System and method for animal gait characterization from bottom view using video analysis
US8514236B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 30, 2004 |
| Grant date | Aug 20, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 24, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06T2207/30004
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
In general, the present invention is directed to systems and methods for finding the gait parameters of an animal using video. The invention includes a system with a video camera coupled to a computer in which the computer is configured to automatically provide animal segmentation, foot identification, foot tracking, and gait parameter calculation. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention may use a treadmill apparatus with a transparent tread or belt for gait parameter calculation. A camera may be placed directly underneath the transparent tread such that the bottom view of the animal walking or running on the transparent tread is captured by the camera. A tilted mirror may also be placed directly underneath the transparent tread in order to reflect the bottom view images to the side where they are captured by a high-speed camera. Thus, the present invention is capable of automatically monitoring a video image to identify, track and classify the actions of various animals' feet within the image. The image may be provided in real time or from storage. The invention is particularly useful for monitoring and characterizing gait behavior such as walking and running behavior and…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.