Methods and apparatus for the dimensional measurement of livestock using a single camera
AssigneeC-Scan, LLC
InventorMarshall S. Kriesel
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and apparatus for measuring target animals, including livestock animals and full carcasses, and more specifically livestock animals such as cattle and hogs using a single camera system. More particularly, the method of the invention is directed toward obtaining key measurements of the target animal, such as animal weight, animal hip height and animal hip width.
Claims29
An apparatus for determining selected physical characteristics of a target animal comprising:
- (a) structural means for defining a target area for positioning the target animal, said target area having a generally centrally disposed, substantially vertical, longitudinally extending first plane;
- (b) at least one light source supported by said structural means for illuminating at least a portion of the target animal;
- (c) a single camera supported by said structural means at a spaced apart location from said at least one light source and from the target animal for obtaining imaging data of the target animal including a continuous, uninterrupted visual image of the configuration of a substantial portion of the target animal;
- and
- (d) data processing means operably associated with said single camera for processing said imaging data.
An apparatus for determining the hip height and the hip width of a target animal comprising:
- (a) structural means for defining a target area for positioning the target animal, said target area having a generally centrally disposed, substantially vertical, longitudinally extending first plane having first and second sides, said structural means comprising a chute for guiding the target animal into the target area;
- (b) a plurality of light sources supported by said structural means for illuminating at least a portion of the target animal;
- (c) a single camera supported by said structural means at a spaced apart location from said plurality of light sources and from the target animal for obtaining imaging data of the target animal comprising a continuous unbroken image of the configuration of a substantial portion of the target animal;
- and
- (d) data processing means operably associated with said single camera for processing said imaging data to determine the hip height and the hip width of the target animal.
A method for determining the hip height and the hip width of a target animal having a midsagittal plane using a single camera mounted on structural means for defining a target area for positioning the target animal, said target area having a generally centrally disposed, substantially vertical, longitudinally extending first plane;
- a plurality of spaced apart light sources supported by said structural means for illuminating at least a portion of the target animal;
- and data processing means operably associated with said single camera for processing said imaging data, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) positioning the target animal within the target area so that the midsagittal plane of the target animal is aligned with said first plane;
- (b) using the light sources illuminating at least a portion of the target animal;
- (c) using the single camera obtaining a continuous, uninterrupted image of a substantial portion of the target animal;
- and
- (d) using the data processing means analyzing said a image to determine the hip height and the hip width of the target animal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.