Pan-Tilt Camera with AI Wildlife Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional trail cameras have limited range and field of view, capture unnecessary images due to motion sensors, and lack the ability to identify and classify wildlife, leading to inefficient data storage and transmission, and require multiple cameras for thorough coverage, which is costly and time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
An automated system using computer vision algorithms and object detection machine learning algorithms to detect, identify, and track wildlife through continuous full-motion video capture, with a camera that can pan and tilt, storing and transmitting only relevant images with animal outlines, locations, and species identification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If motion sensors are used to trigger camera recording, then the camera can capture wildlife automatically, but the effective range is limited to less than 100 feet and many false alarm images are captured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional motion sensors with computer vision algorithms and machine learning models that analyze video frames to detect wildlife. This substitution enables longer detection ranges beyond 100 feet while reducing false alarms from non-wildlife objects like tree branches and birds, as the AI can distinguish target animals from background elements.
2Reliability
If all captured images are stored and transmitted, then no wildlife data is lost, but storage space is wasted on false alarm images and transmission time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by using computer vision algorithms and machine learning models to analyze and classify images in real-time before storage. This pre-screening process identifies and filters out false alarm images (tree branches, birds, non-target animals) so that only relevant wildlife images are stored and transmitted, reducing storage volume and transmission time while maintaining detection reliability.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple trail cameras are deployed to cover large areas, then thorough coverage is achieved, but the cost and complexity of the system increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes a single camera system universal by equipping it with pan-tilt mechanisms and AI-powered wildlife detection capabilities. This allows one camera to perform the function of multiple stationary cameras by actively scanning and identifying wildlife across large areas, reducing the total number of cameras needed while maintaining thorough coverage.
4Device complexity
If traditional trail cameras with fixed lenses are used, then the camera structure is simple, but the field of view is limited to 30-60 degrees
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by replacing fixed lenses with pan-tilt camera mechanisms that can actively rotate and adjust their viewing direction. This dynamic capability allows the camera to scan large areas systematically, providing a wide effective field of view without requiring a complex multi-lens optical system, thus maintaining relative structural simplicity while expanding coverage.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for autonomously photographing wildlife includes a camera apparatus, camera mount and actuating unit. The camera apparatus records video data may include a camera, a memory and a processing system which includes a processor and an image analysis module including computer executable instructions stored in the memory. The image analysis module receives a video data file; performs an image analysis of discrete portions of the video data file; detects motion within each respective discrete portion; determines whether the detected motion is caused by an animal; calculates an outline for the animal; and stores a selected discrete portion of the video data file in the memory. The selected discrete portion includes an outline of the animal. The camera mount receives the camera thereon and the actuating unit couples the camera to the camera mount and is actuatable to tilt and/or pan the camera.