Controller for creating a sample comprising a mixture of milk and a chemical

Abstract

A controller (200) for managing the creation of a sample comprising a mixture of milk and a chemical is disclosed. The controller determines the ratio between milk and chemical based on a predetermined value or the quality criterion of a previous sample in the same milking session. It sends a first control signal to a milk dosing unit (120) and a second control signal to a chemical dosing unit (130) to supply the ingredients according to the ratio, creating the sample. Additionally, the controller sends a signal to an image sensor (210) to capture the sample's image and assess its quality based on somatic cell detection. If the quality criterion is not met, the controller adjusts the ratio and regenerates a subsequent sample during the same milking session.

Description

[0001] CONTROLLER FOR CREATING A SAMPLE COMPRISING A MIXTURE OF MILK AND A CHEMICAL

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] This document discloses a controller for controlling creation of a sample comprising a mixture of milk and a chemical according to the appended claims.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] On a dairy farm, it is sometimes desired to create and analyse a milk sample of milk from a particular animal in a milk analytic instrument. The reason may be to investigate whether the animal is suffering from Mastitis, Ketosis, Urea, or some disease or condition that may affect the milk yield and / or milk quality; or measuring a parameter reflecting milk quality itself, for example percentage of fat, protein, lactose, etc.

[0006] A convenient way of extracting the milk sample is when the animal is being milked in a milking station, for example by a milking robot, or in a rotary parlour. A milk sampling device may then extract the milk sample from a milk line comprising milk of the animal and provide the milk sample to the milk analytic instrument.

[0007] The milk analytic instrument may require mixing of the milk with one or several other liquids before providing the milk sample to the milk analytic instrument, depending on the type of test to be made, thereby optimally preparing the milk sample for the test. For example, the milk may have to be diluted with a diluent or prepared with a chemical indicator.

[0008] It is desired that the dosing proportions between the milk portion and the portion / s of the other liquid / s are precise, as these proportions play an important part when for example calculating Somatic Cell Count (SCC) of the milk portion of the milk sample.

[0009] A problem when counting somatic cells is to create the milk portion and the portion / s of the other liquid / s with a convenient number of somatic cells to be counted. In case there are too many somatic cells in the sample, they may create clusters, making it difficult to count them. In case the chemical indicator is configured to change a physical property of cells in milk of the sample, too small amount of the chemical indicator may be insufficient to enable somatic cell count and / or increasing the time it takes to perform the cell count.

[0010] It would be desired to determine correct dosing proportions between the milk portion and the portion / s of the other liquid / s before creating the milk sample, thereby making the analysis of the milk sample more efficient.

[0011] It would be desired through further investigations and development to evolve a concept for preparing a milk sample for the purpose of making an analysis thereof.

[0012] SUMMARY

[0013] It is therefore an object of this invention to solve at least some of the above problems and facilitate creation of a sample comprising a mixture of milk and a chemical, for enabling correct milk sample analysis.

[0014] According to a first aspect of the invention, this objective is achieved by a controller for controlling creation of a sample during a milking session of at least one animal, the sample comprising a mixture of milk and a chemical. The controller is configured to determine a ratio between milk and chemical of the sample, either based on a pre-determined value or on a quality criterion of a previously made sample during the same milking session.

[0015] The controller is also configured to generate and provide a first control signal to a milk dosing unit to supply an amount of milk according to the determined ratio and generate and provide a second control signal to a chemical dosing unit to supply an amount of chemical according to the determined ratio, thereby creating the sample having the determined ratio.

[0016] Additionally, the controller is configured to generate and provide a control signal to an image sensor such as a camera to capture and provide an image of the sample. It then determines a quality criterion of the image of the sample, wherein the quality criterion is associated with the ability to substantially detect somatic cells in the image.

[0017] Also, the controller is configured to adjusts the ratio between milk and chemical and regenerate a subsequent sample of the at least one animal during the same milking session based on the adjusted ratio when the determined quality criterion of the image is not fulfilled.

[0018] For a sample for which the quality criterion is not fulfilled, the amount of chemical in the ratio for the subsequent sample during the same milking session may be increased.

[0019] In order to be able to reliably perform the somatic cell count (SCC), it is required to count approximately 100 cells, or a number of cells in an interval, for example between 80-150 cells. In case the captured image comprises a cell count deviating from these value, creation of a new sample may be triggered during the same milking session, with an adjusted ratio between milk and chemical. This process may then be iterated until the determined ratio between milk and chemical in the sample results in the ideal number of cells (within an interval), during the same milking session.

[0020] With appropriate proportions of milk and chemical, a sufficient e.g. colouring of cells (of white blood cells) in the milk sample, is achieved, to be counted in an efficient way while not using an excess amount of chemicals.

[0021] The chemical may be rather expensive. Also, the chemical may have to be handled with special care due to its colouring capacity, fluorescent capacity and / or possibly toxic properties; i.e. , it has to be handled with particular care during the milk analysis process. From an environ-mentally friendly / working environment perspective, it may be desired to minimize or at least reduce the amount of used chemicals, while achieving a reliable result of the milk analyses.

[0022] Thanks to the disclosed solution, it is assured that a sample is created having a ratio between milk and chemical for enabling a reliable SCC. The reliable SCC in turn forms a consistent basis for estimation of milk quality and / or health status of the animal, such as mastitis.

[0023] After having determined the SCC, the results may be compared with a threshold value, for example 200 000 cells / ml. In some countries / regions, there are legal limits for SCC in milk intended for human consumption (> 400 000 cells / ml in European Union (EU)), as high counts can affect milk quality, shelf life, and its suitability for certain processed products such as cheese.

[0024] Regular monitoring of SCC may be vital for the farmer to ensure the health of their herds and the quality of the produced milk. Sometimes, low SCC may render a payment bonus (and / or high SCC may render a payment reduction) by the milk processor purchasing the milk, for awarding and promoting high milk quality at the farms. White blood cells (leukocytes) constitute the majority of somatic cells in the sample. The number of somatic cells increases in response to pathogenic bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus, a cause of mastitis. SCC is a cell count of somatic cells in a fluid specimen, usually milk. In dairying, the SCC is an indicator of the quality of milk, specifically, its low likeliness to contain harmful bacteria, and thus its high food safety. The SCC is quantified as cells per millilitre. General agreement rests on a reference range of less than 100,000 cells / mL for uninfected cows and greater than 250,000 for cows infected with significant pathogen levels. Optionally, the quality criterion of the image may comprise a number of non-distinct cells in the image, i.e. the contrast between the cell and the background is not distinct.

[0025] When many cells have to share a low amount of chemical, the individual cells will not stand out from the background, resulting in a blurry image with low contrast between the cell and the background. Thus, when the number of non-distinct cells in the image exceeds a threshold limit, the ratio between the chemical and the milk is redetermined by increasing the chemical portion of the ratio.

[0026] Optionally, the chemical comprised in the chemical dosing unit may be configured to change a physical property of cells in milk of the sample.

[0027] The added chemical thereby makes it easier to detect and count the cells in the milk portion of the sample.

[0028] Optionally, the chemical comprised in the chemical dosing unit may be a stainer, which may be enabled to colour cells in milk of the sample. The stainer may thereby stain cells as the stainer binds to DNA or RNA of the cell, preferably the stainer binds to DNA in the cell nucleus.

[0029] The added chemical thereby makes it even more easy to detect and count the cells in the milk portion of the sample.

[0030] The stainer is rather expensive. Also, the stainer may have to be handled with special care due to its colouring capacity, fluorescent capacity and / or possibly toxic properties; i.e., it has to be handled with particular care during the milk analysis process. From an environmentally friendly / working environment perspective, it may be desired to minimize or at least reduce the amount of used stainer, while achieving a reliable result of the milk analyses.

[0031] Optionally, the sample may comprise a mixture of milk, the chemical and a filler liquid, a diluent. The controller may be configured to determine the ratio between milk, the chemical and the filler liquid of the sample, either based on a predetermined value, or on a quality criterion of a previously made sample during the same milking session.

[0032] The controller may be configured to generate and provide the first control signal to the milk dosing unit, to supply the amount of milk according to the determined ratio. The controller may also be configured to generate and provide the second control signal to the chemical dosing unit to supply an amount of chemical according to the determined ratio. Also, the controller may also be configured to generate and provide a third control signal to a filler liquid dosing unit to supply an amount of filler liquid according to the determined ratio; thereby creating the sample having the determined ratio. Furthermore, the controller may be configured to generate and provide yet a control signal to an image sensor, to capture and provide an image of the sample. Also, the controller may be configured to determine the quality criterion of the image of the sample. The controller is also configured to adjust the ratio between milk, chemical and the filler liquid and regenerate a subsequent sample of the at least one animal during the same milking session, based on the adjusted ratio, when the determined quality criterion is not fulfilled.

[0033] By creating the sample comprising milk and stainer, also with the filler liquid, costs and environmental footprint are reduced, while yet achieving a reliable result of the milk analysis.

[0034] Optionally, the filler liquid may comprise water, demineralised water, water mixed with preservative, acid, cations, and / or anions, a saline solution, a citric acid solution, a phosphoric acid, an acetic acid, or a similar liquid.

[0035] Optionally, the controller may also be configured to generate control signals to create the sample and capture the image of the sample based on a schedule.

[0036] By creating a sample according to a schedule, for example every first milking on a Monday; every tenth milking, etc., it is assured that a continuous health monitoring of the animal is made.

[0037] Optionally, the controller may be configured to generate control signals to create the sample and capture the image of the sample based on an obtained quality parameter related to the quality of the milk upon which the sample will be based and / or a physical parameter related to the at least one animal producing the milk upon which the sample will be based.

[0038] By retrieving the quality parameter and / or the physical parameter such as for example conductivity of the extracted milk; milk yield and / or body temperature of the animal, comparing it with a threshold limit and trigger the sample creation and the SCC when the threshold limit is exceeded, the sample creation / SCC are performed only when the animal is expected to be sick.

[0039] The number of superfluous / unnecessary sample creation / SCC are minimised or at least reduced, yet sick animals will likely be detected, which saves resources and time. Usage of chemicals is kept on a sufficient but not excessive level.

[0040] Optionally, the quality parameter may comprise any one of conductivity, milk yield, milk flow rate, L-lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), p-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), as measured and provided by a sensor, configured to measure the quality parameter in the milk.

[0041] A milk sample with an increased amount of white blood cells will have an increased conductivity; an animal with mastitis will have decreased milk yield and / or milk flow rate. Increased LDH and / or BHB is also a sign of increased amount of white blood cells.

[0042] Optionally, the physical parameter concerns measurements made by a sensor of a Real- Time Locating System (RTLS), and / or an accelerometer, and / or a body temperature sensor.

[0043] A sick animal may be expected to rest / sleep more than otherwise / walk less distance than otherwise; eat / ruminate less than otherwise; and / or have a higher body temperature than otherwise.

[0044] Optionally, the controller may also be configured to predict a trend of obtained historical measurements made of the quality parameter and / or the physical parameter and generate control signals to create the sample and capture the image of the sample based on the predicted trend of historical measurements.

[0045] Hereby, health monitoring of the animal could be made proactively, thereby confirming a possible illness of the animal at an early stage.

[0046] Optionally, the quality parameter and / or the physical parameter may be a real-time measurement made during the same milking session.

[0047] By creating the sample when a quality parameter and / or a physical parameter is obtained, indicating that the animal of the milking session is sick, the animal health could be confirmed by the SCO test.

[0048] Optionally, the milk of the sample may be extracted from one single animal. Also, the ratio may be determined either based on a predetermined value of that single animal, or on a quality criterion of a previously made sample during the same milking session of that single animal. Optionally, the milk of the sample may be extracted from a group of animals. The ratio may be determined either based on a predetermined value of that group of animals, or on a quality criterion of a previously made sample during the same milking session related to that group of animals.

[0049] Other advantages and additional novel features will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description.

[0050] FIGURES

[0051] Embodiments of the invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

[0052] Figure 1 illustrates an example of a controller for creating milk samples, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0053] Figure 2 illustrates an example of a system for creating milk samples, according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0054] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0055] Embodiments of the invention described herein are defined as a controller, which may be put into practice in the embodiments described below. These embodiments may, however, be exemplified and realised in many different forms and are not to be limited to the examples set forth herein; rather, these illustrative examples of embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete.

[0056] Still other objects and features may become apparent from the following detailed description, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed solely for purposes of illustration and not as a definition of the limits of the herein disclosed embodiments, for which reference is to be made to the appended claims. Further, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and, unless otherwise indicated, they are merely intended to conceptually illustrate the structures and procedures described herein.

[0057] Figure 1 illustrates a controller 200 comprised in a system 100 for creating samples comprising a mixture of milk and a chemical, wherein the sample is created during a milking session of at least one animal.

[0058] Each created sample may comprise a milk portion of milk from only one animal 101 in some embodiments. The milk portion may be extracted from a milk line comprising milk during a milking session of the animal 101.

[0059] In other embodiments, the milk portion of the sample may be created based on milk extracted from a group of animals.

[0060] The system 100 may with advantage, although not necessarily, be implemented in an automatic milking facility such as a milking robot, rotary milking parlour, or similar arrangement. The system 100 may alternatively be applied during manual milking in a milking parlour.

[0061] “Animal” may be any arbitrary type of domesticated female mammal such as e.g., cow, goat, sheep, camel, horse, dairy buffalo, donkey, yak, etc.

[0062] The system 100 may be configured to orchestrate the extraction of the milk sample of the animal during regular milking of the animal, via a milk sampling device 110. The milk sampling device 110 may be configured to extract the milk portion from a milk line comprising milk, i.e., the milk that has been extracted from one individual animal during the milking session. The extracted milk portion may be for example some few centilitres, or some millilitres.

[0063] The purpose of the milk portion extraction is to create the sample comprising the mixture of milk and the chemical, in order to enable analysis of the created sample, or a part thereof, by a milk analytic instrument 160, for example concerning Mastitis, Ketosis, somatic cell count, etc.

[0064] The system 100 comprises a controller 200. The controller 200 may comprise one or more instances of a processing circuit configured for performing various calculations for controlling the operations of the system 100 and / or for controlling creation of a sample comprising a mixture of milk and a chemical.

[0065] The chemical may be maintained in a chemical container 135 of the system 100. The chemical may be configured to change a physical property of cells in milk of the sample. In some embodiments, the chemical comprised in the chemical container 135 may be a stainer, which is enabled to colour cells of the milk sample. As the stainer is enabled to bind to DNA of the cell nucleus, the stainer may stain cells of milk in the sample.

[0066] The stainer may also be referred to as a reagent or (fluorescence) dye, sometimes also referred to as a fluorophore; or intercalating nucleic acid stain. The stainer, after having bind to the DNA of the cell nucleus, may emit fluorescent light when exposed to e.g. ultraviolet light or green light.

[0067] By colouring cells of the milk mixture with the stainer, Somatic Cell Count (SCC) is enabled. SCC is a measure of the number of somatic cells, primarily white blood cells (leukocytes) and possibly epithelial cells, present in milk. SCC is often used as an indicator of milk quality and health status of the animal 101. High SCC is often associated with mastitis, an inflammation of the mammary gland usually due to infection.

[0068] The controller 200 is configured to create the sample. The controller 200 may be configured to trigger the creation of the sample based on a quality parameter of the milk extracted from the at least one animal and / or a physical parameter related to the at least one animal producing the milk.

[0069] The quality parameter may comprise any one of conductivity, milk yield, milk flow rate, L- lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), p-hydroxybutyrate (BHB), as measured and provided by a sensor 115, configured to measure the quality parameter in the milk. The sensor 115 of the system 100 may for example be a conductivity metre when the quality parameter is conductivity; a milk flow metre when the quality parameter is milk yield, and / or milk flow rate; a biometric sensor when the quality parameter is LDH and / or BHB; etc.

[0070] The physical parameter related to the animal 101 may for example comprise walking distance during a certain time unit (a sick animal may be expected to walk less than a healthy animal), rumination of the animal 101 (a sick animal may be expected to eat less than a healthy animal), resting / sleeping time (a sick animal may be expected to sleep / rest more than a healthy animal), body temperature of the animal 101 (a sick animal may be expected to have a higher body temperature than a healthy animal), swollen udders (an animal having mastitis may be expected to have swollen teats in comparison with a healthy animal), etc.

[0071] The physical parameter may be measured by a sensor comprised in the system 100. The walking distance during a certain time unit may be measured by a sensor of a Real-Time Locating System (RTLS); rumination may be estimated by an accelerometer 170, arranged around the neck of the animal 101 or in an ear tag; resting / sleeping time of the animal 101 may be measured based on measurements of the RTLS sensor and / or a camera; body temperature of the animal 101 may be estimated by a body temperature sensor 180; swollen udders may be detected by a camera in conjunction with an image recognition program.

[0072] The controller 200 is configured to obtain the quality parameter and / or the physical parameter. The quality parameter and / or the physical parameter may be a historical value obtained from a memory / database 210.

[0073] The optional memory / database 210 may comprise a physical device utilised to store data related to the animals of the farm, for example associated with an identity reference of the animal; various reference values / intervals, and / or programs, i.e., sequences of instructions, on a temporary or permanent basis.

[0074] The quality parameter and / or the physical parameter may be based on a measurement made in real time by an appropriate sensor.

[0075] The controller 200 may also be configured to trigger the creation of the sample comprising the mixture of milk and the chemical according to a schedule.

[0076] The controller may also be configured to predict a trend of obtained historical measurements made of the quality parameter and / or the physical parameter and generate control signals to create the sample based on the predicted trend of historical measurements.

[0077] The controller 200 may be configured to receive an identity of the at least one animal to be milked, this is known technique and not further described here.

[0078] When it is decided to create the sample, the controller 200 is configured to determine a ratio between milk and chemical of the sample based on a predetermined value of the amount of milk and the amount of chemical, i.e. a predetermined ratio.

[0079] The predetermined ratio between the milk and the chemical of the sample may be based on a ratio set manually by for example the farmer, service technician etc., this value might be used for the entire herd of animals or a selected group of the herd.

[0080] The controller 200 may also be configured to compare the obtained quality parameter and / or physical parameter with a corresponding reference value, or interval, which in turn may be associated with a certain predetermined ratio between the milk and the chemical of the sample.

[0081] The predetermined ratio between the milk and the chemical of the sample may also be based on previous ration, saved in the memory 210, from previous sampling of the at least one animal. The system 100 may also comprise a mixing chamber 150 in which the sample may be created.

[0082] Having the predetermined ratio, the controller 200 is configured to generate and provide a first control signal to a milk dosing unit 120, to supply an amount of milk according to the predetermined ratio. The milk dosing unit 120 may comprise a valve or a pump in different embodiments. The milk dosing unit 120, upon receiving the first control signal, supply the amount of milk to the mixing chamber 150.

[0083] The controller 200 is configured to generate and provide a second control signal to a chemical dosing unit 130, to supply an amount of chemical according to the predetermined ratio. The chemical dosing unit 130 may comprise a valve or a pump in different embodiments. The chemical dosing unit 130, upon receiving the second control signal, supply the amount of chemical to the mixing chamber 150.

[0084] The sample comprising the mixture of milk and chemical at the predetermined ratio is thereby created.

[0085] The milk analytic instrument 160 is thereby enabled to analyse the created sample concerning Mastitis, Ketosis, somatic cell count, etc.

[0086] The milk analytic instrument 160 may be a camera.

[0087] The somatic cells of the milk portion in the sample, thanks to the change of physical property and / or colouring of the cells by the stainer, could then be counted, for example by capturing an image of the created sample by the milk analytic instrument 160 in form of a camera and analyse the images by an appropriate image detecting computer program, or a particularly trained Artificial Intelligence (Al) by counting the number of coloured cells. Yet another possibility may be electronic counting, wherein the milk portion of the created sample is stained with the stainer and then passed through a flow chamber. As coloured cells pass through a laser beam, they scatter light and fluoresce, thereby enabling counting of the coloured cells.

[0088] Also, the controller 200 is configured to determine a quality criterion of the image of the sample. The quality criterion is associated with the ability to substantially detect somatic cells in the image, such as clearness / blurriness or contrast, i.e. capacity of individual cells to stand out from the background. The quality criterion of the image may thereby comprise the number of non-distinct cells in the image (due to insufficient amount of chemical in the sample).

[0089] Based on the determined quality criterion of the image and an analysis thereof, for example a comparison between the determined quality criterion and a threshold limit, or a series of threshold limits, each associated with a certain recommended ratio to apply for the subsequently created sample during the same milking session, the controller 200 may be configured to adjust the ratio between milk and chemical. For example adjust the ratio for the subsequently created sample during the same milking session from the predetermined ratio to a new ratio between milk and chemical based on quality criterion of the image and an analysis thereof

[0090] The controller 200 is configured to adjust the ratio between milk and chemical and regenerate a subsequent sample of the same animal / s during the same milking session, based on the adjusted ratio, when the determined quality criterion of the image is not fulfilled.

[0091] For example, first the controller 200 is configured to determine the predetermined ratio and create the sample based on that predetermined ratio. The predetermined ratio may then be adjusted for a subsequent sample during the same milking session if the determined quality criterion of the image is not fulfilled. This process may then be repeated, meaning that the adjusted ratio between milk and chemical may then be adjusted if the determined quality criterion of the image is still not fulfilled. This process may be repeated until the quality criterion is fulfilled, i.e. the ratio does not need to be further adjusted.

[0092] The magnitude of the adjustment step when adjusting the ratio may also be dependent on the determined quality criterion of the image. The controller 200 may thereby be configured to adjust the ratio with an adjustment step magnitude which is proportional to the deviation from the quality criterion.

[0093] Thereby, for a sample for which the quality criterion / contrast is very low, the amount of chemical in the ratio for the next sample during the same milking session may be increased with a larger adjustment step, than for a sample for which the quality criterion / contrast is only slightly below the threshold limit.

[0094] The desired ratio between chemical and milk for creating a sample enabling correct SCC analysis is thereby achieved with fewer iterations than if the adjustment of the ratio would be made with a fixed adjustment step magnitude, thereby saving time and chemical / stainer. To enable a correct SCC, it is required to count approximately 100 cells in the captured image / s, or a number of cells in an interval, for example between 80-150 cells (non-limiting example). In case the captured image comprises a cell count deviating from these value, creation of a new sample may be triggered during the same milking session. This process may then be iterated until the sample results in the ideal number of cells (within an interval), during the same milking session.

[0095] In some embodiments, a plurality of images may be taken by the image sensor 160 of the sample. Based on the number of counted cells in the first image, the controller 200 may be configured to determine how many images to capture in order to be able to count the desired number of cells for a correct SCC, and thereby also calculate the number of cells per ml milk.

[0096] The controller 200 may via the image sensor 160 select a limited subarea of the sample, calculate the number of cells in that subarea, and based on a comparison with a threshold limit, determine to check with the quality criterion, or count the cells therein. An estimation based on multiplication may then be made for estimating the number of cells in the image.

[0097] The controller 200 may consequently be configured to, when the number of non-distinct cells is smaller than the threshold limit, calculate the total number of cells in the image and determine a number of cells per mL milk; and / or alternatively, when the number of non-distinct cells exceed the threshold limit, determine the ratio between milk and chemical of the sample, based on the determined contrast and / or the comparison between the determined contrast and the threshold limit.

[0098] The system 100 may also comprise a memory / database 210, communicatively connected to the controller 200, for storing various data, such as for example the ratio that has been used for creating the sample of milk from the animal 101 , associated with an identity reference of the animal 101 , when the quality criterion of the image of the sample is fulfilled.

[0099] The stored ratio between milk and chemical of the sample may then be retrieved from the memory / database 210 and used by the controller 200 the next time a sample is to be created for that animal 101 or a group of animals, i.e. it will be the predetermined ratio for the next time a sample is to be created. Hereby, the correct ratio is applied immediately during the next occurring sample creation and test. The requirements of having to recreate the sample with an adjusted ratio are minimised or at least reduced, saving resources and time.

[0100] The chemical / stainer is rather expensive. Also, the chemical / stainer must be handled with special care due to its colouring capacity, fluorescent capacity and / or possibly toxic properties, i.e. , it has to be handled with particular care during the milk analysis process. From an environ-mentally friendly / working environment perspective, it may be desired to minimize or at least reduce the amount of used chemicals / stainer, while achieving a reliable result of the milk analyses.

[0101] The system 100 may also, in some embodiments, comprise a filler liquid container 145. The controller 200 may be communicatively connected to a filler liquid dosing unit 140. The filler liquid dosing unit 140 may comprise a valve or a pump, for supplying an amount of filler liquid according to a third control signal, provided by the controller 200.

[0102] The filler liquid, dilutive liquid as it also may be called, may comprise water, demineralised water, water mixed with preservative, acid, cations, and / or anions, a saline solution, a citric acid solution, a phosphoric acid, an acetic acid, or a similar liquid in some embodiments.

[0103] In some embodiments, the system 100 may also comprise an analysing chamber, or cuvette as it also may be called, in which the created sample may be observed and analysed by the milk analytic instrument 160. The sample may then be created in the mixing chamber 150. The system 100 may also comprise a means for regulating, i.e., allow / disallow passage of an appropriate amount of sample from the mixing chamber 150 to the analysing chamber. The means for regulating may comprise a valve or a pump. The milk analytic instrument 160 is thereby enabled to analyse the sample. The mixing of the sample and the analyse of the sample may also be performed in the same chamber.

[0104] An advantage with using a pump instead of a valve is that the pump could provide a very precise control of the milk mixture passage. Also, the pump could be run in both directions which in turn enable cleaning / rinsing of the involved fluid connection lines.

[0105] The pump may be for example a peristaltic pump, hose pump, roller pump, tube pump, or similar arrangement in different embodiments.

[0106] Figure 2 illustrates an example of a system 100 for creating samples comprising a mixture of milk and a chemical. In some embodiments, the sample in addition may com-prise a filler.

[0107] The system 100 may comprise a milk conduit 121 ; a mixing chamber 150, connected to the milk conduit 121 and a milk supply regulator 120, arranged to act on the milk conduit 121, thereby allowing milk to be provided to the mixing chamber 150. The milk conduit 121 and possibly also other tubings of the system 100 may comprise a piece of elastic hose comprising or being fabricated of for example plastic (e.g., nylon, polyurethane, polyethylene, Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)); or synthetic or natural rubber. The milk conduit 121 may have a substantially circular cross section. The inner diameter of the milk conduit 121 may be for example between 1-5 mm.

[0108] To avoid that any impurities such as dirt, hair, pieces of bedding / fodder and other particles in the extracted milk is forwarded to the mixing chamber 150 or other parts of the system 100, a filter device may be arranged to the milk conduit 121 to disallow entrance of impurities into the involved tubings and the mixing chamber 150.

[0109] Also, the system 100 may comprise a chemical liquid container 135, comprising a chemical which is configured to change a physical property of cells in milk of the sample. The system 100 may also comprise a chemical liquid conduit 131 , connected between the chemical liquid container 135 and the mixing chamber 150. In addition, the system 100 may comprise a chemical supply regulator 130, arranged to act on the chemical liquid conduit 131 , thereby allowing chemical to be provided to the mixing chamber 150.

[0110] Also, the controller 200 may be configured to generate and provide a first control signal to a milk dosing unit 120, to supply an amount of milk according to the determined ratio; and a second control signal to a chemical dosing unit 130 to supply an amount of chemical according to the determined ratio; thereby creating the sample having the determined ratio.

[0111] The system 100 may also comprise an analysing chamber 220 and a mixture conduit 231 , connected between the mixing chamber 150 and the analysing chamber 220. Also, the system 100 may comprise a milk mixture regulator 230, arranged to act on the mixture conduit 231 , thereby allowing a determined amount of milk mixed with chemical to be provided to the analysing chamber 220.

[0112] Furthermore, the system 100 may also comprise an image sensor 160, such as a camera, configured to capture an image of the sample in the analysing chamber 220. The controller 200 may also be configured to generate and provide a control signal to the milk mixture regulator 230, when milk and chemical have been provided and mixed in the mixing chamber 150, to forward the mixed sample to the analysing chamber 220. In addition, the controller 200 may be configured to generate and provide a control signal to the image sensor 160, to capture and provide an image of the sample in the analysing chamber 220. In some embodiments, the sample may comprise a mixture of milk, the chemical and a filler liquid. The reason is to reduce usage of the chemical, which is both expensive and require special waste handling. In those embodiments, the system 100 may additionally comprise a filler liquid container 145, comprising a filler liquid. Also, the system 100 may comprise a filler liquid conduit 141 , connected between the filler liquid container 145 and the mixing chamber 150. The system 100 may comprise a filler supply regulator 140, arranged to act on the filler liquid conduit 141 , thereby allowing filler to be provided to the mixing chamber 150, to be mixed therein with milk and chemical for creating the sample.

[0113] The controller 200 may in addition be configured to determine the ratio between milk, the chemical and the filler liquid of the sample, either based on a predetermined value, or on a quality criterion of a previously made sample during the same milking session. Also, The controller 200 may be configured to generate and provide respective control signals to the milk dosing unit 120, to supply the amount of milk according to the determined ratio; to the second control signal to the chemical dosing unit 130 to supply an amount of chemical according to the determined ratio; and to a filler liquid dosing unit 140 to supply an amount of filler liquid according to the determined ratio; thereby creating the sample having the determined ratio.

[0114] Also, the controller 200 may be configured to generate and provide yet a control signal to an image sensor 160, to capture and provide an image of the sample, and to determine the quality criterion of the image of the sample.

[0115] The controller 200 may be configured to adjust the ratio between milk, chemical and the filler liquid and regenerate a subsequent sample of the at least one animal during the same milking session, based on the adjusted ratio, when the determined quality criterion is not fulfilled.

[0116] The system 100 may also comprise a sensor 110, 115, 170, 180 configured to measure the quality parameter related to the quality of the milk upon which the sample will be based and / or a physical parameter related to the at least one animal 101 producing the milk upon which the sample will be based. The sensor 110, 115, 170, 180 may also be configured to provide the measurement to the controller 200.

[0117] The controller 200 may be configured to determine to create the sample and enabling the image analysis thereof, and to determine the predetermined ratio between milk and chemical of the sample, by comparing the obtained measurement with a threshold level. In some embodiments, the sensor may be a conductivity meter 115. The conductivity meter 115 may be comprised in the milk conduit 121 , or a milk container connected to the milk conduit 121 , or any other convenient location. The conductivity meter 115 may be configured to measure electrical conductivity in the milk and provide the measurement to the controller 200, wherein the obtained parameter related to the quality of the milk comprises the conductivity measurement. The controller 200 may also be configured to obtain the conductivity measurement from the conductivity meter 115, and to determine to create the sample, and determine the predetermined ratio between milk and chemical of the sample, based on the obtained conductivity measurement in comparison with a threshold limit.

[0118] In yet some embodiments, the sensor may instead be a milk meter 110. The milk meter 110 may be configured to measure milk yield of an animal 101 during a milking session and provide the measurement to the controller 200, wherein the obtained parameter related to the milk comprises the milk yield measurement. The controller 200 may be configured to obtain the milk yield measurement from the milk meter 110. Also, the controller 200 may be configured to determine to create the sample, and to determine the predetermined ratio between milk and chemical of the sample, based on the obtained milk yield measurement in comparison with a threshold limit.

[0119] In some embodiments, the sensor may be a sensor of a Real-Time Locating System (RTLS), configured to measure walking distance of the animal to be milked and provide the measurement to the controller 200. The obtained parameter related to the animal 101 producing the milk may comprise the walking distance measurement. The controller 200 may be configured to obtain the walking distance measurement from the Real-Time Locating System (RTLS). The controller 200 may in addition be configured to determine to create the milk sample and determine the predetermined ratio between milk and chemical of the sample, based on the obtained walking distance measurement in comparison with a threshold limit.

[0120] In some embodiments, the sensor may be an accelerometer 170 configured to measure rumination activity of the animal 101 to be milked and provide the measurement to the controller 200. The obtained parameter related to the animal 101 producing the milk may comprise the rumination measurement. The controller 200 may be configured to obtain the rumination measurement from the accelerometer 170. The controller 200 may be configured to determine to create the milk sample and determine the predetermined ratio between milk and chemical of the sample, based on the obtained rumination measurement in comparison with a threshold limit. The controller 200 may be configured to create the sample comprising the mixture of milk and the chemical and provide the milk sample to the analysing chamber 220 for capturing the image according to a schedule.

[0121] The controller 200 may optionally be configured to perform a somatic cell count by calculating a total number of cells, coloured or otherwise marked by the chemical, in the obtained image and determine a number of cells per mL milk, and to compare the determined number of cells per mL milk in the sample with a threshold limit.

[0122] The controller 200 may be configured to generate an alert related to the animal 101 if the determined number of cells per mL milk exceeds the threshold limit, and inhibit any repeated somatic cell count and / or milk sample creation concerning that animal 101 before a predetermined time period has past. It is thereby avoided that repeated samples and tests are made on an animal 101 that is already concluded to have mastitis (or some other disease).

[0123] The system 100 may in some embodiments comprise an agitating member 125 in the mixing chamber 150, and an actuator, external to the mixing chamber 150. The controller 200 may then be configured to generate and provide a control signal to the actuator, to bring the agitating member 125 in the mixing chamber 150 into rotation for mixing the milk sample.

[0124] The agitating member 125 may be in form of a magnet. The rotation of the agitating member 125 could be made without having any rotational mechanism or for example an axle for the agitating member 125 to rotate around by a rotating magnet field. Cleaning problems and possible reparations or maintenance measures associated with such mechanisms are avoided. The external magnetic field may for example be generated by an electrical motor external to the mixing chamber 150. In case of reparation / maintenance requirements of the external electrical motor, it could easily be replaced with a replacement motor during the repairment, without affecting the milk production / equipment.

[0125] Optionally, the agitating member 125 may be covered with a protective coating. The protective coating for example in form of plastic or rubber, may protect the magnetic agitating member 125 both from being affected by the milk / chemical, and from harming the internal walls of the mixing chamber 150. The technical lifetime of the agitating member 125 is ex-tended.

[0126] The system 100 may also comprise a waste 250, and a waste conduit 241 , connected to the waste 150 and to a waste regulation device 240. The controller 200 may be configured to generate and provide a control signal to the waste regulation device 240 after having created the sample and / or performed the somatic cell count, to evacuate the liquid of the sample from the analysing chamber 220, to the waste 250.

[0127] The milk dosing unit 120, the chemical supply regulator 130, the filler supply regulator 140, the milk mixture regulator 230, and / or the waste regulation device 240 comprised in the system 100 may comprise a liquid passage regulator, such as a valve or a pump.

[0128] An advantage with using a pump instead of a valve is that the pump could provide a very precise control of the liquid passage. Also, the pump could be run in both directions which in turn enable cleaning / rinsing of the involved liquid connection lines in some embodiments.

[0129] Some examples of pumps for this purpose may be for example a peristaltic pump, hose pump, roller pump, tube pump, or similar arrangement in different embodiments.

[0130] The terminology used in the description of the embodiments as illustrated in the accompanying drawings is not intended to be limiting of the described controller 200. Various changes, substitutions and / or alterations may be made, without departing from invention embodiments as defined by the appended claims.

[0131] As used herein, the term “and / or” comprises any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. The term “or” as used herein, is to be interpreted as a mathematical OR, i.e. , as an inclusive disjunction; not as a mathematical exclusive OR (XOR), unless expressly stated otherwise. In addition, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are to be interpreted as “at least one”, thus also possibly comprising a plurality of entities of the same kind, unless expressly stated otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “includes”, “comprises”, “including” and / or “comprising”, specifies the presence of stated features, actions, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, actions, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. A single unit such as e.g., a processor may fulfil the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures or features are recited in mutually different dependent claims, illustrated in different figures or discussed in conjunction with different embodiments does not indicate that a combination of these measures or features cannot be used to advantage. A computer program may be stored / distributed on a suitable medium, such as an optical storage medium or a solid-state medium supplied together with or as part of other hardware but may also be distributed in other forms such as via Internet or other wired or wireless communication system.

Claims

PATENT CLAIMS1. A controller (200) for controlling creation of a sample during a milking session of at least one animal, the sample comprising a mixture of milk and a chemical, wherein the controller (200) is configured to: determine a ratio between milk and chemical of the sample, either based on a predetermined value, or on a quality criterion of a previously made sample during the same milking session; generate and provide a first control signal to a milk dosing unit (120), to supply an amount of milk according to the determined ratio; and generate and provide a second control signal to a chemical dosing unit (130) to supply an amount of chemical according to the determined ratio, thereby creating the sample having the determined ratio; generate and provide yet a control signal to an image sensor (210), to capture and provide an image of the sample; determine a quality criterion of the image of the sample, wherein the quality criterion is associated with the ability to substantially detect somatic cells in the image; and adjust the ratio between milk and chemical and regenerate a subsequent sample of the at least one animal during the same milking session, based on the adjusted ratio, when the determined quality criterion of the image is not fulfilled.

2. The controller (200) according to claim 1 , wherein the quality criterion of the image comprises number of non-distinct cells in the image.

3. The controller (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the chemical comprised in the chemical dosing unit (130) is configured to change a physical property of cells in milk of the sample.

4. The controller (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the chemical comprised in the chemical dosing unit (130) is a stainer, which is enabled to colour cells in milk of the sample.

5. The controller (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sample comprises a mixture of milk, the chemical and a filler liquid, and wherein the controller (200) is configured to determine the ratio between milk, the chemical and the filler liquid of the sample, either based on a predetermined value, or on a quality criterion of a previously made sampleduring the same milking session; generate and provide the first control signal to the milk dosing unit (120), to supply the amount of milk according to the determined ratio; and the second control signal to the chemical dosing unit (130) to supply an amount of chemical according to the determined ratio; and a third control signal to a filler liquid dosing unit (140) to supply an amount of filler liquid according to the determined ratio; thereby creating the sample having the determined ratio; generate and provide yet a control signal to an image sensor (210), to capture and provide an image of the sample; determine the quality criterion of the image of the sample; and adjust the ratio between milk, chemical and the filler liquid and regenerate a subsequent sample of the at least one animal during the same milking session, based on the adjusted ratio, when the determined quality criterion is not fulfilled.

6. The controller (200) according to claim 5, wherein the filler liquid comprises water, demineralised water, water mixed with preservative, acid, cations, and / or anions, a saline solution, a citric acid solution, a phosphoric acid, an acetic acid, or a similar liquid.

7. The controller (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, configured to generate control signals to create the sample and capture the image of the sample based on a schedule.

8. The controller (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, configured to generate control signals to create the sample and capture the image of the sample based on an obtained quality parameter related to the quality of the milk upon which the sample will be based and / or a physical parameter related to the at least one animal producing the milk upon which the sample will be based.

9. The controller (200) according to claim 8, wherein the quality parameter comprises any one of conductivity, milk yield, milk flow rate, L-lactate dehydrogenase “LDH”, p-hydroxy- butyrate “BHB”, as measured and provided by a sensor (115), configured to measure the quality parameter in the milk.

10. The controller (200) according to claim 8, wherein the physical parameter concerns measurements made by a sensor of a Real-Time Locating System “RTLS”, and / or anaccelerometer (170), and / or a body temperature sensor (180).

11. The controller (200) according to any one of the claims 8-10, configured to predict a trend of obtained historical measurements made of the quality parameter and / or the physical parameter, and generate control signals to create the sample and capture the image of the sample based on the predicted trend of historical measurements.

12. The controller (200) according to claim 8-10, wherein the quality parameter and / or the physical parameter is a real-time measurement made during the same milking session.

13. The controller (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the milk of the sample is extracted from one single animal, and wherein the ratio is determined either based on a predetermined value of that single animal, or on a quality criterion of a previously made sample during the same milking session of that single animal.

14. The controller (200) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the milk of the sample is extracted from a group of animals, and wherein the ratio is determined either based on a predetermined value of that group of animals, or on a quality criterion of a previously made sample during the same milking session related to that group of animals.

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