An infrared device for detecting locomotor activity

On the use of microwave radar devices in chronobiology studies: An application withPeriplaneta americana

“…Technology for automated detection and recording of locomotor activity has evolved considerably; small mammals and insects have been monitored with ultrasound (Akaka & Houck, 1980), infrared beams (Clarke, Smith, & Justesen, 1985), stabilimeters (Zeier & Tschannen, 1968), running wheels (Roberts, 1956), capacity transducers (Schechter, Dutky, & Sullivan, 1963), sound detectors (Jones, 1964), and radars (Kropveld & Chamuleau, 1993;Martin & Unwin, 1980;Vanuytven, Vermeire, & Niemegeers, 1979). The radar-based methods have a number of advantages: They are not intrusive, produce output suitable for direct computer analysis, and are adaptable to different conditions.…”

The EthoVision video tracking system—A tool for behavioral phenotyping of transgenic mice

“…Early systems, using hard-wired electronics, were only able to track a single animal in highly artificial environments. For example, an open field can be sampled with a grid of infrared beams either as the sole detectors [3][4][5] or in combination with other methods such as placing a series of strain gauge transducers under the arena to estimate the animal's position [6]. The magnitude of an animal's motion can also be estimated using various types of touch-sensitive sensors ranging from a crude estimate of movement by placing the animal on a bass loudspeaker and monitoring the loudspeaker's electrical output when its cone was moved by the rat [7], or measuring the movement of a mouse's wheel by attaching the wheel's axle in place of the ball of a computer mouse [8], to sensors that can also measure the position of the animal (and hence locomotion), for instance by changes in the capacitance of a plate when the animal is in proximity to it [9], or changes in body resistance [10].…”

An infrared device to monitor discrete ambulatory and stereotypic behaviors

“…Motiondetectors' outputscan be accumulated directly by LED readouts (see Figure 4 in Clarke et al, 1985), by various computer-eounter interfaces (suchas John Bell cards, which are available from John Bell Engineering, 400 Oxford Way, Belmont, CA 94002), or by electromechanical counters, provided the 74221sare adjusted to provide the longer pulse widths necessary with elec-tromechanical devices. To prevent timing problems, the locomotion 74221s should be set to yield pulses at least 10% longer than the stereotypic one-shot(s).…”

“…The geometry of the device is best determined empirically according to the size of subjects, numberof axes, anddesiredresolution of movement. We have designed and built reliable IR devices without lens systems and with a density as high as eight beams on a single 24.5-cm axis (see Clarke et al, 1985). Figure 2 showshigh-output IR-LEDs(TIL 906-1)and sensitive phototransistors (TIL 414), which, given the circuit component values, maybe separated by distances extendingto a meter without focusing apparatus.…”

“…The majority of photocellbased devices, although biased toward measuring locomotion, cannotpractically be made refractory to animals performing maintenance functions such as grooming whileoccluding a beam. A numberof "hand-built" and commercial photocell-based devices are currently available that provide data on general activity (see Batson& Turner, 1986;Clarke et al, 1985). Only a few rather costly ($2,500 and higher) commercial instruments (e.g., Columbus Instruments and Omni-Tech) are capable of distinguishing between locomotion and stereotypic activities such as grooming, preening, scratching, or digging.…”