Underwater Camera Trap for Newt Ventral Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for estimating newt population size and identifying aquatic amphibians are inefficient, as they often require handling and disturbing the animals, are not suitable for turbid or deep waters, and do not provide clear images of body patterns necessary for identification.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus comprising a hollow conduct and a watertight container with an underwater video camera positioned below the conduct, emitting near-infrared light to capture ventral images of newts without handling them, allowing for automated and standardized imaging in a non-invasive manner.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional trapping and handling methods are used to capture newts for identification, then species identification can be achieved, but the process becomes time-consuming and disturbs the habitat and animals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical trapping and handling with an automated optical system. A camera trap takes photographs of newts automatically when they enter a defined area, eliminating the need for physical capture and handling. The system uses image processing algorithms to automatically identify species based on ventral patterns, substituting mechanical intervention with automated optical detection and computational analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-identification of newts through automated image processing. The camera trap captures images autonomously, and computer vision algorithms automatically analyze ventral patterns to determine species identity. This eliminates the need for researcher intervention in the identification process, allowing the system to serve itself by automatically detecting, capturing, and analyzing newts without human handling.
2Ease of operation
If flashlights are used for direct night observation in turbid or deep waters, then newts can be observed, but the method is not suitable in ponds with high turbidity, dense vegetation, or deep waters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from surface-level flashlight observation to an underwater imaging perspective. The camera trap is positioned underwater and oriented upward to capture ventral views of newts. This dimensional change allows the system to observe newts from below the water surface, penetrating through turbid water and dense vegetation that would obstruct surface-level observation, thereby expanding the effective operational environment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an underwater camera trap as an intermediary between the observer and the newts. This intermediary device is positioned in the water column and can capture images of newts in their natural habitat without requiring direct line-of-sight observation from above. The camera trap acts as a mediator that can operate effectively in turbid and deep water conditions where traditional flashlight observation fails.
3Device complexity
If lateral or top view imagery is captured with contrasting background, then fish species can be determined by silhouette outlines, but silhouette does not provide sufficient information to determine newt species
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by specifically targeting the ventral region of newts for imaging. Instead of capturing general lateral or top views that provide only silhouette information, the system is configured to capture images specifically of the ventral surface where species-specific patterns are located. This localized imaging approach focuses the imaging system on the anatomical region that contains the diagnostic information needed for accurate newt species identification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes color and pattern information from the ventral surface of newts for species identification. By capturing images of the ventral region, the system accesses color patterns, spot distributions, and other chromatic features that are species-specific. This approach moves beyond grayscale silhouette analysis to utilize full-color and pattern information that provides the discriminatory power needed for accurate newt species determination.
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
Enables the detection, identification, and individualization of newts with high temporal resolution, reducing human resource requirements and avoiding habitat disturbance, while producing clear images of body patterns for species identification and population analysis.
Implementation Method 1
separated by a wall which transmits the wavelengths comprised between 390 nm and 1.4 μm
Implementation Method 2
an underwater video camera oriented towards said wall... emitting near-infrared light to capture ventral images
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention is directed to an apparatus for producing ventral images of aquatic organisms, in particular of amphibians, more particularly of newts, said apparatus comprising a hollow conduct (10) and a watertight container (20). Said hollow conduct (10) has a first opening (12) and a second opening (14) being opposed from each other. Said hollow conduct (10) and said watertight container (20) are separated by a wall (18) which transmits the wavelengths comprised between 390 nm and 1.4 µm. Said apparatus is opaque to the wavelengths comprised between 390 nm and 1.4 µm. Said watertight container (20) comprises an underwater video camera (22) oriented towards said wall (18). Said apparatus is remarkable in that said watertight container (20) is positioned below said hollow conduct (10), said watertight container (20) being filled with clean water. The invention is also directed to a method for detecting, identifying and/or individualizing aquatic animals.