307 results about "Animal behavior" patented technology

In general, the present invention is directed to systems and methods for finding the position and shape of an object using video. The invention includes a system with a video camera coupled to a computer in which the computer is configured to automatically provide object segmentation and identification, object motion tracking (for moving objects), object position classification, and behavior identification. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention may use background subtraction for object identification and tracking, probabilistic approach with expectation-maximization for tracking the motion detection and object classification, and decision tree classification for behavior identification. Thus, the present invention is capable of automatically monitoring a video image to identify, track and classify the actions of various objects and the object's movements within the image. The image may be provided in real time or from storage. The invention is particularly useful for monitoring and classifying animal behavior for testing drugs and genetic mutations, but may be used in any of a number of other surveillance applications.

Abstract of Disclosure A system and method used to assess animal behavior includes a module having sensors that collects a variety of physical and biological data from a test subject. Interpretation of the data is provided to assess the test subject's behavior, neurology, biochemistry and physiology. The module is useful in observing the effects of a drug on the test animal and providing information on the drug's signature. Another advantage is module's portability that allows it to be used in standard laboratory cages. This portability allows the animal to be tested in its own habitat, that can reduce any erroneous data due to stressing the animal when removed to a test cage. Additionally, the module's design allows for parallel data collection and interpretation from several laboratory animals undergoing different experiments. Multi-dimensional modeling of the test subject based the system's interpretation of the data allows pattern recognition of the drug signature, and predictive drug analysis.

A system and method used to assess animal behavior includes a module having sensors that collects a variety of physical and biological data from a test subject. Interpretation of the data is provided to assess the test subject's behavior, neurology, biochemistry and physiology. The module is useful in observing the effects of a drug on the test animal and providing information on the drug's signature. Another advantage is the module's portability that allows it to be used in standard laboratory cages. This portability allows the animal to be tested in its own habitat, that can reduce any erroneous data due to stressing the animal when removed to a test cage. Additionally, the module's design allows for parallel data collection and interpretation from several laboratory animals undergoing different experiments. Multi-dimensional modeling of the test subject based the system's interpretation of the data allows pattern recognition of the drug signature, and predictive drug analysis.

Systems, methods, and computer code products for monitoring the behavior, health, and / or characteristics of an animal are disclosed herein. In one implementation, the animal is positioned inside a waste container placed on a system that is adapted to determine, record and communicate over a network various animal health parameters. These parameters can be processed to determine trends, statistics and changes of animal physiological functions. The results can be used to access animal health conditions and issue warnings, alarms, messages, and other notifications to designated caretakers. These notifications may be displayed using various means such as computers and / or mobile devices. Data retrieval and review capability can provide improved understanding of an animal's health conditions and facilitate early illness detection.

A highly automated non-confining system to continuously, or at selected time intervals identify, measure, monitor and manage the consumption behavior, substance intake, body weight and growth of individual animals in their usual production environment including range, pasture, feedlot, dairy and farm without disruption to typical behaviors in order to determine, analyze, model and predict a variety of conditions relating to animal health, productivity, efficiency and quality. A transmitter generally attached to the animal identifies the individual animal by a unique individual code. A weighing device measures animal weight while an animal is consuming substances. An antenna receives the unique signal from the transmitter and a transmitting and receiving device sends acquired signals to a computer and receives instructions from a computer. A computer acquires signals and modification factors incorporated in the computer generate an event or interval measurement of an animal's weight and gain, growth rate and substance consumption, and the animal behavior affecting the measurement. A visual identification mechanism marks cattle that the computer system has determined require intervention. The system models and predicts animal health and growth, performance, carcass characteristics, feed utilization, manure and methane output.

A robotic architecture for capturing the autonomous performance advantages the animal models enjoy in the natural environment is disclosed. A biomimesis process is employed to allow selective utilization of basic physical components and adaptation of a common control paradigm for each of different vehicle types. The biomimetic architecture involves five functional elements: a basic biomorphic plant for capturing the biomechanical advantages of the model organism; a neural circuit-based controller consisting of a finite state machine; myomorphic actuators producing linear graded force in response to trains of current pulses for mediating movements; labeled line code output by neuromorphic sensors; and a reactive behavioral sequencer executing command sequences defined within a behavioral library.

The device and method for remotely monitoring animal behavior consists of a sensor unit mounted on an animal. The sensor unit utilizes motion sensors to monitor the specific behavioral patterns of the animal. Power management is controlled to turn the system on when specific types of motion are detected. Motion data is wirelessly transmitted to a base station for analysis. Data analysis functions are used to detect and identify the occurrence of characteristic motions. Network decision algorithms analyze the characteristic motions and compute weighted indicators and weighted counter-indicators which are combined into a final diagnostic score. When the final diagnostic score exceeds a threshold value, a specific behavioral pattern is confirmed which may indicate the animal is in a distress situation or experiencing another type of behavior that requires intervention. If distress is detected, the system sends a communication to notify the appropriate personnel that a distress condition exists.

A behavioral monitoring system useful for the analysis of complex behaviors in a number of animal species. The monitoring systems of this invention allow continuous monitoring of feeding, drinking and movement of animals with high temporal and spatial resolution. In certain embodiments, the system comprises an enclosure comprising: an animal position indicator; a food consumption indicator; and a fluid consumption indicator, where the system reports behavioral data at a temporal resolution of 20 seconds or lower.

An animal-machine audio interaction system includes a sound monitor for monitoring the sounds made by one or more animals, a sound segmenter for identifying coherent sound segments within the sounds made by the animal(s), a sound analyzer for analyzing and assigning a category to each sound segment, an output sound selector for selecting an output sound appropriate to the category assigned by the sound analyzer, and a sound output unit for outputting the selected output sound to the animal(s). A different control protocol may be used to define the categories assigned to the animal sounds and to determine the respective audio responses that are appropriate to the different sound categories. During operation of the system, a closed-loop audio interaction is set up between the animal(s) and the system. This interaction may be used for various purposes, such as investigating animal behaviour, entertaining the animal(s) and controlling animal behaviour.

A highly automated non-confining system to continuously, or at selected time intervals identify, measure, monitor and manage the consumption behavior, substance intake, body weight and growth of individual animals in their usual production environment including range, pasture, feedlot, dairy and farm without disruption to typical behaviors in order to determine, analyze, model and predict a variety of conditions relating to animal health, productivity, efficiency and quality. A transmitter generally attached to the animal identifies the individual animal by a unique individual code. A weighing device measures animal weight while an animal is consuming substances. An antenna receives the unique signal from the transmitter and a transmitting and receiving device sends acquired signals to a computer and receives instructions from a computer. A computer acquires signals and modification factors incorporated in the computer generate an event or interval measurement of an animal's weight and gain, growth rate and substance consumption, and the animal behavior affecting the measurement. A visual identification mechanism marks cattle that the computer system has determined require intervention. The system models and predicts animal health and growth, performance, carcass characteristics, feed utilization, manure and methane output.

Abstract of Disclosure A system and method used to assess animal behavior includes a module having sensors that collects a variety of physical and biological data from a test subject. Interpretation of the data is provided to assess the test subject's behavior, neurology, biochemistry and physiology. The module is useful in observing the effects of a drug on the test animal and providing information on the drug's signature. Another advantage is module's portability that allows it to be used in standard laboratory cages. This portability allows the animal to be tested in its own habitat, that can reduce any erroneous data due to stressing the animal when removed to a test cage. Additionally, the module's design allows for parallel data collection and interpretation from several laboratory animals undergoing different experiments. Multi-dimensional modeling of the test subject based the system's interpretation of the data allows pattern recognition of the drug signature, and predictive drug analysis.

The invention relates to an animal behaviour testing platform for optogenetics regulation and control, used for carrying out a behaviour test on tested animals. The testing platform comprises a central control system, an environmental control system, a behaviour monitoring system, a photoelectric detection, regulation and control system and a case device used for fixing the systems. A standard and integrated behaviour testing platform used for testing animal optogenetics regulation and control is established by combining an optogenetics neural regulation and control technology and electrophysiology and behaviour tests and the like; by virtue of the platform, optogenetics regulation and control as well as behaviour record on the tested animals in certain environment can be realized, thus being easy to understand relation between the animal optogenetics regulation and control and the behaviour and meeting requirements of research on pathogenesis and treatment mechanism of a nervous system and mental diseases.

A method for studying the behavior of an animal in an experimental area including stimulating the animal using a stimulus device; collecting data from the animal using a data collection device; analyzing the collected data; and developing a quantitative behavioral primitive from the analyzed data. A system for studying the behavior of an animal in an experimental area including a stimulus device for stimulating the animal; a data collection device for collecting data from the animal; a device for analyzing the collected data; and a device for developing a quantitative behavioral primitive from the analyzed data. A computer implemented method, a computer system and a nontransitory computer readable storage medium related to the same. Also, a method and apparatus for automatically discovering, characterizing and classifying the behavior of an animal in an experimental area. Further, use of a depth camera and / or a touch sensitive device related to the same.

A system and method for studying a test subject includes monitoring the test subject as it traverses through a programmable maze. The test subject may be under the influence of experimental drugs or genetic manipulation. The dynamic maze can be changed automatically or manually to test the abilities of the test subject. The dynamic maze comprises of a starting point, an ending point, and an electronically programmable floor capable of constructing various obstacles and passageways. The programmable floor may be programmed by a human user using an interface, or it may be programmed by an automated control system that programs the maze in accordance with the ability of the test subject to traverse the maze. Various devices are incorporated with the use of the maze to monitor the activities and welfare of the test subject.

A device for humanely controlling an animal's behavior while on a restraining device such as a leash by using the resistant force between animal and restraint to engage a trigger that activates release of a distracting or deterrent spray or gas, or a sound. The device is attached to the animal's body, with the triggering mechanism against the animal's skin. In its application as a means to train dogs to walk on a loose leash, the trigger may be situated inside a collar, such that triggering occurs when the dog pulls the leash taut. Triggering can also occur if the user pulls back on the leash to administer a correction. The trigger's springiness additionally provides shock-absorbing protection to the animal's neck. Embodiments with enhanced features, based on the same mechanical principle, are also described.

In general, the present invention is directed to systems and methods for finding the position and shape of an animal using video. The invention includes a system with a video camera coupled to a computer in which the computer is configured to automatically provide animal segmentation and identification, animal motion tracking (for moving animals), animal-posture classification, and behavior identification. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention may use background subtraction for animal identification and tracking, and a combination of decision tree classification and rule-based classification for posture and behavior identification. Thus, the present invention is capable of automatically monitoring a video image to identify, track and classify the actions of various animals and the animal's movements within the image. The image may be provided in real time or from storage. The invention is particularly useful for monitoring and classifying animal behavior for testing drugs and genetic mutations, but may be used in any of a number of other surveillance applications.

A method for studying the behavior of an animal in an experimental area including stimulating the animal using a stimulus device; collecting data from the animal using a data collection device; analyzing the collected data; and developing a quantitative behavioral primitive from the analyzed data. A system for studying the behavior of an animal in an experimental area including a stimulus device for stimulating the animal; a data collection device for collecting data from the animal; a device for analyzing the collected data; and a device for developing a quantitative behavioral primitive from the analyzed data. A computer implemented method, a computer system and a nontransitory computer readable storage medium related to the same. Also, a method and apparatus for automatically discovering, characterizing and classifying the behavior of an animal in an experimental area. Further, use of a depth camera and / or a touch sensitive device related to the same.

A method for training, exercising, and entertaining an animal comprises providing a dispenser in a first location accessible to a predetermined animal. The dispenser comprises a storage compartment configured to store rewards and to dispense rewards, a first signaling module configured to generate a reward signal, and a wireless module configured to receive a dispense signal. A target is provided in a second location, wherein the second location is a fixed distance from the first location and the fixed distance is based on a training condition for the animal. A system configuration of the dispenser and the target is set. The target comprises a second signaling module, a sensor, and a wireless module configured to transmit a dispense signal. The sensor is configured to detect a predetermined animal behavior. In one embodiment, the predetermined animal behavior comprises depression of a touch sensor. The target is configured to transmit the dispense signal in response to a detected predetermined animal behavior. The dispenser is further configured to generate a reward signal and to dispense a reward only in response to a received dispense signal. The system configuration comprises a training program, a session length, and a periodicity.

The invention relates to a fruit fly behavior researching system, belonging to the animal behavior field. The system comprises a fruit fly moving container, an image acquiring device, a stimulating device and a center device; the fruit fly moving container is used for supplying a moving space to the fruit fly with the specific protein; the image acquiring device is used for acquiring the fruit fly behavior image; the stimulating device is used for applying the external stimulation to the fruit fly; and the center device is connected with the image acquiring device and the stimulating device, used for controlling the image acquiring device and the stimulating device, recording the fruit fly behavior image and analyzing the fruit fly behavior. In addition, the invention also relates to a fruit fly behavior researching method. The method comprises the following steps of: applying the external stimulation to the fruit fly with the specific protein; acquiring the fruit fly moving image; and analyzing the fruit fly behavior according to the fruit fly moving image. In the system, the stimulation to the fruit fly, the behavior recording and analysis in the fruit fly behavior research are automatically carried out, so that the deviation brought by the experience or fatigue factors of the artificial observation and statistic can be eliminated. The system carries out the stimulation to the fruit fly with the specific points particularly, and improves the precision and efficiency of the analysis on the fruit fly behavior.

The present invention enables testing the effect of one or more test agent(s) on one or more animal(s) of a group of animals, preferably insects, to identify agents that affect behavioral properties of the animals. The invention is comprised of the steps of providing animals suitable for testing, bringing those animals into contact with the test agent(s), moving the animals from a growth container to isolate them, prepare and separate the animals for singulation, relocated the animals to a behavior arena, subject the animals to behavioral tracking to assess their behavioral state, and removing the animals from the behavioral tracking to facilitate iterative analysis of further groups. The invention enables a method for preparing a therapeutic compound for the treatment of an animal disease.

The invention provides a method and system for analyzing animal behaviours by using a signal processing technology. In the invention, the method comprises the steps of: acquiring and counting animal behaviour signals, determining the meanings represented by the animal behaviour signals; enabling the acquired animal behaviour signals to correspond to the determined meanings of the animal behaviour signals to form an animal behaviour signal database; comparing the animal behaviour signals of target animals with the animal behaviour signal database to obtain the meanings represented by the animal behaviour signals of the target animals.

Systems and methods for monitoring and controlling animal behavior are disclosed. According to an aspect, a system comprises a computing device comprising at least one processor and memory. The system includes a detection electrode and an animal signaling device. The computing device is configured to detect a change of an electrical capacitance at a detection electrode. The computing device is also configured to determine a position of an animal based on the change in the electrical charge. Further, the computing device is configured to control the animal signaling device to communicate a signal in response to determining the position of the animal.

A system, apparatus, and / or method of determining a health condition of an animal is provided. First data may be received from a first sensor device. The first data may be indicative of an animal event of an animal. Second data may be received from a second sensor device. The second sensor may be separate and / or distinct from the first sensor device. The second data may confirm an occurrence of the animal event. The animal event may be a discharge event and / or a feeding event. The occurrence of the animal event may be identified based on the first data and the second data. The occurrence of the animal event may be displayed via a display device. A health condition of the animal may be determined based on the animal event. The determination of the health condition may be based on a quantity and / or a duration of the animal event.

An animal behavior modification device is provided. The device includes a sound, vibration or motion sensor that is configured to generate electrical signals in response to an occurrence. The device may include a filter, which is tuned to recognize a dog barking event, and generate an electrical signal in response to recognizing an input signal indicative of a dog's bark. The device further includes a canister that holds a deterrent fluid under pressure. The device additionally comprises a motor module configured to rotate a shaft in response to the electrical signal from the filter. The canister has a spray nozzle for releasing fluid that affects the dog's senses. In response to rotating the shaft, the spray nozzle is depressed. A method of modifying the behavior of an animal using the device is also provided herein.

The invention discloses an animal behavior memory test maze device which comprises a main body that is a big box made of a transparent organic glass plate, wherein a center platform is placed in the center of the big box, movable food boxes are respectively placed at four bottom corners of the outer part of the big box, a channel is arranged between each food box and the big box, the inlet of the channel of each food box is provided with an opaque door which can be pushed open, the middle floor in each food box is provided with a small disk; and bags consisting of four pellets are respectively placed on gaps between the floors in the four food boxes and the bottom of the disk. Different patterns of vertical plates and illuminating devices are arranged close to four side surfaces of the outside of the big box, an opaque cover covers outside the big box, the food boxes, the pattern vertical plates and the illuminating devices, and the top end of the cover is provided with a camera. The invention can solve the technical problem of existing limit of a simple experiment observing target in a traditional test for an animal learning memory or cognitive function.

The invention provides an animal behavior identification method and apparatus based on transfer learning (TL), i.e., the training sample in a training data set comprises one or more than one from the group composed of a human behavior sample, a non object animal behavior sample and an object animal behavior sample, and a test data set is an object animal behavior sample. The method comprises: step 101, extracting original characteristics for each training sample in the training data set and each test sample in the test data set; step 102, employing a domain adaptation learning (DAL) method in TL to map the original characteristics onto a common space to obtain new characteristics; step 103, utilizing the new characteristics to train a support vector machine (SVM) classifier, obtaining a behavior identification model, and meanwhile testing an object animal behavior identification model; and step 104, utilizing the animal behavior identification model to identify object animal behavior to be identified. The animal behavior identification method based on TL can effectively identify animal behaviors.

The invention discloses a rat / mouse labyrinth automatic training device, belonging to the technical field of animal behaviors and neuroelectrophysiology experiments. The device comprises a main labyrinth body, an infrared detector, a program control door system which is opened downwards vertically, a PCI (programmable communication interface) interface data acquisition card and a computer control program. A core technology lies in the effective implementation of the program control door system. The device realizes automatic rat / mouse labyrinth training and enables the electrophysiological record of animals carrying out labyrinth task operations to be possible. The program control door has concise structure and stable and reliable work, and the design of opening downwards vertically avoids the blocking and the winding of connecting lines during wired electrophysiological recording; and the invention maintains the conciseness and the smoothness of an original labyrinth to a maximum extent.

Systems and methods for monitoring and controlling animal behavior are disclosed. According to an aspect, a system comprises a computing device comprising at least one processor and memory. The system includes a detection electrode and an animal signaling device. The computing device is configured to detect a change of an electrical capacitance at a detection electrode. The computing device is also configured to determine a position of an animal based on the change in the electrical charge. Further, the computing device is configured to control the animal signaling device to communicate a signal in response to determining the position of the animal.

The invention relates to an earthquake prediction auxiliary system based on a technology of Internet of things. The system comprises omnidirectional vision-based biological earthquake predictors placed on all observation points and an earthquake prediction server which is used for performing comprehensive analysis on monitoring results of the omnidirectional vision-based biological earthquake predictors on all the observation points, wherein all the omnidirectional vision-based biological earthquake predictors are communicated and connected, and all the omnidirectional vision-based biologicalearthquake predictors are communicated and connected with the earthquake prediction server; and the earthquake prediction auxiliary system can improve the credibility of earthquake early warning and simultaneously provide a certain reference basis for future judgment of earthquake occurrence times and earthquake occurrence areas by combining omnidirectional vision, computer vision, a database andother technologies for analyzing activities, postures, actions, behaviors and the like of animals, enabling the behaviors of the animals distributed on monitoring points of all places to speak and adopting comprehensive analysis means including time sequence of speaking, spatial positions, speaking sequence of the animals in different species and the like.