WO2015005802A1

WO2015005802A1 - An improved stock handling device

Info

Publication number: WO2015005802A1
Application number: PCT/NZ2014/000138
Authority: WO
Inventors: Patrick David BLAMPIED
Original assignee: Te Pari Products Limited
Priority date: 2013-07-09
Filing date: 2014-07-09
Publication date: 2015-01-15

Abstract

Described herein is a stock handling device that automatically handles livestock and which includes a wireless controller, the wireless controller allowing wireless control of the device as well as integrating remote displaying of weight and/or stock identification information and optionally also manipulating and/or taking predetermined actions based on remotely received weight and/or identification information.

Description

AN IMPROVED STOCK HANDLING DEVICE

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application derives priority from New Zealand patent application number 609113 incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Described herein is an improved stock handling device. More specifically, a stock handling device is described that automatically handles livestock and which includes a wireless controller, the wireless controller allowing wireless control of the device as well as integrating remote displaying of weight and/or stock identification information and optionally also manipulating and/or taking predetermined actions based on remotely received weight and/or identification information. BACKGROUND ART

Auto drafting equipment is available and is in use on farms and in a number or other situations where stock is handled. Such equipment can be automated in a continuum from a user pushing buttons to make selected actions occur right through to the equipment performing all actions including drafting, handling and sorting animals with no user input at all.

Typically, irrespective of the degree of automation, control apparatus allow a user to halt and over-ride automatic actions. Controllers may be mounted on the equipment or more desirably, wireless controllers may be used. Hereafter the term 'wireless controller' or grammatical variations thereof may be interchanged with the term 'remote control' or grammatical equivalents thereof. One example of a stock handling device where automation occurs may be a sheep or cattle crush device used to hold or contain an animal in position and optionally also, the associated equipment such as directing fencing and gates.

The remote control allows a user to control the handling equipment from a distance. This is very beneficial since often the user needs to be mobile to be able to move about the device and surrounding equipment for example to direct stock, apply veterinary products, check for signs of animal health, check wool quality and other typical actions that take place when an animal is restrained or otherwise handled. Remote control operation also makes operation safer for both the user and animals since the user is well away from moving parts and animals are exhibit more relaxed behaviour when the user is not in their direction of movement.

While remote controllers are used in art apparatus, art devices do not integrate stock weight measurements or animal identification data with the remote control. Art stock handling devices may integrate a load cell or cells with the device to measure animal weight. A load cell or cells may be mounted underneath a weighing platform or various other assemblies may be used to weigh the animal. The animal may step onto or approximate to the load cell or cells and the animal weight measured. The load cell or cells may be wired to a display mounted on the device that may show the animal weight when measured.

In addition, an identification (ID) tag reader may also be integrated with art devices and the ID numbers sent to a wired and fixed processor such as a computer (or the weight display).

A disadvantage of these art sensors are that they are fixed and the information collected is not mobile. This then restricts movement of the user and in worst cases, data collected cannot be used in real time since the user is absent of the display. The collated data may be reviewed at a later date, but often this means additional work - for example to find a selected animal based on their ID tag and removing them from a herd/flock/mob/group post handling. This leads to more labour and misses an ideal opportunity to sort and address weight or ID tag related discrepancies in real time during the handling process.

A further issue with art remote controls is that they do not collate the weight and/or ID tag information wirelessly on the remote and subsequently use this information to automatically take pre-set actions. For example, it may be desirable to separate off selected weight stock from a herd. Art remote controls do not integrate weight and/or ID tag information into their automation or alert functionality.

As may be appreciated, providing remotely displayed weight and/or identification data and optionally, further acting on weight and/or identification data may be useful to address weight discrepancies, identify selected stock or to help automatically separate out selected weight stock whilst also allowing the user to remain mobile or at least to provide the public with a choice.

Further aspects and advantages of the improved stock handling device will become apparent from the ensuing description that is given by way of example only.

SUMMARY

In a first aspect, there is provided a stock handling device comprising:

(a) stock handling equipment; and

(b) a wireless controller that at least partly controls the stock handing equipment; and wherein the stock handling equipment wirelessly and automatically sends weight and/or stock identification data to the wireless controller and the wireless controller receives and displays the weight and/or stock information.

In a second aspect, there is provided a method of stock handling, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) semi or fully automatically directing, handling, measuring stock data, and managing stock based on measured stock data collected from a stock handling device; and wherein the measured data including stock weight and/or identification data, is sent to and displayed on a wireless controller.

In the above aspects, the wireless controller may also be used to send instructions to the equipment based on the weight and/or stock identification information. Instructions sent to the equipment may be via the user pushing or selecting certain parameters or action on the wireless controller. The wireless controller itself may also receive and process the information and automatically instructing the equipment to complete predetermined actions.

The above device and method have the advantage of allowing the user to control the handling equipment from a distance as well as view in real time, the animal weight and/or identification number or other selection criteria. As noted above, this allows the user to remain mobile and not have to view a fixed display. Real time display and related actions avoids double handling of stock and the extra time and cost associated with double handling.

The device also has the advantage of making operation simpler, therefore meaning that less skill is needed - for a user such as a farmer this may mean the ability to utilise lower skilled labour in stock handling and/or the ability to delegate responsibility to others.

A yet further advantage is the ability to programme the controller with one or more pre-set parameters around weight and/or stock identification information and then allowing the controller to automatically use this information to take pre-set actions. As noted above, it may be desirable to alert the user to any discrepancies and allow manual actions to be taken based on weight extremes. Alternatively, the controller may be programmed to take predetermined actions based on stock weight or identification data such as separating off selected weight stock from a herd. Such automated actions can be done via the remote controller and not via a fixed display on the device itself.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further aspects of the improved stock handling device will become apparent from the following description that is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a stock handling device and interactions with a remote control according to one embodiment;

Figure 2 illustrates an alternative schematic diagram of a stock handling device and

interactions with a remote control according to a second embodiment;

Figure 3 illustrates a flow sheet of one method with which the device and controller may operate and interact;

Figure 4 illustrates a photograph of an example remote control according to one embodiment in a front view; and

Figure 5 illustrates a photograph of the remote control of Figure 4 in a side view. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As noted above, described herein is a stock handling device that automatically handles livestock and which includes a wireless controller, the wireless controller allowing wireless control of the device as well as integrating remote displaying of weight and/or stock identification information and optionally also manipulating and/or taking predetermined actions based on remotely received weight and/or identification information.

For the purposes of this specification, the term 'about' or 'approximately' and grammatical variations thereof mean a quantity, level, degree, value, number, frequency, percentage, dimension, size, amount, weight or length that varies by as much as 30, 25, 20, 15, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, or 1 % to a reference quantity, level, degree, value, number, frequency, percentage, dimension, size, amount, weight or length.

The term 'substantially' or grammatical variations thereof refers to at least about 50%, for example 75%, 85%, 95% or 98%.

The term 'comprise' and grammatical variations thereof shall have an inclusive meaning - i.e. that it will be taken to mean an inclusion of not only the listed components it directly references, but also other non-specified components or elements.

The term 'stock handling device' or grammatical variations thereof may refer to a part of a stock handling device such as a crusher assembly or pen or may refer to a group of items collectively used to handle stock including a crusher or pen as well as fencing, gates, additional pens and drafting elements.

The terms 'wireless controller' and 'remote control' and grammatical variations thereof may be used interchangeably to refer to a device that is not physically connected to the stock handling equipment and which may be used to receive, display and optionally control at least selected aspects of the stock handling equipment.

In a first aspect, there is provided a stock handling device comprising:

(a) stock handling equipment; and (b) a wireless controller that at least partly controls the stock handing equipment; and wherein the stock handling equipment wirelessly and automatically sends weight and/or stock identification data to the wireless controller and the wireless controller receives and displays the weight and/or stock information.

The stock handling equipment may be fully automated with the device managing all aspects of stock movement including moving an animal into a holding pen, crusher equipment operation to hold an animal, weighing the animal, sensing an animal identification tag, opening an exit gate or gates from the pen and altering the drafting direction of the animal from a holding pen based on pre-set parameters. One specific example of a stock handling device may be a cattle crush unit sold by the applicant under their TE PARI TITAN™ trade mark.

The equipment may be programmed at a fixed point on the equipment such as a fixed screen and processor and the wireless controller used to operate certain functions. Alternatively, the wireless controller may be used for some or all aspects of the equipment programming.

The stock handling equipment incorporates weight measuring apparatus. In one embodiment, the apparatus may be a load cell or cells that an animal stands on directly. Alternatively, the load cell or cells may be stood on indirectly by the animal - for example, the animal may stand on a pre-formed stand or plinth and the stand or plinth may be mounted on a load cell or cells. The load cell or cells may transmit the measured weight wirelessly to the wireless controller directly or instead via an intermediate processor.

The stock handling equipment may also incorporate a stock identification tag reader. In one embodiment, the tag may be a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag in or on the animal and the stock handling equipment may include an RFID reader that receives and forwards the RFID information to the wireless controller. In an alternative embodiment, the tag may be a UHF identification tag in or on the animal and the stock handling equipment may include a UHF ID reader that receives and forwards the UHF ID information to the wireless controller. As should be appreciated, while RF and UHF options are specifically disclosed herein, other methods of identification may also be used with the device and method described herein.

In one embodiment, the wireless controller may be a purpose built remote control. As should be appreciated, stock handling equipment is typically positioned in outdoor and often difficult conditions for electronics including the presence of mud, water, adverse temperatures and other environmental factors. A specially designed wireless controller may be advantageous so as to ensure the unit is reliable in all conditions and to minimise maintenance and breakdowns.

Characteristics of a specifically designed controller may be a robust and water tight housing that can deal with falls, impacts, water, mud and so on. As should however be appreciated, the wireless controller, to be useful to the user, should ideally be relatively compact and light weight so that it is easy to carry and is not bulky or obstructing to movement.

In one embodiment, the wireless controller may comprise a housing with a face on one side, the face including one or more buttons and a display. The display may be an LCD display. The display may be an LED display. The display may be used to visually show the user stock weight and identification data in real time. The display may also be used to alert the user of any instrument issues, to help with adjusting and setting any pre-set parameters and to enable the user to be able to halt automatic operation.

The wireless controller may instead be a mobile wireless device. In one embodiment, the user installs an application on their device and that application may be used to interact with the equipment. Smart phones and tablets are for example one means of mobile device that many users have on hand at all times. Integrating the wireless controller functionality into such devices avoids the need for additional components and further, the user is able to avoid carrying extra items over and above the phone or tablet they would normally have on hand. Applications may also be useful as the software can be programmed so as to make the interface user friendly and minimise unwanted functions on a screen during normal operation.

The wireless controller may generate an alarm based on pre-set conditions being met or by preset condition not being met. The alarm generated by the controller may be an audible, or visual, or vibratory alarm, or combinations thereof. An audible alert may be a sound alarm. A visual alert may be a flashing screen or light. A vibratory alarm may be the wireless controller itself vibrating.

Information transferred to the wireless controller such as weight, identification information or other parameters of operation may be sent via a wireless transmission means such as a Wi-Fi™ network, Bluetooth™, a cellular network, a radio network, zigbee™ or other data transfer methods. Similarly, if so desired, instructions from the wireless controller may be transmitted back to the equipment from the controller via similar wireless transmission means.

The wireless controller may contain a processor (termed herein as a 'first processor').

The wireless controller may display parameters relating to the equipment and its operation on a display. The wireless controller may display stock weight and/or identification data. Additional data may also be displayed such as animal age, sex or breed. The data may be displayed in real time - that is when the animal steps on to the load cell, the measured weight is shown on the display.

The stock handling equipment may also contain a processer (termed herein as a second processor). The second processor may be fixed on the equipment and may collate and receive information about the equipment such as relative positions of parts such as gate and clamp positions. The second processor may also receive and collate data from sensors such as weight scales and identification readers.

In one embodiment the weight and/or stock identification information may be sent as separate signals to the wireless controller. In an alternative embodiment, the second processor in the equipment may collate weight and/or stock identification information and send one signal to the wireless controller. A signal sent from the wireless controller may be sent to the second processor (if present) or instead sent directly to signal receiving points on the equipment.

As should be appreciated, an alarm generated by the wireless controller may be used in a variety of ways, from simple noise generating alarms to receipt via Bluetooth™, a mobile network or a Wi-Fi™ network to a smartphone or tablet and that receiving device alerting the operator to a variable such as stock weight falling outside a pre-set range.

In a further embodiment the wireless controller may activate at least one function of the automated stock handling device such as opening a pen gate and directing the animal to a particular drafting pen. Wireless controller activation may occur in addition to other alerts occurring such as an audible alarm. Inclusion of automation to this extent may result in a greater cost however, it removes manual changing of equipment position or function and hence may further automate the handling process.

The wireless controller may include an alarm that is activated in the event of a signal not being received. Automatic equipment operation may also be halted when a signal is not received from the wireless controller. Alternatively, the wireless controller may be over ridden so that if no weight or stock identification data is received the unit operates as per a standard operating mode and functionality relating to weight and/or identification may be disabled.

As should be apparent, the device described herein may overcome art problems. The above device and method have the advantage of allowing the user to control the handling equipment from a distance as well as view, in real time, the animal weight and/or identification number. As noted above, this allows the user to remain mobile and not have to view a fixed display. Real time display and related actions avoids double handling of stock and the extra time and cost associated with double handling.

The device also has the advantage of making operation simpler, therefore meaning that less skill is needed to operate the device.

The embodiments described above may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more said parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which the embodiments relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as of individually set forth,

Where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.

WORKING EXAMPLES

The above described improved stock handling device is now described by reference to specific examples. EXAMPLE 1

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a schematic operation is illustrated according to two embodiments of the stock handling device.

An animal 1 enters a pen holding area 2. In the Figures, the pen 2 is an integrated animal handling device and weigh crate although other variations in arrangement may be used. The pen 2 may include a load cell or cells (or a platform or cradle) 3 on which the animal 1 stands. The pen 2 may also include an RFID reader 3a (or other identification tag reader appropriate to that in or on the animal) which, in the schematic, is also situated in or about the load cell 3. A processor 4 may be attached to the side of the pen 2 that collates information about the pen 2 and animal 1 status. Information may be orientation of gates, position of the animal 1 in the pen 2 as well as weight and/or RFID tag information.

As shown in the schematic of Figure 2, the processor 4 collates all of the received information and may transmit 5 some or all of the collated information to a remote control 6, for example, via a Wi-Fi™ network.

The remote control 6 has a display 7 and weight and/or RFID tag information may be shown on the remote control 6 display 7. The user (not shown) can manually push a button or buttons 8 to confirm a selected action and send a signal 9 back to the processor 4. Alternatively, the remote control 6 may autonomously send back a signal 9 to the processor 4 based on pre-set parameters. No signal 9 may return to the processor 4, for example, where the remote 6 is in a display only function or where no action needs to be taken based on the transmitted information 5.

An alternative embodiment is shown in Figure 1. . In this embodiment, individual sensors transmit 10 a signal or signals to the remote control 6 which then collates and actions the information received optionally transmitting back a signal 11 to the pen 2 or pen 2 processor 4..

Once the information is displayed and optionally, actioned, the pen 2 may open allowing the animal 1 to exit. The animal 1 may be drafted into a specific area marked generally with arrows A, B and C. The area to which the animal 1 may be drafted A, B, C may correlate to animal 1 weight and/or identification tag information. Selection of which drafting area A, B, C is used may be controlled via the remote control 6 either manually by the user pushing a button 8 to confirm the drafting area A, B, C or automatically where the remote control 6 or processor 4 is preprogrammed to separate animals 1 based on pre-set criteria.

As noted in the above description, the remote control 6 may be a purpose built unit or may instead be a smart phone, tablet or other wireless device with a purpose built software application installed on the device.

EXAMPLE 2

Figure 2 illustrates a flow sheet showing one means of operating the stock handling device. An animal enters the unit and the pen closes securing the animal as noted by the first and second boxes. Various data may be sensed but for the purposes of this example, two items are detected, the first being the animal weight and the second being a scan of the animal RFID tag. These two results are collated in this example by a wireless controller although optionally, a fixed processor may instead collate the results and send as one signal to the wireless controller. If the wireless controller is in a manual mode, the wireless controller may check the measured information against pre-set parameters and if the data falls within a set range, the information may be displayed on the wireless controller screen and the animal released from the pen. If the data falls outside pre-set parameters, the wireless controller may raise an alarm and halt automatic processing until the user performs a set function such as pushing a button to, for example, draft the animal separately to other animals.

If the wireless controller is in an automatic mode, the wireless controller may measure the data and determine if the data meets a pre-set criteria. If the data is within the pre-set range, the wireless controller may send a signal to open the pen and allow the animal to move on. If the data falls outside a present range, the wireless controller may automatically take a pre-set action such as automatically drafting the animal to a separate holding area.

Note that while the wireless controller in the above examples may transmit functions back to the equipment, controller operation may be to only display the animal weight and identity information and not perform some additional operation without user input.

EXAMPLE 3

Figure 3 and Figure 4 illustrate an example of a device specific wireless controller that may be used to operate the device according to one embodiment.

The remote 1 has a robust weatherproof housing 2 which is light weight and may be manufactured from a material which protects the internal electronics from damage if dropped or if it is used in adverse conditions. The housing 2 incorporates the electronics for remotely controlling the stock handling equipment such as stock drafting, weighing and handling equipment.

The housing 2 has a data receiver and integrated display for showing an animal's weight and identification.

The housing 2 additionally includes key pad connections for controlling remotely the stock drafting and handling equipment such as a cattle crush or drafting equipment.

The weigh scale electronic control system (not shown) within the housing 2 can include means for recording, storing and transmitting animal ID data and associated weight data to a personal computer or mobile device.

The screen is preferably a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen.

The housing 2 can include an in-built Bluetooth™, Wi-Fi™ or radio transmission system for connection to other equipment for control or data transfer.

Aspects of the improved stock handling device have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the claims herein.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A stock handling device comprising:

(a) stock handling equipment; and

2. The stock handling device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the wireless controller also is used to send instructions to the equipment based on the weight and/or stock identification information.

3. The stock handling device as claimed in claim 2 wherein instructions sent to the equipment is via a user pushing or selecting certain parameters or action on the wireless controller.

4. The stock handling device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the wireless controller itself receives and processes the information and automatically instructs the equipment to complete predetermined actions.

5. The stock handling device as claimed in any one of the above claims wherein the stock handling equipment is fully automated.

6. The stock handling device as claimed in any one of the above claims wherein the stock handling equipment incorporates weight measuring apparatus.

7. The stock handling device as claimed in any one of the above claims wherein the stock handling equipment incorporates a stock identification tag reader.

8. The stock handling device as claimed in any one of the above claims wherein the wireless controller is a purpose built remote control.

9. The stock handling device as claimed in any one of the above claims wherein the wireless controller is a mobile wireless device or wirelessly located computer.

10. The stock handling device as claimed in claim 9 wherein a user installs an application on their device and that application is used to interact with the equipment.

11. The stock handling device as claimed in any one of the above claims wherein the wireless controller generates an alarm based on pre-set conditions being met or by pre-set conditions not being met.

12. The stock handling device as claimed in claim 11 wherein the alarm generated by the controller is audible, visual, vibratory, or combinations thereof.

13. The stock handling device as claimed in any one of the above claims wherein information transferred to the wireless controller is sent via a wireless transmission means selected from: a Wi-Fi™ network, Bluetooth™, a cellular network, a radio network, zigbee.

14. The stock handling device as claimed in any one of the above claims wherein the stock handling equipment includes a processer fixed on the equipment that collates and receives information about the equipment including collating data on stock weight and identification tag data.

15. The stock handling device as claimed in any one of the above claims wherein the wireless controller activates at least one function of the stock handling device.

16. The stock handling device as claimed in any one of the above claims wherein the wireless controller includes an alarm that is activated in the event of a signal not being received form the equipment.

17. The stock handling device as claimed in any one of the above claims wherein automatic equipment operation is halted when a signal is not received from the wireless controller.

18. A method of stock handling, the method comprising the steps of: