The invention relates to a device for optically identifying the sex of a slaughter pig with a depth camera that has a depth camera acquisition region in which a genital region of the pig and spatial coordinates of pixels are acquired. The spatial coordinates are provided in a transmittable manner and include a positioning device to position the depth camera relative to the genital region of the pig. The device includes an evaluation unit connected to the depth camera. The spatial coordinates are acquired by the evaluation unit to determine a phenotypic sex of the pig.

The invention relates to an apparatus (10), designed and configured to acquire and analyse product-specific data for products (12) of the food processing industry, comprising a conveyor (11), which is gap-free in the transport plane, for transporting separated products (12) in transport direction T from an intake end to a discharge end, an X-ray unit (13) having at least one X-ray source (14) and at least one X-ray camera (15) for acquiring product-specific data, wherein X-ray source (14) and X-ray camera (15) are assigned to the conveyor (11) in such a manner that the products (12) can be guided along between the X-ray source (14) and the X-ray camera (15), as well as a control unit (16) which is connected to the X-ray unit (13) and is designed and configured to receive and analyse the product-specific data, forming a first data set, acquired by said X-ray unit (13), which is characterised in that at least one optical camera (17) is assigned to the same conveyor (11) between its intake end and discharge end, by means of which, in addition to the X-ray unit (13), product-specific data of the products (12) transported on said conveyor (11) can be acquired, wherein the optical camera (17) is connected to a control unit (18) which is designed and configured to receive and analyse the product-specific data, forming a second data set, acquired by the optical camera (17). The invention also relates to a system (29) comprising such an apparatus (10) as well as a method for processing products (12) of the food processing industry.

An X-ray imaging system includes an X-ray detector; a plurality of X-ray sources configured to illuminate the X-ray detector from different perspectives; a shutter in a transmission plane between each X-ray source controlling transmission of X-rays from each X-ray source to the X-ray detector; and a processor configured to receive and process X-ray data from the X-ray detector. The shutter may be configured to illuminate the X-ray detector alternately with each X-ray source. The processor may determine 3D information about an object from the processed X-ray data. Also provided are methods for processing X-ray data and different embodiments of shutters to alternately illuminate X-ray detectors.

A method for processing a live fish can include: determining a set of fish attributes of a fish, optionally sorting the fish based on the set of fish attributes, euthanizing the fish, exsanguinating the fish, and/or any other suitable steps. In variants, the method can additionally or alternatively include: discarding the fish after sorting, further processing the fish, and/or tracking the fish. However, the method can additionally and/or alternatively include any other suitable elements.

A method for processing a live fish can include: determining a set of fish attributes of a fish, optionally sorting the fish based on the set of fish attributes, euthanizing the fish, exsanguinating the fish, and/or any other suitable steps. In variants, the method can additionally or alternatively include: discarding the fish after sorting, further processing the fish, and/or tracking the fish. However, the method can additionally and/or alternatively include any other suitable elements.

A method, arrangement and apparatus are provided for training at least one neural network for locating bony parts present in a poultry leg. The method includes the steps: conveying the poultry legs in a conveying direction by a conveying device; acquiring digital images of the front side or back side of each of the poultry legs conveyed past the imaging system by a first optical imaging system; sequentially providing the digital images as input data to a first neural network configured for locating the bony parts, wherein the first neural network for locating the bony parts has been trained by a described method; and determining position data of the bony parts by the first neural network; and providing the position data, for display and/or transmission, to a downstream machine for processing the poultry legs on the basis of the determined position data.

A method to capture data for animals to be slaughtered with an image capture unit that has an image capture range in which a surface of an animal to be slaughtered is captured visually and in which image points on the surface of the animal are captured. The capture unit provides image point data from the image points in transmittable form. An evaluation unit captures the point data and uses the point data to capture markings on the rear surface of the animal. The evaluation unit provides the markings as a storable capture result. Image points on the surface of the animal are captured in the image capture range. The points contain the markings. The capture unit transmits the point data. The evaluation unit captures the image point data. The method makes an association of an identification code for an animal with the point data. The evaluation unit provides the markings as a storable capture result with the code for the animal.

An automated system and method is provided for separating left and right animal carcass cuts from one another. The system includes a conveyor to carry cut meat pieces along a path. A sensor generates a signal corresponding to the left or right cuts, and sends the signal to a processor or controller, which actuates a product diverter, which moves across the conveyor so as to push and remove selected meat pieces from the conveyor for further processing on a separate line. The diverters are pivotal out of the conveyor path if engaged by meat piece intended to continue along the conveyor path.

An approach to noninvasively and remotely detect the presence, location, and/or quantity of a target substance in a scene via a spectral imaging system comprising a spectral filter array and image capture array. For a chosen target substance, a spectral filter array is provided that is sensitive to selected wavelengths characterizing the electromagnetic spectrum of the target substance. Elements of the image capture array are optically aligned with elements of the spectral filter array to simultaneously capture spectrally filtered images. These filtered images identify the spectrum of the target substance. Program instructions analyze the acquired images to compute information about the target substance throughout the scene. A color-coded output image may be displayed on a smartphone or computing device to indicate spatial and quantitative information about the detected target substance. The system desirably includes a library of interchangeable spectral filter arrays, each sensitive to one or more target substances.

An approach to noninvasively and remotely detect the presence, location, and/or quantity of a target substance in a scene via a spectral imaging system comprising a spectral filter array and image capture array. For a chosen target substance, a spectral filter array is provided that is sensitive to selected wavelengths characterizing the electromagnetic spectrum of the target substance. Elements of the image capture array are optically aligned with elements of the spectral filter array to simultaneously capture spectrally filtered images. These filtered images identify the spectrum of the target substance. Program instructions analyze the acquired images to compute information about the target substance throughout the scene. A color-coded output image may be displayed on a smartphone or computing device to indicate spatial and quantitative information about the detected target substance. The system desirably includes a library of interchangeable spectral filter arrays, each sensitive to one or more target substances.