Patent ID: 8235003
Filing Date: 2012-08-07
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. A method of identifying live eggs, comprising: providing an egg opacity level distribution profile having a plurality of egg status distribution profiles indicative of egg viability at day eleven of incubation; providing an egg opacity level distribution profile having a rotten egg distribution profile, a live egg distribution profile, a dead egg distribution profile, and an infertile egg distribution profile, wherein each distribution profile corresponds to a different light level value; setting a first cutoff light level value and a second cutoff light level value according to the egg opacity level distribution profile such that eggs identified as having a light level value between the first and second cutoff light level values are designated as live egg; illuminating eggs in a carrier with light from a light source at day eleven of incubation; receiving light passing through each egg at a light detector; generating an output signal that corresponds to light received at a light detector for each respective egg; analyzing the output signal for each egg to determine a light level value of each egg; analyzing the light level value of each egg to determine the egg opacity level distribution profile; removing eggs having light level values less than the first cutoff light level value; and removing eggs having light level values greater than the second cutoff light level value, the second cutoff light level value being greater than the first cutoff light level value such that eggs analyzed as having light level values ranging between the first and second cutoff light level values are designated as live eggs and maintained in the carrier for injection.