Field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a system and a method of at least partly controlling a plurality of automatic agriculture operation systems controlling processes of the breeding of livestock, farming and agricultural processing industry.

Background of the invention

[0002] The different farming operation systems used today in agriculture in general and including on farms in the process of breeding of livestock is today highly automated. Hence modem farms are today controlled by a plurality of such standalone farming operation systems. The user of such systems is able to interact with these standalone systems via respective user interfaces. The interaction includes changing a value of operation parameters and maybe also receive feedback from the standalone system. On one farm, these farming operation systems may be from different manufactures and thus having different user interfaces. [0003] In the art it is known to remotely receive information from one individual of the plurality of standalone farming operation systems. As the trend is going towards a higher degree of automation, the farmer / user is facing using more and more timed on adapting operations of the farming operation systems to the actual status on the farm.

Summary of the invention

[0004] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a system via which time spend on adapting the operation of the farming operation systems to the status of the breeding process on the farm is reduced, where access to a plurality of systems are provided from one user interface including online access and where a plurality of these systems can be at least partly controlled only by one input from the user to the system also when the user is located remotely to the systems to monitor and control.

[0005] The invention relates to an agriculture data exchange and processing system, comprising a central computer system configured to enable bidirectional communication between one or more automatic farming operation systems and a manual controllable device, the manual controllable device enabling a user to provide input to and receive output from the central computer system. Wherein the one or more automatic farming operation systems are standalone farming operation systems each independently controlling one or more processes of several processes which are related to breeding of livestock on a production facility. Wherein the agriculture data exchange and processing system furthermore comprises a data storage communicatively connected to the central computer system, wherein the data storage is configured for storing unique user identification information and a plurality of predetermined workflows. Wherein each of the predetermined workflows are designed to update a value of a predetermined operation parameter of at least two predetermined automatic farming operation systems. Wherein the agriculture data exchange and processing system furthermore comprises a data processor, wherein the data processor is configured to select and execute one or more of the pluralities of predetermined workflows in dependency of the received input and the unique information identifying the user providing the input. Wherein the central computer system upon execution of one or more of the pluralities of predetermined workflows is configured for communicating the updated values to the at least two predetermined automatic farming operation system. [0006] This is advantageous in that it has the effect, that upon providing only one input, the system automatically determines if an operation parameter needs to be updated in one or more of the automatic farming operation systems communicating with the central computer system.

[0007] The invention is especially advantageous when two or more automatic farming operation systems are communicating with the central computer system and thereby also with the manually controllable device. This is because it has the effect, that one input from the manually controllable device may, due to the processing of the predetermined workflow, facilitates a change of a predetermined operation parameters of predetermined second, third, etc. automatic farming operation system. This has the effect, that in this way is achieved one point on interaction with two (or more) automatic farming operation systems independent of the physical location of the automatic farming operation systems and the manually controllable device. This has the effect of reducing the risk of manual errors in typing in related information to several automatic farming operation systems, manually remembering, redundant data handling and carrying information from one automatic farming operation system to another, reduces amount of data handled by the user and reduces time spend on paperwork carried out by the user.

[0008] The interdependency configuration of the workflows should be understood as dependencies or relationships between the workflows. When implemented, the interdependencies causes one input to have effect of control a plurality of automatic farming operation system. One example of such interdependencies could be if input is a reduction of 50 livestock at a production facility, then the automatic farming operation systems handling milling, feed mixing, feed dosing and climate control at the production facility is affected. The present invention is advantageous in that it has the effect, that (relevant/ predetermined) operation parameters of such (relevant / predetermined) automatic farming operation systems are updated. Thereby, the control of all these standalone automatic farming operations systems is updated automatic from one input provided to the central computer system by the user via the manually controllable device. [0009] Agriculture data exchange system should be understood as an active computer system facilitating exchange and processing of data from production facilities such as farms and industrial feed mills. Data may be processed at the central computer system and the central computer system may facilitate data exchange between automatic farming operation systems and manual controllable device.

[0010] Data processing should be understood as using input data, received e.g. from the manual controllable device or a sensor at the production facility in workflows or rules, thereby generating output data e.g. in the form of an updated operation parameter for an automatic farming operation system. Data exchange should be understood as storing of input data, preferably at the central computer system, transferring input data to and visualising input data at a receiver such as the manual controllable device, automatic farming operation system, external data partners, etc.

[0011] The workflow should be understood as a set of rules for executing an input value. Based on information stored at the data storage relating to user and connected production facilities and input provided, the rules or computer software of the workflow becomes very narrow and can only be used to update a value of a parameter at a particular farming operation system at a particular production facility. Hence, for each production facility / farming operation system a workflow is preferably designed and therefore the workflows of the present invention have to be tailor made to the particular production facility / farming operation system. It should be mentioned, that this includes that one workflow may be designed to include control / updating values of a parameter of more than one farming operation even if such farming operations are not located at the same production facility.

[0012] Input data (also referred to simply as input) is typically received from a user in the form of a person, but the user might also be an automatic farming operation systems, subsystems including different types of sensors and transducers, external data partners such as a slaughterhouse, an industrial mill, a feed supplier, internal data partners such as automatic farming operation systems of farms or feed mills located at different locations but economically related (e.g. convergence in ownership), etc. [0013] Input data includes temperature, weight, number of livestock, number of offspring, reduce or increase size feed portions, change of curves, etc. Output data includes alarms setpoints, operation parameters, upper / lower level of hysteresis band, start, stop, etc. [0014] A standalone automatic farming operation system is understood as a system that can control the operation of one or more automatic farming operation systems. In this invention standalone is understood as independent (i.e. controlling without interaction from other controllers) except for the fact that the standalone controller receives updated operation parameters from systems or controllers external to the standalone controller. Updates which changes the control e.g. by changing an operation setpoint or the like. The control of the standalone automatic farming operation system is typically limited to control one or more automatic farming operation systems of a single production facility. Hence, by the present invention standalone automatic farming systems located at different sites are linked together control wise to enable control of the individual automatic standalone farming operation system independent of physical location from a central controller.

[0015] A user should be understood as a person interacting with one or more automatic farming operation systems via a manual controllable device. Accordingly, a user could be a farmer, service technician, feed manufacture, etc. [0016] A process related to the breeding of livestock on a farm should be understood but not limited to climate control and feeding control (i.e. handling, preparation, mixing and dosing). Hence, even feed preparation at an industrial mill is understood as a process in breeding of livestock on a farm in that it is a necessary process for the livestock to grow. [0017] Production facility should be understood as any kind of agricultural plant such as a farm including one or more automatic farming operation systems or an industrial mill including one or more automatic farming operation systems. One production facility may be spilt into separate sub-production facilities i.e. different processes or states of breeding of livestock are made on different geographic locations. Examples of sub-production facilities could include a stable, pigsty, cowshed, etc. having framed areas (sometimes referred to as pens) for one or more livestock. In this document, production facility is sometimes referred to as farm having the above-described meaning. [0018] Data storage should be understood as one or more independent data storages accessible at least by the central computer system, but also other data processors, internal or external data partners may communicate with the data storage and obtain information hereof. Data may be indexed and stored in a database like structure at the data storage. [0019] According to an embodiment of the invention, the data processor executing the workflows is a data processor of the central computer system. This is advantageous in that it has the effect, that the workflows are executed a central data processor and the automatic farming operation systems are controlled centrally by the central computer system. Here control should be understood as at least updating an operation parameter. This is leading to a reduction of costs of the automatic farming operation systems in that local controllers then becomes superfluous.

[0020] According to an embodiment of the invention, the operation of at least one automatic farming operation system is controlled by a local controller and wherein an operation value of a control algorithm executed by the local controller is changed to the updated value. This is advantageous in that it has the effect, that the automatic farming operation system are only partly controlled centrally in that the workflows are executed by a data processor of the central computer device. More specific, only control parameters are updated centrally and provided to the local controller / data processor which is executing locally located algorithms thereby controlling the operation of the automatic farming operation system. This leads to a stable control of the automatic farming operation system can be obtained even when data connection between the central computer system and the production facility is not stable. [0021] It should be noted, that controlling the operation of the automatic farming operation system is sometimes referred to as controlling a process which is related to breeding of livestock on a production facility.

[0022] According to an embodiment of the invention, the automatic farming operation system is selected from the list of comprising systems for: feed intake, feed dosing, feed cleaning, feed storing, milling, grinding, feed mixing, feed pelleting, dry feeding, liquid feeding, electronic sow feeding, climate control, feed conveying, grain cleaning, grain drying, grain storing and seed separation and selection systems.

[0023] The automatic farming operation system may be part of one physical location such as a farm or mill or split between a plurality of farms located at different physical locations. Automatic farming operation systems located on farms or mills having economic bounds e.g. in the ownership are referred to as internal data partners whereas automatic farming operation systems located on farms, mills, slaughter houses trading with an internal data partner is referred to as an external data partner. [0024] The automatic farming operation system is a standalone system in that it can be controlled independent of other automatic farming operation systems. This means, that each automatic farming operation system preferably is controlled by its own independent industrial controller, algorithm on the central computer system, or the like. With this said, two automatic farming operation systems may communicate with each other. A user may access such controller via a user interface dedicated to the specific controller.

[0025] According to an embodiment of the invention, the central computer system is furthermore configured to establish bidirectional communication with an external data partner. An external data partner should be understood e.g. as a slaughter house or an industrial mill. Communication with such external data partners is advantageous in that it has the effect, that e.g. a slaughter house is able to plan production better if knowledge of when livestock are arriving. This will enable the slaughter house to reduce overcapacity e.g. in terms of working force and thereby reduce costs. In case the external data partner is a slaughter house, the central computer system and thereby the user via the manually controllable device can receive information of price per livestock, weight of each livestock, etc.

[0026] According to an embodiment of the invention, the central computer system is furthermore configured to enable bidirectional communication between two of the one automatic farming operation system. This is advantageous in that it has the effect that one farming operation system is able to directly control another farming operation system thereby establishing a more automatic farm system reducing the need for interactions from a user. An example could be stopping a first farming operation system is something is not right in a second farming operation system. [0027] According to an embodiment of the invention, the data storage is configured for storing unique identification information of each of the automatic farming operation system and process equipment hereof. This is advantageous in that it has the effect, that the workflow based on this unique information is able to distinguish between similar automatic farming operation systems on different production facilities. This enables use of the same algorithm for the partly control of a plurality of automatic farming operation systems. Because the input is linked to a user profile or a production facility the input may be used to identify the relevant automatic farming operation system and thereby which workflow that needs to be executed.

[0028] According to an embodiment of the invention, the information stored at the data storage related to the automatic farming operation system includes at least one of type, production facility at which the automatic farming operation system is installed, real-time operation data and historic operation data. Information stored at the data storage related to the automatic farming operation system at least includes unique identification of automatic farming operation systems connected to the central computer system. It is especially advantageous in order to be able to keep track of which of similar types of automatic farming operation systems that are used at different located farms to be able to communicate with the correct one. The unique identification enables the central computer system to identify each individual automatic farming operation system of the agriculture data exchange and processing system. This includes distinguishing similar automatic farming operation systems located at different production facilities.

[0029] Further, storing of real-time and historic data is advantageous in that it has the effect, that visual performance of the automatic farming operation system can be generated both in real-time and historic.

[0030] According to an embodiment of the invention, the data storage is furthermore configured for storing unique identification information of the one or more production facilities. This is advantageous in that it has the effect that the information allows the central computer system to identify each individual production facility communicating with the central computer system. This enables the central computer system to differentiate between similar automatic farming operation systems located on different production facilities.

[0031] The unique identification may include information such as name and owner of the enterprise owing the production facility. Further, it may include name, country, address, town and zip code of the individual production facility.

[0032] Storing information of the production facility is advantageous in that it has the effect that it enables dividing production facilities in groups according to their geographic location and ownership, such as grouping production facilities which are members of the same legal entity. This furthermore has the effect that coordinated control and monitoring of production facilities e.g. within the same legal entity but distributed across several countries, can be established. Such monitoring may, within the legal entity, be established on a first level such as by country and on a second level such as by production facility. Thereby is obtained the possibility to adjust production in one country based on experiences in a second country, increase production in a country where circumstances are fortuitous while reduce production in less fortuitous countries.

[0033] Further, it has the effect that from a system supplier point of view it is possible to segment users of the system and thereby be able to, when looking globally at all data supplied to the system, give advices on how to optimise production of the individual facilities.

[0034] According to an embodiment of the invention, the data storage is furthermore configured for storing unique identification information of building, sections, zones, pens, actuators, transducers, sensors and automatic farming operation systems. This is advantageous in that it has the effect that the central computer system is able to control actuators and transducers and thereby automatic farming operation systems on specific sites. The unique identification may include information such as name, number and type identifying individual buildings, sections of buildings of the production facility and automatic farming operation systems. Further, the information may include name, type, purpose, etc. of actuators and transducers used at the production facility.

[0035] According to an embodiment of the invention, the data storage further stores user account information including rights assigned to the user. This is advantageous in that it has the effect that less skilled persons can be prevented from entering areas of the system holding critical data. Further, read / write access can be assigned to different users. Further, users can be assigned rights to access production facilities within a legal entity, a country, etc. This furthermore has the effect, that when a user is logged into the system and provides input, the system based on the user information (and type of input) already knows which workflow that needs to be executed. [0036] According to an embodiment of the invention, the input from the user facilitates an update of an operation parameter of a first automatic farming operation system located on a first production facility and of a second automatic farming operation system located on a second production facility.

[0037] This is advantageous in that it has the effect that when the user is providing an input to the central computer system, due to the interdependency between sub- algorithms at the central computer system, the central computer system is at least partly controlling (preferably by updating an operation parameter) automatic farming operation systems of two production facilities located in different physical addresses. Thereby, the user does not have to manually move from one address to another address to update the automatic farming operation systems.

[0038] According to an embodiment of the invention, one predetermined type of input from the manual controllable device to the central computer system initiate processing of at least one predetermined workflow. This is advantageous in that it has the effect that the workflows can be a plurality of relatively simple and specific predetermined workflows that are fast to execute by the data processor.

[0039] According to an embodiment of the invention, the input provided by the user via the manual controllable device is provided with metadata at the manual controllable device. This is advantageous in that it has the effect that input when received by the central computer system comprises information e.g. of building of the farming operation system to be controlled is located leading to an easier and faster selection of the correct workflow used for executing of the input

[0040] According to an embodiment of the invention, the input is provided from a sensor monitoring an automatic farming operation system. In an embodiment, the input to the central computer system may origin from a sensor instead of from the manual controllable device. This is advantages in that it has the effect that the above described control in this embodiment is completely automatic. It should be mentioned that the input may in an embodiment origin from both the manual controllable device and from a sensor.

[0041] According to an embodiment of the invention, the input from the manual controllable device is a reduction of the number of livestock at one production facility, and wherein the processing of this input by the data processor, according to a first predetermined workflow at least partly controlling an automatic farming operation system controlling the delivery of feed of livestock at a first production facility, results in an update of an operation parameter used in the control of the feeding, wherein the update of the operation parameter results in a reduction of amount of feed delivery to the livestock at the first production facility. [0042] According to an embodiment of the invention, the input from the manual controllable device is a reduction of the number of livestock at one production facility, and wherein the processing of the input by the data processor, according to second predetermined workflow at least partly controlling an automatic farming operation system controlling the climate at the first production facility, results in an update of an operation parameter used in the control of the climate, wherein the update of the operation parameter results in a reduction of speed of a ventilation fan at the first production facility.

[0043] This is especially advantageous in the situation where the number of livestock in a production facility is reduced significantly such as when a whole truck full of livestock is delivered to the slaughter house. Then feed delivery and ventilation is reduced or stopped if the production facility is completely emptied. If the production facility is completely emptied, the temperature may also be set to a minimum, feed production may be stopped, etc. which all in all reduced costs related to energy consumption and wear of motors, heaters, valves, etc. for the above-described systems.

[0044] According to an embodiment of the invention, the input from the manual controllable device is a reduction of the number of livestock at one production facility, and wherein the processing of this input by the data processor, according to a third predetermined workflow at least partly controlling an automatic farming operation system controlling the production of feed of livestock at a second production facility, results in an update of an operation parameter used in the control of the feed production, wherein the update of the operation parameter results in a reduction of amount of feed produced at the second production facility.

[0045] According to an embodiment of the invention, the input from the manual controllable device is a reduction of the number of livestock at one production facility, and wherein the processing of this input by the data processor, according to a fourth predetermined workflow results in sending an update to an external data provider, wherein the external data provider is a slaughter house and wherein the update sent to the slaughter house is a number of livestock for expected delivery, preferably also date of delivery. [0046] This is advantageous in that it has the effect that all or part of this is possible from one single input from the user, who only has to perform one input to one system to update an operation parameter in several standalone automatic framing operation systems of different production facilities and provide data to an external data partner.

[0047] According to an embodiment of the invention, a plurality of automatic farming operation systems of a particular production facility is communicating with the central computer system via a communication interface comprising one or more monitoring and control components. The monitoring and control components are advantages in that they are designed and developed to monitor and control specific processes, preferably farming operation systems of a production facility. The data collected from the component can be used for analysis at the central computer system and the central computer system may control or update local controllers / farming operation systems via the components.

[0048] According to an embodiment of the invention, the communication interface is located on at the production facility so that one communication protocol is used between the central computer system and the communication interface and one or more communication protocols are used between the communication interface and the one or more automatic farming operation systems. This is advantageous in that it has the effect that automatic farming operation systems from different suppliers can communicate with the central computer system by a uniform communication protocol i.e. normalising / translation of data is done locally leading to a simpler development of the central computer system and the possibility of implementing automatic farming operation systems from different suppliers.

[0049] According to an embodiment of the invention, the manual controllable device is a portable data processing device configured for wireless communication with the central computer system. Portable data processing device is preferably a smartphone or tablet. This is advantageous in that it has the effect that when the user is walking by the livestock on the farm it is easy to provide input data to the central computer system and thereby update parameters or control of several automatic farming operation system from the manual controllable device. It should be mentioned that portable data processing device also includes a laptop or personal computer with a larger screen than e.g. a tablet enabling better overview of presentation of output data, historic data, status information, etc.

[0050] According to an embodiment of the invention, the central computer system is a cloud-based computer system. This is advantageous in that it has the effect that the central computer system can be accessed from a plurality of different sites and countries at the same time leading to a very flexible system.

[0051] Moreover, the invention relates to a method of at least partly controlling a plurality of standalone automatic farming operation systems of one or more production facilities from a central computer system. The method comprises the steps of: determining a plurality of standalone automatic farming operation system of the one or more production facilities controlled according to control software by controllers. Establishing a plurality of workflows facilitating updating a predetermined operation parameter of the control software of at least two of the plurality of standalone automatic farming operation system. Providing an input from a user to the central computer system. Selecting one workflow from the plurality of workflows based on the input. Executing the selected workflow by a data processor based on the input, thereby establishing an updated value for a predetermined operation parameter in at least a first and a second of the plurality of standalone automatic farming operation systems. Providing the updated values to the controller controlling the first and the second standalone automatic farming operation systems, and by the controller of the first and the second standalone automatic farming operation systems use the updated values in the control software when controlling the operation of the first and second standalone automatic farming operations systems. [0052] The at least partly control from the central computer system is achieved by the updated value of the operation parameter. This is advantageous in that it has the effect that by one input from a user, a plurality of farming operation systems can be updated, provided to the local controllers and used in the control of farming operation systems. [0053] According to an embodiment of the invention, the controller is a local controller. The first and second farming operation systems of the plurality of farming operation systems is typically controlled by individual (local) controllers but may also be controlled by the same controller. [0054] According to an embodiment of the invention, the method further comprises the steps of providing unique information identifying a user to the central computer system, and providing unique information identifying the production facility to the central computer system. Wherein the input includes a value of an operation parameter of the control software of a first standalone automatic farming operation system and information identifying the user providing the input.

[0055] According to an embodiment of the invention, the input is used to determine the workflow to be executed.

[0056] According to an embodiment of the invention, the input is made via a predetermined part of an application program executed on the manual controllable device, wherein the predetermined part is associating the input with metadata.

[0057] This is advantageous in that it has the effect that when the central computer system comprises information identifying users and production facilities of the system, then when this is included e.g. as kind of metadata to the input, the central computer system is able to fast and effectively find and execute the correct workflow. [0058] The information included in the input may be included simply be the user logging in to the system, thereby all input send from this user includes user is by the central computer system recognised as input from a particular user with particular rights. Such information and rights are preferably stored in the data storage. In the same way, the information identifying the production facility may automatically be recognised by the central computer system based on the user and his rights. With this said, the input may also when provided to the manual controllable device be provided in a data area identified as part of a particular production facility. The user may choose a particular path when inputting the value and as a result of the selected path, the input may include information identifying the relevant production facility or building hereof. [0059] According to an embodiment of the invention, the automatic farming operation system is controlling at least one selected from the list of comprising systems for: feed intake, feed dosing, feed cleaning, feed storing, milling, grinding, feed mixing, feed pelleting, dry feeding, liquid feeding, electronic sow feeding, climate control, feed conveying, grain cleaning, grain drying, grain storing and seed separation and selection systems.

[0060] According to an embodiment of the invention, the metadata is unique information identifying the production facility where the first and second automatic farming operation systems is in operation. This is advantageous in that it has the effect that based on this metadata, the central computer system is able to select the correct workflow in which the input has to be executed. The first and second automatic farming operation systems may be located on two different locations at the production facility or at different production facilities.

The drawings

[0061] For a more complete understanding of this disclosure, reference is now made to the following brief description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings and detailed description, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts:

Figure 1 illustrates production facilities communicating with a central computer system, and

Figure 2 illustrates an example of a specific production facility according to an embodiment of the invention. Detailed description

[0062] Figure 1 illustrates an example of an agriculture data exchange and processing system 1 according to an embodiment of the invention. In this example, the agriculture data exchange and processing system 1 includes four production facilities 8 each having two or more automatic farming operation systems 3. The system 1 further includes a central computer system 2 enabling bidirectional communication between the central computer system 2 and each of the automatic farming operation systems 3 of the production facilities 8. The central computer system 2 communicates with and preferably comprises a data storage 5 and a data processor 6.

[0063] A production facility 8 refers to an agricultural site which is at least partly participating or in any way directly or indirectly controlling processes or features that are related to the breeding of livestock. Examples of production facility 8 sites include farms 8a and industrial millings 8b. A farm 8a typically comprises a plurality of buildings 9. One type of farm buildings is a housing 9a for livestock and another is a housing for feed production 9b. An industrial mill 8b may also comprise a plurality of buildings 9 with the purpose of drying feed raw material, milling the feed raw material, mixing the feed according to predetermined recipes, said in another way all relevant processes related to production of feed and seed for livestock breeding. [0064] No mater type of production facility 8, sites hereof includes one or more automatic farming operation systems 3. Examples of automatic farming operation systems 3a-3n includes systems for feed intake, feed dosing, feed cleaning, feed storing, milling, grinding, feed mixing, feed pelleting, dry feeding, liquid feeding, electronic sow feeding, climate control, feed conveying, grain cleaning, grain drying, grain storing and seed separation and selection systems.

[0065] Returning to figure 1, the farm denoted 8aii comprises a feed distribution system 3a located in a first building 9a and a feed mixing system 3b located in a second building 9b. These two systems are standalone systems which can be operated independent of one another, preferably each under the control of local individual independent controllers 10. The independent control of the standalone systems is of course open toward other systems so that the feed mixing system 3b can communicate with the feed distribution system 3a to stop if there e.g. is no more mixed feed. The farm denoted 8aii comprises two building for housing livestock 9a each with a feed distribution system 3a and a climate control system 3c. It is noted, that a communication interface box 15 is installed via which the bidirectional communication between farming operation system 3 and central computer system 2 is facilitated. The interface box 15 is optional, but preferred, in that at the production facility 8 it is used as a gateway for communication between the farming operation systems 3 and the central computer system 2. Thereby it is possible to adjust safety level of the data communication, select systems, parts or parameters to be monitored etc.

[0066] The farm denoted 8aiii comprises two building for housing livestock 9a similar to farm 8aii and one building for feed production 9b comprising a feed milling system 3d and a feed mixing system 3c. Note that even not all farming operation systems 3 are illustrated with a local controller 10, they have in one way or the other such controller either integrated locally, centrally or sharing. Hence because a local controller 10 is not illustrated at production facility 8aiii and 8b, this does not mean that the farming operation systems 3 are not controlled by a local controller 10 or the central computer system 2 is not communicating with a local controller 10. The same is true for the interface box 15 which preferably is present on all production facilities 8 even not illustrated.

[0067] The fourth production facility illustrated on figure 1 is an industrial mill 8b comprising automatic farming operation systems for milling 3d, mixing 3b and other relevant systems 3n. It should be noted that the automatic farming operation systems 3a-3n are preferably all standalone systems with local controllers 10 as described above. Further, as described some of the systems 3 interface each other such as e.g. the feed mixing providing feed to the feed delivering system.

[0068] It should be mentioned that the local controllers 10 may not be physically located at the site of the production facility 8. In fact, the process equipment of the automatic farming systems 3 of a site may be controlled from the central computer system 2. Control software for controlling local systems which is executed centrally is sometimes referred to as cloud control.

[0069] Each of the automatic farming operation systems 3 is built of a plurality of different process equipment. The process equipment includes valves, motors, silos, pipes, screw conveyor, controllers, sensors etc. built together to facilitate the relevant process.

[0070] The different elements of the agriculture data exchange and processing system 1 i.e. the production facilities 8, buildings 9, automatic farming operation systems 3, process equipment and external data providers if any are preferably all identifiable in the data storage 5 which preferably is part of the central computer system 2. The identification is established by unique identification information preferably stored in the data storage 5, preferably each controllable element down to process equipment is identifiable in the data storage 5. This has several advantages where one is the possibility for the central computer system 2 to distinguish between similar farming operation systems 3 located in different buildings 9.

[0071] Beside the fact that it enables central control, it is also advantageous in that at the central computer system data related to performance, load, operation, etc. of farming operation systems 3 and its process equipment can be analysed. Such analysis can be linked to physical farming operation systems and its process equipment on a local production facility 8. Analysis of performance of similar production facilities 8 and farming operation systems 3 located at different production facilities 8 can be compared. Such analyse may include comparison of performance, operation, use of power, use of feed, and any other feedback from farms 8 and farming operation systems 3. Based on such comparison, it may be possible to identify differences in farming operation systems 3 and process equipment between production facilities 3 and its control strategies. Analysis of such differences together with possible differences in production efficiency such as average cost of production of one livestock can be used to indicate where at a lesser efficient farm or mill, it may be possible to optimise.

[0072] As indicated, the analysis of information received from the production facilities 8 may be used to analyse the reason for differences in performance of two otherwise identical production facilities 8. It may also be used to estimate upcoming maintenance of process equipment and thereby planning such activity to reduce impact hereof on production. This can be observed e.g. from an increasing power consumption of a motor or pump, for the motor to keep its performance stabile.

[0073] The detailed knowledge of location of the farming systems 3 and its process equipment can be used in spare part logistics. If e.g. a motor has been in operation for almost the number of hours it is designed to be in operation, the system 1 can automatically order a new motor for stock on a warehouse or service facility close to the location motor. Further, the system 1 may provide a notice or an alarm depending on configuration to the user or service responsible.

[0074] Accordingly, the unique identification of and bidirectional communication with production facilities 8, buildings 9, farming operation systems 3 and process equipment enables the central computer system 2 to perform a very detailed control, monitor and analyses of the different elements needed all the way down to the individual process equipment in the production of livestock. The unique identification is referred to as metadata and may as mentioned include location of a production facility, section of production facility, user ID, type of farming operation system, machine IDs, RFID tags, etc.

[0075] In addition, the agriculture data exchange and processing system 1 includes a manually controllable device 4 which preferably is a smartphone comprising an app via which a user can provide input to the central computer system 2 and thereby to the automatic farming operation systems 3 and external data providers 7 if any such is connected to the computer system 2. The user may also receive information from the central computer system 2 and thereby from the automatic farming operation systems 3 and external data providers 7. [0076] External data providers 7 should be understood as providers of services related to the breeding of livestock. Such services at least relate to providing raw materials to feed production and handling the livestock when the breeding process hereof ends. This post-breeding process includes at least slaughter and farms which are taking over the livestock breeding process e.g. fatten up the livestock. Hence, external data providers 7 are defined as providers of services not handled by the production facilities 8 of the system 1. If such external data providers 7 have farming operation systems 3 in operation, then may be controlled and monitored as described in this document.

[0077] The bidirectional communication between the manual controllable device 4 / farming operation systems 3 and the central computer system 2 is preferably established via a public communication network such as a wireless, WLAN, BlueTooth, GSM, G3, G4 or similar mobile data network or a wired internet connection. In a preferred embodiment, a communication interface 15 is located at the production facility 8 enabling the bidirectional communication between farming operation systems 3 and the central computer system 2.

[0078] The communication interface 15 may communicate with the farming operation systems 3 via the OPC communication protocol or similar and it preferably also include proxy, safety and publishing functionalities. Accordingly, the communication interface 15 is a gateway connecting the central computer system 2 to the production facility 8 thereby enabling in a safe manner controlling the receiving of control and command signals from and sending sensor data to the central computer system 2.

[0079] The communication interface 15 is advantageous to install at the production facility in that it identifies the production facility 8 and farming operation systems 3 hereof. Further, it eases the connection of farming operation system 3 from different manufactures and future expansion of the system with new farming operation systems 3.

[0080] The communication interface 15 preferably includes a data storage comprising predetermined rules for farming operation system data to store and / or communicate to the central computer system 2. Such information includes performance data, values of operation parameters, alarms, etc. received from sensors or controllers 10 of the farming operation systems 3. At the central computer system 2, the input received from the communication device 15 may be pushed to the mobile controllable device 4 for information to the user. Further, this input may also initiate workflows executed by the data processor 6 similar to the input received from the user via the manual controllable device 4.

[0081] Data exchanged via the bidirectional data communication between the manual controllable device 4 / farming operation systems 3 and the central computer system 2 is used by a plurality of workflows stored at the data storage 5 and processed by the data processor 6. The workflows are preferably predetermined so as to result in the change or update of a predetermined operation value of one or more farming operation systems 3. I.e. the data processor 6 or computer system 2 may select the workflow from the plurality of predefined workflows to execute based on input received from the interface 15 / farming system 3 or from the user.

[0082] When a person is registering as a user of the system 1, it includes providing information to the central computer device 2 of which production facility 8 the user should be able to control farming operation system 3 of. This is done by linking the user information to the unique information of elements of the agriculture data exchange and processing system 1 of the data storage 5. In this way, the system 1 knows that when a particular user is providing a particular input to the system 1 it relates to a particular farming operation system 3 at a particular productions facility 8.

[0083] As mentioned, the data storage 5 stores a plurality of workflows, the workflows being predetermined and established based on knowledge of possible input that can be supplied to the central computer system 1 and farming operation systems 3 available at production facility 8 and the effect a change of such input should have on available farming systems 3.

[0084] Accordingly, the first step in implementing the system 1, is to define the types of farming operation systems 3 at the production facilities. The next step is to determine which operation parameters that should be possible to update from the manually controllable device 4 (or from another farming operation system 3). Based on this information, a plurality of workflows is established that adjusts operation parameters used by the local controllers 10 in the control of the farming operation systems 3.

[0085] An example of a workflow could be as follows. It should be possible to increasing feed units to a particular sow by a user. In input is provided by a user of the system 1. Hence, the central computer system 2 is aware of production facility 8 that should be controlled accordingly due to the information registered for the user. The identification information stored in the data storage 5 of that production facility 8 identifies which process equipment of which farming operation system 3 in which building 9 of the production facility that should be controlled. Accordingly, the data processor is able to execute a workflow that increased the time a valve is opened to be able to deliver the increase in feed units. [0086] Another example is that an input is provided that starts the feed deliver system

3a in a building 9. Since activity is increased in the building 9, the temperature is increased in the building 9, and the ventilation should start. Due to this knowledge, this workflow is predetermined to start both the feed deliver system 3a and the ventilation of the climate control 3c instead of waiting to the temperature rise is registered by a sensor. Again, the workflow is using the user information of the user providing the input to find the correct workflow / farming operation systems to control.

[0087] Another example is that grain is storage in a grain storage where e.g. the weight, type of grain and grain supplier is registered by a farm operation system and communicated to the central computer system. This information may be provided either automatic from a truck scale or manually by inputting by a user. The some or all of this information or other information determined based on this information may subsequently be provided from the central computer system to one or more further farm operation systems. One of such further farm operation systems may be a system for moving the grain to a particular silo so that in the end the central computer system knows in which silo, which type and how much grain the is stored.

[0088] Another example is that after or during feeding of pigs a low level (under a threshold value) of feed or one feed component is registered. The feeding farm operation system requests from the central computer system more feed. Then the central computer system is then configured for ordering more of the particular requested feed or feed component at a milling farm operation system. The milling farming operation system registers e.g. the type, weight, supplier, cost, etc. as described above and sends it to the central computer system which again may forward the information to an ERP system / farm operation system at a local site or allows a user to access it directly from the central computer system.

[0089] In this way, the central computer system 2 comprises a plurality of unique predetermined workflows that are established according to the particular farming operation system 3 that exists at the different production facilities 8 connected to the system 1. Accordingly, when a user is providing input to the system 1, the user information registered, and the type of input provided, determines the workflow to be executed by the data processor 6. The result of the processing of the determined workflow results in the update of a value of one or more operation parameters of one or more farming operation systems 3. Likewise, input received form a particular farming operation system 3 and knowledge of farming operation systems associated with that providing the input is used to determine or select the workflow to be executed.

[0090] The central computer system 2 preferably uses each input received in one or more workflows or rules that has been predetermined to update a value of an operation parameter of one (preferably two) or more automatic farming operation systems 3. Hence, when a user or system 3 provides an input, the input is used in one or more predetermined workflows or rules to update predetermined operation parameters of a plurality of different automatic farming operation systems 3. Accordingly, each of the workflows are designed to take into account interdependency between a plurality of different automatic farming operation systems 3 as the result of a particular input.

[0091] Alternatively, the central computer system 2 includes a workflow or rule per automatic farming operation system 3 connected to the central computer system 2. Hence, when a user provides an input, the input is provided to one or more of the workflows or rules. The workflow(s) for which the input is relevant is predetermined and when executed based on the input provides an updated value of a predetermined operation parameter. Thereby, an updated value of an operation parameter for the automatic farming operation system 3 is established. The workflows for which the input is not relevant, is not executed.

[0092] Further, the updated value of the operation parameter established by executing a workflow may be used as input to another workflow. In this way interdependencies are established between the workflows. It should be mentioned, that other not mentioned architecture or design of the execution of input in workflows as described above could be made within the scope of the invention.

[0093] The implementation of the interdependency configuration can be made passive or active. Passive should be understood as broadcasting the input to all automatic farming operation systems 3 known by the central computer system 2. The workflow related to the individual automatic farming operation system is in this implementation configured to determine if the input is relevant for the operation hereof or not. If it is decided that the input is relevant, the input is used as basis for updating an operation parameter of the control software which locally is used to control this particular automatic farming operation system. The determination and / or update of the value of the operation parameter is preferably made by a workflow which may be located centrally at the central computer system 2 or locally at a local controller 10. [0094] Active should be understood as processing the input at the central computer system 2 and thereby centrally select the relevant workflows and thereby the relevant automatic farming operation systems 3 for which the input is relevant. When the relevant workflows are selected, these workflows are executed by a data processor 6 of the central computer system 2 and the result hereof is an updated value of one or more relevant operation parameters used in the control software of the relevant automatic farming operation system 3. These update values / operation parameters are then provided to the local controller 10 (controlling the relevant automatic farming operation system according to a control algorithm / software) and here used to change the control of the automatic farming operation system 3. It should be mentioned that instead of a local controller 10, the control software may be executed by a data processor 6 located at the central computer system 6.

[0095] The workflow should be understood as a plurality of lines of software code. The software code is preferably divided into rules which when executed by the data processor 6 is updating a value of an operation parameter for a particular automatic farming operation system. It should be understood that a reference to a workflow may include a reference to lines of software code of one or more workflows to be able to obtain a desired result of execution hereof.

[0096] Figure 2 illustrates a production facility in the form of a farm 8a. This farm comprises a building for housing livestock 9a and a building for producing feed 9b. In the building 9b four ventilation systems 3c is provide for controlling the climate and a feed delivery system 3a are installed. In the building 9b a feed mixing system 3b is installed. It should be mentioned, that reference to livestock is a reference to any kind such as cows, poultry (chickens, ducks, goose etc.), aqua (fish, shell fish etc.) and in particular pigs. [0097] The feed delivery system 3a is delivering feed from the feed mixing system 3b to four sections 11 of the building 9a. The delivery system 3a is controlled by a local controller lOa. The local controller lOa is controlling the process equipment including valves l2a and a motor 13 driving a conveyer, the control is made based on predetermined control software executed by the local controller. The valves l2a are opened to deliver a number of feed units to each pen 16, then number of food units is determined by the number of e.g. pigs present in the pen. Accordingly, the controller lOa calculates for how long time the individual valves l2a has to be opened, when the motor facilitates conveying feed from the mixing system 3b to the valves l2a, to deliver the correct number of food units.

[0098] The feed mixing system 3b is controlled by a local controller lOb calculating the number of food units that are need for a forthcoming period of time. In addition, it mixes the feed ingredients stored in silos 14 according to a receipt and information of quality of the feed ingredients to mix a desired quality of the mixed feed. The mixing of ingredients may simply be made by opening valves l2b to the ingredient silos for a predetermined time. Thereby, a feed mixture is produced in the silo l4a connected to the conveyer of the delivery system 3 a.

[0099] The three ventilation systems 3c are controlling the climate in the building 9a one for each of the four sections 11. This can be done either by process equipment such as heat exchangers and fans controlled by one or more local controllers lOc. At figure 2 only one ventilation controller lOc is illustrated, however one controller 10 may be used for controlling one fan.

[0100] As mentioned, the farming operation systems 3 are performing different processes related to the breeding of livestock. These farming operation systems 3 may be of different manufactures or of different versions and thus communication between such systems and the central computer system 2 is difficult and no solutions to this problem is found in the prior art.

[0101] In an embodiment of the invention, to ensure communication with all farming systems 3 no mater manufacture and version hereof, the communication between the local controllers 10 and the central computer system 2 is made via a local gateway 15. The local gateway 15, which is typically installed in a building 9, preferably comprises a monitoring and control component 17 which is preferably assigned specifically to one farming operation system 3. One such component 17 may communicate with more than one farming operation system 3 or sensors or controllers which are not part of a farming operation system 3. These monitoring and control components 17 are software components designed e.g. to ensure that the bidirectional data communication is safe (not corrupted or hacked), collect particular data from the local controller 10, push alarms and other data to the central computer system 2, receive data from the central computer system 2 such as stop commands, updated values of operation parameters, etc. Hence, the monitoring and control components 17 are designed specifically to a particular farming operation system 3 of a particular farm system 1. Further the interface 15 can be used for mapping / normalizing variables in the control algorithms used for the local control of the farming operation systems 3. This enables the central system 2 to communicate with farming systems 3 of different manufactures, versions, etc.

[0102] Accordingly, from this it is understood that the agriculture data exchange and processing system 1 has to be configured to the specific production facility where it is used. By use should be understood partly control i.e. at least update values of operation parameters used by the local controllers 10, but also collect data from the local controllers 10 and provide these to a user via the central computer system 2.

[0103] The present invention can, on a production facility 8a as illustrated on figure 2, be used to perform intelligent control and monitoring of the automatic farming operation systems 3 of the farm 8a. Each of the local controllers 10 are communicatively connected to a central computer system 2 which is also communicatively connected to a manual controllable device 4. A user can by providing one input via the device 4 change or update several relevant operation parameters of several relevant farming operation systems 3. This is achieved by the above-described workflows executed at the central computer system 2 and is possible from a remote location via a data communication connection between the device 4 and the central computer 2.

[0104] An example of such control is that if one section 11 is emptied for livestock, the need for feed is reduced i.e. the controller lOb should be instructed to reduce the mixing of feed according to the reduced number of livestock. The controller 10a should be instructed to not open valves 12 at the empty section 11 and the controller lOc should be instructed to keep another temperature (higher or lower - operation parameter is changed).

[0105] Another example of the advantage of the central computer system 2 at least party controlling automatic farming operation systems 3 of processes of two different production facilities could be as follows. If one production facility is a farm having a feed delivery system and the other production facility is a feed mill producing the feed. Then an input to reduce amount of feed delivered to livestock at the farm may result in a reduction of the feed production at the feed mill. This control is automatically obtained due to interdependency established in the workflow between the two farming operation systems via their respective operation parameters in the workflow.

[0106] In practise the interdependency may be implemented as rules in the workflow. Hence, when input relates e.g. to a reduction of feed delivery, a specific workflow is designed to effectuate the impact of this particular input in one or (preferably more) farming operation system.

[0107] It should be noted that when reference to an operation parameter or set point is made, the reference is made to a control parameter of control software preferably executed by local controllers 10. Such control parameter is also sometimes referred to as setpoint or threshold values. [0108] As mentioned, the farm system 1 also facilitates intelligent monitoring of the farming operation systems 3 or production facility 8 in general. This is facilitated by designing monitoring and control components 16 for a predetermined monitoring and / or control task. By this, the farm system 1 is customized to a particular production facility, more specific to facilitate a predetermined monitoring and / or control task. The components 17 may be implemented as a batch job, triggered or executed by an event of the control of a farming operation system 3. Hence, if a temperature rises, the component 17 is activated to alert the user, facilitate change of control of one or more farming operation systems, etc. [0109] The information collected by the communication interface 15 can be used at the central computer system 2 to perform predictive maintenance of process elements of the farming operation systems 3. Hence, by analysing data related to performance, temperature, flow, component / equipment knowledge, power consumption, etc. it is possible to estimate when equipment needs to be maintained. Maintenance or service could then be planned to avoid production stop due to failing equipment.

[0110] The production facility 8 is preferably at the central computer system 2 structured so that a so-called enterprise is identifiable by enterprise ID. The enterprise may further be divided in different sites (buildings) identifiable by site ID. In this way it is possible for the central computer system 2 to distinguish between sites of the same enterprise located in different regions or countries. In this way the farming operation systems controlling processes at the individual sites can be tracked, controller and monitored. In addition, location of spare parts, process equipment on stock, etc. can also be determined.

List

1. Agriculture data exchange and processing system

2. Central computer system

3. Automatic farming operation system

a. Feed distribution system

b. Feed mixing system

c. Climate control system

d. Feed milling system

n. Other systems related to feed production

4. Manually controllable device

5. Data storage

6. Data processor

7. External data providers

8. Production facility

a. Farm

i. First farm

ii. Second farm

iii. Third farm

b. Mill

9. Buildings

a. Housing for livestock

b. Housing for feed production

10. Local controller for an automatic farming operation system

11. Section

12. Valves

13. Motor

14. Silo

15. Production facility communication interface

16. Pen

17. Monitoring and control component of the communication interface