Animal feeder control and data distribution
View Patent ↗The invention provides an animal feeder augmentation apparatus, system and method of operation thereof. The apparatus provides for the controlled dispensing of animal feed from an animal feeder including a controller coupled to an actuator, where the controller provides power access from a battery to at least two communication modules, namely a low-power communications module and at least a first higher-power communications module. The low-power communication module includes a low-energy radio for substantially continuous operation when the animal feeder is being used. The first higher-power communications module includes a cellular telecommunications device for operation when the animal feeder needs to send or receive data outside of the range of the low-power communications module. The controller is coupled to the low-power communications module, and to the first higher-power communications module.
1. An animal feeder apparatus that provides for communication from an animal feeder, comprising:
a controller coupled to at least two communication modules;
a low-power communication module;
a first higher-power communications module comprising a telecommunications device for operation when the animal feeder needs to send or receive data outside of the range of the low-power communications module;
and wherein the low-power communications module is deactivated when the first higher-power communications device is active.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the low-power communication module is a Bluetooth low-energy radio.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the first higher-power communication module comprises a cellular telecommunications device.
4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the first higher-power communication module comprises a satellite communications device.
5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the first higher-power communications device comprises a Wi-Fi radio.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first higher-power communications module comprises a cellular telecommunications device.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the animal feeder comprises a storage tank and dispensing system, wherein the dispensing system comprises an actuator configured to selectively allow feed to flow, and wherein actuator is a scatter plate.
8. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the low-power communications module is communicatively coupled to a feeder device sensor.
9. An animal feeder apparatus comprising:
a controller providing power access from a battery to at least two communication modules;
a low-power communication module comprising a low-energy radio for substantially continuous operation when the animal feeder is being used;
a first higher-power communications module comprising a telecommunications device for operation when the animal feeder needs to send or receive data outside of the range of the low-power communications module;
the controller coupled to the low-power communications module;
the controller also coupled to the first higher-power communications module; and
an animal feeder, the animal feeder having:
a feed storage tank,
an opening for dispensing feed; and
a dispensing system coupled to the opening wherein the dispensing system comprises a power source coupled to each of the controller, the low-power communications module, and the first high-power communications module.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the dispensing system comprises a scatter plate.
11. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the dispensing system comprises an actuator configured to selectively allows feed to flow.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the actuator is a scatter plate.
13. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the low-power communications module is communicatively coupled to a feeder device sensor.
14. A method of dispensing animal feed from an animal feeder having a controller, a low-power communications module, and a higher-power communications module, the method implemented via software maintained in the controller, the method comprising:
maintaining animal feeder communication through a low-power communications module;
temporarily activating a higher-power communications module to enable animal feeder communications to a remote device that is beyond the range to communicate through the low-power communications module;
determining that the animal feeder no longer needs to communicate to the remote device that is beyond the range to communicate through the low-power communications module; and
deactivating the higher-power communications module.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein the low-power communications module is a Bluetooth low-energy radio.
16. The method of claim 15 wherein the higher-power communication module comprises a cellular telecommunications module.
17. The method of claim 15 wherein the higher-power communication module comprises a satellite communications module.
18. The method of claim 14 wherein the animal feeder comprises a storage tank and dispensing system, wherein the dispensing system comprises an actuator configured to selectively allows feed to flow, and wherein actuator is a scatter plate.
19. The method of claim 14 wherein the low-power communications module is communicatively coupled to a feeder device sensor.
20. The method of claim 14 further comprising deactivating the low-power communications module when the first higher-power communications device is active.