Automated high-throughput seed processing apparatus

An apparatus for automated processing of soybean seed comprising:

• i. a conveyance path comprising:
• a. an input adapted for receipt of a soybean plant, a soybean pod, and/or soybean seed;
• b. an output adapted to provide quantified, packaged soybean seed;
• ii. the apparatus further comprising a soybean seed processing station between the inlet and outlet, said soybean seed processing station comprising:
• a. a sorting station for autonomously sorting soybean seed based on characteristics automatically non-destructively sensed from the seed;
• b. a counting station for counting sets of soybean seed by a single seed quantifier, wherein the counting station comprises a seed receiving port and a seed counter sensor, wherein the counting station is configured to singulate each respective seed from other seed and individually deliver each singulated seed to the seed receiving port, wherein the seed counter sensor is configured to individually detect each singulated seed, and wherein the counting station is further configured to selectively discard seed received through the seed receiving port and detected by the seed counter sensor;
• and
• c. a packaging station for compartmentalizing quantified sets of soybean seed within a container for delivery to a seed requesting location;
• and
• iii. a controller positioned in operative communication with the counting station,
• wherein the controller is configured to automatically instruct the the counting station to discard seed above a target seed count.

A seed processing apparatus providing automated submission and filling of seed delivery requests for use in plant breeding, the seed processing apparatus comprising:

• a seed identification means for matching an identity of previously harvested seed with a seed delivery request;
• a seed sorting means for autonomously separating and sorting seed from unwanted seed and/or plant parts based on distinguishing characteristics automatically non-destructively sensed from each seed;
• a single seed counting means for quantifying sets of seed from retained seed by singulating each respective seed from other seed and individually delivering each singulated seed to a seed receiving port, wherein the single seed counting means comprises a seed counter sensor configured to individually detect each singulated seed, and wherein the seed counting means is configured to selectively discard seed received through the seed receiving port and detected by the seed counter sensor;
• a seed packaging means for compartmentalizing counted sets of seed from subsequent counted sets of seed within packaging for delivery to a seed requesting location;
• and
• a controller positioned in operative communication with the the single seed counting means,
• wherein the controller is configured to automatically instruct the single seed counting means to discard seed above a target seed count from the seed request order.