Autonomous Feed Robot Camera Control for Livestock

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for operating autonomous feed robots at livestock feed tables fail to provide a real-time overview of the entire feed table, leading to inefficiencies and increased energy consumption due to reliance on feed level measurements only during robot operation.

Innovation Solution

The method involves using stationary cameras to monitor the feed table and capture images of the feed distribution, which are then used to control the operation of the autonomous feed robot, adjusting its trajectory, speed, and functionality based on the real-time distribution of feed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If feed level is measured only during robot operation, then the measurement system is simple, but the robot cannot provide real-time overview of the entire feed table

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefeed distribution informationVSAvoidmonitoring system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces cameras as an intermediary device to capture images of the feed table, which then serve as the basis for determining feed distribution. These images are processed by control circuitry to identify feed locations and guide the robot's operations, resolving the contradiction between information completeness and system simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the robot operates continuously to maintain feed availability, then feed accessibility is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefeed accessibilityVSAvoidrobot energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the robot's operation dynamic by using camera-based feed distribution detection to determine when and where the robot needs to operate. The robot adjusts its trajectory and operations based on actual feed conditions, operating only when feed is out of reach rather than continuously, thus reducing energy consumption while maintaining feed accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by using cameras to monitor feed distribution and using this information to control robot operations. The control circuitry processes images to determine feed locations and adjusts the robot's trajectory accordingly, creating a closed-loop system that responds to actual feed conditions rather than operating on fixed schedules.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If the robot operates at fixed intervals, then operation scheduling is simple, but it cannot adapt to changing feed distribution patterns

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperation adaptabilityVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by capturing images of the feed table before the robot begins its operation. The control circuitry processes these images to identify feed distribution patterns and plans the robot's trajectory in advance, allowing the robot to adapt to current feed conditions without requiring complex real-time decision-making during operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Productivity

If the robot covers the entire feed table, then feed coverage is complete, but operation time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefeeding efficiencyVSAvoidrobot operation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by using camera-based detection to identify specific areas of the feed table where feed is out of reach. The robot then concentrates its operations only in these local areas rather than covering the entire feed table, improving feeding efficiency by focusing resources where they are actually needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system segments the feed table into multiple regions and uses camera images to identify which segments require robot intervention. The control circuitry processes images to determine feed distribution across different areas and directs the robot to operate only in segments where feed is out of reach, reducing overall operation time while maintaining complete feed coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS12329133B2Method and control circuitry for operating an autonomous feed robot at a feed table in a livestock area

Publication Date: 2025.06.17 DELAVAL HLDG AB

AI summary

A method for operating an autonomous feed robot at a feed table in a livestock area, in which one or more stationary cameras are disposed to monitor the feed table, includes obtaining one or more images captured using the one or more stationary cameras and indicative of a distribution of feed on the feed table and controlling the operation of the autonomous feed robot based on the distribution of feed indicated by the one or more images. The disclosure also relates to control circuitry, an autonomous feed robot, and a computer program for performing the method.