Patent ID: 9702859
Date: 2017-07-11
CPC Classifications: A01K,A61B,G01N

Claim:
1. An egg identification system for determining viability of an avian egg, the system comprising: a conveyor system configured to convey an egg flat containing a plurality of eggs; a plurality of emitter assemblies configured to emit electromagnetic radiation simultaneously, each emitter assembly being configured to emit electromagnetic radiation toward one of the eggs conveyed in the egg flat, wherein each emitter assembly is modulated at a unique frequency to allow it to be distinguished in the electrical domain; a plurality of detector assemblies axially aligned with a respective emitter assembly, each detector assembly being configured to detect the electromagnetic radiation transmitted through a respective egg, the detector assemblies being configured to concurrently distinguish the frequency of the modulated electromagnetic radiation in the electrical domain; and a processor configured to process an output signal of each detector assembly to determine whether the electromagnetic radiation transmitted through a respective egg as detected by each detector assembly is indicative of a viable or non-viable egg.