A method and apparatus (3) for operating a rotary milking platform (1) to maximise the number of animals milked per unit time. The milking platform (1) is rotated about a central vertical axis (4) by a variable speed motor (6), and comprises a plurality of animal accommodating locations (5) for the animals being milked. An entry position (7) and an exit position (9) accommodate animals to and from the platform (1). A position sensor (10) monitors the angular position of the platform (1). An RFID sensor (12) reads the identity of animals entering the platform (1). Historical data relating to milking time per milking session and the milk yield per animal per session is stored in an electronic memory (17). A microprocessor (15) reads signals from flow meters (14) which monitor the milk flow from milking clusters of each animal accommodating location (5). The microprocessor (15) is configured as each animal enters the platform (1) to compute an optimum angular velocity for the platform (1) in order to maximise the number of animals milked per unit time. The optimum angular velocity is computed as a function of the historical data of each animal on the platform (1), and the current milk yield of each animal on the milking platform (1) determined from the flow meter (14).
A rotary milking platform (3) comprises a plurality of stalls (5) and an RFID animal identifying system (9) for identifying animals entering the stalls (5) of the platform (3). A microprocessor (14) reads signals from an image capturing device (15) and computes a feature vector from the captured image of each animal. A plurality of reference feature vectors comprising respective matrices of metrics already derived from images of the respective animals captured by the image capturing device (15) are stored and cross-referenced with the identity of the respective animals. The microprocessor (14) compares computed feature vectors of each animal with the stored reference feature vectors until a best match has been determined with one of the reference feature vectors. The identity of the animal of that matching reference feature vector is then determined as the identity of the animal of that computed feature vector. The determined identity of the animal in the relevant stall (5) is compared with the identity of the animal determined for that stall (5) by the RFID system (9). On a favourable comparison the identity of the animal determined from the captured image of that animal is confirmed as the identity of the animal. In the event of a conflict between the two identities being determined, a conflict alert signal is produced.
G06V 40/10 - Human or animal bodies, e.g. vehicle occupants or pedestriansBody parts, e.g. hands
G06V 10/74 - Image or video pattern matchingProximity measures in feature spaces
G06V 10/764 - Arrangements for image or video recognition or understanding using pattern recognition or machine learning using classification, e.g. of video objects
G06V 10/772 - Determining representative reference patterns, e.g. averaging or distorting patternsGenerating dictionaries
G06K 7/10 - Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensingMethods or arrangements for sensing record carriers by corpuscular radiation
3.
Method and apparatus for operating a rotary milking platform to maximise the number of animals milked per unit time and a rotary milking platform
A method and apparatus (3) for operating a rotary milking platform (1) to maximise the number of animals milked per unit time. The milking platform (1) is rotated about a central vertical axis (4) by a variable speed motor (6), and comprises a plurality of animal accommodating locations (5) for the animals being milked. An entry position (7) and an exit position (9) accommodate animals to and from the platform (1). A position sensor (10) monitors the angular position of the platform (1). An RFID sensor (12) reads the identity of animals entering the platform (1). Historical data relating to milking time per milking session and the milk yield per animal per session is stored in an electronic memory (17). A microprocessor (15) reads signals from flow meters (14) which monitor the milk flow from milking clusters of each animal accommodating location (5). The microprocessor (15) is configured as each animal enters the platform (1) to compute an optimum angular velocity for the platform (1) in order to maximise the number of animals milked per unit time. The optimum angular velocity is computed as a function of the historical data of each animal on the platform (1), and the current milk yield of each animal on the milking platform (1) determined from the flow meter (14).
A rotary milking platform (3) comprises a plurality of stalls (5) and an RFID animal identifying system (9) for identifying animals entering the stalls (5) of the platform (3). A microprocessor (14) reads signals from an image capturing device (15) and computes a feature vector from the captured image of each animal. A plurality of reference feature vectors comprising respective matrices of metrics already derived from images of the respective animals captured by the image capturing device (15) are stored and cross-referenced with the identity of the respective animals. The microprocessor (14) compares computed feature vectors of each animal with the stored reference feature vectors until a best match has been determined with one of the reference feature vectors. The identity of the animal of that matching reference feature vector is then determined as the identity of the animal of that computed feature vector. The determined identity of the animal in the relevant stall (5) is compared with the identity of the animal determined for that stall (5) by the RFID system (9). On a favourable comparison the identity of the animal determined from the captured image of that animal is confirmed as the identity of the animal. In the event of a conflict between the two identities being determined, a conflict alert signal is produced.
2. Disengagement of a milking cluster from the teats of an animal as a result of kick-off during milking is also determined when the monitored signal from the microphone (8) transitions from the signal indicative of milk flowing in pulsed slugs to a continuous relatively high energy noise signal indicative of air being continuously drawn through the pipeline.
G01F 1/66 - Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow by measuring frequency, phase shift or propagation time of electromagnetic or other waves, e.g. using ultrasonic flowmeters
6.
"A METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR OPERATING A ROTARY MILKING PLATFORM TO MAXIMISE THE NUMBER OF ANIMALS MILKED PER UNIT TIME AND A ROTARY MILKING PLATFORM"
A method and apparatus (3) for operating a rotary milking platform (1) to maximise the number of animals milked per unit time. The milking platform (1) is rotated about a central vertical axis (4) by a variable speed motor (6), and comprises a plurality of animal accommodating locations (5) for the animals being milked. An entry position (7) and an exit position (9) accommodate animals to and from the platform (1). A position sensor (10) monitors the angular position of the platform (1). An RFID sensor (12) reads the identity of animals entering the platform (1). Historical data relating to milking time per milking session and the milk yield per animal per session is stored in an electronic memory (17). A microprocessor (15) reads signals from flow meters (14) which monitor the milk flow from milking clusters of each animal accommodating location (5). The microprocessor (15) is configured as each animal enters the platform (1) to compute an optimum angular velocity for the platform (1) in order to maximise the number of animals milked per unit time. The optimum angular velocity is computed as a function of the historical data of each animal on the platform (1), and the current milk yield of each animal on the milking platform (1) determined from the flow meter (14).
A rotary milking platform (1) comprises a platform (3) having a circular carrier beam (7) secured to the underside of the platform (3). The carrier beam (7) is supported on a plurality of support elements (10), each of which comprise a freely rotatable roller (35) which is configured to rollably engage an under surface (38) of the carrier beam (7). Each support element (10) comprises an anchor plate (27) adjustably mounted on a corresponding ground engaging element (20) which is secured to the ground. A carrier plate (40) is carried on four guide bolts (50) extending upwardly from the anchor plate (27). Side members (41) extending downwardly from the carrier plate (40) rotatably carry the roller (35). Compression springs (59) acting between abutment washers (55) secured to the guide bolts (50) and the carrier plate (40) urge the carrier plate (40) against heads (53) of the guide bolts (50). The compression springs (59) accommodate downward and upward movement of the roller (35) in order to accommodate rising and falling of the under surface (38) of the beam (7). The compression springs (59) permit tilting movement of the roller (35) about a tilt axis (61) which extends in the direction of motion of the beam (7) in order to facilitate tilting of the roller (35) to follow any non-horizontality of the under surface (38) of the beam (7). The tilt axis is located just below a line of contact (67) of the roller (35) with the under surface (38) of the beam (7) to minimise lateral movement of the roller relative to the beam (7) as the roller (35) tilts about the tilt axis.
Apparatus (1) for monitoring and determining the milk quality category of milk in a milk storage tank (2) comprises a plurality of milk quality sensors (19) located in the milk storage tank (2), and milk quality sensors (28) located in a milk delivery pipeline (6) for delivering milk to the milk storage tank (2) from a. milking system (5). A microprocessor (17) reads signals from the milk quality sensors (19) for determining the quality of the milk in the milk storage tank (2), and determines the data indicative of the milk quality category of the milk in the milk storage tank (2), which is stored in a memory (20) of the microprocessor (17). A communications module (22) wirelessly transmits via the internet (25) the data indicative of the milk quality category of the milk in the milk storage tank (2) to a central server (18), which in turn is stored in a memory (26) of the central server (18). A creamery is permitted access to the data indicative of the milk quality category of the milk stored in memory (26) prior to collection of milk from the milk storage tank (2). By comparing signals read from the milk quality sensors (28) in the milk delivery pipeline (6) with signals read from the milk quality sensors (19), it is possible to determine if the milk storage tank (2) is harbouring bacteria. Discharge rinse water quality sensors (30) are located in an outlet port (10) from the milk storage tank (2) and in a rinse water delivery pipeline (14) to the milk storage tank (2) for determining the cleanliness of the milk storage tank (2).
A data collection system (1) for monitoring the behaviour and states of a plurality of animals (2) comprises providing the animals (2) with respective monitoring devices (4) for monitoring the behaviour and states of the animals (2). A drone (7) comprising a mobile data collection device (5) secured thereto is configured to fly past the animals (2) at predefined data collection time intervals, typically of six hourly intervals. Each mobile data collection device (5) comprises a first secondary communications module (15) for wirelessly communicating with a second secondary communications module (32) located in the respective monitoring devices (4) for uploading data indicative of the behaviour and states of the animals (2) to a microcontroller (8) in the mobile data collection device (5). The uploaded data indicative of the behaviour and states of the respective animals (2) is written to and stored in a primary memory (17) of the mobile data collection device (5). A primary communications module (10) in the mobile data collection device (5) transmits the stored data indicative of the behaviour and states of the respective animals (2) which is stored in the primary memory (17) wirelessly to a central server (12). In an alternative embodiment of the invention the mobile data collection device (5) is mounted on one of the animals (2). In a further alternative embodiment of the invention the monitoring devices (4) are omitted from the animals, and the mobile data collection device is provided with a video camera for capturing images and video clips of the respective animals, and data from the video camera is analysed for identifying the animals and the behaviour and states of the respective animals
An electronic monitoring device for attaching to an animal includes an NFC module facilitating wireless communication between a smart phone and the monitoring device, an accelerometer for monitoring acceleration of the head of the animal, and a microprocessor which determines various states of the animal from signals received from the accelerometer. The smart phone is programmed by a software application which allows an identifying code of the monitoring device to be read from the memory chip and cross-referenced in the smart phone with the identity of an animal, which can be inputted into the smart phone. Data relating to the states(s) of the animal can be read from the microprocessor through the NFC module into the smart phone. Additionally, data relating to the animal stored in a cloud server corresponding to the state or states of the animal is downloaded from the cloud server by the smart phone.
A milking system (1) comprises a bailing system (2) which defines a plurality of animal accommodating locations (5) for accommodating animals during milking. A microprocessor (32) controls the operation of the milking system (1), and reads signals from a plurality of voice recognition modules (36) which are configured to monitor for spoken messages spoken by an operative which indicate the identity of an animal accommodating location (5) in which an animal is located, and for which an action is to be taken by the milking system. The microprocessor (32) on detecting such a spoken message identifies the animal accommodating location and the action to be taken by the milking system, which may, for example, be an instruction to operate a diverting valve (22) for diverting milk from a milking cluster (20) of the identified animal accommodating location to a secondary milk holding tank (25), or may be an instruction to operate a diverting gate (12) for diverting an identified animal into a holding pen for subsequent treatment or inspection.
2. Disengagement of a milking cluster from the animal teats during milking is determined when the monitored microphone signal transitions to a continuous relatively high energy noise signal indicative of air.
G01F 1/66 - Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow by measuring frequency, phase shift or propagation time of electromagnetic or other waves, e.g. using ultrasonic flowmeters
G01F 1/72 - Devices for measuring pulsing fluid flows
G01F 1/74 - Devices for measuring flow of a fluid or flow of a fluent solid material in suspension in another fluid
13.
Method, a device and a system for detecting a state of an animal
A device (5) attached to the neck (6) of an animal (2) comprises an accelerometer (28) which produces first and second signals indicative of movement of the animal (2) and the raised and lowered states of the head of the animal. A microprocessor (30) in the device (5) processes the first and second signals to detect ruminating, resting, feeding and three activity states of the animal during respective second predefined time periods of approximately 15 minutes duration. Data indicative of the states of the animal is stored by the microprocessor (30) in the device (5) and periodically transmitted to a cloud computer server which further processes the data to determine various health states and other issues of the animal.
An electronic monitoring device (20) for attaching to an animal (21) for determining a plurality of states of an animal (21). The monitoring device (20) comprises an NFC module (31) which facilitates wireless communication between a smart phone (32) and the monitoring device (20). The monitoring device (20) comprises an accelerometer (27) for monitoring acceleration of the head (25) of the animal (21). A microprocessor (28) determines various states of the animal from signals received from the accelerometer (27). The smart phone (32) is programmed by a software application which allows an identifying code of the monitoring device (20) to be read from the memory chip (36) and cross-referenced in the smart phone (32) with the identity of an animal, which can be inputted into the smart phone (32). Data relating to the state or states of the animal can be read from the microprocessor (28) through the NFC module (31) wirelessly into the smart phone (32). Additionally, data relating to the animal stored in a cloud computer server corresponding to the state or states of the animal is downloaded from the cloud computer server by the smart phone (32).
A device (5) attached to the neck (6) of an animal (2) comprises an accelerometer (17) which produces first and second signals indicative of the raised and lowered state of the head (7) of the animal (2) and movement of the animal (2). A microprocessor (20) in the device (5) processes the first and second signals to determine if the animal is ruminating, resting, feeding or in a highly active state during respective second predefined time periods of approximately 15 minutes duration. Data indicative of the ruminating, resting, feeding and the highly active state of the animal is stored by the microprocessor (20) in the device (5) and is periodically wirelessly communicated to a base station computer which further processes the data to determine various health states of the animal.
A device (1) for determining the mass flow rate of milk turbulently flowing with air in a pipe (2) in pulsed milk slugs comprises sampling a signal from a microphone (8) of the device (1) indicative of sonic signals produced by the milk flow. The sampled signals are read by a microprocessor (15) which applies a Fast Fourier Transform to the sampled signal to produce the frequency domain of the sampled signal. The microprocessor (15) is configured to compute the average energy value of the sampled signal in the frequency bandwidth of 6 kHz to 15 kHz during consecutive monitoring periods. The average energy values are inserted into a calibration equation, which may be a power law equation, a polynomial equation, a logarithmic equation or any other such suitable equation in order to convert the average energy value to a mass flow rate of the milk flowing through the pipe 2 during that predefined monitoring period. The total mass flow of milk flowing through the pipeline (2) during a period from T1 to T2 is determined by integrating the determined mass flow rate of the milk from the time T1 to the time T2. Disengagement of a milking cluster from the teats of an animal as a result of kick-off during milking is also determined when the monitored signal from the microphone (8) transitions from the signal indicative of milk flowing in pulsed slugs to a continuous relatively high energy noise signal indicative of air being continuously drawn through the pipeline.
G01F 1/74 - Devices for measuring flow of a fluid or flow of a fluent solid material in suspension in another fluid
G01F 1/66 - Measuring the volume flow or mass flow of fluid or fluent solid material wherein the fluid passes through a meter in a continuous flow by measuring frequency, phase shift or propagation time of electromagnetic or other waves, e.g. using ultrasonic flowmeters
17.
A METHOD, A DEVICE AND A SYSTEM FOR DETECTING A STATE OF AN ANIMAL
A device (5) attached to the neck (6) of an animal (2) comprises an accelerometer (28) which produces first and second signals indicative of movement of the animal (2) and the raised and lowered states of the head of the animal. A microprocessor (30) in the device (5) processes the first and second signals to detect ruminating, resting, feeding and three activity states of the animal during respective second predefined time periods of approximately 15 minutes duration. Data indicative of the states of the animal is stored by the microprocessor (30) in the device (5) and periodically transmitted to a cloud computer server which further processes the data to determine various health states and other issues of the animal.
A device (5) attached to the neck (6) of an animal (2) comprises an accelerometer (17) which produces first and second signals indicative of the raised and lowered state of the head (7) of the animal (2) and movement of the animal (2). A microprocessor (20) in the device (5) processes the first and second signals to determine if the animal is ruminating, resting, feeding or in a highly active state during respective second predefined time periods of approximately 15 minutes duration. Data indicative of the ruminating, resting, feeding and the highly active state of the animal is stored by the microprocessor (20) in the device (5) and is periodically wirelessly communicated to a base station computer which further processes the data to determine various health states of the animal.
An electronic monitoring device (20) for attaching to an animal (21 ) for determining a plurality of states of an animal (21). The monitoring device (20) comprises an NFC module (31) which facilitates wireless communication between a smart phone (32) and the monitoring device (20). The monitoring device (20) comprises an accelerometer (27) for monitoring acceleration of the head (25) of the animal (21 ). A microprocessor (28) determines various states of the animal from signals received from the accelerometer (27). The smart phone (32) is programmed by a software application which allows an identifying code of the monitoring device (20) to be read from the memory chip (36) and cross-referenced in the smart phone (32) with the identity of an animal, which can be inputted into the smart phone (32). Data relating to the state or states of the animal can be read from the microprocessor (28) through the NFC module (31) wirelessly into the smart phone (32). Additionally, data relating to the animal stored in a cloud computer server corresponding to the state or states of the animal is downloaded from the cloud computer server by the smart phone (32).
A rotary milking platform (1) comprises a plurality of apparatus, each of which comprises a platform (11) which forms a segment of the rotary platform (1). The platforms (11) define respective animal accommodating locations (3) for animals to be milked. A communicating opening (20) in each platform (11) is closed by a pair of closure plates (25) which are pivotal upwardly into an open state for separating the hind legs of an animal. A carriage (14) which is slideably carried beneath the platform (11) of each apparatus (10) in the directions of the arrows A and B. A teat cup carrier (15) is pivotally mounted in the carriage (14) of each apparatus (10) and is pivotal from a first state with teat cups (16) in the carrier (15) in a protective state extending horizontally and a second state with the teat cups (16) in a ready state extending vertically upwardly and ready for manual placement onto the teats of an animal. The carriage (14) is urgeable into a first position with the teat cup carrier (15) in the first state and with the teat cups (16) sealably engaged in plug elements (45) which include jetters (47) for use in rinsing and washing the milking system. The carriage (14) is moveable from the first position to a second position with the teat cup carrier (15) substantially aligned with the udder of an animal so that when the teat cup carrier (15) is urged into the second state, the teat cups (16) can be manually urged upwardly by hand and attached to the teat of the animal.
A vacuum operated milking system (1) which is operable in a milking mode and a cleaning mode is provided with a vacuum system (8) which applies a vacuum to milking clusters (9) through a main milk pipeline (2) and a receiver (5) in which milk from the milking clusters (9) is collected. A pulsator valve (24) provides a pulsating vacuum to milk liners in the milking cluster (9) from the vacuum system (8). An accumulator (32) accumulates respective volumes of washing and rinsing water from a wash and rinse water trough (31) through a wash and rinse pipeline (30), which are accumulated in an annular holding chamber (43). During respective ones of a washing cycle and a rinsing cycle, a valve (54) applies atmospheric pressure to the volume of washing or rinsing water accumulated in the accumulator (32) which is urged with full flow characteristics through the main milk pipeline (2), the clusters (9) and a connecting pipe (10) for cleaning thereof. In order to minimize the maximum peak air demand on the vacuum system a control circuit (8) operates the pulsator valve (24) to apply a continuous vacuum to the milking clusters during periods when the valve (54) is operated for applying atmospheric pressure to the volume of washing or rinsing water in the accumulator (32) when the milking system (1) is operated in the cleaning mode.
A01J 5/04 - Milking machines or devices with pneumatic manipulation of teats
22.
Bail element for animal bail apparatus, an animal bail apparatus comprising a plurality of the bail elements, and a method for providing animal bail apparatus
Bail apparatus (1) includes an overhead support member (3) which is suspended from an overhead support framework (14) by a linkage mechanism (11) from an operating member (12), so that the bail apparatus is operable in a lower operative state for separating animals and an upper release state for releasing the animals from a milking parlor (2). A plurality of bail elements (8) are mounted at spaced apart locations along the overhead support member (3), and each bail element includes a partition element (22) which extends substantially transversely of the overhead support member (3) at an angle α of approximately 78.5°. A coupling bracket (17) couples each bail element (8) to the overhead support member (3). A mounting plate member (18) extending downwardly from the coupling bracket (17) is bent along a bend axis (50) which defines first and second forward abutment faces (51,52) and first and second rearward abutment faces (55,56) for facilitating engagement of the corresponding partition element (22) in a selected one of first and second selectable orientations with the partition element (22) extending in respective different directions from the overhead support member (3) at the respective angles α, α′ of 78.5°.
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
Goods & Services
(1) Agricultural apparatus, equipment and instruments, namely: milking parlour installations; dairy and milking apparatus, equipment and instruments, namley: milking clusters for attaching to cow teats, teat cups for milking clusters, teat sprayers, milking cluster removers, sanitary traps and valves, mechanically operated metered animal feed dispensers, vacuum pumps, bulk milk tanks, pulsators for providing and controlling a pulsating vacuum, regulators for controlling a vacuum, animal houses, cubicles and milking parlours, structural replacement parts for the aforesaid goods; bail apparatus for animals, namely: bails for confining and separating animals during milking, namely: sequentially operated bails.
(2) Milk recording jars.
03 - Cosmetics and toiletries; cleaning, bleaching, polishing and abrasive preparations
07 - Machines and machine tools
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
10 - Medical apparatus and instruments
11 - Environmental control apparatus
12 - Land, air and water vehicles; parts of land vehicles
16 - Paper, cardboard and goods made from these materials
21 - HouseHold or kitchen utensils, containers and materials; glassware; porcelain; earthenware
29 - Meat, dairy products, prepared or preserved foods
30 - Basic staples, tea, coffee, baked goods and confectionery
Goods & Services
(1) Dairy apparatus, equipment and instruments, namely, milk tanks, bulk milk tanks, milk metres for measuring flow and quantity of milk, electric pumps for pumping milk, milk inspection and recording jars for fitting into milk pipelines, pipes, tubes and pipe fittings; milking apparatus, equipment and instruments, namely, milking installations for milking cattle and other animals, pens and cubicles for separating animals in milking parlours, gates for controlling movement of animals in milking parlours and parts and fittings for such milking installations, namely, milking machines, milking clusters, liners for milking clusters, teat cups, teat sprayers, cluster removers, pumps, vacuum pumps, milk pumps, milk tanks, bulk milk tanks, mechanical and electrical pulsators for pulsing pressure and vacuum, electrical relays for switching current, electrical regulators for regulating current and/or voltage, electrical transformers for stepping up and/or stepping down electrical voltage, measuring instruments for measuring pressure, vacuum, milk flow rate, weight and volume of milk, current and voltage, relay devices for relaying pulsed pressure and/or vacuum, receiving, inspection and recording jars, sanitary traps, pipes, tubes and pipe fittings; farm and agricultural apparatus, namely, yard scrapers for scraping muck from yards, muck scrapers for scraping muck from intensive animal rearing houses and milking parlours, lifters for lifting floor slats in intensive animal rearing houses and milking parlours, animal pens and cubicles for segregating animals in intensive animal rearing houses and animal houses, feeder systems, both manual and automatic for delivering metered quantities of feed to animals; silage effluent pumps; slurry effluent pumps; silage additive applicators, namely, pump applicators for applying additives to silage; coolers for cooling milk; plate coolers for cooling milk; filters for filtering milk; electrical and electronic apparatus, equipment and instruments, namely, electrical and electronic recorders, computers and computer software for recording milk output from animals, identification systems for identifying animals; control apparatus, equipment and instruments, namely, electrical and electronic controllers and computers for controlling the operation of milking installations; electric motors; computers and computer software for controlling and regulating feed delivery systems for delivering metered quantities of feed to animals.
