Abstract: This invention relates to a method and an apparatus for characterizing eggshells of eggs, the eggs being supported, comprising: —deforming the eggshell, —scanning the eggshell with a laser beam of a Self Mixing Laser Vibrometer (SMLV) with scanning signals, whereby a reflection light signal of reflection light is obtained, —processing scanning signal and the reflection signal with the SMLV, whereby a mixed signal with crack information is obtained, —during scanning moving the eggs relative to the SMLV, —comparing the signals with preset criteria and characteristics of such eggs, whereby comparative data are obtained, and —characterizing the eggshells on the basis of the comparative data.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and an apparatus for characterizing eggshells of eggs, the eggs being supported, comprising:—deforming the eggshell,—scanning the eggshell with a laser beam of a Self Mixing Laser Vibrometer (SMLV) with scanning signals, whereby a reflection light signal of reflection light is obtained,—processing scanning signal and the reflection signal with the SMLV, whereby a mixed signal with crack information is obtained,—during scanning moving the eggs relative to the SMLV,—comparing the signals with preset criteria and characteristics of such eggs, whereby comparative data are obtained, and—characterizing the eggshells on the basis of the comparative data.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for determining weights of eggs, comprising,—exposing the eggs to electromagnetic radiation having a wavelength of at least 200 nm and thereby illuminating and/or candling the eggs,—recording and processing images that are obtained from differences in intensity of radiation transmitted during illuminating and/or candling, whereby image data and/or derivatives thereof are established, wherein the method furthermore comprises at least a second type of detection, wherein in combination with the image data and/or derivatives thereof the weight of each egg is obtained. The proposed second manner of detection is preferably either a detection method utilizing a vibration analysis or a method in which a specific form of image processing and image analysis is used. Furthermore, the invention relates to devices suitable for these detection methods, as well as to apparatuses, such as sorting machines, where these devices are used.