Patent ID: 9597017
Date: 2017-03-21
CPC Classifications: A01K,A61B

Claim:
1. A method of detecting lameness in a standing, stationary animal, the method comprising the steps of: automatically capturing, using an optical imaging device, an image of a lower portion of a leg of the animal while the animal is standing and stationary, the lower portion of the leg in the image including a hoof of the leg, the hoof having a lower surface defining a first contact surface with a floor surface when the animal is standing and stationary on the floor surface; receiving the image at a processor arrangement in communication with said optical imaging device; and analyzing, at the processor arrangement, the image and generating, based on said analyzing, a determination indicating whether the lower leg captured by the image is in one of i) a flat position wherein the hoof is flat in contact with the floor, or ii) in a raised position wherein the hoof is either not flat against the floor surface or is distanced above the floor surface, the processor arrangement outputting a determination of lameness in the animal when the determination indicates that the lower portion of a leg of the animal in the image is in the raised position.