Motion tracking of cattle with a constrained deformable model

Abstract

In this paper, we pmpose a method for monitoring the motion of cows by tracking the whiteparterns on them with constrained deformable models. As input for observation, we use image sequences of overhead views of cows taken b? a camera installed on the ceiling of a breeding room.First, the 3D coordinates of the boundaries of the white patterns on the head, neck and torso parts respectively are registered. For each body part, rhe relationship between variations of the patterns in appearance and the parameters specifving the movemenf are defined in udvance from that part's movement characteristics. Using deformable models which are constrained to be deformed based on rhese relations, the boundaries of the patterns are robustly tracked, producing as output the parameters specihing the movement of each parr. Preliminary experiments using actual image sequences have shown the practical usefulness of the proposed method.