Milking plant system, computer-implemented method, computer program and non-volatile data carrier

Abstract

A remote server (110) sends configuration data (CF) to a local server (120) at a farm (150) having a milking plant system with a set of farm components (141, 142, 143) via at least one network (130). Each of the farm components (141, 142, 143) is operatively connected to a respective controller (C1, C2, C3) configurable by a set of configuration parameters included in the configuration data (CF). In response to receiving the configuration data (CF), the local server (120) transmits a respective set of configuration parameters (CF1, CF2, CF3) to each of the respective controllers (C1, C2, C3). In response to receiving the set of configuration parameters (CF1, CF2, CF3), each of the respective controllers (C1, C2, C3) sets a configuration of the controller (C1, C2, C3) in accordance with the respective set of configuration parameters (CF1, CF2, CF3) for the controller (C1, C2, C3). Thus, the farm components of the milking plant system can be configured and upgraded in a convenient and efficient manner.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates generally to a milking facility comprising software controlled farm components. In particular, the invention relates to a milking plant system according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a corresponding computer implemented method. The invention also relates to a computer program and a non-volatile data carrier storing such a computer program. Background Art

[0002] Today's milking systems are highly complex installations in which multiple components and parts of the equipment interact in various ways. Therefore, setting up and organizing a milking system in a functionally optimal way is not an easy task. To date, a solution for automatically configuring a single unit in the form of a milk analysis device is known.

[0003] WO 2020 / 251456 describes a solution in which a milk analysis device comprises first wireless communication means for communicating with memory means of a configuration tag. The configuration tag is adapted for the milk analysis device and comprises a reference symbol of a milk extraction device with which the milk analysis device is intended to operate in combination. The communication is performed via second wireless communication means included in the configuration tag. The control unit is configured to: retrieve configuration data, such as a network location reference (such as an IP address), of the milk extraction device intended to operate in combination with the milk analysis device from the memory means of the configuration tag via the first wireless communication means; and configure the control unit based on the retrieved configuration data of the milk extraction device.

[0004] Although the above solutions may provide for efficient deployment of milk analysis equipment, the problem of deploying an entire milking plant still remains to be solved. Summary of the invention

[0005] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a solution which enables a straightforward and reliable configuration of the entire milking plant system.

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, the object is achieved by a milking plant system comprising a local server and a group of farm components. The local server is arranged at the farm, and the local server is configured to obtain configuration data from a remote server via at least one network (e.g., the Internet). Each component in the group of farm components is operatively connected to a corresponding controller, which in turn can be configured by a set of configuration parameters in the configuration data obtained in the local server. In addition, each of the controllers is communicatively connected to the local server. The local server is configured to receive a configuration file from the remote server, which configuration file contains a corresponding set of configuration parameters for each of the corresponding controllers. The configuration file has then been generated based on a definition message identifying the components in the group of farm components. In response to the configuration file, the local server is configured to transmit the corresponding set of configuration parameters to each of the corresponding controllers. Each of the corresponding controllers is configured to: receive the corresponding set of configuration parameters, and in response thereto, set the configuration of the controller according to the corresponding set of configuration parameters for the controller.

[0007] The milking plant system is advantageous because it enables convenient and efficient remote configuration of all farm components comprised in the milking plant system.

[0008] According to one embodiment of this aspect of the invention, each component in the set of farm components has a corresponding machine-readable tag representing a corresponding identity of the component. The machine-readable tag is configured to be read by a machine reader in the form of an optical reader, a radio frequency identification reader and / or a near field communication reader. The defined message is based on the machine-readable tag.

[0009] For example, the at least one reader may be included in a mobile terminal such as a smart phone or a tablet computer, the at least one reader being configured to read each of the machine-readable tags. Based on this, the mobile terminal is further configured to generate a definition message and transmit the definition message to a remote server, for example, via a wireless network. This is a very user-friendly way of providing a definition message to a remote server.

[0010] According to another embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the mobile terminal is configured to receive user input data specifying how each component of the set of farm components is to be arranged relative to at least one other component of the milking plant system at the farm. The mobile terminal is further configured to generate a definition message further based on the user input data. This is beneficial because configuring components of a milking plant typically requires appropriate interrelationship information in addition to information identifying such components.

[0011] According to another embodiment of this aspect of the invention, a mobile terminal is included in the milking plant system, the mobile terminal being configured to receive a positioning signal from a positioning system, the positioning system being, for example, a so-called GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System), such as a GPS (Global Positioning System). Based on the received positioning signal, the mobile terminal is configured to determine a position for the mobile terminal. Furthermore, based on the position for the mobile terminal, the mobile terminal is configured to generate a definition message and subsequently transmit the definition message to a remote server. Assuming that (a) the mobile terminal is located at a farm where the milking plant to be configured is located, and (b) the mobile terminal contains or has access to information about which components are included in the milking plant, its configuration can be achieved in a highly efficient manner.

[0012] According to another embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the auxiliary server disposes of a second database containing farm facility data describing the configuration of each component of the set of farm components. The configuration is assumed to be linked to a respective identity of each component of the set of farm components. Furthermore, the auxiliary server is configured to generate a definition message based on the respective identity of each component of the set of farm components and to transmit the definition message to the remote server. Thus, the milking plant system can be configured specifically based on prior knowledge about the components included in the milking plant system.

[0013] According to another embodiment of this aspect of the invention, one of the respective controllers is specifically a milking controller operatively connected to the milking parlor, another is a cleaning controller operatively connected to a cleaning device configured to perform an in-place cleaning procedure with respect to at least a portion of the milking parlor, and / or yet another is a cooling controller operatively connected to a cooling tank configured to hold the extracted milk. That is, these constitute key parts of a typical milking plant system.

[0014] According to another embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the milking parlor in turn comprises at least one milking point connected to a vacuum source, at least one pulsator and at least one milk meter, and the milking controller is configured to monitor the at least one milking point, the vacuum source, the at least one pulsator and the at least one milk meter. In this embodiment, the cooling tank comprises at least one stirring member, an evaporator and a compressor; and the cooling controller is configured to monitor the at least one stirring member, the evaporator and the compressor. This type of multi-component control is beneficial from an efficiency point of view.

[0015] According to another aspect of the present invention, the object is achieved by a computer-implemented method, which is performed in at least one processor in a local server of a milking plant system at a farm and in each of the corresponding controllers of a farm component in a group of farm components operatively connected to the milking plant system. Each of the controllers can be configured by a set of configuration parameters in configuration data obtained from a remote server via at least one network (e.g., the Internet). In addition, each of the controllers is communicatively connected to the local server. The method includes receiving a configuration file from a remote server in the local server. The configuration file contains a corresponding set of configuration parameters for each of the controllers, and the configuration file has been generated based on a definition message identifying a component in the group of farm components. In response to the configuration file, the method also includes transmitting a corresponding set of configuration parameters from the local server to each of the corresponding controllers. In each of the corresponding controllers, the method includes receiving the corresponding set of configuration parameters, and in response thereto, setting the configuration of the controller according to the corresponding set of configuration parameters for the controller.

[0016] The advantages of the method and its preferred embodiments are apparent from the above discussion with reference to the proposed milking plant system.

[0017] According to another aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a computer program loadable into a non-volatile data carrier communicatively linked to a processing unit. The computer program comprises software for performing the above method when the program is run on the processing unit.

[0018] According to a further aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a non-volatile data carrier comprising the above-mentioned computer program.

[0019] Further advantages, advantageous features and applications of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the dependent claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The invention will now be explained in more detail by means of preferred embodiments disclosed as examples and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0021] Figure 1 An example of a milking plant system according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0022] Figure 2 An example of a milking plant system according to a second embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0023] Figure 3 An example of a milking plant system according to a third embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0024] Figure 4shows a block diagram of a local server according to one embodiment of the present invention; and

[0025] Figure 5 The general method according to the invention is illustrated with the aid of a flow chart. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Figure 1 An example of a milking plant system according to a first embodiment of the invention is shown. The milking plant system comprises a local server 120 and a set of farm components, here denoted by 141, 142 and 143 respectively.

[0027] The local server 120 is arranged at a farm 150 where the milking plant system to be configured is located. The local server 120 is configured to obtain configuration data CF from a remote server 110 via at least one network 130, represented by the Internet for example.

[0028] Each farm component of the set of farm components 141, 142 and 143 is operatively connected to a respective controller C1, C2 and C3, which in turn can be configured by a set of configuration parameters included in the configuration data CF. Each of the controllers C1, C2 and C3 may also be communicatively connected to a local server 120, for example wirelessly.

[0029] The local server 120 is configured to receive a configuration file CF{ID} from the remote server 110. The configuration file CF{ID} contains a corresponding set of configuration parameters CF1, CF2 and CF3 for each of the corresponding controllers C1, C2 and C3. The configuration file CF{ID} has been generated based on a definition message D{ID} identifying a component in the set of farm components 141, 142 and 143. In response to the configuration file CF{ID}, the local server 120 is configured to transmit the corresponding set of configuration parameters CF1, CF2 and CF3 to each of the corresponding controllers C1, C2 and C3, for example via a network 125, which can be wired (e.g., Ethernet type) and / or wireless (e.g., Wi-Fi or Bluetooth type).

[0030] Each of the controllers C1, C2 and C3 is configured to receive the corresponding set of configuration parameters CF1, CF2 and CF3, respectively. In response thereto, each of the controllers C1, C2 and C3 is configured to set the configuration of the controller C1, C2 and C3 under consideration according to the corresponding set of configuration parameters CF1, CF2 and CF3 for the controllers C1, C2 and C3, respectively. Thus, all controllers C1, C2 and C3 are configured according to the configuration file CF{ID}.

[0031] According to one embodiment of the invention, the first controller C1 is a milking controller operatively connected to a milking parlor. The milking parlor may comprise at least one milking point connected to a vacuum source. The milking parlor may also comprise at least one pulsator and at least one milk meter. In this case, the milking controller C1 is configured to monitor the at least one milking point, the vacuum source, the at least one pulsator and the at least one milk meter.

[0032] The second controller C2 may be a cleaning controller operatively connected to a cleaning device configured to perform an in-situ cleaning procedure with respect to at least a portion of the milking parlor; and the third controller C3 is a cooling controller operatively connected to a cooling tank configured to contain the extracted milk. The cooling tank in turn may comprise at least one stirring member, an evaporator and a compressor. Here, the cooling controller C3 is configured to monitor the at least one stirring member, the evaporator and the compressor. Thus, the entire milking plant system may be configured via a configuration file CF{ID}. As will be described below, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the configuration file CF{ID} may be transmitted to the local server 120 based on different prompters.

[0033] exist Figure 1 In the example shown, each of the group of farm components 141, 142 and 143 is provided with a corresponding machine-readable tag 151, 152 and 153, respectively. Each machine-readable tag 151, 152 and 153 represents a corresponding identity ID1, ID2 and ID3 of the component on which the machine-readable tag 151, 152 and 153 is provided. The machine-readable tags 151, 152 and 153 are configured to be read by a machine reader such as an optical reader, a radio frequency identification reader and / or a near field communication reader. Here, the definition message D{ID} is based on the machine-readable tags 151, 152 and 153.

[0034] For example, a mobile terminal 160 may be included in the milking plant system, and the mobile terminal 160 includes at least one reader configured to read each of the machine-readable tags 151, 152, and 153, respectively. The mobile terminal 160 may be represented by a smart phone, a tablet, a laptop, or a similar portable device. The mobile terminal 160 is configured to generate a definition message D{ID} based on the identities ID1, ID2, and ID3 of the controllers C1, C2, and C3 read from the machine-readable tags 151, 152, and 153 thereon. In addition, the mobile terminal 160 is configured to transmit the definition message D{ID} to the remote server 110, for example, via a wireless access network.

[0035] Typically, in order to configure a controller of a milking plant system, details are required about how the component relates to other components in the milking plant system, in addition to information about the type of component controlled by the controller and the features / capabilities of the component. Therefore, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the mobile terminal 160 is further configured to receive user input data, which specifies how each component of the group of farm components (e.g., 141, 142 and 143) is arranged relative to at least one other component of the milking plant system at the farm 150. The user input data considered may therefore describe how different pressure sensors monitored by the controller are arranged along the milk lines. Alternatively or in addition, the user input data considered may reflect the layout of the farm 150. The mobile terminal 160 is here configured to generate a definition message D{ID} further based on the user input data.

[0036] Figure 2 An example of a milking factory system according to a second embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 2 In, also appears Figure 1 All reference numerals in the drawings represent the same Figure 1 Same parts / devices as described.

[0037] Here, a mobile terminal 160 of the system is configured to receive a positioning signal PSS from a positioning system 170, the positioning system being, for example, a mobile phone system or a GNSS, such as GPS, Galileo, Glonass (Globalnaya NavigatsionnayaSputnikovaya Sistema), BeiDou-2, QZSS (Quasi-Zenith Satellite System), IRNSS (Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System) or NavIC. Based on the received positioning signal PSS, the mobile terminal 160 is configured to determine a location for the mobile terminal 160. The mobile terminal 160 contains or has access to information linking each farm 150 in a group of farms to corresponding location data for the farm 150. Thus, based on the location data, the mobile terminal 160 can identify a specific farm, and based on the location for the mobile terminal 160, the mobile terminal 160 is configured to generate a definition message D{ID}. In addition, the mobile terminal 160 is configured to transmit the definition message D{ID} to a remote server 110, for example via a wireless access network. In response to the definition message D{ID}, the remote server 110 and the local server 120 are respectively configured as described above with reference to Figure 1 Operate as described.

[0038] Figure 3 An example of a milking factory system according to a third embodiment of the present invention is shown. Figure 3 In, also appears Figure 1 and / or Figure 2All reference numerals in the drawings represent the same Figure 1 and / or Figure 2 The same parts / devices. Figure 3 In the example shown, the milking plant system includes an auxiliary server 180 that handles a second database 185. The second database 185 contains farm facility data describing the configuration of each component in the group of farm components 141, 142 and 143. Similar to the above, the configuration is linked to the corresponding identity ID1, ID2 and ID3 of each component in the group of farm components 141, 142 and 143. The auxiliary server 180 is configured to: generate a definition message D{ID} based on the corresponding identity ID1, ID2 and ID3 of each component in the group of farm components 141, 142 and 143, respectively; and transmit the definition message D{ID} to the remote server 110, for example via at least one network (such as the Internet). In response to the definition message D{ID}, the remote server 110 and the local server 120 are respectively configured as described above with reference to Figure 1 Thus, the farm components 141, 142 and 143 may be configured in a fully automated manner from a remote location (eg, remote server 110).

[0039] Figure 4 A block diagram of a local server 120 according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown. It is generally advantageous that the local server 120 is configured to implement the above-mentioned procedures in an automatic manner in conjunction with the remote server 110 by executing a computer program 425. Therefore, the local server 120 may include a memory unit 420 (i.e., a non-volatile data carrier) storing a computer program 425, which in turn contains software for causing a processing circuit in the form of at least one processor 410 in the local server 120 to perform the actions mentioned in the present disclosure when the computer program 425 is run on at least one processor 410.

[0040] To summarize, and refer to Figure 5 Referring to the flowchart in FIG. 1 , we will now describe a computer-implemented method according to the present invention, which is performed in a local server 120 and a set of controllers C1 , C2 and C3 communicatively connected thereto.

[0041] The first step 510 checks whether a configuration file CF{ID} has been received in the local server 120 from the remote server 110. If yes, then step 520 follows; otherwise, the program loops back and stays at step 510. The configuration file CF{ID} contains a corresponding set of configuration parameters CF1, CF2 and CF3 for each of the controllers C1, C2 and C3, respectively. The configuration file CF{ID} has been generated based on a definition message D{ID} identifying a component in the set of farm components 141, 142 and 143.

[0042] In step 520, the respective set of configuration parameters CF1, CF2, and CF3 are transmitted from the local server 120 to each of the respective controllers C1, C2, and C3, for example, via a wired or wireless network.

[0043] Subsequently, in step 530, the corresponding set of configuration parameters CF1, CF2, and CF3 are received in each of the corresponding controllers C1, C2, and C3. Then, in response thereto, in step 540, the configuration in each controller C1, C2, and C3 is set according to the corresponding set of configuration parameters CF1, CF2, and CF3 for the controllers C1, C2, and C3. Then, the program ends.

[0044] refer to Figure 5 The processing steps described can be controlled by means of a programmed processor. In addition, although the embodiments of the present invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawings include processors and processing performed in at least one processor, the present invention is therefore also extended to computer programs suitable for putting the present invention into practice, in particular computer programs on or in a carrier. The program can be in the form of source code, target code, code intermediate source and target code such as partially compiled form, or any other form suitable for use in the implementation of the process according to the present invention. The program can be part of an operating system, or a separate application program. The carrier can be any entity or device capable of carrying a program. For example, the carrier can include a storage medium such as a flash memory, a ROM (read-only memory), such as a DVD (digital video / universal disk), a CD (compact disk) or a semiconductor ROM, an EPROM (erasable programmable read-only memory), an EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read-only memory) or a magnetic recording medium, such as a floppy disk or a hard disk. In addition, the carrier can be a transmittable carrier, such as an electrical signal or an optical signal, which can be transmitted via a cable or optical cable or by radio or by other means. When the program is embodied in a signal, the signal can be directly transmitted by a cable or other device or apparatus, and the carrier can be composed of such a cable or apparatus or member. Alternatively, the carrier may be an integrated circuit in which the program is embedded, the integrated circuit being suitable for carrying out or for use in the performance of the relevant process.

[0045] Variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed invention, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.

[0046] When used in this specification, the term "comprising" is used to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components. The term does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more additional elements, features, integers, steps or components or groups thereof. The indefinite article "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. In the claims, the word "or" should not be interpreted as an exclusive or (sometimes called "XOR"). On the contrary, expressions such as "A or B" cover all cases "A and not B", "B and not A" and "A and B" unless otherwise stated. The fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. Any reference signs in the claims should not be interpreted as limiting the scope.

[0047] It should also be noted that features from the various embodiments described herein may be freely combined, unless it is explicitly stated that such a combination would be inappropriate.

[0048] The invention is not limited to the embodiments described in the drawings but may be varied freely within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A milking factory system, comprising: A local server (120) arranged at the farm (150), the local server (120) being configured to obtain configuration data (CF) from a remote server (110) via at least one network (130); and A set of farm components (141, 142, 143), each of which is operatively connected to a corresponding controller (C1, C2, C3), which controller can be configured by a set of configuration parameters included in the configuration data (CF), wherein each of the corresponding controllers (C1, C2, C3) can be communicatively connected to the local server (120), characterized in that The local server (120) is configured to: receiving a configuration file (CF{ID}) from the remote server (110), the configuration file (CF{ID}) comprising a respective set of configuration parameters (CF1, CF2, CF3) for each of the respective controllers (C1, C2, C3), and the configuration file (CF{ID}) having been generated based on a definition message (D{ID}) identifying the component of the set of farm components (141, 142, 143); and transmitting the respective set of configuration parameters (CF1, CF2, CF3) to each of the respective controllers (C1, C2, C3) in response to the configuration file (CF{ID}), and Each of the respective controllers (C1, C2, C3) is configured to: receiving the corresponding set of configuration parameters (CF1, CF2, CF3), and responding thereto The configuration of the controller (C1, C2, C3) is set according to the corresponding set of configuration parameters (CF1, CF2, CF3) for the controller (C1, C2, C3).

2. The milking plant system according to claim 1, wherein: Each of the set of farm components (141, 142, 143) comprises a respective machine-readable tag (151, 152; 153), the machine-readable tag representing the respective identity (ID1, ID2; ID3) of the component, the machine-readable tag being configured to be read by an optical reader, a radio frequency identification reader and / or a near field communication reader, and The definition message (D{ID}) is based on the machine-readable tag (151, 152; 153).

3. The milking factory system according to claim 2, further comprising a mobile terminal (160), the mobile terminal comprising at least one reader, the at least one reader being configured to: Reading each of the machine-readable tags (151, 152; 153), and based thereon generating the definition message (D{ID}); and The definition message (D{ID}) is transmitted to the remote server (110).

4. The milking factory system according to claim 3, wherein the mobile terminal (160) is further configured to: receiving user input data specifying how each component of the set of farm components (141, 142, 143) is to be arranged relative to at least one other component of the milking plant system at the farm (150); and The definition message (D{ID}) is generated further based on the user input data.

5. The milking factory system according to claim 1, further comprising a mobile terminal (160), wherein the mobile terminal is configured to: Receive a positioning signal (PSS) from a positioning system (170), and based on this Determining a location for the mobile terminal (160); generating the definition message (D{ID}) based on the location for the mobile terminal (160); as well as The definition message (D{ID}) is transmitted to the remote server (110).

6. A milking factory system according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary server (180) disposes of a second database (185), the second database containing farm facility data describing the configuration of each component of the set of farm components (141, 142, 143), the configuration being linked to the respective identification (ID1, ID2; ID3) of each component of the set of farm components (141, 142, 143), and the auxiliary server (180) is configured to: generating said definition message (D{ID}) based on said corresponding identification (ID1, ID2; ID3) of each component in said set of farm components (141, 142, 143); and The definition message (D{ID}) is transmitted to the remote server (110).

7. The milking plant system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the respective controller (C1, C2, C3) is at least one of: a milking controller operatively connected to the milking parlor; a cleaning controller operatively connected to a cleaning device configured to perform a clean-in-place procedure with respect to at least a portion of the milking parlor; and A cooling controller is operatively connected to a cooling tank configured to contain the extracted milk.

8. The milking plant system according to claim 7, wherein: The milking parlor further comprises at least one milking point connected to a vacuum source, at least one pulsator and at least one milk meter, and the milking controller is configured to monitor the at least one milking point, the vacuum source, the at least one pulsator and the at least one milk meter; and The cooling tank includes at least one agitation member, an evaporator, and a compressor; and the cooling controller is configured to monitor the at least one agitation member, the evaporator, and the compressor.

9. A computer-implemented method, the computer-implemented method being performed in at least one processor in a local server (120) of a milking plant system at a farm (150) and in each of respective controllers (C1, C2, C3) operatively connected to a farm component of a set of farm components (141, 142, 143) included in the milking plant system, the respective controllers (C1, C2, C3) being configurable by a set of configuration parameters included in configuration data (CF) obtained from a remote server (110) via at least one network (130), wherein each of the respective controllers (C1, C2, C3) is communicatively connectable to the local server (120), characterized in that: receiving in the local server (120) from the remote server (110) a configuration file (CF{ID}), the configuration file (CF{ID}) comprising a respective set of configuration parameters (CF1, CF2, CF3) for each of the respective controllers (C1, C2, C3), and the configuration file (CF{ID}) having been generated based on a definition message (D{ID}) identifying the component in the set of farm components (141, 142, 143); and transmitting the corresponding set of configuration parameters (CF1, CF2, CF3) from the local server (120) to each of the corresponding controllers (C1, C2, C3) in response to the configuration file (CF{ID}), and In each of the respective controllers (C1, C2, C3): receiving the corresponding set of configuration parameters (CF1, CF2, CF3), and responding thereto The configuration of the controller (C1, C2, C3) is set according to the corresponding set of configuration parameters (CF1, CF2, CF3) for the controller (C1, C2, C3).

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein each component of the set of farm components (141, 142, 143) comprises a corresponding machine-readable label (151, 152; 153), the machine-readable label representing the corresponding identification (ID1, ID2; ID3), the machine-readable tag is configured to be read by an optical reader, a radio frequency identification reader and / or a near field communication reader, and the method comprises The definition message (D{ID}) is generated based on the machine-readable tag (151, 152; 153).

11. The method according to claim 10, further comprising: reading each of the machine-readable tags (151, 152; 153) by a reader included in a mobile terminal (160); Based on this, the definition message (D{ID}) is generated in the mobile terminal (160); as well as The definition message (D{ID}) is transmitted from the mobile terminal (160) to the remote server (110).

12. The method according to claim 11, further comprising: receiving user input data in the mobile terminal (160), the user input data specifying how each component of the set of farm components (141, 142, 143) is arranged relative to at least one other component of a milking plant facility at the farm (150); and The definition message (D{ID}) is further generated in the mobile terminal (160) based on the user input data.

13. The method according to claim 9, further comprising: A positioning signal (PSS) is received from a positioning system (170) in a mobile terminal (160), and based on the PSS Determining a location for the mobile terminal (160); generating the definition message (D{ID}) in the mobile terminal (160) based on the location for the mobile terminal (160); as well as The definition message (D{ID}) is transmitted from the mobile terminal (160) to the remote server (110).

14. The method according to claim 9, comprising: generating the definition message (D{ID}) in the auxiliary server (180) based on the corresponding identification (ID1, ID2; ID3) of each component in the set of farm components (141, 142, 143) using farm facility data describing the configuration of each component in the set of farm components (141, 142, 143), the configuration being linked to the corresponding identification (ID1, ID2; ID3) of each component in the set of farm components (141, 142, 143), and the farm facility data being stored in a second database (185) disposed by the auxiliary server (180); as well as The definition message (D{ID}) is transmitted from the auxiliary server (180) to the remote server (110).

15. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 14, wherein the respective controller (C1, C2, C3) is at least one of: a milking controller operatively connected to the milking parlor; a cleaning controller operatively connected to a cleaning device configured to perform a clean-in-place procedure with respect to at least a portion of the milking parlor; and A cooling controller is operatively connected to a cooling tank configured to contain the extracted milk.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein: The milking parlor further comprises at least one milking point connected to a vacuum source, at least one pulsator and at least one milk meter, and the milking controller is configured to monitor the at least one milking point, the vacuum source, the at least one pulsator and the at least one milk meter; and The cooling tank includes at least one agitation member, an evaporator, and a compressor; and the cooling controller is configured to monitor the at least one agitation member, the evaporator, and the compressor.

17. A computer program (425) loadable into a non-volatile data carrier (420) communicatively connectable to a processing unit (410), the computer program (425) comprising software for executing the method according to any one of claims 8 to 14 when the computer program (425) is run on the processing unit (410).

18. A non-volatile data carrier (420) comprising a computer program (425) according to claim 17.

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