Abstract
Using a timelapse camera, scientists can track entities (such as people and wildlife) and
conditions (such as weather and visibility) that occur in a particular place over time. Cameras are placed
at strategic locations, where images are automatically taken at regular intervals (e.g., every 5 minutes,
every hour), or via motion detection. After collecting the camera's card, an analyst visually examines each
image and counts/describes the entities and conditions of interest.
The Timelapse Image Analyser described in this manual helps scientists do this last visual analysis and
counting step. In brief, the tool lets a coordinating biologist configure a series of 'codes' specific to the
biologist's project and to the sets of images that require analysis. An analyzer later opens an image set
using the tool. As a first step, the tool automatically: goes through all images and extracts information it
can such as dates and times; and categorizes unusual images including dark ones (night time) and
corrupted images. As the second step, the analyst goes through the images, where he or she can fill in
codes by either typing, or by selecting from menus, or (for counting) simply by clicking on items in the
image. The tool also includes various means to simplify coding over a group of images as well as data
correction. To help the biologist find items of interest in the image, the tool includes a magnifying glass,
pan and zoom capabilites (where switching images will keep the same pan/zoom levels), as well as
several image enhancement methods. All data is written to a file that can be opened in Excel.
Refereed
No
