side to the downstream side. The upstream end of the counting inclined channel 21 protrudes upstream from the mounting base 27. The downstream end of the counting inclined channel 21 protrudes downstream from the counting unit mount 27. The first inclined channel 82 for diffusion and the second inclined channel 83 for diffusion in the individual carry-in section 80 are slightly smaller than the width of the counting channel 21.

  The image analysis control panel 22 accommodates an image analysis unit therein. The interior is divided into two chambers on the individual carry-in side and individual carry-out side by a partition plate 25, and the front opening of each chamber is opened and closed by a door. A camera 26 is accommodated in the room on the individual carry-in side, and an image analysis substrate 28 that constitutes an image analysis unit together with the camera 26 is accommodated in the room on the individual carry-in side. The camera 26 is a line camera that is vertically disposed above the counting unit 23 having a predetermined length set in the middle part of the counting inclined flow channel 11 and is vertically arranged. The counting unit 23 is set at a time interval of about 100 μs, for example. The image for measurement is captured by shooting over the entire width. The captured image data is sent to the image analysis substrate 28 for configuring the image analysis unit housed in the back room.

  The illuminating unit 24 is horizontally disposed below the counting unit 23 having a predetermined length set in an intermediate portion of the counting inclined channel 11, and the counting unit 23 is arranged in a number of planes. The white LED illuminates in a planar shape over the entire width from below through a diffusion plate. Alternatively, the counting unit 23 having a diffusing function is illuminated in a planar shape over the entire width from below by a large number of white LEDs arranged in a planar shape.

  As described above, the image analysis unit in the counting unit 20 is configured by the camera 26 and the image analysis substrate 28 housed in the image analysis control board 22 of the counting unit 20 and the monitor C on the image analysis control board 22. Same as the individual counting device. The monitor C is a touch panel type and also serves as an operation panel.

  In order to measure the number of individuals in the individual counting device of this embodiment, the water for shipping is supplied to the first inclined flow channel 82 for diffusion by the first water supply pipe 84 in the individual carry-in portion 80. Further, shipping water is supplied to the second inclined flow path 83 for diffusion through the second water supply pipe 85. In this state, the individual is put into the rectangular feeding hopper 81 in a lump. The charged solid is transported through the flow path by the flow of the shipping water supplied to the first inclined flow path 82 for diffusion, and then dropped and carried into the second inclined flow path 83 for diffusion. In the second inclined flow channel 83 for diffusion, the solid is accelerated and diffused mainly in the transport direction by the increased tilt angle and the shipping water newly supplied to the flow channel, to the counting inclined channel 21 in the counting unit 20. Sent.

  The individual is dispersed while being transported through the first inclined flow channel 82 for diffusion and the second inclined flow channel 83 for diffusion in the individual carry-in section 80, the dispersion is promoted, and the inclined flow for counting in the counting unit 20 The fact that the number of individuals is accurately measured while being transported along the path 21 is the same as in the case of the individual counting device described above. Since the dispersion of the individual becomes easier as the size of the individual increases, even if there is no liquid reservoir in the first inclined flow channel 82 for diffusion, the first inclined flow channel 82 for diffusion and the second inclined flow for diffusion. Dispersion is ensured by the difference in the inclination angle with respect to the path 83 and the difference in the flow rate of the shipping water that is the transport medium.

  The individual counting apparatus showing still another embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 9 is suitable for counting the number of large fishes whose body length reaches 200 mm. What is the individual counting apparatus shown in FIG. Only the individual carrying unit 80 is different, and the counting unit 20 is the same.

  In other words, the individual carry-in unit 80 in the individual counting device of the present embodiment includes only a large receiving hopper 86. The receiving hopper 86 is installed and fixed on a single carry-in unit base 90 that is relatively low. The downstream portion of the receiving hopper 86 is a throttle portion 87 whose depth and width are gradually reduced toward the downstream side. The downstream end portion of the throttle portion 87 is almost the same size as the upstream end portion of the counting inclined channel 21 and is connected to the end portion. The upstream portion of the receiving hopper 86 is supplied with shipping water as a transport medium from the bottom through a water supply pipe 88. The supplied shipping water flows into the counting inclined channel 21 while increasing the flow velocity at the throttle 87.

  The solids put into the upstream portion of the receiving hopper 86 in a lump are dispersed by the water flow increasing at the downstream throttle portion 87 and the bottom surface inclined upward toward the downstream side. It is the same as the two individual counting devices described so far that the number of individuals is accurately measured in the process in which the dispersed individuals are transported through the counting inclined channel 21. As described above, since the dispersion of the individual becomes easier as the size of the individual increases, here, even if there is no diffusion inclined flow path, reliable dispersion is performed.

  As can be seen from the structure of the three individual counting devices described above, the individual counting device of the present invention includes a counting unit 20 having substantially the same configuration, and an individual carry-in unit according to the size of the individual to be counted. The design is only to change the structure of the individual carry-out part.

  The counting unit 20 will be described. The counting unit 20 in the individual counting apparatus for small individuals shown in FIG. 8 is exactly the same as the counting unit 20 in the individual counting apparatus for large individuals shown in FIG. The counting unit 20 in the individual counting apparatus for minute individuals shown in FIGS. 1 to 7 is slightly different from the above, but the image analysis control board 22 on the counting unit frame 12 and its internal structure, and the counting unit frame 12 are different. The illumination unit 24 is the same, and the size and structure of the counter unit frame 12 and the length of the inclined gradient channel 21 supported by the counter unit 12 are different according to the difference in the structure of the individual carry-in unit 30 on the upstream side. However, the basic structures such as the horizontal width and the inclination angle of the counting inclined channel 21 are the same, and the functions are also substantially the same.

  That is, the individual counting device of the present invention has a counting unit 20 that can count from a small individual such as a shrimp larvae or a fry to a large individual such as a large fish whose length exceeds 100 mm. It is possible to cope with counting from a small individual to a large individual by changing the unit 40 to a structure suitable for the individual size and changing the setting of the counting program accordingly. For this reason, the device price can be greatly reduced compared to the individual counting device of the conventional structure that had to be designed for each individual size, and the purchased individual counting device can be changed according to the individual size The economic and general-purpose merit that users can enjoy is very large.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 L-type frame 11 Carry-in part stand 12 Count part stand 20 Count unit 21 Counting inclined channel 22 Image analysis control board 23 Count part 24 Illumination part 25 Partition plate 26 Camera 27 Count part stand 28 Image analysis board 30 Individual carry-in part 30A Diffusion inclined channel 31A Receiving part 32A Outlet 33A Liquid reservoir 34A Flat part 35A Accelerating part 36A First water supply pipe 30B Input hopper 31B Outflow pipe 32B Outlet 33B Second water supply pipe 34B Flexible pipe 40 Individual carry-out part 41 First Discharge flow path 42A, 42B Second discharge flow path 43A, 43B Drain 44A, 44B Outlet 45A, 45B Discharge port 46A, 46B Water supply nozzle 47 Pressure pump 48 Tank 49 Actuator 50 Image analysis section 51 Analysis section main body 52 Image capture section 53 Image creation unit 54 Calculation / Conversion unit 55 Recording unit 56 Monitor image construction unit 60 Individual object to be counted 60 'individual image 61 Foreign object (bubble)
61 'image 62 solid foreign matter 62' image 70 base frame 71 carry-in unit stand 80 individual carry-in unit 81 loading hopper 82 first inclined flow channel for diffusion 83 second inclined flow channel for diffusion 84 first water supply tube 85 second water supply tube 86 Receiving hopper 87 Restriction section 90 Loading section mount

[0004]
[0014]
The individual counting device of the present invention has been developed on the basis of such knowledge, and is an individual counting device for transporting and counting the individuals to be counted while being dispersed by the flow of the liquid. A counting inclined channel formed of a translucent material and used as a counting unit, and an illuminating unit that irradiates the counting unit of the counting inclined channel with light from below. A counting image is captured by a camera arranged above the measurement unit, and an image analysis unit that measures the number of individuals passing through the counting unit together with the liquid based on the captured image data is integrated as a counting unit. The liquid for feeding the individual to be counted and transporting the individual to the upstream side of the counting inclined channel in the counting unit, that is, the rear side in the liquid flow direction. The individual carry-in part to be supplied is connected and disposed independently from the counting inclined flow path, and the individual carry-in part is arranged to collect the solids that are put in a lump on the downstream side by the flow of the supplied liquid. It also serves as a diffusion channel that is dispersed in the process of transporting to the channel, and is connected and arranged upstream of the counting inclined channel, that is, on the rear side in the liquid flow direction, independently of the counting channel. The feature of the construction is that it can be recombined.
[0015]
In the individual counting apparatus of the present invention, the counting inclined channel, the illumination unit arranged below the counting unit, and the image analyzing unit including the camera arranged above the counting unit are integrated as a counting unit. In addition, since the individual carry-in portion is connected and arranged independently of the counting inclined flow channel upstream of the counting inclined flow channel in the counting unit, the individual carry-in is performed according to the size of the individual to be counted. Recombination of parts can be performed.
[0016]
In addition, depending on how to handle the individual after being counted (how to handle each size), the individual carry-in portion can be independently connected and arranged downstream of the inclined flow channel for counting. The discharge part can be recombined. As a result, it is possible to measure from a fine individual such as a shrimp larva to an individual whose length exceeds 100 mm by a slight modification.
[0017]
Here, the individual carry-in unit transports the batched individuals to the counting inclined channel in the counting unit, and distributes the individuals in the process, depending on the size and type of the individuals to be counted. Designed. As a thing suitable for small individuals up to about 10 mm such as shrimp larvae and fry, it consists of a bowl-shaped member that conveys the individuals to be counted by the flow of liquid, and the bottom surface is downstream in part of the bottom surface. The tip is provided with a tip-shaped liquid reservoir that is inclined upward toward the side and the inclination angle gradually increases from both sides toward the center.

[0005]
There is an inclined channel for diffusion.
[0018]
Similarly, an individual carrying unit suitable for a small individual is a circular container provided on the upstream portion of the inclined channel and receiving an input individual, and the individual input into the circular container is dispersed by a swirling flow. There is a charging hopper that discharges, and it is more effective to arrange it on the upstream side of the above-described inclined channel for diffusion.
[0019]
The individual carrying-out unit discharges the individual whose counting is finished, and can have various additional functions. One is a distributor that selectively puts the individual transported from the counting inclined flow path into a plurality of transport flow paths, for example, by switching the transport flow path for each preset number, Work such as transportation can be streamlined.
[0020]
About the kind of liquid used as a conveyance medium, it is preferable from the point which can reduce the stress added to fisheries resources to use the water for shipping (seawater, fresh water, etc.) selected according to the habitat environment of the individual which should be counted.
Effects of the Invention [0021]
In the individual counting device of the present invention, a counting inclined channel, an illumination unit arranged below the counting unit, and an image analysis unit including a camera arranged above the counting unit are integrated as a counting unit. In addition, an individual carry-in section is connected and arranged independently of the counting inclined flow path on the upstream side of the counting inclined flow path in the counting unit, and if necessary, the individual carry-out section is disposed on the downstream side for the counting. Since it can be connected and arranged independently from the inclined flow path, it is possible to recombine the individual carry-in part according to the size of the individual to be counted, etc. It is possible to count from a simple individual to an individual whose length exceeds 100 mm by a slight modification.
[0022]
That is, the individual counting device of the present invention has a structure capable of counting from a minute individual to a large individual with a slight modification, and therefore has high versatility and is extremely excellent in economic efficiency.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0023]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall structure of an individual counting apparatus showing an embodiment of the present invention.

Individual counting device of the present invention has been developed such findings as a basis, the to be counted individual an individual counting device for counting is conveyed while being dispersed by the flow of liquid, the individual to be counted Liquid A counting inclined channel formed of a translucent material and used as a counting unit, and an illuminating unit that irradiates the counting unit of the counting inclined channel with light from below. A counting image is captured by a camera arranged above the measurement unit, and an image analysis unit that measures the number of individuals passing through the counting unit together with the liquid based on the captured image data is integrated as a counting unit. It is of the upstream side of the counting inclined channel in the counting unit, that are coupled orientation individual loading units in the liquid flow direction rear side independent of the counting for inclined channel, before The individual carry-in unit also serves as a diffusion flow path that disperses the solid charged in the process of conveying the supplied solid to the counting inclined flow path in front of the liquid flow direction by the flow of the supplied liquid, and the counting inclined flow A feature of the constitution is that recombination is possible by being connected and arranged independently of the inclined flow channel for counting on the rear side in the liquid flow direction of the path .

Here, the individual carry-in unit transports the batched individuals to the counting inclined channel in the counting unit, and distributes the individuals in the process, depending on the size and type of the individuals to be counted. Designed. As a thing suitable for small individuals up to about 10 mm such as shrimp larvae and fry, it consists of a bowl-shaped member that conveys the individuals to be counted by the flow of fluid, and the bottom surface is downstream of a part of the bottom surface. There is a diffusing inclined flow path provided with a tip-shaped liquid reservoir that is inclined upward toward the side and whose inclination angle gradually increases from both sides toward the center.

Claims (8)

An individual counting device for conveying and counting individuals to be counted while being dispersed by liquid flow,
The individual to be counted is transported by the flow of fluid, and at least a part is formed of a translucent material and is used as a counting unit. An illuminating unit that irradiates and an image analyzing unit that captures a counting image by a camera disposed above the measuring unit and measures the number of individuals that pass through the counting unit together with the liquid based on data of the captured image Are integrated as a counting unit,
An individual counting device in which an individual carry-in section is connected and arranged independently of the counting inclined flow path on the upstream side of the counting inclined flow path in the counting unit. The individual counting device according to claim 1,
The individual counting unit is capable of recombination at the individual carry-in part. In the individual counting device according to claim 1 or 2,
The solid carry-in part is composed of a bowl-shaped member that conveys the solid to be counted by the flow of fluid, and the bottom surface is inclined upward toward the downstream side at a part of the bottom surface, and the inclination angle is on both sides. An individual counting device having an inclined inclined channel for diffusion provided with a tip-shaped liquid reservoir that gradually increases from the center toward the center. In the individual counting device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The individual carrying unit is an individual counting device having a charging hopper which is provided on the upstream portion of the inclined flow path and is formed of a circular container for receiving the charged solid and which discharges the solid charged in the circular container by dispersing the swirling flow.   The individual counting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein an individual carry-out unit is connected and arranged independently of the inclined channel for counting on the downstream side of the inclined channel for counting in the counting unit. apparatus. In the individual counting device according to claim 5,
The individual counting unit is capable of recombination at the individual carry-in part. In the individual counting device according to claim 5 or 6,
The individual carrying-out unit is an individual counting device having a distributor for selectively putting an individual carried out from the counting inclined channel into a plurality of carrying-out channels. In the individual counting device according to claim 7,
The distributor is an individual counting device that switches the carry-out flow path for each preset number.

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