Autonomous Feed Wagon Navigation With Secure Centralized Farm Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing animal feed systems face challenges with reliability and security, as they require frequent reprogramming of farm-specific data when replacing or adding feed wagons, and there is a risk of confidential information being compromised if a feed wagon is stolen, especially due to the need for continuous communication with a central control unit which can be disrupted by farm structures.
Innovation Solution
A feed system with a feed wagon equipped with a regulating unit that stores navigation data allowing autonomous operation from a feed loading site to a feed site and back, reducing the need for continuous communication with the central control unit, and limiting sensitive data storage to minimize security risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If farm-specific data are stored in the memory of the on-board computer of the feed wagon, then the feed wagon can operate autonomously along the desired route, but the system becomes vulnerable to security risks if the feed wagon is stolen and requires reprogramming when replaced
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides data storage into two segments: navigation data (route information, beacon positions) stored in the feed wagon's on-board computer for autonomous operation, and farm-specific confidential data (feed compositions, animal information) stored only in the central control unit. This segmentation allows the feed wagon to operate autonomously along the route while preventing security risks from stolen wagons, as confidential data remains centralized and cannot be accessed from the wagon itself.
2Ease of operation
If the feed wagon continuously communicates with the central control unit, then the system can maintain centralized control, but communication can be disrupted by farm structures such as sheds and barns
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-programming the feed wagon with complete navigation data including the entire route from the feed loading site to all feed sites and back, along with information about farm structures. This allows the feed wagon to autonomously navigate through sheds and barns using its on-board computer and beacon detection system, maintaining centralized control capability without requiring continuous communication during operation, thus avoiding disruption issues.
3Productivity
If the feed wagon is replaced or additional wagons are added, then the system can maintain operational continuity, but all farm-specific data must be newly programmed into each wagon
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts confidential farm-specific data (feed compositions, animal information, ration formulas) from the feed wagon's memory and stores it exclusively in the central control unit. Only essential navigation data (route coordinates, beacon positions, timing information) remains in the feed wagon. When a feed wagon is replaced or added, only the navigation data needs to be transferred, which is a simple process, while the confidential data is automatically available from the central control unit, dramatically reducing the time and effort required for setup.
4Extent of automation
If the feed wagon stores complete farm-specific data, then it can operate independently, but confidential information may end up in the wrong hands if stolen
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments data into navigation data (stored in feed wagon) and confidential farm data (stored in central control unit). The feed wagon contains only route information, beacon positions, and timing data necessary for autonomous navigation and operation. Confidential information such as feed compositions, animal health data, and ration formulas remain exclusively in the central control unit. This segmentation enables independent operation while eliminating the security vulnerability of storing sensitive data in potentially stolen wagons.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
A feed system (1) for the feeding of animals, comprising: - a feed wagon (3), having: . a holder (4), . a dispensing device (5), . a regulating unit (8), comprising a sending and receiving device (9), and being connected to a drive and control system, and - a feed loading device (12), - a feed site, - a central control system (16) provided with a sending and receiving device (17) which is configured to communicate wirelessly with the sending and receiving device of the regulating unit, and comprising a memory in which are stored navigation data on the basis of which the feed wagon is capable of covering a route from the feed loading site to the feed site, and wherein the central control system transmits a packet of data comprising these navigation data to the regulating unit. The regulating unit regulates the drive and control system on the basis of that packet of data.