GB2136999A - Data Recording Method and Apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A recording device is described for use by Milk Marketing Board inspectors, and a modified version for use by farmers, to allow information relating to milk yield/cow and a history of each animal to be kept and delivered for subsequent processing. The apparatus comprises a hand-held unit having a keyboard and display with internally a microprocessor, and memory for storing data. The unit may include a label printer to allow bottles to be labelled as they are filled with samples from the cows. Information from a herd is sent to a central processing unit, into which it can be fed directly. A copy of the information gathered may be retained by the farmer. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Data Recording Method Field of the invention This invention relates to a method of recording data relating inter alia to the milk yields of dairy cows in a milking parlour. The invention is particularly concerned with apparatus by which milk yield data can be recorded simultaneously with proper identification of milk samples taken from the cows which produce the aforesaid data.

Background to the invention Every cow in the United Kingdom which supplies milk to the Milk Marketing Board (MMB) has its milk tested on a regular basis, about once a month, both for milk yield and milk quality. The Milk Marketing Board contractors visit the dairy herds, take specimens of milk from the cows and record data relating to the individual cows. This formidable task is prone to recording errors and causes considerable delays in the milking process itself. Samples of milk are taken from each individual cow, and the milk yield is recorded. At the moment, the recording procedure is purely manual and involves the production of a list of cows and the entering of details of yield against each individual cow by the inspector.Also, the sample bottles from the individual cows have to be labelled and marked so that they can later be correlated with the written records made at the time. There is considerable likelihood of confusion and error occurring in the recording of this data, especially in a busy milking parlour where there is considerable noise.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for reducing such errors and also for speeding up the recording process.

It is another object of the invention to considerably reduce the amount of data preparation at present required on the written records, before processing by the MMB central computer.

Summary of the invention According to the present invention, a method of recording data relating to milk yield of dairy cows in a milking parlour comprises the steps of: 1) entering into and storing in a memory in a portable electronic hand-held data acceptance and storage unit (a so-called electronic notepad and hereinafter referred to as an electronic unit) a list of cow numbers which are to use the milking parlour; 2) subsequently entering into the electronic unit the cow numbers of cows entering the milking parlour, the electronic unit being programmed to compare each subsequently entered cow number with the stored cow numbers to indicate any invalid numbers or already entered numbers; 3) entering into the said electronic unit the milk yields for the cows as they finish milking to provide a record of the cows and milk yields.

In accordance with a preferred feature of the invention the method includes the steps of: 1) entering into the electronic handheld data acceptance and storage unit the identity of each of a number of cows entering each of a number of stalls in a milking parlour; 2) interrogating the electronic unit to give the cow identity in each stall; 3) keying milk yield for each cow as milking is finished into the electronic unit against the stall number.

The method may also include the steps of: a) selecting a sample bottle from a milk tray thereof in accordance with the cow identity in a given stall: and b) a milk sample from the identified cow is put into the sample bottle corresponding to the stall number.

Thus, the unit may incorporate memory means for recording the data and control a printing means for printing and dispensing a label or the like for the sample bottles. The printer may also serve to produce a list, after milking, of yields against cow numbers, to be left for information for the farmer.

The method may comprise the further step of computing from the milk yield information stored in the portable unit, information relating to feed data for each cow and printing out feed data for each cow as control data for controlling the subsequent feeding of the cows.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 illustrates the layout of a milking parlour; Figure 2 illustrates a recording device which is suitable for use by an MMB contractor; Figure 3A-3C illustrate different types of recording unit which may be used by the farmer; and Figure 4 illustrates the circuit block diagram of the portable unit.

Description of the method and use of the proposed apparatus First, consider the version suitable for MMB use.

It is necessary to understand the manual method currently in use. The precise method depends on the operator, and the parlour type.

What is described is a method in common use in herring bone parlours with milking jars. Figure 1 shows such a parlour. Though some aspects of the method described are not approved by the MMB, they are widely practised as the only practical way of carrying out the procedure.

Prior to the milk recording and sampling session, information known as "event information" has been recorded. This information includes dates of events relating to cows in the herd-e.g. calving, purchase, sale.

Having done this, the contractor prepares for the milk recording session.

The MMB contractor sets up her (usually) work table at the end of the parlour with the following equipment:~ a) Last month's computer print-out listing cows, yields and other data, with blank columns for the current recording session.

The print-out has a carbon copy.

b) Bulk trays of sample bottles, one for each cow, on the lids of which she has written cow numbers. The samples will be the aggregate of two successive milkings. If she is about to record the second, the bottles are already half full.

c) A working tray with enough slots for as many cows as can be in the parlour at a time. (There may be two working trays, one for each side).

d) A small notepad.

e) A sampling jug and measuring device.

The "other data" referred to above, known as "Events", includes calving dates etc, and has already been recorded at this stage.

The operation is as follows:~ a) Cows enter parlour (one side) b) Cows are identified, usually by the cowman who calls out numbers, or writes them down on the notepad. (This operation should be carried out by the MMB contractor).

c) The contractor removes sample bottles from bulk trays and puts in the working tray in order. She also marks the print-out with cows currently in parlour.

d) Milking proceeds.

e) As milking finishes (in "random" order), the yields are read from the sample jar scales, and a note made on the notepad.

Alternatively the yields are called out and written directly on the print-out. This operation is often carried out by the cowman though this is not approved procedure.

f) The jars are agitated, a sample taken (in a jug), of which a small volume is taken and poured into the appropriate sample bottle.

(The jugs are either brought to the table, or the working tray taken into the pit).

g) Sample bottles are re-capped and placed back in bulk trays.

h) Yield data is transcribed onto the print-out from pad if not already done.

This process is repeated until the complete herd has been recorded.

After the second recording session, the bulk trays are taken away for return to the lab., (the only bottle identification is the non-unique cow number on the lids), the carbon copy is left with the farmer, the top copy returned to the data processing unit.

If a data recording system, such as the subject of this invention is being used, the previous printout from the MMB data processing computer is optional, the data capture unit replaces this and the notepad.

Events data has already been recorded on the portable unit before milking.

The recording session operation is as follows:~ a) A number of cows enter the parlour (to fill one side in a herring-bone parlour).

b) Cow identities are keyed into the portable recorder unit against stall number. Since cows enter stalls in sequence, the stall number increments automatically with each data entry. This operation may be carried out in the pit.

c) Back at the table, the portable recorder unit is interrogated to give the cow identity in each stall. This information is used to select sample bottles from the bulk trays.

d) As milking finishes, the portable unit is taken into the pit and the yields keyed in against stall numbers.

e) Milk sampling is the same as in the manual method.

f) The bottles are returned to bulk trays, though there is an option of labelling them with a label produced by the recording device.

This can take various forms for example a printed stick-on label. This can have a herd reference, the cow number and yield, giving reliable identification and duplicated data for security; or a bottle already equipped with machine read/writable label-e.g. a magnetic stripe.

After milking:~ The labelled bottles are returned to the laboratory.

The recording device prints out herd list to leave with the farmer.

The recorded data is transmitted to data processing unit by, for example, one of the following means:~ 1. The portable unit may be returned, to be connected directly to the computer for data transfer.

2. The device may have a removable memory means which may be returned alone. Such a means might be a magnetic tape cassette, or a cassette containing a semi-conductor memory or magnetic bubble memory. This removable memory may be located either in the portable unit, or in the desk unit as described below.

3. Data may be transmitted via a telephone line.

4. If the bottles have been labelled, the bottles themselves will contain the milk recording data.

The operation of the hardware to carry out this procedure is now described with reference to Figure 2.

There are two parts to the system used on the milking site: the portable unit which is used to record and display the data and the desk unit which is used to print herd lists with yield data, to produce labels for the sample bottles, and to charge the batteries of the portable unit.

The portable unit consists of a) a display area; b) several "function" keys to define the type of data to follow, or an operation to be carried out, qnd c) a set of data keys. Keyboard and function keys are preferably sealed against ingress of damp and dirt.

During recording, the operation is typically as follows: The portable unit starts up indicating stall 1.

"Cow" function key is pressed, followed by the cow number. An erroneous entry may be cancelled by pressing "cow" again, followed by a new cow number. Once the correct number has been entered, the "stall" function key is pressed. This causes the stall display to increment to 2, and the unit is ready to accept a new "cow" number.

This is repeated until the side of the parlour is full.

Back at the recording table, the sample bottles are selected from the bulk trays by interrogating the memory of the portable unit. This is done with the following key sequence KEY RESPONSE "Stall" 1 Display shows stall 1, other displays are off.

"Cow" Display shows stall 1 and the cow number previously entered against stall 1.

"Stall" Stall display increments to 2, other displays off.

"Cow" Stall display still shows 2, cow display shows cow number previously entered against stall 2.

etc.

During yield recording, milk yield data is entered in the order of milking finishing. For example, suppose the order of finishing is stall 3, stall 5, stall 1 etc, the operating sequence would be: KEY RESPONSE "Stall" 3 Stall display shows 3.

"Cow" Stall display shows 3, cow display shows the cow number in 3. This step demonstrates one memory interrogation facility.

"Yield" selects "enter milk yield" function.

7 5 Stall and cow display are not altered, Yield display shows 7.5 (kg).

"Stall" 5 Stall display shows 5.

"Cow" Cow display shows the cow number in stall 5.

"Yield" 9 3 Displays are "Stall"-5, "cow"- the cow in Stall 5, "Yield" 9.3 (kg).

If this yield entry is incorrect, it may be altered by pressing the "yield" function key again before another function key.

etc.

The memory may be interrogated at any time, for example by use of a dedicated retrieval switch, using either the stall number as the pointer, as above, or the cow number. The latter is achieved by the following sequence: "INT. Cow" - selects interrogate cow function x x x

- key in cow number-shown on cow display "Yield"~ Yield display shows the milk yield already entered against the cow (if any).

After recording the yields for the cows in the parlour, the portable unit may be plugged into the desk unit which is commanded to "print labels", using the switch on the unit. Labels are printed for the sample bottles in the working tray. Also at this time, the stored data may be transferred to backup memory in the desk unit (automatically).

The recording unit is preferably arranged to run on batteries which can be recharged from the main supply. Charging would occur each time the portable unit is connected to the desk unit.

In alternative versions of the system which are more appropriate for use by the farmer himself, the recording unit does not incorporate a lable dispenser. Although the Milk Marketing Board's results are provided for the farmer, these are only available on a monthly basis and are only available after analysis has been carried out. The efficient farmer will wish to know milk yield figures daily, or at least weekly, in order to be able to have an early indication of adverse or favourable trends, for example servere drop in yield from a cow could mean sickness, underfeeding, etc. In one system shown in Figure 3a the recording unit would be similar to that described above, but without the label printer. This could be used in conjunction with a printer or computer at a remote location onto which the data is transferred.In another alternatively system, where the farmer has an in-parlour feed controller, the recording system can be linked to the feed controller (Figure 3b). The cow numbers are required by the feed controller and there is then no need to enter them again into the recording system. Such an arrangement can also give a more comprehensive print-out, since the milk yield can be presented as a function of food consumed, thus giving a figure for "yield over concentrates", which is a recognised measure of profitability. In a third case of a system based upon automatic recording, the farmer would record milk yield at every milking, using measuring devices located at each stall, eg milk flow meters, or jar weighing devices. In this case (Figure 3C) the milk yield data is transferred directly to the processor each time a cow is milked in each stall.Only the identity of the cow in each stall is recorded on the portable unit. After milking, the portable unit is connected to the processor which collates its own yield/stall data with the portable unit's cow/stall data to produce a list of yields for each cow.

The first of the alternative versions, shown in Figure 3a, consists of two parts, like the MMB version, but the desk unit is located in the farm office, and the portable unit is connected to it only after the milking procedure. No samples are taken, and therefore no labelling is involved. The recording procedure is simplified, and the stall number is not required. As each cow finishes milking, its number is keyed in, followed by the yield.

In the alternative versions, additional bits of information may also be recorded at this time, for example warning "flags" for cow condition, eg mastitis, and treatments.

As the cow is identified for recording purposes any previously entered warning flags will be recalled from memory and displayed. This serves to remind the stockman that some action may be required.

e.g. "treatment" (sometimes labelled "vet")- may require some medication "mastitis"-discard milk All the alternative versions will usually be used for a particular herd. The valid cow numbers will have been previously identified and entered into memory. During recording, if an invalid number is entered, the portable unit will not accept it.

Furthermore, repeated entries the same cow number will be questioned, allowing corrective action to be taken.

The operation of the first alternative version is now described.

Portable unit initially connected to Printer Unit Enter valid cow numbers Valid cow numbers can be entered on portable unit by pressing "Cow" followed by the cow number. The cow number entered is displayed. If correct, the "C" (conform) button is pressed.

The above procedure until all cow numbers have been entered and confirmed.

The cow number will be incremented each time the "C" button is pressed to enable successive numbers to be entered merely by pressing the "C" button.

An erroneous entry can be cancelled by simply re-pressing "Cow" and keying-in the correct number.

Warning flags may be set or cleared at this time by pressing "Flag" before "C". See below.

Delete cow numbers In order to delete a cow number it is necessary to assign a second function D (ie "Delete") to one of the keys.

The above procedure can now be carried out with "Delete" being used instead of "C".

Reported use of the cancel function enables erroneous entries to be cancelled in reverse order to that in which the entries have been made.

Clear memory The memory can be cleared by pressing a "Clear Memory" button on the printer unit which is protected by a second "Enable" button which needs to be pressed at the same time. This button deletes the valid cow numbers, clears all the flags and set the milk yields to zero.

NB The cummulative milk yields are reset separately.

Portable recording Date entry The date and an indication of whether it is am or pm can be entered at the beginning of the milking session by pressing "D" and then entering day. month . year, inserting a decimal point after day and month. An am or pm indication can be obtained by pressing one of two keys illustrated.

Recording milk yield The portable unit can now be removed from the printer unit and used to record milk yields. The cow number is entered first by pressing "Cow" and keying-in the cow number. The cow number is displayed. The yield can then be entered by first pressing "Milk". If a valid cow number has been used the milk yield can be entered and will be displayed alongside the cow number.

If a non-valid cow number has been entered the display will flash when "Milk" is pressed. The cow number can be cleared by pressing "Cow" and entering a new number. Alternatively, the invalid cow number can be confirmed by pressing "C" and the milk yield can then be entered as before. The cow number now becomes a valid number and will continue to be accepted.

If a number is entered which has already been used this will also cause the display to flash. If this is due to an earlier error the cow number can be confirmed as being correct by using the above procedure. The milk yield entered then replaces the previous milk yield recorded against that cow number. The previous data is not lost but is placed in an error store and will be printed out with the other milk yields.

The milk yield can be committed to memory either by pressing "Cow" (or "Flag") or if it is not required to enter another cow number, by pressing "C". Pressing "Milk" again will cancel the milk yield if this has been incorrectly entered but will not cancel the cow number.

Setting and clearing flags A flag can be set or cleared against any cow number whenever the cow number is displayed.

This is done by pressing "Flag" whereupon the flags already recorded for the cow are displayed.

The state of any flag may then be changed by pressing M, V, or D, ie if M is not set, pressing M will set it and vice versa. Its new state is displayed immediately. Repeated operation of M, V, D will cause the flag to change repeatedly. Any number of flags can be set or reset once "Flag" has been pressed until one of the other control keys is pressed.

A battery low warning is given by flashing the decimal points on the display. The handheld unit should then be capable of retaining the recorded data for a while before being reconnected to the printer unit. The unit will accept further data for a further limited period only (eg 10 mins. say) after which it will stop functioning in order to use the available current to conserve stored data.

Once milking has been completed the portable unit should be reconnected to the printer unit so that the bateries can be recharged and any optional memory in the printer unit can be updated. It is not necessary to obtain a printout after each milking session, provided the optional extra memory is fitted to the printer unit.

Obtaining a printout The printer will give a printout for all valid cow numbers when "Print All" is pressed. Warning flags are printed following cow numbers. If no data has been recorded against a particular cow number or if there is an excessive difference between current and previous yields a warning flat, *, is printed.

Previous and cummulative yields are available as options and require extra memory in the printer unit. (Previous yield could be standard with additional memory in the handheld unit). Where additional memory in the printer unit is provided, battery back-up is also provided in case of mains failure.

At the end of the printout any error readings, where the cow number is unknown, are also printed out. It should then be possible to correlate these readings with the cow numbers which have no milk yields recorded against them, assuming there are no large variations in milk yield. Total milk yields for the session are also given.

Instead of printing out data on all cows it is possible to obtain a printout of only those cows which have a warning flag against them by pressing "Print Warning". The printout will still include the total milk yield for the session.

A printout of the valid cow numbers is obtainable when "List Cows" is pressed. Warning flags are also printed at this time.

The printer unit may also compute feed data from the yield figures, for example for use in an automated feed system, and may print out such feed data.

Error editing After obtaining a printout which contains a number of errors, these errors can be corrected and a fresh printout can be obtained.

Where no entry has been made against a particular cow number the correct milk yield can be entered in the normal way. The errors can then be deleted by pressing "X", keying-in the error number, and then pressing "D". A corrected printout can then be obtained by pressing "Print All'.

Cummulative milk yield option If this option is fitted, the cummulative data can be maintained for any desired period of time provided the total for each cow dows not exceed 9,999 kg.

The cummulative totals can be reset by means of a button on the printer unit. This is protected against accidental operation by means of a second "Enable" button. The first data entered after the cummulative totals have been reset is then included in the cummulative total printout.

Any milk yields which have been entered against the wrong cow numbers and are listed as errors are then taken to be valid and are included in the cummulative total unless they are deleted without being entered against the correct cow number-see "Edit" section.

The second alternative version-Figure 3b-is for use in a parlour equipped with an automatic feed concentrate dispensing system. Such a system already requires the cows entering each stall to be identified, either by means of a keyboard, or automatically by means of a transponding device attached to the cow.

A parlour terminal is provided to which the portable unit may be connected during the milking operation to communicate with the feed control computer. The operation is as follows:~ As cows enter the parlour, they are identified via the feed control system. The portable unit is connected to the computer via the parlour termini:, and its memory is loaded with the identities of the cows in the parlour by the computer. After the cows in the parlour are milked, the portable unit is removed from the terminal and milk yields entered in the same manner as described for the MMB system-(p. 9 line 10).

The portable unit is then reconnected to the computer via the parlour terminal to transfer the recorded yield data to the computer and to reload its memory with new cow identities as they enter the parlour.

After milking, the computer can be asked to print a list of cows showing milk yield data and feed data for each cow and the herd.

The third alternative version-Figure 3c-is for use in conjunction with an automatic yield recording system, such as set of strain gauges for weighing the milk jars coupled to a processor which interrogates them and remembers the peak values. Such a system requires a means of identifying the cows to collate with the milk yield data. This means could be a portable data capture unit similar to that described above.

The portable unit is operated alone during the milking operation, and is used to record the cows occupying each stall. The operation is like that described for the cow entry phase of the MMB recording procedure-(page 8 line 13).

The last two systems described both feature means other than the keyboard of capturing data.

In one case, the cow identity comes from another source: in the second case the milk yield does.

It is envisaged that the portable unit itself will, in some cases, be equipped with means of gathering data other than via the keyboard.

It is probable that a standard numbering system for all cows, each with a unique number, will be introduced to the UK, with a method of identifying the animals automatically. The most likely method will be a radio transponder system like that in current use for feeding systems, but miniaturised into an implanted device or an eartag. However, tags with magnetic stripes or optical bar codes are also being considered.

In any event, the portable data capture unit will be made compatible, by fitting either internally or via a "wand", a device which might include the following:~ A magnetic code reader; An optical bar code "reader"; A receiver of radiated information (eg electromagnetic RF ultrasonic waves), with detecting and-decoding circuits, either alone (for self-powered transmitters) or in conjunction with a stimulating field (for transponding systems).

Figure 4 is a block circuit diagram of the portable unit in which details of the control signals between the blocks have been omitted for clarity.

A microprocessor 10 organises the dataflows between the other circuit elements, and modifies the data as specified by a programme, which is stored in a "read or ivy memory" 12 (ROM) from which data is read. The stored programme is not lost when the power is removed from the device.

The ROM 12 is removable, allowing a different programme to be inserted.

A random access memory (RAM) 14 is employed for storage of data, Data is written to and read from any RAM location or address, specified by the address bus 16.

RAM devices with out power lose stored data.

A battery 18 is therefore provided not only to operate the unit, but to maintain stored information in the RAM 14. The battery and power supply 18 is equipped with a voltage sensor (not shown) to warn the operator of a low battery, and the need to recharge. If the warning is ignored, the unit will go into a quiescent mode in which current drain is minimised by ceasing operations and powering the RAM 14 only.

Maintenance current is much lower than the operating current in a low power RAM device, such as a CMO device.

One function of the input/Output interface 20 is to provide battery charging power. Its other function is to allow data to flow in and out of memory under control of the microprocessor 10 via the data bus 1 6, eg to print out lists of cow and yield data on a printing device.

This transfer is usually indirect, going via the microprocessor which may modify it en route, eg altering the format to be suitable for the printer field.

There could be more than one such interface 20, eg to communicate with a bar code reading device.

Display devices 22, 24 and 26 receive data from the microprocessor 10 via the data bus 16 whenever it is required to alter the displayed information. The particular display is specified by the address bus 16.

The microprocessor 10 interrogates keyboard 28 at regular intervals of about 1 millisecond to see whether the key status has changed, and to take action as specified by the programme according to the change.

As an example of the way the apparatus works, consider the programme to have reached the point where it is ready for a cow number to be entered via the keyboard 28.

The microprocessor will be obeying a small "loop" of programme, extracting instructions in sequence from ROM and obeying them. They will tell the microprocessor to test an address in RAM dedicated to the current key entry. It does this by putting the address onto the bus 16 and instructing the RAM 14 to "Read". The RAM puts data from the specified address onto the data bus.

If the test result indicates no change, a jump back to the start of the programme loop occurs. This is known as a conditional jump, ie a departure from a progressive sequence of programme instructions according to the result of a test on data.

A timed interrupt occurs to a "keyboard reading" part of the programme which updates the "current key" RAM address when a change of keyboard status is found.

After the interrupt, the programme returns to the point of departure from the original loop.

When it reaches the test of the current key address this time, however, the test indicates a change, and the programme moves out of the loop, to a new part of the programme which updates the cow display 22.

Claims (9)

1. A method of recording data relating to milk yield of dairy cows in a milking parlour comprising the steps of: 1) entering into and storing in a memory in a portable electronic hand-held data acceptance and storage unit (a so-called electronic notepad and hereinafter referred to as an electronic unit) a list of cow numbers which are to use the milking parlour; 2) subsequently entering into the electronic unit the cow numbers of cows entering the milking parlour, the electronic unit being programmed to compare each subsequently entered cow number with the stored cow numbers to indicate any invalid numbers or already entered numbers; 3) entering into the said electronic unit the milk yields for the cows as they finish milking to provide a record of the cows and milk yields.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 in which the electronic unit includes rechargeable batteries, further comprising the step of connecting the unit to a device for recharging the batteries when not being used to record data.

3. A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the unit which serves to recharge the batteries includes a printing device for printing out information from the information stored in the electronic unit.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the step of computing from the milk yield information stored in the portable unit, information relating to feed data for each cow and printing out feed data for each cow as control data for controlling the subsequent feeding of the cows.

5. A method as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, including the steps of: 1) entering into the eiectronic handheld data acceptance and storage unit the identity of each of a number of cows entering each of a number of stalls in a milking parlour; 2) interrogating the electronic unit to give the cow identity in each stall; 3) keying milk yield for each cow as milking is finished into the electronic unit against the stall number.

6. A method according to claim 5, which includes the steps of: a) selecting a sample bottle from a milk tray thereof in accordance with the cow identity in a given stall; and b) a milk sample from the identified cow is put into the sample bottle corresponding to the stall number.

7. A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein a label is printed by a printer controlled from the hand-held electronic unit or from a unit linked thereto for application to the bottle containing the sample to which the label refers.

8. A method as claimed in claim 6 or 7, further comprising the step of printing out from the information contained in the electronic unit a herd list giving milk yield against each cow identity.

9. A method of recording data relating to milk yield substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.