Single Imager Organism Identification via Trajectory Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for detecting and identifying small, fast-moving organisms like insects are complex and inefficient, particularly when they move in swarms, as they require multiple imagers and struggle to track trajectories accurately.
Innovation Solution
A low-complexity apparatus that illuminates a target space with incoherent light and uses a single imaging system to detect and track the trajectories of moving organisms, employing a processor to recognize species based on trajectory features and additional indicators like wing beat frequencies, using a classifier model for identification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a two-imager system with zoom optics is used to detect and identify flying organisms, then identification accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the illumination function and detection function into a single integrated system. A single imager captures both the illumination pattern and the organism images simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate illumination sources and multiple imagers. This merging approach maintains identification capability while significantly reducing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The single imager performs multiple functions: it detects the illumination pattern to determine organism position, captures organism images for identification, and tracks movement trajectories. This multi-functional design replaces the specialized two-imager system, reducing complexity while maintaining comprehensive detection capabilities.
2Speed
If traditional detection systems are used to track fast-moving insects in swarms, then detection capability is maintained, but detection reliability decreases due to motion blur and tracking difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a illumination pattern that is established before organism detection. This pre-established illumination field allows the single imager to capture both the reference pattern and organism positions in the same exposure, eliminating motion blur issues and enabling reliable tracking of fast-moving insects without requiring multiple sequential measurements.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple imagers are deployed to monitor large airspace and identify species, then detection coverage is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to complex coordination and data processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges wide-field detection and detailed species identification into a single imager by using a structured illumination pattern. The illumination pattern provides spatial context for the entire field of view, while organism images within the same frame enable species identification. This eliminates the need for coordinating multiple imagers and simplifies data processing while maintaining comprehensive coverage.
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 reliable and fast detection of multiple organisms, even those moving quickly, without the need for complex equipment, allowing for accurate identification and population estimation in various environments.
Implementation Method 1
a light source configured to emit a diverging beam of incoherent visible light along an illumination direction
Implementation Method 2
the detector module being configured to receive backscattered light from organisms inside the target space
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus for detecting and identifying moving organisms, the apparatus comprising: an illumination module configured to illuminate a target space; a detector module comprising an imaging system and an image sensor, the detector module being configured to capture a plurality of images of the illuminated target space, the target space comprising one or more organisms moving about said target space; a processors configured to: detect, from the captured images, a trajectory of an organism moving about said target space; recognize a type of organism from the detected trajectory.