Patent ID: 6227142
Filing Date: 2001-05-08
Classification: A01J,G01S

Abstract:
An apparatus for recognising and determining the position of at least one part of an animal, wherein the apparatus comprises a source (10; 31) of structured light (12) for illuminating a region expected to contain said at least one part wherein an object illuminated by said light (12) simultaneously or discrete in time is partitioned into at least two illuminated areas (52.sub.1, 52.sub.2, 62.sub.1, 62.sub.2) where each two illuminated areas (52.sub.1, 52.sub.2, 62.sub.1, 62.sub.2) are separated by a not illuminated area (56.sub.1), an image capture means (17; 32) arranged to capture at least one image and provide an image signal, the apparatus further comprising an image signal processing means (35) to respond to said captured image signal and a control means (39) to determine if the illuminated object is said part by comparing the image of the illuminated object to reference criteria defining different objects, and if said illuminated object is established to be said part of the animal, the position thereof is established, an animal related device (15; 40; 42; 44) and means to guide the animal related device (15; 40; 42; 44) towards the determined position of said part.