Dynamic Lighting Control for Livestock Sheds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current livestock rearing methods lack efficient control over lighting conditions, which can affect animal welfare, feed conversion rates, and environmental impact, as existing systems do not dynamically adjust illumination based on real-time animal behavior and environmental factors.
Innovation Solution
A livestock shed equipped with integrated light and camera units and a controller that adjusts the wavelength spectrum of illumination based on signals from cameras, allowing for real-time monitoring and control of lighting to optimize animal behavior and environmental conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional static lighting systems are used in livestock sheds, then the system is simple and energy consumption is moderate, but animal welfare and feed conversion rates are suboptimal due to inability to dynamically adjust illumination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic lighting control by adjusting illumination wavelength spectrum and intensity in real-time based on livestock behavior detection. The system transitions from static to dynamic operation, where lighting parameters change continuously according to animal needs, thereby improving feed conversion rates and animal welfare without requiring overly complex infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms where cameras monitor livestock behavior and environmental conditions, and this information is used to automatically adjust lighting parameters. The feedback loop enables the system to respond to animal needs dynamically, optimizing productivity metrics such as feed conversion while maintaining manageable system complexity through automated control
2Adaptability or versatility
If dynamic lighting adjustment based on real-time monitoring is implemented, then animal welfare and feed conversion rates improve, but system complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system optimizes energy consumption by changing lighting parameters (wavelength spectrum and intensity) dynamically based on actual animal needs rather than maintaining constant high-level illumination. Different wavelengths are selected according to specific animal behaviors and environmental conditions, ensuring energy is used efficiently while maintaining high adaptability to livestock requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The lighting system applies illumination selectively and partially rather than uniformly across all areas and times. By adjusting intensity and spectrum locally based on detected animal needs, the system achieves high adaptability without the energy waste of full-scale continuous illumination, implementing just enough lighting where and when required
3Measurement precision
If multiple cameras and lights are used to cover the entire floor area, then monitoring coverage and lighting control capability are improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The livestock shed is divided into multiple zones, each equipped with its own camera and lighting unit. This segmentation allows for localized monitoring and control, improving behavior detection accuracy and lighting precision without requiring a single complex system to cover the entire area, thereby managing device complexity through modular distribution
Solution Approach 2:
The camera units serve multiple functions including behavior monitoring, environmental condition detection, and triggering lighting adjustments. By making the cameras multi-functional, the system reduces the need for separate dedicated devices for each function, thereby improving measurement precision while controlling the overall number of components required
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Improves feed conversion rates, enhances animal welfare, and reduces environmental impact by dynamically adjusting lighting to match the needs of the animals, promoting optimal movement, temperature regulation, and overall health.
Implementation Method 1
a camera (20) integrated in the common housing with the light unit (18)... the controller (22) receives input signals from the camera (20)
Data Source
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AI summary
A method of rearing chickens comprises providing a chicken shed (10) having a floor area (12) over which the chickens can move freely. The shed (10) is provided with a plurality of lights (18) arranged to illuminate respective different regions of the floor area ( 12) so that, collectively, the lights (18) are able to illuminate substantially all of the floor area (12). The shed (10) is provided a plurality of cameras (20) arranged to view respective different regions of the floor area (12) so that, collectively, the cameras (20) are able to view substantially all of the floor area (12). Chickens are provided in the livestock shed (10) on the floor area (12). A controller (22) is provided and is operatively connected to the lights (18) and to the cameras (20). The controller (22) receives and analyses signals, such as images, from the cameras (20). The controller (22) controls the lights (18) to adjust illumination provided to the floor area (12) by the controlled lights (18) in a manner dependent on the signals from the cameras (20). The controller (22) is able to control each light (18) independently of the other lights (18). In some situations, the control of the lights (18) causes a predetermined desired response in the chickens. In some cases, the predetermined desired response overcomes or circumvents an undesirable situation recognised by the controller from analysis of the signals from the cameras (20).