TECHNOLOGIES HOLDINGS CORP. Patent applications |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20140245958 | MILKING SYSTEM SHUT-OFF AND SENSORS - A method, comprises receiving a flow of milk at an inlet of a manifold. The inlet comprises a first end coupled to a hose that receives a flow of milk from a teat cup and a second end terminating in a chamber of the manifold. The manifold comprises one or more other inlets and a plurality of outlets. The plurality of outlets includes one or more milk collector outlets and one or more drain outlets. The method proceeds by causing the flow of milk to be directed to a corresponding milk collector outlet by causing a shut-off valve corresponding to the inlet to open, and by causing a drain valve corresponding to the inlet to close. The method concludes by causing the flow of milk to be directed to a corresponding drain outlet by causing the shut-off valve corresponding to the inlet to close, and by causing the drain valve corresponding to the inlet to open. | 09-04-2014 |
20140230750 | AUTOMATED SYSTEM FOR APPLYING DISINFECTANT TO THE TEATS OF DAIRY LIVESTOCK - A method for applying disinfectant to the teats of a dairy livestock, comprises receiving a trigger signal indicating that a stall of a rotary milking platform housing a dairy livestock is located adjacent to a track, the track having a carriage carrying a robotic arm mounted thereto. The method continues by communicating a first signal to a first actuator coupled to the track and the carriage, the first signal causing operation of the first actuator such that the carriage moves along the track in relation to the rotary milking platform. The method concludes by communicating one or more additional signals to one or more actuators of the robotic arm, the one or more additional signals causing operation of the one or more actuators of the robotic arm such that at least a portion of the robotic arm extends between the hind legs of a dairy livestock. | 08-21-2014 |
20140216349 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF ATTACHING A CUP TO A DAIRY ANIMAL ACCORDING TO A SEQUENCE - A system includes a milking box and a robotic arm. The milking box comprises a stall portion that houses a dairy livestock with four teats. The robotic arm performs the following operation for a plurality of teats of the dairy livestock: retrieves a cup; attaches the cup to a teat; and detaches the cup from the teat. The cup is maintained within the stall portion of the milking box from the time that the cup is attached to a first teat of the dairy livestock through the time that the cup is attached to a last teat of the dairy livestock. The cup is retracted into an equipment area of the milking box after it is detached from the last teat of the dairy livestock. | 08-07-2014 |
20140196665 | VISION SYSTEM FOR ROBOTIC ATTACHER - A system includes a robotic arm on which at least one camera is attached. It further includes a memory and a controller communicatively coupled to the memory. The memory stores historical information associated with a dairy livestock. The historical information include a previously-determined location of a teat of the dairy livestock. The controller moves the camera on the robotic arm toward the previously-determined location of the teat. The camera generates an image of the teat of the dairy livestock from a position to which it is moved, and the controller determines a current location of the teat of the dairy livestock based at least in part on the image. | 07-17-2014 |
20140172164 | AUTOMATED SYSTEM FOR APPLYING DISINFECTANT TO THE TEATS OF DAIRY LIVESTOCK - A method for applying a substance to the teats of a dairy livestock comprises extending a robotic arm between the legs of a dairy livestock positioned in a stall. The method continues by rotating a linear member of a spray tool about an axis that is perpendicular to the robotic arm, wherein the linear member has a perimeter that lies within an outer perimeter of the robotic arm when the robotic arm extends between the hind legs of the dairy livestock. The method continues by discharging a substance as the linear member rotates. | 06-19-2014 |
20140165916 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF ATTACHING CUPS TO A DAIRY ANIMAL - A robotic attacher retrieves cups from the left side of an equipment area located behind a dairy livestock and attaches the cups to the teats of the dairy livestock in sequence. The sequence comprises attaching a first cup to the left front teat, a second cup to the right front teat, a third cup to the left rear teat, and a fourth cup to the right rear teat. | 06-19-2014 |
20140158063 | VISION SYSTEM FOR FACILITATING THE AUTOMATED APPLICATION OF DISINFECTANT TO THE TEATS OF DAIRY LIVESTOCK - A method comprises determining a tangent to the rear of an udder of a dairy livestock, and determining a tangent to the bottom of the udder of the dairy livestock. The method continues by determining a position relative to the intersection of the two tangents, and extending a robot arm to the determined position. | 06-12-2014 |
20140158052 | MILKING BOX WITH ROBOTIC ATTACHER - A system includes a milking box and a robotic attacher. The milking box has a stall to accommodate a dairy livestock. The robotic attacher extends under the dairy livestock and comprises a nozzle. The robotic attacher is operable to rotate such that, during a first operation, the nozzle is positioned generally on the bottom of the robotic attacher, and during a second operation, the nozzle is positioned generally on the top of the robotic attacher. | 06-12-2014 |
20140147016 | VISION SYSTEM FOR FACILITATING THE AUTOMATED APPLICATION OF DISINFECTANT TO THE TEATS OF DAIRY LIVESTOCK - A method for determining a spray position for a spray tool includes accessing an image signal generated by a camera, the image signal corresponding to at least an udder of a dairy livestock. The method further includes processing the accessed image signal to determine a tangent to the rear and a tangent to the bottom of the udder of the dairy livestock. The method concludes by determining a spray position from which a spray tool may apply disinfectant to the teats of the dairy livestock, wherein the spray position is a position relative to the intersection of the two tangents. | 05-29-2014 |
20140144068 | PORTABLE HEATING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PEST CONTROL - A method for killing pests in an affected area of a structure, comprises positioning a heat exchanger unit within an affected area, coupling a first end of an inlet hose to a faucet, and coupling a second end of the inlet hose to an inlet port of the heat exchanger unit such that the heat exchanger unit may receive a flow of water from the faucet. The heat exchanger unit generates heated air by transferring heat from the flow of water received from the faucet to air flowing through the heat exchanger unit. The method continues by positioning an electric heater proximate to the heat exchanger unit, the electric heater operable to further heat the heated air emitted by the heat exchanger unit to a target temperature greater than 120 degrees Fahrenheit, the further heated air being emitted into the affected area. | 05-29-2014 |
20140144066 | PORTABLE HEATING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PEST CONTROL - A system for killing pests in an affected area of a structure comprises a heat pump unit placed within an affected area. The heat pump unit comprises an evaporator component, a condensor component, and a compressor component. The evaporator component is configured to receive a flow of water from a faucet, and transfer heat from the flow of water to a refrigerant. The condenser component is configured to receive the refrigerant from the evaporator component, and generate heated air by transferring heat from the refrigerant to air flowing through the condenser component. The heated air being emitted into the affected area is in order to raise the temperature of the affected area to a target temperature greater than 120 degrees Fahrenheit. The compressor component is configured to return the refrigerant from the evaporator component of the heat pump unit to the condenser component of the heat pump unit. | 05-29-2014 |
20130298579 | Vapor Compression Dehumidifier - A dehumidification apparatus comprises an air inlet configured to receive an inlet airflow that is separated into a process airflow and a bypass airflow. An evaporator unit is operable to cool the process airflow by facilitating heat transfer from the process airflow to a flow of refrigerant as the process airflow passes through the evaporator unit. A condenser unit operable to (1) reheat the process airflow by facilitating heat transfer from the flow of refrigerant to the process airflow as the process airflow passes through a first portion of the condenser unit, and (2) heat the bypass airflow by facilitating heat transfer from the flow of refrigerant to the bypass airflow as the bypass airflow passes through a second portion of the condenser unit. The process airflow is discharged into the structure via a process airflow outlet and the bypass airflow is discharged into the structure via a bypass airflow outlet. | 11-14-2013 |
20130055735 | Defrost Bypass Dehumidifier - A defrost bypass dehumidifier includes an air flow path with first, second and third segments in series from upstream to downstream and passing ambient air respectively to an evaporator coil then to a condenser coil and then discharging same. The air flow path has a bypass segment passing ambient air to the evaporator coil in parallel with the noted first air flow path segment. | 03-07-2013 |
20120312237 | Automated Cluster Remover - In certain embodiments, a system includes a cylinder and a piston, the piston positioned within the cylinder and operable to move within the cylinder from a retracted position to an extended position. The system further includes a vacuum port facilitating application of a vacuum pressure to the cylinder, the vacuum pressure resulting in a vacuum force being applied to the piston, the vacuum force causing the piston to move toward the retracted position. The system further includes a spring member configured to apply a spring force to the piston when the piston is in the retracted position, the spring force offsetting at least a portion of the vacuum force. The system further includes a sensor operable to generate a displacement signal in response to detecting movement of the piston from the retracted position toward the extended position. | 12-13-2012 |
20120304528 | Packaged Terminal Climate Unit for Pest Control - In certain embodiments, a packaged terminal device for killing pests in an affected area includes a housing configured to be positioned at least partially within an affected area, a fan positioned within the housing, and one or more heating elements positioned within the housing. The fan is operable to draw a flow of air from the affected area into the housing. The one or more heating elements are operable to generate heated air by transferring heat to the flow of air. The packaged terminal device further includes a control unit operable to control the operation of the one or more heating elements in order to cause the packaged terminal device to operate in either a first mode or a second mode. In the first mode, the operation of the one or more heating elements is controlled such that sufficient heated air is generated to heat at least a portion of the affected area to a temperature less than or equal to a first predefined temperature. In the second mode, the operation of the one or more heating elements is controlled such that sufficient heated air is generated to heat at least a portion of the affected area to a temperature greater than or equal to a second predefined temperature, the second predefined temperature being greater than the first predefined temperature. | 12-06-2012 |
20120298042 | Milking System Shut-Off and Sensors - In certain embodiments, an apparatus includes a plurality of inlets and a plurality of outlets. Each inlet is adapted to receive a flow of milk from a dairy livestock, and each outlet is adapted to receive a flow of milk from a corresponding one or more inlets. The plurality of outlets include one or more milk collector outlets and one or more drain outlets. Each milk collector outlet is adapted to direct the flow of milk received from the corresponding one or more inlets to a milk collector. Each drain outlet is adapted to direct the flow of milk received from the corresponding one or more inlets to a discard area. The apparatus further includes one or more valves each associated with one of the plurality of inlets. The one or more valves are adapted to direct the flow of milk received at the associated inlet to either a corresponding one of the one or more milk collector outlets or a corresponding one of the one or more drain outlets. | 11-29-2012 |
20120291463 | Split System Dehumidifier - In certain embodiments, a system comprises an evaporator unit operable to receive an incoming airflow and a flow of refrigerant from an expansion device. The evaporator unit generates a cooled airflow by facilitating heat transfer from the incoming airflow to the flow of refrigerant. The cooled airflow has an absolute humidity less than an absolute humidity of the incoming airflow. The system further comprises a subcooler unit operable to receive the cooled airflow generated by the evaporator unit and the flow of refrigerant from a condenser unit located exterior to a structure. The subcooler unit generates an outgoing airflow by facilitating heat transfer from the flow of refrigerant to the cooled airflow, the outgoing airflow having a relative humidity less than a relative humidity of the cooled airflow. The system further comprises a supply fan operable to provide the outgoing airflow to the structure. | 11-22-2012 |
20120277913 | Vision System for Robotic Attacher - In certain embodiments, a system includes a controller operable to access a first image generated by a first camera. The controller determines a reference point from at least one main feature of a dairy livestock included in the first image. The controller is further operable to access a second image generated by the second camera. The second image includes at least a portion of an udder of the dairy livestock. The controller determines a location of a teat of the dairy livestock based on the second image. | 11-01-2012 |
20120275894 | MILKING BOX WITH ROBOTIC ATTACHER COMPRISING AN ARM THAT PIVOTS, ROTATES, AND GRIPS - In certain embodiments, robotic attacher comprises a supplemental arm comprising a fixed portion and a gripping portion. The fixed portion comprises a pivot assembly and a rotating assembly. The pivot assembly pivots the gripping portion between maximum-left, maximum-right, and centered positions. The rotating assembly rotates the gripping portion between upright and upside down positions. | 11-01-2012 |
20120275662 | System and Method for Analyzing Data Captured by a Three-Dimensional Camera - In an exemplary embodiment, a system includes a three-dimensional camera and a processor communicatively coupled to the three-dimensional camera. The processor is operable to determine a first edge of a dairy livestock, determine a second edge of the dairy livestock, determine a third edge of the dairy livestock, and determine a fourth edge of the dairy livestock. | 11-01-2012 |
20120275661 | System and Method for Filtering Data Captured by a 3D Camera - In an exemplary embodiment, a system includes a three-dimensional camera and a processor. The processor is operable to access a first portion of visual data captured by the three-dimensional camera wherein the visual data comprises an image of a dairy livestock and access a second portion of the visual data, wherein the first portion and the second portion are aligned in a first dimension. The processor is further operable to determine a first coordinate, wherein the first coordinate comprises a location of the first portion in a second dimension, the second dimension orthogonal to the first dimension and determine a second coordinate, wherein the second coordinate comprises a location of the second portion in the second dimension. The processor is further operable to determine a first distance exceeds a distance threshold, wherein the first distance is the distance between the first coordinate and the second coordinate in the second dimension. | 11-01-2012 |
20120275660 | System and Method for Filtering Data Captured by a 2D Camera - In an exemplary embodiment, a system includes a camera and a processor communicatively coupled to the camera. The processor is operable to access visual data captured by the camera, wherein the visual data comprises an image of a dairy livestock and determine that an intensity measurement of a first portion of the visual data exceeds an intensity threshold. The processor is further operable to filter the first portion of the visual data in response to determining that the intensity measurement exceeds the threshold. The processor is also operable to determine a coordinate of a teat of the dairy livestock based at least in part upon the visual data, excluding filtered portions of the visual data | 11-01-2012 |
20120274761 | Vision System and Method of Operation - In an exemplary embodiment, a system includes a first camera, a second camera, and a processor wherein the second camera has a higher resolution than the first camera. The processor is communicatively coupled to the first camera and the second camera and is operable to determine a center coordinate of an udder of a dairy livestock based at least in part upon visual data captured by the first camera. The processor is also operable to determine a position of a teat of the dairy livestock based at least in part upon the center coordinate and visual data captured by the second camera. | 11-01-2012 |
20120273006 | CLEANING SYSTEM FOR A MILKING BOX STALL - In certain embodiments, a system comprises a milk collecting system, a teat cup holder, and a cleansing hose system. The milk collecting system comprises a teat cup, a milk collector, and a milking hose system connecting the teat cup to the milk collector. The teat cup holder stores the teat cup of the milk collecting system such that a nozzle of the teat cup holder substantially aligns with an opening of the teat cup. The cleansing hose system connects the nozzle of the teat cup holder to one or more cleanser sources and operable to backwash at least a portion of the milk collecting system by injecting a cleanser from one or more of the cleanser sources through the nozzle and into the teat cup. | 11-01-2012 |
20120272917 | Milking Box With Robotic Attacher - In certain embodiments, a system includes a front wall, a rear wall positioned substantially parallel to the front wall, and first and second side walls each extending between the front wall and the rear wall. The first side wall includes a gate, and the second side wall is spaced apart from the first side wall such that the front wall, the rear wall, the first side wall, and the second side wall define a milking box stall of a size sufficient to accommodate a dairy livestock. The system includes an equipment portion located adjacent to the rear wall. The equipment portion houses a robotic attacher configured to extend between the rear legs of a dairy livestock located within the milking box stall in order to attach milking equipment to the dairy livestock. | 11-01-2012 |
20120272916 | MILKING BOX WITH A ROBOTIC ATTACHER HAVING A THREE-DIMENSIONAL RANGE OF MOTION - In certain embodiments, a robotic attacher comprises a main arm, a supplemental arm coupled to the main arm, and a plurality of actuators operable to move the main arm and supplemental arm in response to signals from a controller. The actuators comprise first, second, and third actuators operable to move the main arm in x-, y-, and z-directions, respectively. The actuators further comprise fourth and fifth actuators operable to pivot a gripping portion of the supplemental arm in a first z-direction and a second z-direction, respectively, with the second z-direction being opposite the first z-direction. | 11-01-2012 |
20120272915 | MILKING BOX WITH STORAGE AREA FOR TEAT CUPS - In certain embodiments, a milking box comprises a storage area comprising a retractable hose, a hose lift belt, a cup holder base, a cup holder, and a cup holder bracket. The retractable hose couples to a cup and suspends the cup in the storage area. The hose lift belt couples to the retractable hose and is operable to retract the retractable hose. The cup holder base defines an aperture through which the retractable hose is positioned. The cup holder comprises a rimmed structure adapted to hold an attachment end of the cup. The cup holder is coupled to the cup holder bracket. The cup holder bracket is operable to open and close such that when closed, the rimmed structure of the cup holder aligns with the attachment end of the cup that is suspended from the retractable hose. | 11-01-2012 |
20120272914 | MILKING BOX WITH ROBOTIC ATTACHER AND VISION SYSTEM - In certain embodiments, a system includes a robotic attacher comprising a main arm and a supplemental arm operable to extend into a stall portion of a milking box. A camera couples to the supplemental arm. The supplemental arm comprises a camera-facing nozzle operable to spray the camera with a cleanser. | 11-01-2012 |
20120272913 | Arrangement of Milking Box Stalls - In certain embodiments, a system includes a first milking box stall of a size sufficient to accommodate a dairy livestock. The system also includes an equipment portion located adjacent to the first milking box stall. The equipment portion houses a robotic attacher. The system also includes a second milking box stall of a size sufficient to accommodate a dairy livestock. The second milking box stall is located adjacent to the equipment portion. The robotic attacher is configured to service both the first milking box stall and the second milking box stall by extending between the rear legs of a dairy livestock located within either stall in order to attach milking equipment to the dairy livestock. | 11-01-2012 |
20120272912 | MILKING BOX WITH ROBOTIC ATTACHER AND BACKPLANE FOR TRACKING MOVEMENTS OF A DAIRY ANIMAL - In certain embodiments, a milking box comprises a stall portion and a backplane positioned in the stall portion. The backplane moves toward the rear of the stall portion in response to pressure applied to a contact surface of the backplane. The backplane moves toward the front of stall portion in response to pressure removed from the contact surface. | 11-01-2012 |
20120272910 | Milking Box With Robotic Attacher - In certain embodiments, a system includes a front wall, a rear wall positioned substantially parallel to the front wall, and first and second side walls each extending between the front wall and the rear wall. The first side wall includes a gate, and the second side wall is spaced apart from the first side wall such that the front wall, the rear wall, the first side wall, and the second side wall define a milking box stall of a size sufficient to accommodate a dairy livestock. The system includes an equipment portion located adjacent to the rear wall. The equipment portion houses a robotic attacher configured to extend between the rear legs of a dairy livestock located within the milking box stall in order to attach milking equipment to the dairy livestock. | 11-01-2012 |
20120272908 | Milking Box With Robotic Attacher - In certain embodiments, a system includes a front wall, a rear wall positioned substantially parallel to the front wall, and first and second side walls each extending between the front wall and the rear wall. The first side wall includes a gate, and the second side wall is spaced apart from the first side wall such that the front wall, the rear wall, the first side wall, and the second side wall define a milking box stall of a size sufficient to accommodate a dairy livestock. The system includes an equipment portion located adjacent to the rear wall. The equipment portion houses a robotic attacher configured to extend between the rear legs of a dairy livestock located within the milking box stall in order to attach milking equipment to the dairy livestock. | 11-01-2012 |
20120272907 | Milking Box With Robotic Attacher - In certain embodiments, a system includes a front wall, a rear wall positioned substantially parallel to the front wall, and first and second side walls each extending between the front wall and the rear wall. The first side wall includes a gate, and the second side wall is spaced apart from the first side wall such that the front wall, the rear wall, the first side wall, and the second side wall define a milking box stall of a size sufficient to accommodate a dairy livestock. The system includes an equipment portion located adjacent to the rear wall. The equipment portion houses a robotic attacher configured to extend between the rear legs of a dairy livestock located within the milking box stall in order to attach milking equipment to the dairy livestock. | 11-01-2012 |
20120272906 | Milking Box With Robotic Attacher - In certain embodiments, a system includes a front wall, a rear wall positioned substantially parallel to the front wall, and first and second side walls each extending between the front wall and the rear wall. The first side wall includes a gate, and the second side wall is spaced apart from the first side wall such that the front wall, the rear wall, the first side wall, and the second side wall define a milking box stall of a size sufficient to accommodate a dairy livestock. The system includes an equipment portion located adjacent to the rear wall. The equipment portion houses a robotic attacher configured to extend between the rear legs of a dairy livestock located within the milking box stall in order to attach milking equipment to the dairy livestock. | 11-01-2012 |
20120272905 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF ATTACHING CUPS TO A DAIRY ANIMAL - In certain embodiments, a robotic attacher retrieves cups from the right side of an equipment area located behind a dairy livestock and attaches the cups to the teats of the dairy livestock in sequence. The sequence comprises attaching a first cup to the right front teat, a second cup to the left front teat, a third cup to the right rear teat, and a fourth cup to the left rear teat. In certain alternative embodiments, the robotic attacher retrieves cups from the left side of the equipment area, and the sequence comprises attaching a first cup to the left front teat, a second cup to the right front teat, a third cup to the left rear teat, and a fourth cup to the right rear teat. | 11-01-2012 |
20120272904 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF ATTACHING A CUP TO A DAIRY ANIMAL ACCORDING TO A SEQUENCE - In certain embodiments, a robotic attacher performs a method of attaching and detaching a cup from the teats of a dairy livestock in the sequence of right front teat, left front teat, left rear teat, and right rear teat. The method comprises the steps of determining a reference point and then, for each teat, positioning the cup relative to the reference point, determining a location of the teat, attaching the cup to the teat, and detaching the cup from the teat. In certain alternate embodiments, the sequence of attaching and detaching the cup comprises left front teat, right front teat, right rear teat, and left rear teat. | 11-01-2012 |
20120272903 | System and Method for Improved Attachment of a Cup to a Dairy Animal - In an exemplary embodiment, a system includes a milking cup, a pulsating device coupled to the milking cup, a robotic arm comprising a gripper, and a controller communicatively coupled to the robotic arm and the pulsating device. The controller is operable to instruct the gripper of the robotic arm to grip the milking cup, instruct the robotic arm to move the milking cup proximate to a teat of a dairy livestock, and instruct the robotic arm to move the milking cup towards the teat. The controller is further operable to instruct the pulsating device to apply pressure to the milking cup before attaching the milking cup to the teat and instruct the gripper of the robotic arm to release the milking cup. | 11-01-2012 |
20120272902 | Milking Box with Robotic Attacher - In certain embodiments, a system includes a front wall, a rear wall positioned substantially parallel to the front wall, and first and second side walls each extending between the front wall and the rear wall. The first side wall includes a gate, and the second side wall is spaced apart from the first side wall such that the front wall, the rear wall, the first side wall, and the second side wall define a milking box stall of a size sufficient to accommodate a dairy livestock. The system includes an equipment portion located adjacent to the rear wall. The equipment portion houses a robotic attacher configured to extend between the rear legs of a dairy livestock located within the milking box stall in order to attach milking equipment to the dairy livestock. | 11-01-2012 |
20120255220 | Self-Contained Heating Unit for Thermal Pest Control - In certain embodiments, an apparatus for killing pests in an affected area includes a fuel source, a first air inlet configured to receive a first air flow from the affected area, and a second air inlet configured to receive a second air flow from an unaffected area. The system further includes a premix system operable to generate an air-fuel mixture by mixing a fuel flow received from the fuel source with the second air flow received from the second air inlet. The system further includes a burner operable to generate combustion air by combusting the air-fuel mixture. The combustion air is mixed with the first air flow subsequent to combustion to generate a heated air flow, and the heated air flow is discharged into the affected area. The fuel source, the premix system, and the burner are configured for positioning in the affected area. | 10-11-2012 |
20120255219 | Self-Contained Heating Unit for Thermal Pest Control - In certain embodiments, an apparatus for killing pests in an affected area includes a fuel source, a first air inlet configured to receive a first air flow from the affected area, and a second air inlet configured to receive a second air flow from an unaffected area. The system further includes a premix system operable to generate an air-fuel mixture by mixing a fuel flow received from the fuel source with the second air flow received from the second air inlet. The system further includes a burner operable to generate combustion air by combusting the air-fuel mixture. The combustion air is mixed with the first air flow subsequent to combustion to generate a heated air flow, and the heated air flow is discharged into the affected area. The fuel source, the premix system, and the burner are configured for positioning in the affected area. | 10-11-2012 |
20120239303 | System and Method for Health Monitoring Using Real-Time Location - In certain embodiments, a method includes storing location information associated with a dairy livestock. The stored location information includes a location of the dairy livestock within a free stall pen at each of a plurality of times during a time period. The method further includes determining, based on at least a portion of the stored location information, one or more movement parameters associated with the dairy livestock. The method further includes determining, based on the one or more movement parameters associated with the dairy livestock, whether the dairy livestock is likely unhealthy. | 09-20-2012 |
20120238912 | System and Method for Estrus Detection Using Real-Time Location - In certain embodiments, a method for estrus detection includes storing location information associated with a dairy livestock. The stored location information includes a coordinate location of the dairy livestock within a free stall pen at each of a plurality of times during a time period. The method further includes determining, based on at least a portion of the stored location information, one or more movement parameters associated with the dairy livestock. The method further includes determining, based on one or more movement parameters associated with the dairy livestock, whether the dairy livestock is likely to be in estrus. | 09-20-2012 |
20120234245 | System and Method for Milking Stall Assignment Using Real-Time Location - In certain embodiments, a method for milking stall assignment includes storing first location information associated with a dairy livestock, the first location information comprising a coordinate location of the dairy livestock within a milking parlor at a first time. The method further includes comparing the stored first location information associated with the dairy livestock with an area associated with each of a plurality of milking stalls of the milking parlor to identify a milking stall in which the dairy cow is located at the first time and assigning the dairy livestock to the milking stall in which the dairy cow is located at the first time such that data associated with milking of the dairy livestock may be associated with the dairy cow. | 09-20-2012 |
20120222622 | Automated System for Applying Disinfectant to the Teats of Dairy Livestock - A system for applying disinfectant to the teats of a dairy livestock includes a carriage mounted on a track, the carriage operable to translate laterally along the track. The system further includes a robotic arm including a first member pivotally attached to the carriage, a second member pivotally attached to the first member and a spray tool member pivotally attached to the second member. The robotic arm further includes a spray tool attached to the spray tool member. The system further includes a controller operable to cause at least a portion of the robotic arm to extend between the hind legs of a dairy livestock such that the spray tool may discharge a disinfectant to the teats of the dairy livestock. | 09-06-2012 |
20120216754 | Automated System for Applying Disinfectant to the Teats of Dairy Livestock - A system for applying disinfectant to the teats of a dairy livestock includes a carriage mounted on a track, the carriage operable to translate laterally along the track. The system further includes a robotic arm including a first member pivotally attached to the carriage, a second member pivotally attached to the first member, and a spray tool member pivotally attached to the second member. The robotic arm further includes a spray tool attached to the spray tool member. The system further includes a controller operable to cause at least a portion of the robotic arm to extend between the hind legs of a dairy livestock such that the spray tool may discharge a disinfectant to the teats of the dairy livestock. | 08-30-2012 |
20120216753 | Automated System for Applying Disinfectant to the Teats of Dairy Livestock - A system for applying disinfectant to the teats of a dairy livestock includes a carriage mounted on a track, the carriage operable to translate laterally along the track. The system further includes a robotic arm including a first member pivotally attached to the carriage, a second member pivotally attached to the first member and a spray tool member pivotally attached to the second member. The robotic arm further includes a spray tool attached to the spray tool member. The system further includes a controller operable to cause at least a portion of the robotic arm to extend between the hind legs of a dairy livestock such that the spray tool may discharge a disinfectant to the teats of the dairy livestock. | 08-30-2012 |
20120216752 | Automated System for Applying Disinfectant to the Teats of Dairy Livestock - A system for applying disinfectant to the teats of a dairy livestock includes a carriage mounted on a track, the carriage operable to translate laterally along the track. The system further includes a robotic arm including a first member pivotally attached to the carriage, a second member pivotally attached to the first member and a spray tool member pivotally attached to the second member. The robotic arm further includes a spray tool attached to the spray tool member. The system further includes a controller operable to cause at least a portion of the robotic arm to extend between the hind legs of a dairy livestock such that the spray tool may discharge a disinfectant to the teats of the dairy livestock. | 08-30-2012 |
20120216748 | System and Method for Using Robots in Conjunction With a Rotary Milking Platform - In certain embodiments, a system includes a first robotic device operable to prepare the teats of a first dairy livestock located in a first milking stall of a rotary milking platform. The system also includes a second robotic device operable to attach a first milking device to the teats of a second dairy livestock located in a second milking stall of the rotary milking platform. The system also includes a third robotic device operable to attach a second milking device to the teats of a third dairy livestock located in a third milking stall of the rotary milking platform. The system also includes a fourth robotic device operable to apply a sanitizing agent to the teats of a fourth dairy livestock located in a fourth milking stall of the rotary milking platform subsequent to a removal of a third milking device from the teats of the fourth dairy livestock. | 08-30-2012 |
20120210938 | System and Method for Controlling the Position of a Robot Carriage Based on the Position of a Milking Stall of an Adjacent Rotary Milking Platform - A system includes a carriage track positioned adjacent to a rotary milking platform, a robot carriage mounted to the carriage track, and a controller. The controller is operable to receive both a first rotary encoder signal indicating a first rotational position of a milking stall of the rotary milking platform (corresponding to a starting linear position of the robot carriage) and a second rotary encoder signal indicating a second rotational position of the milking stall. The controller is further operable to determine, based on a difference between the first and second signals, a desired linear position of the robot carriage on the carriage track (a position corresponding to the second rotational position of the milking stall). The controller is further operable to communicate a position signal to a carriage actuator, the position signal causing the carriage actuator to move the robot carriage to the desired linear position. | 08-23-2012 |
20120204807 | Vision System for Facilitating the Automated Application of Disinfectant to the Teats of Dairy Livestock - In certain embodiments, a system includes a controller operable to access an image signal generated by a camera. The accessed image signal corresponds to one or more features of the rear of a dairy livestock. The controller is further operable to determine positions of each of the hind legs of the dairy livestock based on the accessed image signal. The controller is further operable to determine a position of an udder of the dairy livestock based on the accessed image signal and the determined positions of the hind legs of the dairy livestock. The controller is further operable to determine, based on the image signal and the determined position of the udder of the dairy livestock, a spray position from which a spray tool may apply disinfectant to the teats of the dairy livestock. | 08-16-2012 |
20120204805 | Vision System for Facilitating the Automated Application of Disinfectant to the Teats of Dairy Livestock - In certain embodiments, a system includes a controller operable to access an image signal generated by a camera. The accessed image signal corresponds to one or more features of the rear of a dairy livestock. The controller is further operable to determine positions of each of the hind legs of the dairy livestock based on the accessed image signal. The controller is further operable to determine a position of an udder of the dairy livestock based on the accessed image signal and the determined positions of the hind legs of the dairy livestock. The controller is further operable to determine, based on the image signal and the determined position of the udder of the dairy livestock, a spray position from which a spray tool may apply disinfectant to the teats of the dairy livestock. | 08-16-2012 |
20120200674 | System and Method for Determining Whether to Operate a Robot in Conjunction with a Rotary Parlor - In certain embodiments, a system includes a three-dimensional camera and a processor communicatively coupled to the three-dimensional camera. The processor is operable to determine a first hind location of a first hind leg of a dairy livestock based at least in part on visual data captured by the three-dimensional camera and determine a second hind location of a second hind leg of the dairy livestock based at least in part on the visual data. The processor is further operable to determine a measurement, wherein the measurement is the distance between the first hind location and the second hind location. Additionally, the processor is operable to determine whether the measurement exceeds a minimum threshold. | 08-09-2012 |
20120199073 | System and Method for Determining Whether to Operate a Robot in Conjunction With a Rotary Milking Platform Based on Detection of a Milking Claw - In certain embodiments, a system includes a robotic arm. The robotic arm is operable to extend between the legs of a dairy livestock located in a milking stall of a rotary milking platform. The system also includes a controller communicatively coupled to the robotic arm. The controller is operable to determine whether a milking claw is attached to the teats of the dairy livestock. The controller is also operable to control the robotic arm to extend between the legs of the dairy livestock based at least in part on whether the milking claw is attached. | 08-09-2012 |
20120186139 | Portable Heating System and Method for Pest Control - In certain embodiments, a system for killing pests in an affected area includes a heat exchanger unit and an electric heater. The heat exchanger unit is placed within the affected area and is coupled to a faucet. The heat exchanger unit is configured to receive a flow of water from the faucet and to emit heated air by transferring heat from the flow of water to air flowing through the heat exchanger unit. The electric heater further heats the air emitted by the heat exchanger unit to a target temperature greater than 120 degrees Fahrenheit. | 07-26-2012 |
20120180381 | Hydronic Heating System and Method for Pest Control - In certain embodiments, a system for killing pests in an affected area includes a burner for heating a fluid. Heat exchanger units are placed within associated regions of the affected area. Each heat exchanger unit receives the fluid from the burner and emits heated air by transferring heat from the fluid to ambient air within the affected area. Air movers are positioned to circulate the heated air emitted by the heat exchanger units and prevent stratification of the heated air. A temperature difference between the fluid received by the heat exchanger units and the ambient air within the affected area results the affected area being raised to a target temperature greater than 122 degrees Fahrenheit. | 07-19-2012 |
20110308468 | Safety Pressure Sensor for a Milking Platform - In certain embodiments, a system includes a milking parlor entrance lane with an entrance positioned adjacent to a cattle holding pen and an exit positioned adjacent to one or more stalls of a rotary milking platform. The system also includes an exit lane positioned on a side of the entrance lane opposite a forward direction of rotation of the rotary milking platform, the milking parlor exit lane positioned adjacent to one or more stalls of a rotary milking platform such that dairy cows may enter the exit lane from the one or more stalls of the rotary milking platform after being milked. The system also includes a pressure sensor positioned adjacent to the exit lane, the pressure sensor operable to generate a trigger in response to detecting a triggering pressure on the pressure sensor. The pressure sensor is additionally operable to communicate the generated trigger to initiate the stopping of the rotary milking platform. | 12-22-2011 |
20110000439 | Livestock Footbath System - A footbath system for livestock includes a water and/or chemical containment tank, a footbath pan with a drainage exit door, non-turbulent flow, and a multiple branch system. | 01-06-2011 |
20100275630 | Defrost Bypass Dehumidifier - A defrost bypass dehumidifier includes an air flow path with first, second and third segments in series from upstream to downstream and passing ambient air respectively to an evaporator coil then to a condenser coil and then discharging same. The air flow path has a bypass segment passing ambient air to the evaporator coil in parallel with the noted first air flow path segment. | 11-04-2010 |
20100212334 | Enhanced Performance Dehumidification Apparatus, System and Method - A dehumidifier includes an air flow path with first, second and third segments in series from upstream to downstream and passing ambient air respectively to an evaporator coil then to a condenser coil and then discharging same. The air flow path has a fourth segment passing ambient air to the condenser coil in parallel with the noted second air flow path segment. A bypass door is configured to selectively block air flow along the fourth segment and allow air flow along the fourth segment. | 08-26-2010 |
20090199769 | Adaptive Milking System - A method for milking a mammal is provided by interactively and variably responding to sensed and monitored milk flow and adaptively varying one or more given milking parameters in response thereto for the individual mammal. | 08-13-2009 |