CA2208481A1 - Real-time weighing device - Google Patents
Real-time weighing deviceInfo
- Publication number
- CA2208481A1 CA2208481A1 CA002208481A CA2208481A CA2208481A1 CA 2208481 A1 CA2208481 A1 CA 2208481A1 CA 002208481 A CA002208481 A CA 002208481A CA 2208481 A CA2208481 A CA 2208481A CA 2208481 A1 CA2208481 A1 CA 2208481A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- container
- strain
- food
- weighing device
- real
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 238000005303 weighing Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 12
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- 230000004308 accommodation Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 5
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 241000282326 Felis catus Species 0.000 description 5
- 241001465754 Metazoa Species 0.000 description 4
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000012360 testing method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000001133 acceleration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000013459 approach Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000006399 behavior Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000013461 design Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000009826 distribution Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012544 monitoring process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000704 physical effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000003825 pressing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000002787 reinforcement Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
- A01K—ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; AVICULTURE; APICULTURE; PISCICULTURE; FISHING; REARING OR BREEDING ANIMALS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; NEW BREEDS OF ANIMALS
- A01K5/00—Feeding devices for stock or game ; Feeding wagons; Feeding stacks
- A01K5/02—Automatic devices
- A01K5/0275—Automatic devices with mechanisms for delivery of measured doses
- A01K5/0283—Automatic devices with mechanisms for delivery of measured doses by weight
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G01—MEASURING; TESTING
- G01G—WEIGHING
- G01G19/00—Weighing apparatus or methods adapted for special purposes not provided for in the preceding groups
- G01G19/40—Weighing apparatus or methods adapted for special purposes not provided for in the preceding groups with provisions for indicating, recording, or computing price or other quantities dependent on the weight
- G01G19/413—Weighing apparatus or methods adapted for special purposes not provided for in the preceding groups with provisions for indicating, recording, or computing price or other quantities dependent on the weight using electromechanical or electronic computing means
- G01G19/414—Weighing apparatus or methods adapted for special purposes not provided for in the preceding groups with provisions for indicating, recording, or computing price or other quantities dependent on the weight using electromechanical or electronic computing means using electronic computing means only
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mathematical Physics (AREA)
- Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
- Environmental Sciences (AREA)
- Birds (AREA)
- Animal Husbandry (AREA)
- Biodiversity & Conservation Biology (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Feeding And Watering For Cattle Raising And Animal Husbandry (AREA)
- Arrangements For Transmission Of Measured Signals (AREA)
- Recording Measured Values (AREA)
- Management, Administration, Business Operations System, And Electronic Commerce (AREA)
Abstract
The invention relates to a real-time weighing device, so as to monitor and measure the taking of food by pets, which comprises, in a frame (3), at least one support (14) allowing accommodation of a container which accommodates the food for said pets, at least one strain-gauge sensor (1) mechanically connected to said support and an electronic card wired up to said sensor (1) for information storage.
Description
, CA 02208481 1997-06-12 ~ ~
~ ,. .
Real-time weighing device The invention relates to a real-time weighing device, so as to monitor the taking of food by pets.
Currently, there exists no real-time weighing device having two weighings, of simple design, having a degree of autonomy, of small size and able to be moved easily without the risk of damage.
The invention relates to a real-time weighing device, so as to monitor the taking of food by pets, comprising, in a frame, at least one support allowing accommodation of a container which accommodates the food for said pets, at least one strain-gauge sensor mechanically connected to said support and an electronic card wired up to said sensor for information storage.
The device according to the invention is intended to determine the habits of the owners of cats or other domestic animals with regard to the distribution of food as well as the behavior of the animal, by storing in memory all the events which may be measured on the container intended for feeding said animals.
To this end, the device comprises an electronic card for the information storage formed by at least one analog-to-digital converter, the microcontroller and its peripherals and a connector intended to accommodate a memory card.
In a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, this comprises two supports allowing accommodation of a container, two strain-gauge sensors and an electronic card with two analog-to-digital converters. The advantage of this embodiment is that it allows simultaneous monitoring of what is happening on each container, so as, for example, to make comparisons between two different products.
The principle of operation is as follows: the device allows real-time acquisition of any event occurring on each food container. By event, it is necessary to take into consideration any type of -movement, of variation and of acceleration exerted on the food container which will be measured by the strain-gauge sensor fastened to this container. The sensor will translate this action into an electrical signal. The analog-to-digital converter converts this voltage into digital information and forwards it to the microcontroller which processes it in order to record it in the memory card.
For the device according to the invention, any intended action on the container or containers is an event. These may be the following actions:
- removing the containers holding the food;
- placing the containers holding the food; and - any operation on the container or containers which results in an increase or decrease in the weight in the containers.
When an event takes place on a container, the device records the date and time of the start of this event, the number of the strain-gauge sensor which is stressed and the last stable weight measured by said strain-gauge sensor. As soon as this event comes to an end, the device records the date and time of the end of the event, the number of the strain-gauge sensor which was stressed, with the new stable weight measured by the strain-gauge sensor. This new weight value becomes the reference weight for the following event.
The device according to the invention employs a storage battery allowing the electronic assembly to be supplied with power. It is therefore completely autonomous for 5-6 days. Thereafter, it is necessary only to connect it to the mains in order to recharge said battery. The device may remain on test at an individual's home for 1 month or more. At the end of the test, all that is required is to extract the memory card from it and to process the information contained therein. In a variant, it is also possible to provide a socket on the device according to the invention in order to be connected directly to a PC. A program for managing the balance enables parameters to be assigned to it and enables the events to be displayed.
The result is a two-container device which is very compact, for example having dimensions of 40 cm x 30 cm and 7 cm in height.
The rest of the description will now be made with reference to the drawings in which:
Fig. 1 is a side view, in the open position of the device;
Fig. 2 is a view from the other side of the same device;
Fig. 3 is an exploded diagrammatic view of the device according to the invention; and Fig. 4 is a more detailed diagrammatic representation of a strain-gauge sensor.
The device takes the form of a rectangular box consisting of:
1- an upper casing (11);
2- a frame (3) accommodating the following elements:
* four feet (18);
* two reinforcement plates (19) for the strain-gauge sensors;
* two sets of strain-gauge sensors (1, 2);
* a circular support (14) which positions and stabilizes a first container (13) accommodating the food and connected to the strain-gauge sensor (1);
* a second circular support (16) which positions and stabilizes a second container (15) accommodating the food and connected to the second strain-gauge sensor (2);
* a mechanical connection (22), for example by means of a screw, allowing connection of the supports (14, 16) to their corresponding strain-gauge sensor (1, 2);
* a storage battery (5);
- - -* a wired-up electronic card (20) connected at (23) to the strain-gauge sensors (1, 2) and consisting of:
- a digital unit controlled by a microcontrol-ler with all its peripherals;
- an analog-to-digital converter A/D1 for the first container;
- an analog-to-digital converter A/D2 for the second container; and - a system ~or permanently checking the voltage of the battery (5) for supplying power to the printed circuit and elements for protecting the information stored in the memory card (21);
~ ,. .
Real-time weighing device The invention relates to a real-time weighing device, so as to monitor the taking of food by pets.
Currently, there exists no real-time weighing device having two weighings, of simple design, having a degree of autonomy, of small size and able to be moved easily without the risk of damage.
The invention relates to a real-time weighing device, so as to monitor the taking of food by pets, comprising, in a frame, at least one support allowing accommodation of a container which accommodates the food for said pets, at least one strain-gauge sensor mechanically connected to said support and an electronic card wired up to said sensor for information storage.
The device according to the invention is intended to determine the habits of the owners of cats or other domestic animals with regard to the distribution of food as well as the behavior of the animal, by storing in memory all the events which may be measured on the container intended for feeding said animals.
To this end, the device comprises an electronic card for the information storage formed by at least one analog-to-digital converter, the microcontroller and its peripherals and a connector intended to accommodate a memory card.
In a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, this comprises two supports allowing accommodation of a container, two strain-gauge sensors and an electronic card with two analog-to-digital converters. The advantage of this embodiment is that it allows simultaneous monitoring of what is happening on each container, so as, for example, to make comparisons between two different products.
The principle of operation is as follows: the device allows real-time acquisition of any event occurring on each food container. By event, it is necessary to take into consideration any type of -movement, of variation and of acceleration exerted on the food container which will be measured by the strain-gauge sensor fastened to this container. The sensor will translate this action into an electrical signal. The analog-to-digital converter converts this voltage into digital information and forwards it to the microcontroller which processes it in order to record it in the memory card.
For the device according to the invention, any intended action on the container or containers is an event. These may be the following actions:
- removing the containers holding the food;
- placing the containers holding the food; and - any operation on the container or containers which results in an increase or decrease in the weight in the containers.
When an event takes place on a container, the device records the date and time of the start of this event, the number of the strain-gauge sensor which is stressed and the last stable weight measured by said strain-gauge sensor. As soon as this event comes to an end, the device records the date and time of the end of the event, the number of the strain-gauge sensor which was stressed, with the new stable weight measured by the strain-gauge sensor. This new weight value becomes the reference weight for the following event.
The device according to the invention employs a storage battery allowing the electronic assembly to be supplied with power. It is therefore completely autonomous for 5-6 days. Thereafter, it is necessary only to connect it to the mains in order to recharge said battery. The device may remain on test at an individual's home for 1 month or more. At the end of the test, all that is required is to extract the memory card from it and to process the information contained therein. In a variant, it is also possible to provide a socket on the device according to the invention in order to be connected directly to a PC. A program for managing the balance enables parameters to be assigned to it and enables the events to be displayed.
The result is a two-container device which is very compact, for example having dimensions of 40 cm x 30 cm and 7 cm in height.
The rest of the description will now be made with reference to the drawings in which:
Fig. 1 is a side view, in the open position of the device;
Fig. 2 is a view from the other side of the same device;
Fig. 3 is an exploded diagrammatic view of the device according to the invention; and Fig. 4 is a more detailed diagrammatic representation of a strain-gauge sensor.
The device takes the form of a rectangular box consisting of:
1- an upper casing (11);
2- a frame (3) accommodating the following elements:
* four feet (18);
* two reinforcement plates (19) for the strain-gauge sensors;
* two sets of strain-gauge sensors (1, 2);
* a circular support (14) which positions and stabilizes a first container (13) accommodating the food and connected to the strain-gauge sensor (1);
* a second circular support (16) which positions and stabilizes a second container (15) accommodating the food and connected to the second strain-gauge sensor (2);
* a mechanical connection (22), for example by means of a screw, allowing connection of the supports (14, 16) to their corresponding strain-gauge sensor (1, 2);
* a storage battery (5);
- - -* a wired-up electronic card (20) connected at (23) to the strain-gauge sensors (1, 2) and consisting of:
- a digital unit controlled by a microcontrol-ler with all its peripherals;
- an analog-to-digital converter A/D1 for the first container;
- an analog-to-digital converter A/D2 for the second container; and - a system ~or permanently checking the voltage of the battery (5) for supplying power to the printed circuit and elements for protecting the information stored in the memory card (21);
3- On the side, a hinged door (4) kept shut by a spring, giving access to the following elements:
* a connector with ejector (6) intended to accommodate the memory card (21);
* a PC-compatible socket (8); and * a power-on warning light (7);
* a connector with ejector (6) intended to accommodate the memory card (21);
* a PC-compatible socket (8); and * a power-on warning light (7);
4- On the other side, a socket (9) intended to accommodate an external charger (not shown); and 5- A removable door (12) giving access to the two containers intended for the cat to feed from.
The operation of the device according to the invention is as follows: the device is laid on a flat surface, ensuring that the former is stable. After having removed the lid (12) and having checked that the two empty containers (13) and (15) have been put in place on their respective supports (14) and (16), the memory card (21) is inserted into its connector (6) for energization. This energization is displayed by the indicator light (7).
The device then zeroes the two strain-gauge sensors (1, 2); the weight measured is then zero, corresponding to the weight of the empty containers.
The device records the following elements and stores them ln the memory card (21):
- date in the day/month/year format;
-~ -- 5 - time, in the hour/minute/second format;
- the value of the No. 1 weighing, in the 10000 format; and - the value of the No. 2 weighing, in the 20000 format.
These recordings constitute the starting point for all future events. The device is thus ready to be used.
The user removes the first container (13) and/or the second container (15) so as to fill them with food, this action being stored in memory as event 1.
The user puts the first container (13) and/or the second container (15) back on the respective supports (14) and/or (16), this action being stored in memory as event 2.
The cat approaches the device and makes his choice of food (should both containers be filled) and starts to eat from one of the two containers (13) or (15). The strain-gauge sensor (1) or (2) corresponding to this container is stressed. The strain-gauge sensor will translate this physical action into an electrical signal. This voltage is presented at the input of the analog-to-digital converter A/D1 or A/D2 of the electronic card (20). The converter converts this voltage into digital information and forwards it to the microcontroller. This digital value is processed in order to be recorded in the memory card (21) with the date and time information. This action is stored in memory as event 3.
The cat stops eating, this action being stored in memory as event 4. At each intervention on the containers by the user or by the cat, whatever the time during the day or night, the events are stored in memory in the data-retention card (21). Each event is recorded at the precise moment when it occurs.
The device according to the invention records all the events which result from a change in the value of the weight measured in each container.
The operation of the device according to the invention is as follows: the device is laid on a flat surface, ensuring that the former is stable. After having removed the lid (12) and having checked that the two empty containers (13) and (15) have been put in place on their respective supports (14) and (16), the memory card (21) is inserted into its connector (6) for energization. This energization is displayed by the indicator light (7).
The device then zeroes the two strain-gauge sensors (1, 2); the weight measured is then zero, corresponding to the weight of the empty containers.
The device records the following elements and stores them ln the memory card (21):
- date in the day/month/year format;
-~ -- 5 - time, in the hour/minute/second format;
- the value of the No. 1 weighing, in the 10000 format; and - the value of the No. 2 weighing, in the 20000 format.
These recordings constitute the starting point for all future events. The device is thus ready to be used.
The user removes the first container (13) and/or the second container (15) so as to fill them with food, this action being stored in memory as event 1.
The user puts the first container (13) and/or the second container (15) back on the respective supports (14) and/or (16), this action being stored in memory as event 2.
The cat approaches the device and makes his choice of food (should both containers be filled) and starts to eat from one of the two containers (13) or (15). The strain-gauge sensor (1) or (2) corresponding to this container is stressed. The strain-gauge sensor will translate this physical action into an electrical signal. This voltage is presented at the input of the analog-to-digital converter A/D1 or A/D2 of the electronic card (20). The converter converts this voltage into digital information and forwards it to the microcontroller. This digital value is processed in order to be recorded in the memory card (21) with the date and time information. This action is stored in memory as event 3.
The cat stops eating, this action being stored in memory as event 4. At each intervention on the containers by the user or by the cat, whatever the time during the day or night, the events are stored in memory in the data-retention card (21). Each event is recorded at the precise moment when it occurs.
The device according to the invention records all the events which result from a change in the value of the weight measured in each container.
Each variation resulting in a new weight value measured by the first strain-gauge sensor causes the date, time and quantity consumed in the first container and the value of the weight r~m~;n;ng in said container to be recorded.
Each variation resulting in a new weight value measured by the second strain-gauge sensor causes the date, time and quantity consumed in the second container and the value of the weight rem~;n;ng in said container to be recorded.
Inappropriate variations corresponding to measurements of draughts, pressing on the container, removal of the container or any handling operation which ends up not resulting in a weight value different from the starting weight measurement is not recorded in the memory card (21).
It is obvious that instead of having two supports (14, 16), it is possible to have three or more of them, depending on the number of comparisons which it is desired to make using the domestic animal in question.
Each variation resulting in a new weight value measured by the second strain-gauge sensor causes the date, time and quantity consumed in the second container and the value of the weight rem~;n;ng in said container to be recorded.
Inappropriate variations corresponding to measurements of draughts, pressing on the container, removal of the container or any handling operation which ends up not resulting in a weight value different from the starting weight measurement is not recorded in the memory card (21).
It is obvious that instead of having two supports (14, 16), it is possible to have three or more of them, depending on the number of comparisons which it is desired to make using the domestic animal in question.
Claims (4)
1. Real-time weighing device, so as to monitor and measure the taking of food by pets, which comprises, in a frame, at least one support allowing accommodation of a container which accommodates the food for said pets, at least one strain-gauge sensor mechanically connected to said support and an electronic card wired up to said sensor for information storage.
2. Continuous weighing device according to claim 1, in which the wired-up electronic card consists of at least one analog-to-digital converter, the microcontroller and its peripherals and a connector intended to accommodate a memory card.
3. Continuous weighing device according to either of claims 1 and 2, which includes two supports allowing accommodation of a container, two strain-gauge sensors and an electronic card with two analog-to-digital converters.
4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, in which a storage battery allows the electronic assembly to be supplied with power.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| EP96202006.1 | 1996-07-15 | ||
| EP96202006A EP0819921A1 (en) | 1996-07-15 | 1996-07-15 | Real time weighing device |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2208481A1 true CA2208481A1 (en) | 1998-01-15 |
Family
ID=8224190
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002208481A Abandoned CA2208481A1 (en) | 1996-07-15 | 1997-06-12 | Real-time weighing device |
Country Status (8)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0819921A1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JPH1090040A (en) |
| AU (1) | AU2864697A (en) |
| BR (1) | BR9703970A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2208481A1 (en) |
| NO (1) | NO973043L (en) |
| NZ (1) | NZ328272A (en) |
| ZA (1) | ZA975044B (en) |
Families Citing this family (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE20308438U1 (en) * | 2003-05-28 | 2003-11-13 | Hammer Sport AG, 89231 Neu-Ulm | Feeding device for animals |
| WO2009056260A2 (en) * | 2007-11-01 | 2009-05-07 | Nestec S.A. | Remote data collecting systems and methods |
| BR112014021713B1 (en) * | 2012-03-06 | 2022-05-03 | Société Des Produits Nestlé S.A | Remote real-time data collection system, remotely data collection method and food taste testing method |
| JP2018509931A (en) * | 2015-02-06 | 2018-04-12 | ライオネス フィーディング テクノロジー インコーポレイテッド | Automated method and system for feeding animals |
| US10278363B2 (en) | 2016-02-05 | 2019-05-07 | Lioness Feeding Technology Inc. | Method and system for providing controlled food portions to an animal and assessing the animal's health |
| EP3328191A4 (en) * | 2016-06-15 | 2019-03-27 | Lioness Feeding Technology Inc. | Method and system for providing controlled food portions to an animal and assessing the animal's health |
| EP3599835A1 (en) | 2017-03-29 | 2020-02-05 | Mars, Incorporated | Device and method for dispensing product from a flexible package |
Family Cites Families (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3929277A (en) * | 1974-12-12 | 1975-12-30 | Universal Identification Syste | Animal food monitor |
| SE8404855D0 (en) * | 1984-09-28 | 1984-09-28 | Alfa Laval Agri Int | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FEEDING |
| FR2717922B1 (en) * | 1994-03-24 | 1996-06-07 | Master K | Method and device for transferring data between a weighing indicator and a central data processing unit. |
-
1996
- 1996-07-15 EP EP96202006A patent/EP0819921A1/en not_active Withdrawn
-
1997
- 1997-06-06 ZA ZA975044A patent/ZA975044B/en unknown
- 1997-06-12 CA CA002208481A patent/CA2208481A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1997-06-30 NO NO973043A patent/NO973043L/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1997-07-08 NZ NZ328272A patent/NZ328272A/en unknown
- 1997-07-14 AU AU28646/97A patent/AU2864697A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1997-07-14 JP JP9188716A patent/JPH1090040A/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1997-07-15 BR BR9703970A patent/BR9703970A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| NO973043D0 (en) | 1997-06-30 |
| ZA975044B (en) | 1999-02-05 |
| EP0819921A1 (en) | 1998-01-21 |
| BR9703970A (en) | 1998-10-06 |
| AU2864697A (en) | 1998-01-22 |
| NZ328272A (en) | 1999-04-29 |
| MX9705317A (en) | 1998-08-30 |
| JPH1090040A (en) | 1998-04-10 |
| NO973043L (en) | 1998-01-16 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |