Automated high-throughput seed sample handling system and method

Abstract

A method and apparatus for processing seed or seed samples includes an autonomous sorter which sorts seed by pre-programmed criteria. Optional features can include a counter to autonomously ensure the correct number of seeds to a seed package, a cleaning device, a sheller, and a label applicator. A conveyance path, controlled automatically, can move the seed to appropriate and desired stations during the processing while maintaining the sample segregating from other samples. Validation of the sample can be pre-required and information about the sample can be derived and stored for further use.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method for processing seed derived from an experimental plot comprising:
 (a) correlating a seed sample to a plot; 
 (b) assigning or accepting correlation information for said seed sample; 
 (c) performing operations on the seed sample; 
 (d) accumulating at least some seed of the seed sample; 
 (e) non-destructively deriving/measuring one or more characteristics of the accumulated seed, wherein said non-destructively deriving/measuring one or more characteristics of the accumulated seed comprises determining genetic make-up; 
 (f) storing a derived/measured characteristic; and 
 (g) collecting the accumulated seed for further use. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  wherein the seed is corn seed. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2  wherein the seed is originally attached to its carrier comprising a cob. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1  wherein the seed is soybean seed. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4  wherein the soybean seed is originally attached to its carrier comprising a soybean plant or part thereof. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1  wherein the processing is in association with a plant breeding experiment. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1  wherein the correlation step comprises associating a machine-readable tag with one or more carrier, vegetation, tissue or structure containing said seed sample; machine-reading the tag; and validating information on the tag to a data base related to the experiment. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1  wherein the operations comprise at least one of the following: (a) separating the seed from a carrier, (b) cleaning the seed, (c) sorting the seed based on size, and (d) sorting the seed based on other than size; and the step of deriving/measuring relates to further comprises at least of one of: (i) weight, (ii) moisture content; (iii) number of seeds seed; (iv) constituents of the seeds seed, and (v) temperature of the seeds seed. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1  further comprising communicating to one or more databases, information related to said seeds seed, said operations, and/or said deriving/measuring. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 9  further comprising generating a label that can be associated with the collected accumulated seed based on an updated data base. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 1  further comprising generating a communication related to the accumulated seed for transmission to a predetermined addressee. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11  wherein the communication comprises one or more of (a) identification of accumulated seed, (b) time/date of harvest of the seed sample, and (c) time/date of performance of said operations on the seed sample. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 1  further comprising simultaneously processing a plurality of seed samples. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 13  further comprising controlling movement of and operations on said seed sample to maintain separation of seed from one sample of seed from other samples. 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 14  wherein separation is achieved by disallowing any seed for one sample to move to a location occupied by seed from another sample. 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 14  wherein separation is achieved by sequencing operations so that an operation on a succeeding seed sample can not begin until that operation on an immediately preceding seed sample is deemed completed. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 1  further comprising the operation of sizing seeds seed by a self-cleaning perforated sizing screen comprising: moving one of a surface and a sizing screen towards the other. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 1  wherein the correlation information is compared to a data set. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 17  further comprising directing pressurized air towards the screen or surface. 
     
     
       20. A method for processing seed derived from an experimental plot comprising:
 correlating a seed sample to a plot;   assigning or accepting correlation information for said seed sample;   accumulating at least some seed of the seed sample;   non-destructively deriving/measuring one or more characteristics of the accumulated seed, wherein said non-destructively deriving/measuring one or more characteristics of the accumulated seed comprises determining genetic make-up;   storing a derived/measured characteristic; and   collecting the accumulated seed for further use.   
     
     
       21. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of performing operations on the seed sample comprises shelling the seed sample. 
     
     
       22. The method of claim 1, wherein assigning or accepting correlation information for said seed comprises reading a machine-readable label. 
     
     
       23. The method of claim 22, wherein the machine-readable label is associated with the seed sample. 
     
     
       24. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
 tracking seed in the seed sample during processing using the assigned or correlated information for the seed sample.   
     
     
       25. The method of claim 24, wherein the assigned or correlated information comprises an identification string assigned to each seed. 
     
     
       26. The method of claim 24, wherein the assigned or correlated information comprises user-defined information to track seed in the seed sample. 
     
     
       27. The method of claim 24, wherein the tracking is automatic. 
     
     
       28. The method of claim 24, wherein the tracking is automated. 
     
     
       29. The method of claim 24, wherein the tracking is autonomous. 
     
     
       30. The method of claim 24, wherein locations for seed in the seed sample are known during processing based on the tracking. 
     
     
       31. The method of claim 1, wherein performing said operations on the seed sample comprises reading a machine-readable label to ascertain additional information about the seed sample. 
     
     
       32. The method of claim 31, further comprising:
 tracking seed in the seed sample during processing using the additional information about the seed sample.   
     
     
       33. The method of claim 32, wherein the additional information comprises an identification string assigned to each seed. 
     
     
       34. The method of claim 32, wherein the assigned or correlated information comprises user-defined information to track seed in the seed sample. 
     
     
       35. The method of claim 32, wherein the tracking is automatic. 
     
     
       36. The method of claim 32, wherein the tracking is automated. 
     
     
       37. The method of claim 32, wherein the tracking is autonomous. 
     
     
       38. The method of claim 32, wherein locations for seed in the seed sample are known during processing based on said tracking. 
     
     
       39. The method of claim 1, wherein performing said operations on the seed sample comprises capturing a visual characteristic of seed in the seed sample. 
     
     
       40. The method of claim 39, wherein capturing a visual characteristic of seed in the seed sample is automatic. 
     
     
       41. The method of claim 39, wherein capturing a visual characteristic of seed in the seed sample is automated. 
     
     
       42. The method of claim 39, wherein capturing a visual characteristic of seed in the seed sample is autonomous. 
     
     
       43. The method of claim 39, wherein capturing a visual characteristic of seed comprises capturing images of seed in the seed sample. 
     
     
       44. The method of claim 39, wherein said non-destructively deriving/measuring one or more characteristics of the accumulated seed is based on the captured visual characteristic of seed in the seed sample. 
     
     
       45. The method of claim 43, wherein said non-destructively deriving/measuring one or more characteristics of the accumulated seed is based on the captured images of seed in the seed sample. 
     
     
       46. The method of claim 1, wherein said non-destructively deriving/measuring one or more characteristics of the accumulated seed is automatic. 
     
     
       47. The method of claim 1, wherein said non-destructively deriving/measuring one or more characteristics of the accumulated seed is automated. 
     
     
       48. The method of claim 1, wherein said non-destructively deriving/measuring one or more characteristics of the accumulated seed is autonomous. 
     
     
       49. The method of claim 32, wherein said non-destructively deriving/measuring one or more characteristics of the accumulated seed is automatic. 
     
     
       50. The method of claim 32, wherein said non-destructively deriving/measuring one or more characteristics of the accumulated seed is automated. 
     
     
       51. The method of claim 32, wherein said non-destructively deriving/measuring one or more characteristics of the accumulated seed is autonomous. 
     
     
       52. The method of claim 35, wherein said non-destructively deriving/measuring one or more characteristics of the accumulated seed is automatic. 
     
     
       53. The method of claim 35, wherein said non-destructively deriving/measuring one or more characteristics of the accumulated seed is automated. 
     
     
       54. The method of claim 35, wherein said non-destructively deriving/measuring one or more characteristics of the accumulated seed is autonomous. 
     
     
       55. The method of claim 39, wherein said non-destructively deriving/measuring one or more characteristics of the accumulated seed is automatic. 
     
     
       56. The method of claim 39, wherein said non-destructively deriving/measuring one or more characteristics of the accumulated seed is automated. 
     
     
       57. The method of claim 39, wherein said non-destructively deriving/measuring one or more characteristics of the accumulated seed is autonomous. 
     
     
       58. The method of claim 43, wherein said non-destructively deriving/measuring one or more characteristics of the accumulated seed is automatic. 
     
     
       59. The method of claim 43, wherein said non-destructively deriving/measuring one or more characteristics of the accumulated seed is automated. 
     
     
       60. The method of claim 43, wherein said non-destructively deriving/measuring one or more characteristics of the accumulated seed is autonomous. 
     
     
       61. The method of claim 1, wherein said collecting the accumulated seed for further use comprises sorting seed based on one or more derived/measured characteristics. 
     
     
       62. The method of claim 1, wherein said collecting the accumulated seed for further use comprises sorting seed based on one or more derived/measured characteristics using at least the assigned or correlated information for the seed sample. 
     
     
       63. The method of claim 24, wherein said collecting the accumulated seed for further use comprises sorting seed based on the derived/measured characteristic using at least the assigned or correlated information for the seed sample. 
     
     
       64. The method of claim 31, wherein said collecting the accumulated seed for further use comprises sorting seed based on the derived/measured characteristic using at least the additional information. 
     
     
       65. A method for processing corn seed derived from an experimental plot comprising:
 harvesting at least one corn ear in a field plot;   mechanically separating corn seed from the at least one corn ear using a sheller to generate a seed sample;   correlating the seed sample to the field plot;   generating a bar code with identifying information about the seed sample, the identifying information being usable in a seed breeding program;   accumulating at least some seed from the seed sample;   non-destructively and individually evaluating each seed of the accumulated seed;   storing a derived/measured characteristic of the accumulated seed based on the non-destructive evaluation, the derived/measured characteristic being correlated with the identifying information about the seed sample; and   collecting the accumulated seed for further use.   
     
     
       66. The method of claim 65, wherein the derived/measured characteristic determined in the non-destructive evaluation comprises genetic make-up of the seed. 
     
     
       67. The method of claim 65, wherein the non-destructive evaluation employs a near-infrared analyzer. 
     
     
       68. The method of claim 65, wherein the non-destructive evaluation employs a photo-acoustic method. 
     
     
       69. A method for processing corn seed derived from an experimental plot comprising:
 harvesting at least one corn ear in a field plot;   mechanically separating corn seed from the at least one corn ear using a sheller to generate a seed sample;   correlating the seed sample to the field plot;   generating a bar code with identifying information about the seed sample, the identifying information being usable in a seed breeding program;   accumulating at least some seed from the seed sample;   non-destructively and individually evaluating each seed of the accumulated seed to determine one or more characteristics thereof, the one or more characteristics comprising at least a genetic make-up of the accumulated seed;   storing the one or more characteristics of the accumulated seed, the one or more characteristics being correlated with the identifying information about the seed sample; and   collecting the accumulated seed for further use.   
     
     
       70. A method for processing seed derived from an experimental plot comprising:
 generating a seed sample of seed taken from a plant grown in a field plot;   correlating the seed sample to the field plot;   generating a machine readable identifier with identifying information about the seed sample, the identifying information being usable in a seed breeding program;   accumulating at least some seed from the seed sample;   non-destructively and individually evaluating each seed of the accumulated seed to determine one or more characteristics thereof, the one or more characteristics comprising at least a genetic make-up of the accumulated seed;   storing the one or more characteristics of the accumulated seed, the one or more characteristics being correlated with the identifying information about the seed sample; and   collecting the accumulated seed for further use.   
     
     
       71. The method of claim 70, wherein the seed is corn seed. 
     
     
       72. The method of claim 70, wherein the seed is soybean seed.