Optical livestock tracking via feature detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for locating farm animals are inefficient, as they require complex individual identification processes, are prone to errors due to illegible or lost tags, and often necessitate sorting and identifying multiple animals to find a specific one, leading to time-consuming searches.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a feature detection device and an image detection device connected to a data processing unit, allowing for the detection and tracking of animal-specific features, enabling quick identification and location of animals within a group by assigning codes and displaying their positions, with additional functionality for monitoring behavior patterns and controlling animal husbandry processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If individual identification marks are applied to each animal, then animal tracking becomes possible, but the process becomes time-consuming and marks can become illegible or lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical identification methods (tattoos, brands, physical tags) with an optical detection system using image capture devices and automated image processing. This substitution eliminates the need for physical marks while enabling reliable, rapid identification of individual animals through their natural visual characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables animals to be automatically identified without human intervention in the marking process. The image capture device continuously monitors the pen, and the data processing unit automatically detects and identifies individual animals based on their visual features, eliminating manual marking and searching operations.
2Ease of manufacture
If image capture is used to identify animals by physical characteristics, then individual marking is avoided, but the method requires processing very large amounts of data and is only suitable for locating a single animal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the image data processing by first capturing images of the entire pen, then using the data processing unit to divide and analyze individual animal images separately. This segmentation allows simultaneous tracking of multiple animals while managing data processing complexity through systematic analysis of discrete animal units within the group.
Solution Approach 2:
The image capture and processing system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it identifies individual animals, tracks their locations, monitors their behavior, and provides data for herd management decisions. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate systems while reducing overall data processing requirements through integrated analysis.
3Measurement precision
If animals must be located in a predetermined orientation for reliable recording, then identification accuracy improves, but tracking time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic image capture that adapts to animal movement rather than requiring animals to assume fixed orientations. The system captures images continuously and uses data processing algorithms to identify and track animals in various orientations and positions, allowing accurate identification regardless of animal posture or movement state.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device for animal tracking and identification, in particular for the identification and tracking of farm animals. According to the invention, such an animal tracking device comprises a feature detection device for detecting an animal-specific feature, an image capture device configured to detect a plurality of animals at time intervals within an animal enclosure, and a data processing device that is signal-connected to the feature detection device and the image capture device and configured to assign an animal-specific feature detected by the feature detection device to an animal detected by the image capture device that is located within the area of the feature detection device, and thus to identify the animal, and to transmit the identified,preferably to track a plurality of identified animals in successive image acquisitions of the image acquisition device and thus to determine their location, a display device which is designed to show a user the location of one or more identified animals.