Thermal Pet Food Preference Evaluation With Minimal Consumption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for evaluating pet food preference are inadequate, lacking reliability and objectivity, and often require large amounts of food consumption, making it difficult for pet owners and manufacturers to determine which foods pets enjoy and prefer.
Innovation Solution
A method using thermal measurement devices, such as noncontact and contact thermometers or thermal imaging, to assess a pet's preference between two foods by measuring temperature changes before, during, and after interaction, with results indicating preference based on temperature increases or decreases depending on the body part measured.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If food preference is based on the relative amounts of food eaten when an animal is given a choice, then food preference can be determined, but large amounts of pet food are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical consumption-based measurement system with a thermal measurement system. Instead of measuring food preference through the quantity of food consumed (mechanical system), the invention uses thermal imaging cameras to detect temperature changes in the animal's body (thermal system). This substitution allows preference determination without requiring large amounts of food consumption, as the thermal response to food presentation provides the measurement data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces thermal measurement as an intermediary parameter to indirectly assess food preference. Rather than directly measuring food consumption quantities, the system uses temperature changes in the animal's body as an intermediary indicator that correlates with food preference. This intermediary measurement approach enables preference determination with minimal food consumption, as the thermal response serves as a proxy for the animal's dietary choices.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple parameters are used to evaluate pet food preference, then comprehensive assessment is achieved, but reliability and objectivity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and isolates a single critical parameter (thermal response) from the complex multi-parameter evaluation system. By taking out only the most relevant thermal measurement parameter and eliminating other subjective or variable parameters (such as behavioral observations, owner preferences, etc.), the invention achieves both comprehensive assessment through this key parameter while simultaneously improving reliability and objectivity. The thermal response serves as a singular, objective metric that captures the essential information needed for food preference evaluation.
3Ease of operation
If subjective criteria are used to evaluate pet food preference, then caregiver satisfaction is improved, but objectivity and consistency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces subjective caregiver assessment with an objective thermal measurement system. Instead of relying on caregiver observations and subjective judgments about pet food preference, the invention uses thermal imaging technology to objectively measure temperature changes in the animal's body. This substitution provides precise, consistent, and reproducible measurements that eliminate human subjectivity while maintaining ease of operation through automated thermal detection and analysis.
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
Provides reliable and objective results for pet food preference without requiring large food consumption, allowing pet owners to select foods that enhance pet enjoyment and bond satisfaction.
Implementation Method 1
One or more thermal measurements of the animal are taken during a first food interaction... One or more thermal measurements of the animal are taken during a second food interaction
Data Source
AI summary
A method for evaluating a companion pet food is provided. The method comprises providing at least a first and a second pet food to a companion animal, taking one or more noncontact thermal measurements of the companion animal while interacting with the first and second pet foods, and comparing the measurements. Kits, systems and/or computer media for carrying out the method form further aspects of the invention.