Graphical User Interface Drag-and-Drop Linking for Ruminant Feeding Systems

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automatic feeding systems for ruminant animals require users to manually input data to link feed types with storage places, leading to potential mistakes that can result in incorrect rations, increased costs, or health risks for animals.

Innovation Solution

An automatic feeding system with a graphical user interface that uses location data to link feed types to storage places through drag-and-drop actions on a display screen, reducing the likelihood of errors and providing real-time feedback, along with a location data acquisition system for accurate placement identification.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual data input by keyboard and/or pull down menus is used to link feed type to feed storage place, then the system can be set up and controlled, but mistakes are prone to occur and user expertise is required to spot mistakes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of linking feed type to storage placeVSAvoidaccuracy of data entry

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses visual representations (copies) of feed storage places and feed types in a graphical user interface instead of text-based data entry. Users interact with visual icons representing physical storage locations and feed types, dragging and dropping them to establish links. This visual copying approach eliminates the need to type storage place indications or feed type names, thereby reducing errors while maintaining system setup capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Productivity

If traditional data input methods are used, then data can be entered into the computer system, but the process is time-consuming and error-prone

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespeed of system setup and restockingVSAvoidtime for data entry and verification

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The graphical user interface displays visual representations of feed storage places and feed types that users can directly manipulate. Instead of typing data, users drag and drop visual icons to link feed types to storage places, significantly reducing the time required for system setup and restocking operations while eliminating verification time for data accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides immediate visual feedback when users drag and drop feed type representations onto storage place representations. The graphical interface shows the linking action in real-time, confirming successful associations without requiring separate verification steps, thereby accelerating the overall process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If manual data entry is required, then the system can function, but user expertise is needed to avoid mistakes that could harm animals

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem functionalityVSAvoidrisk to animal health from wrong rations

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces text-based data entry with visual representations of feed storage places and feed types. Users interact with graphical icons that visually correspond to physical locations and feed materials, making it intuitive to correctly link feed types to their storage places. This visual approach eliminates the risk of mismatching feed types with wrong storage locations, preventing harmful errors in ration preparation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The graphical user interface provides immediate visual confirmation when feed types are correctly linked to storage places. The system displays the associations in a visually intuitive manner, allowing users to verify correctness before operations proceed, thereby preventing harmful errors from occurring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS10905099B2Automatic feeding system for preparing at least one feed ration for ruminant animals from a plurality of feed types

Publication Date: 2021.02.02 LELY PATENT NV

AI summary

An automatic feeding system for preparing at least one feed ration from a plurality of feed types includes a feed kitchen with multiple feed storage places for storing a plurality of feed types, a feed distributing device for receiving feed from the feed kitchen, a feed loading device to load feed from each of the feed storage places into the feed distributing device, and a control system to control the automatic feeding system. The control system includes a graphical user interface with a display screen, including a floor plan with first representations of each of the feed storage places, which representations are formed based on at least the feed storage location data, and second representations of the feed types.