SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROCESSING EGGS

• US 20110175974A1
• Filed: 01/20/2010
• Published: 07/21/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/20/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Yta Holdings, LLC
• Original Assignee: Ten Media Llc
• Inventors: Hegyi, Marco Armand, Brown, Allan Irwin, Anderson, Greg, Chait, Mitchell Barry
• Granted Patent: US 8,823,758 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 347/247
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 43/10 Grading and stamping
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/4073 Printing on three-dimensional objects not being in sheet or web form, e.g. spherical or cubic objects B41J3/283, B41J3/286 take precedence; building up a 3D object using individual droplets from jetting heads B29C64/112

Abstract

A method for laser marking eggs is disclosed which comprises using a machine vision system to monitor laser marking of eggs by a laser marking system, and adjusting one or more parameters of the laser marking system based upon determinations made by the machine vision system. Additionally, a system for laser marking eggs is disclosed which comprise a machine vision system and one or more control elements. The machine vision system is configured and arranged to monitor laser marking of eggs by a laser marking system, and the one or more control elements are configured and arranged to adjust one or more parameters of the laser marking system based upon determinations made by the machine vision system. Further, a system for laser marking eggs is disclosed comprising multiple laser marking apparatuses and a central server. The laser marking apparatuses are configured and arranged to perform laser marking jobs queued by local computers for laser marking eggs being packed by egg packing stations. The central server is configured to distribute the laser marking jobs to the local computers. In addition, a method is disclosed for controlling laser marking jobs which comprises distributing the laser marking jobs from a central computer to local computers responsible for queuing laser marking jobs to one or more laser marking apparatuses configured and arranged to laser mark information on eggs.

Claims

1. A method for laser marking eggs, comprising:

(a) using a machine vision system to monitor laser marking of eggs by a laser marking system; and

(b) adjusting one or more parameters of the laser marking system based upon determinations made by the machine vision system.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the step (a) comprises using the machine vision system to monitor a performance characteristic of the laser marking process; and

the step (b) comprises adjusting an operational parameter of at least one component of the laser marking system based upon the monitored performance characteristic.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the step (a) comprises using the machine vision system to monitor one or more characteristics of the eggs that are to be marked by the laser marking system; and

the step (b) comprises adjusting an operational parameter of at least one component of the laser marking system based upon the one or more measured characteristics.

4. A system for laser marking eggs, comprising:

a machine vision system configured and arranged to monitor laser marking of eggs by a laser marking system; and

one or more control elements configured and arranged to adjust one or more parameters of the laser marking system based upon determinations made by the machine vision system.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein:

the machine vision system is further configured and arranged to monitor a performance characteristic of the laser marking process; and

the one or more control elements are further configured to adjust an operational parameter of at least one component of the laser marking system based upon the monitored performance characteristic.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein:

the machine vision system is further configured and arranged to monitor one or more characteristics of the eggs that are to be marked by the laser marking system; and

the one or more control elements are further configured to adjust an operational parameter of at least one component of the laser marking system based upon the one or more measured characteristics.

7. A system for laser marking eggs, comprising:

a plurality of laser marking apparatuses configured and arranged to perform laser marking jobs queued by local computers for laser marking eggs being packed by egg packing stations; and

a central server, coupled to the local computers, configured to distribute the laser marking jobs to the local computers.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the central server is coupled to the local computers via the Internet.

9. A method for controlling laser marking jobs, comprising a step of:

(a) with a central server, distributing the laser marking jobs from the central computer to local computers responsible for queuing laser marking jobs to one or more laser marking apparatuses configured and arranged to laser mark information on eggs.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the step (a) comprises distributing the laser marking jobs from the central server to the local computers via the Internet.