Animal Weight Estimation From Multi-Direction Images
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing weight estimation systems for animals are limited by low freedom in imaging direction, allowing weight estimation only when imaged from a specific direction, such as vertical, and fail when imaged from different directions.
Innovation Solution
A weight estimation device that includes an image acquisition unit, shape identification unit, information generation unit, and weight estimation unit capable of generating estimation information from images acquired from multiple directions, enabling weight estimation regardless of the imaging direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If weight estimation is performed using images from a specific direction (vertical direction), then measurement precision is improved, but imaging direction freedom is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables weight estimation to work universally across multiple imaging directions (front, rear, left, right, top, bottom) rather than being limited to a single vertical direction. The shape identification unit and information generation unit are designed to process animal shapes from various perspectives and generate appropriate estimation information regardless of imaging direction, making the system adaptable to different positioning scenarios.
2Ease of operation
If the animal is not positioned on a weight scale, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical weight scale with an image-based estimation system. Instead of mechanically measuring weight on a scale, the system uses images of the animal's shape captured from various directions, processes these images to identify body shape characteristics, and generates weight estimation information through computational methods, thereby eliminating the need for mechanical positioning on a scale.
Data Source
AI summary
In a configuration in which an image acquisition unit that acquires an image of an animal, a shape identification unit that identifies a shape of a predetermined portion of the animal from the image, an information generation unit that, on a basis of the shape of the predetermined portion, generates estimation information used for estimating a weight of the animal, and a weight estimation unit that estimates the weight on a basis of the estimation information are provided, the information generation unit is capable of generating the estimation information both in a case where a first image (an animal image GA) in which the animal is imaged from a first direction is acquired and in a case where a second image in which the animal is imaged from a second direction that is different from the first direction is acquired.