Automated Thermal Imaging for Non-Invasive Animal Temperature Screening
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing animal health monitoring systems require human labor and contact, such as using thermometers, which are invasive and stressful for animals, limiting routine health monitoring.
Innovation Solution
An automated thermal imaging system with a steady state algorithm, bounding box control, and pinpoint accuracy control to autonomously read animal temperatures, eliminating human interaction and providing accurate health assessments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If manual thermometers are used to monitor animal temperature, then temperature measurement can be performed, but human labor and animal contact are required which limits routine monitoring capability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical thermometer-based temperature measurement with an automated thermal imaging system that uses infrared technology to detect and measure animal body temperature without physical contact, thereby achieving both automation and maintained measurement accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces thermal imaging cameras and image processing algorithms as intermediaries between the animal and the temperature measurement process, allowing non-contact automated temperature assessment while maintaining precision through computational analysis of thermal patterns
2Measurement precision
If thermal camera readings are used to detect animal temperature, then automation is achieved, but the readings lack accuracy and require filtering of false readings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the thermal image into multiple regions of interest corresponding to different body parts of the animal, analyzing temperature patterns in each segment separately to identify accurate temperature readings while filtering out false readings from background or non-representative areas
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the system continuously analyzes thermal images, compares temperature readings against expected physiological ranges, and adjusts processing parameters to eliminate false readings and improve measurement accuracy through iterative refinement
3Reliability
If bounding box algorithm is used to identify animals, then false readings are filtered out, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-defining anatomical regions and temperature reference points on animal models, allowing the bounding box algorithm to quickly match thermal patterns against these pre-established templates rather than performing complex real-time analysis, thus maintaining reliability while reducing processing time
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system provides non-invasive, accurate, and efficient temperature readings for livestock, wildlife, and domesticated animals, reducing stress and enabling routine health monitoring without human intervention.
Implementation Method 1
the livestock, wildlife, and domesticated animal automated temperature screening system utilizes a thermal imaging system to autonomously read animal temperature data captured as thermal image data
Data Source
AI summary
A livestock, wildlife, and domesticated animal automated temperature screening system and process to monitor health and wellbeing of animals including livestock, domesticated animals, and wildlife are disclosed. The livestock, wildlife, and domesticated animal automated temperature screening system and process provide a stand-alone automated temperature screening solution for the health and wellbeing of livestock, wildlife and domesticated animals.