RGB-Thermal Key Point Mapping for Non-Contact Animal Temperature
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing temperature monitoring methods for animals involve direct contact, which can cause discomfort, safety risks, and inefficiency, especially for aggressive or moving subjects, and require multiple measurements at various key points.
Innovation Solution
A non-contact variable sensor system using a combination of RGB and thermal cameras to capture images, allowing for the mapping of key points of interest, enabling rapid and accurate temperature evaluation without direct contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If direct contact temperature sensors are used to monitor animal temperature, then temperature measurement can be obtained, but animal comfort deteriorates and safety risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical contact-based temperature sensors with optical-based imaging systems (infrared cameras, RGB cameras). The infrared camera detects thermal radiation from the animal's body surface to obtain temperature data without physical contact, while RGB cameras capture visual information for key point identification. This substitution eliminates the harmful effects of direct contact on animal comfort and safety while maintaining temperature measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary processing system that includes a processor for mapping key points between RGB and thermal images, and a database for storing and managing temperature data. This intermediary system bridges the gap between non-contact imaging and precise temperature measurement by identifying corresponding key points across different image types and extracting temperature information from thermal images at those key points.
2Loss of information
If multiple separate temperature measurements are taken at various key points, then comprehensive temperature data can be gathered, but time consumption and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple imaging functions into a single integrated system. The RGB camera and infrared camera work simultaneously to capture both visual and thermal information of the animal. The processor then maps key points from the RGB image to the thermal image, enabling comprehensive temperature data collection at multiple key points from a single captured frame pair, thus eliminating the need for sequential multiple measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary key point identification using RGB images before extracting temperature data. The system first identifies key anatomical points (such as ears, eyes, nose) from the RGB image, then maps these key points to the corresponding locations in the thermal image. This preliminary action of key point identification enables efficient and accurate temperature measurement at multiple locations simultaneously without requiring sequential measurements.
3Measurement precision
If contact sensors are used on moving animals, then temperature data can be collected, but measurement reliability deteriorates due to constant movement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces contact-based mechanical sensors with non-contact optical imaging systems. The infrared camera captures thermal radiation from the animal's body surface without requiring physical contact, and the RGB camera captures visual information for key point identification. This non-contact approach eliminates the reliability issues caused by animal movement, as the imaging system can capture temperature data from a distance without being affected by the animal's motion or resistance to contact.
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
Promotes animal comfort, reduces specialist effort, enhances safety, and improves data accuracy by allowing remote and efficient temperature monitoring across multiple key points.
Implementation Method 1
The second camera may be a thermal imaging device, and the second image may be a thermal image
Data Source
AI summary
A variable sensor system for non-contact temperature monitoring of animals is described. Non-contact temperature monitoring may involve temperature detection at various key points on an animal. One embodiment of the invention uses key point detection for thermal images for temperature detection. Information obtained from an RGB image of an animal may be overlaid onto a thermal image of the animal to contribute to temperature detection at various key points on the animal.