US4780907A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of measuring the types of motion and configuration of biological and non-biological objects
Assignee: Helmholtz Zentrum München
•
Filing: 1986-12-09
•
Granted: 1988-10-25
•
Expires: 2006-12-09
Abstract
Abstract A method for measuring the type of motion and configuration of objects by observation of the objects and evaluation of the observation results, including the steps of: producing data representative of an image of the objects in a selected plane at successive time intervals; deriving, from the data, for each time interval, a representation of only one pair of coordinate values in the plane for each object; producing, from the coordinate values, representations of motion paths for the objects during a plurality of the time intervals; and producing, from the motion path representations, representations of the path traversed by each object, and the average local position, the period of dwell and number of reversals of direction of motion of each object during the plurality of time intervals.
Inventors
- 👤 Hunrich Spieser
- 👤 Heinz Frisch
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 23:18
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01P; G01P13/00; A; A01; A01K; A01K29/00; A01K29/005; A01K79/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
Method for measuring the type of motion and configuration of objects by observation of the objects and evaluation of the observation results, comprising: producing data representative of an image of the objects in a selected plane at successive time intervals; deriving, from the data, for each time interval, a representation of only one pair of coordinate values in the plane for each object; producing, from the coordinate values, representations of motion paths for the objects during a plurality of the time intervals; and producing, from the motion path representations, representations of the path traversed by each object, and the average height position and period of dwell and number of reversals of direction of motion of each object during the plurality of time intervals.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
123 words
Method for measuring the type of motion and configuration of objects by observation of the objects and evaluation of the observation results, comprising: producing data representative of an image of the objects in a selected plane at successive time intervals; deriving, from the data, for each time interval, a representation of only one pair of coordinate values in the plane for each object; producing, from the coordinate values, representations of motion paths for the objects during a plurality of the time intervals; and producing, from the motion path representations, representations of the path traversed by each object, and the average height position and period of dwell and number of reversals of direction of motion of each object during the plurality of time intervals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
Method as defined in claim 1 comprising the initial step of generating the image in the selected plane by means of a video camera operating with full image resolution, and reading out the generated image on an image raster having a coarseness selected to create a small quantity of image data.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
Method as defined in claim 2 wherein said step of generating the image is carried out to produce an image of each object on the basis of the brightness contrast between the object and its surroundings.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
32 words
Method as defined in claim 1 further comprising the step of calculating, based on the representations produced during said last-recited producing step, data identifying the distancing and shoaling behavior of the objects.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
Method as defined in claim 4 wherein said step of calculating further comprises calculating the grouping of objects, the number of objects in each group, the center of gravity of each group, and the average distance of the objects of each from the center of gravity of that group.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
Method as defined in claim 5 wherein said step of calculating further comprises calculating the overall center of gravity of all groups, and the movement of each center of gravity and of the overall cente of gravity.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
Method as defined in claim 1 further comprising documenting and analyzing, based on the representations produced during said producing steps, changes in motion pattern for each individual object.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
Method as defined in claim 1 further comprising documenting and analyzing, based on the representations produced during said producing steps, changes in motion pattern for all objects.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
Method as defined in claim 1 wherein the objects are animal organisms, further comprising applying a fright stimulus to the objects, and said steps of producing are carried out to provide indications of the movement and distribution of the objects in response to the fright stimulus.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
Method as defined in claim 1 further comprising deriving, from the data, representations of the size of each object.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
Method as defined in claim 1 further comprising deriving, from the data, representations of the total number of objects and the comparative number of moving and stationary objects.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
Method as defined in claim 1 further comprising selectively determining, specific motion sequences.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
Method as defined in claim 1 further comprising determining the frequency and time sequences of preferred locations in the plane.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
Method as defined in claim 1 further comprising determining, from the data, interactions between objects.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
Method as defined in claim 1 for testing biological effects of noxa on aquatic or terrestial organisms.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
10 words
Method as defined in claim 1 for monitoring water bodies.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
13 words
Method as defined in claim 1 for the early detection of environmental damage.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
10 words
Method as defined in claim 1 for aiding behavioral research.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
9 words
Method as defined in claim 1 for examining spermatazoa.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
Method as defined in claim 1 for studying the behavior of living organisms in pharmacology or medical research.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
Method as defined in claim 1 for aid in recording, evaluating and monitoring the movement of inanimate objects
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-10-25 | 1992-04-25 | 1992-10-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-10-25 | 1996-04-25 | 1996-10-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-10-25 | 2000-04-25 | 2000-10-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |