Apparatus and method for recognizing and determining a position
US8059869B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 12, 2007 |
| Grant date | Nov 15, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 14, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA01J5/0175
- WIPO fieldOther special machines
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus for recognizing and determining the position of at least one teat of a milking animal includes a scanning head comprising a light source and a camera. The light source emits light into a region which is expected to contain a teat or teats and the camera captures images formed by the light. In a first scanning mode, the scanning head is moved from a low initial position upwards in a circular coil until the position of at least a first teat has been established. Thereafter, in a second scanning mode, the scanning head is moved upwards in a circular coil until the positions of all teats have been established, or a predetermined time limit has elapsed during the scanning procedure. The coil traversed during the first scanning mode is wider than the coil traversed during the second scanning mode.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.