Camera equipment used to monitor and identify animals or parts thereof, and associated livestock sheds.

Abstract

A camera device for observing and identifying livestock in a pen environment includes: a housing having an outer surface and a light-transmitting opening; optics for forming an image of the environment; a photosensor disposed within the housing for recording the formed image; an image processing device for processing the recorded image and identifying at least a portion of the pen animals therein; and a control unit. A first portion of the outer surface is lighter in color than a second portion of the outer surface on at least one side directly surrounding the opening, the second portion being opposite the opening and at least half the size of the first portion. Because the color is lighter around one or more openings for this camera, it is far less contaminated by flies compared to known cameras where the area around these openings is black. This is important for most autonomously operated cameras used for animal identification.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a camera device for observing and identifying at least a portion of livestock in a pen environment, the camera device comprising: a housing having an outer surface and a light-transmitting opening; an optics element disposed within the housing and behind the opening for forming an image of a portion of the environment of the camera; a photosensitive sensor having a pixel matrix disposed within the housing and configured to record the formed image; an image processing device for processing the recorded image and for identifying at least a portion of the pen animals therein; and a control unit for controlling the camera device.

[0002] Such camera equipment is known and is used, for example, for monitoring pregnant animals and identifying estrus cycles. For animal parts to be identified, the image must be sufficiently clear and undisturbed. In pen environments, especially for ruminants such as cattle, many insects, particularly flies, are present. These flies often exhibit a strong tendency to land on objects such as cameras and leave their droppings on them. This droppings interfere with the observed image and thus with the ability to monitor (and especially identify) animals or their parts. As pixels are obscured or blurred, image processing equipment becomes increasingly unreliable.

[0003] Unreliable camera equipment can lead to undesirable situations, such as false alarms or missed alarms. To prevent this, camera equipment must be cleaned relatively frequently, which is generally undesirable.

[0004] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to improve the camera device so that it becomes more reliable by requiring less frequent cleaning, and in particular by reducing contamination from flies and the like.

[0005] This invention achieves this objective through a camera device, particularly a camera device for observing and identifying at least a portion of livestock in a pen environment, the camera device comprising: a housing having an outer surface and a light-transmitting opening; optics disposed within the housing and behind the opening for forming an image of a portion of the environment of the camera; a photosensitive sensor having a pixel matrix disposed within the housing and configured to record the formed image; an image processing device for processing the recorded image and for identifying at least a portion of the pen animals therein; and a control unit for controlling the camera device, wherein a first portion of the outer surface is at least directly around the opening, on one side of the opening, a second portion of the outer surface being lighter in color than a second portion of the outer surface, the second portion being farther from the opening and being at least half the size of the first portion.

[0006] Compared to comparable camera devices where the color around the opening is not lighter, the camera device according to the invention experiences significantly fewer fly visits and therefore less associated contamination. It is not necessary to explain that the inventors believe that flies are less likely to perceive the lighter-colored first portion as a potential hiding place or other escape route, and therefore less likely to see it as an attractive resting place, compared to the farther, darker-colored second portion. Such a second portion, therefore, naturally has a corresponding relative area and is at least half the size of the lighter-colored first portion. Furthermore, the indirect benefit of reduced fly traffic is that spiders will also be less prevalent due to a reduced food supply. This results in fewer spider webs, and a lower risk of such webs hanging in front of the lens (opening).

[0007] It should be noted that, for example, known camera devices are also used in milking robots to identify teats. However, such camera devices are always associated with cleaning equipment, making the aforementioned problems of manual cleaning almost nonexistent. Therefore, the present invention specifically relates to camera devices without associated cleaning equipment. Furthermore, general surveillance cameras are known, but these cameras almost always only transmit images without identifying the animals or parts of animals within them. In this case, it is less important to keep the path of light (e.g., lens surface, etc.) free from interference from fly droppings, etc. After all, the images are reviewed by humans, who are better able to identify animals in the images disturbed by such droppings. Therefore, the present invention explicitly relates to camera devices with built-in image recognition and without associated cleaning equipment. Examples include cameras installed in farrowing pens or similar facilities for sheep, pigs, etc.; cameras monitoring the behavior of livestock herds (e.g., estrus in cattle); cameras monitoring growing animals (e.g., calves); etc.

[0008] It is also important to note that camera devices that are essentially entirely light-colored will be more susceptible to flies and the like, and are therefore not part of this invention. Advantageously, the housing (always on the outside, of course) has a lighter-colored first part and a darker-colored second part, because flies are then guided away from the first part and attracted to the second part. This is an example of push-pull technology.

[0009] Finally, it should be noted that the present invention uses only passive, non-moving parts, and not active moving parts, such as fans. Therefore, the device according to the invention has the advantage of less wear and tear, and these measures are also more reliable than active measures. Of course, any additional known measures, such as the aforementioned fan, can be provided for the camera device according to the invention, which can, for example, generate airflow through the lens.

[0010] Advantageous embodiments are described in the appended dependent claims and in the following descriptive section.

[0011] In particular, the first part is lighter in color than any other part of the outer surface. This reinforces the push-pull principle, because flies and the like will therefore perceive this first part as the least attractive portion of the outer surface.

[0012] The feature of "lighter color" is not particularly limited in itself, and various variations are possible. Several different variations will be given below, wherein if the first and second parts conform to at least one such variation, then the camera device conforms to the present invention.

[0013] Advantageously, the first part is lighter in color according to the color sensitivity of one or more predetermined flying insect species to be avoided. While the invention still achieves satisfactory results with a lighter-colored first part based on human standards, the results could be even better if the coloring were suitable for the one or more insect species. After all, their color sensitivity may differ from that of humans. In particular, flies (Fly genus) frequently found in shed environments were chosen in this case. Compared to humans, their sensitivity is biased towards the shorter wavelength portion of the spectrum. In this case, sensitivity to red is (significantly) reduced, while sensitivity to blue-violet and longer wavelengths of UV is relatively high. By taking this into account in the coloring of the first and second parts, and optionally the rest of the outer surface of the shell, a camera device less susceptible to contamination can be effectively obtained. For example, white, pale yellow, and light green are suitable colors for the first part, while black, blue, purple, and red are suitable colors for the second part or other parts of the outer surface. In other words, the aforementioned second part advantageously has a spectral reflectance with a maximum value between UV(A) and a wavelength of 500 nm. Therefore, the color appearance will be in the blue-violet portion of the spectrum.

[0014] Specifically, the appropriate color of the first portion can also be indicated in other ways. In an embodiment, the first portion of the outer surface has a color whose blue value is at most equal to the highest of the red and green values ​​of the optimal RGB equivalent, or a color with a positive b* value in the CIELAB color space. This means that the blue value is at most 10% higher than the highest of the red and green values ​​of the RGB color that best corresponds to the color of the portion of the housing surrounding the opening, or the b* value in the CIELAB color space is located in the yellow portion rather than the blue portion. In principle, this is measured under illumination of a standard illuminator D65, but in practice, comparable results can be obtained with many types of conventional illumination. Advantageously, the portion of the housing surrounding the opening is white or gray, i.e., has red, green, and blue values ​​that are each at most 5% different from their combined average and preferably equal and as high as possible. Furthermore, it can be advantageous to provide the second portion with a color with a negative b* value in the CIELAB color space, or an RGB equivalent color with a blue value as the highest value. The lighter color in the first part and the potentially bluer color in the second part have a positive (i.e. reduced) effect on the number of times insects / flies visit the relevant surfaces (such as lenses, cover plates, and base plates).

[0015] In this embodiment, the expression "lighter color" is defined as an L* value that is at least 20 higher in the CIELAB color space. The L* value is a measure of the "lightness" of a color, where a value of 0 represents black and a value of 100 represents diffuse white. Bright white can have even higher values. If the L* value is at least 20 higher, then the color is light enough to produce the effect of fewer flies. Of course, a larger difference will also provide a greater effect.

[0016] In this embodiment, the expression "lighter color" is defined as having a diffuse reflectance at least 10%, advantageously at least 20%, higher than that of the second portion or any other portion of the outer surface. This is measured using an illuminator D65, but similar differences will be produced using many other similar light sources. This difference in diffuse reflectance manifests as a difference in attractiveness between the first portion and the second or other portions of the outer surface. In absolute values, the diffuse reflectance is particularly at least 40%, and more particularly at least 50%.

[0017] It should be understood that giving a precise description of a color as "lighter" is not straightforward, although it is relatively simple for the average observer. However, the given definition is a guideline, and equivalents of definitions given in other color systems will be equally valid.

[0018] In an embodiment, a tunnel-shaped guide portion is provided between the opening and the optics. This guide portion is darker on the inside and has a reflectance of up to 20%, preferably up to 10%, or an L* value of up to 25 in the CIELAB color space. In most cases, the optics (i.e., one or more optical elements used to form an image on a photosensitive sensor) are located slightly below the outer surface of the housing, requiring an opening to allow light to reach the sensor. To prevent dust, light, water, etc., from entering the housing through the opening and spreading to the optics, a tunnel-shaped connection is typically present between the edge of the housing and the optics. This tunnel-shaped connection is located on the inside, i.e., the side visible from the outside of the camera device, and preferably exhibits low reflectance. It is preferably matte and as dark as possible, preferably black, to suppress stray light. In this case, the reflectance or L* value is therefore preferably as low as possible. Preferably, the tunnel-shaped portion is as small as possible to prevent flies, etc., from still using the opening as a refuge or hiding place. In an embodiment, a light-transmitting cover is provided in the opening to protect against dust, etc., on the optics. This cover is preferably flush and flat relative to the housing at the opening.

[0019] In one embodiment, the image processing device includes an image processor disposed within the housing, wherein the distance between the image processor and the opening is at least half of the maximum external dimension of the housing. The image processor is typically a component that generates a relatively large amount of heat and is therefore hotter than most other parts of the camera device. By placing this portion in a part of the housing furthest from the opening, particularly in the half furthest from the opening, the portion of the housing surrounding the opening will not be as hot as the portion of the housing on the opposite side (i.e., the side where the image processor is located). Heat appears to be another important factor in attracting flies and the like, so this measure helps to further reduce the relative number of insect visits to the opening or optics. The image processing device may also be located in a separate second housing, such that any heat generation does not affect the housing with the opening.

[0020] In principle, there are no particular limitations on the design of the camera's photosensor; for example, it can be a conventional RGB sensor. In certain embodiments, the camera device includes a light source, particularly a projector, with a power source and an emitter, and the distance between the power source and the opening is at least half the maximum external dimension of the housing. These embodiments are capable of emitting the desired light themselves, making them usable even in darkness, compared to conventional RGB sensors used in ordinary cameras. Because the light source and the potential power source can and often will become hot, it is again advantageous that they are located in the half of the housing opposite to the opening, or at least at a distance from the opening. Similarly, the hotter part of the housing attracts more flies than the colder part. In particular, the light source involves a projector, and the optical sensors include a stereo camera in the form of two (or more) independent RGB sensors. Examples of light sources are LEDs and laser diodes or tubes. For example, the latter are used to actively project patterns onto the environment. The reflection of the pattern can be used to determine a 3D representation of this environment. In this case, the laser diode or tube itself can be considered the light source, while the mask, etc., can be considered the projector. In all cases, it will be clear, both theoretically and practically, which component becomes the hottest.

[0021] Specifically, the housing includes first cooling ribs on its outer side, which are thermally connected to the light source and / or the image processor. These first cooling ribs are generally necessary for proper thermal management of the light source and / or image processor. Naturally, these first cooling ribs dissipate heat to the outside and will therefore be hotter than the rest of the housing. Because the light source / image processor is particularly far from the opening, a similar arrangement can easily be made for the cooling ribs.

[0022] In one embodiment, the control unit includes a sensor control unit for controlling and reading out sensors, and the housing includes second cooling ribs that are thermally connected to the sensor control unit and thermally separated from the first cooling ribs. Where applicable, the sensor control unit is also advantageously cooled by providing cooling ribs. Although the first and second cooling ribs have the same function, they are advantageously thermally separated from each other because the second cooling ribs almost always remain cooler than the first cooling ribs, since the power generated by the sensor control unit is almost always significantly lower than the power of the light source or image processor.

[0023] The dimensions of the cooling ribs are appropriate for the amount of heat they dissipate, either evenly or to the maximum extent. However, for the first and / or second cooling ribs, the distance between the ribs is particularly at least 6 mm, preferably between 6 mm and 10 mm. With this distance between the ribs, less dust accumulates between them, and they are more attractive to flies crawling between the ribs, thus preventing flies from landing on or around the openings.

[0024] The present invention also relates to a livestock pen for livestock animals, particularly ruminants, comprising living spaces for one or more of the livestock animals, and having a camera device according to the invention configured to observe and identify at least a part of at least one of the livestock animals. In such livestock pens, large numbers of flies and other flying insects are often present, which can severely contaminate the camera device and make the function of identifying animals or parts of animals unreliable, or at least require frequent cleaning of the camera device. Using the camera device according to the invention, it is possible to reliably observe and identify animals or parts thereof in such livestock pens for particularly long periods without the need for cleaning.

[0025] Specifically, in this case, the camera device is configured to observe and identify the animal or parts thereof from above. Such camera devices are typically installed at a relatively high altitude above the ground and are not easily accessible to users; therefore, it is important that they do not require frequent cleaning. This is possible using the camera device according to the invention. An example here is a cattle shed equipped with a camera device that monitors the cattle in the shed from above, for example, to identify the relative crowding in certain areas, such as at feeding pens or water troughs. This information can then be used by or by autonomous vehicles (such as manure scrapers).

[0026] The invention will now be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0027] Figure 1 The shed according to the invention is shown schematically;

[0028] Figure 2 A side view of a camera device according to the present invention is shown schematically;

[0029] Figure 3 schematically shown Figure 2 A bottom view of the camera equipment; and

[0030] Figure 4 schematically shown Figure 2 The cross-section of the camera device.

[0031] Figure 1 A shed 1 according to the invention is schematically shown. The shed 1 has an interior space 2 for livestock 3 to roam and a birthing pen 4 for birthing animals 5. A first camera device 7 according to the invention is suspended on the roof truss 6 and has a field of view 8. A second camera device 9 according to the invention is disposed in the birthing pen and has a field of view 10.

[0032] The livestock shed 1 is shown here as a livestock shed for a variety of animals, although only a single livestock animal 3 is shown. The livestock animal 3 here is, for example, cattle or pigs, which are usually kept in large groups. Animals can also be kept in small groups or even individually, such as horses, which often represent high individual value.

[0033] The camera device 7 according to the invention is suspended high above the livestock 3, for example, suspended from the roof truss 6, so as to allow observation of a sufficient number of livestock in the field of view 8. The first camera device 7 is used, for example, to observe the livestock 3 to see if any aggregation of livestock occurs in any place, if there is panic (e.g., based on many rapid movements), if a (female) livestock 3 is in estrus, because it is being ridden by another livestock and thus hidden, etc. The high position of the camera device 7 means that it is generally not easy to clean, so it is important that it is not too contaminated, especially by fly droppings, which cannot be shown to scale here but may be abundant in the shed. For this reason, the camera device 7 is configured according to the invention, as will be explained in more detail below.

[0034] The second camera device 9 according to the invention is set in a separate birthing pen 4, having a field of view 10 for observing and monitoring the birthing animals 5. Because birthing is a risky event, and farmers or veterinarians cannot or do not expect to be present at all times, it is particularly important that the images from the camera device 9 be as reliable as possible and therefore as free from the influence of flies and their droppings as possible. For this reason, the second camera device 9 is also configured according to the invention.

[0035] Figure 2 A schematic side view of a camera device 20 according to the invention is shown. The camera device includes a housing 21, and first cooling ribs 23 in a first row 22 with a spacing 24 and second cooling ribs 26 in a second row 25 with a spacing 27 on the housing. 28 indicates a base plate, and k indicates a cable for power and / or data flow.

[0036] Figure 3 schematically shown Figure 2 A bottom view of camera device 20. 29-C indicates the opening for the projector, 29-L and 29-R indicate the openings for the left and right cameras respectively, and 29-A indicates the opening for the attached RGB camera.

[0037] Figure 4 schematically shown Figure 2A cross-section of the camera device 20 is shown. Within the housing 21, a light source 30 with light source optics 31, a projector tunnel 32, and a projector cover 33 are shown, along with left (-L) and right (-R) sensor control units 40, optical sensors 41, sensor optics 42, camera tunnels 43, and camera cover 44. 50 represents the RGB sensor control unit, 51 represents the RGB sensor, 52 represents the RGB optics, 53 represents the RGB camera tunnel, and 54 represents the RGB camera cover. Furthermore, an image processing device 60, a main control unit 61, and a power supply 62 are also provided. Finally, 63 represents… Figure 2 64 represents the lower boundary of the first cooling rib 23, and 64 represents the upper boundary of the second cooling rib 26.

[0038] Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 The illustrated camera device 20 includes a stereo camera with a projector, a left camera, and a right camera, as well as a separate optical RGB camera; however, other camera types are also possible, such as a time-of-flight 3D camera. The stereo camera includes a projector with a light source 30 and optics 31, and this projector is powered by a power supply 62. The light source 30 may include, for example, a visible light or infrared emitter and a projection panel, wherein the emitter is the actual light source, and the projection panel is a fixed or non-fixed plate used, together with the light source optics, to pattern the emitted light within the field of view of the camera device 20. The light source 30 may also simply emit light captured by the left, right, and right cameras.

[0039] The emitted light will pass through the projector tunnel 32. To prevent stray light, the inner side of the projector tunnel is preferably dark and matte, such as matte black. The light will pass through... Figure 3 The opening 29-C shown exits the housing 21. To prevent dust, water, etc. from entering, the opening 29-C is provided with a transparent (e.g., glass) projector cover 33. It should be noted that the corresponding tunnels 43-L, 43-R, and 53, and the corresponding covers 44-L, 44-R, and 54 perform similar functions for the openings 29-L, 29-R, and 29-A, and therefore they will not be discussed separately.

[0040] The stereo camera includes a left camera and a right camera, each with corresponding optics 42-L and 42-R, corresponding optical sensors 41-L and 41-R, and corresponding sensor control units 40-L and 40-R. Optics 42 are used to project images onto optical sensors 41, which, as known in the prior art, include a pixel matrix in each case. These pixels are then read out by sensor control units 40. Images from the left optical sensor 41-L and the right optical sensor 41-R are processed by an image processing device 60 into a spatial image of the space seen by the camera device, the image processing device being provided with at least one processor. For example, in Figure 1 In the middle, the first camera device 7 sees part of the internal space 2 within the field of view 8.

[0041] In addition to the two cameras of the stereo camera, a regular RGB camera can also be installed in the housing 21, which can provide color images, for example. These color images can serve as an aid to the image processing device 60 and the user.

[0042] The base plate 28 at least directly surrounds, and preferably completely surrounds, the opening 29, and is lighter in color than the other outer surfaces of the housing 21. For example, the base plate 28 is white, for instance, coated with varnish, sprayed, or painted. Other light colors are also possible, such as pale yellow, or metallic colors, such as aluminum or chrome. It is also advantageous that the hue does not tend towards blue. For this purpose, the color is made as close as possible to the RGB spectrum, for example, by spectrophotometry. If the proportion of blue in this RGB equivalent is less than the proportion of red and / or less than the proportion of green, then the color is considered not to tend towards blue. However, the lighter the hue of the base plate 28, i.e., the closer the red, green, and blue values ​​are to each other and become higher, the less important the hue becomes. According to the invention, dark colors (e.g., intense colors) with a reflectance below 40% are not suitable for the base plate 28. Incidentally, this color requirement is not suitable for one or more other external parts of the camera device. For example, it is likely that the cooling ribs 23 or 26 would have intense colors, such as red or blue, with a reflectance below 40%. Other ways of indicating "lighter" or "darker" / "stronger" are also possible, such as having higher or lower L* values ​​in the CIELAB color space, for example, "lighter" between 60 and 100, while "darker" is at most 40. Refer to the introduction of this specification.

[0043] As can be seen, the image processing device 60 and power supply 62 are located in the uppermost part of the housing 21 (in the figure), above the lower boundary 63, and thermally connected to the first cooling rib 23. Conversely, the sensor control units 40-L, 40-R, and 50 are located in the lower part, below the upper boundary 64, and thermally connected to the second cooling rib 26. The image processing device 60 and power supply are the hottest parts of the camera device 20, at least hotter than, for example, the sensor control units 40 and 50, so the first cooling rib 23 will generally be hotter than the second cooling rib 26. Here, it should be noted that the first and second cooling ribs are thermally separated. The effect of this measure is that flies and the like will be attracted to the first cooling rib 23 rather than the second cooling rib 26, and will therefore move further away from the opening 29. Thus, they will not contaminate the covers 33, 44, 54 more quickly (or, if not the covers, the optics behind the covers). To improve the effectiveness of this measure of attracting flies away from the opening 29, it is advantageous to make the distance between the heat-generating components and the opening as large as possible. Therefore, it is advantageous that the distance between at least one of these openings 29 and the image processing device 60 and / or the power supply 62 is at least half the dimension of the housing 21 in the direction parallel to the emitted light. Specifically, this distance is at least half the maximum external dimension of the housing 21. In practice, this typically corresponds to a situation where the image processing device 60 and / or the power supply 62 are located in one half of the housing 20, and the openings are on the outside of the other half, as far away from components 60 and 62 as possible. The cooling ribs 23 then cool these hotter components 60 and 62 at a distance from the openings 29.

[0044] Furthermore, the distance between the cooling ribs is denoted as d1 for the first cooling rib 23 and d2 for the second cooling rib 26. Advantageously, these distances d1 and d2 are substantially the same, and the positioning of the cooling ribs 23 and 26 makes them substantially straight relative to each other, so that the airflow through them is as unobstructed as possible. Furthermore, it is advantageous that such distances d1 and d2 prevent excessive dust accumulation between the cooling ribs, and that flies use the cooling ribs as hiding places. In this way, they are lured further away from the opening 29. The advantageous distances d1 and d2 depend to some extent on the size of the most common flies, but in practice, a distance of at least 6 mm seems useful. A distance between 6 mm and 10 mm is advantageous in order to also maintain sufficient cooling capacity of the cooling ribs.

[0045] The camera device according to the invention experiences low levels of contamination, particularly from flies in shed environments. For example, the camera device described herein, with a stereo camera and a white backplate 28 and a red second cooling rib 26, is compared to a camera device otherwise identical, with an all-black backplate. This test was conducted during peak fly season, from July 20th to September 20th. The standard used was that cleaning was necessary if less than 75% of the pixels in the stereo camera gave a valid value for the stereo image (i.e., the pixels were effectively recognized in both sub-images). The camera unit with the black backplate required cleaning twice a week, while the camera unit according to the invention with the white backplate 28 only required cleaning once every two months. Needless to say, this reduction in cleaning needs is highly desirable.

[0046] The main control unit 61 is shown as part of, or at least integrated with, the image processing device 60. For example, the two components may form a single unit, or at least be mounted on a single PCB. However, they can certainly be separate modules. The main control unit 61 is used, for example, to control the data flow of the sensor / camera, to monitor the temperature of the components, etc.

Claims

1. A camera device for observing and identifying at least a portion of livestock in a pen environment, said camera device comprising: - A housing having an outer surface and a light-transmitting opening. - Optical components, disposed within the housing and behind the opening, for forming an image of a portion of the camera's environment. - A photosensitive sensor having a pixel matrix, disposed within the housing, and configured to record the formed image as a recorded image. - An image processing device for processing the recorded images and for identifying at least a portion of the livestock therein. and a control unit, the control unit being used to control the camera device, in, A first portion of the outer surface is lighter in color than a second portion of the outer surface, at least directly around the opening and on one side of the opening, the second portion being farther from the opening and at least half the size of the first portion. The expression "lighter color" is defined as having an L* value that is at least 20 higher in the CIELAB color space, or having a color with a positive b* value in the CIELAB color space.

2. The camera device according to claim 1, wherein, The first part is lighter in color than any other part of the outer surface.

3. The camera device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein, The first part is lighter in color, depending on the color sensitivity of one or more predetermined flying insect species to be avoided.

4. The camera device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, A tunnel-shaped guide portion is provided between the opening and the optical device. The guide portion is darker in color on the inside and has an L* value of up to 25 in the CIELAB color space.

5. The camera device according to claim 1, wherein, The image processing device includes an image processor disposed in the housing, wherein the distance between the image processor and the opening is at least half of the maximum external dimension of the housing.

6. The camera device of claim 1, comprising a light source having a power supply and a transmitter, wherein, The distance between the power source and the opening is at least half of the maximum external dimension of the housing.

7. The camera device of claim 5, comprising a light source having a power supply and a transmitter, wherein, The distance between the power source and the opening is at least half of the maximum external dimension of the housing.

8. The camera device according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the light source is a projector.

9. The camera device according to claim 5, wherein, The housing includes a first cooling rib on its outer side, which is thermally connected to the image processor.

10. The camera device according to claim 6, wherein, The housing includes a first cooling rib on its outer side, which is thermally connected to the light source.

11. The camera device according to claim 7, wherein, The housing includes a first cooling rib on its outer side, the first cooling rib being thermally connected to the light source and / or the image processor.

12. The camera device according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein, The control unit includes a sensor control unit for controlling and reading the sensor, and wherein the housing includes a second cooling rib that is thermally connected to the sensor control unit and thermally separated from the first cooling rib.

13. The camera device according to claim 12, wherein, The distance between the first and / or second cooling ribs is at least 6 mm.

14. The camera device according to claim 13, wherein, The distance between the first cooling rib and / or the second cooling rib is between 6 mm and 10 mm.

15. A livestock shed for livestock animals, the livestock shed comprising living space for one or more of the livestock animals, and the livestock shed having a camera device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, the camera device being configured to observe and identify at least a portion of at least one of the livestock animals.

16. The livestock shed according to claim 15, wherein the livestock is a ruminant.

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