title: High-speed weight estimation of whole herring (Clupea harengus) using 3D machine vision.
abstract: Weight is an important parameter by which the price of whole herring (Clupea harengus) is determined. Current mechanical weight graders are capable of a high throughput but have a relatively low accuracy. For this reason, there is a need for a more accurate high-speed weight estimation of whole herring. A 3-dimensional (3D) machine vision system was developed for high-speed weight estimation of whole herring. The system uses a 3D laser triangulation system above a conveyor belt moving at a speed of 1000 mm/s. Weight prediction models were developed for several feature sets, and a linear regression model using several 2-dimensional (2D) and 3D features enabled more accurate weight estimation than using 3D volume only. Using the combined 2D and 3D features, the root mean square error of cross-validation was 5.6 g, and the worst-case prediction error, evaluated by cross-validation, was ±14 g, for a sample (n = 179) of fresh whole herring. The proposed system has the potential to enable high-speed and accurate weight estimation of whole herring in the processing plants.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The 3D machine vision system presented in this article enables high-speed and accurate weight estimation of whole herring, thus enabling an increase in profitability for the pelagic primary processors through a more accurate weight grading.
authors.affiliation: SINTEF Fisheries and Aquaculture AS, Nr 7465, Trondheim, Norway.
authors.forename: John Reidar
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Mathiassen
authors.forename: Ekrem
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Misimi
authors.forename: Bendik
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Toldnes
authors.forename: Morten
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bondø
authors.forename: Stein Ove
authors.initials: SO
authors.lastname: Østvik
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D049628:Body Size; D001835:Body Weight; D002138:Calibration; D017046:Cost Savings; D005399:Fishes / Q000254:growth & development*; D005525:Food-Processing Industry / Q000191:economics / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D005628:Frozen Foods / Q000032:analysis; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D007834:Lasers; D016014:Linear Models; D008954:Models, Biological; D009659:North Sea; D009664:Norway; D010781:Photography; D017747:Seafood / Q000032:analysis* / Q000191:economics; D013997:Time Factors; D051598:Whole Body Imaging