Pet Mat Pressure Sensor AI Weight Gait Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for monitoring changes in a pet's weight and gait are either visually imperceptible, require elaborate equipment, or are impractical for frequent use, making it difficult for pet owners to easily and accurately track these changes.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing pressure sensors integrated into a mat that uses AI models to analyze sensor data from a pet's movement, determining changes in weight and gait by comparing real-time data to baseline representations and generating notifications for the pet owner.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional scales are used to weigh the pet, then weight measurement is obtained, but the pet must remain stationary for a relatively long period of time making frequent weighing difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic motion (pet walking back and forth on the mat) to generate multiple weight measurements over time, allowing the pet to remain in motion rather than stationary. The processor analyzes the periodic sensor data to determine weight, enabling frequent measurements without requiring the pet to stand still.
Solution Approach 2:
The mat automatically captures weight data as the pet naturally walks on it during routine activities like feeding or playing. The system processes the sensor data generated by the pet's own movement to extract weight information, eliminating the need for the owner to manually position the pet on a scale.
2Measurement precision
If dedicated imaging hardware is used to image the pet's gait, then gait changes can be detected, but the hardware is relatively elaborate and impractical for routine use
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces complex optical imaging hardware with simple pressure sensors that detect mechanical forces. The sensors measure pressure distribution and temporal patterns as the pet walks, extracting gait information from mechanical data rather than visual images, thereby simplifying the hardware while maintaining detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The pressure mat serves as an intermediary device that captures gait information indirectly through pressure measurements during natural walking. Instead of directly imaging the pet's movement, the system uses the mat as a mediator to translate mechanical foot contact into actionable gait data that indicates health changes.
3Ease of operation
If visual inspection is used to monitor pet characteristics, then no specialized equipment is needed, but weight and gait changes are visually imperceptible to the pet owner
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces subjective visual inspection with objective mechanical pressure sensing. The sensors quantitatively measure weight and gait parameters, providing precise numerical data that detects subtle changes imperceptible to human vision. This maintains ease of operation while dramatically improving measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides automated feedback to the owner through notifications when characteristic changes are detected. The processor compares current measurements against baseline data and alerts the owner to significant changes, eliminating the need for the owner to manually interpret visual observations while maintaining simple operation through automated monitoring.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for determining a change in a characteristic of a pet are provided. An example method includes: receiving, by one or more processors, sensor data generated by one or more pressure sensors integrated within a mat based on the pet moving over the mat; determining, by the one or more processors, a representation of the characteristic of the pet using an artificial intelligence (AI) model and the sensor data; determining, by the one or more processors, the change in the characteristic of the pet based on the representation of the characteristic of the pet and a baseline representation of the characteristic of the pet; generating, by the one or more processors, a notification including information identifying the change in the characteristic of the pet; and providing, by the one or more processors, the notification to a user device to cause the user device to display the notification.