Estimating physical parameters using three dimensional representations

Abstract

Methods, systems, and apparatus for estimating physical parameters using three dimensional representations. In one aspect, predetermined light patterns are projected onto an object and light patterns resulting from an interaction of the projected light patterns and portions of the object are detected. Three dimensional locations of multiple light elements in the detected light pattern are determined, and physical parameters of the object, for example, weight, are estimated based on the locations.

1 - 54 . (canceled) 
     
     
         55 . A method for estimating an animal's weight, the method comprising:
 projecting with an apparatus a light pattern including a plurality of light elements onto at least a portion of the animal;   capturing with the apparatus an image of the plurality of light elements overlaid on the animal;   processing the image to identify the plurality of light elements; and   estimating the weight of the animal with the identified plurality of light elements.   
     
     
         56 . A method according with  claim 55 , wherein the apparatus comprises a human machine interface and a display device, the method further comprising: using the human machine interface to initiate projecting the light pattern and capturing the image. 
     
     
         57 . A method according with  claim 55 , further comprising: displaying the weight estimate with the display. 
     
     
         58 . A method according with  claim 55 , wherein the light elements comprise coded targets. 
     
     
         59 . A method according with  claim 55 , wherein the weight is estimated with only one image. 
     
     
         60 . A method according with  claim 55 , further comprising calculating a plurality of geometric parameters of the animal with the identified light elements; and estimating the weight with the geometric parameters. 
     
     
         61 . A method according with  claim 60 , further comprising capturing additional images, wherein calculating the plurality of geometric parameters comprises processing the image and the additional images to calculate the plurality of geometric parameters. 
     
     
         62 . A method according with  claim 60 , wherein the plurality of geometric parameters are selected from the group consisting of crown-rump length, heart girth, front leg circumference below the elbow, elbow to elbow distance, flank to flank distance, front leg length, crease to crease length, hock circumference, rear leg circumference at groin, width at shoulders, ham width, width at ham crease, width at maximum ham protrusion, belly clearance, height at scapula, height above hip, and height at tail insertion. 
     
     
         63 . A method according with  claim 55 , further comprising: producing a three-dimensional representation of the animal; and comparing the three-dimensional representation to a standard representation. 
     
     
         64 . A method according with  claim 63 , wherein producing a three-dimensional representation comprises determining the three-dimensional locations of the light elements. 
     
     
         65 . A method according with  claim 63 , wherein comparing comprises:
 estimating lengths of lines normal to the standard representation, the lengths representing distances between the standard representation and the three-dimensional representation of the animal; and   estimating the weight of the animal based on the lengths of the lines.   
     
     
         66 . An apparatus for estimating an animal's weight, the apparatus comprising:
 a housing configured to be hand-held;   a light source;   a human machine interface;   a capture portion including a detector, the capture portion and the light source located in the housing, which supports the human machine interface;   a processor, and   a non-transitory computer readable medium having embedded therein processing instructions configured, when executed by the processor, to implement a method comprising:   projecting a light pattern including a plurality of light elements onto at least a portion of the animal;   capturing with the capture portion an image of the plurality of light elements overlaid on the animal;   processing the image to identify the plurality of light elements; and   estimating the weight of the animal with the identified plurality of light elements.   
     
     
         67 . An apparatus according with  claim 66 , wherein the processor and the non-transitory computer readable medium are enclosed in the housing. 
     
     
         68 . An apparatus according with  claim 66 , wherein the light elements comprise coded targets. 
     
     
         69 . An apparatus according with  claim 66 , wherein the weight is estimated with only one image. 
     
     
         70 . An apparatus according with  claim 66 , the method further comprising calculating a plurality of geometric parameters of the animal with the identified light elements; and estimating the weight with the geometric parameters. 
     
     
         71 . An apparatus according with  claim 70 , the method further comprising capturing additional images, wherein calculating the plurality of geometric parameters comprises processing the image and the additional images to calculate the plurality of geometric parameters. 
     
     
         72 . An apparatus according with  claim 70 , wherein the plurality of geometric parameters are selected from the group consisting of crown-rump length, heart girth, front leg circumference below the elbow, elbow to elbow distance, flank to flank distance, front leg length, crease to crease length, hock circumference, rear leg circumference at groin, width at shoulders, ham width, width at ham crease, width at maximum ham protrusion, belly clearance, height at scapula, height above hip, and height at tail insertion. 
     
     
         73 . An apparatus according with  claim 66 , the method further comprising: producing a three-dimensional representation of the animal; and comparing the three-dimensional representation to a standard representation. 
     
     
         74 . An apparatus according with  claim 73 , wherein producing a three-dimensional representation comprises determining the three-dimensional locations of the light elements. 
     
     
         75 . An apparatus according with  claim 73 , wherein comparing comprises:
 estimating lengths of lines normal to the standard representation, the lengths representing distances between the standard representation and the three-dimensional representation of the animal; and   estimating the weight of the animal based on the lengths of the lines.