Aquatic Wildlife Camera System with AI Image Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current aquatic photography systems face challenges in automated image capture and analysis, manual data filtering, limited battery life, and lack of real-time data transmission and alerts, making it difficult for researchers to efficiently observe and document aquatic wildlife.

Innovation Solution

A fully automated underwater camera system with a sealed submersible housing, AI-based image recognition, and wireless data transmission capabilities, allowing for image capture at set intervals, object detection, and real-time alerts to end-user devices or servers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If manual operations are used for controlling the camera, storing images, and reviewing footage, then the system can be operated without complex automation, but it leads to considerable accumulation of unfiltered data and time-consuming manual processing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomation of image capture and analysisVSAvoidcomplexity of automated system

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service through automated image capture at set intervals, AI-based object detection, and automatic data transmission. The camera system operates autonomously in aquatic environments, capturing images, analyzing them for objects of interest, and transmitting data without requiring continuous manual intervention or retrieval

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring automated capture intervals, pre-installing AI detection models, and pre-setting transmission parameters. This allows the system to be deployed and immediately begin autonomous operation, eliminating the need for manual setup and operation during deployment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Quantity of substance

If continuous data capturing is performed, then comprehensive data is collected, but it leads to excessive accumulation of unfiltered data that is difficult to process manually

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevolume of captured dataVSAvoidefficiency of data processing

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary filtering by pre-configuring AI detection models that automatically identify objects of interest in captured images. This preliminary analysis occurs at the source, filtering out irrelevant data before transmission, thereby maintaining comprehensive data collection while improving processing efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual data filtering and analysis with AI-based automated detection. The AI model automatically identifies objects of interest in captured images, substituting the mechanical process of manual review with intelligent automated analysis, thereby handling large volumes of data efficiently

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If physical retrieval is performed for extracting data and replacing batteries, then the system can be maintained, but it is labor-intensive and potentially disruptive to the aquatic ecosystem

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of data retrieval and maintenanceVSAvoiddisturbance to aquatic ecosystem

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces physical retrieval operations with wireless data transmission. Data is transmitted automatically from the underwater camera to external devices via wireless communication, eliminating the need for physical retrieval. Additionally, wireless power transfer or long-life battery designs reduce the need for physical battery replacement, thereby minimizing disturbance to the aquatic ecosystem

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Measurement precision

If image analysis is performed to determine events of interest, then real-time detection capability is improved, but it increases processing requirements and system complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of event detectionVSAvoidcomplexity of image analysis system

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces complex manual image analysis with AI-based automated detection. The AI model is trained to recognize specific objects and events in aquatic environments, providing accurate real-time detection without requiring complex manual analysis procedures or extensive human expertise

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS20240348910A1Camera system for aquatic wildlife monitoring

Publication Date: 2024.10.17 SEEWEED INC

AI summary

The present invention describes an automated camera system designed for aquatic environments. The system includes a controller and a sealed submersible housing encompassing at least one camera. The controller triggers the camera to capture images at predefined intervals. These images are then analyzed by an artificial intelligence (AI) model or a background state change detection script to identify objects of interest, specifically aquatic wildlife. The system provides for efficient use of storage by discarding images where no objects of interest are detected. The controller can also initiate video recording upon the detection of an object of interest. Furthermore, the system incorporates a wireless communications module enabling data transmission to external devices or servers, and user-configurable settings for adjusting capture intervals and image analysis parameters.