Range Sensor Animal Parameter Determination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for monitoring animal growth and activity, such as automatic scales and camera-based systems, face issues like measurement bias, obtrusiveness, contamination, and high costs, especially when dealing with large groups of animals like flocks or herds.

Innovation Solution

A sensing system utilizing a single-pixel range sensor with a Field-of-View directed to a surface area, which continually measures the heights of animals passing through the Field-of-View and provides a height signal for determining parameters like growth or activity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If automatic scales are used to measure animal weight, then real-time weight information can be obtained, but measurement bias occurs and the scales become obtrusive and prone to contamination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveweight measurement accuracyVSAvoidcontamination and measurement bias

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical contact-based weighing scales with an optical sensing system using cameras and image processing. This substitution eliminates physical contact between the measurement device and animals, thereby preventing contamination and measurement bias while still enabling weight determination through visual analysis

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates visual copies (images) of animals through camera capture and processes these copies to extract weight information. Instead of directly measuring physical weight through contact, the system analyzes visual representations of animals, allowing indirect weight determination without physical interaction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Ease of operation

If camera-based systems are used to monitor animals, then the system becomes unobtrusive, but the solutions are cumbersome and expensive for monitoring body weight

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveunobtrusive monitoringVSAvoidcomputational complexity and cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the monitoring task into specific zones (e.g., feeding stations, weighing zones) and uses targeted image processing only in these areas. This segmentation reduces overall computational requirements compared to continuous full-field analysis, making the system more cost-effective while maintaining unobtrusive monitoring capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system integrates multiple functions into a single camera-based platform that can perform behavior monitoring, weight estimation, and growth tracking. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized devices, thereby lowering overall system complexity and cost while maintaining unobtrusive operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If individual animal detection is required for accurate measurement, then measurement accuracy improves, but the system cannot easily cope with large groups of animals

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveindividual animal measurement accuracyVSAvoidprocessing speed for large groups

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses periodic sampling of animal images at key locations (such as feeding stations or designated zones) rather than continuous monitoring of entire herds. This periodic approach allows accurate individual measurement when animals are in detectable positions while maintaining productivity by not requiring constant analysis of all animals in large groups

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

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

This solution provides a less cumbersome, more effective, and cost-efficient method for determining animal parameters, capable of handling large groups of animals without the drawbacks of traditional methods.

Implementation Method 1

The range sensor, with said single pixel, measures the range (or: distance) to the animals passing the Field-of-View, the range sensor is able to measure the heights of these animals relative to the surface area

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTime of flight: Time of Flight

Data Source

PatentUS12290051B2Sensing system for determining a parameter of a set of animals

Publication Date: 2025.05.06 SIGNIFY HOLDING BV

AI summary

The invention provides a sensing system for determining a parameter of a set of animals present on a surface area, wherein the sensing system comprises: a controller; at least one range sensor having a Field-of-View to the surface area; wherein the at least one range sensor is configured to at least continually measure heights of animals of the set of animals passing the Field-of-View during a period of time, and to provide a height signal comprising said measured heights during the period of time; wherein the controller is configured to obtain said height signal, and to determine the parameter of the set of animals based on the measured heights during the period of time.