Three-dimensional measuring system for animals using structured light
AssigneePheno Imaging, Inc.
InventorJames S. Ellis
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system measures the three-dimensional linear, angular and volumetric characteristics of an animal or carcass, such as a beef animal. The system uses light spots from a structured light camera to measure multiple points on the animal. The system locates the vertical, horizontal and depth dimension for each point and uses this data to calculate the desired linear and volumetric measurements for conformation of the animal by combining measurements of some of the light spots projected on the animal. The system also provides rapid consecutive three-dimensional motion pictures of the animal.
Claims27
A system for measuring linear and volumetric characteristics of an animal, the system comprising:
- image projection means for projecting a plurality of structured light elements toward the animal to reflect therefrom;
- image receiving means for receiving the reflected structured light elements and providing vertical and horizontal dimension data for each of the reflected structured light elements;
- and
- computer means for receiving the vertical and horizontal dimension data, for determining distance data comprising a distance between each of said structured light elements and a distance between the image receiving means and each of said structured light elements, and for measuring linear and volumetric characteristics of the animal using said distance data.
A method for measuring linear and volumetric characteristics of an animal, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) projecting a plurality of structured light pattern elements toward the animal to reflect therefrom;
- (b) receiving structured light pattern elements reflected from the animal;
- (c) measuring vertical and horizontal dimension data for each of the reflected structured light pattern elements received in step (b);
- (d) measuring a distance between each of said structured light pattern elements received in step (b);
- (e) measuring a distance between the image receiving means and each of said structured light pattern elements received in step (b);
- and
- (f) measuring linear and volumetric characteristics of the animal from results of said measuring in steps (c), (d), and (e).
A system for measuring linear and volumetric characteristics of an animal, the system comprising:
- a projector for projecting a plurality of structured light elements toward the animal to reflect therefrom;
- a camera for receiving receive the reflected structured light elements and providing vertical and horizontal dimension data for each of the reflected structured light elements;
- and
- a computer for receiving the vertical and horizontal dimension data, for determining distance data comprising a distance between each of said structured light elements and a distance between the image receiving means and each of said structured light pattern elements, and for measuring linear and volumetric characteristics of the animal using said distance data.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.