An acoustic signal-to-image conversion integrated convolutional neural network model for egg crack detection

1. The presence of fractures or cracks in eggshells represent a significant risk in terms of food safety. Bacteria and viruses are likely to enter through these cracks, which increases the risk of food poisoning. Furthermore, deformations in the shell can compromise the integrity of the protective shell, rendering the egg more susceptible to environmental damage and accelerating deterioration.2. In order to mitigate these risks, a convolutional neural network (CNN) integrated into an acoustic signal to image conversion was developed as a crack detection system. Mechanical and electronic sub-systems were designed to generate non-destructive acoustic excitation on the eggshell and capture the resulting sound with a high-sensitivity microphone.3. The recorded 1 × 731-sample signals from 120 intact or cracked eggs were subjected to variational mode decomposition (VMD) to extract intrinsic mode functions (IMF). Subsequently, IMF were converted to greyscale images and classified using the proposed acoustic signal-to-image conversion and the lightweight CNN.4. The proposed model showed the capability (100%) to distinguish between intact and cracked eggs, including invisible micro-cracks.