3D Camera Animal Weighting System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Weighing livestock, especially in large stocks, is laborious, time-consuming, and costly, often leading to inaccurate weight estimations and strain on animals due to the need for specialized equipment and manual handling.
Innovation Solution
A system equipped with a 3-D camera unit that generates three-dimensional images of animals, allowing for weight calculation and data storage, enabling efficient weight determination without physical weighing, using a smartphone or portable device with energy supply and identification capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional weighing methods are used to determine animal weight, then accurate weight measurement is achieved, but labor time and operational complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical weighing system (scales, guiding-in/out infrastructure) with an optical/image processing system. A camera captures images of the animal, and computer algorithms automatically determine weight from these images, eliminating the need for physical contact and mechanical weighing infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a visual copy (image) of the animal and performs weight determination on the copy rather than the physical animal. This allows weight assessment without moving or handling the actual animal, saving time and reducing stress while maintaining measurement capability.
2Measurement precision
If traditional weighing infrastructure is installed to enable weight measurement, then weight data can be obtained, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes complex mechanical weighing infrastructure (scales, guiding channels, restraining structures) with a simple camera and software system. The camera is a common, inexpensive device, and the software performs automated analysis, dramatically reducing hardware complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The camera system serves multiple functions: capturing animal images for weight determination, storing data, and potentially other agricultural monitoring tasks. This multi-functionality reduces the need for specialized weighing equipment, simplifying the overall system.
3Loss of time
If visual inspection is used to estimate animal weight, then weighing equipment and time are saved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces subjective human visual inspection with an automated computer-based image analysis system. The computer algorithms objectively analyze image data to determine weight, eliminating human bias and variability while maintaining speed and accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses detailed visual copies (images) of the animal with sufficient resolution and detail to enable accurate measurement. The image capture and processing preserve enough information about animal characteristics to derive precise weight estimates without physical contact.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a system and a method for recording animals with a 3-D camera unit which is designed for producing at least one three-dimensional image of an animal, a computer unit which is designed for determining a weight of the animal based on the at least one three-dimensional image and with a data memory, in which weight data can be saved for each animal.