Animal Behavior Tracking Using Multi-Sensor Fusion

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods are inadequate for long-term observation and evaluation of animal behavior, particularly social behavior, over time, as they fail to track individual animals effectively.

Innovation Solution

An analysis supporting apparatus that utilizes image, acoustic, and wearable sensor data, along with terminal apparatus information, to acquire and track behavior history of individual animals, enabling comprehensive behavior analysis.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional task problems are used to evaluate animal behavior, then cognitive function can be assessed, but social behavior and long-term behavior changes cannot be observed

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system integrates multiple detection functions (image recognition, acoustic analysis, wearable sensor reading) into a single comprehensive behavior evaluation platform that can assess various types of animal behaviors including social interactions, cognitive functions, and long-term behavior patterns through unified individual tracking

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple individuals are observed simultaneously, then social behavior can be studied, but individual tracking becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses wearable sensors as intermediary devices attached to each animal individual, which provide unique identification and continuous tracking data, enabling precise individual distinction while observing group social behaviors simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system segments the observation data by individually tracking each animal through unique identifiers from wearable sensors, separating individual behavior data from collective group data while maintaining the ability to analyze social interactions between identified individuals

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Measurement precision

If comprehensive sensor data is collected, then behavior observation accuracy improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges multiple data sources (image sensors, acoustic sensors, wearable sensors, terminal apparatus) into a unified behavior analysis platform that processes and integrates diverse data types through centralized control, achieving comprehensive behavior observation while managing system complexity through integrated architecture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS20250098643A1Analysis supporting apparatus, analysis supporting method, and computer program

Publication Date: 2025.03.27

AI summary

An analysis supporting apparatus includes an individual tracking unit configured to acquire behavior history information indicating a behavior history of each individual of a target animal, which is an animal to be analyzed, based of at least one piece of information among image information obtained by an image sensor that acquires an image of the target animal, acoustic information obtained by an acoustic sensor that acquires a sound emitted by the target animal, information obtained from a wearable sensor attached to the target animal, and information obtained from a terminal apparatus.