EP3285569A1

EP3285569A1 - Food bowl

Info

Publication number: EP3285569A1
Application number: EP16717946.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Markus HIRSCHL
Original assignee: Ogilvy & Mather Duesseldorf GmbH
Current assignee: Ogilvy & Mather Duesseldorf GmbH
Priority date: 2015-04-24
Filing date: 2016-04-22
Publication date: 2018-02-28
Also published as: DE102015005248A1; WO2016170111A1; CA2983060A1; US20180084755A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a food bowl for a domestic animal, in particular for a dog, characterized by an electronic balance which has a data output and is designed to measure the weight in the bowl and to transmit said weight to the data output as an electronic weight signal.

Description

food bowl

The present invention relates to a food bowl for a pet, in particular for a dog.

Pets such as cats and dogs are part of our culture and society. Great attention is paid to their health and well-being. Veterinary and ecotrophological research ensures a rich supply of differentiated nutrition and knowledge about physiologically necessary daily movement of pets.

Finding something suitable for one's own animal in this offer and this knowledge is now a common problem.

The object of the present invention is to provide a device which facilitates the adequate nutrition of a pet, in particular a dog.

This object is achieved by a device having the features of claim 1. Preferred embodiments are specified in the subclaims.

According to the invention, a feeding bowl for a pet, in particular for a dog, is characterized by an electronic balance, which has a data output and is set up to measure the weight in the bowl and as an electronic weight indicator. nal to the data output. This is the basis for a literally "balanced" nutrition - as well as for various systems as preferred embodiments of the invention, which additionally achieve this goal in particular also differentiated way.For example, the feed bowl may have an electronic display device in data line connection with the data output of For example, the display device may simply display the weight as a number, allowing for the dosage of a daily allowance of food, for example, to be dosed on a table on the packaging of the feed. Such tables are known to differentiate, for example, according to the weight of the animals, and it can then, for example, simple and "sum in the head each portion weight, if the own animal is used to take his daily food needs daily, for example, in three portions to eat If the animal does not eat its portion completely, the weight of the remainder can also be read off from the display according to the invention and taken into account in the daily balance - especially if the uneaten remainder is not left for later consumption, for example because the feed is perishable.

The invention according to the invention is an electronic balance, in addition to (or instead of) the display also a data output, in particular in the form of a WLAN module with WLAN antenna (but also for example in the form of a Bluetooth module and / or at least one cable interface, such as USB). This data output can be in data line connection with an electronic computer and / or with an Internet router for various purposes, some of which are explained below by way of example, or be set up for such a data line connection. Thus, the computer (for example as a chip specialized in the respective functions with correspondingly programmed (and possibly also programmable) software and circuit and operating hardware) and / or the router can be directly integrated in the food bowl, and / or they are separate devices , Thus, the computer can be a particularly portable PC, according to the current standard, in particular a notebook, tablet or smartphone. Adapted smaller programs, namely "apps", are particularly popular for the latter, software which supports the functions according to the invention and which is possible in accordance with the invention is a preferred option in this format upon reaching a programmable limit, generate a trigger signal.

For example, the trigger signal can trigger a warning signal (for example an LED and / or a tone on the cup and / or on the particular separate computer) if a programmed filling quantity and / or daily ration has been reached. For this purpose, the computer can process the weight signals in particular time correlated and / or store to determine, for example, the feed daily ration, if the limit has exceeded the next day may not have begun and the additional amount of food may therefore already ration of the next - heard the day.

A preferred function of the trigger signal according to the invention, however, is also to place an order for a new delivery of the feed (in particular through the Internet in a webshop) when a summed feed weight shows that the previous supply of feed is running low. Also for this function, the food dish particularly preferably has an RFID

Sensor (for example, a Bluetooth module may be suitable for this purpose), which is set up to trigger certain computer operations by the recognition of a specific RFID tags - namely, a food bag. Of the Sum memory of the computer can be set by means of a corresponding program, for example, first to zero, before a new feed package is opened. If, from this packaging, food is filled into the bowl according to the invention with the RFID tag, the RFID sensor "recognizes" this packaging, weighs the filled amount of food and stores it in the total store: the packaging is emptied by this amount Animal "in between" something else filled in the cup, the scale of the invention weighs this indeed (and can also show this weight), but because of the lack of RFID tags packaging this weight is not added in the total memory (or just not in the Accumulator, which accounts for the packaging level, but in at least one, the eating behavior of the animal logs). Only when food is again filled into the bowl according to the invention from this packaging with the RFID tag, does the RFID sensor recognize this packaging again, weighs the filled feed quantity and adds it up in the total store. If a limit value (possibly adjustable by the user by a corresponding program) in the summation memory is exceeded, this means that the food residue in the packaging is only smaller than its initial content (for example content at purchase) minus the sum added in the summation memory and (possibly according to the invention) programmed), the computer can trigger the order and delivery of a new food packaging (also automatically without any further action by the user). For this purpose, the cup can be connected to the computer by the already mentioned data output or by a second data output (for example in WLAN, Bluetooth and / or USB format) in line connection or be brought.

However, the inventively preferred RFID sensor on the food bowl can not only (for example in the manner shown) trigger the measuring and / or summing, but also the programming of the limit is possible. Because if the program in the computer is assigned an assignment of certain, different tags to certain, different packaging feed weights, the program can program the first time an RFID tag is detected to set a limit value for triggering the order that matches this packing weight.

Another function of the feeding bowl according to the invention with electronic scales (alternatively or cumulatively to the embodiments of the invention shown so far, such as the "automatic ordering function") is the taking into account of the activity of the animal when feeding by means of the bowl according to the invention a programmable EDP device (as already illustrated above in the form of an integrated and / or separate computer), now particularly preferably with radio data reception device, in particular Bluetooth, which are set up by a collar for a pet, in particular for a dog ( Accordingly, the collar has a radio data transmission device, in particular according to the Bluetooth standard, and an "activity sensor". Such an assembly contains, for example, sensors such as gyroscopes and / or accelerometers and is set up to generate an electronic signal as a function of the acceleration applied thereto and to store this "activity signal" in an activity data memory (here also preferably integrated in the collar), in particular Such a sensor may be configured to measure (translational and / or rotational) accelerations in several or individual directions (in particular of the three Cartesian spatial directions), and possibly even in a time-correlated manner, and in particular time-correlated also differentiated.

The EDP device is now set up to receive the electronic activity data from its activity data memory from the collar. The EDP device can thus first of all change a display depending on the activity data (for example, as a smartphone, for example, evaluate the data statistically and / or temporally and display it (for example graphically) (for example, on the smartphone display)). The computer equipment can also (alternatively or cumulatively) to calculate from the activity data and from programmed parameters (in particular concerning the pet such as animal species, breed, weight, sex or age) a (for example daily) feed serving weight. As explained in the introduction, there are extensive findings on the dependence of feed requirements on previous nutrient consumption through activity, and this dependency (qualitatively speaking, less feed with less activity) can be taken into account quantitatively differentiated in the calculation. The EDP device can then supply this food portion requirement weight as an electronic "demand signal" to the display device (as described above according to the invention) on the cup

(and / or for display, for example, on the computer equipment, such as on their display in the format of an app) via data line forward, with a separate computer device (for example, smartphone) preferably by radio (for example, W-LAN or Bluetooth ). The display device can accordingly be set up to also change its display as a function of the demand signal. Thus, the display device may preferably display the weight in the bowl not (or not only) as a numerical amount, but (also) as a proportion of the calculated feed portion need weight. For example, a series of, for example, two-color LEDs or a (corresponding bar diagram) that initially displays in one color the calculated weight of the animal's feed requirement for this portion (feed portion requirement weight) - either as "Bar" length proportional to the calculated weight or always with the same length as "100%" - then referred to then in a second color, the weight of the filled into the cup lining portion (measured by the present invention in the cup integrated Libra). However, the display device can also be set up to display the weight in the cup as a proportion of a portioning weight that can only be entered directly - for example, if the cup according to the invention does not allow the calculation of the feed portion requirement weight, but the described clear relative "bar" display for example, by entering the same amount of portions (for example according to a table according to species, race, weight, sex or age on the packaging) as a "100%" value once.

The cup according to the invention, together with such a collar (and / or collar tag) and / or together with the possible separate computer (for example a tablet or smartphone) as mentioned may form a coordinated system as an embodiment of the invention. In this case, the "cup" may also be an electronic balance according to the invention, which is set up for use under a conventional cup and which has a data output and is adapted to measure the weight in a conventional cup and transmit it as an electronic weight signal to the data output.

The already described RFID sensor on the cup can according to the invention (additionally or alternatively) have a further function. For this purpose, an EDP device (such as the one already described, for example a smartphone or, in particular, the already described EDP device with the already described functions and features) can be connected to the data output of the balance in the data line and set up To calculate feed consumption, namely from the weight signal, in particular from the change, so in particular time correlated, and to save as an electronic consumption signal in a consumption signal data memory. The EDP device can, for example, evaluate it statistically and / or time-related and, for example queried by the user by means of an "app", display it (for example graphically prepared) on the display of his smartphone The RFID sensor is then set up in particular by the Detecting a particular RFID tag on the collar (or collar tag) to trigger the calculation of feed consumption and / or the storage of the consumption signal - and so avoid that the computer equipment processed the feed consumption of another animal, as the one who wears the collar, just because this other animal accidentally eats out of the bowl. Also under the same aspect, the inventively possible RFID sensor in the bowl can also trigger the reception of the activity data from the collar and / or the display and / or changing the display (in each case by means of a signal through a data line s connection to the computer equipment). Further advantages, embodiments and details of the invention are described below in the description of embodiments with reference to the attached figures:

FIG. 1 shows a three-dimensional view of a food bowl according to the invention,

FIG. 2 shows a three-dimensional sectional view of the feed bowl according to the invention from FIG. 1,

Figure 3 shows a spatial exploded view of a collar according to the invention and

FIG. 4 shows a diagram of a system according to the invention comprising a feeding bowl, collar, EDP devices and data line connections. Figures 1, 2 and 4 show a feeding bowl 2 for a pet (not shown), in particular for a dog, with an electronic balance 4, which has a data output 6 (Figure 4) and is adapted to measure the weight in the cup vessel 8 and to transmit as electronic weight signal to the data output.

The food bowl 2 has an electronic display device 10 which is in data line connection with the data output of the scale and is adapted to change its display 12 in the form of a series of LEDs 14 depending on the weight signal. The display device makes it possible to dose the portion of a daily feed requirement.

At the data output 6 of the balance 4, in addition to the display, an EDP device 15 data outputs in the form of a WLAN module 16 and a Bluetooth module 18 and a USB cable interface 20 are connected in the food bowl according to the invention. These data outputs can - for various purposes, from some of which will be exemplified below - be brought into data line connection with electronic computers 22, 24 and with an Internet router 26. FIG. 4 shows such a system. For power supply the cup has a mains voltage cable 27. The computers 22, 24 (with correspondingly programmed and programmable software and switching and operating hardware, not shown) and the router 26 are separate from the food bowl 2 and via WLAN 16, ie via radio, " One of the computers is a portable PC, a notebook 22, a smartphone 24. These computers 15, 22, 24 of the food bowl 4 are by software, the separate computer 22, 24 by apps, among other things, set up the weight signals in their memories (not shown) and generate a trigger signal upon reaching a programmable limit.

For example, the trigger signal can trigger a warning signal (for example one of the LEDs 14 on the cup 2 and on the computer 22, 24) when a programmed filling quantity and / or daily ration has been reached. For this purpose, the computer 15, 22, 24 process the weight signals in particular time correlated and to determine, for example, the feed daily ration, if the limit has exceeded the next day may not have begun and the additional amount of food may therefore already for ration heard the next day. However, it is also a function of the trigger signal to subsequently place an order for a new delivery of the feed (not shown) through the Internet 28 in a webshop if a summed feed weight indicates that the previous supply of feed is running out. For this function as well, the feeding bowl 2 has an RFID sensor 30 which is set up to trigger certain computer operations by detecting a specific RFID tag 32 - in this case on a feed bag 34. The sum memory of the computer 15, 22, 24 can first by means of a corresponding program for example, be set to zero before a new food package 34 is opened. If now from this package 34 with the RFID tag 32 feed 36 is filled in the cup 2, the RFID sensor 30 "recognizes" this package 34, weighs the filled amount of food 38 and stores it in the sum memory of the computer 15, 22, 24th : If the animal "something in between" something else filled in the bowl 2, the balance of the invention 4 weighs this indeed (and can also show this weight on the displays of separate computers 22, 24), because the thereby missing RFID tag 32 of the package 34, this weight is not added to the accumulation memory, which accounts for the packaging level (but probably in at least one accumulation memory, which records the feeding behavior of the animal). Only when food is again filled into the bowl 2 from the packaging 34 with the RFID tag 32 does the RFID sensor 30 detect this packaging 34 again, weigh the filled food quantity 38 and add it up in the accumulation memory. If a limit value in the sum memory is exceeded, this means that the food residue in the packaging is only smaller than its initial content (content at the time of purchase) minus the value added in the sum memory and (correspondingly programmed) the computer 15, 22, 24 can place the order and delivery of a new food package (even without further action by the user automatically) trigger. However, the RFID sensor 30 on the food bowl 2 can not only weigh and / or

Trigger summation, but also the programming of the limit for triggering the order is possible. For if the program in the computer 15, 22, 24 an assignment of certain, different tags is programmed to specific, different packaging feed weights, the program can set a suitable for this packaging weight limit for triggering the order when first recognizing an RFID tag ,

Another function of the food bowl 2 is to consider the activity of the animal 40 when feeding by means of the bowl. Also to serve the integrated computing device 15 and the separate computer 22, 24. The integrated computer equipment 15 is adapted to receive 40 data from a collar 42 for a pet, in particular for a dog. Correspondingly, the collar 42 (see now also FIG. 3) has a Bluetooth data transmission device 46 and an "activity sensor" (not shown) on a circuit board 44. And an activity data memory (not shown).

The computers 15, 22, 24 are now configured to receive the electronic activity data via the collar 18 from the collar 42. The EDP device can thus first of all change the display 12 on the cup 2 (and on the displays of the separate computers 22, 24) depending on the activity data and on the displays of the separate computer 22, 24 statistically and temporally evaluated and display graphically processed. The computers 15, 22, 24 are also programmed to calculate a feed portion requirement weight from the activity data and from programmed and programmable parameters (especially regarding the pet such as species, breed, weight, sex or age). As explained in the introduction, there is also extensive knowledge about the dependence of feed requirements on the previous nutrient consumption through activity, and this dependency (qualitatively speaking, less feed with less activity) can be taken into account quantitatively differentiated in the calculation. In particular, the EDP device 15 can then forward this feed portion requirement weight as an electronic "demand signal" to the display device 10 on the cup 2 (and for display on the displays of the computers in the format of an app).

The display device 10 is accordingly set up to change its display depending on the demand signal. Thus, the display device 10 on the illustrated cup 2, the weight in the cup vessel 8 not as a number, but as a proportion of the calculated feed portion requirement weight. For this, in the illustrated example, the row 12 of two-color LEDs, which initially in a first color the calculated weight of the animal's feed requirement for this portion indicates (feed portion weight) - with the full LED row 12 as "100%" - on the Then, in a second color, the weight of the feed portion filled in the bowl is displayed (as measured by the balance 4 integrated in the bowl 2).

A corresponding display can be found on the collar 42: Thus, there is a display device 50 shows the activity of the animal 40 as a proportion of a programmed (due to feed consumption possibly even calculated and the electronics in the collar sent via Bluetooth) activity needs of the animal. In the illustrated example, here on the collar 42, the row 50 of two-color LEDs, which initially displays in a first color the activity requirement of the animal - with the full LED row 50 as "100%" - then referred to in a second color the actual activity of the animal is indicated (as measured by the activity sensor in collar 42) In order to keep the collar display well positioned at the top while the animal is wearing it, the collar has a weight 54 integrated on its circumference (worn down) ,

The RFID sensor 30 on the cup 2 has yet another function, namely to recognize the animal 40 in its vicinity on an RFID tag 56 in its collar 42. This can be taken into account by the computers 15, 22, 24 in calculating and balancing the feed consumption. The RFID sensor is then set up by appropriate programming of the computer 15, 22, 24 to influence the calculation of the feed consumption and the storage of the consumption signal by the recognition of the RFID tag on the collar 42 - namely to avoid that the EDP device Processed food consumption of another animal, as the one who wears the collar, just because this other animal accidentally just eats out of the bowl 2.

Under the same aspect, the RFID sensor 30 in the cup 2 can also trigger receiving the activity data from the collar 42 and displaying and changing the display only when the animal 40 with the collar 42 is detected at the cup 2.

Claims

claims

A food bowl for a pet, in particular for a dog, characterized by an electronic balance having a data output and arranged to measure the weight in the bowl and transmit it as an electronic weight signal to the data outlet.

Food dish according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the data output is connected to an electronic computer and / or to an Internet router in data line connection or is set up for such a data line connection.

Food dish according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the computer is arranged to sum the weight signals and to generate a trigger signal when a programmable limit value is reached.

Feeding bowl according to the preceding claim, characterized by an RFID sensor which is set up by the detection of a specific RFID tag, in particular on a food package to trigger the measuring and / or summing and / or to program the limit.

Food dish according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by an electronic display device which is in data line connection with the data output of the balance and is adapted to change your display depending on the weight signal.

Food dish according to the preceding claim, characterized by a, in particular separate, programmable EDP device with a radio data receiving device which is adapted to receive from a collar with an activity sensor with activity data storage and with a radio data transmitting device electronic activity data from its activity data memory and off the activity data and from programmed parameters a feed portion requirement weight and to calculate as electronic sches send to the display device, which is adapted to change their display also dependent on the demand signal.

Food dish according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the display device is arranged to display the weight in the bowl as a proportion of the calculated feed portion weight.

Food dish according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized in that the computer device is in data line connection with the data output of the scale and is adapted to calculate from the weight signal and a time signal time-related feed consumption and store it as an electronic consumption signal in a consumption signal data memory ,

Feeding bowl according to one of the three preceding claims, characterized by an RFID sensor which is set up by the recognition of a particular RFID tag on the collar receiving the activity data from the collar and / or displaying and / or changing the display and / or to trigger the storage of the consumption signal.

Food dish according to one of the four preceding claims, characterized in that the computer equipment

a separate, portable electronic computer, a smartphone or tablet is equipped with a Bluetooth module as the data-receiving device cooperating with the collar and with a WLAN module and / or the Bluetooth module for establishing a data line s connection to the data output the balance and / or a data line s connection to the display device and

- is set up by means of an app, measured and / or calculated

and / or input and / or processed data and signals to be displayed on a display of the computer equipment.