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 method of measuring an animal having a front pair of legs and a hind pair of legs, the method comprising the steps of:(a) obtaining an image of a region of the legs having metacarpus bones and metatarsus bones;(b) analyzing the image with a processor to determine a distance

What is claimed is: 1. A method of measuring an animal having a front pair of legs and a hind pair of legs, the method comprising the steps of:(a) obtaining an image of a region of the legs having metacarpus bones and metatarsus bones;(b) analyzing the image with a processor to determine a distance between the right and left front legs and a distance between the right and left hind legs;(c) dividing each of the distances to determine a midpoint between the front legs and a midpoint between the hind legs;(d) determining an approximate distance between the front midpoint and the hind midpoint; and(e) obtaining an approximation of animal skeletal length from the distance determined in step (d).