Method and apparatus for counting somatic cells or fat droplets in milk
AssigneeDeLaval Holding AB
InventorsNils Erik Holmertz, Epke Bosma
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for counting somatic cells or fat droplets in milk on-line during milking by an automated or semi-automated milking system comprising the steps of: flowing milk as milked by the milking system through a measuring chamber (59); illuminating milk that flows through the measuring chamber; and recording multiple two-dimensional digital images of illuminated milk that flows through the measuring chamber, wherein the images are recorded through a lens system (49) to preferably obtain a spatial resolution better than about 5 microns in the images. Finally, a somatic cell or fat droplet count score of the milk is determined from the images by means of digital image processing, preferably including the use of neural networks.
Claims37
A method for counting cells or fat droplets in milk on-line during milking of a milking animal, wherein the steps of:
- flowing at least a portion of the milk as obtained during said milking of said milking animal through a measuring chamber;
- illuminating milk that flows through said measuring chamber;
- repeatedly recording about 1000 or more two-dimensional digital images of illuminated milk that flows through said measuring chamber, said two-dimensional digital images being recorded through a magnification lens system;
- and
- determining a somatic cell or fat droplet count score from said about 1000 or more two-dimensional images by means of digital image processing.
An apparatus for counting somatic cells or fat droplets in milk on-line during milking of a milking animal, wherein
- a measuring chamber, through which the milk as obtained during said milking of said milking animal is flowed;
- a light source system for illuminating milk that flows through said measuring chamber;
- a two-dimensional camera system including a lens system, for repeatedly recording about 1000 or more two-dimensional digital images of illuminated milk that flows through said measuring chamber, where said two-dimensional digital images are recorded through said lens system;
- said lens system being a magnification lens system;
- a digital image processing system for determining a somatic cell or fat droplet count score from said about 1000 or more two-dimensional images.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.