Milk Analysis Control Unit With Wireless Configuration Tags
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Solution Overview
Problem
Farmers face challenges in efficiently configuring and managing milk analysis apparatuses due to the complexity of tracking and maintaining multiple milk extracting arrangements, leading to increased time consumption and administrative demands.
Innovation Solution
A control unit and configuration tag system that facilitates automatic configuration of milk analysis apparatuses by storing and retrieving configuration data wirelessly from a memory device, using visual markers and wireless communication to simplify the setup and management process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual configuration and tracking of milk analysis apparatuses is performed, then flexibility in setup is maintained, but time consumption and administrative burden increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a configuration tag with a memory device that stores configuration data as a digital copy. Instead of manual configuration, the system transfers configuration parameters wirelessly from the tag to the milk analysis apparatus, enabling rapid setup without repeated manual input and tracking by the farmer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical configuration processes with wireless communication technology. The control unit in the milk analysis apparatus automatically receives and applies configuration data via wireless transmission from the configuration tag, eliminating the need for manual setup and reducing administrative time.
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate configuration management is used for each milk extracting arrangement, then specific customization is possible, but complexity of management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The configuration tag serves as a universal device that can be applied to different milk extracting arrangements. Each tag contains configuration data specific to its associated arrangement, but the tag itself is a single, simple component that handles all configuration needs, reducing management complexity while maintaining customization.
Solution Approach 2:
The configuration tag acts as an intermediary between the farmer and the milk analysis apparatus. It stores and manages the configuration data for a specific milk extracting arrangement, allowing the control unit to automatically retrieve and apply the correct settings without the farmer needing to manage multiple configuration parameters manually.
3Ease of operation
If configuration data is stored and retrieved wirelessly, then configuration time is reduced, but requirement for wireless communication devices increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the configuration data storage function from the main milk analysis apparatus and places it in a separate, dedicated configuration tag. This allows the apparatus to remain relatively simple while the tag handles all wireless communication and data storage requirements, minimizing the communication device burden on the main system.
Data Source
AI summary
A control unit (240) and configuration tag (125) of a milk analysis apparatus (120) includes a first wireless communication device (310), for communication with a memory device (330) of the configuration tag. The configuration tag is applicable to the milk analysis apparatus and includes a reference sign (115) of a milk extracting arrangement (110) to which the milk analysis apparatus is intended to work in conjunction with. The communication is made via a second wireless communication device (320) comprised in the configuration tag. The control unit (340) is configured to retrieve, via the first wireless communication device, configuration data of the milk extracting arrangement that the milk analysis apparatus is intended to operate in conjunction with, from the memory device of the configuration tag; and to configure the control unit, based on the retrieved configuration data of the milk extracting arrangement.