Abstract:
Methods and apparatuses are shown for selectively capturing a targeted animal that are directed to capturing an animal in a capture module having a one way capture mechanism and, using instructions executing in a controller, sensing the animal in an identification module and, responsive thereto, capturing an image of the animal, analyzing the captured image to identify whether the animal is a targeted animal, if the animal is the targeted animal, processing the animal, and releasing the animal. Additional examples involve performing chromatic or pattern analysis on the captured image, using the chromatic or patent analysis results, searching a database for machine recognized animal colors or patterns, generating a probabilistic assessment based on color or pattern of whether the animal in the identification module is the targeted animal, and generating a target determination indication based on the probabilistic assessment based on color or pattern. Processing the animal may include injecting the animal using a syringe.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Appl. No. 62/295,108 for “Method and Apparatus for Automated, Intelligent Snake and Animal Trapping” filed Feb. 14, 2016, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Man has coexisted with snakes since time immemorial and, at least since Biblical times, has had a variety of issues with them. Present issues include unwanted occupation of homes and gardens and threats to disrupt entire ecosystems such as the Everglades in the role of invasive species. 
         [0003]    Many snakes, such as Burmese pythons are notoriously hard to see, even by experienced experts. They are stealthy, sometimes nocturnal, and very athletic. As a result, snakes are very difficult to capture or recapture in real time by humans. This makes an effective means of trapping snakes and important management topic, particularly for invasive species. 
         [0004]    Currently existing snake trapping systems are mostly non-discriminate in their nature, though one developed by John Humphrey does discriminate on weight and size. All current art surveyed has the possibility to be lethal if captured animal is not released in a timely fashion, hence requires frequent human attendance to avoid killing non-targeted species Conventional approaches generally cannot make an affirmative identification, electively kill targeted species, or acquire and communicate information about prospective captives. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    According to one aspect of the present invention, an example of an apparatus for selectively capturing a targeted animal includes a capture module having a body with first and second openings formed therein and an entryway positioned in the first opening and having a diameter selected to limit a size of animals that may enter. A flexible capture mechanism is attached to the entryway and has a downstream end positioned adjacent the second opening of the capture module body. The flexible capture mechanism has a perimeter that is resistant to penetration by animals and the flexibility is selected to require a minimum level of strength required to spread the capture mechanism and pass through the downstream end. The downstream end of the capture mechanism is normally biased in a closed position. A capture sensor generates a capture signal responsive to the downstream end of the capture mechanism being forced open. 
         [0006]    An identification module has a body with first and second openings, where the first opening is configured for attachment to the second opening of the capture module body. A trap door is positioned within the identification module body that is movable by an animal and a trap door sensor generates a trap door signal when the trap door is moved by an animal. An illumination source is positioned within the identification module body to selectively generate illumination within the body and a camera positioned within the identification module body selectively captures an image from within the body. 
         [0007]    A retention module has a body with first and second openings, the first opening being for attachment to the second opening of the capture module body and has a release hole formed therein. A shield selectively covers the release hole and an actuator attached to the retention module body and the shield selectively moves the shield to cover and uncover the release hole. A bait module has a first opening for attachment to the second opening of the retention module body. 
         [0008]    An electronics module has a controller, interface circuitry electrically coupled to the controller and to interface with the capture sensor in the capture module, the actuator, the trap door sensor, the illumination source and the camera in the identification module, and the actuator in the retention module, and a memory. The memory having stores machine executable instructions that, when executed by the controller, cause the controller to receive the capture signal from the capture sensor and responsive thereto, monitor the trap door sensor, receive the trap door signal from the trap door sensor and responsive thereto, activate the illumination source, and activate the camera to capture an image of an animal in the identification module, and analyze the captured image to identify whether the animal in the identification module is a targeted animal. If the animal is the targeted animal, the controller processes the animal in the retention module and activates the actuator in the retention module to uncover the release hole. 
         [0009]    According to one aspect of the present invention, an example of a method for selectively capturing a targeted animal involves capturing an animal in a capture module having a one way capture mechanism and, using instructions executing in a controller, sensing the animal in an identification module and, responsive thereto, capturing an image of the animal, analyzing the captured image to identify whether the animal is a targeted animal, if the animal is the targeted animal, processing the animal, and releasing the animal. Additional examples involve performing chromatic and/or pattern analysis on the captured image, using the chromatic and/or patent analysis results, searching a database for machine recognized animal colors and/or patterns, generating a probabilistic assessment based on color and/or pattern of whether the animal in the identification module is the targeted animal, and generating a target determination indication based on the probabilistic assessment based on color and/or pattern. In some examples, processing the animal may include injecting the animal using a syringe. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    Various embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings, in which: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram that illustrates one example of an animal trap apparatus according to certain aspects of the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram that illustrates one example of the physical capture module of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  are schematic diagrams illustrating examples of the capture mechanism of  FIG. 2  without the external housing of the capture module; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3C  is a schematic diagram illustrating one example of a spoke shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B ; 
           [0015]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate another example of an implementation of the capture module of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram illustrating one example of the identification module  300  of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0017]      FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C  are schematic diagrams illustrating an example of the retention module  400  of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0018]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  are schematic diagrams illustrating another example of the retention module  400  of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0019]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  are schematic diagrams illustrating an example of bait module  500  of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the injection module  700  of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is an architecture diagram illustrating one example of electronics module  600  of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  is a control flow diagram illustrating an example of a capture process executing within the controller of  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 12  is a control flow diagram illustrating one example of a process step of  FIG. 11  where a captured image is analyzed to identify an animal; 
           [0024]      FIG. 13  is a control flow diagram illustrating one example of a process step in  FIG. 11  where an animal in the retention module  400  is injected; and 
           [0025]      FIG. 14  depicts aspects of elements that may be present in a computer device and/or system configured to implement a method, system and/or process in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
       
    
    
       [0026]    Note that the same numbers are used throughout the disclosure and figures to reference like components and features. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0027]    The subject matter of embodiments of the present invention is described here with specificity to meet statutory requirements, but this description is not necessarily intended to limit the scope of the claims. The claimed subject matter may be embodied in other ways, may include different elements or steps, and may be used in conjunction with other existing or future technologies. This description should not be interpreted as implying any particular order or arrangement among or between various steps or elements except when the order of individual steps or arrangement of elements is explicitly described. 
         [0028]    Examples are discussed herein of an animal capture approach to exercise control over what is captured and intelligent decision-making around its disposition. Also, due to reasons of accessibility of habitat, difficulty in observation and pure cost, examples are described for an unattended apparatus for conducting population studies and other scientific investigation. Further, though one impetus for developing this apparatus is to contribute to biological research and the capture or destruction of invasive, predatory snakes in the Everglades, some examples may be useful to study and manage other types of animals. It is anticipated that some examples of an apparatus may be adapted to be deployed to study and manage fish, mammals, or other wildlife. 
         [0029]    One aspect of certain examples of the present invention includes a user-specifiable entry hole. With appropriate sizing, animals larger than the targeted species or lifecycle stage can be excluded. Another aspect of some examples includes a user-specifiable throttle point that excludes animals physically unable to overcome the pressure applied. Still another aspect of some examples includes the ability to use an artificially intelligent system to identify exactly what type, and sometimes what lifecycle stage, of animal has been captured. Another aspect of some examples includes a controller programmed to apply preprogrammed parameters, near real-time expert evaluation, and environmental parameters to make a non-attended retain/release decision. Another aspect of some examples includes an option to apply a hypodermic injection or other treatment to targeted animals. This may be useful, for example, to implant a chip in, sterilize, vaccinate, inoculate, or even kill, the captured animal. 
         [0030]    The foregoing and other features and advantages of a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with references to the accompanying drawings. 
         [0031]    Certain examples of the present invention relate to a method and apparatus for the intelligent, selective capture of targeted animal species in a controlled fashion. In some examples, animals visiting the apparatus are physically screened for physical characteristics at a coarse (i.e. pre-capture) level, then further scrutinized using computer-assisted technology to make a probabilistic determination of their species. The scrutiny is possible because during initial capture the animal is confined to an area where lighting and proximity to cameras are controlled, producing images with environmental variability largely removed. 
         [0032]    Some examples of the present invention are modular and may be assembled and deployed in a variety of configurations that would result in the ability to: capture only, observe and release only, deliver an injection or not, etc. The description below describes the modules and several embodiments of their combination into an integral unit. 
         [0033]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram that illustrates one example of an animal trap apparatus  100  according to certain aspects of the present invention. The trap  100  includes a physical capture module  200 , an identification module  300 , a retention module  400 , a bait module  500 , electronics module  600 , and an injection module  700 . 
         [0034]    In some examples, the modules may be transported separately and assembled on-site in the manner shown. Alternatively, to ease storage and transportation, one or more of the modules of apparatus  100  may be dimensioned so that one module fits inside another when the apparatus is disassembled, as illustrated in the relative size of the modules in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram that illustrates one example of the physical capture module  200  of  FIG. 1 . The capture module includes an entryway  210 , the diameter of which may be selected to selectively trap only animal small enough to fit within. The entryway  210  serves as an attachment point for components of the capture mechanism  250  disposed within capture module  200 . Elements that form a framework of the capture mechanism  250  are bolted or otherwise rigidly affixed around the perimeter of the entrance way  210 . This design allows animals unable to penetrate the downstream end of the capture mechanism  252  to escape easily. When the capture mechanism&#39;s downstream end  252  is spread by an incoming animal, an indicator rod  222  is lifted, providing a signal that an animal has attempted entry. In this example, the rod  222 , once lifted, remains in its most-lifted position. In order for the position to be maintained, one example relies on friction between the rod  222  and a housing  230  for capture module  200 . In the example shown in  FIG. 2 , rod  222  is composed, at least in part, of ferrous material and a cylinder  224  affixed to the housing  230  includes a magnet  226 . A sensor module  220  is electrically coupled to the magnet  226  and the electronics, wiring, and logic for the electrical module  220  are described in detail below. The module housing  230 , is a cylindrical tube that is composed of a material, such as aluminum or polyvinyl chloride (PVC), that is rigid, resilient and waterproof. 
         [0036]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  are schematic diagrams illustrating examples of the capture mechanism  250  of  FIG. 2  without the external housing of the capture module. The capture mechanism  250  is designed to be a one-way passage from the environment external to the trap  100  into the interior of the trap.  FIG. 3A  is a view looking into an opening in the entryway device  210 .  FIG. 3B  is a side view of capture device  250 . In this example, entryway device  210  is a rigid, circular structure with an opening formed in the center of the structure that serves to control the entryway spacing and otherwise secure spokes  260  at fasteners  212  disposed around the perimeter of entryway device  210 . 
         [0037]    Spokes  260  form a substantially conical structure that serves as a perimeter of the capture mechanism  200 . The spokes  260  are made from a material, such as steel or aluminum, that is flexible enough to be bound together at the downstream end  252  of the capture mechanism  250  and rigid enough to resist spreading from a captured animal. In one example designed for smaller or less powerful animals, bicycle spokes are used as spokes  260 . In another example designed for large animals, the spokes  260  are reinforcement bars typically used in cement construction. 
         [0038]      FIG. 3C  is a schematic diagram illustrating one example of a spoke  260  shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B . A downstream end  262  of the spoke  260  has a bent portion  264  and a sharpened portion  266  in order to deter escape from the downstream end  262  once the animal has been captured. In the example shown, a threaded nut  212  is used to secure a threaded end  268  of spoke  260  to the entryway device  210 . The threaded nut  212  may be treated with a thread locking compound to prevent the spoke from coming loose from entryway device  210 . 
         [0039]    Returning to  FIG. 3B , at the downstream end  252  of capture mechanism  250 , a compression band  256  is deployed in order to bring together the ends of the elements that form the perimeter of the capture mechanism in order to prevent a captured animal from escaping by this route. The compressive force may be varied depending on the materials employed, such that only animals with sufficient strength to overcome the compressive force can pass through capture module  200  in order to enter the trap while other animals can escape through the opening in entryway device  210 . In one example, compression band  256  is composed of latex bands. In another example, compression band  256  is composed of annular springs. 
         [0040]    A flexible, resilient material  254  is disposed about the interior or exterior of spokes or elements  260  to create a barrier that prevents animals from penetrating the capture mechanism  250 . The resilient material prevents an already-captured animal from spreading the spokes or elements of the capture mechanism and effecting escape. The resilient material  254  is generally elastic to permit the spokes  260  to spread and permeable to air so that animals may sense bait placed in bait module  500 . One example of resilient material  254  is the high-performance fabric used in football uniforms. Another example utilizes athletic wrap to create a cone-shaped covering for spokes or elements  260 . 
         [0041]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate another example of an implementation of a capture module  200 , where  FIG. 4A  is a top view and  FIG. 4B  is a perspective side view. In this example, a trap door  270  is provided that is constructed to swing only inward into the body of the capture module  200 . When door  270  is forced open, sensors  272  and  276  may be activated by a magnet  274  attached to the trap door  270 . Sensor  272  indicates when the door  270  is shut and sensor  276  indicates when door  270  is open. At least one of the sensors  272  or  276  sends a signal to a processing unit indicating that the door has been opened and activating the processing unit to process a potential animal capture. Compression springs  280  may be optionally provided to require more resistance to the opening of the door to exclude individual animals that are not strong enough to force the door open with the compression springs in place. 
         [0042]      FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram illustrating one example of the identification module  300  of  FIG. 1 . The identification module is positioned between the capture module  200  and the retention module  400  and provides a passageway for the captured animal as it is attracted to bait in bait module  500 . Identification module is substantially a tube with one opening in communication with the capture module  200  and another opening in communication with the retention module  400 . 
         [0043]    The identification module  300  example of  FIG. 5  includes an outer housing  310  constructed to be physically connected to the capture module  200  and retention module  400  and electronically coupled to electronics module  600 . The example illustrated utilizes rigid, tubular plastic that is configurable to fit with the other components to which it is connected. Within the housing  310 , there is a trap door  320  with an attached magnet  324  that, when door  320  is moved by a captured animal within, causes magnet  324  to activate a sensor  324  to signal a main computer in electronics module  600 . The main computer responds by activating an illumination source  330  and a camera  340  obtain a photograph of the captive animal. Illumination may include visible lighting devices, such as lamps or light emitting diodes, non-visible lighting devices, such as infrared light sources, or other devices, such as lasers. Similarly, camera  340  may be a visible light photographic device, an infrared imaging device, or a laser or photodiode receiver. 
         [0044]    It may improve imaging for identification to standardize or limit variation in aspects of the expected image. In some examples, the interior surface of the identification module  300  is treated to provide a uniform color that may be electronically screened out when the photograph is analyzed by the electronics module  600 . Also, the orientation of the camera  340  with regard to an animal confined within the interior space of the identification module at a given point in time may be helpful. The trap door  320 , when moved, signals to a process running in a computer in electronics module  600  that: the captive is in a known location, against a known background, and in a known orientation. When specifically-controlled lighting is applied, predictable, high-quality images may be acquired and passed on to analytical components in the electronics module  600  of the system. 
         [0045]      FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C  are schematic diagrams illustrating an example of the retention module  400  of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 6A  is a top view of retention module  400  illustrating a release opening  410 .  FIG. 6B  is a top view illustrating retention module  400  with the release opening  410  covered by cover  420 .  FIG. 6C  is an end view of retention module  400  illustrating cover  420  and a mechanism  430  for actuating the cover  420  with respect to the release opening  410 . In this example, retention module  400  is composed of a rigid, tubular body  402 , such as aluminum or PVC, with an aperture for a release opening  410  formed in the wall of the body. 
         [0046]    A shield  420  fits over the body  402  and is mechanically coupled to an actuator  430  for moving shield  420  longitudinally parallel to a central axis of the tubular body  402  to controllably cover or open the release opening  410 .  FIG. 6A  illustrates shield  420  in a position along body  402  that uncovers release opening  410 .  FIG. 6B  illustrates shield  42  in another position along body  402  that covers release opening  410 .  FIG. 6C  is an end view of this example of retention module  400  and that shows shield  420  as a co-axial sleeve around the body  402  that is connected to actuator  430 . The actuator  430  is in electrical communication with electronics module  600  so that the actuator  430  may be controlled by a controller in the electronics module. 
         [0047]    In the example of  FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C , the actuator  430  is operable to move the sleeve of shield  420  longitudinally along the central axis of tubular body  402 . In this example, actuator  430  may be implemented using a threaded rod connected to an electric motor attached at one end and supported by a bushing at another end. A threaded nut is threaded onto the threaded rod and attached to the shield  420 . When the motor causes the threaded rod to rotate, the shield  420  moves longitudinally to selectively cover or uncover the release opening  420 . 
         [0048]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  are schematic diagrams illustrating another example of a retention module  400 . In this example, shield  450  is a sleeve that fits over the body  402  and has an aperture  452  formed in it that substantially matches the release opening  410 . Shield  450  is attached to actuator  460 , which is operable to rotate shield sleeve  450  around the central axis of the tubular body  402  so as to selectively align the aperture  452  in shield sleeve  450  with release opening  410 . For example, actuator  460  may be a motor that drives a drive wheel or gear that engages shield sleeve  450  so that the controller in electronic module  600  may activate the motor to rotate the aperture  452  into alignment with the release opening  410 , as is shown in  FIG. 7A , to open the retention module or rotate the aperture  452  out of alignment with release opening  410  in order to close the retention module. 
         [0049]    One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that a variety of approaches may be utilized to implement retention module  400  without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the shield may be implemented as a trap door that is swiveled inward into the body  402  to open or shut by an actuator or the shield may be a flap that is moved longitudinally or rotated to open or close the release opening  410 . Still other examples may use a solenoid for actuation to open and close the release opening  410  as well as more sophisticated linear actuators and servos that are available commercially. Yet another example may utilize an outwardly swinging door to cover release opening  410  when retention of the captive is of less concern or not the goal of the trapping activity. 
         [0050]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  are schematic diagrams illustrating an example of bait module  500  of  FIG. 1 . In this example, bait module  500  is constructed with a rigid, tubular body  502  similar to the other modules. A ventilation fan  510 , which may be under the control of electronics module  600 , is positioned at an open end of tubular body  502  that is connected or in communication with retention module  400  while the other end of the tubular body is enclosed. A bait container  520  is provided to introduce bait or bait odor to the interior of bail module  500  and may contain an auger or similar controllable device for introducing bait into the bail module  500  under control of the controller in electronics module  600 . A temperature sensor  530  may be included to provide a temperature signal to the controller that may be utilized to control the operation of ventilation fan  510 . 
         [0051]    The bait module  500  typically contains the attractant to motivate an animal to enter the trap. In its simplest form, it is a detachable, easily maintained enclosure. If the mechanism is deployed in an attended or semi attended mode, it may contain live bait, such as a rodent or insect, or other types of bait, such as fruit or vegetables, to attract a target animal. Other attractants may also be utilized, such as rabbit essence or rodent urine stored and dispensed from optional bait container  520 . Appropriate bait can be actively dispensed at selected time intervals using the auger or similar device  522  controlled by electronics module  600 . The controller in electronics module  600  may control the speed or operation of ventilation fan  510  to provide a flow of air from the bait module through the other modules to the entryway  210  of capture module  200  in  FIG. 1  in order to draw animals into the trap. 
         [0052]      FIG. 9  is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the injection module  700  of  FIG. 1 . Injection module  700 , in this example, is constructed from a rigid tube body  702 , which houses syringe  710  with hypodermic needle  712 , that has one opening configured to engage with the identification module  300 . Syringe  720  is mechanically coupled to actuator  720 , which may be a solenoid or similar device, that is under the control of the controller in electronics module  600 . When activated by the controller, actuator  720  drives syringe  710  downward into the interior of identification module  300  such that hypodermic needle  712  enters an animal held in the identification module  300 . The controller then activates motor  730 , which pressurizes syringe  710  to deliver a dose of an injectable substance into the animal. 
         [0053]    Different injectable substances may be employed for different goals. If the goal of the trap  100  is animal control, such as reducing feral python populations, then the injectable substance may be lethal. For example, second generation anticoagulants, such as brodifacoum, bromadiolone, difenacoum, or difethialone may be utilized because they kill after a single administration, but act slowly enough that the injected, but still ambulatory, animal may be released from the retention module  400  so that the trap may be utilized for another animal. Other injectable substances that may be utilized may include pathogens or anti-reproduction drugs. If the goal is to examine and tag an animal, then the syringe or another device may be utilized to insert a tracking chip into the animal. Still another goal may be disease control and the injectable substance may be, for example, a drug, a vaccine or an inoculation. 
         [0054]      FIG. 10  is an architecture diagram illustrating one example of electronics module  600 . The module includes a controller  610  with a processor to execute instructions stored in memory  612 , a communications transceiver  614 , and a power supply  620  that provides power to controller  610  from battery  622 . A solar cell  624  or other power source may also be provided to charge battery  622 . 
         [0055]    Communications transceiver  614  may be included to provide, for example, alerts or telemetry via a communications link or to communicate with a connected device, such as a personal computer or phone. For example, transceiver  614  may include WiFi or other wireless communication that enables joining a network. In one example, software, such as BATMAN, is provided that permits creation of an ad hoc mesh grid network. Any device on the network can communicate with any other device on the network, either directly or via a series of “hops” from one device on the network to another. The ad hoc network can be extended by any one of its nodes if that node can communicate with the outside world. If any device has access to a cellular, WiFi, satellite, or even ham radio connection information can be relayed to and from the outside world. Thus, a device or network of devices may operate autonomously in remote locations, yet still be guided by human intervention when that becomes desirable. 
         [0056]    The controller  610  interfaces with the electrical devices in the different modules of the trap  100  through interface circuit  614 . The interface circuit  614  receives signals from some electrical devices, such as sensors or cameras, and drives other electrical devices, such as actuators, illumination sources and motors. For example, interface circuit  614  receives electrical signals from the sensor modules in capture module  200 . Interface circuit  614  receives trap door sensor signals and camera images from identification module  300  and drives one or more illumination sources. One of ordinary skill in the art will understand that a variety of interface techniques and implementations are possible, such as wired or wireless connections, without departing from the scope of the invention. 
         [0057]      FIG. 11  is a control flow diagram illustrating an example of a process  800  executing within the controller  610  in electronics module  600 . At step  802 , controller  610  periodically checks sensor module  220  in capture module  200  to determine if the sensor indicates that something has entered the capture module. Alternatively, a signal from sensor module  220  may generate an interrupt in controller  610  that wakes the controller and starts the check. 
         [0058]    If sensor  220  has been tripped, then, at step  804 , control branches to step  808  where controller  610  activates illumination source  330  and camera  340  in identification module  300  to capture an image of the animal. The captured image is analyzed at step  810  to identify the animal in the image. At  830 , if the animal is identified as a target animal, e.g. a python, control branches to  840  to process the animal in the retention module  400 . If the animal is not a targeted animal at  830  or processing at step  840  is completed, then control branches to  832  where controller  610  activates actuator  430  to move shield  420  to open release opening  410  of retention module  400 . Control then returns to  802  to await the next animal to enter the capture module  200 . 
         [0059]      FIG. 12  is a control flow diagram illustrating one example of step  810  of  FIG. 11  where the captured image is analyzed to identify an animal. In this example, at  812 , chromatic analysis is performed on the captured image and, at  814 , a database is searched for machine-recognized animal colors, e.g. the yellow of yellow pythons, which may be useful in identifying the animal that matches the color recognized in the image. At  816 , a probabilistic assessment is made as to whether the animal is likely a match for a target species based on color in the image. At  820 , pattern recognition analysis is performed on the image and, at  822 , the database is searched for machine-recognized animal patterns, e.g. the pattern of markings typical to pythons, which may be useful in identifying the animal that matches the pattern in the image. At  824 , a probabilistic assessment is made as to whether the animal is likely a match for a target species based on a pattern recognized in the image. At  826 , based on the probabilistic assessment from step  816  and/or step  824 , a determination is made as to whether the animal in the image matches a target species. Note that the criteria shown are examples and more or fewer criteria than those shown may be utilized to recognize a target species. 
         [0060]    In one example of chromatic analysis, the chromatic analysis is conducted by analyzing the captured photograph on a pixel-by-pixel basis, binning the colors, and creating a reduced-color palette representation of the image. This analysis may include opening the image file, replacing the background color of the image with alpha, e.g. no color, counting the number of pixels of each unique color, aggregating similar colors and count the number of pixels in each color bin, and creating summary statistics, e.g. fraction of pixels with a hue value between 80-100 HSV (hue, saturation and value). 
         [0061]    The analysis may then involve querying a database of known animals, separated by species, based on the data and statistics developed above. A statistical analysis may then be made to determine the probability of the individual animal belonging to any species known to the database. The identification may then be recorded and reported. The result is a “digital fingerprint” of each image captured. Each may be characterized in one or more of the color models, e.g. RGB, HSV, CYMK, and the fraction of the entire image made of each specific color. These may be dynamically added to the database along with a copy of the captured image. A human may later verify the color-based prediction. As the database grows larger, the statistical probability of an accurate prediction grows for mathematical reasons. One of skill in the art will recognize that other approaches to chromatic analysis are possible without departing from the scope of the invention. 
         [0062]    Chromatic analysis alone may be sufficient for some purposes, e.g. differentiating between an endangered indigo snake and an invasive Python. However, chromatic analysis may not be sufficiently discriminating when two or more species both have similar coloration and widely ranging phenotypes. For instance, the same chromatic analysis on a brown water snake and an Eastern diamondback snake yield coloration patterns that are quite similar to each other. A combination of the pattern-based and chromatic analysis can provide more definitive recognition. For some species, it may be possible to identify individuals based on the unique topography of their coloration. In some examples, therefore, pattern recognition for machine-recognizable topologies of species is utilized with pattern data obtained from the database. 
         [0063]    In one example of pattern based analysis, the image file is modified to replace background “green screen” color with alpha (no color), reduce the image to gray-scale, reduce the gray-scale image to a binary (two-color) image, and invert the pixel values. For each of several rotations of the image, for each of several splits (e.g. 50/50, 60/40, 70/30), and for each half of each split image, flip to a symmetrical orientation and calculate linear regression coefficients and statistics, which are saved. These results are compared to find a rotation and split combination that produces a best fit. The results may also be compared across rotations to determine if beta coefficients and fits are robust. And the beta coefficients of the halves of the best fit result added and compared against results for species defined in the database to determine the presence of identifying markings, e.g. “pythonic” markings. In this pattern analysis, comparison of the pattern data with that of other similarly-colored snakes will generally yield a poor fit that is not typically robust to rotation results. For example, a diamondback rattlesnake shows little possibility for a good linear regression fit to a python pattern even with any feasible rotation or split. One of skill in the art will recognize that other approaches to chromatic analysis are possible without departing from the scope of the invention. 
         [0064]      FIG. 13  is a control flow diagram illustrating one example of process step  840  in  FIG. 11  where the animal in the retention module  400  is injected. At  842 , controller  610  activates solenoid  720  to extend syringe  710  into the retention module  400  so that hypodermic needle  712  enters the body of the target animal. Once syringe  710  is extended, at  844 , controller  610  activates motor  730  to inject the substance in syringe  710  into the animal. At  846 , controller  610  deactivates solenoid  720  to withdraw syringe  710  from the retention module. 
         [0065]    Note that some implementations of the processing illustrated above may execute in different devices or processors from controller  610 . For example, if controller  610  has a wireless data connection to a wide area network, e.g. a cellular data connection, the captured color and pattern data may be transmitted to a server for color and pattern analysis and the result transmitted to the controller  610  for further processing and control actions based upon the result. 
         [0066]      FIG. 14  depicts aspects of elements that may be present in a computer device and/or system configured to implement a method, system and/or process in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0067]    In accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention, the system, apparatus, methods, processes and/or operations for providing access to a proximate device from a mobile device may be wholly or partially implemented in the form of a set of instructions executed by one or more programmed computer processors, such as a central processing unit (CPU) or microprocessor. Such processors may be incorporated in an apparatus, server, client or other computing device operated by, or in communication with, other components of the system. 
         [0068]    As an example,  FIG. 14  depicts aspects of elements that may be present in a computer device and/or system  900  configured to implement a method and/or process in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. The subsystems shown in  FIG. 14  are interconnected via a system bus  902 . Additional subsystems include a printer  904 , a keyboard  906 , a fixed disk  908 , and a monitor  910 , which is coupled to a display adapter  912 . Peripherals and input/output (I/O) devices, which couple to an I/O controller  914 , can be connected to the computer system by any number of means known in the art, such as a serial port  916 . For example, the serial port  916  or an external interface  918  can be utilized to connect the computer device  900  to further devices and/or systems not shown in  FIG. 14  including a wide area network such as the Internet, a mouse input device, and/or a scanner. The interconnection via the system bus  902  allows one or more processors  920  to communicate with each subsystem and to control the execution of instructions that may be stored in a system memory  922  and/or the fixed disk  908 , as well as the exchange of information between subsystems. The system memory  922  and/or the fixed disk  908  may embody a tangible computer-readable medium. 
         [0069]    It should be understood that the present invention as described above can be implemented in the form of control logic using computer software in a modular or integrated manner. Based on the disclosure and teachings provided herein, a person of ordinary skill in the art will know and appreciate other ways and/or methods to implement the present invention using hardware and a combination of hardware and software. 
         [0070]    Any of the software components, processes or functions described in this application may be implemented as software code to be executed by a processor using any suitable computer language such as, for example, Java, C++ or Perl or using, for example, conventional or object-oriented techniques. The software code may be stored as a series of instructions, or commands on a computer readable medium, such as a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), a magnetic medium such as a hard-drive or a floppy disk, or an optical medium such as a CD-ROM. Any such computer readable medium may reside on or within a single computational apparatus, and may be present on or within different computational apparatuses within a system or network. 
         [0071]    All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and/or were set forth in its entirety herein. 
         [0072]    The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the specification and in the following claims are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “having,” “including,” “containing” and similar referents in the specification and in the following claims are to be construed as open-ended terms (e.g., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely indented to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value inclusively falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate embodiments of the invention and does not pose a limitation to the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to each embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0073]    Different arrangements of the components depicted in the drawings or described above, as well as components and steps not shown or described are possible. Similarly, some features and subcombinations are useful and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. Embodiments of the invention have been described for illustrative and not restrictive purposes, and alternative embodiments will become apparent to readers of this patent. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above or depicted in the drawings, and various embodiments and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.