Dynamic Zoom Imaging for Animal Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing animal identification and management systems are inefficient in accurately identifying individual animals using images, particularly in large areas like pig pens, due to limitations in zoom settings and image capture techniques.
Innovation Solution
An animal information management system that uses an imaging device with pan, tilt, and zoom functions to capture images in a first zoom setting for identification and then switches to a second zoom setting with lower magnification for wider coverage, allowing efficient identification and tracking of individual animals, including weight and movement estimation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If patrol imaging is performed in a first zoom setting with high magnification to obtain identification information, then identification precision is improved, but the imaging coverage area is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically changes the zoom setting of the imaging device between a first zoom setting (high magnification) for obtaining identification information and a second zoom setting (low magnification) for capturing overall images. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to optimize between identification precision and imaging coverage area at different stages of the animal management process
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging process is segmented into two distinct stages: first, capturing overall images in a wide coverage area with low magnification to monitor multiple animals; second, switching to high magnification to obtain identification information of specific animals. This segmentation allows each stage to optimize for its specific purpose without compromising the other
2Area of stationary object
If patrol imaging covers the entire predetermined region, then the imaging coverage area is improved, but identification precision is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between two zoom settings based on the imaging objective. When overall monitoring is needed, it uses the second zoom setting (low magnification) to cover the entire predetermined region. When identification is required, it switches to the first zoom setting (high magnification) to achieve precise identification, thus dynamically optimizing between coverage area and identification precision
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging process is divided into two sequential segments: first capturing overall images with wide coverage to identify animals of interest, then switching to high magnification mode to obtain detailed identification information. This segmentation ensures that no single image needs to simultaneously achieve both wide coverage and high identification precision
3Measurement precision
If high magnification zoom setting is used for patrol imaging, then identification information can be obtained, but the time required for scanning the entire region increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patrol imaging process is segmented into two phases: first, a rapid scanning phase using low magnification (second zoom setting) to cover the entire predetermined region and identify animals of interest; second, a detailed identification phase using high magnification (first zoom setting) only for the identified animals. This segmentation reduces the total scanning time by limiting high magnification usage to only when necessary
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of applying high magnification uniformly across the entire patrol imaging process, the system applies it partially and selectively only when animals of interest are detected during the initial low magnification scan. This partial application of high magnification significantly reduces the time required while maintaining identification precision when needed
Data Source
AI summary
An animal information management system includes an identification information obtaining unit which obtains identification information of an animal included in a first image, based on the first image captured by an imaging device during patrol imaging of a predetermined region in a first zoom setting in which only part of the predetermined region is an imaging target, the animal being included in animals present in the predetermined region; and a control unit which causes the imaging device to capture a second image including the animal in a second zoom setting having a zooming magnification lower than that of the first zoom setting when the identification information is obtained.