WO2009063415A2

WO2009063415A2 - Smart automatic animals feeder (saaf)

Info

Publication number: WO2009063415A2
Application number: PCT/IB2008/054744
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ram Friedman; Shay Popper; Micha Har-Zion
Original assignee: Ram Friedman; Shay Popper; Micha Har-Zion
Priority date: 2007-11-12
Filing date: 2008-11-12
Publication date: 2009-05-22
Also published as: WO2009063415A3; GB2454658A; GB0722044D0

Abstract

This invention details a Smart Automatic Pet Feeder, which feeds one pet or more, identifying the pet (such as with RFID), weighing it and providing meals and portions accordingly. The SAAF(TM) can be programmed by the user in advance for each pet. The user is notified periodically (such as wirelessly) or when there is a problem, and may control the SAAF or communicate with the pet if it is near the SAAF. Methods describe providing and monitoring food for each pet, logging activities, issuing reports, detecting problems and solving them automatically or by commands from the user.

Description

Smart Automatic Animals Feeder (SAAF)

Technical Field

This invention relates to electronically controlled feeding systems and methods for animals.

Background Art

The present application claims priority from patent application No. GB 0722044.5 filed in Great Britain, filing date: 12 November 2007.

SAAF(TM) is claimed as a trademark by the present applicants.

Pets owners are required to feed their pets regularly, to provide them with an adequate amount of both food and water.

As a pet is left in a house, apartment or a yard - it might be left out of food or water. This can be a critical problem if the owner leaves for several days or for a longer period.

Animals require constant caring; a system for helping feed the animal may be useful, event when the owner is not away.

Disclosure of Invention

Notes: 1. Although the invention may be detailed by way of example with reference to pets such as cats or dogs, it is to be understood, throughout the present disclosure, that it also applies to feeding of other animals, such as cows or horses, and to smaller pets such as hamsters. The size of the system and its various features should be adapted to the size and characteristics of the animal to be fed. 2. The system and method of the present invention may be used both to feed animals in the owner's absence, and to assist in taking care of the animals anytime as desired.

Leaving too much food would not keep it fresh or the pet might eat too much early on and be left without food or water later.

It might not be pleasant or possible to allow strangers to enter the house, apartment or yard in order to feed the animal, and yet food and water should be provided.

Thus, automatic control of the feeding may be highly desirable. Whereas there are prior art automatic pet feeding devices, their performance is limited and may be therefore unsatisfactory. For example, a device with a timer might provide a constant amount of food from a container - however this amount might be fixed and inadequate.

The weight of the pet may provide details as to its nutrition. In addition, the animal might be hungrier at a certain time, looking for more food. At other times it may not be hungry at all, thus wasting the food which was provided by the automatic, prior art pet feeding device.

The pet owner, while away from home, might be worried about the pet and not be able to check for the status of the pet and its feeding. In case there is a problem, the owner may not know about it, for example: the pet ate too much or not enough, the feeding device has a failure, the food or water supply is over, etc.

It may be desirable to communicate with the pet, in case it might be depressed or not aware of the food. The owner might miss the pet as well - and would be interested in some sort of communication with the pet. This, however might not be possible with prior art devices. In case there are several pets, such as more than one dog, a cat and a dog, few cats, etc. - then it may be required to feed each of them according to its needs. A smaller pet might receive a small meal, and a big pet might have a larger meal. It may be important to verify that each pet eats its own meal and does not take from the meals of the others.

Thus, providing precise amounts of food to pets, making sure they are okay and verifying their nutrition is kept - may be a major problem for owners while being away.

In case there is more than one pet, or if the pet is kept outside such as in the yard - it is further important to make sure the food is provided to it only - and not to other pets or animals. This may be true when there is more than one pet as well - and it is required to manage the food supply for each of them.

In addition, the owner may wish to communicate with the pet or to call it to eat. These features may not be possible today - a device which can reduce worries for the owner and may better care for the pet.

According to the present invention there is provided a novel Smart Automatic Animals Feeder, which will be referred as SAAF ™.

The SAAF can include sealed containers for providing food and water to the pets, additional mechanical means for improving food delivery and electronic and/or computer means for controlling the SAAF as well as for communicating, measuring and managing the SAAF.

Providing one or more pets with the adequate amount of food and/or water may be crucial for the pets, as well as for keeping their comfort. Using the SAAF, a more accurate amount of food and/or water may be provided to one or more pets that are left in the house, apartment or at the yard while the owner is away.

The novel SAAF device can supervise the pets for a short time period or for a long time period such as for several days or longer.

The food can be kept fresh within one or more sealed containers. Adequate amount of food provided, may reduce the risk the pet would eat too much or too less, using automatic feeding with means to check the status of the pets.

Using the SAAF may eliminate the need to allow others to enter the house or apartment or to access the yard in order to feed the animal.

The SAAF can include timer and time measuring means, however the amount of food provided from the container may vary, such as it may be increased in case the pet seem hungry, restless and looking for food or if it has lost weight.

Thus, the amount of food may be adjusted, as well as the number of meals. In addition, each meal can be divided to several food portions, so that an additional portion of food can be given after the pet finishes the current portion, this may reduce the amount of food wasted.

Measuring the weight of the pet by the SAAF can be easily implemented, such as by using scale means near a food tray from which the pet would eat. The weight of the pet may provide details as to its nutrition, and one may compare it with previous measurements, to identify trends in its weight change.

In addition, measuring the weight can allow identifying the animal, such as in case there is a dog and a cat in the house or a small and a much larger dog.

Meals and portions can be provided accordingly for each pet - controlling and managing the food allowance for each pet separately. It may be possible to identify a pet with electronic means as well, such as with an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification Device) tag.

Animals identification means are not limited to RFID. Other means may be used, each alone or a combination thereof, for example sounds recognition by applying digital signal processing techniques known in the art. There may be differences in a dog's bark or a cat's meow which can be used to identify it.

Similarly, sounds emitted by other animals may be advantageously used to identify them.

In case the animal is hungry at a certain time and approaches the SAAF for more food, then an additional amount of food can be provided.

The SAAF may allow checking for the status of the pet and the feeding while being away. The SAAF may be provided with a camera, such as a webcam with Internet connection, allowing the owner to see the animal, track and control its feeding and communicate with it.

In case there is a problem, the owner might call the pet through a speaker or hear it through a microphone. The owner can visually check the pet, and can make sure that it is okay. The owner can change the feeding setup - such as the mode of operation, number and schedule of meals, number of portions and their sizes, etc. It may also be possible to verify the SAAF does not have any problem and that it has enough food to provide.

The SAAF may be compatible with feeding several pets, feeding each of them according to need and definitions. Each pet can be supervised and may receive the proper meal for it. Using the SAAF it may be possible to verify each pet eats its own meal and does not take from the meals of the others. The SAAF may support feeding one pet or more, and can include the additional features, wherein each of them may provide new benefits, these additions may include: scale means, camera means, communication means, identification means such as RFID support, microphone, speaker, computation and memory means, electric motors or other electrically controlled means to control food delivery and mechanical means for keeping and providing the food.

These are just some of the possible features that may be possible by using the new SAAF.

Brief Description of Drawings

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of the pet feeder system

Figure 2 shows a cross- sectional view of the system

Figure 3 describes a block diagram of the system

Figure 4 describes in a flow chart the operation of the system

Figure 5 describes a flow chart for reporting and alerting

Modes for Carrying out the Invention

Referring to the drawings, a pet feeder system 1, preferably Smart Automatic Animals Feeder SAAF 1, can be implemented in a similar manner to that shown in Fig. 1. The SAAF should include food and/or water delivery means, such as one or more food trays 11 and one or more water plates 12. Water can be supplied at the side of the SAAF or not too close to the food tray, so that one animal can eat while another is drinking. In addition, water may be provided with less supervision or without limitation, so that the measures implemented for providing food need not be necessary for providing water, or other sort of drink.

Dry food filling opening, may be preferably on SAAF's top, such as the dry food reservoir upper cover 13, shown in Fig 1. Water filling opening may be preferably placed on SAAF's top as well, such as the presented water reservoir upper cover 14.

The user can preset the SAAF using a keyboard or keypad 16 or any other input means. Thus, it is possible to program the SAAF, change definitions or check its status and definitions using input means. The display 15 can present any relevant data as to programming status, and the physical condition of the SAAF, such as how much food and water are left.

RF transceiver antenna 17 may preferably include radio-frequency identification (RFID) support means, as well as optional additional communication means, such as Bluetooth or any other wireless protocol or means. These means allow sensing nearby animals, if they have a tag such as an RFID tag, or optionally communicate with the user who is nearby, or through an existing cellular or other wireless network - allowing communication even as the user is far away.

Animals identification may be made according to an RFID, characteristic sounds recognition using digital signal processing (DSP) means, weighing the animal, visual or IR signature, other means or a combination thereof.

A loudspeaker 181 allows communicating with the animal, either automatically by the SAAF or manually by the user, when the user is away. The loudspeaker may also send commands or issue an alarm if there is a problem with the SAAF.

The loudspeaker may also be used to chase away other animals, such as when a portion is served for a specific animal, or if it is desired to call another animal, that is one other than the one which is presently near the SAAF. A microphone 182 allows the distant user to hear the animal and communicate with it through the SAAF, such as through a distant computer, cellular phone or other accessory with communication abilities.

The microphone can also enable listening to the animal and may allow identifying a problem automatically by the SAAF, such as if an animal howls or is in pain. It may also help identify the animal in case there is more than one animal, such as if there is a dog and a cat - with different voices.

A web camera 183 allows further identification of the animal, monitoring whether it is hungry or does not eat all of its meal. This may allow planning future portion, tracking its nutrition and notifying the user.

The web camera may be used to either watch the animal automatically by the SAAF or manually by the user, so that the user can visually check whether the animal is okay, using a distant computer, cellular phone or other accessory with communication abilities.

A flashlight 184 may be used to view the animal in darkness, or to illuminate the food for the animal if there is not enough light, or to mark the food for the animal, such as with or without playing voices in the loudspeaker 181 , for the animal to come and eat.

It may be possible to record the animal. It may also be possible to record the user, so that the SAAF can call the animal using voices familiar to it.

Although specific locations for the components of the system were shown to illustrate the invention, it is to be understood that other components locations are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

Fig. 2 presents a preferred embodiment of the pet feeder system 1 SAAF. A food tray 11 may provide the food. The tray may be horizontal or beveled, so that food would slide forward, to the right lower side of the tray. The food may be provided from a dry food reservoir 21, which can be manually filled upon opening the dry food reservoir upper cover 13.

A helical feeder 23 at the bottom of the dry food reservoir can supply the food by rotating and moving the food along its helix. The helical feeder mechanism can both control the amount of food provided and seal the food within. The helical feeder 23 can be connected directly or through gears to a feeding motor 22. The feeding motor is preferably controlled by the SAAF, allowing controlling food delivery in real time according to the SAAF programming.

The water reservoir 31 may be preferably sealed using the reservoir's upper cover 14. Water can be provided according to plan or without limitation, through a feeding tube 34 to a shallow water plate 12.

A water supply vacuum tube 35 is fixed at the maximum allowed height of water in the shallow water plate 12.

Thus, whenever the water level is below the opening of the tube 34 at the plate, air may flow into the reservoir and water are delivered to the plate 12.

A solenoid 32 or other means, may be placed near the water reservoir outlet, to block water delivery, such as in case the SAAF does monitor the water supply, or if the water are running out too fast, when it is desired to open the cover, etc. A dismountable filter 33 may be placed to ensure the water remain clean.

In another embodiment or as an addition to the above mechanism, a continuous flow of water is provided, to keep the water fresh in plate 12 and to prevent stale water, putrefaction, etc.

The system may further include means for repelling insects, as known in the art. Such means may prevent insects from contaminating the food and/or water. For example, unused food may be returned to the system for future use. Cover means may be used to cover the food and/or water trays when not in use.

The system may be powered from electrical mains, from a battery or solar cells. Solar cells may be used together with secondary batteries.

The system's power supply unit 39 may be placed under or near the food tray 11, for using its warmth to heat the food.

As an animal approaches the SAAF it may be weighed by a weighing plate 41, during or before the animal eats. The weighing plate 41 may be connected to a hinge, which is placed at an axis of rotation point 44.

Weighing the animal may help decide whether to increase its portion, check its nutrition and identify it as well. In one embodiment, an air balloon 42 is placed below the weighing plate 41 and connected to a pressure sensor 43, which can allow deriving the animal's weight, or provide a signal representing its approximate weight.

Other weighing means may be used as known in the art. These may include, for example, a piezoelectric force transducer.

The SAAF 1 may be shaped in such a manner as to provide an efficient operation of the electronic components, and provide a sufficient space within for food and water. The SAAF should be big enough so that the animal will not be able to overturn it. The display 15 should preferably be placed on top or at the upper area, to allow the user to read it easily.

The keyboard, keypad or other input mean, should preferably be placed near or close to the display 15. RF transceiver antenna can be placed on top, or within the SAAF, so as not to interfere with the animal. In this embodiment, the loudspeaker 181 can be placed above or near the tray 41, for allowing the animal to hear it effectively, and for calling the animal to the food. The microphone 182 should be placed near or above the tray as well.

Ultrasonic transmitter means may be used to communicate with the animal.

The sounds transmitted may be at such frequency, intensity, modulation etc so as to interact with the intended animal to achieve a desired effect.

The web camera 183 should preferably be able to monitor the tray, in order to verify food is provided and eaten by the animal and to see the animal.

It may be possible that the web camera will be able to monitor the area as well, to identify whether the animal is nearby, to weight it properly and to allow the user to see it properly.

The flashlight 184 can be placed so that it would efficiently light the food tray and/or the front area of the SAAF.

The dry food reservoir upper cover 13 and the water reservoir upper cover 14, should preferably be placed on top, be big enough to allow easy insertion of food and water respectively, and provide sufficient sealing for the food and water.

A constant flow of water may be provided, to prevent stale water, to clean the system, etc.

The food may be kept closed and protected to prevent access from insects and parasites.

The system may be also used to administer medicines and for vaccinations, as well as keeping track of such activities.

The above considerations regarding the structure and relative location of components of the SAAF are not mandatory. Various structures may be used for implementing the system according to the present invention.

A typical system embodiment of the SAAF may include the components described in the block diagram in Fig. 3, wherein the SAAF can be operated by a microcontroller 51 , a computer or other decision logic equivalent with programmable memory means.

The microcontroller can be directly and immediately operated through keyboard means 16. The user can preferably navigate in menus and options of the SAAF, displayed by the microcontroller on display 15.

Commands may also be sent wirelessly using RF transceiver means 52. Feedback information can then be sent back through the RF transceiver means as well. The RF (radio frequency) communications may be implemented using a cellular network, a dedicated communication network, Bluetooth, etc.

It is possible to connect the SAAF to an external computer, for a more powerful interface, such as for programming the SAAF, reading and processing reports, etc.

The SAAF may be connected to the Internet, for easy and flexible control, activation and/or programming as desired from any location. In such applications, it should preferably also include protection means to prevent unauthorized access.

The programming may include additional data required for taking care of the animal, for example keeping track of vaccination, drugs treatment, etc.

Additional means, or the same means, may also be used to sense and identify the animal using RFID or other wireless technology.

The microcontroller may further include memory means, in which definitions by the user and activities log are kept. Preferably, the microcontroller includes a timer or clock, for performing scheduled tasks. According to the algorithm in use, current conditions and commands, the SAAF may operate the dry food feeding motor 22, which can rotate the helical feeder 23 and will supply food accordingly.

A water level sensor 38 may check the status of the water either in the water reservoir or in the water plate. Water supply can be controlled accordingly by the water supply solenoid 32. This option can be implemented instead or in addition to the automatic water filling mechanism controlled by vacuum.

In addition, the SAAF can also monitor how much water are consumed by the animals, either the overall amount or per animal, if they can be so identified. Water may be supplied from a reservoir in the SAAF, and/or from an external source of water.

The power supply 39 provides the required voltage and/or current supply to the electronic components. It may be placed near the food and/or water so that its heat is used to warm the food and/or water.

The power supply may be operated from mains electricity. Alternately, other energy sources may be used, such as an internal battery, solar cells, etc.

The microcomputer may monitor the pressure sensor 43, the microphone 182, the web camera 183 and transceiver and/or RFID means 185.

Using these means as well as other sensors may allow sensing the presence of the animal by the SAAF, logging and responding accordingly. The loudspeaker 181 and flashlight 184 may be used accordingly, or may be used according to any algorithm defined to monitor, guide or communicate with the animal.

In another embodiment, an external computer may be used to replace the controller, for example an external connection to a personal computer or a laptop. The computer may prepare and send reports regarding the animal feeding, behavior, etc. A method for operating a feeding system such as using the SAAF, is described in a flow chart in Fig. 4. Initial programming of the feeding system 61, is done by the user who can either choose an existing scenario or define a new one. The user can define feeding times, in which the system may provide food and/or water, or may perform various operations in order to feed the animal.

It may be possible to define in the programming the feeding of more than one animal. Among other options, it may be possible to set feeding times for one or more animals, the number and size of each meal, the number of portions, etc.

If a feeding time 62 has arrived or is about to arrive, for one or more of the animals, then it is possible to perform RFID checks 63, in order to identify the animals. As one of the animals, which should be fed are recognized using RFID checks or other means, food and/or water may be supplied 64.

The eating and nutrition of the animal can be checked and monitored visually.

It is also possible to weigh a pet 65, before, after or during its eating.

Activities performed can be logged, and variables can be calculated and stored, such as how much the pet has eaten, its weight and behavior. The method may be repeated as required for continuous and proper feeding of the pets.

Reporting activities 66 can be done each time the pet eats, when there is an error, or periodically such as once a day after all the days' meals where eaten by the pets. Preferably, reports are sent to the user or can be accessed by the user wirelessly or by other means, while being away.

A method for monitoring one or more pets, with reporting and alerting is described in a flow chart in Fig 5, wherein programming the feeding system 61 or initially selecting a program by the user, may determine the SAAF mode of operation. Accordingly, the SAAF may implement the feeding program 681 for each animal, such as dogs, cats, etc.

In a normal mode of operation, the animals may receive meals and portions, as was predefined by the user. The SAAF can monitor problems 683, such as by checking food consumption 682, the status of each animal, pet weight, what meals did it finish, did it look for more food, etc.

In case there are no problems 683, the SAAF may report activities 66 and detail the status and log for each of the animals, as requested by the user.

If there is a problem 683, the SAAF may decide whether it can be corrected? 684.

For example, by providing more or less food according to the pet' s weight, calling the animal in case it did not arrive to eat for too long, etc.

If the problem can be solved 684, then the SAAF can update/adapt a feeding program 685 accordingly and log the problems 686.

If the SAAF detected a problem, which arouse and could not be solved, or a severe problem, then it may issue an Alarm 687. The alarm may include making an immediate contact with the user, allowing him to take over control. The SAAF may report activities 66 on a regular basis and/or as was programmed.

It will be recognized that the foregoing is but one example of a system and method within the scope of the present invention, and that various modifications will occur to those skilled in the art upon reading the disclosure set forth hereinbefore.

Industrial Applicability

The invention relates to an apparatus for electronically controlled feeding for animals.

The automatic pets feeding device may be manufactured in an industrial scale. It including reservoir means for food and/or water, memory means for programming the device and logging pet activities, input means for monitoring one or more animals, and means for supplying the food and/or water from the reservoir means to a pet according to the program stored in the memory means.

The corresponding method may be used to operate the hardware of the device.

Claims

1. An automatic pets feeding device, including reservoir means for food and/or water, memory means for programming the device and logging pet activities, input means for monitoring one or more animals, and means for supplying the food and/or water from the reservoir means to a pet according to the program stored in the memory means.

2. The automatic pets feeding device according to claim 1 wherein the device further includes communication means for contacting a pet's owner while away.

3. The automatic pets feeding device according to claims 1 or 2, wherein the device further includes scale means for weighing one or more pets.

4. The automatic pets feeding device according to claims 1, 2 or 3, wherein the device further includes camera means for looking on one or more pets.

5. The automatic pets feeding device according to claims 1, 2, 3 or 4 wherein the device further includes wireless identification means for identifying one or more pets.

6. A method for feeding one or more pets automatically, using a feeding device, comprising:

A. Programming or selecting meals and portions definitions for the pets in advance; B. Identifying each pet, supplying meals and portions to the pets according to definitions;

C. Weighing the pets and tracking their weight;

D. Logging activities, weighs and problems detected; E. Reporting the user and allowing the user to adjust programming.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein weighing the pet is performed before or during a pet eats its meal or portion.

8. The method according to claims 6 or 7, wherein the user can interactively communicate with the pet near the device, while being away.

9. The method according to claims 6, 7 or 8, wherein the user can see the pet near the device, while being away.

10. The method according to claims 6, 7, 8 or 9 wherein meals and portions are updated automatically by the device, according to the pet's weight.

11. An automatic pets feeding device comprising a reservoir for food, a reservoir for water, memory means for programming the device and logging pet activities, web camera and lighting means, scale means, an electric motor for supplying food, display means, microphone, loudspeaker and wireless communication means.

12. An automatic pets feeding device substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1-5 of the accompanying drawings.