Methods and apparatus for maintaining effective operation of apparatus for candling avian eggs
First Claim
1. A method of candling eggs, comprising:
- a) illuminating an egg with light from a light source;
b) receiving light passing through the egg at a light detector;
c) generating an output signal that corresponds to light received at the light detector for the egg; and
d) analyzing the output signal to determine whether the optical path between the light source and light detector has been altered.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Egg candling methods and apparatus are provided wherein the optical path between a light source and light detector is monitored for obscuring debris and/or malfunctions. A method of candling eggs includes illuminating an egg with light from a light source; receiving light passing through the egg at a light detector; generating an output signal that corresponds to light received at the light detector for the egg; and analyzing the output signal to determine whether the optical path between the light source and light detector has been altered. In response to determining that a respective optical path has been altered, the light source and/or light detector is cleaned and/or inspected for malfunctions. Cleaning the light source and/or light detector may include wiping a surface of the light source and/or light detector and/or spraying a surface of the light source and/or light detector with a fluid.
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Citations
41 Claims
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1. A method of candling eggs, comprising:
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a) illuminating an egg with light from a light source;
b) receiving light passing through the egg at a light detector;
c) generating an output signal that corresponds to light received at the light detector for the egg; and
d) analyzing the output signal to determine whether the optical path between the light source and light detector has been altered. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of candling eggs with a candling apparatus, wherein the candling apparatus comprises a plurality of pairs of light sources and light detectors in spaced apart relationship such that a carrier of eggs may pass therebetween, wherein each light source/light detector pair is operatively associated with a processor, wherein each light source/light detector pair defines a respective optical channel, the method comprising:
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a) illuminating eggs in a carrier with light from the light sources, wherein the eggs are arranged in rows and columns within the carrier, and wherein each egg in a row is positioned between a respective light source/light detector pair;
b) receiving light passing through each egg at a corresponding light detector;
c) generating an output signal that corresponds to light received at a light detector for each respective egg; and
d) analyzing the output signals of each optical channel to determine whether the optical path between any of the light source/light detector pairs has been altered. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An apparatus for candling eggs, comprising:
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a light source configured to illuminate an egg with light from one or more selected portions of the spectrum;
a light detector that receives light passing through an egg and that generates an output signal that corresponds to light received at the light detector for the egg; and
a processor in communication with the photodetector that analyzes the output signal to determine whether an optical path between the light source and light detector has been altered. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. An apparatus for candling eggs, comprising:
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a plurality of pairs of light sources and light detectors in spaced apart relationship such that eggs may pass therebetween, wherein each light source is configured to illuminate an egg with light from one or more selected portions of the spectrum, wherein each light detector is configured to receive light passing through an egg and to generate an output signal that corresponds to light received at the light detector for the egg, and wherein each light source/light detector pair defines a respective optical channel; and
a processor in communication with each optical channel that analyzes the output signals of each optical channel to determine whether an optical path between a light source and respective light detector has been altered. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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Specification