Livestock Facility Control Using Cloud-Verified Sensor Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Agricultural systems for small and medium-sized livestock face inefficiencies due to sensitivity to process fluctuations and disruptions, leading to reduced yield and resource inefficiencies, as well as incorrect control interventions caused by inaccurate sensor data, which can result in suboptimal operating conditions and animal welfare issues.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a control system that utilizes multiple sensors to detect and verify sensor signals through cloud data, generating verified control signals and warnings to improve the reliability and robustness of the system, ensuring accurate interventions and optimizing operating parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If sensor signals are used to control the agricultural facility, then automatic control and productivity are improved, but measurement precision and reliability deteriorate due to sensor inaccuracy and false alarms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces cloud data as an intermediary verification layer between sensor signals and control actions. The control device queries cloud data to verify sensor readings before executing control measures, acting as a mediator that filters out false alarms while maintaining automatic control efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by continuously comparing sensor signals against cloud-stored reference data. The control device receives sensor inputs, verifies them through cloud data feedback loops, and adjusts control actions based on this verification, creating a closed-loop system that improves measurement reliability
2Productivity
If control adjustments are made frequently to maintain target values, then productivity is improved, but loss of time increases due to adjustment time and cleaning breaks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by verifying sensor signals through cloud data before control adjustments are executed. This pre-verification step prevents unnecessary control actions and cleaning breaks by filtering out false alarms, thereby reducing time losses while maintaining productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service through automated verification using cloud data. The control device autonomously queries and validates sensor signals against stored reference data, eliminating the need for manual verification and reducing time spent on control adjustments
3Reliability
If cloud data verification is implemented for all sensor signals, then reliability and measurement precision are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by using the cloud data storage system for multiple purposes: storing reference sensor data, verifying current sensor readings, and providing historical comparisons. This multi-functional use of the same infrastructure reduces overall system complexity despite the added verification layer
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for controlling an agricultural facility for small and/or medium-sized livestock farming, in particular for chicken farming and/or pig farming, comprising the steps of: acquiring at least one first sensor signal from a first sensor device (100) of the agricultural facility, wherein the first sensor device is configured to acquire a process variable and/or state variable in the agricultural facility; acquiring a plurality of further sensor signals from sensor devices (200) distributed locally in the agricultural facility and/or from sensor devices (200) distributed locally in another agricultural facility, wherein the distributed sensor devices are configured to acquire process variables and/or state variables in the agricultural facility; storing the acquired sensor signals as cloud data in a cloud computing facility (300);Evaluating the first sensor signal with an evaluation module (410), wherein the evaluation module is part of a control unit (400) of the agricultural plant and/or a cloud computer system, and wherein the evaluation includes taking into account at least a part of the stored cloud data in order to verify the first sensor signal as a function of the stored cloud data. Furthermore, the present invention relates to a control system, a computer program product, a computer-readable storage medium, a computer-readable data carrier, and a data carrier signal.