Abstract: The invention comprises a method and system for grading and verifying the grading of an animal hide. The animal hide is inspected on a light table to determine the grade of the hide. A tag on the hide is read by a reader to identify the hide. The hide is displayed on a monitor connected to a computer. Touch screen commands are be used for inputting information into the computer database to make a record of the inspection and grading of the hide. A camera connected to the computer is used to photograph the animal hide on the light table and store the data and image in a computer database to make a record of the inspection and provide the ability to verify the condition of the animal hide when it was inspected. The photograph of an animal hide and all information relating to the animal hide is stored in a database to identify the hide and to verify the inspection grade of the animal hide.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for determining one or more dimensions of an alligator based upon an image. A sensor coupled to a computing device captures an image of an alligator. The computing device extracts a portion of the image that corresponds to a silhouette of the alligator and determines a contour of the silhouette. The computing device transforms the contour to a predetermined position and/or rotation and determines one or more dimensions of the alligator based upon the transformed contour.

Abstract: Described herein are methods and systems for determining one or more dimensions of an alligator based upon an image. A sensor coupled to a computing device captures an image of an alligator. The computing device extracts a portion of the image that corresponds to a silhouette of the alligator and determines a contour of the silhouette. The computing device transforms the contour to a predetermined position and/or rotation and determines one or more dimensions of the alligator based upon the transformed contour.

Abstract: The invention provides, in one aspect, a computerized method for graphically marking an animal for display to a user. The method includes retrieving, with a first computing device (e.g., a smartphone), one or more animal metrics (e.g., weight) from a data store, and capturing, with a second computing device (e.g., Google Glass or similar device) coupled to the first computing device, an image of an animal. The method further includes transmitting, from the second computing device to the first computing device, the captured image of the animal, and identifying, with the first computing device, an animal in the captured image. The method associates, with the first computing device, the identified animal with one or more of the metrics retrieved from the data store, and displays, with the second computing device, one or more visual cues (e.g., colors) based upon the associated one or more metrics retrieved from the data store.

Abstract: In some aspects, an animal positioning system can include a positioning member positioned relative to a datum structure, the positioning member being configured to limit an available spacing along a floor surface between the positioning member and the datum structure, the positioning member being arranged at an angular bias away from the datum structure relative to a floor surface and being configured to permit unobstructed viewing of a body of an animal positioned in the available spacing.

Abstract: The invention provides, in one aspect, a computerized method for estimating a weight of an animal. The method includes acquiring an image of an animal and comparing, by at least one computing device, the image to a plurality of models to determine a selected one of the plurality of models that optimally matches a size or shape of the animal, wherein each of the plurality of models has a known weight. The method further includes adjusting, by the at least one computing device, either (i) the image relative to the selected model or (ii) the selected model relative to the image. One or more differential adjustment parameters are determined, by the at least one computing device, based upon the adjustment of the image or model; and a weight of the animal is determined, by the at least one computing device, by adjusting the known weight of the selected model based upon the one or more differential adjustment parameters.

Abstract: In some aspects, an animal positioning system can include a positioning member positioned relative to a datum structure, the positioning member being configured to limit an available spacing along a floor surface between the positioning member and the datum structure, the positioning member being arranged at an angular bias away from the datum structure relative to a floor surface and being configured to permit unobstructed viewing of a body of an animal positioned in the available spacing.

Abstract: In some aspects, an animal positioning system can include a first positioning member; and a second positioning member positioned relative to the first positioning member configured to limit an available spacing along a floor surface between the first positioning member and the second positioning member. The second positioning member is typically arranged at an angular bias away from the first positioning member relative to a floor surface and is configured to permit unobstructed viewing of a body of an animal positioned in the available spacing.

Abstract: The invention provides, in one aspect, a computerized method for estimating a weight of an animal. The method includes acquiring an image of an animal and comparing, by at least one computing device, the image to a plurality of models to determine a selected one of the plurality of models that optimally matches a size or shape of the animal, wherein each of the plurality of models has a known weight. The method further includes adjusting, by the at least one computing device, either (i) the image relative to the selected model or (ii) the selected model relative to the image. One or more differential adjustment parameters are determined, by the at least one computing device, based upon the adjustment of the image or model; and a weight of the animal is determined, by the at least one computing device, by adjusting the known weight of the selected model based upon the one or more differential adjustment parameters.

Abstract: In some aspects, an animal positioning system can include a first positioning member; and a second positioning member positioned relative to the first positioning member configured to limit an available spacing along a floor surface between the first positioning member and the second positioning member. The second positioning member is typically arranged at an angular bias away from the first positioning member relative to a floor surface and is configured to permit unobstructed viewing of a body of an animal positioned in the available spacing.

Abstract: A contactless system and method for estimating the volume, mass or weight of a target animal is provided. First, the target animal is imaged, preferably with a stereoscopic camera. A spatial representation of the target animal is derived from the stereoscopic images. Next, a virtual three-dimensional spatial model is provided, preferably having a shape resembling that of a characteristic of the animal to which the target animal belongs. A software module is provided to reshape the virtual spatial model, using a finite set of independently configurable shape variables, to approximately fit the spatial representation of the individual animal. Finally, the volume, mass or weight of the target animal is estimated as a function of shape variables characterizing the reshaped virtual model.

Abstract: A contactless system and method for estimating the volume, mass or weight of a target animal is provided. First, the target animal is imaged, preferably with a stereoscopic camera. A spatial representation of the target animal is derived from the stereoscopic images. Next, a virtual three-dimensional spatial model is provided, preferably having a shape resembling that of a characteristic of the animal to which the target animal belongs. A software module is provided to reshape the virtual spatial model, using a finite set of independently configurable shape variables, to approximately fit the spatial representation of the individual animal. Finally, the volume, mass or weight of the target animal is estimated as a function of shape variables characterizing the reshaped virtual model.