Smartphone Antler Scoring With Cloud-Based Image Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing animal scoring systems require physical measuring devices and trained scorers, making it difficult and time-consuming for lay users to obtain accurate scores.
Innovation Solution
A mobile application on a smart device that uses a camera to capture images of animal antlers, which are analyzed by a cloud-based AI system to determine scores without the need for physical measuring devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If physical measuring devices and trained scorers are used, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical measuring devices (tape measures, calipers) with a mobile application that uses camera imaging and AI processing to measure animal features. The system captures images of animals, automatically detects key anatomical points, and calculates scores without requiring physical contact or specialized measuring tools, thereby eliminating mechanical measurement complexity while maintaining precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a digital copy of the animal through camera imaging, then performs all measurements on this digital representation rather than the physical animal itself. This allows multiple measurements to be taken from the same image without requiring physical measuring devices, and enables lay users to score animals independently of trained scorers.
2Measurement precision
If physical measuring devices and trained scorers are used, then measurement precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile application enables lay users to independently score animals without requiring trained scorers or specialized equipment. The system automatically performs image analysis, feature detection, and score calculation, allowing any user with a smartphone to accurately score animals. This self-service capability dramatically improves ease of operation while maintaining measurement precision through automated AI processing.
Solution Approach 2:
By replacing the need for trained scorers and physical measuring devices with an automated mobile application, the system makes animal scoring accessible to the general public. The application handles all complex measurement and calculation tasks automatically, requiring only that users capture images of their animals, thereby significantly improving ease of operation.
3Measurement precision
If multiple measurements are taken manually, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs all measurement and calculation operations automatically in the background after capturing a single image. Instead of requiring users to manually take multiple measurements sequentially, the AI processing engine simultaneously extracts all necessary dimensional data from the image and computes the final score, dramatically reducing the time required while maintaining precision through comprehensive automated analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated image processing and AI analysis replace manual measurement processes, enabling the system to perform multiple virtual measurements instantaneously from a single image capture. This eliminates the time-consuming sequential nature of manual measurements while maintaining measurement precision through sophisticated computer vision algorithms.
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a smart device, cloud platform, and an application on the smart device. The smart device via the application may communicate with the cloud platform, which in turn, communicates with the smart device. The application allows a user to upload or capture images of antlers, horns, etc. and select the type of animal to be scored. Once the image is selected, it is sent to the cloud platform, where it is broken into separate cropped sections. Each section may contain a tine and one section may contain the main beam. Accordingly, each portion of antler is measured. The completed measurements are then sent to the smart device as a score for the animal.