Smart Animal Tag Control for Autonomous Farm Equipment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing animal monitoring systems in livestock farming require significant user intervention and lack independence, necessitating improved integration and automation.
Innovation Solution
Smart tags equipped with processors and sensors that can autonomously control various farm devices, such as feeders, separation gates, and milking robots, using command data stored in memory and triggered by various conditions, enabling direct wireless control without central computer intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If traditional monitoring systems are used, then basic animal monitoring is achieved, but user intervention is required and independence is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The smart tag system enables animals to automatically interact with farm devices (feeders, milking robots, separation gates) through wireless communication. The tag autonomously identifies the animal and triggers appropriate actions without human intervention, allowing the system to serve itself by leveraging the animal's presence and behavior as the control mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The smart tag serves multiple functions: identification, monitoring, and control triggering across different farm devices. A single tag unit communicates with various types of equipment (feeders, milking robots, gates), eliminating the need for separate monitoring and control systems and reducing overall system integration complexity.
2Speed
If central computer intervention is used, then centralized control is achieved, but process speed and independence are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides control authority between the smart tag (local control) and the central computer (oversight). The tag independently handles immediate responses to animal needs by directly communicating with devices, while the central computer maintains supervisory control. This segmentation enables fast local responses without waiting for central computer processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The smart tag pre-loads command data and maintains communication readiness, allowing it to immediately trigger device activation when an animal approaches or interacts with equipment. This preliminary preparation eliminates delays associated with real-time central computer processing and decision-making.
3Productivity
If manual monitoring is used, then simple system structure is maintained, but productivity and efficiency are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual monitoring and control actions with automated wireless communication between the smart tag and farm devices. The tag's processor and transmitting/receiving apparatus electronically trigger device activation, eliminating the mechanical process of human operators physically intervening to monitor and control animal care activities.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a system comprising at least one smart tag for animals on a farm and a multiplicity of devices which are configured to have an interaction with the animals, the smart tag being provided with at least one transmitting and receiving apparatus, at least one processor, at least one memory and at least one sensor which are communicatively connected with each other, characterized in that the smart tag is configured to comprise and send out command data intended to selectively control a device of a multiplicity of different type devices autonomously and wirelessly.