Animal Body-Part Optical Fitting for Accurate Equipment Load Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for fitting clothing items to animal body parts are complex, require manual intervention, and are prone to errors due to the introduction of measurement inaccuracies, which can lead to significant errors in load distribution assessment.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing an optical data collection system with a graphical user interface, enabling real-time data collection, automatic detection of biometric indicators, and guided adjustment to ensure precise fitting of clothing items to anatomical geometry, minimizing manual intervention and reducing errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual intervention is used in the fitting process, then measurement accuracy can be maintained through expert judgment, but the process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by allowing the animal to position itself naturally without manual restraint or positioning by operators. The optical scanning system automatically captures biometric data as the animal moves freely, eliminating the need for manual measurement intervention while maintaining accuracy through automated image processing and analysis algorithms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical measurement processes with an optical scanning system that uses light-based technology to capture and analyze biometric data. The system substitutes human operators and manual measurement tools with automated optical devices that process images and extract anatomical measurements through computational algorithms
2Productivity
If automated scanning is used to reduce manual intervention, then process efficiency is improved, but measurement errors increase due to animal movement and positioning variability
Solution Approach 1:
The system embraces dynamics by allowing the animal to move naturally during the scanning process rather than requiring static positioning. The optical scanning system captures multiple images at different moments, and the processing algorithm selects or combines images that provide the most accurate biometric data, adapting to the animal's natural movements rather than restricting them
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the processing algorithm analyzes captured images to determine whether adequate biometric data has been obtained. If the animal's position or movement results in insufficient data quality, the system can request additional images or adjust scanning parameters to ensure measurement accuracy before finalizing the biometric assessment
3Area of stationary object
If multiple exposure images are assembled to create a complete model, then comprehensive anatomical coverage is achieved, but errors in scanner position and orientation accumulate significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates optical copies (images) of the animal's anatomy from multiple angles and positions. Instead of physically moving a scanner through space and accumulating position errors, the system captures multiple optical copies that are then processed and integrated computationally to form a complete anatomical model, eliminating the accumulation of mechanical positioning errors
4Reliability
If the animal is restrained or positioned in controlled positions, then consistent scanning conditions are achieved, but the animal's comfort and natural posture are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The animal serves itself by naturally positioning its body in comfortable postures during scanning. The system does not require restraint devices, fixed mounting positions, or forced positioning of the animal. Instead, the optical scanning system is designed to capture accurate biometric data from natural, unforced positions that the animal assumes on its own
Data Source
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AI summary
Accordingly, in its first aspect, the present invention relates to a method for fitting clothing items to the anatomical geometry of animal body parts and comprising the steps of: Positioning mammal in a comfortable, free and unforced position; or in a controlled position that forces the exposure of important anatomical features; or in a sequence of movements enforcing the above position to be adopted in a predictable future moment; or in a position with controlled placement in relation to surroundings objects such as floor, walls; Starting a data collection device equipped with an optical system for collecting optical data in essentially real time and configured to communicate with an operator of the device with an at least graphical user interface; Placement of the data collection device basically perpendicularly to the mammal body part axis and in a distance enabling the collection of the optical data about the whole body part and/or surroundings objects; Collection of the optical data; Automatic or manual determining the type of mammal, part of the body visible to the optical system and determining a set of biometric indicators necessary to determine the anatomical geometry of a certain body part of given animal; Presenting in real time the gathered optical data on the electronic interface and indicating to the operator found biometric indicators.