Weighing of animals
AssigneeFarm Robotics and Automation Sl
InventorHeiner Lehr
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Devices and methods for monitoring the weight of animals in an animal housing facility including a support surface configured so that at least one of the animals can stand on the support surface, a force sensor, attached to the support surface, for measuring a force indicative of a weight of the animal on the support surface, a rail system actuator for suspending the device from a rail or track of a rail system and propelling it along the rail or track, a processor receiving a signal from the force sensor indicative of a weight of the animal or animals on the support surface when the support surface is located at a target position, and determining a weight measurement of an individual animal based on the signal.
Claims21
A device for monitoring the weight of animals in an animal housing facility, the device comprising:
- a support surface configured so that at least one of the animals can stand on the support surface, in operation of the device;
- a force sensor, connected to the support surface, for measuring a force indicative of a weight of the animal or animals on the support surface, in operation of the device;
- a rail system actuator for suspending the device from a rail or track of a rail system and to propel the device, when controlled accordingly, along the rail or track when operably attached thereto;
- and
- a processor,
- wherein the processor is adapted for:
- controlling the rail system actuator to move the actuator to a target position in the animal housing facility;
- receiving a signal from the force sensor indicative of a weight of the animal or animals on the support surface when the support surface is located at the target position;
- and
- determining a weight measurement of an individual animal based on the signal.
A method for monitoring the weight of animals in an animal housing facility comprising:
- moving a support surface to a target position in the animal housing facility along a rail or track, wherein the support surface is suitable for at least one of the animals to stand on;
- receiving a signal from a force sensor indicative of a weight of the animal or animals on the support surface when the support surface is located at the target position;
- and
- determining a weight measurement of an individual animal based on the signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.