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Van Der Sluis, NL

Arend Van Der Sluis, Hattermerbroek NL

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20100006114METHOD FOR MANUFACTURING A WAPPER FOR USE IN THE MANUFACTURING OF CIGARS - Method for manufacturing a wrapper for use in the manufacture of cigars in which a wrapper to be used for enclosing fillers is obtained in that a tobacco leaf (01-14-2010

Catrinus Van Der Sluis, Veendam NL

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20100040591NATIVE POTATO PROTEIN ISOLATES - The invention relates to a process for native potato protein isolation, to native potato protein isolates, to the use thereof, and to a food product comprising a native potato protein isolate. The invention provides a novel isolation process for obtaining highly pure native potato protein isolates having a glycoalkaloid concentration of less than 150 ppm.02-18-2010
20130281669NATIVE POTATO PROTEIN ISOLATES - The invention relates to a process for native potato protein isolation, to native potato protein isolates, to the use thereof, and to a food product comprising a native potato protein isolate.10-24-2013

Erik Van Der Sluis, Eindhoven NL

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20130234771PHYSICAL UNCLONABLE FUNCTION - A physical unclonable function is provided 09-12-2013

Erik Van Der Sluis, Utrecht NL

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20130194886PHYSICAL UNCLONABLE FUNCTION WITH IMPROVED START-UP BEHAVIOR - An electric physical unclonable function (PUF) (08-01-2013
20140040338RANDOM NUMBER GENERATING SYSTEM BASED ON MEMORY START-UP NOISE - A random number generating system for generating a sequence of random numbers comprising a memory, the memory being writable, volatile and configured such that the memory contains an at least partially random memory content upon each powering-up of the memory, an instantiating unit configured for seeding the random number generating system with a seed dependent upon the at least partially random memory content, the sequence of random numbers being generated in dependence upon the seed, and an over-writing unit configured for over-writing at least part of the memory with random numbers generated by the random number generating system in dependence upon the seed.02-06-2014
20140325237PHYSICALLY UNCLONABLE FUNCTION (PUF) WITH IMPROVED ERROR CORRECTION - A cryptographic system for reproducibly establishing a reliable data string, such as a cryptographic key, from a noisy physically unclonable function (PUF, 10-30-2014
20150234751SYSTEM FOR GENERATING A CRYPTOGRAPHIC KEY FROM A MEMORY USED AS A PHYSICALLY UNCLONABLE FUNCTION - An electronic system 08-20-2015

Patent applications by Erik Van Der Sluis, Utrecht NL

Francis Maria Antonius Van Der Sluis, Sint Michielsgestel NL

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20120277048Push Belt For A Continuously Variable Transmission, Comprising Different Types Of Transverse Elements - A push belt (11-01-2012
20140221141DRIVE BELT COMPRISING DIFFERENT TYPES OF TRANSVERSE MEMBERS FOR A CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION - The invention relates to a drive belt (08-07-2014
20140371015DRIVE BELT COMPRISING DIFFERENT TYPES OF TRANSVERSE MEMBERS FOR A CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION - A drive belt (12-18-2014
20150045166DRIVE BELT COMPRISING DIFFERENT TYPES OF TRANSVERSE MEMBERS FOR A CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION - A drive belt (02-12-2015
20150308570HYDRAULICALLY ACTUATED CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION FOR A VEHICULAR DRIVE LINE PROVIDED WITH AN INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE - A hydraulically actuated continuously variable transmission (10-29-2015
20150345632HYDRAULICALLY ACTUATED CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION - A hydraulically actuated continuously variable transmission (12-03-2015

Patent applications by Francis Maria Antonius Van Der Sluis, Sint Michielsgestel NL

Frans Van Der Sluis, Enschede NL

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20160140234Method and Computer Server System for Receiving and Presenting Information to a User in a Computer Network - A method for receiving and presenting information to a user in a computer network or a computer device, comprising: the step of receiving at least one text from the computer network or the computer device, said text being tagged with a text information intensity indicator; the step of determining a user channel capacity indicator; the step of comparing said channel capacity indicator with said text information intensity indicator; and the step of presenting said text or a representation of said text to said user on said device or an a device in said computer network, wherein said presentation of said text or said representation of said text is modified by using the result of said comparison.05-19-2016

Lucas Wilhelmus Maria Van Der Sluis, St. St. Robert NL

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20120328708DISINFECTANT COMPOSITION AND ITS USE IN DENTAL TREATMENT - The present invention concerns a disinfectant or antimicrobial composition for use in dental treatment, such as treatment and/or prevention of periodontitis, gingivitis or other forms of oral infection. The present Inventor found that microorganisms that infect the dental tissues and cause inflammation thereof, are susceptible to osmotic stress, to such extent that the application of a hypertonic composition is effective in curing or preventing infection and/or inflammations. It was furthermore found that these microorganisms are also susceptible to acidic stress. The present invention therefore provides compositions that induce osmotic stress in microorganisms causing infection of dental tissue when topically applied thereto, preferably osmotic as well as acidic stress. The present invention also concerns the methods and uses involving the compositions of the invention.12-27-2012

Marcel Van Der Sluis, Groningen NL

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20090137828Synthesis of 1A-Fluoro-25-Hydroxy-16-23E-Diene-26,27-Bishomo-20-Epi-Cholecalciferol - The invention provides a method of producing 20-methyl vitamin D3 compounds of formula (I). The method includes allylic and olefin oxidation, de-carbonylation, carbonyl reduction, fluoride substitution, epoxide deoxygenation, and Wittig-type couplings.05-28-2009

Marcelles Van Der Sluis, Cl Groningen NL

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20080247975Sunscreen and personal care compositions comprising a select copolymer - Topically applicable, water-resistant cosmetic or dermatological compositions well suited for the UV-photoprotection of human skin and/or hair comprising an effective UV— photoprotecting amount of:10-09-2008

Martin Johan Van Der Sluis, Staphorst NL

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20120152231Burner Module for a Cooker, a Cooker or Hob and Method for Manufacturing Thereof - The present invention relates to a burner module for a cooker and a cooker and a method for such a burner module. The burner module according to the invention comprises: a carrier with which the burner module can be placed as a unit on a worktop; an outlet for gas provided on the carrier; an inlet provided on the carrier for supplying gas; and control means provided between an inlet and the outlet for realizing a gas flame.06-21-2012

Paul Van Der Sluis, Eindhoven NL

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20090025703COOKING STOVES - A solid fuel, portable stove reduces smoke emissions and provides for a high temperature of combustion in a compact and easily manufacturable design. A main housing (01-29-2009
20090072212ANTI-FUSE MEMORY DEVICE - A One Time Programmable (OTP) memory cell (03-19-2009
20090165769SOLID FUEL STOVE WITH IMPROVED COMBUSTION - The invention relates to a solid fuel stove comprising a combustion chamber (07-02-2009
20090318908SKIN MONITORING DEVICE, METHOD OF MONITORING THE SKIN, MONITORING DEVICE, METHOD OF IRRADIATING THE SKIN, AND USE OF AN OLED - Skin monitoring device for application near the skin, comprising a processing circuit connecting means and at least one photosensor configured to detect at least one approximate wavelength of light reflected and/or emitted by the skin, wherein a signal receiving circuit is provided for receiving signals from the at least one photosensor.12-24-2009
20140047714NOZZLE PLATE FABRICATION - There is provided a method of improving the yield of a nozzle plate fabrication process, the method comprising determining a variation in the size of nozzles in a nozzle plate from a predetermined size or range of sizes for the nozzles, the nozzles in the nozzle plate having been fabricated using a plurality of mandrels, each mandrel defining a respective nozzle in the nozzle plate and determining modifications to the size of one or more mandrels in the plurality of mandrels to compensate for the determined variation in the size of nozzles in the nozzle plate. Also provided is a method of fabricating a nozzle plate, the method comprising fabricating a nozzle plate having a plurality of nozzles using a plurality of mandrels on a substrate, each mandrel defining a respective nozzle in the nozzle plate, the mandrels in the plurality of mandrels having varying sizes in order to compensate for local variations in the fabrication process that would result in local variations in the size of nozzles in the nozzle plate from a predetermined size or range of sizes.02-20-2014
20140346245NEBULIZER, A CONTROL UNIT FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME, A NEBULIZING ELEMENT AND A METHOD OF OPERATING A NEBULIZER - There is provided a control unit for controlling the operation of a nebulizer, the nebulizer comprising a reservoir chamber for storing a liquid to be nebulised, an actuator, and a nebulizing element comprising a plurality of nozzles arranged to nebulize the liquid upon operation of the actuator; wherein the control unit is configured to obtain an indication of the size of the nozzles in the nebulizing element; and control the operation of the actuator based on the obtained indication to provide nebulised liquid at a required output rate and/or with droplets of a required size.11-27-2014
20150020804ANALYSIS AND CONTROL OF AEROSOL FLOW - An aerosol generation system has a light source arrangement which provides signals at first and second wavelengths, and the detected light signals are recorded. The detected signals are processed to derive at least a measure of the aerosol particle size. This can be used in combination with the other parameters which are conventionally measured, namely the aerosol density and flow velocity. Thus, optical measurement (possibly in combination with an air flow measurement) can be used to estimate the aerosol output rate as well as the particle size.01-22-2015
20150041099HEATING DEVICE - The present invention relates to a heating device. In order to allow heating essentially without any latency period and with low costs, the heating device comprises: at least one container (02-12-2015
20150128800OXYGEN SEPARATOR AND METHOD OF GENERATING OXYGEN - The invention relates to an oxygen separation device (05-14-2015
20150128801OXYGEN SEPARATOR AND METHOD OF GENERATING OXYGEN - The invention relates to a method of separating oxygen from an oxygen comprising gas, the method comprising the steps of: performing at least a first and a second period of oxygen separation, the first and the second period of oxygen separation each comprising the steps of guiding an oxygen comprising gas to the primary side of an oxygen separation device (05-14-2015
20150238895OXYGEN SEPARATION DEVICE FOR A PRESSURE SWING ADSORPTION SYSTEM - The present invention refers to an oxygen separation device (08-27-2015
20150367275OXYGEN SEPARATION SYSTEM AND METHOD OF GENERATING A FLOW OF OXYGEN ENRICHED GAS - The present invention refers to an oxygen separation system (12-24-2015
20160001216OXYGEN SEPARATOR AND METHOD OF GENERATING OXYGEN - The invention relates to an oxygen separator (01-07-2016

Patent applications by Paul Van Der Sluis, Eindhoven NL

Peter Van Der Sluis, Ijsselmuiden NL

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20160066530MILKING BOX WITH ROBOTIC ATTACHER AND VISION SYSTEM - 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.03-10-2016

Peter Willem Van Der Sluis, Ijsselmuiden NL

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20120055408ROBOT AND METHOD FOR MILKING A COW BY THIS ROBOT - The present invention relates to a robot (03-08-2012
20120199073System 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
20120200674System 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
20120204805Vision 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
20120204807Vision 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
20120210938System 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
20120216748System 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
20120216752Automated 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
20120216753Automated 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
20120216754Automated 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
20120222622Automated 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
20120272902Milking 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
20120272903System 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
20120272904SYSTEM 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
20120272905SYSTEM 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
20120272906Milking 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
20120272907Milking 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
20120272909Milking 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
20120272910Milking 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
20120272912MILKING 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
20120272913Arrangement 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
20120272914MILKING 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
20120272915MILKING 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
20120272916MILKING 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
20120272917Milking 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
20120273006CLEANING 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
20120274761Vision 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
20120275660System 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 data11-01-2012
20120275661System 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
20120275662System 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
20120275894MILKING 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
20120277913Vision 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
20120298042Milking 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
20130036974Milking Box and Cow Stable Comprising Such a Milking Box - Milking box or boxes for cows, each milking box having two entrance fences for entry and two exit fences, wherein one first entrance fence and one first exit fence form a first pair of fences positioned at a first side, and one second entrance fence and one second exit fence form a second pair of fences at a second side which is opposite the first side. This type of milking box used in a cow stable further comprises resting boxes, at least one feeder trough, a separation zone or zones, and walking paths, wherein at least the resting boxes are placed at the first side of the milking box or boxes, and that at the second side of the milking box or boxes at least one is placed selected from the group comprising at least one feeder trough, a separation zone or zones, or outdoors.02-14-2013
20140147016VISION 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
20140165916SYSTEM 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
20140172164AUTOMATED 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
20140190415ROBOT AND METHOD FOR MILKING A COW BY THIS ROBOT - A milking robot comprising a movable arm and a plurality of grippers. The movable arm has a length in a longitudinal direction. The plurality of grippers are swivably mounted to the movable arm such that each gripper moves between a first position parallel to the movable arm's longitudinal direction and a second position at which the gripper extends sideways in a horizontal plane away from the movable arm's longitudinal direction.07-10-2014
20140196665VISION 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
20140230750AUTOMATED 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
20140245958MILKING 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
20140318458ROBOTIC ATTACHER AND METHOD OF OPERATION - A robotic attacher comprises a main arm, a supplemental arm coupled to the main arm, and a gripping portion coupled to the supplemental arm. The gripping portion is operable to rotate such that at a first time, a nozzle is positioned generally on the bottom of the gripping portion, and at a second time, the nozzle is positioned generally on the top of the gripping portion.10-30-2014
20140318471AUTOMATED SYSTEM FOR APPLYING DISINFECTANT TO THE TEATS OF DIARY LIVESTOCK - A system for operating a robotic arm, comprises a controller and a robotic arm. The controller receives an indication that a stall of a rotary milking platform in which a dairy livestock is located has moved into an area adjacent a robotic arm that is detached from the rotary milking platform. The controller also determines whether a milking cluster is attached to the dairy livestock. The robotic arm is communicatively coupled to the controller and extends between the legs of the dairy livestock if the controller determines that the milking cluster is not attached to the dairy livestock. The robotic arm does not extend between the legs of the dairy livestock if the controller determines that the milking cluster is attached to the dairy livestock.10-30-2014
20140326187MILKING BOX WITH ROBOTIC ATTACHER - A robotic attacher comprises a main arm, a supplemental arm coupled to the main arm, and a gripping portion coupled to the supplemental arm. The gripping portion comprises at least one nozzle and is operable to rotate such that during a first mode of operation, the nozzle is positioned away from the top of the gripping portion, and during a second mode of operation, the nozzle is positioned generally on the top of the gripping portion.11-06-2014
20150022641SYSTEM 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.01-22-2015
20150059649ROBOTIC ARM WITH DOUBLE GRABBER AND METHOD OF OPERATION - A robotic attacher comprises a main arm suspended from a rail, a supplemental arm coupled to the main arm, and a gripping portion coupled to an extension of the supplemental arm. The gripping portion comprises a first grabber positioned side-by-side with a second grabber. The first grabber is operable to attach a first teat cup to a first teat of a dairy livestock and the second grabber is operable to tilt downward independent of the first grabber in conjunction with the first grabber attaching the first teat cup. The second grabber is operable to attach a second teat cup to a second teat of the dairy livestock and the first grabber is operable to tilt downward independent of the second grabber in conjunction with the second grabber attaching the second teat cup.03-05-2015
20150071499SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FILTERING DATA CAPTURED BY A 2D CAMERA - A system comprises a memory operable to store light intensity information for a plurality of neighboring pixels of an image that includes a dairy livestock. The system further comprises a processor communicatively coupled to the memory. The processor determine that a difference between the light intensity information for a first pixel of the plurality of neighboring pixels and at least some of the other neighboring pixels exceeds a threshold. The processor further discards the first pixel and determines a location of a teat of the dairy livestock based on the image, excluding the discarded pixel.03-12-2015
20150181829MILKING BOX WITH STORAGE AREA FOR TEAT CUPS - An apparatus comprises a cup holder bracket and a cup holder. The cup holder bracket comprises a hinge that allows the cup holder bracket to pivot between a substantially horizontal position when closed to a substantially vertical position when opened. The cup holder is coupled to the cup holder bracket and comprises a rimmed structure configured to hold an attachment end of a cup when the cup holder bracket is closed.07-02-2015
20150189850MILKING BOX WITH A ROBOTIC ATTACHER HAVING A THREE-DIMENSIONAL RANGE OF MOTION - A robotic attacher comprises a main arm, a supplemental arm coupled to the main arm, and a gripping portion coupled to the supplemental arm. The supplemental arm moves in an x-direction and a y-direction. The gripping portion moves in a first z-direction in relation to the supplemental arm. The gripping portion also moves in a second z-direction opposite the first z-direction in relation to the supplemental arm.07-09-2015
20150257356MILKING BOX WITH ROBOTIC ATTACHER - A system includes a front wall, a rear wall opposite the front wall, and first and second side walls 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 that accommodates a dairy livestock. The system includes an equipment portion adjacent to the rear wall. It houses a separation container that receives milk to be discarded from the dairy livestock. The equipment portion further houses a robotic attacher that extends from behind and between the rear legs of a dairy livestock located within the milking box stall in order to attach milking equipment to the dairy livestock.09-17-2015
20150257359ARRANGEMENT OF MILKING BOX STALLS - A system includes a first milking box stall cluster comprising a first plurality of milking box stalls and a first robotic attacher associated with the first milking box stall cluster. The first robotic attacher is positioned to service each of the first plurality of milking box stalls. The system further includes a second milking box cluster comprising a second plurality of milking box stalls. It is positioned adjacent to the first milking box stall cluster. A second robotic attacher is associated with the second milking box stall cluster and is positioned to service each of the second plurality of milking box stalls.09-17-2015
20150264885ROBOT AND METHOD FOR MILKING A COW BY THIS ROBOT - A milking robot comprises a frame that is movable along a guide track that is positioned adjacent to a rotary platform such that the frame can move in conjunction with the movement of the rotary platform. The milking robot further comprises a moveable arm having a first end that couples to the frame and a second end that extends in a longitudinal direction, and at least one gripper coupled to the movable arm at the second end. The gripper is extendable in the longitudinal direction of the movable arm.09-24-2015
20150373943MILKING BOX WITH ROBOTIC ATTACHER COMPRISING AN ARM THAT PIVOTS, ROTATES, AND GRIPS - An apparatus comprises a milking box having a stall to accommodate a dairy livestock and a robotic attacher. The robotic attacher comprises a main arm that is suspended vertically from a rail of the milking box, and a supplemental arm that is coupled to and extends horizontally from the main arm along a longitudinal axis. The supplemental arm comprises a pivot assembly that pivots a gripping portion around a vertical axis that is substantially parallel to the main arm of the robotic attacher, in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the supplemental arm.12-31-2015
20150379324SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FILTERING DATA CAPTURED BY A 2D CAMERA - A system comprises a memory operable to store first light intensity information for a first pixel of an image that includes a dairy livestock, and second light intensity information for a second pixel of the image, wherein the second pixel is adjacent to the first pixel. The system further comprises a processor communicatively coupled to the memory and operable to determine that a difference between the first light intensity information and the second light intensity information exceeds a threshold, and discard one of the first pixel or the second pixel from the image.12-31-2015
20150379705SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FILTERING DATA CAPTURED BY A 3D CAMERA - A system for processing an image comprises a three-dimensional camera that captures an image of a dairy livestock and a processor communicatively coupled to the three-dimensional camera. The processor accesses a first pixel having a first depth location, a second pixel having a second depth location, and a third pixel having a third depth location. The processor determines that the second pixel is an outlier among the first pixel and the third pixel based upon the first depth location, the second depth location, and the third depth location, and discards the second pixel from the image based at least in part upon the determination.12-31-2015
20160037746MILKING BOX WITH ROBOTIC ATTACHER AND BACKPLANE FOR TRACKING MOVEMENTS OF A DAIRY ANIMAL - 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. A robotic attacher extends from the rear of the stall portion and between the hind legs of a dairy livestock located in the stall portion. A controller determines the position of the backplane relative to the rear of the stall portion. The controller determines an x-offset based at least in part upon the position of the backplane relative to the rear of the stall portion, wherein the x-offset increases as the dairy livestock moves toward the front of the stall and the x-offset decreases as the dairy livestock moves toward the rear of the stall. The controller further communicates a signal to move the robotic attacher in an x-direction, the amount of movement determined at least in part according to the x-offset.02-11-2016
20160037747SYSTEM 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 positioned on the carriage track such that the robot carriage may move along the carriage track, and a controller. The controller determines a movement of a milking stall of the rotary milking platform from a first rotational position to a second rotational position. The controller further determines a position of the robot carriage on the carriage track corresponding to the movement of the milking stall of the rotary milking platform. The controller also communicates a position signal to a carriage actuator coupled to the robot carriage and the carriage track. The position signal causes the carriage actuator to move the robot carriage along the carriage track to the determined position in conjunction with the movement of the rotary milking platform.02-11-2016
20160044887SYSTEM AND METHOD OF ATTACHING CUPS TO A DAIRY ANIMAL - 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.02-18-2016
20160066529SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ANALYZING DATA CAPTURED BY A THREE-DIMENSIONAL CAMERA - 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 and second edge of a dairy livestock. The first edge includes an inner portion of a first hind leg and a first portion of an udder of the dairy livestock. The second edge includes an inner portion of a second hind leg and a second portion of the udder of the dairy livestock. The processor calculates a reference point associated with the udder of the dairy livestock based at least in part upon the first edge and the second edge. A robotic attacher moves toward the udder of the dairy livestock based at least in part upon the calculated reference point.03-10-2016
20160088814ARRANGEMENT OF MILKING BOX STALLS - A system includes includes a first milking box stall of a size sufficient to accommodate a first dairy livestock and a second milking box stall of a size sufficient to accommodate a second dairy livestock. The first and second milking box stalls face opposite directions. An equipment portion is located between the first milking box stall and the second milking box stall. A robotic attacher is housed in the equipment portion and configured to service both stalls at different times.03-31-2016
20160113227MILKING BOX WITH ROBOTIC ATTACHER - A system comprises a milking box, a robotic attacher, a sensor, and a controller. The milking box has a stall to accommodate a dairy livestock. The stall comprises a first exit gate on a first side of the stall leading to a first sorting region and a second exit gate on a second side of the stall leading to a second sorting region. The robotic attacher extends from the rear between the hind legs of the dairy livestock, move in at least one direction along the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis, and attach milking equipment to the dairy livestock. The sensor identifies the dairy livestock within the milking box stall. The controller selects and opens the first exit gate or the second exit gate based at least in part upon the identity of the dairy livestock in order to direct the first dairy livestock into either the first sorting region or the second sorting region.04-28-2016
20160120143SYSTEM 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.05-05-2016
20160135419MILKING 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 drain valve corresponding to the inlet to open.05-19-2016

Patent applications by Peter Willem Van Der Sluis, Ijsselmuiden NL

Peter Willem Van Der Sluis, Usselmuiden NL

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20140158051MILKING BOX AND COW STABLE COMPRISING SUCH A MILKING BOX - Milking box or boxes for cows, each milking box having two entrance fences for entry and two exit fences, wherein one first entrance fence and one first exit fence form a first pair of fences positioned at a first side, and one second entrance fence and one second exit fence form a second pair of fences at a second side which is opposite the first side. This type of milking box used in a cow stable further comprises resting boxes, at least one feeder trough, a separation zone or zones, and walking paths, wherein at least the resting boxes are placed at the first side of the milking box or boxes, and that at the second side of the milking box or boxes at least one is placed selected from the group comprising at least one feeder trough, a separation zone or zones, or outdoors.06-12-2014
20140216349SYSTEM 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
20140318460SYSTEM 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 causes the robot carriage to move linearly along the carriage track in conjunction with a rotational movement of the rotary milking platform such that a first linear position of the robot carriage aligns with a first rotational position of a milking stall of the rotary milking platform and a second linear position of the robot carriage aligns with a second rotational position of the milking stall of the rotary milking platform.10-30-2014
20140318470AUTOMATED SYSTEM FOR MOVING A ROBOTIC ARM ALONG A ROTARY MILKING PLATFORM - A system for operating a robotic arm comprises a carriage and a robotic arm. The carriage is mounted on a track adjacent to a rotary milking platform having a substantially circular perimeter and a stall for a dairy livestock. The carriage moves along a substantially straight portion of the track tangent to and outside the perimeter of the rotary milking platform at a rate based at least in part upon a speed of rotation of the rotary milking platform. The carriage moves in a direction corresponding to the direction of rotation of the rotary milking platform and such movement of the carriage is independent of any physical coupling between the carriage and the rotary milking platform. The robotic arm extends between the legs of the dairy livestock, and remains extended between the legs of the dairy livestock as the stall rotates adjacent to the robotic arm.10-30-2014
20150228068SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FILTERING DATA CAPTURED BY A 3D CAMERA - A system for processing an image comprises a three-dimensional camera that captures an image of a dairy livestock. A processor is communicatively coupled to the three-dimensional camera. The processor accesses a first pixel having a first depth location, and a second pixel having a second depth location. The processor determines that the second depth location is not within a threshold distance of the first depth location, and discards the second pixel from the image based at least in part upon the determination.08-13-2015
20150250131AUTOMATED SYSTEM FOR APPLYING DISINFECTANT TO THE TEATS OF DAIRY LIVESTOCK - A spray tool coupled to a robotic arm includes a linear member, a first spray nozzle and a second spray nozzle. The linear member rotates about an axis that is perpendicular to the robotic arm. The linear member has a perimeter that lies within an outer perimeter of the robotic arm when the robotic arm extends between the legs of a dairy livestock. The first spray nozzle is coupled to the linear member proximate a first end of the linear member. The second spray nozzle is coupled to the linear member proximate a second end of the linear member.09-10-2015
20150366155System and Method for Determining Whether to Operate a Robot in Conjunction with a Rotary Milking Platform Based on Detection of a Milking Claw - A system comprises a robotic arm operable to extend between the legs of a dairy livestock located in a milking stall of a rotary milking platform, a camera operable to generate an image signal corresponding to a rear of the dairy livestock, and a controller communicatively coupled to the robotic arm and the camera. The controller determines whether a milking claw is attached to the teats of the dairy livestock by receiving the image signal generated by the camera and processing the image signal. If it is determined based on the image signal that the milking claw is not attached, the controller controls the robotic arm to extend between the legs of the dairy livestock. If it is determined based on the image signal that the milking claw is attached, the controller controls the robotic arm not to extend between the legs of the dairy livestock.12-24-2015

Peter Willem Van Der Sluis, Ljsselmuiden NL

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20140158052MILKING 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
20140158063VISION 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

Peter Willem Van Der Sluis, Ijesselmuiden NL

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20120272908Milking 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
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