ITMI20070856A1 - REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEM FOR ANIMAL OR SIMILAR STABULATION UNITS - Google Patents

Description

Description of the invention entitled:

"Remote control system for animal housing units or similar"

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a remote control system for animal housing units or the like.

The present invention is dedicated to animal housing, research laboratories and any other location that provides for the provision of equipment dedicated to animal housing and research.

Inside the buildings dedicated to research or breeding or any other activity that involves the housing and care of animals that must be kept in predetermined conditions, one of the activities that absorbs the most resources is the collection of the environmental and operating parameters of the individual equipment , insertion to the computer, and their management. This activity is mainly manual and this implies long times, low reliability, high possibility of errors and, obviously, high costs.

In the event that the operating parameters need to be modified, it is necessary that an employee physically enters the housing area and proceeds to modify the parameter. Obviously having the necessary knowledge and the necessary permissions to do so. This operation can be difficult due to the not easy access to the various units, as well as dangerous for any risk of contamination.

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to indicate a remote control system for animal housing units or the like capable of overcoming all the aforementioned drawbacks.

The subject of the present invention is a remote control system for animal housing units or similar such as: ventilation unit in the case of rodent housing, water treatment unit in the case of aquatic / amphibian housing such as frogs / fish, units intended for cage change. , units intended for laboratory procedures, units intended for cage washing.

The object of the present invention is therefore a remote control system for one or more animal housing units or the like, each of said housing units comprising a controller capable of managing the operation of the respective housing unit, characterized by what includes:

- physical location markers bound in certain locations of the building or buildings in which they are located;

- one or more first data processing units, preferably installed within the relative units to be monitored and controlled, said first data processing units being connected to the housing unit to be monitored directly, or through a converter device; to said first data processing units said physical position markers being connected; said first data processing units, said first data processing units being able to connect with a local network or directly via cable, or via a wireless network of the wireless type; - one or more second external data processing units of users / operators designed to manage an interview, via the Internet, with said one or more first data processing units, or directly or through a computer in a server-type configuration, with an interview of bi-directional type, designed to monitor, manage, log, control and modify data to and from said controllers of the housing units.

The present invention also relates to a remote control method for animal housing units or the like, for said system.

A particular object of the present invention is a system and a relative remote control method for animal housing units or the like, as better described in the claims, which form an integral part of the present description.

Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become clear from the following detailed description of an example of its embodiment (and its variants) and from the annexed drawings given purely for explanatory and non-limiting purposes, in which:

Figures 1.1 and 1.2 show a general circuit diagram of the system object of the present invention and of a variant thereof; Figure 2 shows a flow diagram of the operations carried out by the RUI module residing in block 4 of Figures 1.1 and 1.2;

Figure 3 shows a flow diagram of the operations carried out by the RUM module residing in block 4 of Figures 1.1 and 1.2; Figures 4.1 and 4.2 show a flow diagram of the operations carried out by the TCC module residing in block 7 of figures 1.1 and 1.2.

The same reference numbers and letters in the figures identify the same elements or components.

The invention consists of a combined hardware / software system suitable for the remote management of animal housing units and the like.

In the following, animal housing unit means one or more units of the following types:

- ventilated systems to contain and manage cages for laboratory animals (IVC caging systems), both fixed and mobile. - centralized systems and not suitable for containing and managing tanks for aquatic animals / amphibians;

- Isolator caging systems.

- Cage change booths, laboratory procedures booths.

- Laminar flow machines.

- Cage washing machines.

The system allows you to interface with these units located in different physical locations, and automatically collect all the operating and setting parameters of each of them. Furthermore, the interaction between the system and the different units is not of the unidirectional type (monitoring) but of the bi-directional type (monitoring and control). This means that it is not only possible to monitor, manage and historicize the data coming from the equipment, but also to control and modify them remotely.

With reference to figures 1.1 and 1.2, from the hardware point of view the main components of the system are the following.

First of all, the system interfaces with the various controller devices 1 of the different units (hereinafter controllers) suitable for managing the operation of the respective unit.

The system comprises various physical position markers 2 (referred to as BOA in the following) rigidly constrained in precise and defined locations of the building or buildings in which they are located. The BOA 2 can be a simple numerical code, or a bar code, an RFID (Radio Frequence IDentifier), or a storage medium (USB pendrive, SD memory card, MMC memory card, ...).

There may be one or more possible converters 3, suitable for the conversion of data transmission standards, for example RS485, RS 232, or Profibus interface, depending on the data output standard from controller 1, and which output the data in the normal way. RS232 serial data input standard. If the data output of a controller 1 is already in the RS232 format, the relative converter 3 is not necessary.

Data processing unit 4, for example a micro-PC, preferably installed inside the relative units to be monitored and controlled. These processing units are connected to the unit to be monitored directly, or through the relative converter 3.

The micro-PC 4 can be of the type known with the abbreviation PC / 104, equipped with RJ45 Ethernet input-output ports that can be connected to a LAN 5 or directly, or via wireless access-point 6, for example via WI- FI, or through any method that allows you to network any PC, and then connect to the computer network type LAN (lan-network) of the system.

When the unit to be monitored is placed in the intended location, the operator connects the buoy 2 to the micro-PC 4 which is consequently "localized" within the system.

Optionally, a server 7 (fig. 1.1) can be provided, connected to the system network, which is directly involved in monitoring, storing, managing, controlling and sharing the data coming from the various micro-PCs. Server 7 collects and stores the data of all units, and carries out checks and alarms.

The system provides for the connection, via HTTP / HTTPS protocol, of external processing units 8 (eg PCs) of users / operators capable of managing the conversation with the system, in particular with the various micro-PCs 4. The external units they can be, for example, PCs or PDAs equipped with a browser.

In the variant of fig. 1.1, the external units 8 communicate with the server via the network, and through the server, with the micro-PCs 4.

In the variant of fig. 1.2 the server is not present. In this case the micro-PCs 4 interface directly with the external processing units 8.

From a software point of view, there are modules installed in the micro-PC and in the server.

The software installed in the micro-PC interfaces directly with the unit controller, acquires the data, stores them internally and makes them available on the network in WEB format (any browser is sufficient to access it and a specific program is not required. installed).

In the event that there is a central server, the software sends the data to the latter which takes care of storage in a database and sharing on the network.

The software installed in the micro-PC includes two modules:

RUI (Remote Unit Interface) and RUM (Remote Unit Monitoring).

The RUI module is present in both variants of figures 1.1. and 1.2, while the RUM module only in the second variant.

The RUI module stimulates and interrogates the controller for data, parameters and alarms. The RUI module is the same in the two variants of figures 1.1 and 1.2.

In fig. 2 shows an operational flow diagram of the RUI module.

There is a central module (LOGIC MODULE) which performs a series of functions:

It queries the controller to stimulate data transmission, and then receives data, parameters and alarms from it, through a logic of data interpretation and collection of the same with customized PLUG-IN conversion packages (DATA CONVERSION PACKAGE).

Reads the presence of the BUOY (BUOY READING).

Then the data is subsequently sent to the server or to the RUM module via TCP / IP (TCP / IP CONVERSION).

The RUI module implements reading cycles from the controller at wider intervals for data and shorter intervals for alarms and differentiated data sending (INTERROGATION DIFFERENCE ALARMS / DATA) to optimize network traffic with respect to the alarm signals that must be sent over the network more quickly.

The data collected in this way can be sent either to the RUM form or to the TCC described below.

The RUI module carries out a network presence check for data transmission (NETWORK PRESENCE CONTROL). If so, it transmits the data and alarm packet.

If there is no network, for example due to a failure, it continues to collect data to maintain the history of these, storing them in its internal memory (BUFFER IN MEMORY). When the network is restored, data transmission over the network resumes.

If the internal memory is too full due to the protracted network failure, a progressive data deletion procedure begins.

In the sense that it halves the data collection frequency by doubling the collection cycle time, and deleting one data out of two. For example, the normal cycle is 2 minutes, but it goes from 2 to 4 if there is no network.

The language in which the RUI module can be written is for example the one known as PYTHON.

In fig. 3 shows an operational flow diagram of the RUM module.

The RUM module retrieves the data from the RUI module and puts them on the network via the web server, available to the external processing units 8.

The RUM module retrieves and reads data and alarms from the RUI module buffer. With data and alarms, it creates WEB pages in HTML format, that is, it organizes information on WEB pages that the user can see by querying with external units 8.

Graphic interface visualization plug-ins are used, formatting them according to different logics required by the system to be displayed, also for specific customization needs requested on a case-by-case basis.

In the first variant of fig. 1.1 the RUM module is replaced by the TCC module resident in the server 7.

Figures 4.1 and 4.2 show an operational flow diagram of the TCC module.

In the TCC input module there are still data and alarms which are managed, however, in a different way compared to the RUM module.

For the data, these are taken and stored in the internal database, with transmission back of acknowledgment of receipt. There are data and operating parameters of the units: the data express values of the variables involved, while the parameters are used by the unit to self-regulate in operation.

The TCC module performs cross-checks between predefined configurations and operating parameters, and manages the configurations.

It is possible for the user to enter his parameters and thus manage the configuration of the unit. The latter can be re-transmitted to the unit which is thus reconfigured.

So the connection between the user and the unit controller is bidirectional.

Then the TCC module manages the users, that is, manages the user data input, saves them, with the insertion of the relative access permissions to the system.

Furthermore, the TCC module manages the Buoys, that is, it records them, stores the various serial numbers of the buoys and creates the unique links between physical position and buoy and between buoy and configuration.

It also manages physical locations, in the sense of providing the data of these, and structuring the links between them, for example of the tree type.

Therefore it is able to manage the physical allocation of the various units within a building of any size and physical distribution of spaces.

Furthermore, the TCC module manages the alarms, i.e. acquires an alarm, and reacts according to the user's setting, sending the alarm back to the users authorized to intervene to stop the alarm condition, for example via SMS, e- mail, voice mail, etc ....

Alarm management is linked to user management, for example for the management of alarms of the type: “out of position” and “out of configuration”.

For an alarm of the "out of position" type, following the incorrect connection of a unit to a mismatched buoy, the system identifies the mismatch between the identification data of the unit just connected and the data of the BOA and signals an alarm. This is in fact a dangerous condition both for the operators and for the unit and the animals it contains. For example, a unit that must work in conditions of pressure higher than the ambient one cannot be connected to a buoy of a location where the ambient pressure must be higher, as the risk would be to invert the air flows between internal and external cages.

For an "out of configuration" alarm, the operator can correctly reconfigure the unit, setting the correct parameters and sending them to the unit.

Therefore, in both variants, there is the possibility of returning configurations: the appropriately authenticated user, for example through a double numeric key, enters configuration data and sends them via the WEB page to the units.

The different types of data / parameters that are part of the configurations can be:

For ventilated systems (IVC) to contain and manage laboratory animal cages:

1) SuppIyACH set values

2) ExhaustACH set values

3) Min / MAX alarm threshold values of ACH Supply, ACH Exhaust, Pressure, temperature and humidity.

4) Alarm threshold values for filters.

5) Type and quantity of cages installed and connected to the unit.

6) Time set on the machine.

For aquatic animal systems:

1) Alarm limits for min / MAX pressure, pH, temperature, conductivity and dissolved oxygen.

2) Setting of pressure, pH, temperature, conductivity, dissolved oxygen.

3) Alarm limits for filter and pump hours and UV lamps.

4) Time set on the machine.

5) Quantity of tanks present and connected to the unit.

In summary, the TCC module resident on the server makes a series of functions available to the user, including:

- Collection of environmental data and operating parameters from the various equipment and storage within a database.

- Remote monitoring of parameters and data in real time.

- Remote control of all working parameters with the possibility of changing them.

- Manage the buoys in groups of buoys and create a link between buoy and configuration and between buoy and physical location inside the enclosure.

- Remotely check any alarm status and forward the alarms (or alerts) directly to predefined personnel through different methods (e-mail, SMS, Voice mail, ...).

- React with pre-established countermeasures to critical alarm situations (should the user so wish).

- Manage the configurations of the various equipment and check the compatibility of the configurations provided in the various positions with the parameters used by the machine.

- Manage individual user profiles in groups and give them different permissions to access, monitor and control the TCC and the various equipment.

- Enable the animal house manager or anyone else authorized to do so (such as maintenance and assistance personnel) to operate on the server from any PC in the world that is able to surf the internet through a brawser.

- Check the correspondence between buoy and equipment authorized to operate in that position (human error prevention).

- Produce graphs and statistics using the amount of stored data.

- Export data to other applications through various formats (XML, Excel, Access, ...).

The present invention can be advantageously realized by means of a computer program that realizes the part of the software modules of the invention, and includes coding means for the realization of one or more steps of the method, when this program is run on a computer. Therefore it is intended that the scope of protection extends to said computer program and further to computer readable means comprising a recorded message, said computer readable means comprising program coding means for carrying out one or more steps of the method. , when said program is run on a computer.

Implementation variants of the described non-limiting example are possible, without however departing from the scope of protection of the present invention, including all equivalent embodiments for a person skilled in the art.

The advantages deriving from the application of the present invention are clear.

The system is able to interface with multiple types of units as defined above, and automatically collect all the operating and setting parameters of each of them. This allows to eliminate any manual activity dedicated to this purpose with obvious benefits in terms of time, reliability of data collection and management and lower costs. The interaction between the invention and the different equipment is not of the unidirectional type (monitoring) but of the bi-directional type. This means that it is not only possible to monitor, manage and historicize the data coming from the equipment, but also to modify and control them.

From the above description, the person skilled in the art is able to realize the object of the invention without introducing further construction details.

Claims (9)

CLAIMS 1. Remote control system for one or more animal housing units or the like, each of said housing units comprising a controller (1) adapted to manage the operation of the respective housing unit, characterized by what it includes: - physical location markers (2) bound in certain locations of the building or buildings in which they are located; - one or more first data processing units (4), preferably installed inside the relative units to be monitored and controlled, said first data processing units (4) being connected to the housing unit to be monitored directly, or through a converter device (3); said first data processing units (4) being connected to said physical position markers (2); said first data processing units (4), said first data processing units (4) being able to connect with a local network (5) or directly via cable, or via a wireless type wireless network (6); - one or more second external data processing units (8) of users / operators capable of managing an interview, via the Internet, with said one or more first data processing units (4), either directly or through a computer in a typical configuration server (7), with a bi-directional type of communication, suitable for monitoring, managing, storing, controlling and modifying data to and from said controllers (1) of the housing units. 2. Remote control method for one or more animal housing units or the like, for a system as in claim 1, each of said housing units comprising a controller (1) adapted to manage the operation of the respective housing unit, characterized by which, in the absence of said computer in server-type configuration (7), comprises the following functional modules: - a first module (RUI), resident in each of said one or more first data processing units (4), act to stimulate and interrogate the corresponding controller (1) to detect data, parameters and alarms; - a second module (RUM), resident in each of said one or more first data processing units (4), able to recover said data, parameters and alarms from said first module (RUI) and make them available on the network, available to said one or more second data processing units (8) to perform said bi-directional type dialogue. 3. Remote control method as in claim 2, characterized in that said first module (RUI) performs the following operations: - interrogates the controller to stimulate data transmission, and then receives data, parameters and alarms from it, through a logic of data interpretation and collection of the same with customized PLUG-IN conversion packages; - reads the presence of said physical position markers (2); - it implements reading cycles from the controller at wider intervals for data and shorter intervals for alarms and sending differentiated data, sending the data collected in this way on the network. 4. Remote control method as in claim 3, characterized in that said first module (RUI) performs the following further operations: - implements a network presence check for data transmission; - if there is a network presence, it transmits data and alarms; - if there is no network, it continues to collect data, storing them in its internal memory; - when the network is restored, the data transmission on the network resumes; - if the internal memory is too full, a progressive data cancellation procedure begins, halving the data collection frequency and doubling the collection cycle time, deleting one out of two data. 5. Remote control method as in claim 2, characterized by what said second module (RUM) retrieves and reads said data and alarms from said first module (RU), and creates WEB pages in HTML format, using visualization plug-ins of graphic interface. 6. Remote control method for one or more animal housing units or the like, for a system as in claim 1, each of said housing units comprising a controller (1) adapted to manage the operation of the respective housing unit, characterized by which, in the case of the presence of said computer in a server-type configuration (7), comprises the following functional modules: - said first module (RUI); - a third module (TCC), resident in said computer in a server-type configuration (7), which performs the following operations: - receives data and alarms from said first module (RUI) and stores them internally; - performs cross-checks between predefined configurations and operating parameters, and manages user configurations in such a way that the user can enter his parameters and thus manage the configuration of the housing unit, said configuration being retransmitted to the controller of the relaying, by implementing a bidirectional connection between the user and the controller of the unit; - manages these physical position markers (2), lists them, and creates unique links between the physical position of the relaying unit and buoy and between buoy and configuration. - manages the physical locations of the various housing units; - manages alarms, that is, acquires an alarm, and reacts according to the user's setting, sending the alarm back to authorized users to intervene to end the alarm condition; - is adapted to recover said data, parameters and alarms from said first module (RUI) and make them available on the network, available to said one or more second data processing units (8) to carry out said bi-directional dialogue. 7. Remote control method as in claim 6, characterized by what said third module (TCC) manages alarms of the following types: - "out of position" alarm: following the incorrect connection of a housing unit to a physical location marker (2) that does not correspond, it identifies the mismatch between the identification data of the housing unit and the data of the housing marker physical position (2) and signals an alarm; - "out of configuration" alarm, so that it is possible to correctly reconfigure the housing unit by setting the correct parameters. A computer program comprising program coding means adapted to carry out the steps of claims 2 to 7, when said program is run on a computer. 9. Computer readable means comprising a recorded program, said computer readable means comprising program coding means adapted to perform the steps of claims 2 to 7, when said program is run on a computer.