WO2012008843A1

WO2012008843A1 - Method and system for vaccinating and sorting fish

Info

Publication number: WO2012008843A1
Application number: PCT/NO2011/000183
Authority: WO
Inventors: Halvard Andresen; John Eriksson; Jörgen HÄGGLUND; Jon Egil Hammeren; Jon Anders Leikvoll; Per Jonny Nutudal; Per Arne Oppheim; Frode Vaagland; Magnar Zimmermann
Original assignee: Maskon As
Priority date: 2010-06-24
Filing date: 2011-06-24
Publication date: 2012-01-19
Also published as: NO331843B1; NO20100912A1

Abstract

Method and system for recognizing, vaccinating, sorting and documenting alive fish. The system includes a control unit (11), means (12) for acquiring information about fish, transportation means (14) to transport fish past means (12) for acquiring information about fish, and means (15) for vaccinating the individual fish. The system is arranged for detecting/recognizing one or more of the following parameters of the individual fish: I. length of the fish(fork length), II. height of the fish, III. thickness of the fish, and based on this information: - instruct means (40, 41, 42) for sorting fish to sort out unwanted fish prior to vaccination, or - instruct means (15) for vaccinating fish, and instructing means (40, 41, 42) for sorting fish after vaccination or sorting out untreated fish.

Description

Method and system for vaccinating and sorting fish

The present invention is related to a method for vaccinating and sorting fish, according to the preamble of claim 1.

The present invention also relates to a system for vaccinating and sorting fish, according to the preamble of claim 15.

Background

Today vaccination is either performed completely manually or in semi-automatic vaccination machines. Operators inject the vaccine into each individual fish by means of a vaccination syringe or feeds fish by fish into a semi-automatic vaccination machine. Today it is most common to sort the fish prior to vaccination. The sorting improves and provides increased quality of the work performed, i.e. the vaccination. At pure manual vaccination and most of the semi-automatic vaccination machines, there is a need for a fixed dosing depth. Based on the size of the fish to be vaccinated the correct needle lengths are selected and injection points in the longitudinal direction are adjusted manually. As a result, the size of the fish which is to be vaccinated must be within a fixed size interval for correct deposition of vaccine.

Some of the semi-automatic machines have sensors which measure length and color nuance. By length registration injection point in longitudinal direction is determined, and a fixed injection depth (mechanical) which is dependent of the length of the fish. In addition it is registered if the fish is positioned correct (abdomen upside/down) prior to vaccination, by means of color sensors. Sorting is based on the length of the fish.

From NO 320008 describes a method for automatic injection of a composition in alive fish. The fish is fed forward by a conveyor located in compartments wherein each fish is oriented transversely to the feeding direction. Each fish is measured with regard to size, and an injection unit is adjusted for each measured fish for positioning against an injection position toward the fish, dependent on the measured size of the fish. The injection is performed through an injection movement to a selected injection depth by means of a needle at the selected injection point on each conveyed fish and supply of a composition via a needle.

NO 172831 describes an apparatus for separate handing of alive fish comprising a number of supporting means arranged radially onto a rotary table which is arranged on a table of stainless steel, on which a pool for fish is arranged, having a gutter, a vaccination apparatus and a control cabinet. By turning the rotary table, fish in the respective support is moved to different positions. The bottom of each support can be opened so that the fish is released and through a outlet pipe is guided to a pool of water. The disadvantage of determining injection point, injection depth and sorting only by means of one parameter (the length of the fish) is reduced accuracy. It is also difficult to evaluate if a fish is injured by means of only length sensors/color sensors. Object

The main object of the invention is to provide a method and a system of vaccinating fish.

It is further an object of the present invention to be able to document the fish, e.g. from fork length, height, injuries, biomass etc., and based on this information find and determine injection point coordinates for vaccination, including injection depth.

It is further an object of the present invention to provide a method and a system which in addition to vaccination is arranged for sorting out unwanted fish prior to vaccination, e.g. because of injuries, deviations, wrongly oriented fish etc., including sorting of fish after vaccination has been performed, e.g. sorting by size, length, height etc.

It is further an object of the present invention to provide a method and a system which in addition to vaccination is arranged for quality control of fish prior to vaccination, including quality control of fish prior to vaccination to avoid wrong treatment, such as dosage in the back at vaccination.

The invention

A method according to the invention is described in claim 1. Preferable features of the method are described in claims 2-14.

A system according to the invention is described in claim 15. Preferable features of the system are described in claims 16-31. A system according to the invention includes a control unit, means for acquiring information about fish. Means for acquiring information about fish is e.g. a unit for illumination and camera recognition including one or more cameras. Moreover, the system includes specially formed transportation means for transporting fish past the means for acquiring information about fish for performing an analysis of the fish, preferably image analysis. The transportation means are for example a conveyor belt designed especially with regard to image recognition.

Moreover, the system according to the invention includes one or more means for vaccinating fish, e.g. in the form of an injection and dosage unit. Moreover, the system preferably includes means to ensure that each fish is being vaccinated separately, said means being arranged longitudinally with regard to the transportation means. Means for ensuring separate vaccination of fish are preferably arranged to bring the fish to a vaccination position for engagement of the means for vaccinating fish.

Preferably, the system includes means for supply of fish to the transportation means, where supplied fish mainly are singularized and oriented head/tail mainly in the longitudinal direction/direction of movement of the transportation means. Supplied fish is preferably sedated alive fish.

Moreover, the system includes sorting means for sorting the fish, which sorting means makes it possible to sort fish after the fish has been vaccinated, untreated fish or sorting out unwanted fish prior to vaccination.

In this way, a system has been provided for recognition, vaccination, sorting and documentation of fish.

By means of the means for acquiring information about fish each fish can be documented, e.g. by fork length, height, injuries, deviation, biomass (theoretical weight) and based on the same information also calculate, determine and/or perform one or more of the following actions:

- point coordinates for vaccination, e.g. injection point coordinates

- depth of vaccination, e.g. injection depth,

- sorting fish after vaccination, e.g. based on the size of the fish or similar,

- sorting out unwanted fish, e.g. because of injuries or deviation, or based on length, height, wrongly oriented fish or similar,

- calculating biomass (theoretical weight).

In addition to the points and actions mentioned above the system is arranged to be coordinated against the origin of the fish. With this is meant from which fish container, batch, etc. the fish was supplied to the system according to the invention, and thus can complete documentation of the individual fish be achieved.

The system works in the way that fish, preferably sedated fish, is fed mainly individually to the specially designed transportation conveyed from a suitable unit for this, e.g. a singularizing unit. In this way fish is supplied to the transportation means mainly in the longitudinal direction/direction of movement of the transportation means and preferably oriented with head or tail in the direction of movement of the transportation means. Preferably, the fish which is supplied to the transportation means are also provided at a distance (> 0 mm) between each fish.

Then the fish is transported by the transportation means past means for acquiring information about fish that detects/recognizes parameters of the individual fish, and checks whether several fishes are located too close or in continuation.

While fish is being transported mainly one by one of the transportation means, said

transportation means preferably being in a continuous motion at a constant speed, past means for acquiring information about fish, such as a unit for illumination and camera recognition, one or more cameras take pictures of fish which is being transported.

Then, each image is analyzed and sent to the control unit, which is arranged to control the system. Moreover, the system is provided with means and/or software for analyzing information from means for acquiring information about fish. By means of this information, each fish is analyzed on basis of fork length and height of the fish, alternatively also thickness of the fish. Moreover, the system can be arranged to detect or evaluate any injuries, such as gill cover, humpback, pinching injuries etc.

Based on the evaluation/analysis the control unit controls/instructs means for vaccination of fish with desired instructions. For example are means for vaccinating fish an injection and dosage unit, which is provided with optimal injection point and optimal injection depth for vaccination of the individual fish, including suitable dosage quantity.

Based on the same evaluation the control unit also controls/instructs sorting means on basis with sorting instructions after treatment and sorting out prior to treatment due to injuries or similar on the fish or non-detectable fish, e.g. double conveyed or wrongly oriented fish.

Information/data which is generated preferably also provides information about biomass (theoretical weight) of the fish batch being treated, preferably also including injures etc. in percentages.

The theoretical weight, i.e. the biomass, is a calculation based on fork length and height of the fish, but thickness of the fish can also be a relevant parameter.

After having passed means for acquiring information about fish, the transportation means supply the fish to means for ensuring that each fish is being vaccinated separately. Means for ensuring that fish is being vaccinated separately can for example be treatment channels, one or more specially designed carrying devices or similar. The means for ensuring that fish is vaccinated separately is preferably provided with means for turning the fish in desired back/abdomen direction and which in addition to turning the fish in desired direction is guiding it in place to ensure that fish is being vaccinated separately. Alternatively, the means for turning the fish in desired back/abdomen direction can be arranged ahead of the conveyor belt, so that the fish already has been turned correctly when it arrives on the conveyor belt. Moreover, sensor means are preferably arranged in the means to turning the fish in back/abdomen direction or means to ensure that fish is vaccinated separately which provides a signal to means for vaccinating fish and/or carrying devices that fish number X is on its way. In this way, the means for ensuring that fish is being vaccinated separately operates as a counter in addition to transporting the fish to vaccination position for engagement by means for vaccinating fish. When the fish is located in means for ensuring that fish is vaccinated separately that ensures, means for vaccinating fish is activated. Data/information/instructions regarding coordinates for vaccinating etc. have already been provided to means for vaccinating fish on basis of prior performed detection/recognition and calculations. If desirable, a control can also be performed by means of an image recognition unit or similar arranged in connection with means for vaccinating fish or means for ensuring that fish is vaccinated separately. A picture is then taken prior to vaccination to check the position or condition of the fish. By fish position is meant that the nose of the fish is checked with regard to position (longitudinal direction). By condition is meant that the fish is checked with regard to if the fish lies with abdomen upwards, nose ahead etc.

At the same time as the fish arrive at the vaccination position, means for vaccinating fish is arranged in correct position based on data/information/instructions.

When the fish is in correct position in the means for ensuring that fish is vaccinated separately, desired vaccination of the fish is performed.

After vaccination of the fish, the means for ensuring that fish is vaccinated separately is prepared again and next fish is ready for vaccination. The fish leaves said means for ensuring that fish is being vaccinated separately and out in sorting means for sorting fish. The sorting means preferably includes one or more sorting channels, where for example one sorting channel is for fish of one given size, another sorting channel is for fish of another given size etc., and for example one sorting channel for non-vaccinated fish, i.e. for example fish that has been sorted out because of injuries or similar. It should be noted that unwanted fish due to injuries or similar preferably are sorted out before they arrive at means for vaccinating fish. The sorting means are adapted to means for ensuring that fish is vaccinated separately so that fish exiting means for ensuring that fish is vaccinated separately is collected by the sorting means. Moreover, the sorting means preferably includes means to guide the fish to correct sorting channel.

Accordingly, a method according to the invention includes transportation of fish by means of transportation means adapted for image recognition, past means for acquiring information about fish for detection/recognition of one or more of the following parameters of the individual fish:

I. fish length (fork length),

II. fish height,

III. fish thickness,

and on basis on this information:

- instruct means for sorting fish to sort out unwanted fish prior to vaccination, or

- instruct means for vaccinating fish, and instruct means for sorting fish after vaccination or sorting out untreated fish. Moreover, the method preferably includes checking whether the fish has injuries, deviations, lies double, lies too close to each other and/or is wrongly oriented.

An example of settings for means for vaccinating fish are injection point coordinates, injection depth, dosage quantity, etc.

An example of settings for sorting out unwanted fish are for example due to injuries or deviations, or based on length, height, wrongly oriented fish or similar. Examples of sorting of fish after vaccination is with regard to length, height, biomass etc.

Moreover, the method preferably includes that fish being supplied to means for transportation of fish is supplied mainly singularized and with head/tail fin oriented in the longitudinal direction/direction of movement of means for transporting fish.

Moreover, the method includes registration of the sequence of fish being transported on means for transporting fish.

Moreover, the method includes moving fish from means for transporting fish to a vaccination position for performing vaccination of the individual fish.

Moreover, the method may include, in connection with movement of fish, turning the fish in desired back/abdomen direction.

Preferably, the method also includes checking the position of the individual fish and condition prior to vaccination of the fish, including the position (longitudinal direction) of the fish, and whether abdomen or back is directed upwards, nose ahead etc.

Moreover, the method may include documentation of all information related to the individual fish.

Further details and advantageous features of the invention will appear from the following example description. Example

In the following, the invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings, where

Figure 1 is a principal drawing of a system according to the invention,

Figure 2 is a principal drawing of a unit for singularizing fish,

Figure 3 illustrates how fish is analyzed,

Figure 4a is a principal drawing of means for ensuring that fish is vaccinated separately according to a first embodiment of the invention,

Figure 4b is a principal drawing of means for ensuring that fish is vaccinated separately according to a second embodiment of the invention,

Figure 5 illustrates sorting means according to the invention, and Figure 6 is a principal drawing of means for vaccinating fish according to the invention.

Reference is now made to Figure 1 which illustrates a principal drawing of a system according to the invention, arranged for vaccinating fish. A system according to the invention includes a control unit 11, means for acquiring information about fish in the form of an illumination and camera recognition unit 12, which includes one or more cameras 13. Moreover, the system includes transportation means in the form of a conveyor belt 14, specially designed with regard to image recognition, for transportation of fish past the illumination and camera recognition unit 12.

For the vaccination of fish, the system includes an injection and dosage unit 15, and the system includes means for ensuring that fish is vaccinated separately in the form of treatment channels 20 or one or more carrying device 30 to move fish from the conveyor belt 14 to the vaccination position, which is described in further detail below.

For sorting, the system is provided with a sorting unit 40, which is described in detail below. In this way it is provided a system for detection/recognition, treatment (vaccination), sorting and documentation of fish.

By means of the illumination and camera recognition unit 12 each fish can be

detected/recognized and documented, e.g. by fork length, height, injuries, biomass (theoretical weight) and based on this information calculate and determine or execute one or more of the following actions:

- injection point coordinates for vaccination,

- injection depth of vaccination,

- sorting fish after vaccination, e.g. on basis of size or similar,

- sorting out unwanted fish, e.g. due to injuries or deviation, or based on length, height, wrongly oriented fish or similar, prior to vaccination,

- calculating biomass (theoretical weight).

Based on information from the illumination and camera recognition unit 12, the control unit 11 is arranged to control the injection and dosage unit 15, means 20, 30 for ensuring that fish is treated separately and the sorting unit 40.

In addition to the points and actions mentioned above, the system is arranged to be

coordinated against the origin of the fish. With this is meant from which fish container, batch etc. the fish was introduced into the system for vaccination and sorting/sorting out.

The system works in the way that fish is supplied mainly one by one to the specially designed conveyor belt 14 from a suitable singularizing unit 50, such as e.g. shown in Figure 2. The illustrated singularizing unit 50 includes a roll pair 51 which rotates from each other and where fish to be singularized are supplied at an end 52 of the pair, whereby the roll pair 51 is slightly inclined and/or is provided with at least one water nozzle located at the end 52 of the roll pair 51 where fish is supplied. Moreover, the singularizing unit 50 is preferably provided with automatic orientation of the fish with regard to head/tail fin, said unit including a roll 53 which rotates with a flow of fish guided to the roll 53 from the roll pair 51, and a receiver system 54 located downstream of the roll 51 which guides the fish out on the conveyor belt 14. This singularizing unit 50 is described in Norwegian patent application 20093302.

By means of the singularizing unit 50, fish which is mainly singularized and oriented with the head or tail in the direction of movement is supplied to the conveyor belt 14, preferably at a distance (> 0 mm) between each fish for the illumination and camera recognition unit 12 to be able to detect individual fishes. If two fishes lie too close, both fishes are to be sorted out, i.e. not vaccinated. The fish can lie in continuation and still be detected one by one. It should be mentioned that the singularizing unit 50 in Figure 2 represents only one out of many solutions that serves this purpose.

As fish is transported mainly one by one on the conveyor belt 14, preferably at a constant speed, past the illumination and camera recognition unit 12, one or more cameras 13 photographs fish laying on the conveyor belt 14. The cameras 13, e.g. of the type line cameras, take pictures continuously and coordinates with regard to the speed of the conveyor belt 14. Each image is analyzed and forwarded to the control unit 11, which is arranged to control the system, i.e. the conveyor belt 14, the cameras 13, means 20, 30 for ensuring that fish is vaccinated separately, means for vaccinating fish, and the sorting unit 40.

The control unit 11 is provided with means and/or software for analyzing information from the illumination and camera recognition unit 12, i.e. the camera(s) 13. By means of this, each fish is analyzed based on fork length and height of the fish, as illustrated in Figure 3, alternatively also thickness of the fish.

Moreover, the system can be arranged to detect and evaluate any injuries, such as gill cover, humpback, pinching injuries etc. from information from the illumination and camera recognition unit 12.

Based on the evaluation/analysis the control unit 11 controls/instructs means for vaccinating fish, in this example the injection and dosage unit 15, with optimal injection point and optimal injection depth for vaccination of the individual fish.

On basis of the same evaluation, the control unit controls/instructs the sorting unit 40 with sorting class, sorting out prior to vaccination due to injuries or similar on the fish or undetectable fish, e.g. double-fed or wrongly oriented fish. Preferably, the information/data generated also provides information about biomass

(theoretical weight) for fish which is vaccinated, and preferably also percentage portion of injuries etc. of vaccinated/sorted fish.

The theoretical weight, i.e. the biomass, is a calculation based on fork length and height of the fish, but also the fish thickness can be a relevant parameter. The measurement parameters of the fish, i.e. length, height and thickness, provides together provide a proper picture of the fish biomass (weight) .

After having passed the illumination and camera recognition unit 12, the fish is then conveyed into means 20, 30 for ensuring that fish is vaccinated separately by the conveyor belt 14.

Reference is now made to Figure 4a which illustrates details of means for ensuring that fish is vaccinated separately, in the form of treatment channels 20, which are arranged for receiving and moving fish from the conveyor belt 14 to the vaccination position and further to sorting after vaccination has been performed. Prior to the conveyor belt 14, i.e. after the singularizing unit 50, there are preferably arranged means for turning the fish in the desired back/abdomen direction, such as an abdomen turner 21, which in addition to turn the fish in desired back/abdomen direction guides the fish in place at the conveyor belt 14. The abdomen turner 21 can also be arranged in the treatment channel 20 itself. The treatment channels 20 are arranged in after each other at a defined distance along the conveyor belt 14 and extend in a direction transversal down from the plane of the conveyor belt 14. The treatment channels 20 are arranged a distance down the conveyor belt 14, viewed in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor belt 14, so that the fish can be detected as described above before fish is guided out to the treatment channels 20. In connection with each treatment channel 20 there are along the conveyor belt 14 arranged means 22 to guide fish down into each of the treatment channels 20, e.g. in the form of one or more flipper systems. The fish is fed continuously into the treatment channels 20 in a fixed sequence. In the example, four treatment channels 20 are shown, but it is obvious that the number of treatment channels may vary and be adapted to the individual application. With starting point in four treatment channels 20, fish number one will be conveyed into the first treatment channel, fish number to into the second treatment channel, fish number three into the third treatment channel and fish number four into the fourth treatment channel by means of the means 22. Then fish number five will be guided down into the first treatment channel, fish number six into the second treatment channel etc. The treatment channe)s 20 are preferably provided with sensor means which registers that a fish is in place in the treatment channel 20 and generates a signal to the means for vaccinating fish, such as the injection and dosage unit 15, that fish number X is on its way/in place. Means for vaccinating fish, i.e. the injection and dosage unit 15, are arranged to each of the treatment channels 20 for vaccinating fish therein. Data/information from the control unit 11 regarding injection point and injection depth has already been instructed to the injection and dosage unit 15 based on the prior conducted detection/recognition and calculations.

Advantageously, checking the fish position (zero point nose + correctly oriented) can be performed prior to vaccination. The control is for example conducted by means of an image recognizing unit, sensor means or similar (not shown), e.g. arranged in connection with the injection and dosage unit 15. At the same time as the fish arrives in the treatment channel 20, the injection and dosage unit 15 is aligned in correct position based on data/information about length from the control unit 11 and fish number X. By correct position is meant correctly adapted distance from a zero point, which for example will be the fish nose/a front plate 23 arranged in the end of the treatment channel 20. Moreover, the treatment channel preferably includes a pivotal plate 24 on which the fish lies and nose of the fish is resting against the front plate 23 at the end of the treatment channel 20. The pivotal plate 24 may advantageously be articulated for later output of vaccinated fish. When the fish is in place in the treatment channel 20 the injection and dosage unit 15, as mentioned above, is activated and an injection needle (not shown) is injected into the fish to correct depth. By correct depth is meant that the needle shall be located in the abdominal cavity of the fish. When the needle is in place the injection and dosage unit 15 provides a signal and dosage is activated and the vaccine is supplied into the abdominal cavity of the fish, which means between the abdominal wall and the stomach/intestines. When dosage is completed and the injection and dosage unit 15 has been retracted the pivotal plate 24 is activated. The pivotal plate rotates > 0 degrees and drops the fish down into means 40 for sorting fish. The needle is preferably controlled continuously so that there is a continuous control whether the fish has been vaccinated or not. Control of the needle is for example based on an inductive transmitter which produces an approval signal if the needle point is there, or negative signal if it fails to find the needle tip. Control of the vaccine in the injection and dosage unit 15 is for example based on a pressure difference at the time of injection. The pressure difference is measured by means of for example a pressure gauge. At low pressure a signal is produced that the vaccine is not present. The needle is affected by an air pressure after each injection incident which during normal operation shall contribute to the needle being free from shell and other impurities. In case of needle breakage or insertion problems of the needle tip, the injection and dosage unit 15 is to be stopped from further vaccination and any fish present in the system is guided out and sorted in the sorting unit 40 for re-vaccination, together with fish which for example has been double-fed and wrongly oriented, and other occasions where the fish cannot be vaccinated.

Undetectable fish, injured fish, fish that is wrongly oriented in relation to back/abdomen direction or similar are sorted out at the rear end of the conveyor belt 14 and transported back to the singularizing unit 50 if there is no injury on the fish. If the fish is injured it is sorted out. Reference is now made to Figure 4b which illustrates a principal drawing of a second embodiment of means for ensuring that fish is vaccinated separately in the form of a carrying device 30. The carrying device 30 is preferably mainly cylinder shaped, which at its outer surface is provided with carrying elements 31 which extend in the longitudinal direction of the carrying device 30 for receiving and moving of fish from the conveyor belt 14 to the vaccination position and further to sorting after treatment is completed.

The carrying device 30 is preferably also provided with means for turning the fish in desired back/abdomen direction, such as an abdomen turner 21, which in addition to turn the fish in desired back/abdomen direction guides it in place in the carrying device 30. The abdomen turner 21 preferably includes a sensor 32 which produces a signal to the carrying device 30 and the injection and dosage unit 15 that fish number X is on its way. The abdomen turner 21 is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the conveyor belt 14, so that transported fish is conveyed into the abdomen turner 21 and then into the carrying device 30.

When a fish is in place in the carrying device 30, the carrying device 30 is moved one step forward and is ready to receive the next fish. Data/information from the control unit 11 regarding injection point and injection depth have already been instructed to the injection and dosage unit 15 based on the prior performed detection/recognition and calculations.

Checking the fish position (zero point + correctly oriented) may advantageously be performed before the carrying device 30 is stepped to the vaccination position. The control is performed for example by means of an image recognition unit (not shown) arranged in connection with the injection and dosage unit 15/cycle wheel 16.

At the same time as the fish is stepped forward to vaccination position, by rotating the carrying device 30, the injection and dosage unit 15 is arranged in correct position based on

data/information about fork length from the control unit 11 and fish number X. By correct position is meant correctly adapted distance from a zero point, which e.g. will be fish nose of the fish/a front plate 33 of the carrying device 30. When the carrying device 30 has stopped the injection and dosage unit 15 is activated and vaccination is conducted in the same manner as described above.

Undetectable fish, injured fish, wrongly oriented fish in relation to back/abdomen direction or similar is either sorted out before the fish enters the carrying device 30 or out after the carrying device 30. Fish that is not injured is transported back to the singularizing unit 50 whereas fish with injuries are sorted out.

Reference is now made to Figure 5, which shows details of a sorting unit 40 according to the invention. The sorting unit 40 includes one or more sorting channels 41, e.g. one sorting channel 41 for vaccinated fish of a given size, another sorting channel 41 for vaccinated fish of another given size etc., and a sorting channel 41 for fish which has not been vaccinated, i.e. fish that is sorted out due to injuries or similar. The sorting unit 40 is adapted to the treatment channels 20 or the carrying device 30 so that fish that leave the treatment channels 20 or the carrying device 30 are collected by the sorting unit 40. The sorting unit 40 includes a sorting arm/chute 42 which guides the fish to the correct sorting channel 41. In this way the fish will, after vaccination, be guided to the correct sorting channel 41 based on data/information from the illumination and camera recognition unit 12, e.g. sorting based on theoretical weight, length, injuries or similar.

Reference is now made to Figure 6 which shows details of an injection and dosage unit 15 for vaccination according to the invention. The injection and dosage unit 15 includes three units in the form of an injection unit 60, a suction unit 61 for production of an underpressure, and a dosage unit 62. The injection unit 60 is arranged for positioning of the suction unit 61 and the dosage unit 62 in the longitudinal direction. The suction unit 61 is preferably arranged to the dosage unit 62. Moreover, the injection and dosage unit 15 includes a dosage needle (not shown) for injection of an amount of vaccine given by the dosage unit 62, and means for cleaning the dosage needle. The injection unit 60 and the suction unit 61 are arranged for being positioned in longitudinal direction and for elevation, respectively. Width adjustment is performed by the carrying device 30 or treatment channels 20. Fish to be treated has prior been analyzed with regard to length, height and possibly thickness by the illumination and camera recognition unit 12. Before the fish arrives at the vaccination position the injection unit 60 has been positioned based on the length given by the illumination and camera recognizing unit 12. When an incoming fish is located in the vaccination position, the suction device 61 is activated and moves to the correct elevation from height given by the illumination and camera recognition unit 12. The suction device 61 activates an underpressure so that the fish is sucked into the injection unit 60, in connection with vaccination. The dosage unit 62 is activated and the dosage needle of the injection unit 61 penetrates the fish and vaccination is performed. When vaccination is completed the dosage needle is retracted to the injection unit 61 at the same time as the underpressure created by the cleaning and suction unit 61 is closed off and air/water is applied to the dosage needle to clean the injection unit 60. This can for example be performed by providing the injection unit 60 with a cleaning sleeve. The suction device 61 then retains its basic position. The injection unit 60 is takes the next position (fish number 2) and the sequence may start all over again.

Modifications

Means for acquiring information may include different types of cameras, color or black and white, possibly lasers, x-ray, ultrasound, NIR (Near Infrared Spectroscopy), etc. The system and method according to the invention can be adapted to detect/determine fat, protein and water content of the fish. The detection/evaluation may, as mentioned above, be conducted whereas the fish is transported and in combination with another information collection. The content information can be performed by using NIR or similar.

The system and method of the invention can be adapted for marking individuals, either through physical marking or by ID chips, or by taking samples for DNA. The system can also be adapted to read ID chips for storing of data. These data can also be used in connection with sorting or stored in databases for further processing.

The system according to the invention may include several carrying devices for increased capacity. However, this requires that the system includes means for vaccination in connection with each carrying device. It is also conceivable to arrange means for distributing fish into different carrying devices at the end of the conveyor belt.

The system may of course also include several parallel lines which end in the same sorting unit.

Claims

1. Method for recognizing, vaccinating, sorting and documenting alive fish, by means of a system including a control unit (11), means (12) for acquiring of information about fish, transportation means (14) for transporting fish past means (12) for acquiring information about fish, and means (15) for vaccination of the individual fish, characterized in that the method includes transporting fish by means of transportation means (14) adapted for image recognition, past means (12) for acquiring information about fish for detecting/recognizing one or more of the following parameters for the individual fish:

i. length of the fish (fork length),

ii. height of the fish,

iii. thickness of the fish,

and on basis of this information:

- instruct means (40, 41, 42) means for sorting fish to sort out unwanted fish prior to vaccination, or

- instruct means (15) for vaccinating fish, including instructing means (40, 41, 42) for sorting fish after vaccination or sorting out untreated fish.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes supplying fish to the

transportation means (14) which is mainly singularized and with head/tail fin oriented in the longitudinal direction/direction of movement of the transportation means (14).

3. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes calculating biomass of the fish, i.e. theoretical weight.

4. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes checking whether the fish has injures, deviations, laying double, lie too close to each other or is wrongly oriented.

5. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that it further includes marking individuals, either by physical marking or by ID chips, or by taking samples for DNA.

6. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes detection/determination of content of fat, protein or water of the fish from image recognition, ultrasound, x-ray or NIR.

7. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes registering the sequence of fish being transported on the transportation means (14).

8. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes moving fish from the

transportation means (14) to vaccination position for vaccinating the individual fish.

9. Method according to claim 8, characterized in that the method, in connection with moving fish to the vaccination position or in connection with supply of fish to the conveyor belt (14), includes turning the fish in desired back/abdomen direction.

10. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes checking position and condition of the individual fish prior to vaccination of the fish is performed.

11. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes calculation of injection point coordinates for vaccination and injection depth for vaccination, and calculation of vaccination doses.

12. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that it includes sorting out unwanted fish due to injuries or deviations, based on length, height or wrongly oriented fish.

13. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes sorting fish after vaccination based on one or more of the following: length, height, thickness, biomass or ID marking.

14. Method according to any one of the claims 1-13, characterized in that it includes documenting all information regarding the individual fish.

15. System for recognizing, vaccinating, sorting and documenting alive fish, said system including a control unit (11), means (12) for acquiring information about fish, transportation means (14) for transport of fish past means (12) for acquiring information about fish, and one or more means (15) for vaccinating the individual fish, characterized in that the means (12) for acquiring information about fish is an illumination and camera recognition unit, which is arranged for performing image analysis of the fish be transported past by the transportation means (14) to find, investigate or calculate one or more of:

- length of the fish (fork length),

- height of the fish, - fish thickness,

- biomass (theoretical weight),

- examine whether the fish has injures, deviations, lies double, lies too close to each other or is wrongly oriented.

16. System according to claim 15, characterized in that the system includes means (40, 41, 42) for sorting fish:

- after vaccination or untreated fish, based on one or more of: fork length of the fish, height, biomass,

- sorting out unwanted fish based on one or more of: injuries, deviations, wrongly oriented fish or undetectable fish before the fish is vaccinated.

17. System according to claim 15, characterized in that the system includes means (20, 30) for ensuring that fish is vaccinated separately.

18. System according to claim 17, characterized in that means for ensuring that fish is vaccinated separately is treatment channels (20), which treatment channels (20) are arranged to ensure that fish is being vaccinated separately, which treatment channels (20) being arranged in the longitudinal direction of the means (14) for transporting fish, which treatment channels (20) further are arranged to bring the fish to a vaccination position for engagement by means (15) for vaccinating fish.

19. System according to claim 18, characterized in that the system includes means (22) for guiding fish down into the treatment channels (20).

20. System according to claim 17, characterized in that the system includes one or more carrying devices (30) provided with carrying elements (31), which carrying devices (30) being arranged for ensuring that fish is vaccinated separately, which carrying devices (30) being arranged in the longitudinal direction of the means (14) for transporting fish, which carrier devices (16) being arranged to bring the fish to a vaccination position for engagement by means (15) for vaccinating fish.

21. System according to claim 17, characterized in that means (21) for turning the fish in desired back/abdomen direction is arranged in connection with supply of fish to means (14) for transporting fish, in connection with treatment channels (20) or carrying devices (30) for the same, and guiding the fish in place in the treatment channel (20) or carrying device (30).

22. System according to claim 21, characterized in that sensor means (20) are arranged to count the number of fish supplied to the treatment channels (20) or the carrying devices (30).

23. System according to claim 13, characterized in that the system includes means (50) for supplying fish to the transportation means (14), which means (50) for supply of fish being arranged to supply fish which is mainly singularized with a given distance and with a head/tail fin orientation of the fish mainly in the longitudinal direction/direction of movement of the transportation means (14).

24. System according to any one of the claims 15-23, characterized in that the transportation means (14) are a specially designed conveyor belts with regard to illumination and camera recognition, and arranged to feed the fish into treatment channels (20) or carrying devices (30).

25. System according to any one of the claims 15-24, characterized in that the system includes an image recognizing unit arranged in connection with treatment channels (20), carrying devices (30) or means (15) for vaccinating fish for checking position and condition of the fish prior to vaccination.

26. System according to claim 15, characterized in that the means (15) for vaccinating fish is an injection and dosage unit for injection of a composition into each individual fish.

27. System according to claim 26, characterized in that the injection and dosage unit (15) includes an injection unit (60), a suction unit (61), and a dosage unit (62).

28. System according to claim 27, characterized in that the injection unit (60) includes a dosage needle, and means for cleaning the dosage needle.

29. System according to claim 27, characterized in that the suction device (61) is arranged to provide an underpressure to suck fish from treatment channels (20) or carrying devices (30) to vaccination position adjacent to the injection unit (60).

30. System according to claim 15, characterized in that the system includes one or more of the following means:

- means for marking an individual, either by physical marking or by ID chips, or by taking samples for DNA,

- means for reading ID chips for storing of data,

- means for detecting/determining content of fat, protein and water in the fish.

31. System according to claim 15, characterized in that the control unit (11) is provided with means and/or software to execute the method of claims 1-14.