ANIMAL FEEDING ASSISTIVE DEVICE

Abstract

An animal feeding assistive device, comprising a curved-shaped body 1 accommodated around neck of an animal for securing the body 1, plurality of laser sensors 2 configured with the body 1 for detecting dimensions of the animal’s neck, a motorized roller 3 configured with a strap to rotate for wrapping the strap for securing the body 1 with the animal’s neck, an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 4 mounted on the body 1 for detecting food being giving to the animal, a pair of telescopically operated link 5 installed with plates configured with the body 1 to extend for gripping the food and a curved-shaped motorized slider 6 configured with the body 1 for translating the plate in view of moving aside the food from the animal’s mouth.

Specification

Description:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an animal feeding assistive device that is capable of securely attached to an animal's neck based on the animal's dimensions and further allows the animal to consume food by securing the food and delivering the food towards the animal for consumption.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] User generally works in agriculture fields used to raise various animals including cattle's, in a shed or in a proper place where user takes care of them and nurtures them. Correspondingly, user use to feed them manually with the feeding material. However, feeding manually might causes some issues especially with the cattle's health as there is a chance that some of them are feed with the uncertain amount of feed materials. So, the cattle are not provided with proper nutrition and feeding routine of each cattle gets disturbed that affects their health. Thereby, user uses some equipment's that provide an assistance to the user by automatically feeding the animals like cattle's in an efficient way without any manual innervation, as well as understands the dietary habits of each animal.

[0003] User uses some conventional was for feeding animals, like they used to feed animals that are present in their shed manually, in this method user feed the animals with the feed material via using their hands. However, in such cases there is a chance that the feeding routine of each animal gets disturbed as they feed the animals with the uncertain amount of feed materials so there is lack of understanding in dietary habits of each animal that also fails in maintaining optimal health of the animals. They also use some equipment's that are usually provide an assistance for feeding the animals however, they require manual innervation. Correspondingly, the user is required to perform some physical efforts for feeding the animals manually and a lot of time gets consumed while performing overall feeding process.

[0004] US4310252A Discloses about an invention that includes cattle feeding device in the form of a movable container provided with a plurality of augers, some extending horizontally and some inclined in order to effect proper mixing of feed introduced into the container together with means for discharging the thoroughly mixed feed for consumption by cattle.

[0005] EP0934694A1 Discloses about an invention that includes a feeding device for selectively feeding cattle, comprising: a fence with a controllable gate and a control for the gate, which control is adapted for selective opening of the gate; and a blocking connected to the gate which prevents opening of the gate at least during closing thereof.

[0006] Conventionally, many devices have been developed that are capable of providing an assistance while feeding of an animal. However, these devices are incapable of securely accommodating over an animal's neck based on the animal's dimensions and also lacks in securing the food and delivering the food towards the animal for facilitating the animal to easily consume the food. Additionally, these existing devices also lack in detecting the presence of rotten food and fails to alert the user about the detected rotten food.

[0007] In order to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, there exists a need in the art to develop a device that is capable of providing a means for securely accommodating over an animal's neck based on the animal's dimensions and securing and delivering the food towards the animal for facilitating the animal to easily consume the food. In addition, the developed device should also detect and alert the user about the presence of rotten food, ensuring the animal's health and safety during feeding.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The principal object of the present invention is to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to develop a device that securely attach to an animal's neck based on the animal's dimensions and further allows the animal to consume food by securing the food and delivering the food towards the animal for consumption.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to develop a device that detect and alert the user about the presence of rotten food, ensuring the animal's health and safety during feeding.

[0011] Yet another object of the present invention is to develop a device that is light-in-weight, durable and easy-to-operate.

[0012] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] The present invention relates to an animal feeding assistive device that securely attach to an animal's neck based on the animal's dimensions and further allows the animal to consume food by securing the food and delivering the food towards the animal for consumption.

[0014] According to an embodiment of the present invention, an animal feeding assistive device comprises of, a curved-shaped body attached with a strap that is accommodated around neck of an animal for securing the body, a computing unit installed with a user-interface is wirelessly associated with the device for enabling a user to give input commands for securing the body with the animal's neck, plurality of laser sensors configured with the body for detecting dimensions of the animal's neck, a motorized roller configured with the strap to rotate for wrapping the strap in view of securing the body with the animal's neck, and an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit mounted on the body for detecting food being giving to the animal by the user.

[0015] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the proposed device further comprises of, a pair of telescopically operated link installed with plates to extend for gripping the food via a pair of motorized clamps attached with the links, for allowing the animal to consume the food, a curved-shaped motorized slider configured between the body and plate, for translating the plate in view of moving aside the food from the animal's mouth, an odor sensor positioned on one of the clamps to detect the food to be rotten, a pressure sensor is configured with the strap for detecting pressure applied by the strap on the animal's neck, and a battery is associated with the device for supplying power to electrical and electronically operated components associated with the device.

[0016] While the invention has been described and shown with particular reference to the preferred embodiment, it will be apparent that variations might be possible that would fall within the scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:
Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of an animal feeding assistive device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The following description includes the preferred best mode of one embodiment of the present invention. It will be clear from this description of the invention that the invention is not limited to these illustrated embodiments but that the invention also includes a variety of modifications and embodiments thereto. Therefore, the present description should be seen as illustrative and not limiting. While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, it should be understood, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

[0019] In any embodiment described herein, the open-ended terms "comprising," "comprises," and the like (which are synonymous with "including," "having" and "characterized by") may be replaced by the respective partially closed phrases "consisting essentially of," consists essentially of," and the like or the respective closed phrases "consisting of," "consists of, the like.

[0020] As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" designate both the singular and the plural, unless expressly stated to designate the singular only.

[0021] The present invention relates to an animal feeding assistive device that is capable of securely attached to an animal's neck based on the animal's dimensions and further allows the animal to consume food by securing the food and delivering the food towards the animal for consumption.

[0022] Referring to Figure 1, a perspective view of an animal feeding assistive device is illustrated, comprising a curved-shaped body 1 accommodated around neck of an animal for securing the body 1, plurality of laser sensors 2 configured with the body 1, a motorized roller 3 configured with a strap attached with the body 1, an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 4 mounted on the body 1, a pair of telescopically operated link 5 installed with plates configured with the and a curved-shaped motorized slider 6 configured with the body 1.

[0023] The proposed device herein comprises of a curved-shaped body 1 attached with a strap that is accommodated around neck of an animal for securing the body 1, wherein the body 1 is constructed from lightweight yet durable materials such as high-grade polymer composites or reinforced plastics, ensuring both strength and flexibility.

[0024] A computing unit installed with a user-interface is wirelessly associated with the device for enabling a user to give input commands for securing the body 1 with the animal's neck. The computing unit is linked with an inbuilt microcontroller via an integrated communication module which includes, but not limited to Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity) module, Bluetooth module, GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication) module for establishing a wireless network between the microcontroller and computing unit, thus notifying the user for securing the body 1 with the animal's neck.

[0025] The microcontroller then activates plurality of laser sensors 2 configured with the body 1 for detecting dimensions of the animal's neck. The laser sensor laser sensor comprises two main components: a laser diode that emits the laser beam, a photodiode that detects the reflected light. When the sensor is activated as commanded by the microcontroller, the laser diode emits a short pulse of laser light towards the animal's neck. The light reflects off the surface and returns to the sensor. The photodiode then detects this reflected light. By precisely measuring the time it takes for the laser pulse to travel to the target and back, the sensor calculates the distance. The pattern of the received pulse gets converted into an analog value which is further converted into an electrical signal, wherein the electrical signal is send to the microcontroller. The microcontroller then processes the received signal from the sensor, thus detecting dimensions of the animal's neck.

[0026] Based on the detected dimensions, the microcontroller actuates a motorized roller 3 configured with the strap to rotate for wrapping the strap in view of securing the body 1 with the animal's neck. The roller 3 is linked with a DC (direct current) motor to provide the required power to the roller 3 to rotate in a clockwise or an anticlockwise direction in order to wrap or unwrap the strap. The motor comprises of a coil that converts the received electric current into mechanical force by generating magnetic field, thus providing the required power to the roller 3 to rotate on its own axis thereby wrapping the strap for securing the body 1 with the animal's neck.

[0027] A pressure sensor is configured with the strap for detecting pressure applied by the strap on the animal's neck. The pressure sensor includes a transducer, such that when the user accommodates the strap on the animal's neck, then force is exerted by the strap on the animal's neck. The exerted force causes deflection within a diaphragm inside the transducer. The deflection is monitored by the transducer and is further converted into an electric signal that is received by the microcontroller. The microcontroller processes the received pressure and detects the pressure applied by the strap on the animal's neck and in case the detected pressure exceeds a threshold value, the microcontroller actuates the roller 3 to rotate for slightly releasing the strap to reduce the pressure, thus preventing any chances of discomfort to the animal.

[0028] An artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 4 is mounted on the body 1 for detecting food being giving to the animal by the user. The imaging unit 4 comprises of an image capturing arrangement including a set of lenses that captures multiple images of the surroundings, and the captured images are stored within a memory of the imaging unit 4 in form of an optical data. The imaging unit 4 also comprises of a processor that is integrated with artificial intelligence protocols, such that the processor processes the optical data and extracts the required data from the captured images. The extracted data is further converted into digital pulses and bits and are further transmitted to the microcontroller. The microcontroller processes the received data and detecting food being giving to the animal by the user.

[0029] Based on which the microcontroller actuates a pair of telescopically operated link 5 installed with plates to extend for gripping the food via a pair of motorized clamps attached with the links 5. The telescopically operated link 5 is linked to a pneumatic unit, including an air compressor, air cylinders, air valves and piston which works in collaboration to aid in extension and retraction of the link 5. The pneumatic unit is operated by the microcontroller. Such that the microcontroller actuates valve to allow passage of compressed air from the compressor within the cylinder, the compressed air further develops pressure against the piston and results in pushing and extending the piston. The piston is connected with the link 5 and due to applied pressure the link 5 extends and similarly, the microcontroller retracts the link 5 by closing the valve resulting in retraction of the piston. Thus, the microcontroller regulates the extension/retraction of the link 5 for gripping the food via the pair of motorized clamps and followed by retraction of the links 5 for allowing the animal to consume the food.

[0030] A curved-shaped motorized slider 6 is configured between the body 1 and plate, wherein in case the microcontroller via the imaging unit 4 detects the animal not to be consuming the food, the microcontroller actuates the slider 6 for translating the plate in view of moving aside the food from the animal's mouth. The curved-shaped motorized slider 6 include sliding rack and rail, such that the plate is mounted over the racks that are electronically operated by the microcontroller for moving over the rails. The slider 6 is powered by a DC (direct current) motor that is actuated by the microcontroller by providing required electric current to the motor. The motor comprises of a coil that converts the received electric current into mechanical force by generating magnetic field, thus the mechanical force provides the required power to the rack to provide sliding movement to the plate for moving aside the food from the animal's mouth.

[0031] Further, in case the microcontroller via an odor sensor positioned on one of the clamps detect the food to be rotten, the microcontroller sends an alert on a computing unit for notifying the user to discard the food to prevent any chances of health issues to the animal. The odor sensor works when molecules of any chemical element are placed on a sensor's surface. The change of chemical property creates an electrical resistance that gets measured when the sensor gets exposed to odors. The odor sensor have a sensitive layer that translates a chemical interaction into a unique signal pattern that gets transmitted to the microcontroller. Then the microcontroller interprets the signal pattern and detect the food to be rotten and accordingly the microcontroller sends an alert on the computing unit for notifying the user to discard the food to prevent any chances of health issues to the animal.

[0032] The device is associated with a battery for providing the required power to the electronically and electrically operated components including the microcontroller, electrically powered sensors, motorized components and alike of the device. The battery within the device is preferably a lithium-ion-battery which is a rechargeable battery and recharges by deriving the required power from an external power source. The derived power is further stored in form of chemical energy within the battery, which when required by the components of the device derive the required energy in the form of electric current for ensuring smooth and proper functioning of the device.

[0033] The present invention works best in the following manner, where the curved-shaped body 1 attached with a strap that is accommodated around neck of an animal for securing the body 1, wherein the computing unit installed with a user-interface is wirelessly associated with the device for enabling a user to give input commands for securing the body 1 with the animal's neck. The microcontroller then activates plurality of laser sensors 2 configured with the body 1 for detecting dimensions of the animal's neck. Based on the detected dimensions, the microcontroller actuates a motorized roller 3 configured with the strap to rotate for wrapping the strap in view of securing the body 1 with the animal's neck. The pressure sensor is configured with the strap for detecting pressure applied by the strap on the animal's neck and in case the detected pressure exceeds a threshold value, the microcontroller actuates the roller 3 to rotate for slightly releasing the strap to reduce the pressure, thus preventing any chances of discomfort to the animal. The imaging unit 4 is mounted on the body 1 for detecting food being giving to the animal by the user based on which the microcontroller actuates a pair of telescopically operated link 5 installed with plates to extend for gripping the food via a pair of motorized clamps attached with the links 5. The curved-shaped motorized slider 6 is configured between the body 1 and plate, wherein in case the microcontroller via the imaging unit 4 detects the animal not to be consuming the food, the microcontroller actuates the slider 6 for translating the plate in view of moving aside the food from the animal's mouth. Further, in case the microcontroller via an odor sensor positioned on one of the clamps detect the food to be rotten, the microcontroller sends an alert on a computing unit for notifying the user to discard the food to prevent any chances of health issues to the animal.

[0034] Although the field of the invention has been described herein with limited reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternate embodiments of the invention, will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention. , Claims:1) An animal feeding assistive device, comprising:

i) a curved-shaped body 1 attached with a strap that is accommodated around neck of an animal for securing said body 1, wherein a computing unit installed with a user-interface is wirelessly associated with said device for enabling a user to give input commands for securing said body 1 with said animal's neck;
ii) a microcontroller wirelessly linked with said computing unit that processes said input commands and activates plurality of laser sensors 2 configured with said body 1 for detecting dimensions of said animal's neck, wherein based on said detected dimensions, said microcontroller actuates a motorized roller 3 configured with said strap to rotate for wrapping said strap in view of securing said body 1 with said animal's neck;
iii) an artificial intelligence-based imaging unit 4 mounted on said body 1 and paired with a processor for capturing and processing multiple images of surroundings, respectively, for detecting food being giving to said animal by said user, wherein said microcontroller actuates a pair of telescopically operated link 5 installed with plates to extend for gripping said food via a pair of motorized clamps attached with said links 5, followed by retraction of said links 5 for allowing said animal to consume said food; and
iv) a curved-shaped motorized slider 6 configured between said body 1 and plate, wherein in case said microcontroller via said imaging unit 4 detects said animal not to be consuming said food, said microcontroller actuates said slider 6 for translating said plate in view of moving aside said food from said animal's mouth.

2) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein in case said microcontroller via an odor sensor positioned on one of said clamps detect said food to be rotten, said microcontroller sends an alert on a computing unit for notifying said user to discard said food to prevent any chances of health issues to said animal.

3) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said microcontroller is wirelessly linked with said computing unit via a communication module which includes, but not limited to Wi-Fi module, Bluetooth module, GSM module.

4) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a pressure sensor is configured with said strap for detecting pressure applied by said strap on said animal's neck, and in case said detected pressure exceeds a threshold value, said microcontroller actuates said roller 3 to rotate for slightly releasing said strap to reduce said pressure, thus preventing any chances of discomfort to said animal.

5) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said microcontroller is wirelessly linked with said computing unit via a communication module which includes, but not limited to Wi-Fi module, Bluetooth module, GSM module.

6) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said telescopically operated links 5 are powered by a pneumatic unit that includes an air compressor, air cylinder, air valves and piston which works in collaboration to aid in extension and retraction of said links 5.

7) The device as claimed in claim 1, wherein a battery is associated with said device for supplying power to electrical and electronically operated components associated with said device.

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