초록 ▼

A system and method for measuring an animal includes a light source and an optical source. The light source, which is preferably an array of monochromatic light emitting diodes, at least partially backlights one or more of the animal's legs. The optical sensor or device, which is preferably a single

A system and method for measuring an animal includes a light source and an optical source. The light source, which is preferably an array of monochromatic light emitting diodes, at least partially backlights one or more of the animal's legs. The optical sensor or device, which is preferably a single dimension camera or charged-coupled device, opposes the light source and obtains an image that includes silhouettes of one or more legs of the animal. A processor, such as a computer with software and data storage, determines measurements, such as the approximate skeletal trunk length of the animal, from the silhouetted legs in the image. One or more first ultrasound transducers can be arranged to determine an approximate height of the pelvic region, and one or more second ultrasound transducers can be arranged to determine an approximate width of the pelvic region.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A system for measuring at least one physical feature of an animal, comprising: a light source at least partially backlighting a first portion of the animal, wherein the first portion includes at least a portion of the lower leg of the animal; a first ultrasound transducer arr

What is claimed is: 1. A system for measuring at least one physical feature of an animal, comprising: a light source at least partially backlighting a first portion of the animal, wherein the first portion includes at least a portion of the lower leg of the animal; a first ultrasound transducer arranged substantially vertical to the animal to determine an approximate standing height of a second portion of the animal; and an optical device opposing the light source and obtaining an image that includes a silhouette of the first portion of the animal. 2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a housing unit having at least one sidewall with the light source or optical device mounted thereon. 3. The system of claim 2, further comprising at least one entry port formed at an end of the unit. 4. The system of claim 2, further comprising a device arranged adjacent the head of the animal for positioning the animal within the housing unit. 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the light source comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes arranged in an array. 6. The system of claim 5, wherein the plurality of light emitting diodes are monochromatic. 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the optical device is selected from the group consisting of a photographic camera, a charged-coupled-device, a photodiode array, a CMOS optical sensor, a digital camera, a single dimension video camera, and a 2-dimensional video camera. 8. The system of claim 7, wherein the optical device comprises a lens for limiting the field of view. 9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a processor coupled to the optical device for analyzing the image. 10. The system of claim 9, wherein the processor determines a measurement of the physical feature from the image. 11. The system of claim 10, wherein the measurement includes a width of a leg, a separation between a pair of legs, a skeletal trunk length of the animal, a pelvic height of the animal, a pelvic width of the animal, a center of the animal, or a volume of the animal. 12. The system of claim 9, wherein the processor comprises a computer having software and data storage. 13. The system of claim 9, wherein the processor selects an area on the animal to apply a medical product or to determine subcutaneous fat with an ultrasound transducer. 14. The system of claim 1, wherein the second portion of the animal includes the pelvic region of the animal. 15. The system of claim 1, further comprising a second ultrasound transducer arranged substantially lateral to the animal to determine an approximate width of a third portion of the animal. 16. The system of claim 15, wherein the third portion of the animal includes the pelvic region of the animal. 17. The system of claim 15, further comprising a third ultrasound transducer arranged substantially opposing the second ultrasound transducer. 18. A system for measuring an animal having legs, comprising: means for obtaining an image of a lower portion of at least one or more legs of the animal, wherein the means for obtaining the image comprises means for at least partially backlighting the lower portion of at least one leg of the animal; means for determining an approximate standing height of a portion of the animal; and means for determining at least one approximate physical dimension of the animal from the image. 19. The system of claim 18, wherein the means for obtaining the image comprises means for capturing one or more silhouettes of the lower portion of the one or more legs of the animal. 20. The system of claim 18, wherein the physical dimension includes a width of a leg, a separation between a pair of legs, a skeletal trunk length of the animal, a pelvic height of the animal, a pelvic width of the animal, a center of the animal, or a volume of the animal. 21. The system of claim 18, wherein the means for determining the at least one approximate physical dimension comprises means for determining an approximate distance between at least one pair of legs in the image. 22. The system of claim 18, wherein the means for determining the at least one approximate physical dimension comprises means for determining an approximate width of at least one leg of the animal in the image. 23. The system of claim 18, wherein the means for determining the at least one approximate physical dimension comprises means for determining an approximate skeletal trunk length of the animal from at least two pairs of legs in the image. 24. The system of claim 23, wherein the means for determining the approximate skeletal trunk length of the animal comprises: means for determining first and second midpoints respectively between first pair and second pairs of legs in the image; and means for determining an approximate distance between the first and second midpoints. 25. The system of claim 24, further comprising means for scaling the approximate distance between the first and second midpoints to approximate the skeletal trunk length of the animal. 26. The system of claim 18, wherein the means for determining the approximate height comprises means for measuring an approximate distance from an ultrasound transducer to the portion of the animal. 27. The system of claim 18, further comprising means for determining an approximate width of a second portion of the animal. 28. The system of claim 27, wherein the means for determining the approximate width comprises means for respectively measuring approximate distances from a pair of substantially opposing ultrasound transducers to the second portion of the animal. 29. The system of claim 18, further comprising means for selecting an area on the animal to apply a medical product or to determine subcutaneous fat with an ultrasound transducer.