Evaluierung von sechs Fotofallenmodellen hinsichtlich der Eignung für Fang-Wiederfang Methoden beim Eurasischen Luchs (Lynx lynx)

Digital outdoor cameras are increasingly used in wildlife research because they allow species inventories, population estimates, and behavior or activity observations. Which camera model is suitable and practical depends on environmental conditions, focus species and specific scientific questions posed. Here we focused on testing cameras appropriate for elusive species that can be identified visually owing to individual coat patterns. Specifically the camera should be adequate for calculating the minimum population of Eurasian Lynx (Lynx lynx) during a systematic monitoring with camera traps. Therefore we tested six digital camera models with regard to trigger speed and the image quality necessary for visual identification of pacing lynx on trails. The decision if a camera model is adequate for the scientific goal was regulated due to priority levels under laboratory conditions. Only one camera model proved to be suitable for camera-trap monitoring. Our practical camera test can be used to evaluate newer models of digital cameras as they become available. This application opens an avenue for a non-invasive population monitoring of rare and elusive species in a low mountain range area.Digitale Fotofallen werden weltweit in der Wildtierforschung eingesetzt. Die Einsatzgebiete sind vielfältig, sie reichen von Artenbestandsaufnahmen und Populationsschätzungen über die Verhaltensforschung bis hin zu Aktivitätsanalysen. Das jeweilig eingesetzte Kameramodell muss an die Aufnahmesituation und die Zielsetzung der Analyse angepasst sein. Das Ziel unseres Fotofallentests war es, ein Modell zu finden, welches für die visuelle Identifizierung von Fellmustern des Eurasischen Luchses geeignet ist. Die Fotofalle soll in einem systematischen Monitoring für die minimale Anzahl der im Gebiet vorkommenden Luchse und deren Populationsschätzung mit Fang-Wiederfang Methoden eingesetzt werden können. Bei dem Test von sechs Fotofallenmodellen, fiel das Hauptaugenmerk auf die Auslösegeschwindigkeit und die Bildqualität welche die nötigen Faktoren für die Sicherstellung der visuellen Identifikation von schreitenden Luchsen am Wildwechsel darstellen. Zur Entscheidungsfindung der Eignung eines Fotofallenmodells für die Fragestellung definierten wir Prioritätslevel unter Laborbedingungen. Es stellte sich heraus, dass nur ein Fotofallenmodell die Ansprüche erfüllte. Der praktische Fotofallentest kann für neuerscheinende Fotofallenmodelle adaptiert werden. Diese Anwendung eröffnet die Möglichkeit für ein nicht invasives Monitoring in Mittelgebirgslandschaften

DistancePPG: Robust non-contact vital signs monitoring using a camera

Vital signs such as pulse rate and breathing rate are currently measured using contact probes. But, non-contact methods for measuring vital signs are desirable both in hospital settings (e.g. in NICU) and for ubiquitous in-situ health tracking (e.g. on mobile phone and computers with webcams). Recently, camera-based non-contact vital sign monitoring have been shown to be feasible. However, camera-based vital sign monitoring is challenging for people with darker skin tone, under low lighting conditions, and/or during movement of an individual in front of the camera. In this paper, we propose distancePPG, a new camera-based vital sign estimation algorithm which addresses these challenges. DistancePPG proposes a new method of combining skin-color change signals from different tracked regions of the face using a weighted average, where the weights depend on the blood perfusion and incident light intensity in the region, to improve the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of camera-based estimate. One of our key contributions is a new automatic method for determining the weights based only on the video recording of the subject. The gains in SNR of camera-based PPG estimated using distancePPG translate into reduction of the error in vital sign estimation, and thus expand the scope of camera-based vital sign monitoring to potentially challenging scenarios. Further, a dataset will be released, comprising of synchronized video recordings of face and pulse oximeter based ground truth recordings from the earlobe for people with different skin tones, under different lighting conditions and for various motion scenarios.Comment: 24 pages, 11 figure

RETROCAM: A Versatile Optical Imager for Synoptic Studies

We present RETROCAM, an auxiliary CCD camera that can be rapidly inserted into the optical beam of the MDM 2.4m telescope. The speed and ease of reconfiguring the telescope to use the imager and a straightforward user interface permit the camera to be used during the course of other observing programs. This in turn encourages RETROCAM's use for a variety of monitoring projects.Comment: 6 pages, 6 figures, Accepted by A

Closed circuit TV system monitors welding operations

TV camera system that has a special vidicon tube with a gradient density filter is used in remote monitoring of TIG welding of stainless steel. The welding operations involve complex assembly welding tools and skates in areas of limited accessibility

Sensor node localisation using a stereo camera rig

In this paper, we use stereo vision processing techniques to detect and localise sensors used for monitoring simulated environmental events within an experimental sensor network testbed. Our sensor nodes communicate to the camera through patterns emitted by light emitting diodes (LEDs). Ultimately, we envisage the use of very low-cost, low-power, compact microcontroller-based sensing nodes that employ LED communication rather than power hungry RF to transmit data that is gathered via existing CCTV infrastructure. To facilitate our research, we have constructed a controlled environment where nodes and cameras can be deployed and potentially hazardous chemical or physical plumes can be introduced to simulate environmental pollution events in a controlled manner. In this paper we show how 3D spatial localisation of sensors becomes a straightforward task when a stereo camera rig is used rather than a more usual 2D CCTV camera

An open-access platform for camera-trapping data

In southern Mexico, local communities have been playing important roles in the design and collection of wildlife data through camera-trapping in community-based monitoring of biodiversity projects. However, the methods used to store the data have limited their use in matters of decision-making and research. Thus, we present the Platform for Community-based Monitoring of Biodiversity (PCMB), a repository, which allows storage, visualization, and downloading of photographs captured by community-based monitoring of biodiversity projects in protected areas of southern Mexico. The platform was developed using agile software development with extensive interaction between computer scientists and biologists. System development included gathering data, design, built, database and attributes creation, and quality control. The PCMB currently contains 28,180 images of 6478 animals (69.4% mammals and 30.3% birds). Of the 32 species of mammals recorded in 18 PA since 2012, approximately a quarter of all photographs were of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). Platforms permitting access to camera-trapping data are a valuable step in opening access to data of biodiversity; the PCMB is a practical new tool for wildlife management and research with data generated through local participation. Thus, this work encourages research on the data generated through the community-based monitoring of biodiversity projects in protected areas, to provide an important information infrastructure for effective management and conservation of wildlife

Camera-based daphnia monitoring

Réaliser un système embarqué à base de Cortex STM32F4 permettant de filmer de manière autonome une daphnie et de détecter son rythme cardiaque. Le système devra également récolter les images, les compresser et les transmettre sur PC par USB

Calibration of the ASTRI SST-2M Prototype using Muon Ring Images

The study of ring images generated from high-energy muons is a very useful tool for the performance monitoring and calibration of any Imaging Atmosphere Cherenkov Telescope. Isolated muons travelling towards the telescope light collector system produce characteristic Cherenkov ring images in the focal plane camera. Since the geometry and the distribution of light deployed onto the camera can be easily reconstructed analytically for a muon of given energy and direction, muon rings are a powerful tool for monitoring the behaviour of crucial properties of an imaging telescope such as the point-spread-function and the overall light collection efficiency. In this contribution we present the possibility of using the analysis of muon ring images as calibrator for the ASTRI SST-2M prototype point spread function.Comment: In Proceedings of the 33rd International Cosmic Ray Conference (ICRC2013), Rio de Janeiro (Brazil). All ASTRI contributions at arXiv:1307.463