NON-CONTACT EGG IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING EGG VIABILITY, AND ASSOCIATED METHOD

An egg identification system (100) for determining viability of an avian egg is provided. Such a system includes a plurality of emitter assemblies (200) configured to emit electromagnetic radiation toward one of a plurality of eggs conveyed in an egg flat (500). A plurality of detector assemblies (300) are axially aligned with the emitter assemblies (200) to detect electromagnetic radiation transmitted through each egg individually. The detector assembly is spaced-apart from the egg during operation thereof such that the detector assembly does not contact the egg. The power of each emitter is modulated at an unique frequency such that the origin of the detected light from each egg can be distinguished by filtering and contribution from adjacent light emitters can be eliminated. The detected electromagnetic radiation is used to generate an output signal. The output signal is processed to determine whether there exists a periodic variation or an aperiodic perturbation in an intensity of the electromagnetic radiation transmitted through the egg corresponding to action of a heart or embryo movement, wherein the existence of the periodic variation or aperiodic perturbation indicates that the egg is viable. An associated method is also provided.