Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for mapping of plants. Homogenous and heterogeneous flora areas called clusters are identified in remote sensing images and routes to the plant clusters are generated. The plants are classified using morphological data from foliar images of plants present in the clusters.

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: A method and a system for recognizing plant diseases and a recording medium are provided. The method includes: providing a plant disease database, for storing plant disease and disease characteristic image corresponding to the plant disease; after obtaining plant image by an image capture device, obtaining segmented plant image by an image processing unit according to a first processing technique, and obtaining suspected region image according to a second processing technique; calculating an area of the suspected region image, and when the area is greater than a preset area, using the suspected region image as syndrome image, and comparing the syndrome image with the disease characteristic image; and when the syndrome image matches any specific disease characteristic image, obtaining a corresponding specific plant disease.

Abstract: A digital image of a target object is received and the image includes a plurality of pixels. The target object is at least a portion of an animal, and the portion of the animal is disposed in the image according to a predetermined disposition. The weight of the animal is determined using the model and at least one characteristic. At least some of the pixels of the image of animal are analyzed to determine at least one characteristic of the image of the animal. The weight of the animal is determined using the at least one characteristic.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying stands or portions thereof that are not growing as expected. In one embodiment, a computer system compares a measured leaf area index of a stand that is determined from remotely sensed data to an expected leaf area index. The computer system identifies stands or portions of stands where the measured leaf area index is greater than the expected leaf area index and/or stands or portions of stands where the measured leaf area index is less than the expected leaf area index. In one embodiment, the comparison is used to identify stands or portions thereof where silviculture treatments may be necessary.

Abstract: A system and method for obtaining multispectral images of fresh meat at predetermined wavelength bands at a first time, subjecting the images to analysis in an image analysis system comprising a computer programmed to perform such analysis, and outputting a forecast of meat tenderness at a later point in time. Predetermined key wavelength bands are precorrelated with a high degree of prediction of meat tenderness and/or other properties of meat and are used in the multispectral system and method. A system and method for determining the key wavelengths is also disclosed. The multispectral imaging system and method is suitable for use in an industrial setting, such as a meat processing plant. The system and method is useful in a method for determining quality and yield grades at or near the time of imaging in lieu of visual inspection with the unaided human eye, increasing efficiency and objectivity.

Abstract: A programmed computer system estimates the age of trees from a number of remotely sensed images of an area of interest. Vegetation Index (V.I.) values are determined for pixel locations in the number of images. The V.I. values are analyzed to find a V.I. value that correlates with a known age of a tree. Once the date of the image that produced the V.I. value is known, the current age of the trees that correspond to the pixel location is determined.

Abstract: Methods and systems using a vision system to process shrimp. The vision system captures images of samples of shrimps. The processor produces a digital image of the shrimps in the samples. Shrimps exiting a peeler are imaged to determine the number of tail segments in each. The shrimps are classified by the number of intact segments, and quality, yield, and throughput computed from the classification results. The processor can control operational settings of the peeler based on the classification results. In a larger system including other shrimp-processing equipment besides the peeler, other points along the processing path can be imaged by camera or sensed by other sensors to determine processing quality and to make automatic operational adjustments to the equipment.

Abstract: An electric product which includes a recognition device obtaining information about a food item to be added to a storage compartment, and a display unit displaying information about a food item stored in the storage compartment. The electric product further includes a memory unit storing the information about the food item stored in the storage compartment, and a control unit controlling the display unit. The recognition device obtains information about a food item to be added. The control unit stores the information about the food to be added in the memory unit and displays the information about the food added to the memory unit on the display unit.

Abstract: A digital image of a target object is received and the image includes a plurality of pixels. The target object is at least a portion of an animal, and the portion of the animal is disposed in the image according to a predetermined disposition. The weight of the animal is determined using the model and at least one characteristic. At least some of the pixels of the image of animal are analyzed to determine at least one characteristic of the image of the animal. The weight of the animal is determined using the at least one characteristic.

Abstract: An image method for classifying insects includes the following steps: obtaining detecting images of the insects in a detecting area; obtaining a first foreground image related to the insects by background subtraction; extracting the saturation from the first foreground image and eliminating the non-characteristic objects therein to obtain a second foreground image; extracting the characteristics related to the insects from the second foreground image according to a threshold; and, determining the classifications or the sexes of the insects according to the characteristics. Accordingly, the image method for classifying insects can be used for automatically classifying the insects so as to save the manpower and time.

Abstract: In a method for analyzing interpersonal relationships of persons. The method obtains images of the persons within every preset time period, determines images from the obtained images which include a first person and a second person within every preset time period, calculates a distance between the first person and the second person in each determined image within every preset time period, to calculate a relationship weight between the first person and the second person within every preset time period. The method further determines a tendency chart of the relationship weight between the first person and the second person according to the relationship weight between the first person and the second person within every preset time period, and displays the tendency chart on a display device.

Abstract: A commodity recognition apparatus comprises an image interface configured to acquire the image of a commodity photographed by a camera and a processor configured to detect a commodity image from the images acquired via the image interface, carry out a commodity recognition processing for recognizing commodity candidates according to the feature amount extracted from the commodity image and a code reading processing for reading a commodity recognition code from the same commodity image in parallel, and as a result determine a commodity recognition code if the commodity recognition code is read through the code reading processing or output the result of the commodity recognition processing if no commodity recognition code is read and the photographing period for the commodity is ended.

Abstract: A method for determining a spray position for a spray tool includes accessing an image signal generated by a camera, the image signal corresponding to at least an udder of a dairy livestock. The method further includes processing the accessed image signal to determine a tangent to the rear and a tangent to the bottom of the udder of the dairy livestock. The method concludes by determining a spray position from which a spray tool may apply disinfectant to the teats of the dairy livestock, wherein the spray position is a position relative to the intersection of the two tangents.

Abstract: A method for scoring and controlling the quality of dynamic food products transitioning in the processing steps is performed using image analysis. An image of a plurality of moving food products on a conveyor system is captured by on-line vision equipment and image analysis is performed on the image via an algorithm that determines the percentage of pixels having varying intensities of colors and applies predetermined preferences to predict consumer dissatisfaction. The entire group of food products of one or more images is given an overall appearance score and each individual food product is also scored such that each may be ranked from least to more acceptable. The ranked food products can then be ejected in the order of worst to better rank to increase the overall quality score of the entire group.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described that provide a fast and simple way of administering a drug program related to an animal. Specifically, systems are provided that can receive, compile and analyze information regarding the condition of an organ in a form that is readily readable, transferable to others, and associated with, or linked to, other information such as the presence or absence of an administered drug, combination of drugs, or drug program.

Abstract: A system for measuring features of plant by plant images is provided, which includes an image display module, a measurement specifying module and a computing module. The image display module is used for displaying at least one plant image. The measurement specifying module is used for specifying at least two measurement points on each of the plant images and a relation between the measurement points. The computing module is used for calculating at least one piece of plant features of the plant image according to the specified positions of the measurement points and the relation between the measurement points.

Abstract: Plants may be remotely identified using unique biological characteristics (UBCs). One method involves determining a target plant within an area to be surveyed and associated target plant characteristics. The method may further include a determination of one or more unique UBCs associated with the target plant, and the location of a training plant within the physical area that exhibits the target plant characteristics. Thereafter, comparisons may be made between subsections of an acquired, date-specific, geo referenced image and data representing the training plant to identify those subsections that represent plants within the area that are associated with the one or more UBCs.

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: There is provided an information processing apparatus including an image acquisition unit configured to acquire a dish image obtained by shooting a single or multiple dishes, and a first dish recognition unit configured to recognize the single or multiple dishes included in the dish image with reference to dish data selected, from dish data registered in advance, based on a condition regarding at least one of a person relating to the dish image, a shooting environment of the dish image, a shooting place of the dish image, and a shooting time of the dish image.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and computer program storage device cooperate to acquire an image of at least a part of a meal. An analysis is then done on the image to determine a substance in the image. The analysis also considers caloric intake and exercise data and compares the same with a health management model to arrive at a recommendation for a user who consumed the meal. Various optional features include using wireless communications to receive exercise data from sensors, as well as communication related images such as the menu of a restaurant or the location of the restaurant.

Abstract: An X-ray scanning apparatus for locating a contaminant in a product, the apparatus comprising: means for generating an X-ray image of the product; means for assigning a grey scale value to a plurality of pixels; means for identifying a plurality of suspect pixels; means, which for each suspect pixel: selects two neighboring pixels in a first direction lying on opposed sides of the suspect pixel and determines which of the first direction pixels has the lowest grey value; selects two neighboring pixels in a second direction lying on opposed sides of the suspect pixel and determines which of the second direction pixels has the lowest grey value; determines a first direction difference value by taking the grey value difference between the lowest grey value first direction pixel and the grey value of the suspect; determines a second direction difference value by taking the grey value difference between the lowest grey value second direction pixel and the grey value of the suspect; determines a first direction sco

Abstract: A pattern extracting apparatus includes a first storing section storing plural target information pieces, a candidate pattern producing section producing candidate patterns each including two or more items different from each other based on each of the items included in the plural target information pieces, a candidate evaluation value calculating section calculating an extraction evaluation value of the candidate pattern based on a frequency of appearance at which the produced candidate pattern appears in the plural target information pieces, a pattern extracting section determining and extracting any of the candidate patterns having the calculated extraction evaluation value satisfying a predetermined threshold value, and a second storing section storing an association degree between the items.

Abstract: Certain aspects of an apparatus and method for determining information associated with a food product may include a server that is communicably coupled to a computing device. The server may deconstruct a three dimensional (3-D) image of the food product to identify one or more ingredients in the food product. Further, the server may compare the deconstructed 3-D image with a database of pre-stored images of food products to determine a type of the one or more ingredients in the food product. The server may determine nutritional information associated with the food product based on the determined type of the one or more ingredients.

Abstract: A device and method for identifying plant rows in a field represented by an image is provided. The plant rows may be identified using the frequency domain. The plant rows may further be identified using information regarding plant positions. Additionally, plant rows may be obtained by any appropriate method and analyzed to differentiate between planted and non-planted rows. Further, plant rows may be segmented according to predefined classifications or attributes thereof, wherein the classification/attributes may derived from an image of the area in which the plant rows are found and/or using any other appropriate method.

Abstract: A plant species identification apparatus for identifying plant species is disclosed. A reference data storage part stores reference spectral data which indicate a reflectance spectral feature classified by area segments including a sunlit portion and a shaded portion in addition to the plant species. A data input part acquires hyperspectral data to be a target. A determination part specifies the reflectance spectral feature of a pixel for each of pixels of the hyperspectral data from the reference data storage part and to determine the plant species of the pixels based on a classification of the reference spectral data.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described that provide a fast and simple way of processing meat or food products. Information is compiled and analyzed regarding the condition of a carcass, meat product, styling of the meat product and associated tray or package. Information is used in various processes, including determining which further processing steps are required. The information is also stored for future reference and analysis.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of plant breeding and concerns a method for determining the point at which a plant starts to flower. More specifically, the invention concerns a method for determining the start of flowering on an individual plant basis by measuring the reproductive structures of plants from digital images of these structures and deducing the start of flowering from the measurements and average growth rates. The invention also concerns apparatus for determining the start of flowering in plants, particularly in a high-throughput manner.

Abstract: A commodity recognition apparatus extracts the appearance feature amount of a commodity included in an image from the captured image, compares the appearance feature amount with the feature amount data of a recognition dictionary, and extracts the candidate of the commodity included in the image. When the selection input of the commodity is accepted from a plurality of commodity candidates, correction data are generated according to the feature amount data of the commodity of which the selection input is accepted and the appearance feature amount data, and the appearance feature amount of the commodity extracted by utilizing the correction data is corrected.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for non-destructively diagnosing crop growth using terahertz waves are provided. The apparatus includes an information extractor configured to extract status information on a crop from information on an image of the crop taken using terahertz waves, a database configured to store growth-stage-specific information on the crop, and a status determiner configured to compare the status information on the crop extracted by the information extractor with the growth-stage-specific information stored in the database, and determine the degree of growth of the crop.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, an information processing apparatus includes an area specification module configured to specify a sufficiency area meeting a specified temperature condition from a thermography representing the temperature distribution in an image capturing area, an extraction module configured to extract feature amount from a specified area in a captured image of the image capturing area based on the sufficiency area specified by the area specification module and an object recognition module configured to recognize an object contained in the captured image using the feature amount extracted by the extraction module.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method, a sensor unit and a machine for detecting “sugar end” defects in potatoes. The method comprises irradiating potatoes with at least one light source, for a plurality of locus points on each potato, wherein locus points lie on the end regions of the potato and other locus points lie in a central region of the potato. The light reflected from and/or transmitted through the respective locus points is selectively projected onto at least one photo sensor which generates light measurement signals for each locus point from the received light. At least one classification feature is determined from the light measurement signals. If at least one classification feature corresponds to a predefined “sugar end” criterion the respective potato is classified as having “sugar end” defects.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described that provide a fast and simple way of administering a drug program related to an animal. Specifically, systems are provided that can receive, compile and analyze information regarding the condition of an organ in a form that is readily readable, transferable to others, and associated with, or linked to, other information such as the presence or absence of an administered drug, combination of drugs, or drug program.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method and system that models a seed structure and uses a spectral analysis to identify which morphological seed structures are existent in the seed/seedling. Additionally, this disclosure relates to a method and system that applies multi-spectral analysis using predetermined models of a seed/seedling to identify which morphological structures are existent in the seed/seedling. The information about the existence or non-existence of structures of the seed/seedling is used to classify the seed as having a specific characteristic, for later commercial use or sale. The seed market determines which specific characteristic the method will use to classify the seed/seedling. The individual seed classification may help determine associated seed lot germination values.

Abstract: A system for managing scouting images, including a scouting camera configured to record and store images of subjects at a particular location and an image management device which has a processor that creates a predictive statement based on image content of the images stored on the scouting camera or copies thereof and a display conveying the predictive statement to a user, wherein the predictive statement indicates a portion of a future time period that subjects are most likely to be at the particular location as compared to remaining portions of the future time period.

Abstract: An arrangement for the optical evaluation of harvested crop in a harvesting machine includes a camera located for taking images of threshed out crop elements (grain and material other than grain) being conveyed within a channel of the machine. An electronic image processing system receives the images and identifies individual objects in the images, these objects being classified into predetermined object classes by way of comparing at least one of color, contour or texture features of the individual objects and corresponding characteristics of reference objects filed in a data bank. The processing system then determines the absolute or relative numbers or areas of the individual objects assigned to the respective object classes.

Abstract: A method for determining the yield loss of a crop using remote sensor data is described. The yield loss is determined using the reflectivity of green light by the crop canopy measured from remote sensor data such as an aerial photograph that is digitized and spatially referenced to the field's longitude and latitude. Green pixel values from the aerial photograph, expressed relative to green pixel values from well-fertilized areas of the field, are transformed to yield losses using a linear transformation that was developed using empirical data. A similar method is described to determine recommended nitrogen fertilization rates for the crop fields. The yield loss data is useful for nitrogen fertilization management, as it allows a producer of crops to weigh the expense of fertilization against the loss of revenue due to yield loss.

Abstract: Provided herein are portable imaging systems, for example, a digital processor-implemented system for the identification and/or classification of an object of interest on a body, such as a human or plant body. The systems comprise a hand-held imaging device, such as a smart device, and a library of algorithms or modules that can be implemented thereon to process the imaged object, extract representative features therefrom and classify the object based on the representative features. Also provided are methods for the identifying or classifying an object of interest on a body that utilize the algorithms and an automated portable system configured to implement the same.

Abstract: Described are methods and systems for determining a body condition score (BCS) for an animal. An imaging device captures at least one image of an animal, where each image includes a body region of the animal, and transmits the image to a computing device. The computing device identifies the body region contained in the image and crops a portion of the image associated with the identified body region from the image. The computing device compares the cropped portion of the image with one or more fitting models corresponding to the body region and determines a body condition score for the body region based upon the comparing step.

Abstract: A recognition dictionary processing apparatus compares the data of the feature amount extracted from a commodity image with the feature amount data in a recognition dictionary file to recognize a candidate for the commodity contained in the image and outputs the recognized candidate commodity. The apparatus executes a first processing related to the update of the recognition dictionary file of the processing object if the commodity contained in the image is does not exist in the candidate commodities or a second processing unrelated to the update of the recognition dictionary file of the processing object if the commodity contained in the image exists in the candidate commodities.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the number of kernels on a sample cob are provided. In one embodiment, an image including a front region of the sample cob, and a back region of the sample cob displayed in at least one reflective surface are provided to an image processor that identifies the presence of kernels in the image and determines the number of kernels based on the identified presence of kernels in the image.

Abstract: A dictionary registration apparatus compares the appearance feature amount of a commodity extracted from a captured image with the feature amount data of a recognition dictionary file to extract a candidate of the commodity contained in the image. If a plurality of commodities is extracted, the selection input of the commodity contained in the image from the plurality of commodity candidates is received. If the selection input of one commodity is received, the declaration input indicating whether or not supplement to the feature amount data stored in the recognition dictionary file for the selected commodity is executed is received. If the declaration input indicating the execution of supplement is received, the extracted appearance feature amount data is added to the recognition dictionary file as a feature amount data for the commodity the selection input of which is received.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of plant breeding and concerns a method for determining the point at which a plant starts to flower. More specifically, the invention concerns a method for determining the start of flowering on an individual plant basis by measuring the reproductive structures of plants from digital images of these structures and deducing the start of flowering from the measurements and average growth rates. The invention also concerns apparatus for determining the start of flowering in plants, particularly in a high-throughput manner.

Abstract: An imaging system containing an electron-multiplying charge-coupled device detector and line-scan spectrograph is used for identifying wholesome and unwholesome freshly slaughtered chicken carcasses on high-speed commercial chicken processing lines. Multispectral imaging algorithms allow for real-time online identification of wholesome and unwholesome chicken carcasses.

Abstract: The present invention is an individual product identification method, comprising: previously storing epidermal pattern images in a predetermined scope with a predetermined location of a registered product taken as a reference; imaging the epidermal pattern in the predetermined scope with the predetermined location of the product, being a target of individual product identification, taken as a reference; correcting the imaged epidermal pattern image of the product, being a target of individual product identification to an image for collation with the registered product with the predetermined location of the product taken as a reference: and collating an image characteristic of the epidermal pattern image of the registered product with the image characteristic of the corrected epidermal pattern image, and identifying whether the product, being a target of individual product identification, is one of the registered products.

Abstract: There are provided a face detection unit that detects a face of an animal in an image; a candidate area setting unit that sets an animal body candidate area for a body of the animal in the image based upon face detection results provided by the face detection unit; a reference image acquisition unit that obtains a reference image; a similarity calculation unit that divides the animal body candidate area having been set by the candidate area setting unit into a plurality of small areas and calculates a level of similarity between an image in each of the plurality of small areas and the reference image; and a body area estimating unit that estimates an animal body area corresponding to the body of the animal from the animal body candidate area based upon levels of similarity having been calculated for the plurality of small areas by the similarity calculation unit.

Abstract: The present system and method provides a more precise way to record food and beverage intake than traditional methods. The present disclosure provides custom software for use in mobile computing devices that include a digital camera. Photos captured by mobile digital devices are analyzed with image processing and comparisons to certain databases to allow a user to discretely record foods eaten. Specifically, the user captures images of the meal or snack before and after eating. The foods pictured are identified. Image processing software may identify the food or provide choices for the user. Once a food is identified and volume of the food is estimated, nutrient databases are used for calculating final portion sizes and nutrient totals.

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: According to one embodiment, a commodity recognition apparatus includes a feature amount extraction module, a commodity recognition module and an output module. The feature amount extraction module extracts appearance feature amount of a commodity contained in an image photographed. The commodity recognition module compares data of the appearance feature amount extracted by the feature amount extraction module with the feature amount data of each part of the commodity, representing surface information of each part of the commodity subject to the recognition, that is previously stored in a recognition dictionary file, to recognize the commodity as a candidate of registration commodity contained in the image photographed. The output module outputs the recognition result of the commodity recognition module.

Abstract: An automatic measurement system for plant features includes: at least one photographic device, for photographing a plant in a container, so as to generate a top view image and a side view image; and an operation processing device, electrically connected to the photographic devices, and at least including an image processing module and a storage unit. The image processing module analyzes at least one of the top view image and the side view image by using at least one image processing procedure and at least one analysis rule, so as to generate at least one feature data corresponding to appearance features of the plant, and records the at least one feature data in the storage unit.