Remote monitoring system for ground-based game feeder, varmint guard, tray and skirt assembly and quail feeder

A system for remotely monitoring and controlling a game feeder, the system comprising:

• a game feeder comprising a container for holding feed, a motor configured to disperse the feed, and a motor relay configured to actuate the motor;
• a computer, the computer comprising a wireless driver configured to communicatively couple the computer to a wireless communication network;
• and
• one or more of sensors adapted to provide data on local conditions at the game feeder, the one or more sensors communicatively coupled to the computer;
• and
• a remote server communicatively coupled to the wireless communication network;
• wherein the computer is configured to receive the data from the one or more sensors and send the data to the remote server via the wireless communication network;
• wherein the computer is further configured to receive a command sent from the remote server via the wireless communication network;
• wherein the command comprises an instruction to drive the motor relay;
• wherein the command comprises an instruction to change a feed disbursement frequency;
• and
• wherein the command comprises an instruction to select a trigger event for the camera to take photographs.

An apparatus for providing remote monitoring capability to a ground-based game feeder, the ground-based game feeder comprising a trough for holding feed, a motor configured to disperse the feed, a motor control relay, and a motor detector, the apparatus comprising:

• a sensor array providing a plurality of sensors adapted to provide data on conditions local to the game feeder, the sensor array comprising:
• a rainfall sensor;
• a barometer;
• a thermometer;
• a hydrometer;
• and
• a camera;
• a single board computer, the single board computer comprising:
• a processor;
• a system bus communicatively coupling the processor to system peripherals;
• a sensor bus communicatively coupling the sensors to the system bus;
• a non-volatile storage medium for holding permanent data;
• a serial driver configured to drive the motor control relay;
• an antenna driver communicatively coupling the processor to an antenna configured to couple to a wireless communication network;
• and
• a high-speed main memory being programmed with:
• an embedded operating system;
• software drivers facilitating communication between the processor and peripheral devices;
• and
• a master program;
• wherein the master program includes software instructions that, when executed by the processor, are configured to instruct the processor to:
• receive environmental data from the sensors;
• create a summary log of the environmental data;
• send the summary log to the antenna driver;
• receive feed disbursement directives on the antenna driver;
• and
• responsive to the feed disbursement directives, deliver a signal to the serial driver configured to cause the motor to disperse the feed.