Camera-Triggered RFID Reader for Animal Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for body condition scoring (BCS) in animal handling face interference issues when co-located with other data collection systems due to uncoordinated radio communication, leading to potential disruptions in radio energy exchange.
Innovation Solution
A system where a passageway allows only one animal at a time within the camera's view field, with a data processor generating a trigger signal to activate the reader unit only when an animal is detected, ensuring exclusive operation and reducing unnecessary reader unit activation, and using image data to derive BCS measures independently from other systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple data collection systems operate in the same area using radio transponders, then animal identification and data collection capabilities are enhanced, but radio communication interference and system reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The camera system acts as an intermediary between the animal and the reader unit. The camera captures images of animals in the passageway, and the data processor analyzes these images to detect animal presence and generate trigger signals. This intermediary mechanism allows coordinated operation of multiple systems by providing a reliable trigger signal that activates the reader unit only when needed, preventing radio communication interference while maintaining enhanced data collection capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of animal presence using the camera before activating the reader unit. The data processor analyzes camera images in advance to determine whether an animal is present in the identification zone, and only then generates a trigger signal to activate the reader unit. This preliminary action ensures that the reader unit operates exclusively when needed, eliminating unnecessary radio transmissions and preventing interference with other systems
2Productivity
If the reader unit operates continuously to ensure data collection, then data collection completeness is improved, but energy consumption and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous operation, the reader unit is activated periodically based on trigger signals generated from camera image analysis. The data processor continuously monitors camera images for animal presence, and the reader unit is activated only during periods when an animal is detected in the identification zone. This periodic action maintains complete data collection for all passing animals while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the camera and image processing capabilities to automatically detect animal presence and generate trigger signals without requiring continuous reader unit operation. The data processor analyzes camera images and self-generates the necessary trigger signals to activate the reader unit only when an animal is present, eliminating the need for continuous monitoring and reducing energy consumption while maintaining complete data collection
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
Within a view field (115), a camera (110) records image data (Dimg) representing a body portion of an animal (A). A reader unit (120) registers identity data (Dm) from a data carrier (150) on the animal (A) and a data processor (130) associates the recorded image data (Dimg) with the registered identity data (Dm). A passageway (140) only allows a single animal (A) at the time within the camera's view field (115). The camera (110) is arranged so that the view field (115) covers an identification zone (Z) within the passageway (140). To reduce the risk that the readerunit (120) interferes with other nearby equipment, the data processor (130) detects the presence of any animal (A) within the view field (115) of the camera (110) based on the recorded image data (Dimg), and activates the reader unit (120) if and only if an animal (A) is detected within the identification zone (Z).