WO2021136832A1

WO2021136832A1 - Beehivescale, beekeeping control device, apiary and beekeeping control system

Info

Publication number: WO2021136832A1
Application number: PCT/EP2020/088077
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jozef Smrkolj
Original assignee: Strip's D.O.O.
Priority date: 2020-01-02
Filing date: 2020-12-31
Publication date: 2021-07-08
Also published as: DE102020100021A1; DE102020100021B4; EP4084608A1

Abstract

To provide a beehivescale, beekeping control device, apiary and beekeeping control system a beehive scale (1) is provided, comprising: a base frame (100) having a central portion (110) and at least one side portion (130), respectively coupled to and extending from the central portion (110); a control module (PCBA) (20) disposed at the central portion (110); and at least one weight sensor (31, 32, 41, 42) disposed at the at least one side portion (130, 140) for determining a weight of a beehive placed on the beehive scale (1).

Description

BEEHIVESCALE, BEEKEEPING CONTROL DEVICE, APIARY AND BEEKEEPING CON TROL SYSTEM

Field of the Invention

[01] The present application relates to the field of a beekeeping control device for monitoring bee activity and particularly to the simplified and robust way of measurement and transmission beehive weights. In particular, it relates to a beehive scale, an apiary including a beehive scale and beekeep ing control system. Further, it relates to a Bluetooth reader connectable to a beehive or apiary. Technical Field

[02] A conventional beekeeping control device is described in W02018/165051. It describes an ap paratus for treatment of insect pollinators comprising a beehive scale for reporting the weight of the beehive and a plurality of sensors for temperature, humidity, light, etc. to monitor the environmental conditions inside the beehive. The control device includes a data acquisition module coupled to a beehive scale and being connected to the plurality of sensors disposed in the beehive.

Technical Problem

[03] A conventional beehive scale is useful for monitoring only one beehive. Each beehive scale comprises a plurality of electronic parts for data processing, storage and data transmission in the chassis of the beehive scale. Furthermore, transmitting of collected data requires a cellular network. Furthermore, a beehive scale is conventionally very spatial and cost demanding. A later installation of a beehive scale into existing apiaries, wherein the beehive scale has any data transmission ability is nearly impossible due to size limitations inside of the apiary and furthermore restricted in its ap plication to well accessible areas having a cellular network or any other communication network. [04] In case where plurality of beehives is positioned at the same location for example in an apiary, the conventional beekeeping device has a problem, that each beehive scale disposed under a single beehive comprises a transmitter for communication with a central server. Thus, each beehive has to have a single transmission channel to the server. As each transmitter communicates independently this can lead to signal disruptions and disturbances. Furthermore, the electronic required in each beehive is very cost intensive and complex.

[05] Furthermore, as a conventional beekeeping device required a WAN transmitter in the beehive scale, the conventional beekeeping device has a problem, that if one or a plurality of beehives is dis posed at the location with bad telecommunication network, communication between a server and the WAN transmitter is not possible.

[06] A conventional beekeeping device has furthermore a problem that if a plurality of beehives is assembled in an apiary, wherein the beehives are arranged in a rectangular grid such that they are disposed beside each other in a horizontal direction and above and below each other in a vertical di rection, e.g. in an assembly where a second beehive is disposed upon a first beehive, the conven tional beehive scales cannot be disposed between two beehives due to their spatial dimensions and size. Therefore, a conventional beekeeping device cannot be used for monitoring weight and envi ronmental conditions (T, relative humidity, etc.) of beehives assembled upon each other. Further more, it cannot be used in existing beehive and almost requires a full disassembly of the apiary or new set up to add the beehive to the apiary.

[07] Thus, one object of the present invention is to provide beehive scale being spatially smaller and requiring less production cost and less electronic parts comprised therein.

[08] Furthermore, it is an object to provide an apiary and a beekeeping control system comprising such a beehive scale being applied in rural or remote or isolated areas having limited network cover age and limited power supply.

[09] A further object is to ensure that data from a beehive can be transmitted reliable to a central en tity connected to a server, even if the beehive is located at a location with poor signal coverage. [10] Another object of the present invention is to provide a beehive scale which can be disposed un der an existing beehive and can be disposed between two beehives assembled upon each other.

[11] In a conventional beekeeping device only the data of environmental conditions (temperature, relative humidity, etc.) in a beehive are collected. However, also the local weather conditions out side the beehive such as temperature, air moisture, rainfall, wind speed, wind direction have an im pact on honey pasture.

[12] Thus, a further object is to provide a beekeeping device which gathers data about local weather conditions for improved monitoring of the beehive.

[13] A further object is to propose a flat thin structure of a beehive scale and/or to propose a struc ture of a beehive scale, which is resistant to damages from animals and environmental conditions. Finally, an object is to provide a supplementary device to a beehive scale which collects data from a plurality of beehive scales and transmit them to the server or provides data transmission or data ac cessibility from/to a user to the beehive scale.

[14] These objects are solved by the features of the independent claims. Preferred embodiments are given in the dependent claims.

[15] The main idea behind the invention is to provide a Beekeeping control device. The main com ponent is a beehive scale which could be placed easily under a beehive.

[16] The basic task of a beekeeper is to have strong and healthy bee families. Thus, it is necessary to enable an easy and effective control of the development of the bee families, the state of honey and the surroundings.

[17] Development and the strength of a bee family in addition to health of the bee families depends mainly on the constant input of food. This requires that the beekeeper must provide sufficient food for the bee family also in an event of a several days interruption of the honey pasture. Interruption or reduction of input can occur due to interruption of honey pasture or due to bad weather conditions or other unexpected events.

[18] In addition, occasionally it happens that some bee families begin to swarm. Usually the bee keeper notices swarming with delay.

[19] Furthermore, in case of a very intense honey pasture and optimal conditions the bees may fully fill up the beehive in a few days, so it is necessary in start to extract honey or to add empty honey combs to take advantage of honey pasture as much as possible.

[20] In autumn time, the so-called covered or silent robbery may occur in the bee family, which might not be noticed immediately, so such bee family might die due to lack of food through the win ter.

[21] Adequate control of the above events can be carried out by constantly and frequently monitor ing the weight of the beehives and the weather conditions and events in the area of the apiary or stand. The weather conditions are locally very different, since there are various weather conditions (rainfall, wind) which have strong effect but happen only very locally, so it is important to monitor the weather conditions generally and locally on a beehive.

[22] Beekeepers conventionally use various mechanical or digital scales. The disadvantage of such kind of scales is that it is possible to control only one hive. Some digital scales have a built-in mois ture or temperature sensors. However, such sensors are not sufficient to identify a precise weather condition because rainfall and wind may have significant impact on the honey pasture. Furthermore, the dimensions of such beehive scale are rather large. Thus, a later installing of a beehive scale un der existing beehives is nearly impossible.

[23] In one aspect a beehive scale is provided, comprising: a base frame having a central portion and at least one side portion, respectively coupled to and extending from the central portion; a control module disposed at the central portion; and at least one weight sensor disposed at the at least one side portion for determining a weight of a beehive placed on the beehive scale. [24] Preferably, the base frame may include two side portions or the base frame includes three side portions extending from a central portion.

[25] Preferably, the central portion may include a control module accommodation unit for accommo dating the control module. As the central portion is located below the beehive, the best protection for the control module and the shortest connections to the weight sensors and/or sensors in the bee hive are possible.

[26] Preferably, a cover may be coupled to the control module accommodation unit for closing the control module accommodation unit. This provides a safe access and a waterproof protection of the control module inside the control module accommodation unit.

[27] Preferably, the base frame may be formed at least partially as a hollow profile. This provides a stable construction and guarantees a low weight. Furthermore, the hollow space can be used for pro tecting the electronics and weight sensors.

[28] Preferably, one surface of the hollow profile may represent the upper side of the beehive scale for placing the beehive on the beehive scale, wherein the hollow profile may have an open portion directed to the bottom side of the beehive scale.

[29] Preferably, at least one weight sensor accommodation unit may be provided at the side portion and/or the central portion. Preferably, each side portion may include at least one weight sensor ac commodation unit for accommodating the weight sensor.

[30] Preferably, the at least one weight sensor accommodation unit may be opened to the upper side of the base frame facing the beehive and may be mainly closed to the bottom side of the base frame facing a bottom for placing the beehive scale. This allows a safe accommodation of the weight sen sor to provide a reliable measurement. So, the weight sensor is well protected from below. Prefera bly, each side portion may include at least one weight sensor accommodation unit for accommodat ing the weight sensor.

[31] Preferably, the at least one weight sensor accommodation unit may be opened to the bottom side of the base frame facing a bottom for placing the beehive scale and may be mainly closed to the upper side of the base frame facing the beehive, such that weight sensors can be accommodated into the sensor accommodation unit from the bottom side.

[32] Preferably, each side portion may have two weight sensor accommodation units, preferably, each for accommodating a weight sensor. By having two weight sensor accommodation units in each side portion each having one weight sensor a reliable measurement of the weight and a stable sup port of the beehive on the beehive scale is possible.

[33] Preferably, the at least one weight sensor accommodation unit may be disposed at a distal end of the side portion. The location at the end or distal position of the side portion provides a reliable measurement of the weight and a stable support of the beehive on the beehive scale.

[34] Preferably, the at least one weight sensor may be realized as load cell. Load cells are known as very robust especially in rough surroundings and they provide a precise weight value.

[35] Preferably, the at least one weight sensor may comprise a beehive scale contacting portion for transmitting the weight of the beehive to the sensing part of the weight sensor. So, no additional foot parts are necessary.

[36] Preferably, an elastic or flexible element may be placed at least between one of between the beehive scale contacting portion and the sensing part of the weight sensor. This facilitates the bal ancing of the beehive on the beehive scale. Furthermore, it avoids the necessity of having additional balancing means like adjustable supports extending downwardly from the beehive scale. So, the height of the scale could be kept small. Preferably, the elastic or flexible element at least partly ac commodated inside the beehive scale contacting portion.

[37] Preferably, the beehive scale contacting portion may protrude to a height higher than the upper surface of the base frame of the beehive scale. So, the beehive might be easily placed on the beehive scale and a reliable measurement of the weight of the beehive is possible. [38] Preferably, the weight sensor accommodation unit may comprise at least one support portion contacting a bottom surface for placing the beehive scale. Preferably, the at least one support portion may protrude downwardly. This provides additional but sufficient space between the base and the lower or bottom side of the beehive scale.

[39] Preferably, the weight sensor accommodation unit may comprise three support portions protrud ing downwardly for representing contacting points on which the beehive scale rests during opera tion.

[40] Preferably, the at least one weight sensor may be connected to the control module.

[41] Preferably, the at least one of the weight sensor may be covered with a protection member. This provides additional protection of the weight sensor and allows to remove the protection for manufac turing or maintenance .

[42] Preferably, the at least one weight sensor may be provided inside the weight sensor accommo dation unit to get in contact with the beehive if the beehive is placed on the upper side of the base frame.

[43] Preferably, at least one weight sensor may be a planar beam type load cell.

[44] Preferably, the base frame may comprise at least one weight sensor accommodation unit on which at least one weight sensor is disposed. The weight sensor accommodation unit provides con structional protection of the weight sensor and a structure for fixing

[45] Preferably, the weight sensor accommodation unit may be realized to be able to receive at least two different types of weight sensors. This allows a more convenient manufacturing and an adapta tion of the weight sensor to the beehive. Different weight sensors might be able to measure different weights dimensions or may have different sensitivity or preciseness for measurement of the weight.

[46] Preferably, the control module may be configured to receive a signal from at one of the weigh sensors. Thus, the control module can process the one or more weight values from the one or more weight sensors and process a total weight of the beehive which is then transmitted to the concentra tor.

[47] Preferably, the control module may be configured to receive other signals from further sensors associated to the beehive scale. The beehive scale and also the beehive itself can be equipped with other sensors for measuring additional values, like temperature, noise humidity. The one or more of these values might be transferred to the control module of the beehive scale for being transmitted to the concentrator.

[48] Preferably, the control module may comprise at least one of: a controller for receiving sensing signals from the at least weight sensor, for processing the at least one sensing signal and for output ting at least one weight signal, a communication module for wireless and/or wired communication with a remote station, an indicator and/or display; and a battery for power supply of the controller and/or the communication module and/or indicator or display.

[49] Preferably, the beehive scale may comprise four load cells. This provides the most preferred so lution. It is well balanced.

[50] Preferably, the beehive scale may further comprise protection tubes for accommodating connec tion lines. So, any damage by animals can be prevented.

[51] Preferably, the connection lines may connect the at least one weight sensor with the control module.

[52] Preferably, the protection tubes may be disposed on the bottom side of the base frame. So, they are placed inside the hollow parts of the profile and thus a further protection is achieved.

[53] Preferably, the base frame and/or the cover may be made of aluminum and/or have a material thickness of 1 to 2 mm. This provides a light weight of the beehive scale.

[54] Preferably, the base frame and/or the cover and/or the protection member are made by molding and/or die casting. This is a costs efficient way of producing a complex structure of the profile having many inner spaces and holes. So, the central portion and side portion might be manufactured as one piece or integrally providing highest structural rigidity.

[55] Preferably, the base frame, the cover and the protection member are made simultaneously by molding and/or die casting. Thus, no further assembling steps are necessary.

[56] Preferably, the central portion of the base frame is connected to the at least one side portion at approximately midway of the at least one side portion.

[57] Preferably, the central portion may comprise a control module accommodation unit and a pair of central guiding units connected at opposing sides of the control module accommodation unit, such that the control module accommodation unit may be disposed between the central guiding units and the central guiding unit may be connected respectively to one of the side portion.

[58] Preferably, at least one side portion may comprise two weight sensor accommodating units on which the weight sensors may be disposed at the weight sensor accommodating units.

[59] Preferably, a longitudinal guiding unit may be provided connecting the weight sensor accom modating unit, such that the weight sensor accommodating units may be disposed at the opposite sides of the longitudinal guiding unit.

[60] Preferably, a longitudinal guiding unit may be at its midway connected to a central guiding unit of the central portion.

[61] Apiary comprising the at least one beehive scale as claimed in one of the preceding claims, fur ther comprising: a central power supply and/or a central communication module.

[62] According to another aspect a beekeeping control system is provided, comprising: a concentra tor unit; at least one beehive scale, the at least one beehive scale is communicatively connected to the concentrator.

[63] The beehive scale might be realized as described above - however for the disclosure of the in vention with respect to a beekeeping control system and for the communication between the beehive scale, the apiary and or a mobile phone or any other data reading device, any beehive scale can be used as long as it provides a weight information.

[64] Preferably, an apiary is provided comprising the at least one beehive scale, wherein the apiary comprises at least one of the further sensors comprising: a temperature sensor; humidity sensor; wind speed sensor; wind direction sensor; rainfall sensor; acoustic sensor.

[65] Preferably, the at least one further sensor may be communicatively connected to the concentra tor.

[66] Preferably, the beekeeping control system may further comprise a remote server adapted to re ceive data from the concentrator, the remote server may be accessible by a mobile terminal.

[67] Preferably, the mobile terminal may be adapted to be connected to the remote server and/or the concentrator.

[68] Preferably, the mobile terminal may be adapted to execute an e-beekeeper application for re ceiving and/or transmitting data from/to the concentrator and/or the remote server and/or for trans mitting data via the remote server and/or via the concentrator to the beehive scale.

[69] Preferably, the concentrator may be directly connected to the mobile terminal.

[70] Preferably, the connection between the beehive scale, concentrator, mobile terminal, further sensors and the remote server may be a wireless connection.

[71] Preferably, the wireless connection between the concentrator and a beehive scale may be a Bluetooth and/or a LoRa communication.

[72] Preferably, the connection between the concentrator and the mobile terminal may be a Blue tooth and/or a WiFi and/or a GPRS and/or a LoRa communication.

[73] Preferably, the connection between the concentrator and the remote server may be a Bluetooth and/or a WiFi and/or a GPRS and/or a LoRa communication.

[74] Preferably, the connection between any further sensor and the concentrator may be a Bluetooth and/or a WiFi and/or a GPRS and/or a LoRa communication. [75] Preferably, the concentrator may be configured to receive data from the at least one beehive scale and/or the other sensors according to a predetermined time plan (periodically with predeter mined frequency).

[76] Preferably, the concentrator may be configured to calculate the weight difference from the pre vious measurement for each beehive.

[77] Preferably, the concentrator may be further configured to calculate the average beehive weight and also to calculate the weight difference between average beehive weight from the previous meas urement.

[78] According to another aspect, a hand portable data reading device such as a Bluetooth reader is provided, configured to receive data from a beehive scale and/or a concentrator and/or an apiary and/or a weather station via a Bluetooth connection, comprising: a casing, a controller, a Bluetooth receiving module and a display, wherein the controller is configured to control the Bluetooth receiv ing module and the display. The Bluetooth reader might be coupled and operated with the other components disclosed in this application.

[79] Preferably, the beekeeping control system may further comprise a hand portable data reading device such as a Bluetooth reader, configured to receive data from the beehive scale via a wireless connection, preferably via a Bluetooth connection. For the Bluetooth connection to be established between the Bluetooth reader and the beehive scale, the Bluetooth reader may be brought close enough to the beehive scale. Preferably, the Bluetooth reader may receive weight information of one or more weight sensors of the beehive scale.

[80] Preferably, the Bluetooth reader may comprise a housing comprising a Bluetooth receiving mod ule configured to receive data via a Bluetooth connection and the beehive scale may comprise a Blue tooth transmitter configured to transmit data from the beehive scale via a Bluetooth connection. Pref erably, the Bluetooth transmitter may be configured to transmit data from the beehive scale to the Bluetooth receiving module of the Bluetooth reader, when the Bluetooth reader is brought close enough to the beehive scale. Preferably, the Bluetooth transmitter may receive weight information from one or more of the weight sensors of the beehive scale and transmit the weight information to the Bluetooth receiving module of the Bluetooth reader. Especially, the Bluetooth transmitter may transmit a digital value of the weight on the beehive scale to the Bluetooth receiving module of the Bluetooth reader. The Bluetooth reader might a specific device being adapted only to the beehive control system or might be an application for being executed on a mobile device.

[81] Preferably, the main function of the hand portable data reading device and also for Bluetooth reader may be receiving data from any one of a beehive scale, concentrator and/or apiary and/or weather station. However, it may also be possible to transmit data from the data reading device and also for Bluetooth reader to the respective other device, e.g. for initiating the communication or for programming of the other devices.

[82] Preferably, the Bluetooth reader may be further configured to transmit data to the concentrator and/or to the beehive scale and/or the apiary and/or weather station via a Bluetooth connection.

[83] Preferably, the Bluetooth reader may be configured to receive data from and/or transmit data to the concentrator and/or to the beehive scale and/or the apiary and/or any other device, when the Bluetooth reader and the concentrator and/or the beehive scale and/or apiary and/or weather station are turned on, and the Bluetooth reader is brought close enough to the concentrator and/or the bee hive scale and/or apiary and/or weather station, such that the Bluetooth connection is established be tween the Bluetooth reader and the concentrator and/or the beehive scale and/or the apiary.

[84] Data from the concentrator and/or the beehive scale and/or the apiary and/or the weather station may be automatically transferred to the Bluetooth reader. Preferably, the Bluetooth reader may be configured to immediately output the data after the transfer of the data from the concentrator and/or the beehive scale and/or the apiary and/or the weather station. [85] Preferably, the Bluetooth reader may further comprise a casing forming an internal space of the Bluetooth reader, a turn on/off switch, a printed circuit board assembly PCBA including a controller and the Bluetooth receiving module, and a display, wherein the turn on/off switch and the display are connected to the controller. The tum/off switch may be configured to turn on or off the controller. Outputting data from the Bluetooth reader may comprise displaying data at the display. The controller of the Bluetooth reader may be configured to be connected to the concentrator and/or to the beehive scale and/or to the apiary and/or to the weather station via a Bluetooth connection by the Bluetooth receiving module. Further, the controller of the Bluetooth reader may be configured to receive data from the concentrator and/or the beehive scale and/or the apiary and/or the weather station via the Bluetooth connection by the Bluetooth receiving module. Preferably, the controller of the Bluetooth reader may be configured to transfer data to the concentrator and/or to the beehive scale and/or the apiary and/or the weather station via the Bluetooth connection by the Bluetooth receiving module. The PCBA including the controller may be configured to provide data to be displayed to the display.

[86] Preferably, the display and the PCBA including the controller may be arranged in the internal space of the casing of the Bluetooth reader. Next, the water proof casing of the Bluetooth reader may comprise a first opening through which the display may be exposed to the outside. The surface of the first opening in the casing may be larger than a displaying surface of the display. Alternatively, the surface of the first opening may be smaller than a displaying surface of the display. Preferably, the surface of the first opening may be the same as a displaying surface of the display. Additionally, the first opening and the display may be of such size and mutual arrangement in the Bluetooth reader that either only a portion of the display is exposed to the outside or the whole display is exposed to the outside.

[87] Preferably, the casing of the Bluetooth reader may comprise a second opening in which the turn on/off switch may be provided. Thereby one end portion of the turn on/off switch may be exposed to the outside of the Bluetooth reader and another end portion of the turn on/off switch may be attached to the controller of the Bluetooth reader. Further, the turn on/off switch may protrude from the out side of the Bluetooth reader to the internal space of the Bluetooth reader throughout the second opening.

[88] Preferably, the casing may be made of elastic material or shock approved material. Preferably, the casing may be made of rubber.

[89] Preferably, the beekeeping control system may further comprise a solar module configured to generate electrical energy from the solar energy and provide the electrical energy to the concentrator and/or the one or more beehive scales and/or the apiary, wherein the concentrator and/or the one or more beehive scales and/or the apiary are connected to the solar module.

[90] Preferably, the solar module may comprise a solar plate or panel including a plurality of solar cells configured for generating electrical energy from solar energy and a solar controller connected to the solar cell plate and configured to control storing of the electrical energy generated in the solar cell plate. The solar module may also comprise one or more USB connectors and/or one or more so lar module supply connectors. The concentrator and/or the beehive scale and/or any other external device may be connected to the solar module via the one or more USB connectors and/or via the one or more solar module supply connectors, such that power supply may be provided from the solar module to the concentrator and/or the beehive scale and/or the any other external device connected to the solar module.

[91] Preferably, the beekeeping control system may further comprise a local camera, preferably a WiFi camera, configured to capture a photo and/or a video of one or more observed objects com prised in the beekeeping control system, and at least temporary save the photo and/or the video on the local camera or a connected memory. The local camera, may be configured to capture a photo and/or a video of the internal space or of the surroundings of the apiary or the beehive scale and/or weather station. The at least one observed object may comprise one or more beehive scales and surroundings thereof, and/or apiary and surroundings thereof, and/or beehive and surroundings thereof, and/or weather station and surroundings thereof, and/or solar module and surroundings thereof, and/or concentrator and surroundings thereof, and/or any other device comprised in the bee keeping control system and surroundings thereof. The local camera may be positioned close enough to the observed object comprised in the beekeeping control system to be able to capture photo and/or video of the observed object and its surrounding.

[92] The local camera may also or alternatively comprise an audio sensor configured to capture au dio data of the one or more observed objects comprised in the beekeeping control system and at least temporary save the audio data. The audio or acoustic sensor might be used to activate the video ob servation and might be used to start the capturing of images or video. Thus, in case of any unusual noise or sound the monitoring might be activated.

[93] The local camera may be further configured to be connected to the concentrator by means of a wired or wireless connection and configured to transmit the captured photo and/or video and/or au dio data to the concentrator. However, it might be also connected to the apiary or the weather station to use the communication of these components to provide the captured objects to the concentrator or the mobile device or Bluetooth reader. Preferably, the local camera may be connected by a WiFi connection, and/or a Bluetooth connection, and/or a GPRS connection. Preferably, the local camera may be configured to be controlled by the concentrator. Also, the concentrator may be configured to transmit the captured photo and/or video and/or audio data from the concentrator to the remote server and/or mobile terminal.

[94] The concentrator may be further configured to set the local camera to periodically capture the photo and/or the video and/or the audio data with a first pre-determined time period and to immedi ately after the capturing transmit the photo and/or the video and/or the audio data to the concentra tor. Further, the concentrator may be configured to periodically transmit the captured photo and/or the video and/or the audio data from the concentrator to the remote server and/or the mobile terminal with a second pre-determined time period. Preferably, the captured photos and/or videos and/or au dio data may be permanently stored or archived on the concentrator and/or the remote server and/or the mobile terminal, such that the user may access the captured photo and/or video and/or audio data from the past and so reconstitute the occasions which happened at one or more observed objects in the past. However, if the camera is connected to the apiary or beehive scale, the image date might be stored locally in a memory of the apiary/ beehive scale and the user might access the image data only on demand.

[95] Alternatively, the concentrator may set the local camera to continuously capture video and/or audio data of one or more observed objects and concurrently transmit the captured video and/or au dio data to the concentrator, wherein the concentrator may be thereby set to receive the captured video and/or audio data and concurrently transmit it further to the remote server and/or the mobile terminal. Thereby, the user may access the captured video and/or audio data from the remote server by a corresponding electronic device such as e.g. computer, and/or from the mobile terminal. Fur ther, the corresponding electronic device and/or the mobile terminal may output the captured video and/or audio data. In that way, the user may concurrently - “in live” observe occasions at one or more observed objects at the corresponding electronic device and/or the mobile terminal. Hence, the user may be able to observe present - “live” and past occasions at one or more observed objects comprised in the beekeeping control system. The camera might be programmed to transmit image data only to the receiving component in case of changes in the content. So, a comparison might be made between a preceding picture and a current picture and only if more than a preset amount of changes is determined, the image data is transmitted. Thus, in case a foreign object or an animal ap proaches the apiary or beehive scale, the beekeeper might be informed immediately. Otherwise, no data is transmitted to the beekeeper to avoid a transmission of unnecessary data. The set amount of changes might be a strong change in the brightness or if more 25% of the pixels has been changed in their characteristics, e.g. brightness, color, contrast.

[96] The beehive control unit according to the present invention includes a compact digital scale providing one or more very precise weight values of a single beehive and further includes one or more weather sensors including local beehive related sensors and general weather related sensors. Finally, the beehive control unit includes a concentrator being connected to several beehive scales and which is collecting the weight values and other sensor data from the beehives located at differ ent remote places. This allows the beekeeper to monitor a plurality of apiaries or beehives without requiring a frequent personal monitoring at the place of the apiary or beehive.

[97] The invention provides an automatic communication between the concentrator, the beehive scales and the weather sensors (temperature, humidity, wind speed, direction of wind and rain fall) on one side (incoming data) and data transmission via GPRS/Wifi/LTE to the beekeeper on the other side (Outgoing data) wirelessly (Bluetooth, LoRa, WiFi).

[98] The concentrator is the central unit of the beekeeping control system. All data from the at least one beehive scale is sent to the concentrator. Preferably, the at least one beehive scale sends the data periodically and/or automatically. The data include at least one of the current weight of the beehive and/or at the same time the weather sensors like at least one of: temperature, humidity, wind speed, wind direction and rainfall from the last measurement.

[99] The frequency of measurements can be determined by the user. A preferred period is one hour. The concentrator may additionally store all of the measured data, namely at least one of: weight of beehive, temperature, humidity, wind direction, wind speed and rainfall, respectively from the last measurement.

[100] For each beehive, the concentrator may carry out a calculation or determination of the differ ence of weight compared with the weight value of the last measurement and, if the weight of the beehive has fallen/risen by more than predetermined amount, e.g. 1 kg, then the beehive scale sends an alarm message to the concentrator for immediately and automatically alerting the beekeeper, pref erably via GPRS or by using a short message (SMS). The alarm message is also displayed on the display of the concentrator when pressing the button on the concentrator. Such alarm message may indicate that the bee family of the beehive is swarming or something unusual happened.

[101] In addition, the concentrator may calculate an average total weight of all beehives and may calculate the difference to the calculated average total weight of the previous measurement. So, the concentrator may store the measured weights of individual beehives, the average weight of all bee hives and the difference in average weight of all beehives. In this way, it will be possible to enable a graphical display of yield (weight difference).

[102] Once a day at a predetermined time, e.g. at 9 pm, the concentrator automatically sends infor mation about the daily yield (honey) to the beekeeper. This might include the difference between the current average weight of all beehives with the average weight of all beehives of the previous day.

In the same time or independently the concentrator may send data of at least one of the measured sensor values, like temperature, humidity, wind speed, wind direction and rain fall.

[103] If the beekeeper would like to know the current situation, the beekeeper can call the concentra tor and request a current status. The concentrator may then transmit the previously mentioned data of the last measurement compared to the measured results of the previous day at 21 :00. If the bee keeper is at the place of the concentrator he may also get such data by pressing a button on the con centrator and then the data will be displayed on the concentrator display.

[104] In the event that the weight difference in a certain beehive shows a weight loss over the prede termined threshold, e.g. of 1 kg or more, during a predetermined time period, e.g. in one hour, the concentrator will automatically send an alarm message to the beekeeper, via the GPRS or any other available communication network. The weight is periodically measured by the beehive scale under the guidance or control of a concentrator. Between the two measurements, the control module is pas sive and does not detect weight.

[105] The beehive scale may include a battery for power supply of the electronics. In case the bat tery capacity has reached a predetermined low level for example 30%, the beehive is indicating the low battery status to the concentrator and the concentrator can inform the beekeeper.

[106] In addition, the concentrator or the apiary may be connected to a web camera and/or with other indicative sensors providing information relating to the health status of the bee family or the situa tion in the apiary.

[107] The concentrator could also be equipped with the e-beekeeper program, which means that when examining or monitoring individual bee families, the beekeeper would simply enter (write) ob servations. Given that all the data is stored in the concentrator, it will be possible to do a variety of analyses for each bee family separately on the computer, which will enable better honey bee selec tion.

Advantages of the present invention

[108] The beehive scale according to the present invention has a very compact housing resulting in a very low height. This allows a later introduction of the beehive scale according to the present inven tion into existing apiaries or under existing beehives.

[109] The weight sensors are embedded preferably at one or more comers of a base frame to allow a stable alignment for the beehive being placed on a beehive scale.

[110] The base frame includes a box integrated in the base frame that houses electronics for periodic monitoring of the beehive's weight and for monitoring of other sensors embedded inside the beehive such as temperature, humidity, precipitation, noise, etc.

[111] The electronics embedded into the control module accommodation unit may include Bluetooth and/or LoRa communication modules for wireless communication with the concentrator acting like a hub being connectable to many different beehive scales located at different remote places. The con centrator or gateway may then transmit its data via WiFi or GPRS to a cloud (server) from which the user can access the data.

[112] In the following a short description of the figures is given.

Fig. 1 a base frame of the beehive from its upper side according to a first embodiment,

Fig. 2 a base frame of the beehive from its lower side according to a first embodiment,

Fig. 3 a base frame of the inventive beehive from its upper side including weight sensors;

Fig. 4A illustrates a detailed view of the beehive scale having a beehive placed thereon;

Fig. 4B illustrates a schematic view of the beehive scale having a beehive placed thereon;

Fig. 4C illustrates a schematic view of a weight sensor accommodation unit from upper side;

Fig. 4D illustrates a schematic view of a weight sensor accommodation unit from lower side;

Fig. 5 illustrates a molded from of the parts for the beehive of the present invention,

Fig. 6A-6E illustrate different scenarios for active weight sensors and passive support points,

Fig. 7A a base frame of the inventive beehive from its upper side of a second embodiment,

Fig. 7B a base frame of the inventive beehive from its lower side of a second embodiment,

Fig. 8A illustrates a scenario for arrangement of different weight sensors,

Fig. 8B a sectional view of a weight sensor accommodation unit having a first weight sensor;

Fig. 8C illustrates another sectional view of the weight sensor accommodation unit having the first kind of weight sensor as shown in Fig. 8B;

Fig.8D sectional view of a weight sensor accommodation unit having a second weight sensor;

Fig. 8E illustrates another sectional view of the weight sensor accommodation unit having the sec ond kind of weight sensor as shown in Fig. 8D;

Fig. 9 illustrates schematic overview of beekeeping control system of the present invention;

Fig. 10 another schematic overview of beekeeping control system of the present invention; [113] Fig. 1 illustrates a base frame 100 of a beehive scale 1. The base frame 100 includes a central portion 110 and at least one side portion 130. In Fig. 1 the central portion 110 includes two side portions 130 arranged on both sides of the central portions 110. Here the two side portions 130, 140 are arranged in T-shape to the central portion 110. The base frame 100 may further form an approxi mate H-form, wherein the two side portions 130, 140 correspond to the vertical lines of the approxi mate H-form and the central portion 110 corresponds to the horizontal line of the approximate H-form. A long axis or extension of the side portions 130, 140 may be defined as an axis or extension extending along the vertical line of the approximate H-form, and a long axis of the central portion 110 or exten sion or distance between the two side portions may be defined as an axis extension extending along the horizontal line of the approximate H-form. It is noted that vertical and horizontal here are only used for illustrative purpose, since the H-form may be arranged on a floor or flat bottom, thus the side portion extend also horizontal. Further, a length of the long axis of a side portion 130, 140 may be shorter than the length of the long axis of the central portion 110 or the length of the long axis of a side portion 130, 140 may be longer than the length of the long axis of the central portion. Preferably, the lengths of the side portions 130, 140 are the same. Also, the length of the long axis of a side portion 130, 140 may be the same as the length of the long axis of the central portion 110. Also, a side portion 130, 140 and the central portion 110 may be arranged so that the long axis of the side portion 130, 140 and the long axis of the central portion enclose an angle between 60° and 90°, preferably between 75° and 90°, and more preferably between 85° and 90°. Also, a Z-Form formed by the side portions and the middle or central portion might be possible. Next, the one side portion 130 and another side portion 140 may be so arranged with respect to each other, that the long axis of the one side portion 130, 140 and the long axis of the other side portion 130, 140 enclose an angle between 0° and 30°, preferably between 0° and 15°. Further, the long axis of one side portion 130 may be parallel to the long axis of the other side portion 140.

[114] Generally, the side portion and/or the central portion are formed in shape of a bar, which is preferably made of a profile, whereas the profile might be hollow and open to one side. By building the base frame based on bar or rod shaped profile, preferably a hollow profile, free spaces are enclosed between side portions and the central portion. The free spaces are surrounded at three sides by the side portions and by the central portion. One side of the free space facing to the outer side or being opposite to the central portion is not enclosed or surrounded by one of the side portions or the central portion.

[115] The hollow profile of the side portion and/or of the central portion might have their open surface facing to different sides. So, the side portion might have a middle part where the open surface is faced to lower or bottom side. The one or both end parts of the hollow profile of the side portion might have the open surface to the upper side.

[116] Furthermore, the base frame 100 includes or accommodates a control module 20 which is not shown in Fig. 1 which is disposed at the central portion 110. The side portions 130 extend in two directions and exemplary comprise two weight sensor accommodation units 131, 132, 141 and 142 at the distal end of each side portion 130, 140. The base frame 100 is formed of a flat profile which is open at least at one side. As shown in Fig. 1 the base frame 100 with its central portion 110 and with most of the side portions 130 is closed at its upper side where the beehive 1 is placed, as shown for instance in Fig. 4B. The central portion 110 includes a control module accommodation unit 111 which is positioned in a central position of the central portion 110. Here the control module accommodation unit 111 is formed to be fully covered at its upper side by the base frame 100 being closed at the upper side and being open at its lower side as shown in Fig. 2. The control module 20 is placed in the control module accommodation unit 110, wherein a cover 50 shown in Fig. 3 might be coupled to the control module accommodation unit 111 for closing the control module accommodation unit 111.

[117] The control module accommodation unit 111 has at both sides a central guiding unit 113, 114 for connecting the control module accommodation unit 111 with the one or more side portions 130 and 140. [118] Each side portion 130 or 140 comprises a longitudinal guiding unit 133, 143 being coupled to the central guiding units 113 and 114 in an integral manner or as a single piece. At the distal ends of the longitudinal guiding units 133, 143 the weight sensor accommodation units 131, 132, 141 and 142 are located respectively. As shown in Fig. 1 the side portions 130 and 140 have each two weight sensor accommodation units 131 and 132 and 141 and 142 respectively. However, it is also possible that a side portion 130 and 140 has only one weight sensor accommodation unit or to have a side portion having no weight sensor accommodation unit in case the beehive scale only has one weight sensor and two side portions.

[119] As shown in Fig. 2, the control module accommodation unit 111 in the central portion 110 is open for accommodating the control module 20. It forms a box shape which could be covered by a flat cover 50 for hermetically closing the control module accommodation unit 111. The control mod ule accommodating unit 111 is connected via the central guiding units 113 and 114 with the side portions 130 and 140.

[120] The base frame 100 having the flat profile being open from one side provides a plurality of in side spaces for accommodating protection tubes 71, 72, 73 and 74 which accommodate the connec tion wires 80 for connecting the weight sensors 31, 32, 41, 42 with the control module 20. The pro tection tubes 71, 72, 73 and 74 are made by plastic or metal, e.g. aluminum for protecting the con nection wires 80 from any influences or damage by animals or weather conditions.

[121] In the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2 the weight sensor accommodation units 131, 312, 141, 142 are open at their upper sides to accommodate the weight sensors 31, 32, 41, 42 or load cells. The weight sensor accommodation units 131, 132, 141 and 142 are covered by protection members 61, 62, 63 and 64 for protecting the weight sensors 31, 32, 41 and 42 from any influences from outside. The weight sensors 31, 32, 41 and 42 are placed in the weight sensor accommodation units 131, 132, 141 and 142 respectively. They are fixed by fixing means e.g. screws in the weight sensor accommodation units 131, 132, 141 and 142. Also, the protection members 61, 62, 63 and 64 might be fixed by the screws.

[122] As shown in Fig. 3 and further in Fig. 4C, the weight sensors 31, 32, 41, 42 which might be realized as load cells or any other kind of weight sensor might comprise a beehive scale contacting portion 311, 321, 411 and 421 for transmitting or transferring the weight of the beehive 1 being placed on the upper side of the base frame 100 to the sensing part. The beehive scale contacting por tion 311, 321, 411, 421 is in contact with the beehive 1 and is transmitting the weight of the beehive 1 to the sensing parts 312, 322, 412 and 422 of the weight sensor. The weight sensor 31, 32, 41 and 42 comprises thus the beehive scale contacting portion 311, 321, 411, 421 and the corresponding sensing parts 312, 322, 412 and 422. A load cell might be a type of transducer, also called force transducer. The load cell converts a force or weight, here the weight of the beehive, into an electrical signal that can be measured. If the weight applied to the load cell increases, the electrical signal changes proportionally.

[123] The sensing part might have several holes for connecting the sensing part to the weight sensor accommodation unit 131, 132, 141 and 142. The weight sensor accommodation unit 131, 132, 141 and 142 might have several holes for accommodating different kinds of load cells or weight sensors for being able to equip the beehive scale 1 with different kind of weight sensors. Similar to the weight sensor accommodation unit also the protection member 61, 62, 63 and 64 might have a plu rality of holes for fixing the protection cover to the sensing part or to the weight sensor accommoda tion portion respectively. The protection member 61, 62, 63 and 64 might have a hole 61a facing the beehive for allowing the beehive scale contacting portion 311, 321, 411 and 421 to protrude through the protection member 61, 62, 63 and 64 respectively and to thereby contact the beehive 1.

[124] Fig. 3 illustrates a beehive scale according to the present invention which comprises a base frame 100 having two side portions 130 and 140 wherein the central portion 111 and the two side portions 130, 140 are made of a flat profile being open to the lower side whereas the weight sensor accommodation units 131, 132, 141 and 142 are open at least to the upper side where the beehive scale 1 is placed. The open portion is covered by protection members 61, 62, 63 and 64 wherein the weight sensors 31, 32, 41 and 42 are accommodated in the weight sensor accommodation units 131, 132, 141 and 142 being covered by the protection members 61, 62, 63 and 64 respectively. The weight sensors 31, 32, 41 and 42 are connected via connection lines 80 which might be preferably accommodated in protection tubes 71, 72,73 and 74 with the control module 20 which is accommo dated in the control module accommodation unit 111 which is placed at the central position of the central portion 111 which is covered by the protection cover 50 from the lower side. Thus, the con trol module 20 and also the connection wires 80 are fully protected by the flat profile being covered from its upper side and the control module is covered by the protective cover 50 and the connection wires 80 are covered by protection tubes 71, 72, 73 and 74 for any influence or damages caused by animals, corrosion or other influences. By providing the very flat shaped profile, it is possible to provide a beehive scale 1 which has a very low height and which could therefore be installed into existing apiaries or under existing beehives without requiring any new setup or any new apiaries which would require a lot of effort and high costs.

[125] Fig. 4A shows an enlarged portion between the beehive scale 1 and the beehive 2. The base frame 100 is placed between a base and the beehive 2. As shown in Fig. 4A the weight sensor ac commodation unit 131 comprises a beehive scale contacting portion 311. Furthermore, the base frame 100 and in particular the weight sensor accommodation portion 131 comprises at least one support portion 1311 which might be a rigid protrusion protruding from the profile or is integrally made with the base frame 100 or the weight sensor accommodation unit 131. In the example shown in Fig. 4A there are three support portions 1311 protruding downwardly and representing the con tacting portion on which the beehive scale 1 rests during use.

[126] Fig. 4B shows the beehive scale 1 being placed between a base and a beehive 2. As shown here the height of the beehive is less than 3 cm, so the inventive beehive scale 1 might be easily in serted under an existing beehive 2 without newly setting up the whole apiary. Due to the U-shaped profile accommodating the electronics and the weight sensors, the beehive scale is very stable to re liable carry the beehive.

[127] In Fig. 4C, a weight sensor accommodation unit 131 is shown in an enlarged view. The protec tion member 61 is covering the weight sensor 31, 32, 41 and 42 whereas the beehive scale contacting portion 311 is protruding through the hole 61a inside the protection member 61 for being able to contact the beehive 2 which is placed on top of the base frame 100 of the beehive scale 1. The pro tection member 61 comprises further openings for fixing elements for fixing the protection member 61 and the weight sensor 31 in the weight sensor accommodation unit 131.

[128] The weight sensor accommodation unit 131 is preferably made integrally with the side por tions and the base frame.

[129] Fig. 4D illustrates a weight sensor accommodation unit 131 from below illustrating the three support portions 1311 for placing the weight sensor accommodation unit 131 and in general the bee hive scale 1 on the base or the lower beehive in case of stocking several beehives onto each other. Due to the three support portions 1311 a stable placement of the beehive scale 1 onto the base could be achieved. Furthermore, the bottom side of the weight sensor accommodation unit 131 has a hole 131b for accessing the weight sensor 31 and providing space for the movement of the beehive scale contacting portion 311 in case of loading the beehive 2 onto the beehive scale 1.

[130] Fig. 5 shows the beehive scale 1 after molding. The beehive scale 1 is molded as a single piece, i.e. by aluminum dye-casting or injection-molding. The base frame 100 includes the central portion 110, the control module accommodation unit 111 and the cover 50 in the middle between the two side portions 130 and 140, all having the flat-shaped U-profile being open to one side. [131] In Fig. 5 the base frame 100 is shown with its open lower side whereas the four weight sensor accommodation units 131, 132, 141 and 142 are closed at the lower side and open at their upper sides which is facing the beehive scale 1.

[132] In Fig. 5 all of the weight sensor accommodation units comprise three protrusions serving as support portions 1311, 1321, 1411 and 1421. The protection members 61-64 are molded or casted simultaneously with the base frame 100 and could be easily separated from the molded form for be ing assembled together with the weight sensors 31, 32, 41, 42 in the weight sensor accommodation units 131, 132, 141, 142.

[133] Fig. 6A-6E illustrate several alternatives for the construction of the beehive scale 1. In Fig.

6A, there is a central portion 110 having the control module 20 in the center. The central portion 110 has two side portions 130 and 140 at its right and left side whereas each of the side portions 130,

140 has two weight sensors 31, 32, 41 and 42, respectively.

[134] Fig. 6B describes a star or a three side portion version of the beehive scale. Here the control module 20 is placed in the center of the beehive scale, whereas three side portions 130, 140, 140a extend from the central portion 110. Each side portion has one weight sensor 31, 32 and 42. This al ternative of a beehive scale 1 provides a very stable and light weight embodiment.

[135] The embodiment shown in Fig. 6C is similar to the realization in Fig. 6A. It has one central portion 110 and two side portions 130, 140. The control module 20 is placed at the connection be tween the central portion 110 and the side portion 130. The side portion 130 includes two weight sensors 31, 32. The side portion 140 has no weight sensor and only a resting or supporting leg which provides sufficient stability to the beehive scale. Thus, only the side portion 130 is equipped with weight sensors for sensing the weight of the beehive being placed on the beehive scale 1.

[136] Fig. 6D describes an embodiment having only one side portion 140 having only passive sup porting or resting legs 4 IP, 42P, whereas the control module 20 is placed close to the weight sensor 31 which is located at the other side of the central portion 110. This embodiment is one of the most simple version only having one weight sensor 31 and two passive supporting legs 41P, 42P.

[137] Fig. 6E describes a situation having one weight sensor 31 and three passive support legs 32P,

4 IP, 42P (B, C, D).

[138] Here it should be noted that the weight sensors indicated with a circle in Fig. 6A-6E could be weight sensors having a flexible member as illustrated in Fig. 8D and 8E, whereas the “passive” weight sensors indicated with a triangle could be weight sensors as illustrated in Fig. 8B and 8C.

[139] Fig. 7 describes an alternative arrangement or second embodiment of the beehive scale 1 ac cording to the invention similar to the first embodiment shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. However, here the whole upper surface of the base frame 100 is closed. So contrary to the first embodiment in Figs. 1,

2 and 3, the weight sensor accommodation units 131, 132, 141 and 142 are also closed at the upper side facing the beehive 2 and thus the weight sensors 31, 32, 41 and 42 are placed into the weight sensor accommodation units 131, 132, 141 and 142 from the lower side being open. Optionally, the lower side of the weight sensor accommodation units could be protected similar as in the first em bodiment by protection members if necessary. The upper surface of the profile has a hole 131a at the position of the beehive scale contacting portion 311, 321, 411, 421 for allowing the beehive scale contacting portions 311, 321, 411, 421 to protrude through the profile to get in contact with the bee hive 2 placed onto the beehive scale contacting portion 311, 321, 411, 421.

[140] The weight sensors 31, 32, 41 and 42 each have a beehive scale contacting portion 311, 321a, 411 and 421.

[141] Here one further embodiment is illustrated having a weight sensor having an elastic element 350 being placed between the beehive scale contacting portion 321a and the sensing part 322.

[142] This facilitates a very sensitive measurement by adjusting height differences between the base frame 100 and the beehive 2. So in a very simple version, only one of the weight sensors 31, 32, 41, 42 might have this elastic element 350 being realized as a spring to thereby place the beehive scale contacting portion 321a (pestle) at a position which might be more protrude or might be adjustable in their height to thereby adapt the beehive scale 1 to existing beehives 2 and distances between the base and the beehive 2.

[143] In Fig. 6E or Fig8A, the triangular sensors B, D, C are without springs or elastic elements 350 so they are fixed. The circular sensor A has a compression spring 350 with spring rate of C = 80 N/mm so that it is flexible. Weight sensor A is 2.5 mm higher than the other three fixed sensors B,

D, and C before loading. When setting the beehive on the scale, the bottom of the beehive will first contact and press the sensor A and then D. The beehive weight (force) will compress the spring 350 and will thereby balance the weight of all the sensors. Theoretically, if the total hive weight is 80 kg, then all sensors will be loaded with 20 kg. The spring in sensor A will be compressed by 2.5 mm and the force will be 20 kg.

[144] In a more elaborated embodiment more or all four weight sensors may have such elastic ele ment 350 between the pestle 321a (beehive scale contacting portion) and the sensing part.

[145] The remaining elements of the second embodiment are similar to the first embodiment. The side portions 130, 140 might be further supported by reinforcing portion 114a, which by added to the first embodiment.

[146] As shown in Fig. 8A, the beehive 1 comprises three weight sensors C, B, D having a beehive scale contacting portion 311, 411 and 421. The weight sensor 31 being positioned at position A is equipped with an elastic element 350 so that the beehive scale contacting portion 321a might be ad justed in its height.

[147] The weight sensor accommodation portions 131, 132 might be similar in their construction.

So, the sensing parts 312 and 322 are similar in their construction and also the assembly of the sens ing part into the weight sensor accommodation unit is similar. The only difference is that the bee hive scale contacting portion 321a of the weight sensor at point A comprises a certain space 321b inside the contacting portion 321a for accommodating the elastic element 350. Thus, the elastic ele ment 350 is transferring the weight which is resting on the beehive scale contacting portion 321a to the sensing part 312. The positions B, C, D only comprise beehive scale contacting portions 311,

411 and 421 which directly transmit the weight of the beehive 2 to the respective sensing parts 312,

412 and 422.

[148] The weight sensor accommodation units might have at least three supporting positions 1311, 1321, 1411 and 1421.

[149] In Fig. 9 the general construction of the beekeeping control system is illustrated. There are several beehives 2 which are placed on beehive scales 1, whereas each beehive scale 1 has a Blue tooth and/or LoRa and/or WIFI communication module 22 for communicating the measured weight values to a concentrator 600 which serves as a gateway. The concentrator 600 might have a display. The concentrator 600 might be placed in a position which has a network connectivity.

[150] Since the beehives 2 or the beehive scales 1 and their control modules 20 all have their own communication module 22 being able to provide the measured values by use of a LoRa communica tion protocol to the concentrator 600 it is not necessary to have any network connectivity at the place where the beehive scales 1 or the apiary is located as the Lora protocol is a long distance radio signal without any further network requirements as long as the transmission power is adapted to the distance to the concentrator 600. The beekeeper might thus be able to receive data from many re mote beehive scales 1 and might manage a plurality of beehives 2 without the need to move to every beehive 2 frequently.

[151] The beehives 2 are usually located in apiaries which might further comprise a weather station or separate sensors for measuring temperature 710, air moisture 720, rainfall 750, wind speed 730 or wind direction 740. All these measured weight and sensor values might be transmitted via the LoRa communication module 22 to the concentrator 600. [152] The communication module 22 of the beehive scale 1 is able to communicate via Bluetooth and/or LoRa and/or WIFI. Mostly, Bluetooth and/or WIFI are used for setting the transmission rate or period and programming the beehive scale. The communication module 22 is also able to receive commands from the concentrator via LoRa for extra sending requests of the data or for amending the transmission period when to send the weight values and sensor data.

[153] As explained above, the concentrator 600 is placed at a location having network connectivity. Thus, the user might use his mobile phone 900 to call the concentrator 600 to communicate with the concentrator 600 via a cellular network or via WiFi and the concentrator 600 is also able to establish an internet connection to a remote server 800 for accessing whether information or for storing data communicated from the beehives 2 at a remote server in the internet. The apiary or the beehives 2 might be equipped with a camera for also monitoring the surroundings of the beehive 2. The concen trator 600 is equipped with several communication modules being able to communicate with several communication protocols like bluetooth, WiFi, LoRa or GPRS etc. Thus, it might receive data from the beehive scales 1 and the weather station and the WiFi camera via LoRa or Bluetooth and might communicate with the mobile phone 900 or with the server via GPRS or cellular network, LTE, etc.

[154] In Fig. 10 another illustration is provided showing an apiary comprising several beehives 2 wherein each beehive 2 has a control module 20. Each control module 20 might have a display 24, an indicator 23, a microprocessor 21 and a communication module 22 for communicating for in stance via LoRa with the concentrator 600 or gateway. Each beehive 2 might have its own battery 25. However, it is also possible that the apiary might have a common battery where all beehives 2 are connected. If each beehive scale 1 has its own battery 25, the protection of the battery 25 and their electronic is more sophisticated or easier to establish since no animal could influence the con nectivity between the electronic parts. Each beehive 2 might be equipped with anyone of a tempera ture sensor 710, weight sensor 31, acoustic sensor 760, humidity sensor 720 or any other sensor like light, noise, etc.

[155] In example the beehive scale 1 may further comprise a battery compartment and a plurality of batteries provided therein, which supply power to the control module 20 of the beehive scale 1. Pref erably the batteries may be cylindrical batteries of a size of 4/5 AA, 1/2AA, AAAA, AAA, AA, A, B, C, SC, D, F, N, Al l, A23, A27, BA52800, Duplex, and/or 4SR44. The beehive scale 1 may also comprise one or more beehive scale power supply connectors. The one or more beehive scale power supply connectors can be provided at at least one of the side portions 130, 140 of the beehive scale

1. Thereby, the beehive scale 1 may be connected to a mains electricity via the beehive scale power supply connectors and/or a corresponding adapter. Preferably, the adapter may have the characteris tics to supply DC 5V 3A power to the power supply connector by correspondingly transforming a typical mains power of 100-240V AC. In another example, the beehive scale 1 may be provided with the power from the solar module 650, such that the adapter of the beehive scale 1 may be connected to the solar controller 652, more specifically to a one of the plurality of solar module supply con nectors 6524. Hence, the control module 20 of the beehive scale 1 may be provided with the power from the batteries or through connection to the main electricity or the solar module 650.

[156] The apiary might be further equipped with a weather station for measuring any value like tem perature, humidity, wind speed, wind direction, rainfall, etc. All these values might be transmitted to the concentrator 600 by use of the LoRa communication protocol. The concentrator 600 might com municate via cellular communication by use of GSM, LTE, 5G, etc. with a user via his mobile phone 900 or with a direct internet connection from the concentrator 600 to the server 800 in the internet for storing the values of the several beehives 2 in the internet so the user might access either the server 800 where all these data is stored or the user might access (call) the concentrator 600 for re questing the data from the several beehives 2. The apiary might be placed in an area having no net work connectivity, whereas the concentrator 600 might be placed in a location having access to at least one communication network. Thus, it is possible to place all the beehive scales 1 and the apiary in a “no network area” and to provide their data via LoRa communication protocol to the concentra tor 600, whereas the concentrator 600 is getting all data and is collecting and storing data for being provided to the user on request of the user and/or regularly and/or for storing the data on a server in the internet for being accessed by the user later on.

[157] So, the inventive beehive has a size allowing a later installation of the beehive scale under the beehive. Furthermore, the control module is able to communicate with the concentrator under control of the concentrator and is periodically transmitting the weight value and/or other predetermined values to the concentrator. The concentrator may combine and /or process all of the values received from the one or more beehive scales and may inform the beekeeper.

[158] Fig. 11 illustrates an example of the concentrator 600 of the present invention. The concentrator 600 comprises a casing 601, having a mostly cubical form and being provided with a programable display 602, being preferably a touch screen, on one of its sides, preferably the front side. Further, a turn on/off button 603 configured for turning on/off the concentrator 600 is provided. One or more setting buttons 604 might be provided and configured for setting the brightness of the touch screen display 602 and/or other characteristic of the concentrator 600. The turn on/off button 603 and the one or more setting buttons 604 may be provided on the side of the concentrator 600 having the display and/or the touch screen display. The turn on/off button 603 may be connected to a concentrator con troller provided inside the casing 601, such that by activating the turn on/off button the concentrator controller may be respectively turned on or turned off. The one or more setting buttons 604 may be further configured in that way, that by pushing the setting button 604 e.g. the display brightness is switched between a standby - low brightness state and an operational - high brightness state.

[159] Hence, if the button 604 is pushed while the concentrator display 602 is in the standby - low brightness state, the concentrator display 602 will be switched to the operational - high brightness state. Contrary, if the button 604 is pushed while the concentrator display 602 is in the operational high - brightness state, the concentrator display 602 will be switched to the standby - low brightness state. Further, if the concentrator display 602 is in the standby - low brightness state, the concentrator display 602 may be automatically switched to the operational - high brightness state, when the con centrator display 602 is touched.

[160] Preferably, the concentrator display 602 may be configured to be automatically present in the standby - low brightness state, when the concentrator display 602 is configured to display S102 a first selection menu (described below). Otherwise, the concentrator display 602 may be automatically pre sent in the operational - high brightness state, when the concentrator display 602 is configured to display any other selection menu. When the concentrator display 602 is configured to display S102 the first selection menu and the concentrator display 602 is in the automatic standby - low brightness state, the user may switch the concentrator display 602 to the operational - high brightness state by pushing the button 604 and/or by touching the concentrator display 602. After the concentrator display 602 has been switched into the operational - high brightness state while displaying SI 02 of the first selection menu, the concentrator display 602 may be configured to stay in the operational - high brightness state for a pre-determined time. If no action has been performed by the user during the pre determined time, the concentrator display 602 may be configured to automatically return to the standby - low brightness state after expiration of the pre-determined time. Hence, the concentrator controller may be configured to start counting time when the concentrator display 602 is switched to the opera tional - high brightness state while displaying S102 the first selection menu, and when the counted time is longer than the pre-determined time give signal to the concentrator display 602 to switch back into the standby - low brightness state. The counting of the time may be reset by touching the con centrator display 602 by the user. If during the pre-determined time the user selects a selection button (described below) such that the concentrator controller is further configured to display another selec tion menu on the concentrator display 602, the counting of the time is stopped, and the concentrator display 602 is configured to stay in the operational - high brightness state as long as it displays a selection menu different from the first selection menu. Automatic switching of the concentrator dis play 602 into the standby - low brightness state during inactivity has an advantage in reduction of energy consumption of the concentrator 600.

[161] The concentrator 600 may also comprise a concentrator power supply connector 605 configured to connect the concentrator 600 to an external power supply. The concentrator power supply connector 605 may be provided at any one side of the casing 601, preferably at a lateral side. Preferably, the concentrator power supply connector may be configured to receive an external power supply of e.g. 12V DC. In case there is a power net provided nearby the concentrator 600, the power may be provided to concentrator power supply connector 605 through a mains power adapter changing the power from 100-220 V AC to e.g. 12V DC or any other suited voltage. In case the concentrator 600 cannot be supplied by direct external power supply for a longer time, the concentrator 600 may also comprise a plurality of batteries disposed at or in the concentrator 600. Preferably, the plurality of batteries may include rechargeable batteries, e.g. two Li-ion batteries 14500-3, 7V 860mAh. Additionally, the plu rality of batteries may include a CR2032 battery. The charging process might be performed by solar panels attached to the apiary.

[162] Alternatively, the power supply may be provided to the concentrator 600 by a solar module 650 being placed nearby the concentrator 600 and connected to the power supply connector 605 of the concentrator 600.

[163] Fig. 12 illustrates an example of the solar module 650 comprising a solar cell plate or panel 651 including a plurality of solar cells and a solar controller 652, wherein the solar cell plate 651 is con nected to the solar controller 652. The solar controller 652 may be primarily configured for controlling the storing and supply of electrical energy generated in the solar cell plate 651. The solar controller 652 may further comprise a solar controller display 6521 configured to display an operational status of the solar module 650, a plurality of control buttons 6523 configured to set the operation of the solar module 650 and information to be displayed on the solar controller display 6521. Further, one or more USB connectors 6522 and one or more solar module supply connectors 6524 are provided. Via these connectors 6522, 6524 one or more external devices can be connected for being supplied with power from the solar module 650. These connectors might also be used for uploading new software or for downloading operational data from the solar module 650. Further, by connecting an external device to a USB connector 6522, operational history of the solar module 650 can be transferred to an external device, e.g. terminal of a user. The solar controller display 6521 may display information about: an amount of the stored electrical energy at the solar module 650, an income power current generated at the solar cell plate 651, an outcome power current to a particular external device connected to the solar controller 652, and a connection diagram demonstrating the number of devices being connected to the solar module 650.

[164] The concentrator 600 or more specifically the concentrator controller may further comprise a GPRS module on which the SIM card may be installed such that data can be transferred via SMS- messages from the concentrator 600 or to the concentrator 600. The concentrator 600 may also com prise a Secure Digital - SD card, and/or a sensor assembly for measuring temperature, humidity and air pressure inside or outside the casing 601, as the concentrator 600 is located in a certain distance to the one or more apiaries. Thus, the outside conditions of the concentrator 600 might be also relevant for being monitored by the beekeeper. Preferably, the sensor may be a BME 280 sensor.

[165] Fig. 13 illustrates different steps of a method for coupling the concentrator 600 with a beehive scale 1 of the present invention, so that after the coupling the data can be transferred from the beehive scale 1 to the concentrator 600 and vice-versa.

[166] After turning on S 101 , the concentrator 600, in particular the concentrator controller, may be configured to first display a starting display figure on the display 602. The starting display figure may comprise information one or more of the following the Secure Digital - SD card, data about the temperature, humidity and air pressure provided in the concentrator 600, and information about the GPRS module and the SIM card.

[167] The concentrator controller may be further configured to display S102 a first selection menu on the display 602 following the starting display figure. The concentrator controller may be configured to display SI 02 the first selection menu after a predetermined time, e.g. 5s-20s after displaying the starting display figure to enable the user to check the initial setting. The first selection menu may comprise first information including one or more of the of the following: a media access control ad dress (MAC address), time, date, temperature, air pressure, air humidity, charge state of the concen trator 600, number of beehive scales 1 connected to the concentrator 600, an average weight on the beehive scales 1 connected to the concentrator 600 and a difference between a current average weight on the connected beehive scales 1 in comparison to the average weight measured at a particular refer ence time in day.

[168] Preferably, the particular reference time in day may be at 20.00 CET as no honey pasture or negligible amount of honey pasture is expected after that hour in the day. The concentrator controller may be configured to hourly update the first information. The first selection menu may further include a first - “Scales” selection button, a second - “Weather” selection button and a third - “Settings” selection button.

[169] To connect or couple a beehive scale 1 to the concentrator 600, the user may next position or move SI 03 the concentrator 600 in the vicinity of a beehive scale 1 and select SI 03 the first - “Scales” selection button. For successful establishment of the connection between the beehive scale 1 and the concentrator 600, the concentrator 600 should be put close enough to the beehive scale 1. Preferably, the distance between the concentrator 600 and the beehive scale should not exceed 1.5 meter. Upon pushing S103 the first - “Scales” selection button in the first selection menu, the concentrator con troller may be configured to display SI 04 a second selection menu on the display 602. The second selection menu provides information about the beehive scales 1 connected to the concentrator 600 including their charging state and/or a weight difference between the current state and the last meas urement at the reference time in day.

[170] The second selection menu may also provide number of beehive scales 1 which can be addition ally connected to the concentrator 600.

[171] Preferably, the maximal amount of beehive scales 1 connected to the concentrator 600 may be 50. Further, the second selection menu may comprise a first - “New Scale” selection button and a second - “Back” selection button.

[172] By selecting SI 05 the first - “New Scale” selection button, the concentrator controller may be configured to display S106 a third selection menu. The third selection menu may comprise a first - “Coupling” selection button and a second - “Back” selection button. Further, the concentrator con troller may be configured to output information about a current state of the coupling of the concentra tor 600 and the beehive scale 1 in the third selection menu. The current state may comprise information if the signal transmission for coupling is turned on or turned off.

[173] After selecting SI 07, the first “Coupling” selection button the concentrator controller may be configured to output information on the display 602 that the coupling is successfully performed.

[174] Next, the user may turn on the beehive scale 1 and thereby the beehive scale 1 may automatically couple to the concentrator 600. The concentrator controller may be further configured to display S108 a fourth selection menu, when the data exchange between the concentrator 600 and the beehive scale is complete. The concentrator controller may be further configured to provide in the fourth selection menu a number of newly coupled beehive scales 1 and/or information on whether the coupling is established or not. The fourth selection menu may further comprise a first - “Cancel” selection button and a second - “Back” selection button. Upon selecting the first - “Cancel” selection button, the concentrator controller may be configured to interrupt the coupling of other beehive scales 1. Further, by pressing the second -“Back” selection button, the concentrator 600 may be returned back to the third selection menu. On the other hand, the user may further move the concentrator 600 into the vicinity of another beehive scale 1 and turn on the beehive scale 1. The tumed-on beehive scale 1 thereby automatically connects to the concentrator 600, and in the fourth selection menu the number of newly coupled beehive scales 1 may increase by one.

[175] In the above described way, the user can couple an optional number of beehive scales 1 to the concentrator 600. After the optional number of beehive scales 1 has been coupled to the concentrator 600, the user may return to the second selection menu by sequentially selecting the second - “Back” selection button in the fourth selection menu and the third selection menu, respectively. Thereby, when at least one beehive scale 1 is connected to the concentrator 600, data of current weight, charging state and/or weight difference to the last measurement at the reference time in day is provided for each of the beehive scales 1 sequentially connected to the concentrator 600 in the third selection menu. The optional number of beehive scales 1 coupled to the concentrator 600 is limited by a predetermined maximal number of beehive scales 1 that can be coupled to the concentrator 600.

[176] Fig. 14 shows steps of a method for data extraction from the concentrator 600 and a disconnec tion of a beehive scale 1 from the concentrator 600. When the concentrator 600 is turned on S201, the concentrator controller may be configured to display S202 the first selection menu. The first selection menu may comprise first information as described above. Preferably, the temperature may be provided in °C, air pressure in kilo Pascals kPa, humidity as a relative humidity in %, and weight and weight difference in kilograms kg.

[177] Further, the charging state may be presented in a first mode, when the concentrator 600 is suf ficiently charged, wherein it may be presented in a second mode, when the charging state drops under 10% of the full charging state.

[178] Preferably, the first mode may comprise a first colour, wherein the second mode may comprise a second colour which is different from the first colour.

[179] More preferably, the first colour may be a green colour and the second colour may be a red colour.

[180] As already described above, the first selection menu may also comprise the first - “Scales” selection button. Upon selecting S203 the first - “Scales” selection button the concentrator controller may be configured to display S204 a second selection menu. As also described above, the second selection menu may comprise a list or data of beehive scales 1 connected to the concentrator 600, wherein the data includes one of: a current weight of a beehive scale, weight difference to the last measurement at the reference time and/or charging state of the beehive scale 1.

[181] Preferably the current weight and the weight difference are provided in kg, wherein the charging state is displayed in a first mode, when the concentrator 600 is sufficiently charged, wherein it may be displayed in a second mode when the charging state drop under 10%. So, the presentation of the charging state of the beehive scales 1 in the second selection menu may be similar to the presentation of the charging state of the concentrator 600 in the first selection menu.

[182] Thereby, the first mode representation may comprise a first colour and the second mode repre sentation may comprise a second colour being different from the first colour. Preferably, the first colour may be a green colour and the second colour may be a red colour.

[183] In the case the user wants to disconnect a particular beehive scale 1 listed in the second selection menu displayed by the concentrator 600, the user may select S205 the particular beehive scale 1 in the second selection menu. Thereby, the concentrator controller may be configured to display S206 an other selection menu comprising a question for confirming or disconfirming disconnection of the bee hive scale 1 from the concentrator 600 and therewith deletion of the beehive scale 1 from the second selection menu.

[184] The another selection menu may comprise a first -“Yes” selection button for confirming the disconnection of the beehive scale 1 and a second - “No” selection button for disconfirming the dis connection of the beehive scale 1. By selecting the first -“Yes” selection button, the concentrator controller may be configured to disconnect the beehive scale 1 from the concentrator 600 by and to delete the beehive scale 1 data from the second selection menu. Next, the concentrator controller may subsequently return to the presentation of the second selection menu on the display 602. By selecting the second - “No” selection button, the concentrator controller may be configured to directly return the presentation of the second selection menu on the display 602.

[185] Figs. 15-20 illustrate a method for operational setting of the concentrator 600. The method com prises a method for setting the brightness of the display 602, a method for connecting the concentrator 600 to a Wi-Fi network in the vicinity of the concentrator 600, a method for connecting the concen trator to a mobile network in the vicinity of the concentrator 600, a method for setting a mobile tele phone number on which SMS monitoring messages are send from the concentrator 600 and a method for setting the time and date. After the turning on the concentrator 600 the concentrator controller may be configured to display S301 the first selection menu as described in the previous examples. The first selection menu may comprise the third -“Settings” selection button. By selecting S302 the third - “Settings” selection button the concentrator controller may be configured to display S303 a second selection menu on the display 602.

[186] The second selection menu comprises a first - “Display” selection button, a second - “Connec tion” selection button, a third - “SMS monitoring message” selection button and a fourth - “Time” selection button. The first - “Display” selection button may be so configured that it can be slid or scrolled or shifted to left and right on the touch screen display 602 so as to set (increase or decrease) the brightness of the display 602. Hence, sliding, scrolling or shifting the button to the left may reduce the brightness of the display 602, wherein sliding or scrolling or shifting the button to the right may increase the brightness of the display 602. The relative position of the button in the left or in the right direction may be proportional with the brightness of the display 602. Thus, by selecting S304 the first - “Display” selection button and sliding or scrolling or shifting S3041 it to the right or to the left the concentrator controller may correspondingly set the brightness of the display 602.

[187] Fig. 17 illustrates a method for setting the time and date by selecting S307 the fourth - “Time” selection button in the second selection menu. After selecting S304 the fourth - “Time selection but ton, the concentrator controller may be configured to display S3071 a time settings selection menu. The time settings selection menu may comprise one or more of first buttons for times setting and one or more second buttons for date setting. Further, the time settings selection menu may include a “Con firmation” button and a “Return” button. The one or more of first buttons may comprise one or more first pairs of buttons for each number in the time presentation, such that pressing one button of the pair increases the number, wherein pressing another button of the pair decreases the number. The numbers may be non-negative integers. Preferably, the time presentation may comprise separated three non-negative integer numbers representing hours, minutes and seconds, respectively. Each of these numbers may be set by a corresponding first pair of buttons. Similarly, the date representation may comprise three non-negative integers respectively representing a day, month, and a year. Each of these numbers may be set by a pair of second buttons, wherein by pressing one button of the pair of second buttons the number increases and by pressing another button of the pair of second buttons the number decreases. Thus, the time and date representation may comprise three pairs of first buttons and three pairs of second buttons, respectively. When the time and date have been optionally set, first the “Con firmation” button and afterwards the “Return” button should be selected to confirm the settings and to return to the second selection menu.

[188] Further, Figs. 18 and 19 illustrate steps of the method for connecting the concentrator 600 to a local Wi-Fi network in the vicinity of the concentrator 600 and steps of the method for connecting the concentrator 600 to a mobile network in the vicinity of the concentrator 600. In both methods first, the second - “Connection” selection button may be selected S305 in the second selection menu. Fol lowing that, the concentrator controller may be configured to display S3051 a first connection selec tion menu comprising a first - „Wi-Fi“ selection button, a second - „Mobile“ selection button, and a third - „Back“ selection button. For connecting the concentrator 600 to the local Wi-Fi network, the user may select S30511 the first - “Wi-Fi” selection button. Upon the selection the concentrator con troller may be configured to display S30512 a first “Wi-Fi” selection menu comprising a list of avail able Wi-Fi connections, a “Confirmation” button and a “Return” button. The user may further select S30513 one of the Wi-Fi connections from the list of available Wi-Fi connections. Following that, the concentrator controller may be configured to display a password type-in menu. The password type-in menu may comprise a password type-in box, a keyboard, a “Connect” selection button and a “Back” selection button. The user may type-in S30515 a corresponding Wi-Fi password in the password type- in box and confirm it by selecting the “Connect” selection button. Upon the selection, the concentrator controller may be configured to automatically return back to the first “Wi-Fi” selection menu. Therein, the user may further select the “Return” selection button, upon which the concentrator controller may be configured to return to the first connection selection menu.

[189] In the first connection selection menu, the user may also select S3052 the second - “Mobile” selection button. As illustrated in Fig. 19, based on this selection in step S3052, the concentrator controller may be configured to display S3053 a first mobile selection menu. The first mobile selection menu may comprise a first - “APN” input field for inputting an access point name (APN), a second - “ID” input field for inputting an identification number (ID) of the network, a third - “Password” input field for inputting the corresponding password for getting an access to the mobile network, a first - “Check” selection button, a second - “Confirmed” selection button and a third - “Cancel” selection button.

[190] After inputting S3054 the corresponding APN number, identification number and password and selecting S3054 the second - “Confirmed” selection button by the user, the concentrator controller may be configured to output/display S3055 a message “Connection made” on the display 602 if the connection to the mobile network has been successfully established or the message “Connection failed” if the connection has not been established. If the connection has been successfully established the concentrator controller may be configured to automatically return to the first connection selection menu.

[191] Contrary, if the connection has not been established, the concentrator controller may be config ured to automatically return to the first mobile selection menu. Further, while being in the first mobile selection menu and upon selecting the third - “Cancel” selection button, the concentrator controller may be configured to automatically return back to the first connection selection menu.

[192] Also, upon selecting the first - “Check” selection button after typing -in the APN, ID and the password, the concentrator controller may be configured to check if the typed-in APN, ID and the password are correct. If the typed-in APN, ID and the password are correct the concentrator controller may be configured to output a message “The typed-in data are correct” and afterwards return to the first mobile selection menu. On the other hand, if the typed-in APN, ID and the password are incorrect, the concentrator controller may be configured to output a message “The typed-in data are incorrect” and afterwards return to the first mobile selection menu.

[193] Fig. 20 illustrates steps of the method for setting a mobile telephone number on which SMS monitoring messages are send from the concentrator 600. Starting from the second selection menu, the user may select S306 the third - “SMS monitoring message” selection button. Based on the selec tion the concentrator controller may be configured to display S3061 a first SMS selection menu. The first SMS selection menu may comprise a first input field for inputting telephone number, a first - “Confirmed” selection button and a second - “Cancel” selection button. In the next step, the user may select S3062 the first input field, upon which the concentrator controller may be configured to display S3063 a number selection menu. The number selection menu may comprise a keyboard including numbers and the user may further input S3064 a telephone number into the first input field by subse quently selecting the corresponding numbers on the keyboard. After inputting S3064 the telephone number the user may select S3064 the first - “Confirmed” selection button to confirm the input tele phone number.

[194] Contrary, the user may anytime during displaying of the first SMS selection menu select the second - “Cancel” selection button, upon which the concentrator controller may be configured to return to the second selection menu.

[195] Nevertheless, upon selection of the first - “Confirmed” selection button, the concentrator con troller may be configured to display S3065 a number list menu. The number list menu may comprise a list of all mobile telephone numbers, which have once been input S3064 in the first input field and confirmed S3064 by a user. For each telephone number listed in the list of mobile telephone numbers, the user may select if a monitoring message should be automatically sent from the concentrator 600 to the selected telephone number. The number list menu may further comprise a first - “Confirmed” selection button and a second - “Cancel” selection button. By selecting the first - “Confirmed” selec tion button, the selection of the telephone numbers is confirmed, and the concentrator controller may be configured to return to the first mobile selection menu or to the first SMS selection menu. Upon selecting the second - “Cancel” selection button the concentrator controller may be configured to return to the first SMS selection menu.

[196] Furthermore, Fig. 21 illustrates a side view of an example of a local weather station which may be connected to the concentrator 600 via a Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or a GPRS connection.

[197] The weather station 700 may comprise a temperature sensor 710 (not explicitly shown), a hu midity sensor 720, a wind speed sensor 730, a wind direction sensor 740 and a rainfall sensor 750. However, some or more of the sensor can be omitted.

[198] The weather station may further comprise a base 701, a stand 702 extending vertically from the base 701 and a main part 703 provided at the top of the stand 702.

[199] The base 701, the stand 702 and the main part 703 may form a T-form in a side view, wherein the base 701 corresponds to the bottom part of the T-form, the stand 702 corresponds to the vertical line of the T-form and the main part 703 corresponds to the top part or horizontal line of the T-form.

[200] Also, the stand 702 and the main part 703 may be mutually assembled in such a way, that a vertical axis - corresponding to the long axis of the stand 702, divides the main part 703 into two portions, approximately at its half.

[201] The rainfall sensor 750 comprises a container in which precipitation e.g. rainfall is gathered and stored. Preferably, the container may comprise a funnel for gathering and guiding the precipitation in the container. Preferably, the container may have a volume corresponding to a rainfall of 0.3 mm/m². The container may be further provided with a sensor configured to measure water volume in the con tainer and calculate a percentage of fullness of the container with respect to the maximal volume of water that can be received in the container. The amount of rainfall stored in the container is limited, such that it should be regularly emptied. The sensor may be configured to detect when the container is full and so the rainfall sensor 750 may be configured to automatically empty the container, when the container is full. By each discharge of the container, the weather station 700 and/or the rainfall sensor 750 may be configured to report the discharge of the container to the concentrator 600. The concentrator 600 may be configured to receive the report about the discharge of the container from the weather station 700 and/or the rainfall sensor 750. The concentrator 600 may be further configured to save reports of container discharges and count the number of container discharges. From the number of container discharges with a known volume, the concentrator 600 may calculate rainfall in a certain time. The weather station 700 and/or the rainfall sensor 750 may be configured to transmit the data to the concentrator 600 via a WiFi-connection and/or a GPRS connection and/or a Bluetooth connection. The concentrator 600 may be further configured to forward the rainfall information to remote server 800 and/or the mobile terminal 900 to inform the user.

[202] Further, the rainfall sensor 750 and the wind direction sensor 740 may be provided at a one portion of the two portions of the main part 703, wherein the temperature sensor 710, humidity sensor 720 and the wind speed sensor 730 may be provided at the other portion of the two portions of the main part 703. As the rainfall sensor 750 may comprise the container in which rainfall water is stored, the measurements of the temperature sensor 710 and the humidity sensor 720 may be influenced by the presence of the rainfall water in the container, if the temperature sensor 710 and the humidity sensor 720 would be provided in the vicinity of the rainfall sensor 750. The local air humidity in the vicinity of the water container might be higher than the average air humidity which might lead to false detection by the humidity sensor 720. Further, as the air temperature is inextricably linked with the air humidity, the locally higher/lower air humidity might also impact the temperature measurement of the temperature sensor 710. Additionally, it is advantageous to provide the wind speed sensor 730 and the wind direction sensor 740 not to close to each other such that vibrations caused by a movement of one of the wind speed sensor 730 and the wind direction sensor 740 would impact the movement and thereby measurement of the other of the wind speed sensor 730 and the wind direction sensor 740. Also, the wind speed sensor 730 and the wind direction sensor 740 may not be provided to far away from each other, to ensure that they both measure the same airflow. Hence, with the above arrangement of the temperature sensor 710, humidity sensor 720, wind speed sensor 730, wind direction sensor 740 and the rainfall sensor 750 more reliable and unbiased measurements of weather parameters are achieved. Moreover, the above arrangement provides a compact and balanced assembly of the weather station 700.

[203] Also, the wind speed sensor 730 and the rainfall sensor 750 may be provided at the upper surface of the main part 703, wherein the temperature sensor 710, the humidity sensor 720 and the wind di rection sensor 740 may be provided at the bottom surface of the main part 703.

[204] The weather station 700 may further comprise one or more solar cells 704, wherein the solar cells 704 may detect the sun light intensity and its wavelength distribution.

[205] Further, the weather station may comprise a weather station controller and a communication module.

[206] The weather station controller is configured to control the one or more sensors, e.g. the temper ature sensor 710, humidity sensor 720, wind speed sensor 730, wind direction sensor 740, rainfall sensor 750, the solar cells 704 and the communication module.

[207] On the other hand, the communication module is configured to transfer data from the weather station 700 to the concentrator 600 or to e server or a user terminal and vice-versa. When the concen trator 600 and the weather station 700 are connected to each other, a weather data may be periodically transferred from the weather station 700 to the concentrator 600 within a predetermined time period.

[208] The weather data may comprise measurement data of at least one of the temperature sensor 710, measurement data of the humidity sensor 720, measurement data of the wind speed sensor 730, meas urement data of the wind direction sensor 740, measurement data of the rainfall sensor 750 and the measurement data of the solar cells 704. Preferably, the pre-determined time period may be between 5s and lmin.

[209] Alternatively, the weather data is transmitted only in case of change, thus the data amount is reduced.

[210] Fig. 22 illustrates steps of a method for extraction of the weather data from the concentrator 600. After turning on S401 the concentrator 600, the concentrator controller may be configured to display S402 the first selection menu as described above. Upon selecting S403 the second - “Weather” button the concentrator controller may be configured to display S404 a weather presentation menu comprising presentation of the weather data. The presentation of the weather data may comprise one of wind speed, wind direction presented with respect to the cardinal directions, temperature, air pres sure, air humidity, sun intensity, ultraviolet index, rainfall in a selected period of time preferably the selected period of time. Upon selection of the “Back” - selection button, the concentrator controller may be configured to return to the first selection menu. [211] The local camera, e.g. the WiFi camera may be configured to capture a photo and/or a video of one or more beehives and/or the apiary, at least temporary store the photo and/or the video on the WiFi camera and transmit the captured photo and/or the video to the concentrator or other connected device. The apiary, beehive or concentrator and the WiFi camera may be connected by a WiFi con nection and/or a Bluetooth connection. After receiving the captured photo and/or the video, the re ceiving device may further transmit the captured photo and/or the video to the remote server and/or the mobile terminal via a WiFi connection, LoRa connection, Bluetooth connection, and/or GPRS connection. The apiary, beehive or concentrator may be further configured to control function of the WiFi camera. Hence, the apiary, beehive or concentrator may be configured to transmit control data to the WiFi camera and receive captured photos and/or videos from the WiFi camera. The apiary, beehive or concentrator may control the function of the WiFi camera in such a way that it controls when and for how long the WiFi camera should capture either a photo or a video. The WiFi camera may be operated in two main modes, a first - operational mode and a second - standby mode. In the first - operational mode the WiFi camera may be configured to capture photo or video, wherein in the second - standby mode the WiFi camera may be in an energy saving mode waiting for the next control data from the concentrator.

[212] For example, when the WiFi camera is in the second - standby mode the controller of the api ary, beehive or concentrator may provide a command to the WiFi camera to start capturing either a photo or a video. By receiving the command to start capturing the photo or the video the WiFi cam era may switch from the second - standby mode into the first - operational model and start capturing either the photo or the video. The command for video capturing also comprise a pre-set time for how long the video should be taken. After the WiFi camera has captured the photo or the video according to the pre-set time the WiFi camera may automatically transmit the photo or the video to the concen trator. Afterwards, the WiFi camera may automatically switch back into the low - standby mode.

[213] In another example, the apiary, beehive or concentrator controlling the camera may be config ured to periodically send a command to activate the WiFi camera to capture the photo and/or the video and so to periodically switch the WiFi camera from the second - standby mode into the first - operational mode. Periodically means that there is a certain first predetermined time period between two captured images or videos at which the WiFi camera receives a command to capture the photo and/or the video. The apiary, beehive or concentrator may be configured to count time after sending out a capturing command and when the counted time is longer or equal than the first predetermined time, the apiary, beehive or concentrator may again transmit a capturing command to activate the WiFi camera to start capturing photo or video. Moreover, the apiary, beehive or concentrator may be configured to just temporarily or permanently store or save or archive the photo or video data re ceived from the WiFi camera. Preferably, the first predetermined time period may be between 15min and 72h, preferably between 30min and 24h, more preferably between 2h and 12h, even more prefer ably between 3h and 8h, and especially 6h.

[214] In another example, the apiary, beehive or concentrator may be configured to provide WiFi camera with a control data to permanently stay in the first - operational mode and permanently cap ture video and automatically or concurrently transmit the captured video to the apiary, beehive or concentrator until the WiFi camera receives another control data to stop capturing. Another control data may comprise a command for stopping the capturing of the video and switching the WiFi cam era into the second - standby mode. The apiary, beehive or concentrator may be further configured to automatically and concurrently transmit the received photo or video to the remote server or the mobile terminal. Thereby the user may concurrently access the captured photo or video from the re mote server by an electronic device such as a computer, a tablet and/or a mobile terminal and con currently display the captured photo or video at the computer, tablet and/or the mobile terminal. On the other hand, the user may also concurrently access the captured photo or video from the mobile terminal and display it on the mobile terminal. Hence, a so called “live stream” from the WiFi camera may be enabled to the user, wherein the user may see “in live” what is happening at the api ary and/or the beehive. Thereby, the user may “in live” observe the bees movement/flying around the apiary and/or the beehive and so determine pasturing state of the bees. Further, the user may ob serve “in live” if some unwanted object such as an animal and/or a human is approaching the apiary and/or the beehive.

[215] In another example, the image data receiving component (apiary, beehive, concentrator or weather station) may be configured to periodically transmit the captured photo and/or video to the remote server and/or the mobile terminal with a second predetermined time period. In this example, the image data receiving component may first store all the received photos and videos from the WiFi camera at the concentrator and then transmit the photos and/or videos to the remote server and/or mobile terminal only at predetermined times in a day, week or month, determined with the second p re -determined time period. Thereby, the image data receiving component may be configured to start counting time when it has transmitted stored photos and/or videos to the remote server and/or the mobile terminal, and when the counted times is equal or longer than the second predetermined time period, the image data receiving component may again transmit stored photos and/or videos to the remote server and/or the mobile terminal. Preferably, the image data receiving component may be configured to transmit only new photos and/or videos which it has received from the WiFi camera since the last transmission of the stored photos and/or videos to the remote server and/or the mobile terminal. The second predetermined time period is longer than the first predetermined time period. Preferably, the second predetermined time period may be between lh and 6 months, preferably be tween 24h and 3 months, more preferably between 1 week and 2 months, even more preferably be tween 3 weeks and 1 month, and especially 4 weeks.

[216] Preferably, the captured photos and/or videos and/or audio data may be permanently stored or archived on the image data receiving component or a memory connected thereto and/or the remote server and/or the mobile terminal, such that the user may by desire access the captured photo and/or video and/or audio data from the past and so reconstitute the occasions which happened at the apiary and/or the beehive.

[217] The image data receiving component may receive control data on how to control the WiFi camera from the mobile terminal and or remote server, wherein the user may select the operation of the WiFi camera through the smartphone application and/or the tablet application and/or the com puter application. A control via the Bluetooth reader might be also possible.

[218] As the WiFi camera may configured to be controlled by the image data receiving component, the WiFi camera does not require an additional control module. This has an advantage in that the system is more compact and less material and energy consumptive. Further, through the WiFi camera the user can observe the state of the apiary and/or the beehive and surroundings thereof. Hence, he may observe the movement/flying of bees and thereby determine state of the bees and the bee colony. Also, the user may notice if an unwanted object such as an animal (bear) or an uninvited person, e.g. vandal has come into vicinity of the apiary and/or the beehive and may start damaging or has damaged the apiary and/or the beehive. Thus, by using the “live stream” function of the WiFi camera and the concentrator, the user may fast enough recognize the intruder and undertake corresponding actions to prevent any or minimize damages at the apiary and/or the beehive. On the other hand, by accessing the stored or saved or archived photos and/or videos from the past, the user may identify the reasons for possible damages at the apiary and/or the beehive and e.g. identify a vandal. Further, all the data from the concentrator 600 may be transferred to the remote server 800 where they can be accessed through a smartphone application and/or a tablet application and/or a computer application. The smartphone application, the tablet application and/or the computer application may enable an auto matic and/or manual analysis and/or graphical representation of the data transferred from the concen trator 600. [219] Moreover, Fig. 23 illustrates a Bluetooth reader 1000 being configured to acquire (receive/trans mit) data from the beehive scale 1 and/or from the concentrator 600 and/or the apiary via a Bluetooth connection. Preferably, the Bluetooth reader 1000 may be configured to enable a fast and automatic acquiring of data from the one or more beehive scales 1 and/or from the concentrator 600 and/or the one or more apiaries. The data acquisition with the Bluetooth reader 1000 may be carried out by turning on the Bluetooth reader 1000 and bringing it close enough to the beehive scale 1 and/or to the concentrator 600 such that data can be automatically transferred from the beehive scale 1 and/or the concentrator 600 to the Bluetooth reader 1000. Upon data acquisition from the beehive scale 1 and/or the concentrator 600 and/or the apiary, the Bluetooth reader 1000 may be configured to concurrently output, preferably display, the acquired data and so make them available to the user. The Bluetooth reader 1000 may be further configured to be small and compact and thus easy to carry. Therefore, the Bluetooth reader 1000 may be easy to handle and as such provide the users with a simple and an automatic way to acquire data form the beehive scale 1 and/or the concentrator 600. Hence, the Blue tooth reader 1000 may be used for fast and efficient data transmission.

[220] The Bluetooth reader 1000 may comprise a casing 1010 forming an internal space of the Blue tooth reader 1000 and defining the outer bottom surface and outer side surfaces of the Bluetooth reader 1000. Further, the Bluetooth reader 1000 may comprise a top cover 1020 covering the internal space from the top and forming the top outer surface of the Bluetooth reader 1000.

[221] The Bluetooth reader 1000 may also include a turn on/off switch provided at the top cover 1020. The turn on/off switch may protrude through the top cover 1020 into the internal space of the Bluetooth reader 1000. The top cover 1020 may also cover the elements provided in the internal space. The top cover 1020 may include a plate and a frame provided at the edge of the plate, wherein the frame extends downwards form the top surface of the plate. Preferably, the plate may have a mainly rectan gular or quadratic shape .

[222] In addition, Fig. 24 show an exploded view of the Bluetooth reader 1000 of Fig. 23. The Blue tooth reader 1000 may further comprise a printed circuit board assembly PCBA 1040 including a controller, a battery 1050 connected to the PCBA 1040 and an internal housing 1060, wherein the PCBA 1040, the battery 1050 and the internal housing 1060 are provided in the internal space of the Bluetooth reader 1000, wherein the PCBA 1040 and the battery 1050 are arranged at the internal housing 1060.

[223] Preferably, the PCBA 1040 and the battery 1050 may be arranged at the top surface of the in ternal housing 1060. The internal housing 1060 may comprise a rectangular plate and an enclosing frame provided at the edge of the rectangular plate and extending vertically from the top surface of the rectangular plate. In addition, a display 1041 placed at the PCBA 1040 and configured to display data received from the PCBA 1040 or the controller. Hence, the display 1041 may be also configured to display data acquired from the beehive scale 1 and/or the concentrator 600. As the top cover 1020 covers the internal space and the elements provided therein from the top, a first opening 1021 may be formed in the top cover 1020 through which the display 1041 may be exposed to the outside. The first opening 1021 may be of such size that complete display 1041 is exposed to the outside or that only a portion of the display 1041 is exposed to the outside.

[224] Preferably, the display 1041 and the first opening 1021 may have a rectangular form, wherein the width of the first opening 1021 may be smaller than the width of the display 1041, or the width of the first opening 1021 may be larger than the width of the display 1041 or the width of the first opening 1021 may be the same as the width of the display 1041. Also, the top cover 1020 may comprise a second opening 1022 through which the turn on/off switch 1030 may be inserted. The turn on/off switch 1030 is attached to the controller at the PCB 1040, so that by activating the turn on/off switch 1030, the controller is correspondingly turned on or off. Preferably, the second opening 1022 may be smaller than the first opening 1021. [225] Additionally, the casing 1010 may comprise a side opening 1011 formed in a side surface of the casing 1010, such that the internal space of the Bluetooth reader 1000 is exposed to the outside through the side opening 1011. Further, the Bluetooth reader 1000 may also comprise a side cover 1070 pro vided between the PCBA 1040 and the side surface of the casing 1010 in which the side opening 1011 is formed. The side cover may be also provided at the inner surface of the side surface of the casing 1010 in which the side opening 1011 is formed. The side cover 1070 may comprise a side cover opening 1071, wherein the side opening 1011 and the side cover opening 1071 may overlap, such that a portion of the internal space is exposed to the outside. Preferably, the side opening 1011 may be bigger than the side cover opening 1071 or the side opening 1011 may be smaller than the side cover opening 1071 or the side opening 1011 and the side cover opening may correspond with each other in size and shape. Especially, the side opening 1011 and the side cover opening 1071 may have a mainly rectangular shape. Also, the side opening 1011 and the side cover opening 1071 may be so arranged that a portion of the PCBA 1040 is exposed to the outside through them.

[226] The Bluetooth reader 1000 may also include a battery cover 1080 provided on top of the battery 1050 and being configured to additionally protect the battery from external influences. The battery cover 1080 may comprise a plate and a frame provided at the edge of the plate and extending vertically upward from the top surface of the plate. The battery cover 1080 may further include a hook 1081 provided at one edge of the plate and extending vertically upward from the top surface of the plate. The hook 1081 may have an L-shape. The hook 1081 may be configured to connect the battery cover 1080 with the PCBA 1040, such that assembly robustness between the PCBA 1040 and the battery 1050 may be enhanced.

[227] Also, in the Bluetooth reader 1000 the internal housing 1060 may be attached to the casing 1010 with screws 1090 to increase assembly robustness. The screws 1090 may be provided at the proximity of four comers of the internal housing 1060. Further, the casing 1010 may be made of elastic material or shock approved material. Hence, in case of accidental dropping of the Bluetooth reader 1000 a mainly elastic collision will occur or the shock will be absorbed, thus reducing a risk of damages. Preferably, the casing 1010 may be made of rubber.

Claims

1. A beehive scale (1), comprising: a base frame (100) having a central portion (110) formed as hollow profile and at least one side portion (130) formed as hollow profile, the at least one side portion (130) is coupled to and ex tends from the central portion (110); a control module (PCBA) (20) disposed at the central portion (110); and at least one weight sensor (31, 32, 41, 42) disposed at the at least one side portion (130, 140) for determining a weight of a beehive placed on the beehive scale (1).

2. The beehive scale of claim 1, wherein the base frame (100) includes two side portions (130, 140) or the base frame (100) includes three side portions (130, 140) extending from a central portion (110).

3. The beehive scale of claim 1 or 2, wherein the central portion (110) includes a control module accommodation unit (111) for accommodating the control module (20), wherein a cover (50) is cou pled to the control module accommodation unit (111) for closing the control module accommoda tion unit (111).

4. The beehive scale (1) of claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the base frame (100) is formed at least partially as bar shaped profile, preferably as a hollow profile, one surface of the hollow profile represents the upper side of the beehive scale (1) for placing the beehive on the beehive scale (1), wherein the hol low profile has an open portion directed to the bottom side of the beehive scale (1).

5. The beehive scale (1) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one weight sensor ac commodation unit (131, 132, 141, 142) is provided at the side portion (130, 140) and/or the central portion (110).

6. The beehive scale (1) of any one of the preceding claims 2-5, wherein each side portion (130,

140) includes at least one weight sensor accommodation unit (131, 132, 141, 142) for accommodat ing the weight sensor (31, 32, 41, 42), the at least one weight sensor accommodation unit (131, 132, 141, 142) is opened to the upper side of the base frame (100) facing the beehive and mainly closed to the bottom side of the base frame (100) facing a bottom for placing the beehive scale (1) and/or each side portion (130, 140) includes at least one weight sensor accommodation unit (131, 132, 141, 142) for accommodating the weight sensor (31, 32, 41, 42), the at least one weight sensor accommodation unit (131, 132, 141, 142) is opened to the bottom side of the base frame (100) fac ing a bottom for placing the beehive scale (1) and mainly closed to the upper side of the base frame (100) facing the beehive, such that weight sensors can be accommodated into the sensor accommo dation unit (131, 132, 141, 142) from the bottom side.

7. The beehive scale (1) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one weight sensor (31, 32, 41 ,42) is realized as load cell, preferably as a planar beam type load cell, and/or the at least one weight sensor (31, 32, 41 ,42) comprises a beehive scale contacting portion (311, 321, 411, 421) for transmitting the weight of the beehive to the sensing part (312, 322, 412, 422) of the weight sensor, and/or wherein the at least one weight sensor (31, 32, 41, 42) is connected to the control module (20) and/or the at least one of the weight sensor (31, 32, 41, 42) is covered with a protection member (61, 62, 63, 64).

8. The beehive scale (1) of claim 7, wherein an elastic element (350) is placed at least between one of the beehive scale contacting portion (321a) and the sensing part (322) of the weight sensor (32).

9. The beehive scale (1) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the weight sensor accommoda tion unit (131, 132, 141, 142) comprises at least one support portion (1311, 1321, 1411, 1421) con tacting a bottom surface for placing the beehive scale, the at least one support portion (1311, 1321, 1411, 1421) protrudes downwardly, preferably the weight sensor accommodation unit (131, 132, 141, 142) comprises three support portions (1311, 1321, 1411, 1421) protruding downwardly for representing contacting points on which the beehive scale rests during operation.

10. The beehive scale (1) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one weight sensor (31, 32, 41, 42) is provided inside the weight sensor accommodation unit (131, 132, 141, 142) to get in contact with the beehive if the beehive (2) is placed on the upper side of the base frame (100).

11. The beehive scale (1) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control module (20) is configured to receive a signal from at one of the weigh sensors (31, 32, 41, 42) and/or is configured to receive other signals from further sensors associated to the beehive scale (1).

12. The beehive scale (1) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the control module (20) com prises at least one of: a controller (21) for receiving sensing signals from the at least weight sensor, for processing the at least one sensing signal and for outputting at least one weight signal, a communication module (22) for wireless and/or wired communication with a remote station, an indicator (23) and/or display (24); and a battery (25) for power supply of the controller and/or the communication module (22) and/or indicator or display.

13. The beehive scale (1) of any one of the preceding claims, further comprising protection tubes (71, 72, 73, 74) for accommodating connection lines, the connection lines (80) connect the at least one weight sensor with the controller module (20), wherein protection tubes (71, 72, 73, 74) are dis posed on the bottom side of the base frame (110).

14. The beehive scale (1) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base frame (100) and/or the cover (50) is made of aluminum and/or have a material thickness of 1 to 2 mm and/or the base frame (100) and/or the cover (50) and/or the protection member (61, 62, 63, 64) are made by mold ing and/or die casting and/or the base frame (100), the cover (50) and the protection member (61,

62, 63, 64) are made simultaneously by molding and/or die casting.

15. The beehive scale (1) of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the central portion (110) comprises a control module accommodation unit (111) and a pair of central guiding units (113, 114) connected at opposing sides of the control module accommodation unit (111), such that the control module accommodation unit (111) is disposed between the central guiding units (113, 114) and the central guiding unit (113, 114) is connected respectively to one of the side portion (130, 140).

16. Apiary comprising the at least one beehive scale (1) as claimed in one of the preceding claims, further comprising: a central power supply and/or a central communication module.

17. A beekeeping control system comprising: a concentrator unit (600); at least one beehive scale (1) as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, the at least one beehive scale (1) is communicatively connected to the concentrator; an apiary comprising the at least one beehive scale, wherein the apiary comprises or is con nected to at least one of the further sensors comprising: a temperature sensor (710); humidity sensor (720); wind speed sensor (730); wind direction sensor (740); rainfall sensor (750); acoustic sensor (760) and/or camera.

18. The beekeeping control system of claim 17, further comprising a remote server (800) adapted to receive data from the concentrator (600), the remote server (800) is accessible by a mobile terminal (900), wherein the mobile terminal (900) is adapted to be connected to the remote server (800) and/or the concentrator (600), wherein the mobile terminal is adapted to execute an e-beekeeper ap plication for receiving and/or transmitting data from/to the concentrator (600) and/or the remote server (800) and/or for transmitting data via the remote server (800) and/or via the concentrator (600) to the beehive scale (1).

19. The beekeeping control system of any one of the claims 17, or 18, wherein the wireless connec tion between the concentrator (600) and a beehive scale (1) is a Bluetooth and/or a LoRa communi cation; and the connection between the concentrator (600) and the mobile terminal (900) is a Blue tooth and/or a WiFi and/or a GPRS and/or a LoRa communication; and the connection between the concentrator (600) and the remote server (800) is a Bluetooth and/or a WiFi and/or a GPRS and/or a LoRa communication; and the connection between any further sensor (710, 720, 730, 740, 750,

760) and the concentrator is a Bluetooth and/or a WiFi and/or a GPRS and/or a LoRa communica tion.

20. The beekeeping control system of any one of the claims 17 to 19, wherein the concentrator (600) is configured to receive data from the at least one beehive scale (1) and/or the other sensors (710, 720, 730, 740, 750, 760) according to a predetermined time plan and/or the concentrator (600) is configured to calculate the weight difference from the previous measurement for each beehive; and/or the concentrator (600) is further configured to calculate the average beehive weight and/or to calculate the weight difference between average beehive weight from the previous measurement.