Animal Feeder Control Dual Communication Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing animal feeder systems face reliability issues due to power consumption failures, requiring constant supervision and maintenance, and fail to consistently dispense feed remotely, leading to frustration for hunters and wildlife viewers.
Innovation Solution
The system incorporates a controller coupled to both a low-power and a higher-power communication module, with a low-energy radio for continuous operation and a cellular telecommunications device for extended range communication, ensuring reliable feed dispensing and data management through a web interface and cloud server, including a power source like a battery or solar power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a single higher-power communication module is used for remote data transmission, then communication range is improved, but power consumption increases causing reliability failures
Solution Approach 1:
The communication system is segmented into two distinct modules: a low-power module for continuous local communication and a high-power module for extended range transmission. This segmentation allows each module to be optimized for its specific function, with the high-power module only activated when needed, thus maintaining reliability while extending communication range.
Solution Approach 2:
The higher-power communication module operates periodically rather than continuously, activating only when data transmission beyond low-power range is required. This periodic activation significantly reduces overall power consumption while maintaining the ability to communicate over extended ranges when necessary.
2Reliability
If constant supervision and maintenance are implemented, then system reliability is improved, but operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The feeder system incorporates self-monitoring capabilities through sensors that automatically detect feed levels, battery status, and operational faults. The system can autonomously alert users via the dual communication system when intervention is needed, reducing the need for constant human supervision while maintaining high reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements continuous feedback loops through sensors and communication modules that monitor system status and automatically adjust operations or alert users of problems. This feedback mechanism maintains reliability by enabling rapid response to issues without requiring constant manual supervision.
3Reliability
If low-power communication module operates continuously, then local data transmission is reliable, but communication range is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The low-power communication module serves as an intermediary for continuous local communication, while the high-power module acts as a mediator for extended range transmission. The controller intelligently routes communications through the appropriate module, ensuring reliable local communication is maintained while providing access to extended range when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides an animal feeder augmentation apparatus, system and method of operation thereof. The apparatus provides for the controlled dispensing of animal feed from an animal feeder including a controller coupled to an actuator, where the controller provides power access from a battery to at least two communication modules, namely a low-power communications module and at least a first higher-power communications module. The low-power communication module includes a low-energy radio for substantially continuous operation when the animal feeder is being used. The first higher-power communications module includes a cellular telecommunications device for operation when the animal feeder needs to send or receive data outside of the range of the low-power communications module. The controller is coupled to the low-power communications module, and to the first higher-power communications module.